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Winter's Bite
Older cover edition of ASIN B004YTFDV4
Many years ago, Ysabon made her living by the sword as a skilled mercenary. Now she lives in Westedge with her brother's children, tending to the animals and afraid of dying old and useless. When a horrible winter storm drives monsters down from the mountains, Ysabon can save her family and her village if only she can find the strength and take up the sword for a final battle.
Winter's Bite is an epic fantasy short story by Annie Bellet.
*Bonus Material Included* Read the first five chapters of the dark fairytale fantasy A Heart in Sun and Shadow free in this ebook.
Many years ago, Ysabon made her living by the sword as a skilled mercenary. Now she lives in Westedge with her brother's children, tending to the animals and afraid of dying old and useless. When a horrible winter storm drives monsters down from the mountains, Ysabon can save her family and her village if only she can find the strength and take up the sword for a final battle.
Winter's Bite is an epic fantasy short story by Annie Bellet.
*Bonus Material Included* Read the first five chapters of the dark fairytale fantasy A Heart in Sun and Shadow free in this ebook.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2011
50 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Annie Bellet
83 books838 followersAnnie Bellet is a full-time speculative fiction writer. She holds a BA in English and a BA in Medieval Studies and thus can speak a smattering of useful languages such as Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Welsh.
Her books include Avarice (Pyrrh Considerable Crimes Division: Book 1), The Gryphonpike Chronicles series, and the Twenty-Sided Sorceress series.
Her interests besides writing include rock climbing, reading, horse-back riding, video games, comic books, table-top RPGs, and many other nerdy pursuits.
Want to be notified when her next book is released, receive free stories and books, and be notified about sales and other goodies? Sign up for Annie Bellet's mailing list
Or if you want sneak peaks, regular updates, and exclusive stories, consider supporting her Patreon. Patreon is here!
Her books include Avarice (Pyrrh Considerable Crimes Division: Book 1), The Gryphonpike Chronicles series, and the Twenty-Sided Sorceress series.
Her interests besides writing include rock climbing, reading, horse-back riding, video games, comic books, table-top RPGs, and many other nerdy pursuits.
Want to be notified when her next book is released, receive free stories and books, and be notified about sales and other goodies? Sign up for Annie Bellet's mailing list
Or if you want sneak peaks, regular updates, and exclusive stories, consider supporting her Patreon. Patreon is here!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 24, 2020
4 stars -English free Ebook on Amazon 🦋🦋🦋
Quote from the book : widowhulks where marginally intelligent, with a hunter’s instinct but too mutch love of slaughter and fresh blood to pas as Just another wild creature. 🍀🍀🍀
Good “snif” on the Epic fantasy style of this author. Like to read more novels by his hand. 🌷🌷🌷
Quote from the book : widowhulks where marginally intelligent, with a hunter’s instinct but too mutch love of slaughter and fresh blood to pas as Just another wild creature. 🍀🍀🍀
Good “snif” on the Epic fantasy style of this author. Like to read more novels by his hand. 🌷🌷🌷
June 6, 2022
4,25 sterren - English Ebook
If you haven't read Annie Bellet, you must give her short stories and novellas a try. Many authors take 50 plus pages to set the stage for a story. Annie pulls you in within the first paragraph, and while she always brings her stories to completion, I wish they would continue on simply because I become quickly invested in all of her characters, and want more!
I've read everything I can find that Annie has written, and this is another beautifully woven tale about love and honor.
If you haven't read Annie Bellet, you must give her short stories and novellas a try. Many authors take 50 plus pages to set the stage for a story. Annie pulls you in within the first paragraph, and while she always brings her stories to completion, I wish they would continue on simply because I become quickly invested in all of her characters, and want more!
I've read everything I can find that Annie has written, and this is another beautifully woven tale about love and honor.
May 1, 2022
3 green stars, only because it left me wanting more. If this is meant to be a teaser then it served its purpose. It really is much too short, so I can't say anything other than I liked the writing. I do not think it is a prequel to anything. I did not read the "bonus" 5 chapters of book:A Heart in Sun and Shadow|10714047, which really made up the bulk of this ebook, but I will be adding it to my TBR, because it is set in "a Cymru that never was".
