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Frostbitten
Tomas Greenleaf has dedicated most of his life to becoming one of the finest soldiers in the sprawling Aldarri Empire, but nothing could prepare him for his first serving as a lone guardian for the frigid and remote village of Lahar. Surrounded by the deadly and unforgiving arctic for hundreds of miles, the people of Lahar have learned to thrive on the shores of the a river of molten rock holding back the ice. Greenleaf doesn't know why he was sent to this lonely place, surrounded by cold ice and colder stares, but he's determined to learn the dark secret at the heart of Lahar.When the warmth that has kept Lahar alive for hundreds of years begins to vanish, Greenleaf must set forth on a doomed mission to save those who most want him gone. Across a grueling and and dead land, Greenleaf will face the implacable bitter cold of the arctic night to dig into the forbidden past of his Empire and face the creatures that claim the ice as their own. The ordeal will test his every limit, forcing him to battle not just the terrifying nightmares released from the ice, but the ugly truth at the core of all he believes.
355 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2023
17 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 27, 2023
FROSTBITTEN is a wonderful blend of fantasy horror that has me enjoying the very unique world building as well as muttering, "Gross" at the vivid horror. If you love fantasy and wilderness horror, this is the perfect blend of that.
November 11, 2025
This is an indie-published fantasy horror novel, and while I’m not sure it was quite what I was expecting, I really enjoyed it. When Tomas Greenleaf graduates at the top of his military class, he is promoted to captain and sent on a special assignment to Lahar, a small village in the remote, frozen middle-of-nowhere. However, he doesn’t really know why he’s there, and the villagers don’t want him there; he’s an outsider associated with the imperial government, and they don’t like or trust him. As he starts to get to know them, he also learns about monsters that the villagers don’t talk about publicly.
The book doesn’t dive into the horror very quickly. Stogner builds up the world and allows readers to get to know Greenleaf and the culture of Lahar, all of which I appreciated. There is less time spent with the monsters, known as trijjat, than I expected. I thought that we would end up learning more about them, and while they do play an important role in the novel, the focus is more on Greenleaf’s learning about Lahar and how the empire operates and completing his mission. Stogner does make the trijjat suitably horrifying, though.
The author posted a video about how he wanted to write about characters in this world who are basically regular people. They’re not the big movers and shakers you might see in other fantasy books. They’re not overturning governments or changing society as a whole. This was helpful context when I got to the ending, which I think has the potential to frustrate some readers. However, even without the context, I think I could recognize what he was going for. Sometimes life just isn’t fair, and all we can do is our best to live within the confines of that life.
This was a well-written, entertaining read, and at some point I’ll check out the author’s other books set in this world.
The book doesn’t dive into the horror very quickly. Stogner builds up the world and allows readers to get to know Greenleaf and the culture of Lahar, all of which I appreciated. There is less time spent with the monsters, known as trijjat, than I expected. I thought that we would end up learning more about them, and while they do play an important role in the novel, the focus is more on Greenleaf’s learning about Lahar and how the empire operates and completing his mission. Stogner does make the trijjat suitably horrifying, though.
The author posted a video about how he wanted to write about characters in this world who are basically regular people. They’re not the big movers and shakers you might see in other fantasy books. They’re not overturning governments or changing society as a whole. This was helpful context when I got to the ending, which I think has the potential to frustrate some readers. However, even without the context, I think I could recognize what he was going for. Sometimes life just isn’t fair, and all we can do is our best to live within the confines of that life.
This was a well-written, entertaining read, and at some point I’ll check out the author’s other books set in this world.
November 21, 2025
Please read this book. Please read this book. For fucks sake please read this book. Oh. my. god. Ooohhhh my god. Oh my god.
Update to come when I can stop internally screaming about how good this is and actually formulate a full thought again.
I am unwell.
—-
Ok it’s been a few months and now that im not emotionally overwhelmed I can actually formulate thoughts.
