Thank You NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Q.K. Petty, This book was available as a previously on NetGalley-read now and it sounded so good and Indigo Spring was due out soon. I requested the book and I am so glad I did. I was sucked in from the very start and would have read in one sitting if I could have. This is a darker fantasy about religious houses searching for items that are too dangerous for just anyone to have access to. The book started so good, I felt the Audio had to make it a lot better. I must admit the Audio is not my favorite but the story and plot was so good, I could look past that and happy to contribute to this author as the writing is superb and I am excited to read the next book as of course we leave on a cliffhanger. Now available on KU.

True Winter is book one in A Series of Four Seasons by Q.K. Petty.
This story was evenly-paced, well-crafted, and kept me invested and engaged throughout.
Through a twisted plot line and brilliant characterizations, this story keeps readers guessing until the end.

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I did not know what to except with this book. and I'm stoked to start reading the next. The writer did a wonderful job of telling this story. I’m not usually a fantasy reader, but the excellent way in which this story was told

I love the premise … a secret organization (The House of David) that travels the world to collect powerful artifacts in order to sequester them away in some “warehouse” in order to protect us all from the people that would abuse them (yes … I know it has been done before but I still love the concept). The twist here is that there is a counter organization that works toward free access to these same artifacts despite the danger (aka caveat emptor). The House is organized with an absolute head of house that priorities and assigns tasks and goals for the org. Four (4) Tennins armed with weapons of Archangels. Twelve (12) Judges imbued with splinters of the cross (aka Fingers of God) that grants them superhuman abilities … with each Judge training an Acolyte. And various support elements such as clean up crews in the background. Seditio, the opposing organization, is more nebulous and apparently run by a mysterious Mary with a psycho-terrorist second known as Whiteface.

The book opens with a mission to retrieve the “Chains of Peter” in Mobile AL; after which we see a flash back to the MC’s (Eden Dowler aka The Grim Reaper) first mission to retrieve the “Blood of Mary,” both of which are deadly to the unworthy/impure. This pretty much sets the [fast] pace for the first half of the book as the House attempts to retrieve the Aegis of Zeus and the Sword of Joan of Arc before the story turns extremely (and somewhat unexpectedly) dark for the last half of the book. By the end you see something of a personality switch between Eden and his acolyte Orion (which quite frankly was not done that well). There are a few twists and turns, much of which is signaled ahead of time if you are paying attention, until we get to the tragic end with a hint of things to come (it is a series after all).

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#TrueWinter #FourSeasons #NetGalley

Overall I liked the story and had guessed the Seditio leader from before half way, but it was a very slow read for me. I found it so hard to get through the really long chapter, it's definitely worse reading on kindle it's very discouraging to start a new chapter when it is going to take 40 minutes to read it. I was told it was fast paced, it didn't seem fast paced but it wasn't slow, it just seemed normal. There were a few elements that were kind of confusing, just went over my head for a while, for the sample dead people turning into flowers. More explanation about that and the finger of god could have helped my earlier understanding.
As I said I did like the story, but I just didn't get excited for a 40 minute chapter and couldn't race through it so consequently was probably stuck thinking about parts of the book for way longer than I usually would.

I want to start off by saying that the description really drew me in. These are some of my favorite genres and the creative fantasy plot did not disappoint. The book is very easy to follow - it’s surprisingly clear and simple, while still undeniably hectic and engaging. The writing is uncomplicated, straight to the point, and at times, adeptly stiff. Focusing in on the action/thriller aspects make it incredibly immersive. There are so many exhilarating twists and turns. This book is definitely for readers that want eventful, action-packed, no-bullshit fantasy.

Now, I understand why people love this. It makes sense to me. It’s got action, fantasy, a little gore, perspective shifts. It’s just lacking in some areas for me. I found myself wanting more descriptive writing, with a slower pace, and more character development. Maybe there was actually a lot of character development and I just didn’t like the characters? I’m not sure. In any case, I didn’t feel connected to anyone; I wasn’t interested in their arcs.

Again, I loved the premise, but finishing the book made me feel like the overall story was incomplete, as if it was an excerpt to catch my attention before the full novel was released. I know that it’s in a series, but even as a first novel it felt rushed to me. I wanted more, like a lot more, and it just skims over so much and so quickly. It’s hard to settle into anything when it lasts no longer than a few pages. For me, it felt like the plot unraveled a little bit in the second half for the sake of chaos and action.

I read over some other reviews and I’m definitely in the minority (which is good!). I know people who enjoy this type of writing, prefer it actually, so I undoubtedly recommend this book to you if you’re one of them. I will be reading the second book because, despite my critiques, there’s real talent in the storytelling here - it’s vicious and creative.

True Winter is one of the best books I've read recently, from the diverse great characters to the religious artefacts and plot twist.

The story is fast paced, Q.K. Petty's writing style pulled me in quickly with the intense action and amazing interactions between friends, enemies and family.
Not shying away from disturbing scenes and writing a villain who stays a villain through it all, it's the found family bonds between broken people that shine.

I adored the broken and quirky characters most of all, my favorite being the main character, Eden.