Description: Many years ago, Ysabon made her living by the sword as a skilled mercenary. Now she lives in Westedge with her brother's children, tending to the animals and afraid of dying old and useless. When a horrible winter storm drives monsters down from the mountains, Ysabon can save her family and her village if only she can find the strength and take up the sword for a final battle.
Description: Many years ago, Ysabon made her living by the sword as a skilled mercenary. Now she lives in Westedge with her brother's children, tending to the animals and afraid of dying old and useless. When a horrible winter storm drives monsters down from the mountains, Ysabon can save her family and her village if only she can find the strength and take up the sword for a final battle.
December 30, 2015
I thought it was cool and different reading about an ex warrior. Usually it's about a teen learning how to fight or about a young assassin, so this was different. We learn a little bit about the MC Ysabons past but not the whole thing, which I would've liked to have know. I guess the only thing I had a hard time with was with the names. I suck at pronouncing names and these were some names I never heard of before. I don't know how I feel about the ending, I wanted to know what happens, is there a happy ending or something much worse? I guess the more I think about it, it was a good ending. Ysabon wanted it that way.
February 12, 2019
2,75 Rounded-up because Annie Bellet (and because it is not entirely her fault)
I would have liked this short story more had I known the story itself stopped at 30-ish% of the e-book. I would have been prepared for the coming end, but this way it felt really abrupt. I thought we were going to see Otherwise, the concept is good, and Annie Bellet developps her characters quite nicely in so short a story.
I would have liked this short story more had I known the story itself stopped at 30-ish% of the e-book. I would have been prepared for the coming end, but this way it felt really abrupt. I thought we were going to see Otherwise, the concept is good, and Annie Bellet developps her characters quite nicely in so short a story.
November 23, 2019
A retired mercenary who long ago put down her sword is called upon to defend the lives of those in her village from monsters in Annie Bellet's Winter's Bite.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Years ago, Ysabon secured her living through her sword, wielding it as a mercenary. Having retired her weapon, she now lives a quiet life with her brother's children in a village tending to animals. With a harsh winter storm rousing some monsters from the mountain on which they dwell, the havoc they exert upon unsuspecting folk is brutal. To save the village and her family, Ysabon will need to find the strength and will to once again take up her sword.
An interesting world is briefly introduced within the pages of this fantasy short story and primes a reader's interest to learn more of what this world contains; though the short time spent with the characters in this world is intriguing, especially in the creatures it introduces and the power and respect that Ysabon has, there isn't much in the way of development and providing an adequate amount of context, leaving readers wanting more. Ysabon's past seems like it would be fascinating to learn more about, particularly as her actions in her older age make her a compelling and capable character to become invested in.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Years ago, Ysabon secured her living through her sword, wielding it as a mercenary. Having retired her weapon, she now lives a quiet life with her brother's children in a village tending to animals. With a harsh winter storm rousing some monsters from the mountain on which they dwell, the havoc they exert upon unsuspecting folk is brutal. To save the village and her family, Ysabon will need to find the strength and will to once again take up her sword.
An interesting world is briefly introduced within the pages of this fantasy short story and primes a reader's interest to learn more of what this world contains; though the short time spent with the characters in this world is intriguing, especially in the creatures it introduces and the power and respect that Ysabon has, there isn't much in the way of development and providing an adequate amount of context, leaving readers wanting more. Ysabon's past seems like it would be fascinating to learn more about, particularly as her actions in her older age make her a compelling and capable character to become invested in.
June 20, 2018
The writing here gives me hope for a larger work. The short story doesn't give us a good indication of how the writer would handle the action sequences. Wherein lies the biggest issue I have with this short: The biggest action is off camera. This is functional for a short, but it lacks verve and oomph. The main character is interesting as far as we get to know her, she has potential and in the short space of the story, I did find myself liking her. So, kudos for that! On the whole it does its job, making me curious about the writer's other works... and whether this short might fit as a prologue of some sort.