This story was so damn good. I loved everything from the characters to the world. This story was tense. It leads into the action well but once it starts you really don’t get a moment of rest until the end. I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of this and i cant say that for many books.
This was a great fantasy horror and i cant wait to read more in this world.
Update to come when I can stop internally screaming about how good this is and actually formulate a full thought again.
I am unwell.
—-
Ok it’s been a few months and now that im not emotionally overwhelmed I can actually formulate thoughts.
This story was so damn good. I loved everything from the characters to the world. This story was tense. It leads into the action well but once it starts you really don’t get a moment of rest until the end. I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of this and i cant say that for many books.
This was a great fantasy horror and i cant wait to read more in this world.
October 20, 2023
This fantasy horror has action, emotion, and yes, absolute terror. The story was so well-paced and captivating and I will be thinking about Greenleaf for weeks, days, months, years to come.
April 9, 2025
This is a short, fast paced novel with very interesting world building, a strong plot and some genuinely complex characters.
There are some world building points that are not elaborated upon after reading them. You kind of have to take that in stride while you read but overall doesn’t take away too much from the story. I would have loved to have had a deeper dive into the politics of the world but honestly wasn’t as integral to the story so I understand why it was left out. I do really hope there will be other books in the world because the set up is there for future books.
The very ending also leaves you slightly unsatisfied in a way but if future books were written, it would scratch that itch the ending leaves.
It was still a deeply entertaining and fast paced read and I think it does something different within the fantasy horror genre that I really enjoyed.
The characters are overall pretty complex and written well and we got a lot from them in a short amount of time.
While being fast paced, the plot doesn’t feel rushed and the overall mysteries are very interesting and kept me guessing.
I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a book to get you out of a reading slump or you are wanting to try a fantasy horror or you just want an action packed story.
There are some world building points that are not elaborated upon after reading them. You kind of have to take that in stride while you read but overall doesn’t take away too much from the story. I would have loved to have had a deeper dive into the politics of the world but honestly wasn’t as integral to the story so I understand why it was left out. I do really hope there will be other books in the world because the set up is there for future books.
The very ending also leaves you slightly unsatisfied in a way but if future books were written, it would scratch that itch the ending leaves.
It was still a deeply entertaining and fast paced read and I think it does something different within the fantasy horror genre that I really enjoyed.
The characters are overall pretty complex and written well and we got a lot from them in a short amount of time.
While being fast paced, the plot doesn’t feel rushed and the overall mysteries are very interesting and kept me guessing.
I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a book to get you out of a reading slump or you are wanting to try a fantasy horror or you just want an action packed story.
September 7, 2025
4.75/5
Genuinely, outstanding fantasy thriller.
This book kept me up past midnight more than once and I read it in under a week.
The world feels fresh, realized and grounded while not sacrificing the best elements of fantasy and giving us unique, and terrifying monsters.
Genuinely, outstanding fantasy thriller.
This book kept me up past midnight more than once and I read it in under a week.
The world feels fresh, realized and grounded while not sacrificing the best elements of fantasy and giving us unique, and terrifying monsters.
September 21, 2025
Wasn’t sure about the beginning, but the story grabbed me by the eyes and was a page turner with me at the edge of my seat for the last half.
October 25, 2023
I am not normally a fantasy person. I really enjoyed this book. I felt like the characters were compelling and dynamic, the world-building was rich and masterful, and the story took a few twists and turns that surprised me. I also appreciated that it avoided some common tropes in fiction writing.
The storytelling is incredibly vivid. I found myself picturing the scenes and rather forgot I was reading at times.
I am very much looking forward to a sequel!
The storytelling is incredibly vivid. I found myself picturing the scenes and rather forgot I was reading at times.
I am very much looking forward to a sequel!
June 2, 2024
The action packed prologue pulls you right into this story! This story takes a cold world like snow piercer and blends it with fantasy ice creatures that are 1000 times scarier than the White Walkers from Game of Thrones!
The work that went into the world building is beautiful. The costumes are stunning and imaginative. The set design… reading this book was like watching the movie.
And starting on chapter 9, you’re on the edge of your seat for the rest of the book. You’re so pulled in you can feel the cold as you read, and your breath catches right along with the characters in the book. You beg for shelter and tremble!
Truly phenomenal work of art between these pages!
I signed up for an advance reader copy and I’m so glad I did! It was a great read and I’m excited to read it again when my hard copy comes in once it’s released!
Five stars all the way! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh... and... the writing/grammar is spot on!
The work that went into the world building is beautiful. The costumes are stunning and imaginative. The set design… reading this book was like watching the movie.
And starting on chapter 9, you’re on the edge of your seat for the rest of the book. You’re so pulled in you can feel the cold as you read, and your breath catches right along with the characters in the book. You beg for shelter and tremble!
Truly phenomenal work of art between these pages!
I signed up for an advance reader copy and I’m so glad I did! It was a great read and I’m excited to read it again when my hard copy comes in once it’s released!
Five stars all the way! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh... and... the writing/grammar is spot on!
October 30, 2024
Hi, I'm a long-time reader and fan of primarily one genre: romance. This? This is not a romance. In fact, I'd go so far as to say this is the opposite of romance. If I'm being honest, this was a bit of an adventure into unchartered territory for me. I've only ever read a handful of books in the dark fantasy/horror genre, and it is not a genre I have typically reached for in the past--although I am quickly beginning to change that habit due to stories such as this one.
FROSTBITTEN is a captivating and chilling (pun absolutely intended) blend of both fantasy and horror that not only leaves the reader on the edge of their seat, but it is also written with the artistic and poetic flair of those childhood fables and tales spoken around late-night smoldering campfires told primarily in order to produce a chill up your spine. It delves into the stout militant rigidity of an imperial world, teases traditional concepts out for further questioning, and challenges reality to accept the possibility of the impossible. It is filled with mystery, intrigue, and heart; driven with a delicious momentum that keeps the pages turning as if of their own volition.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that I found myself at the start of the last chapter and deliberately tried to procrastinate on finishing it--I didn't want it to end--and was unable to stop myself from giving in to temptation after only thirty minutes of delaying the inevitable. Stogner's talent for whittling a story into tight formation is extraordinary and enviably subtle. Trust me when I say FROSTBITTEN is definitely worth picking up. The characters, the story, the lore . . . all have stuck with me ever since I read this book, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the series.
FROSTBITTEN is a captivating and chilling (pun absolutely intended) blend of both fantasy and horror that not only leaves the reader on the edge of their seat, but it is also written with the artistic and poetic flair of those childhood fables and tales spoken around late-night smoldering campfires told primarily in order to produce a chill up your spine. It delves into the stout militant rigidity of an imperial world, teases traditional concepts out for further questioning, and challenges reality to accept the possibility of the impossible. It is filled with mystery, intrigue, and heart; driven with a delicious momentum that keeps the pages turning as if of their own volition.
I'm not exaggerating when I say that I found myself at the start of the last chapter and deliberately tried to procrastinate on finishing it--I didn't want it to end--and was unable to stop myself from giving in to temptation after only thirty minutes of delaying the inevitable. Stogner's talent for whittling a story into tight formation is extraordinary and enviably subtle. Trust me when I say FROSTBITTEN is definitely worth picking up. The characters, the story, the lore . . . all have stuck with me ever since I read this book, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the series.
April 21, 2025
This book was incredible! I absolutely loved it! I found Stogner on TikTok and if you don’t follow him you should. The man is hilarious and wraps encouragement and uplifting realness in sarcasm that can leave you shaking your head sometimes. Definitely worth a follow!
Back to the book… I was a little nervous going into it because it was sandwiched between several other books by popular and seasoned authors that are rightly hyped up. I was excited to read Frostbitten after following the author and being roped in by the snippets on the back, but worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype. Boy was I wrong… it not only lived up to the hype, it blew the hype out of the water. I devoured this book. It started off a **teeny** bit slow, but I was also reading other books that had a deadline to finish so that could be part of it. Once I finished those and could focus on this one, I flew through it. The characters, the dialogue, and the world-building, all excellent. I have a few questions now that I’ve finished the book but I also know that Stogner isn’t done with this universe.
Fantastic book and I definitely plan on buying everything else Dietrich Stogner writes! He’s joined the club with Brandon Sanderson, V.E. Schwab, Hannah Witten and Justin Cronin of authors I will read everything they write!
Back to the book… I was a little nervous going into it because it was sandwiched between several other books by popular and seasoned authors that are rightly hyped up. I was excited to read Frostbitten after following the author and being roped in by the snippets on the back, but worried it wouldn’t live up to the hype. Boy was I wrong… it not only lived up to the hype, it blew the hype out of the water. I devoured this book. It started off a **teeny** bit slow, but I was also reading other books that had a deadline to finish so that could be part of it. Once I finished those and could focus on this one, I flew through it. The characters, the dialogue, and the world-building, all excellent. I have a few questions now that I’ve finished the book but I also know that Stogner isn’t done with this universe.
Fantastic book and I definitely plan on buying everything else Dietrich Stogner writes! He’s joined the club with Brandon Sanderson, V.E. Schwab, Hannah Witten and Justin Cronin of authors I will read everything they write!
November 10, 2024
If I were to use one word to describe this book, it would be antithesis. Stogner was going "antithesis-happy" here. The land of fire and ice, the truths and lies, Greenleaf's view of the Empire versus Poyel's view, and the Imperial-class versus the working class. There is probably a lot more that I missed, but that is the fun of reading books like this.
The horrid, lanky creatures that shall not be named (sorry, I don't want my blood drained tonight) stalking in the shadows, added another layer of urgency to Greenleaf and Cole's team while they try to discover why their aqua steel production is slowing down and the temperature along with Lahar. Frostbitten started slow; however, you begin questioning the Empire's reasons for stationing someone of his skill in Lahar. I think the mystery of that kept me reading. It became spine-chilling around the middle, and the ending was shocking and gut-wrenching.
The holes in the story (the good ones) leaves the story open for another book which I will be waiting for.
Fun fact: Roenne Elif was probably the most witty and iconic character in the novel. She cracked me up!
The horrid, lanky creatures that shall not be named (sorry, I don't want my blood drained tonight) stalking in the shadows, added another layer of urgency to Greenleaf and Cole's team while they try to discover why their aqua steel production is slowing down and the temperature along with Lahar. Frostbitten started slow; however, you begin questioning the Empire's reasons for stationing someone of his skill in Lahar. I think the mystery of that kept me reading. It became spine-chilling around the middle, and the ending was shocking and gut-wrenching.
The holes in the story (the good ones) leaves the story open for another book which I will be waiting for.
Fun fact: Roenne Elif was probably the most witty and iconic character in the novel. She cracked me up!
August 2, 2025
I really enjoyed this! It is genuinely one of my favorite indie books I’ve encountered. I came across the author on social media and decided to purchase a Kindle version of Frostbitten, and I’m so happy I did.
I wish I could give it 4.5 stars, because that would be my rating. The plot, characters, and world were engaging and well-formed, and the writing itself was polished and intelligent. It also didn’t feel anachronistically modern in a way that clashed with the fantasy setting—which is, admittedly, a personal pet peeve.
My only quibble is with the pacing at the end. It was otherwise excellent, but I felt it wrapped up a bit quickly. I wanted a little more emotional payoff after the amount of stress and brutality the characters endured.
I love fantasy and horror separately, and the combination here was delicious! I also appreciated the lack of a romantic subplot. I can see that the author took a bit of a risk with that, given today’s market, and it definitely paid off.
It’s clear how much effort and time went into this book, and I’m very excited to read more from this author!
I wish I could give it 4.5 stars, because that would be my rating. The plot, characters, and world were engaging and well-formed, and the writing itself was polished and intelligent. It also didn’t feel anachronistically modern in a way that clashed with the fantasy setting—which is, admittedly, a personal pet peeve.
My only quibble is with the pacing at the end. It was otherwise excellent, but I felt it wrapped up a bit quickly. I wanted a little more emotional payoff after the amount of stress and brutality the characters endured.
I love fantasy and horror separately, and the combination here was delicious! I also appreciated the lack of a romantic subplot. I can see that the author took a bit of a risk with that, given today’s market, and it definitely paid off.
It’s clear how much effort and time went into this book, and I’m very excited to read more from this author!
March 22, 2024
Surprisingly enthralling once you get into it!
Being ADHD, it is hard for me to find what I consider good authors. Authors have to create an almost perfect balance between exposition, a well thought out plot, and most importantly, good pacing.
I was a little concerned when I started the book as the prologue seemed a little pointless and wordy. Now that I have finished the book, I promise that the prologue is worth it if you are the type to get truly invested in the characters when you read a book.
Depsite the slower start, this turned out to be a thrilling adventure. I would say the last 100 or so pages were an anxiety ridden whirlwind that I truly was on the edge of me seat for. I feel like there is also a deeper character arc for the main character, which grabbed my attention and made the book even more interesting.
Great combination of mystery, intrigue, and adventure with a sprinkling of angsty horror involved. All around, a solid read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Being ADHD, it is hard for me to find what I consider good authors. Authors have to create an almost perfect balance between exposition, a well thought out plot, and most importantly, good pacing.
I was a little concerned when I started the book as the prologue seemed a little pointless and wordy. Now that I have finished the book, I promise that the prologue is worth it if you are the type to get truly invested in the characters when you read a book.
Depsite the slower start, this turned out to be a thrilling adventure. I would say the last 100 or so pages were an anxiety ridden whirlwind that I truly was on the edge of me seat for. I feel like there is also a deeper character arc for the main character, which grabbed my attention and made the book even more interesting.
Great combination of mystery, intrigue, and adventure with a sprinkling of angsty horror involved. All around, a solid read. I look forward to reading more from this author.
November 3, 2023
If you want a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish, I genuinely recommend reading this.
The main character is a bit of a high and mighty "I'm the best ever" sort of character that very quickly finds himself out of his element and way out of his depth proving he is not in fact the best and needs to do a lot of growing up fast.
The world is rich and inviting and honestly I could read a book just about the working and politics of it.
In a frozen wasteland where even the terrain is likely to kill you, you'll start asking yourself who the real heros and villains are.
There are many surprising twists that prove once again that things aren't always what they seem.
At one point I had to put this book down and walk away for a few days because of work life and I couldn't stop thinking about it. The ending was definitely not what I was expecting but in the best way possible.
10/10 recommend! My favorite read of the year.
The main character is a bit of a high and mighty "I'm the best ever" sort of character that very quickly finds himself out of his element and way out of his depth proving he is not in fact the best and needs to do a lot of growing up fast.
The world is rich and inviting and honestly I could read a book just about the working and politics of it.
In a frozen wasteland where even the terrain is likely to kill you, you'll start asking yourself who the real heros and villains are.
There are many surprising twists that prove once again that things aren't always what they seem.
At one point I had to put this book down and walk away for a few days because of work life and I couldn't stop thinking about it. The ending was definitely not what I was expecting but in the best way possible.
10/10 recommend! My favorite read of the year.
November 9, 2023
Frostbitten is a horror fantasy with an almost happy ending.
Tomas Greenleaf is a naive moralistic hero. He has spent his young life dedicated to the empire and has graduated top of his class. As such he is frustrated when he is sent to a small town in a desolate frozen region of the continent. However the small town is vital to the empire, and what Tomas Greenleaf soon discovers leads him on a terrifying trip into a frozen fantasy world full of death and danger.
The author does a great job of creating a fun compelling story that walks the line between fantasy and horror that readers of both genres should enjoy.
Often fantasy novels can get bogged down by the lore and world building, but Dietrich does a great job of providing the reader just enough lore to explain the world without slowing down the story he is telling. Frostbitten is fast paced, the action is brutal, and the characters are compelling.I look forward to future works by Dietrich Stogner.
Tomas Greenleaf is a naive moralistic hero. He has spent his young life dedicated to the empire and has graduated top of his class. As such he is frustrated when he is sent to a small town in a desolate frozen region of the continent. However the small town is vital to the empire, and what Tomas Greenleaf soon discovers leads him on a terrifying trip into a frozen fantasy world full of death and danger.
The author does a great job of creating a fun compelling story that walks the line between fantasy and horror that readers of both genres should enjoy.
Often fantasy novels can get bogged down by the lore and world building, but Dietrich does a great job of providing the reader just enough lore to explain the world without slowing down the story he is telling. Frostbitten is fast paced, the action is brutal, and the characters are compelling.I look forward to future works by Dietrich Stogner.
November 13, 2023
Frostbitten is about Tomas Greenleaf who has been made a kaviak of the Aldari Empire. His first assignment is to go to Lahar, a frigid and remote village. Tomas is not sure why someone like him would be sent to such a place but he will discover that secret. He will be tested not only by the bitter artic cold but by creatures thought to be fairy tales.
Frostbitten is a slow burn fantasy horror. The prologue opens with an action packed battle test that draws you in. The world building is beautiful, reading this was like watching a movie. Chapter after chapter builds the cold of the world that by the time we get to the horror your breath catches with Tomas. The ice creatures bring to mind the white walkers from Game of Thrones but I find Frostbitten's creatures much scarier.
I am so glad I signed up for an ARC of this book. This was an exciting read and definitely recommend this to one who likes to read fantasy horror.
Frostbitten is a slow burn fantasy horror. The prologue opens with an action packed battle test that draws you in. The world building is beautiful, reading this was like watching a movie. Chapter after chapter builds the cold of the world that by the time we get to the horror your breath catches with Tomas. The ice creatures bring to mind the white walkers from Game of Thrones but I find Frostbitten's creatures much scarier.
I am so glad I signed up for an ARC of this book. This was an exciting read and definitely recommend this to one who likes to read fantasy horror.
November 27, 2023
Frostbitten is the horror fantasy blend you’ve been waiting for; a playground of thrills and chills for the avid reader.
Tomas Greenleaf is an excitingly complex protagonist, whose refreshingly mature outlook meshed with a stubborn commitment to justice are forced into a setting like no other: a lethal tundra where ice and unsettled villagers aren’t the only enemy.
Stogner had me on the edge of my seat for 90% of the ride, and for good reason. His masterfully crafted tension and stunning visuals put me right alongside Greenleaf as he learns the ins and outs of his newly assigned post in Lahar… including who and what NOT to piss off.
Discovering this book is the first in a promising fantasy series full of mystery, high stakes, and stomach-wrenching twists was the best thing to come out of 2023, and I can’t wait for more.
Put this next in line on your TBR.
Tomas Greenleaf is an excitingly complex protagonist, whose refreshingly mature outlook meshed with a stubborn commitment to justice are forced into a setting like no other: a lethal tundra where ice and unsettled villagers aren’t the only enemy.
Stogner had me on the edge of my seat for 90% of the ride, and for good reason. His masterfully crafted tension and stunning visuals put me right alongside Greenleaf as he learns the ins and outs of his newly assigned post in Lahar… including who and what NOT to piss off.
Discovering this book is the first in a promising fantasy series full of mystery, high stakes, and stomach-wrenching twists was the best thing to come out of 2023, and I can’t wait for more.
Put this next in line on your TBR.
February 22, 2024
Looking for a horror story that delivers on thrills and literal chills all while immersing you in a detailed and tangible political landscape? It’s like, scare yourself stupid and feel smarter for doing it. And what struck me most about this story was how easy it was to forget that I was a safe observer in protagonist Tomas Greenleaf’s misadventure. While clearly benefiting from Stogner’s love for some of the best horror writers of the 20 and 21st century, nothing about Frostbitten feels tired or stale, and the monsters in this novel present both as some of the most terrifying creatures I’ve read since King’s Dreamcatcher (sorry Dietrich but this is high praise for me!) and also as some of the most desperate characteristics of human weakness. With flowing dialogue and suspenseful twists, Frostbitten is a must read for any lover of those things that click in the night.
January 9, 2024
In a genre where books often recycle the same tropes and become predictable, Frostbitten was a breath of fresh air. Author Dietrich Stogner seamlessly blends elements of fantasy and horror with excellent prose to create a terrifying and unique environment for this story.
This is one of the most immersive, creative, and chilling novels (no pun intended) I've had the pleasure of reading in a long while. This entire story played out so vividly in my mind that I may need to phone my therapist and talk to her about the horrors I've now faced. I've read horror for years and find I've become numb to a lot of it, so kudos to Dietrich Stogner for writing something that successfully freaked me out!
Fans of Dean Koontz and Blake Crouch will likely enjoy this story and Stogner's writing style.
This is one of the most immersive, creative, and chilling novels (no pun intended) I've had the pleasure of reading in a long while. This entire story played out so vividly in my mind that I may need to phone my therapist and talk to her about the horrors I've now faced. I've read horror for years and find I've become numb to a lot of it, so kudos to Dietrich Stogner for writing something that successfully freaked me out!
Fans of Dean Koontz and Blake Crouch will likely enjoy this story and Stogner's writing style.
October 15, 2024
This book belongs in every bookstore and every library in the US-- and in 64 languages globally.
It has been such a long time since I read a book that grabbed me so forcefully that I was literally stealing SECONDS where I could to read.
Frostbitten is gorgeously written, but most importantly is tremendous storytelling, world building that was so intricate but that felt effortless (the ultimate testament to a fantasy world feeling real), and characters who I did not think I'd relate to-- but who I was so pleasantly surprised to find I adored.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. If I was going to recommend ONE book this year, it would be Frostbitten. Don't wait. Don't put it at the end of your TBR. Bump that shit right up and read it tomorrow.
It has been such a long time since I read a book that grabbed me so forcefully that I was literally stealing SECONDS where I could to read.
Frostbitten is gorgeously written, but most importantly is tremendous storytelling, world building that was so intricate but that felt effortless (the ultimate testament to a fantasy world feeling real), and characters who I did not think I'd relate to-- but who I was so pleasantly surprised to find I adored.
I can't recommend this book highly enough. If I was going to recommend ONE book this year, it would be Frostbitten. Don't wait. Don't put it at the end of your TBR. Bump that shit right up and read it tomorrow.
June 26, 2024
I'm sorry, WHY did it take me months to get around to reading this?? (I know the answer... it starts with AD and ends with HD.) Anyway, Frostbitten is absolutely amazing, and I am 100% the target audience. The story is so well-crafted, the characters are imperfect but brilliant, and the roller coaster of emotions this book took me on... oof. Fantasy. Mystery. Monsters. Betrayal. Political intrigue. I know, I have a type, but I just can't help myself. Can't wait for the Kickstarter edition to come through because I did absolutely buy a physical copy as well. <3
February 5, 2025
"When people have lied to themselves for that long, the truth feels like an attack."
I came across this book in the local author section at my library. I thought the cover looked pretty cool, and I'm a sucker for a story written by someone local to me.
I finished this book in twenty-four hours. I genuinely just did not want to put it down until I knew how it ended. I highly recommend checking it out. It will thrill you, and have you ready to know what's going on. Plus, it just has an all around important message to it as well.
I came across this book in the local author section at my library. I thought the cover looked pretty cool, and I'm a sucker for a story written by someone local to me.
I finished this book in twenty-four hours. I genuinely just did not want to put it down until I knew how it ended. I highly recommend checking it out. It will thrill you, and have you ready to know what's going on. Plus, it just has an all around important message to it as well.
October 6, 2025
i read Extraction and Ranger before this on, and I've got to say I love this series. Each book is an action packed fantasy book, but each one is a differen subgenre.
Frostbitten is fantasy horror and is good at doing the good suspense/tension which a good horror book has.
As with the other books in the series I really enjoy the world and am amazed by the amount of world building in such a small book. I think the magic is done well and I enjoy that not everything is explained a 100% leaving a sense of wonder/magic.
I'm really pumped to see where this series is going
Frostbitten is fantasy horror and is good at doing the good suspense/tension which a good horror book has.
As with the other books in the series I really enjoy the world and am amazed by the amount of world building in such a small book. I think the magic is done well and I enjoy that not everything is explained a 100% leaving a sense of wonder/magic.
I'm really pumped to see where this series is going
December 27, 2025
Grab your blanket and nightlight. This is the first I've read from Dietrick but certainly not the last. This story kept me on the edge of my seat and I could imagine the creatures in this story are what nightmares are made of. But I am here for it. The action and adventure throughout this book put you right there with the characters and this ending makes you wonder if creatures like this could exist in our own world. This will definitely be a book I reread again in the very near future. We'll done Dietrick.
October 22, 2023
This was a rollercoaster of a read. The world is completely unique, a combination of literal fire and ice where The MC, Tomas Greenleaf, has to maneuver a world that puts him out of his comfort zone. I enjoyed the descriptions in this world. I became fully immersed and couldn't put it down.
If you enjoy horror with elements or thriller and suspense then this is the story for you.
Highly recommend!
If you enjoy horror with elements or thriller and suspense then this is the story for you.
Highly recommend!
December 13, 2023
It was SO easy to love the MC right away. The visuals are stunning and the plot is so exciting that I couldn't stop thinking about it even when I wasn't reading. The monsters are terrifying and now I'm not only afraid of the dark but also the cold. I will never look at snow the same. This is an excellent introduction to horror and I will be recommending this to a lot of people. Can't wait to see how the series progresses.
February 1, 2024
Easy five-star rating. Frostbitten is a book that brings you in with a fantasy/political intrigue plot snow monsters) and holds you with interesting characters and snappy dialogue that walk you through a new world without ever making you feel overwhelmed with information or lost in weeds (blizzard?). Tomas is a protagonist I wont soon forget. The moments of true terror and horror had my skin crawling, but that is all I am going to say. You should experience it all for yourself.
May 6, 2024
I truly enjoyed this horror/fantasy story. In the beginning I really couldn't tell if it was fantasy or sci fi. The whole time I wasn't sure where it was going. That is a rarity for me, and as such I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Didn't spoon feed you everything, didn't get tedious with it's world building told you what you needed to know and moved on. Point of view character being out of their element let the world building flow naturally with the reader learning as the character did.
June 1, 2024
Excellent!!
After an introduction to the fantasy world the author created, this story absolutely blossomed into a mystery, horror, and a survival story, all bundled into one! His characters are flawed and relatable and well fleshed out. Little bits of history here and there along the way make the world feel well thought out. I didn’t really think this was a story I would like from reading the synopsis but I absolutely loved it! Highly recommend!
After an introduction to the fantasy world the author created, this story absolutely blossomed into a mystery, horror, and a survival story, all bundled into one! His characters are flawed and relatable and well fleshed out. Little bits of history here and there along the way make the world feel well thought out. I didn’t really think this was a story I would like from reading the synopsis but I absolutely loved it! Highly recommend!
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