Overall I will certainly continue this series, it's a refreshing take on religious politics, artefacts, organizations and cults, set in a kind of urban fantasy.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.
#TrueWinter #QKPetty #NetGalley

I was transported into a new world, it is not very often that I find such an immersive world that hooks me in and this one has done it extremely well. This story is an adventure and it has left me wanting more from this author. There are areas of the tale that are a little disturbing, but not in an off putting way, it adds to the world and the tale.
There is a clean crossing of genres that is done perfectly.

Probably more of a 2.5 star. I was really enjoying it until we got to the Orion thing towards the end. Not to spoil it, but that really soured it for me. And Eden barely lived up to his moniker of the Grim Reaper. I wanted more of that. Planning on reading the rest of the series, I just wish this one hadn't disappointed so much in the end.

I love it when I find a book that sucks me in and the world around me disappears. This book was amazing, from start to finish. Eden belongs to the House of David, an organization that searches for ancient artifacts with mystical powers. When he is sent on a mission to recover the lost Chains of Peter, he discovers his half-brother Orion. He soon recruits Orion to the cause.

Together they fight against the sinister group called Seditio, a group that is trying to find the artifacts first. But as they work to recover the lost artifacts, Eden begins to question the purposes behind the House of David and his loyalty to it. And did he make a mistake in recruiting his brother to fight for its cause?

The plot was very fast-paced, intense and at times dark and disturbing. But it was oh so good! I loved it and can't wait to start the next book.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

This is a once in a blue moon sort of book. Sure, there may have been minor things which I could pick at and criticise but to be honest, I enjoyed it far too much to care!

The storyline follows an organisation known as the House of David consisting of an elite squad trained in how to efficiently retrieve powerful ancient religious artifacts and stop them falling into the wrong hands. The plot follows a member of the House of David, Ethen Dowler, as he battles Sedito, the organisation which oppose them.

I loved the concepts of the mysterious and powerful relics as well as the highly trained House of David operatives. It appealed to me and I found the imagination behind it brilliant!

It was a very fast paced book which was great at gripping the reader (I certainly found it page turning!) as it jumped from one action scene to the next. To be honest, I enjoyed this, it was entertainment at its finest however I could see why some people may believe it takes away from the complexity of the book and might make it less interesting. Having said that, it was refreshing to read a book that was pure entertainment without feeling the need to be more complex with sacrifices to the enjoyability of the read.

Overall I found this book to be highly enjoyable and I loved the imaginative ideas behind it combined with its fast paced nature. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read an entertaining book that grips you without all the fluff of trying to be complex and intellectual for the sake of it. I got this book as a Netgalley review copy and I see that the second one in the series will be released soon, I very much look forward to reading it!

4 stars!

Oh this is what Iv been craving (are book cravings a thing? Well they are now!). Anyhow, this has the action and adventure I want out of my Sci-fi/fantasy reads. I’m tired of all the “romance” I keep buying under false pretenses. This is what I want. Artifacts, treasure, action, obviously a smidge of romance. I want it all! And it is within these pages! What an incredibly fun book. I’m off to read the next one now to see where this story takes us.

Lovely read. Love how the author created the character's personalities. The plot is amazing. Loved every second of it.

This was such a fun rollercoaster - secret societies and holy relic hunters? Yes, please!!!

In a world where holy relics have supernatural powers, Eden Dowler means to make sure the Chains of St. Peter do not fall into the wrong hands. He works for the House of David, and he believes the Chains are kept by a family that happens to include Eden's half-brother Orion.

The House of David is not the only group looking for the Chains. The more ominously named Seditio, is also full of lethal soldiers ready to kill , torture, and die to get their hands on these artifacts. The blend of supernatural, mystery, and familial trauma never lets up, and I am thrilled that I was able to figure out one of the mysteries pretty early on.

Five hundred years ago, a deadly artifact called the Chains of Peter was stolen. Now, the chains have resurfaced in Mobile, Alabama, and the House of David, a secret organization that specializes in securing dangerous artifacts, has sent its most lethal operative to find them.

Judge Eden Dowler is all but certain the wealthy Bachman family is hiding the chains, and he has a win/win plan for securing them. As it happens, the Bachmans’ youngest son, Orion, is Eden’s estranged half-brother. All Eden has to do is convince his brother to join the House of David, and the chains are as good as his. Orion Bachman is the perfect candidate—loyal, intelligent, fit, and eager—and Eden is certain his brother’s healthy upbringing will benefit the House, which usually only recruits broken children.

There’s just one problem. A mysterious counter organization known as Seditio will stop at nothing to keep the House from securing the chains. When Seditio sets its sights on the Bachman family, Eden realizes the stakes have become personal. But what’s the best way to protect Orion? Should Eden train him to fight and kill, or guard Orion’s innocence so he doesn’t become one more broken soul in the House of David?

As the House continues its bloody search for artifacts, Eden begins to question its integrity and the role he plays within it. Unfortunately, Orion is beginning to question everything else, including whether he should have ever put his faith in someone like Eden Dowler.

A really solid debut. Had a historical fiction feel to it with some really good mystery elements. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for book two")