June 19, 2022
A master of the short story
I rarely give a 5 star rating. I am new to this author and have been buying all her work to reread again. Thus far she has managed to allow me to suspend disbelief.
Before you laugh, three "oops - that is unbelievable" and there goes a star. If I get too many in a few short pages, I quit reading and give no review unless it is really blatant then I will warn other readers that perhaps their money and time might be better spent... Hopefully I do it kindly. I want to writers who are struggling to succeed.
I've bought most of what she has published.
I rarely give a 5 star rating. I am new to this author and have been buying all her work to reread again. Thus far she has managed to allow me to suspend disbelief.
Before you laugh, three "oops - that is unbelievable" and there goes a star. If I get too many in a few short pages, I quit reading and give no review unless it is really blatant then I will warn other readers that perhaps their money and time might be better spent... Hopefully I do it kindly. I want to writers who are struggling to succeed.
I've bought most of what she has published.
September 15, 2022
In the lightly inhabited northern region a four day wintertime storm has just gusted itself out. The day after, a midwife arrives at an out-of-the-way farm to find that the residents have been horribly slaughtered. All suggestions supports that a pack of creatures named the Widowhulks are the culprits. Someone has to warn the peoples at the barracks so the village might be protected...a stronghold that is a long way away and probably impossible to reach.
April 24, 2020
Intriguing
Very good, though shorter that I expected. I want to know more! Haunting... For the sample at the of of Winter's Bite: I fell in love with Idrys and Elba. Their adventure was exhilarating as well as heartbreaking. I will be purchasing the whole story! Great work, can't wait to read more from this author!
Very good, though shorter that I expected. I want to know more! Haunting... For the sample at the of of Winter's Bite: I fell in love with Idrys and Elba. Their adventure was exhilarating as well as heartbreaking. I will be purchasing the whole story! Great work, can't wait to read more from this author!
May 26, 2019
Unexpected ending
Just a heads up that the short story itself ends at the 30% read mark. That threw me off, expecting more. If you know the end of the story is coming it gives a much better feel for how it ends.
Just a heads up that the short story itself ends at the 30% read mark. That threw me off, expecting more. If you know the end of the story is coming it gives a much better feel for how it ends.
December 31, 2017
This was a short book.
It’s kind of an odd book. It kind of left me wondering what happened to some of the characters though...
It’s kind of an odd book. It kind of left me wondering what happened to some of the characters though...
January 10, 2018
I enjoyed this short story. It was interesting and left you hanging (which makes me want to read more of her books to find out what happened). Has action and suspense. Nice writing style.
January 25, 2018
Short
Short and sad but so good. Size a bit misleading as first 5 chapters of another book included. I did not read them as I prefer complete books and stories.
Short and sad but so good. Size a bit misleading as first 5 chapters of another book included. I did not read them as I prefer complete books and stories.
September 18, 2019
The novel was certainly fantastic.
December 19, 2020
Even though it is a short story, I want to know about the events before and after
October 13, 2022
Good but super short and left me to wanting more :)
January 29, 2023
Not bad
Not bad, but it ends abruptly without a good conclusion. Hope we can get another short story or something to hear how it ends for the characters.
Not bad, but it ends abruptly without a good conclusion. Hope we can get another short story or something to hear how it ends for the characters.
April 4, 2024
Feminine
A collection of short stories. Some of them Gaelic? The female protagonist feels like a modern woman somehow. Ok writing though.
A collection of short stories. Some of them Gaelic? The female protagonist feels like a modern woman somehow. Ok writing though.
October 8, 2025
This was a short story I was sad to see end. I really wanted to know what was going to happen next.
May 15, 2017
I liked this story a lot. It has a nice idea and story line, not too complicated. That let's the author develop the character more fully, so I'd classify this as a story more about a character than about the plot. A fun, quick read.
