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Cold Zero
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor and USA TODAY bestselling author Ward Larsen, comes a heart-pounding thriller of survival, espionage, and global brinkmanship, where the frozen Arctic becomes the deadliest battlefield on Earth.
A vanished plane. An earth-shattering secret. A countdown to World War III.
Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777—the most advanced jetliner ever built—disappears without a trace over the North Pole. Crippled by sabotage, it crash-lands on the ice, stranding the surviving passengers in a wasteland of frigid cold and chaos.
The real storm, however, is still coming.
Hidden inside the wreckage is the prototype for a revolutionary piece of technology that could upend the balance of world power. Now Washington, Moscow, and Beijing are racing to be the first on scene to retrieve it—at any cost.
Trapped in the middle of the world’s most dangerous flashpoint are CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and former fighter pilot turned first officer, Brett Sharpe. Hunted by enemy forces, they must spirit both the device and its creator across the ice to safety—before rival superpowers turn the Arctic into a war zone.
With the clock ticking and the temperature dropping, the fate of the free world is about to be decided at the top of the globe.
A vanished plane. An earth-shattering secret. A countdown to World War III.
Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777—the most advanced jetliner ever built—disappears without a trace over the North Pole. Crippled by sabotage, it crash-lands on the ice, stranding the surviving passengers in a wasteland of frigid cold and chaos.
The real storm, however, is still coming.
Hidden inside the wreckage is the prototype for a revolutionary piece of technology that could upend the balance of world power. Now Washington, Moscow, and Beijing are racing to be the first on scene to retrieve it—at any cost.
Trapped in the middle of the world’s most dangerous flashpoint are CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and former fighter pilot turned first officer, Brett Sharpe. Hunted by enemy forces, they must spirit both the device and its creator across the ice to safety—before rival superpowers turn the Arctic into a war zone.
With the clock ticking and the temperature dropping, the fate of the free world is about to be decided at the top of the globe.
339 pages, Hardcover
First published February 10, 2026
About the author
Brad Thor
50 books7,556 followersBRAD THOR is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-six thrillers, including COLD ZERO, EDGE OF HONOR, SHADOW OF DOUBT, BLACK ICE (ThrillerFix Best Thriller of the Year), NEAR DARK (one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year), BACKLASH (nominated for the Barry Award for Best Thriller of the Year), SPYMASTER (“One of the all-time best thriller novels” —The Washington Times), THE LAST PATRIOT (nominated Best Thriller of the Year by the International Thriller Writers Association), and BLOWBACK (one of the “Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time” —NPR).
COLD ZERO is on sale now. For more information, visit BradThor.com.
COLD ZERO is on sale now. For more information, visit BradThor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
April 4, 2026
Brad Thor’s “Scot Harvath” thriller series has been moving up on my reading list, and will be up after I finish reading William Kent Kreuger’s “Cork O’Conner” books.
However, I recently watched Brad Thor and Ward Larsen’s interview with Barbara Walters at the Arizona Poisoned Pen Bookstore on YouTube promoting their new co-authored novel – “Cold Zero” – which may not only be turned into a series, but has already been optioned and fast-tracked by Netflix for a movie. Their discussion with Barbara really piqued my interest and I felt it wouldn’t be cheating to read a one-off novel (at least for now) to get a taste of Thor’s storytelling without disrupting my overall reading schedule.
And the result was WOW! Sneaking this thrill-ride of a novel into my three-day work escape weekend turned out to be a dang good decision on my part. Yea, baby! It was awesome!
“Cold Zero” is a combination of Tom Clancy’s heart pounding classic “The Hunt for Red October” and T.J. Newman’s more recent “Worst Case Scenario”.
It is the story that starts with an undercover CIA mission involving the extraction of a high-ranking Chinese scientist, Dr. Chen Li, who has developed an AI tool that will change the balance of military power for whoever possesses it. The two agents, Kasey Sheldon and Walter Ho have got their man and boarded Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777 with him, heading home.
However, things wrong. Deadly wrong. Somewhere over the Arctic near the North Pole, the plane has disappeared without a trace due to an act of criminal sabotage that goes beyond any levels of acceptable behavior. As a result, the jetliner has crash landed on the frozen ice, stranding a small group of survivors including Chen and Kasey. Who find themselves in even more danger and fighting for their very survival.
At the same time, things turn into a global hunt for the AI tool. The Americans are racing to rescue them before the Chinese military teams arrive in full force to reclaim their prized device. Both sides have submarines, icebreaker boats, and military aircraft on the way with arrival times within minutes of one another. And that is only if the weather allows them too. In addition, a newly designed state of the art Russian submarine out on it’s test run, finds itself in the middle of the rival superpowers and an opportunity to create a massive win for itself.
Who will get there first? And more importantly, how will Chen and Kasey avoid getting captured, let alone survive? And since it is clear that the Chinese are proving themselves desperate enough to use any and all means of force to get their device back, will the Americans be forced to respond in like manner and risk starting a war? This is what a thriller is all about, including espionage, world political powers, and one thrilling physical challenge and conflict after the other.
A book like this should be read without many key plot points in order to keep suspenseful moments and well-delivered surprises real and fresh for those who choose to read it, so I will not share anymore. I’ve probably already shard too much, but most of this is covered in the inside book cover (and I left out the details to keep from giving the important stuff away).
As you can tell from earlier comments before sharing a high level description of the story, the good news is that “Cold Zero” is a very, very hard book to put down. I started it on a Friday night and finished it on Saturday night, turning it into a 24-hour read. It gave me lots of tension, chills, and moments of what the heck is going to happen and how are they going to get out this situation?
Thor and Larsen write in an extremely high tension, fast paced, confident, and methodical military style. At times I almost felt like I was getting hit in the head, literally. There are many things that drew and kept my attention, especially it’s intricately layered and detailed techno-thriller plotting. It reminded so much of the early Tom Clancy Jack Ryan novels in so many ways – structure, style, plotting, and even enough technobabble to help you think you are competent enough to understand the military and weapons jargon. I would add that the big what scenario that they used to drive the story was similar to the style and pace of the airline thrillers that T.J. Newman has written over the last five years, including “Falling”, “Drowning”, and “Worst Case Scenario”. Although those were less military focused, “Cold Zero” had that impossible rescue mission approach to plotting.
The two authors made this an incredibly easy book to immerse myself in. It only took a couple of chapters to get going and I was off to the races in an espionage-based spy thriller that was almost impossible to put down. It quickly evolved into a roller-coaster thrill-ride of original and creative proportions that read like a movie script, in which every scene was playing out visually in my head. It was easily one of, if not the most, intense books that I have read this year. Although you had to let go of what is realistic at times (yes, some things were a bit too farfetched), it was still unique and strong enough to possibly find itself in my top ten best reads of 2026. We’re only a little over three months into the year, but this one left a really good impression on me.
Overall, Thor and Larsen delivered a winning and creative formula, and even with it faults, a thoroughly engaging and entertaining read that will keep you up late turning the pages at breakneck speed demanding to see what happens next.
However, I recently watched Brad Thor and Ward Larsen’s interview with Barbara Walters at the Arizona Poisoned Pen Bookstore on YouTube promoting their new co-authored novel – “Cold Zero” – which may not only be turned into a series, but has already been optioned and fast-tracked by Netflix for a movie. Their discussion with Barbara really piqued my interest and I felt it wouldn’t be cheating to read a one-off novel (at least for now) to get a taste of Thor’s storytelling without disrupting my overall reading schedule.
And the result was WOW! Sneaking this thrill-ride of a novel into my three-day work escape weekend turned out to be a dang good decision on my part. Yea, baby! It was awesome!
“Cold Zero” is a combination of Tom Clancy’s heart pounding classic “The Hunt for Red October” and T.J. Newman’s more recent “Worst Case Scenario”.
It is the story that starts with an undercover CIA mission involving the extraction of a high-ranking Chinese scientist, Dr. Chen Li, who has developed an AI tool that will change the balance of military power for whoever possesses it. The two agents, Kasey Sheldon and Walter Ho have got their man and boarded Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777 with him, heading home.
However, things wrong. Deadly wrong. Somewhere over the Arctic near the North Pole, the plane has disappeared without a trace due to an act of criminal sabotage that goes beyond any levels of acceptable behavior. As a result, the jetliner has crash landed on the frozen ice, stranding a small group of survivors including Chen and Kasey. Who find themselves in even more danger and fighting for their very survival.
At the same time, things turn into a global hunt for the AI tool. The Americans are racing to rescue them before the Chinese military teams arrive in full force to reclaim their prized device. Both sides have submarines, icebreaker boats, and military aircraft on the way with arrival times within minutes of one another. And that is only if the weather allows them too. In addition, a newly designed state of the art Russian submarine out on it’s test run, finds itself in the middle of the rival superpowers and an opportunity to create a massive win for itself.
Who will get there first? And more importantly, how will Chen and Kasey avoid getting captured, let alone survive? And since it is clear that the Chinese are proving themselves desperate enough to use any and all means of force to get their device back, will the Americans be forced to respond in like manner and risk starting a war? This is what a thriller is all about, including espionage, world political powers, and one thrilling physical challenge and conflict after the other.
A book like this should be read without many key plot points in order to keep suspenseful moments and well-delivered surprises real and fresh for those who choose to read it, so I will not share anymore. I’ve probably already shard too much, but most of this is covered in the inside book cover (and I left out the details to keep from giving the important stuff away).
As you can tell from earlier comments before sharing a high level description of the story, the good news is that “Cold Zero” is a very, very hard book to put down. I started it on a Friday night and finished it on Saturday night, turning it into a 24-hour read. It gave me lots of tension, chills, and moments of what the heck is going to happen and how are they going to get out this situation?
Thor and Larsen write in an extremely high tension, fast paced, confident, and methodical military style. At times I almost felt like I was getting hit in the head, literally. There are many things that drew and kept my attention, especially it’s intricately layered and detailed techno-thriller plotting. It reminded so much of the early Tom Clancy Jack Ryan novels in so many ways – structure, style, plotting, and even enough technobabble to help you think you are competent enough to understand the military and weapons jargon. I would add that the big what scenario that they used to drive the story was similar to the style and pace of the airline thrillers that T.J. Newman has written over the last five years, including “Falling”, “Drowning”, and “Worst Case Scenario”. Although those were less military focused, “Cold Zero” had that impossible rescue mission approach to plotting.
The two authors made this an incredibly easy book to immerse myself in. It only took a couple of chapters to get going and I was off to the races in an espionage-based spy thriller that was almost impossible to put down. It quickly evolved into a roller-coaster thrill-ride of original and creative proportions that read like a movie script, in which every scene was playing out visually in my head. It was easily one of, if not the most, intense books that I have read this year. Although you had to let go of what is realistic at times (yes, some things were a bit too farfetched), it was still unique and strong enough to possibly find itself in my top ten best reads of 2026. We’re only a little over three months into the year, but this one left a really good impression on me.
Overall, Thor and Larsen delivered a winning and creative formula, and even with it faults, a thoroughly engaging and entertaining read that will keep you up late turning the pages at breakneck speed demanding to see what happens next.
February 18, 2026
It's lameville time for some of my usually reliable authors.
February 20, 2026
Set in the Arctic the survivors must thrive until help arrives. Kasey Sheridan, CIA, and first officer Brett Sharpe also need to protect a device which can change the world and it’s creator from those who would steal it. Page turner from the beginning. Intense, fast paced and believable. I liked the main characters. Highly recommend if you enjoy spies and intrigue.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
March 15, 2026
I have been a fan of Brad Thor and Ward Larsen for some time now and was intrigued when I heard they had a story they wrote together. Cold Zero has nothing to do with the books they have written before apart from being a thriller with some great action in it. Oh, and some great characters subjected to a wonderful plot. I don't know if it's just me but I laughed out loud at some of the situations in this book. They are truly epic. I had no idea where this story would go or end and it took some twists that I didn't see coming. It was as I suspected very well written and it got a hold on me from the first chapter all the way to the end. Now I wonder if they will write more stuff together and if it will have Scot Harvath, David Slaton or Jammer Davis in them? I hope this will happen.
December 7, 2025
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Brad Thor, Ward Larsen, Atria Books, and Emily Bestler Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Always eager to read the work of Brad Thor, I was pleased to see this collaborative effort with Ward Larsen. These two well-established authors recount a gripping story that has a little of everything for the reader. When Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777 takes off from Hong Kong, everything seems in order. A long journey to New York ahead, passengers and crew alike are ready to enjoy the most advanced piece of airline equipment ever built. However, an emergency over the North Pole causes the flight to disappear from radars and plunges those on board into chaos. Sabotage brought the plane down and a crash landing onto the ice leaves only a handful alive with no means by which to communicate to the outside world. On the flight is a prototype that could change the world of warfare forever and it is sought after by many. The Chinese were sure they were getting it, the Americans had planned to take possession of it when a certain passenger on the flight hands it over, and the Russians come to learn of it after the crash. All three are vying to reach the wreckage first and take the technology for themselves. CIA operative Kasey Sheridan was tasked with bringing the tech and its inventor to the US, but things are spiraling out of control. She must work with Brett Sharpe, the flight’s first officer, to get out of harm's way and into American custody before anyone can get their hands on the prototype or the weather kills them all. It's a race like no other and there is no room for error. Brad Thor and Ward Larsen spin a captivating story that I could not stop reading!
I am quite intrigued about the collaborative work of Brad Thor and Ward Larsen. Having read all of Thor's novels and a few of Larsen's, I knew what awaited me. The storytelling was superb and kept me hooked from start to finish. The narrative developed well and kept me wondering what awaited me as things progressed. As the momentum built, I could see the authors depicting things in such a way that there was no getting out of the tension and trouble brewing. Short chapters kept the story clipping along and provided the reader no reprieve as things inched closer to disaster. The entire premise of the piece was so well presented that I was literally reading well into the night and wondering what could possibly go wrong next.
Characters are perfectly developed for this type of thriller, as their backstories connect with ongoing events. The thorough exploration of Kasey Sheridan's role was key to understanding everything that was taking place, as well as how things would soon take a turn. Use of characters from all three camps—Americans, Russians, and Chinese—helped add depth and tension to the story in ways that made it even better. While I expect this is a one-off, the connection I had to many on the pages of the book proved to make it something in which I was invested, which added to my enjoyment. Thor and Larsen have done well with characters in the past and this collaboration was no exception.
Surprises work well in thrillers and the authors made sure to pepper them throughout. There were so many moments that I was not expecting something, only to have it occur and develop before my eyes. The political and social twists made this story all the more enjoyable for me, keeping me guessing and hoping that things would not get too off the rails. I found myself gripped and unable to put the book down, which is a sign that this was just what I needed as I push through many books of late. I would strongly encourage more collaborations between Brad Thor and Ward Larsen, as this one worked so well!
Kudos, Messrs. Thor and Larsen, for one of the best thrillers I have read in a long while!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Always eager to read the work of Brad Thor, I was pleased to see this collaborative effort with Ward Larsen. These two well-established authors recount a gripping story that has a little of everything for the reader. When Hemisphere Airlines Flight 777 takes off from Hong Kong, everything seems in order. A long journey to New York ahead, passengers and crew alike are ready to enjoy the most advanced piece of airline equipment ever built. However, an emergency over the North Pole causes the flight to disappear from radars and plunges those on board into chaos. Sabotage brought the plane down and a crash landing onto the ice leaves only a handful alive with no means by which to communicate to the outside world. On the flight is a prototype that could change the world of warfare forever and it is sought after by many. The Chinese were sure they were getting it, the Americans had planned to take possession of it when a certain passenger on the flight hands it over, and the Russians come to learn of it after the crash. All three are vying to reach the wreckage first and take the technology for themselves. CIA operative Kasey Sheridan was tasked with bringing the tech and its inventor to the US, but things are spiraling out of control. She must work with Brett Sharpe, the flight’s first officer, to get out of harm's way and into American custody before anyone can get their hands on the prototype or the weather kills them all. It's a race like no other and there is no room for error. Brad Thor and Ward Larsen spin a captivating story that I could not stop reading!
I am quite intrigued about the collaborative work of Brad Thor and Ward Larsen. Having read all of Thor's novels and a few of Larsen's, I knew what awaited me. The storytelling was superb and kept me hooked from start to finish. The narrative developed well and kept me wondering what awaited me as things progressed. As the momentum built, I could see the authors depicting things in such a way that there was no getting out of the tension and trouble brewing. Short chapters kept the story clipping along and provided the reader no reprieve as things inched closer to disaster. The entire premise of the piece was so well presented that I was literally reading well into the night and wondering what could possibly go wrong next.
Characters are perfectly developed for this type of thriller, as their backstories connect with ongoing events. The thorough exploration of Kasey Sheridan's role was key to understanding everything that was taking place, as well as how things would soon take a turn. Use of characters from all three camps—Americans, Russians, and Chinese—helped add depth and tension to the story in ways that made it even better. While I expect this is a one-off, the connection I had to many on the pages of the book proved to make it something in which I was invested, which added to my enjoyment. Thor and Larsen have done well with characters in the past and this collaboration was no exception.
Surprises work well in thrillers and the authors made sure to pepper them throughout. There were so many moments that I was not expecting something, only to have it occur and develop before my eyes. The political and social twists made this story all the more enjoyable for me, keeping me guessing and hoping that things would not get too off the rails. I found myself gripped and unable to put the book down, which is a sign that this was just what I needed as I push through many books of late. I would strongly encourage more collaborations between Brad Thor and Ward Larsen, as this one worked so well!
Kudos, Messrs. Thor and Larsen, for one of the best thrillers I have read in a long while!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 2, 2026
Another really interesting and exciting book. Enjoyed the audio thrill.
March 17, 2026
Military rescue of a downed plane with special cargo and personnel at the North Pole. No help from Santa! 🎅
March 24, 2026
l was very much looking forward to reading this collaboration. Thor has been one of my favorite authors, and I've recently caught up with Larsen's work.
The majority of the book is set on the polar ice cap, where a plane carrying pair of CIA agents are smuggling a Chinese scientist was forced to crash by the Chinese.
A thrilling story of survival and the hope of evading the Chinese forces sent to retrieve them.
The majority of the book is set on the polar ice cap, where a plane carrying pair of CIA agents are smuggling a Chinese scientist was forced to crash by the Chinese.
A thrilling story of survival and the hope of evading the Chinese forces sent to retrieve them.
November 10, 2025
4.25 Stars ⭐️
I am a HUGE fan of Ward Larsen and an even bigger fan of Brad Thor. I was thrilled to be given this ARC, especially when I realized that this was their first collaboration together. Mr. Larsen has successfully used his real-life aviation experience to bring his David Slanton series to life and of course, Mr. Thor has created a favorite character of mine in Scot Harvath.
This new storyline centers on the attempted defection of the Chinese developer of the newest, greatest technological advancement in the Artificial Intelligence war. This Chinese scientist was in the middle of escaping with this new device to the United States, with the help of his CIA handlers, when the powers that be in Beijing realized what was happening. They just so happened to be on a commercial flight from Macau to New York when the defection was discovered and the decision was made to do "whatever it took" to stop them and to recover the device. Even if it meant bringing down the plane.....
And so begins an intense race by the worlds superpowers to find and recover what just may be the key to winning the next war. Nothing is off limits - sabotage, false trails, nuclear class submarines, tip of the spear operators - as major countries go to great lengths to try to hide the limits to which they are willing to go.
All of this time, the people stranded in the Arctic with the device are facing truly life-threatening circumstances, just trying to survive.
This is definitely a pulse pounding thriller with nonstop action. What I enjoyed the most though was the female main character - CIA Officer Kasey Sheridan. She emerged as a strong, intelligent character who continually has to think on her feet in what felt like never ending dangerous circumstances. I also enjoyed the 1st Officer Brett Sharpe who stepped up unexpectedly and ended up becoming immensely important to their survival. To me, the development of these two characters added to the strength of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on February 10, 2026.
I am a HUGE fan of Ward Larsen and an even bigger fan of Brad Thor. I was thrilled to be given this ARC, especially when I realized that this was their first collaboration together. Mr. Larsen has successfully used his real-life aviation experience to bring his David Slanton series to life and of course, Mr. Thor has created a favorite character of mine in Scot Harvath.
This new storyline centers on the attempted defection of the Chinese developer of the newest, greatest technological advancement in the Artificial Intelligence war. This Chinese scientist was in the middle of escaping with this new device to the United States, with the help of his CIA handlers, when the powers that be in Beijing realized what was happening. They just so happened to be on a commercial flight from Macau to New York when the defection was discovered and the decision was made to do "whatever it took" to stop them and to recover the device. Even if it meant bringing down the plane.....
And so begins an intense race by the worlds superpowers to find and recover what just may be the key to winning the next war. Nothing is off limits - sabotage, false trails, nuclear class submarines, tip of the spear operators - as major countries go to great lengths to try to hide the limits to which they are willing to go.
All of this time, the people stranded in the Arctic with the device are facing truly life-threatening circumstances, just trying to survive.
This is definitely a pulse pounding thriller with nonstop action. What I enjoyed the most though was the female main character - CIA Officer Kasey Sheridan. She emerged as a strong, intelligent character who continually has to think on her feet in what felt like never ending dangerous circumstances. I also enjoyed the 1st Officer Brett Sharpe who stepped up unexpectedly and ended up becoming immensely important to their survival. To me, the development of these two characters added to the strength of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on February 10, 2026.
November 25, 2025
A plane carrying a defecting Chinese scientist and his CIA handlers disappear over the North Pole. Soon after, a Chinese ice-breaker and a Russian sub head for the wreckage site, not for survivors, but for the precious cargo that was also onboard. Cold Zero is a new series from these established authors, featuring CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and fighter pilot Brett Sharpe, and if this book is any indication how the rest of this series is planned, it will be a sure-fire hit. Non-stop suspense and movement keep the reader fully engaged as Kasey and Sharpe fight not just two world superpowers, but the harsh Arctic weather as they protect the defector and the secret weapon that came with him. There is absolutely no downtime in this thriller, just wall to wall action and some intense battle scenes. You couldn’t do any better for a first book in a series, and I can’t wait to read more. No-doubt-about-it five stars!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2026
Audiobook Notes: A great audiobook experience. Easy to jump in and binge.
📖: A unique and entertaining thriller that’s very in line with Thor and Larsen’s oeuvre. Together they have created a meticulous and suspenseful icy adventure. Traversing continents and multiple agencies, everyone wants a piece of tech stranded in the Arctic. Who will get there first? And how will those still alive survive the storms… of both the environmental and human variety. It’s definitely a technical thrill ride.
My one big complaint, though, is that there are so many people and points of view, that the emotional connection gets lost. I don’t think we spend enough solid time with one group to have any depth to anyone. While I was curious how it would play out, I found I didn’t really care who lived or died through it all. I wasn’t attached to any of the people.
Still, I was definitely entertained. And I really hope this becomes a series because I’m craving backstory and depth to the main characters. I want to return to them and get more.
* I received a free audiobook from the publisher
📖: A unique and entertaining thriller that’s very in line with Thor and Larsen’s oeuvre. Together they have created a meticulous and suspenseful icy adventure. Traversing continents and multiple agencies, everyone wants a piece of tech stranded in the Arctic. Who will get there first? And how will those still alive survive the storms… of both the environmental and human variety. It’s definitely a technical thrill ride.
My one big complaint, though, is that there are so many people and points of view, that the emotional connection gets lost. I don’t think we spend enough solid time with one group to have any depth to anyone. While I was curious how it would play out, I found I didn’t really care who lived or died through it all. I wasn’t attached to any of the people.
Still, I was definitely entertained. And I really hope this becomes a series because I’m craving backstory and depth to the main characters. I want to return to them and get more.
* I received a free audiobook from the publisher
September 27, 2025
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Take your anxiety medication before cracking open Cold Zero because Brad Thor and Ward Larsen have teamed up to create an icy and intense espionage and military thriller that will chill you to the bone.
If you’ve ever wondered how World War III could start, look no further than Cold Zero. A thriller that highlights how far world superpowers will go to gain a technological and military edge. Set in one of the most inhospitable locations on Earth, Thor and Larsen take readers on a frigid and desperate journey to survive the elements and enemy factions to deliver game changing tech to the US and simultaneously deliver a decisive blow to their foes
It’s exciting, entertaining, heart-pounding, cold-blooded stuff from two of the best thriller writers in the business.
Take your anxiety medication before cracking open Cold Zero because Brad Thor and Ward Larsen have teamed up to create an icy and intense espionage and military thriller that will chill you to the bone.
If you’ve ever wondered how World War III could start, look no further than Cold Zero. A thriller that highlights how far world superpowers will go to gain a technological and military edge. Set in one of the most inhospitable locations on Earth, Thor and Larsen take readers on a frigid and desperate journey to survive the elements and enemy factions to deliver game changing tech to the US and simultaneously deliver a decisive blow to their foes
It’s exciting, entertaining, heart-pounding, cold-blooded stuff from two of the best thriller writers in the business.
February 27, 2026
This was typical Brad Thor, fast-moving, not very complex plot, lots of violence. The characters are good, especially the protagonist, Kasey. The ending was a bit anti-climactic, the villain frankly… meh.
March 16, 2026
I think a co-author collaboration is tough to pull off, but Brad Thor (one of my favorites) and Ward Larsen managed to do it very effectively in this thriller. I flew through it.
February 24, 2026
Action, action, total action.
Chapter one started with a bang. The type that ensures you read the novel till the end asap.
It's been a while since i read a fast paced action-packed novel and i enjoyed every page of Cold Zero
Chapter one started with a bang. The type that ensures you read the novel till the end asap.
It's been a while since i read a fast paced action-packed novel and i enjoyed every page of Cold Zero
March 6, 2026
COLD that is for sure‼️ These two authors-Thor and Larson-have created an awesome thriller at the “top” of the world-North Pole. Chinese dissident, CIA, airplane over the North Pole, survivors, submarines, Navy Seals, Russian “Aurora”, weather elements, Sky Fire and a good couple of twists and turns. Enjoy
December 11, 2025
Really good debut book for the duo of Ward Larsen and Brad Thor. It is an intense espionage thriller, with suspense and action. Great cast of characters and I liked how the authors told the story through the Chinese, American, and the Russian point of view. Crazy battle towards the end and then the cliffhanger ending?? It was a really good story and I hope to see a series out of it.
Thank you NetGalley and Altria Books for the ARC and the book will be out Feb. 10, 2026.
Thank you NetGalley and Altria Books for the ARC and the book will be out Feb. 10, 2026.
March 5, 2026
This was a decent spy novel, but 90% of it takes place on a frozen tundra, and so it wasn't all that exciting. Also, I had much higher hopes for a Brad Thor and Ward Larsen novel. The protagonist is a female CIA analyst, which was not what I expected. However, reading the synopsis of the novel again, I probably should've concluded that she'd be the main character. The book was ok, but certainly not great.
April 6, 2026
## The Book in 1 Sentence
A fight for the "ultimate weapon in the war for artificial intelligence" leads to a fight above the arctic server from the world's superpowers.
## Brief Review
This book falls perfectly in-line with other Brad Thor novels. From the pacing, to the action, and the introduction of technology and tactics is just one of the best. I think the story is within the realm of possibility and continues to enrich the world that Brad Thor has built. There is little fault you can find in this story, but I cannot separate this writing from other Brad Thor books, so I am unsure of the split between Thor and Ward Larsen.
## Why I Read this book
Brad Thor is easily one of my favorite authors.
## In-Depth Review (Favorite Quotes)
So with the man Harvath in this book as compared to [[Dead Fall]], and with Ward Larsen being included in the writing, I wasn't sure what to expect. I am not suggesting that there was a possibility of a diminished quality in writing, but there is also a chance that someone else might provide more voice.
The story is very good. While I think the opening scene is more from [[The Fate of the Furious]] where a car just does whatever it wants. However, the rest of it feels ripped from portions of headlines. The attack on the plane from malware laced microchips is why some brands of routers are banned from the US now. It is a genuine concern that fits with this story correctly. While the outcome is a bit over the top, I think the downing of the plane works well from a plot perspective.
I also really like using one of the most dangerous flight paths as the scene for what happens. It creates a ton of logistics issues from a tactical and flight technicality and this adds to the drama of the story. I think the characters never really had all the answers and there was this back and forth that allowed each character to have a role. From the CIA rep to the SEALs, to the team back in the operations desks.
The action from start to finish feels very polished and grounded which allows you to sink into the story wanting to push through to learn what is happening next. Whether it is a crash, gun fight, or mother nature, you understand what is happening.
## [Rating](https://epicscreentime.com/rating-rules)
I really enjoyed the book. There was a part of me that wanted Harvath to be a player in this, but it makes sense that he isn't, but it could be a portion of the next Harvath book. I found it to be a gripping story that makes you think about the supply chain issues that I see every day at a grander scale. The only downfall of the book is the ending which makes zero sense for the characters involved and their work history. I can't say more without giving away plot points, but the biggest issue is age. I am giving this an 8 as it was incredibly entertaining.
Want to get a hold of me?
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A fight for the "ultimate weapon in the war for artificial intelligence" leads to a fight above the arctic server from the world's superpowers.
## Brief Review
This book falls perfectly in-line with other Brad Thor novels. From the pacing, to the action, and the introduction of technology and tactics is just one of the best. I think the story is within the realm of possibility and continues to enrich the world that Brad Thor has built. There is little fault you can find in this story, but I cannot separate this writing from other Brad Thor books, so I am unsure of the split between Thor and Ward Larsen.
## Why I Read this book
Brad Thor is easily one of my favorite authors.
## In-Depth Review (Favorite Quotes)
So with the man Harvath in this book as compared to [[Dead Fall]], and with Ward Larsen being included in the writing, I wasn't sure what to expect. I am not suggesting that there was a possibility of a diminished quality in writing, but there is also a chance that someone else might provide more voice.
The story is very good. While I think the opening scene is more from [[The Fate of the Furious]] where a car just does whatever it wants. However, the rest of it feels ripped from portions of headlines. The attack on the plane from malware laced microchips is why some brands of routers are banned from the US now. It is a genuine concern that fits with this story correctly. While the outcome is a bit over the top, I think the downing of the plane works well from a plot perspective.
I also really like using one of the most dangerous flight paths as the scene for what happens. It creates a ton of logistics issues from a tactical and flight technicality and this adds to the drama of the story. I think the characters never really had all the answers and there was this back and forth that allowed each character to have a role. From the CIA rep to the SEALs, to the team back in the operations desks.
The action from start to finish feels very polished and grounded which allows you to sink into the story wanting to push through to learn what is happening next. Whether it is a crash, gun fight, or mother nature, you understand what is happening.
## [Rating](https://epicscreentime.com/rating-rules)
I really enjoyed the book. There was a part of me that wanted Harvath to be a player in this, but it makes sense that he isn't, but it could be a portion of the next Harvath book. I found it to be a gripping story that makes you think about the supply chain issues that I see every day at a grander scale. The only downfall of the book is the ending which makes zero sense for the characters involved and their work history. I can't say more without giving away plot points, but the biggest issue is age. I am giving this an 8 as it was incredibly entertaining.
Want to get a hold of me?
Email |
March 13, 2026
Brad Thor’s Cold Zero carries the same icy tension and high‑stakes survival energy that made Dale Brown’s Arctic Storm Rising such a fun read. Similarly, the Arctic becomes the setting, but this time the threat isn’t Russian forces. Instead, a Chinese security team is hunting the survivors of a downed aircraft, determined to reclaim a world‑altering device and its creator, both who’ve been smuggled out of China...Among the crash survivors are CIA officer Kasey Sheridan and co‑pilot Brett Sharpe, who must not only endure brutal conditions but also protect Sheridan's asset until rescue arrives. Thor keeps the tension high from the opening pages, delivering a fast‑paced, believable thriller that never loses momentum...I loved the characters, the relentless pacing, and the sense of authenticity through every chapter. A fun page‑turner from start to finish.
March 15, 2026
Thank You to NetGalley and Atria books for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is an adrenaline fueled story that will have you gasping for air in anticipation of future events.
A plane crash in the Artic has three countries in a race to be the first ones there. Sensitive information aboard this downed aircraft must be retrieved and depending on which country gets there first, dictates how it will be used.
This will have your at the edge of your seat, glued to each and every page.
This is an adrenaline fueled story that will have you gasping for air in anticipation of future events.
A plane crash in the Artic has three countries in a race to be the first ones there. Sensitive information aboard this downed aircraft must be retrieved and depending on which country gets there first, dictates how it will be used.
This will have your at the edge of your seat, glued to each and every page.
March 14, 2026
4.5 * rounded up
Just what I was looking for - lots of action, unique setting, and a strong female protagonist. There are some drawn out passages about technology and political posturing, but overall the pace was pretty good and it held my interest. There's even a polar bear who helps our good guys a little.
Just what I was looking for - lots of action, unique setting, and a strong female protagonist. There are some drawn out passages about technology and political posturing, but overall the pace was pretty good and it held my interest. There's even a polar bear who helps our good guys a little.
April 6, 2026
Wow what a great read! This book took off from the start and I didn't want to put it down! I love the Scot Harvath series so wasn't sure what to expect with a new character but I certainly was not disappointed!
February 8, 2026
Well written, fast paced and enthralling. If I had to choose one word to describe this book it would be…solid.
February 15, 2026
Overall enjoyment: 1/1
Readability: 1/1
Immersion: 0.5/1
Characters: 0.5/1
Originality: 1/1
Readability: 1/1
Immersion: 0.5/1
Characters: 0.5/1
Originality: 1/1
March 1, 2026
Good collaborative effort between these two authors. Fast pace, exciting action. Perhaps a bit far fetched, but given the direction of AI, not unfathomable. Enjoyed it very much.
April 8, 2026
Had the good bones of a story - but way too many characters for POVs which diluted it all.
February 9, 2026
Really enjoyed this book. Gripping and fast-paced with short chapters. Hard to put down. Thanks to the Savannah Book Festival, I was able to obtain an advanced copy. Highly recommend.
November 17, 2025
And Thor grabs the gold ring once again.
Absolutely riveting story of CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and her fight to bring back to the US
the brilliant Chinese physicist, Chen Li, who is defecting with his AI invention that could change the entire landscape of international espionage and warfare. When the plane they are on crashes in the Arctic wilderness, far from any signs of civilization, she knows that rescue is coming, but is it coming from friend or foe?
Working with the lone surviving crew member and former combat pilot, Sharpe, she must come up with a rescue option that will make sure Chen and his invention do not fall into the wrong hands, while battling the frigid temperatures and ferocious Arctic wild life.
Fabulous read with everything: terror, espionage, mystery, mayhem and absolutely intriguing characters.
Thor is a mastermind at writing the quintessential thriller.
Another story I hated to see end.
Bravo.
Absolutely riveting story of CIA operative Kasey Sheridan and her fight to bring back to the US
the brilliant Chinese physicist, Chen Li, who is defecting with his AI invention that could change the entire landscape of international espionage and warfare. When the plane they are on crashes in the Arctic wilderness, far from any signs of civilization, she knows that rescue is coming, but is it coming from friend or foe?
Working with the lone surviving crew member and former combat pilot, Sharpe, she must come up with a rescue option that will make sure Chen and his invention do not fall into the wrong hands, while battling the frigid temperatures and ferocious Arctic wild life.
Fabulous read with everything: terror, espionage, mystery, mayhem and absolutely intriguing characters.
Thor is a mastermind at writing the quintessential thriller.
Another story I hated to see end.
Bravo.
December 1, 2025
Like everyone else, I was excited when I heard about this collaboration between Brad Thor and Ward Larsen. And even better, I was given an early copy by NetGalley to review.
The novel opens with a great cat-and-mouse chase through Hong Kong. Action right off the bat. And it does not let up throughout the entire book. Constant scenes of action, suspense and surprise.
You can tell both authors brought all of their expertise to this book. Amazing descriptions of aircraft and all the intricacies, giving us a better and deeper knowledge to highlight the travails of those in the novel as well as heart-stopping action and great characters.
This is one of those novels that you wait and hope is coming and when you are reading, you don't want to end. As I flew through the pages, nearing the end, I kinda wanted the page count to be wrong and one more thing to happen to prolong my reading experience. Can not say enough good things about this novel.
The fact that I was sitting warm in my house while a winter cold front moved in and temperatures dropped down near -40, but I appreciated the description of the cold storm and the aches the characters felt while dealing with their own cold winter storm. I'm sure I was just shivering in support.
If there are to be any more novels written by Thor and Larsen, Sign me up. I'll be first in line.
The novel opens with a great cat-and-mouse chase through Hong Kong. Action right off the bat. And it does not let up throughout the entire book. Constant scenes of action, suspense and surprise.
You can tell both authors brought all of their expertise to this book. Amazing descriptions of aircraft and all the intricacies, giving us a better and deeper knowledge to highlight the travails of those in the novel as well as heart-stopping action and great characters.
This is one of those novels that you wait and hope is coming and when you are reading, you don't want to end. As I flew through the pages, nearing the end, I kinda wanted the page count to be wrong and one more thing to happen to prolong my reading experience. Can not say enough good things about this novel.
The fact that I was sitting warm in my house while a winter cold front moved in and temperatures dropped down near -40, but I appreciated the description of the cold storm and the aches the characters felt while dealing with their own cold winter storm. I'm sure I was just shivering in support.
If there are to be any more novels written by Thor and Larsen, Sign me up. I'll be first in line.
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