March 17, 2015
Ysabon is an ex-fighter. She’s retired and gone home to live with her adult daughters and when a band of men appear out of the snow and ask for her help she says ‘no’; she’s too old to fight. The men warn of a pack of creatures; widowhulks that will target the town. They want to go to the nearest fort and ask for help. It’s a good plan. But when only her nephew makes it back alive, the plan has to change.
***
This is a short story that was free on Kindle as an intro to the author. It is only a third of the file as it also contains the first five chapters of another story. I didn’t read those; I never do.
I am not sure what the other books in this series are (the internal link doesn’t work) and I have checked her Goodreads page and the Amazon page and I can’t see which books are more of Ysabon’s story. That’s a mistake if I wanted to read them. Or maybe she hasn’t written them yet? Shrugs. Guess I’ll never know.
***
This is a short story that was free on Kindle as an intro to the author. It is only a third of the file as it also contains the first five chapters of another story. I didn’t read those; I never do.
I am not sure what the other books in this series are (the internal link doesn’t work) and I have checked her Goodreads page and the Amazon page and I can’t see which books are more of Ysabon’s story. That’s a mistake if I wanted to read them. Or maybe she hasn’t written them yet? Shrugs. Guess I’ll never know.
May 29, 2013
This is a short story, but oh, how I wish the author would have created a regular novel! I want more!!! So much depth is in-steeled from the characters to the details of the story. Ysabon learns a large pack of Widowhulk have come down from the mountains, traveling further than is the norm and have attacked and killed many kinsmen. The garrison across the river must be warned. For a short story, it's epic in the size of the tale.
Eery still winter that causes tears to freeze as they fall, horrifying Widowhulks, family, taking up arms, skiing, finding courage and duty.
Eery still winter that causes tears to freeze as they fall, horrifying Widowhulks, family, taking up arms, skiing, finding courage and duty.
June 2, 2012
This is the first story I've read from Annie Bellet and it turned out to be an excellent book. I love authors who take pride in their work and not only tell great stories, but write them with the spit and polish that a good book deserves. Will be reading more of this author's work very soon.
February 3, 2014
An elegant fantasy short story, crafted through strong characterization and character interactions rather than spells or swords. A simple plotline builds to an inevitable conclusion, as an old warrior shakes off retirement and age for one last, necessary battle. Five strong stars.
September 5, 2015
Short but sweet.
A great high fantasy short that feels like a prologue to a much larger novel.
The story was left with an indescribable ending that wrapped up the epic short telling.
A great high fantasy short that feels like a prologue to a much larger novel.
The story was left with an indescribable ending that wrapped up the epic short telling.
February 12, 2016
A Story of Wales That Never Was
The short story of A Winter's Bite was exactly what I love in fantasy fiction. The characters were real, and the monsters were intense. I look forward to more by the author, and highly recommend it!
The short story of A Winter's Bite was exactly what I love in fantasy fiction. The characters were real, and the monsters were intense. I look forward to more by the author, and highly recommend it!
March 3, 2016
A short story to make want to read the series.
Unexpected. Well written and a possible ending to a main character? From a set of stories featuring a main character. Adventure and other realm evils. Great fantasy.
Unexpected. Well written and a possible ending to a main character? From a set of stories featuring a main character. Adventure and other realm evils. Great fantasy.
August 5, 2016
A Great Shortstory
I was reading the 20 sided sorceress series and wanted to sample Annie's other work. This is a great story of an aging fighter and her last stand for hearth and home. Great read.
I was reading the 20 sided sorceress series and wanted to sample Annie's other work. This is a great story of an aging fighter and her last stand for hearth and home. Great read.
January 17, 2018
What a brilliant short story. Just as you were getting into it the story finished.
For me it's a shame that half of the download was 5 chapters of another book. It's a personal thing but I tend not to read snippets if I haven't got the actual book.
Still has 5 stars as the story was engaging.
For me it's a shame that half of the download was 5 chapters of another book. It's a personal thing but I tend not to read snippets if I haven't got the actual book.
Still has 5 stars as the story was engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews