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The Witch Who Came In From The Cold #1.1
A Long, Cold Winter
Welcome to Prague, 1970: ground zero in a Cold War of spies and sorcerers.
The streets of Prague are a deadly chessboard on which the CIA and KGB make their moves, little dreaming that a deeper game is being played between the Consortium of Ice and the Acolytes of Flame, ancient organizations that seek to harness elemental magic. When Andula, a young Czech student, is stalked by an inhuman hunter, KGB agent and Ice operative Tanya Morozova must risk all to protect her, while CIA agent Gabe Pritchard learns that some horrors, once seen, can never be forgotten.
This episode is brought to you by lead creatives Max Gladstone and Lindsay Smith, who advise readers to fasten their seatbelts and get ready for one hell of a ride.
“A Long, Cold Winter” begins the 13-part serial,The Witch Who Came In From The Cold, presented by Serial Box. This espionage fantasy is brought to you by Lindsay Smith, Max Gladstone, Cassandra Rose Clarke, Ian Tregillis, and Michael Swanwick.
The streets of Prague are a deadly chessboard on which the CIA and KGB make their moves, little dreaming that a deeper game is being played between the Consortium of Ice and the Acolytes of Flame, ancient organizations that seek to harness elemental magic. When Andula, a young Czech student, is stalked by an inhuman hunter, KGB agent and Ice operative Tanya Morozova must risk all to protect her, while CIA agent Gabe Pritchard learns that some horrors, once seen, can never be forgotten.
This episode is brought to you by lead creatives Max Gladstone and Lindsay Smith, who advise readers to fasten their seatbelts and get ready for one hell of a ride.
“A Long, Cold Winter” begins the 13-part serial,The Witch Who Came In From The Cold, presented by Serial Box. This espionage fantasy is brought to you by Lindsay Smith, Max Gladstone, Cassandra Rose Clarke, Ian Tregillis, and Michael Swanwick.
57 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
52 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Smith
41 books442 followersLindsay is the author of multiple novels for young adults, including Sekret and A Darkly Beating Heart, as well as the comic series Black Swan. She is the showrunner and lead writer for Serial Box's The Witch Who Came In From the Cold, a Publisher's Weekly Best Book of 2017. Her short stories and comics have appeared in the anthologies A Tyranny of Petticoats, Strange Romance Vol. 3, and Toil & Trouble and on Tor.com. She lives in Washington, DC with her husband and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
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March 16, 2017Hmm. I enjoyed Smith's short story Doppel enough to look up what else she'd written, and this sounds good, but Sekret also sounded good and I didn't even make it 1/3 through that [ymmv, especially if you are a middle class American teen who doesn't understand what it would be like to grow up under totalitarianism]. I liked Tregillis' Bitter Seeds but not his Something More Than Night. And I have so many books already.
So undecided.
So undecided.
January 30, 2016
An amazing story filled with magic and intrigue! I can't wait to see where it goes next.
December 14, 2015
3.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I’m not necessarily a fan of serials and it’s true that I prefer to avoid them as much as possible. It’s not that the formats are bad, but I do not necessarily have a good memory and I find it difficult to keep in mind the events of one week to the next. I often prefer when the serial is finished to thereby read all at once. But it is true that by reading the summary of this new story, I was quite intrigued. How not to be? A novel in the heart of Prague with a different atmosphere, the Cold War, the KGB, all that with witches and clans clash. Yes, I was curious to see how all that was going to be!
I enjoyed the novels by Max Glastone I had read before, and even though I do not really know his sidekick, I was curious to discover this new writing. The first thing that struck me is the complexity of the created universe and it is true that with this first episode, it is quite difficult to understand exactly where it falls and what happens because we are ultimately a little lost. I think this is intensified by the fact that the characters aren’t really presented and we can quite quickly see two POVs put forward, including two that are not necessarily linked yet. Aside from that, I found interesting ideas of the authors with the warring factions, the witches of different clans or the period during which all this happens. After, I think that the sequel will probably enlighten us on the different fuzzy points found here. Yes because even if we find a story written on a few pages, it is something dense that is offered and like a series, it does not actually end, but we wait for the following story.
In any case, it was interesting to see these two characters, and the people working with them and although I am still full of questions, all is well done enough. I’ll be curious to discover what will happen next. A very intriguing and different introduction from what we can usually find.
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I’m not necessarily a fan of serials and it’s true that I prefer to avoid them as much as possible. It’s not that the formats are bad, but I do not necessarily have a good memory and I find it difficult to keep in mind the events of one week to the next. I often prefer when the serial is finished to thereby read all at once. But it is true that by reading the summary of this new story, I was quite intrigued. How not to be? A novel in the heart of Prague with a different atmosphere, the Cold War, the KGB, all that with witches and clans clash. Yes, I was curious to see how all that was going to be!
I enjoyed the novels by Max Glastone I had read before, and even though I do not really know his sidekick, I was curious to discover this new writing. The first thing that struck me is the complexity of the created universe and it is true that with this first episode, it is quite difficult to understand exactly where it falls and what happens because we are ultimately a little lost. I think this is intensified by the fact that the characters aren’t really presented and we can quite quickly see two POVs put forward, including two that are not necessarily linked yet. Aside from that, I found interesting ideas of the authors with the warring factions, the witches of different clans or the period during which all this happens. After, I think that the sequel will probably enlighten us on the different fuzzy points found here. Yes because even if we find a story written on a few pages, it is something dense that is offered and like a series, it does not actually end, but we wait for the following story.
In any case, it was interesting to see these two characters, and the people working with them and although I am still full of questions, all is well done enough. I’ll be curious to discover what will happen next. A very intriguing and different introduction from what we can usually find.
April 10, 2016
[I received a copy of this novel through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.]
Not exactly a novel, as it's the first episode of a serials, containing chapters 1 to 3. Which makes it a bit frustrating, as in, obviously, at some point one wants to know how it goes next. Fortunately, a lot of episodes are already out at serialbox.com
It introduces the major, or at least some of the major players (there may always be new ones in later chapters, after all) of a Cold War fought behind the Iron Curtain, but also behind other front lines, ones that not necessarily follow the former... Which makes, and is hopefully going to make, interesting conundrums as far as the characters are concerned: two people may be on the USSR side as far as their mundane lives go, but one is fighting for the Ice while the other is fighting for the Fire when it comes to magic. This cannot go well, can it?
On the side of Ice, and incidentally of the KGB, Tanya and Nadia are seeking a Prague student whose affinity for magic makes her a target for the Fire. Meanwhile, Gabe, a CIA agent, is trying to do his job while struggling with a little magical problem of his own, that may or may not demand he joins Ice in the end (it'd be that or dying, I suppose). The Fire players are honing their weapons, and independent players are also introduced—not everyone wants to join one side, but can they really remain independent, or will they be terminated at some point?
This first installment was sometimes a bit rough on the edges (some parts veered on mixing points of view—though the Kindle formatting didn't help in that regard, and it was a bit less problematic in the PDF I got). However, as far as introducing characters and setting, this was definitely intriguing, and I'm of a mind to get all the episodes once they're out. Hopefully in a couple of weeks?
Not exactly a novel, as it's the first episode of a serials, containing chapters 1 to 3. Which makes it a bit frustrating, as in, obviously, at some point one wants to know how it goes next. Fortunately, a lot of episodes are already out at serialbox.com
It introduces the major, or at least some of the major players (there may always be new ones in later chapters, after all) of a Cold War fought behind the Iron Curtain, but also behind other front lines, ones that not necessarily follow the former... Which makes, and is hopefully going to make, interesting conundrums as far as the characters are concerned: two people may be on the USSR side as far as their mundane lives go, but one is fighting for the Ice while the other is fighting for the Fire when it comes to magic. This cannot go well, can it?
On the side of Ice, and incidentally of the KGB, Tanya and Nadia are seeking a Prague student whose affinity for magic makes her a target for the Fire. Meanwhile, Gabe, a CIA agent, is trying to do his job while struggling with a little magical problem of his own, that may or may not demand he joins Ice in the end (it'd be that or dying, I suppose). The Fire players are honing their weapons, and independent players are also introduced—not everyone wants to join one side, but can they really remain independent, or will they be terminated at some point?
This first installment was sometimes a bit rough on the edges (some parts veered on mixing points of view—though the Kindle formatting didn't help in that regard, and it was a bit less problematic in the PDF I got). However, as far as introducing characters and setting, this was definitely intriguing, and I'm of a mind to get all the episodes once they're out. Hopefully in a couple of weeks?
January 28, 2016
Atmospheric and magical. Great start!!
April 2, 2016
3.5 stars. I'm not a big fan of serials, but this one intrigued me. Maybe it's the combination of authors, including one whose books I really like. I also like the concept and was interested to see how it would turn out.
So, the story's world is both similar to ours and different in that it takes place in Cold War 1950s Prague with KGB, American, and other intelligence agents working to cultivate local contacts for their information networks. However, there is also a (secret) world of magic that overlays that one, and that one is also in the middle of its own cold war. What makes things interesting, and confusing, is that people may be on opposite sides politically but the same side magically. And they manage to differentiate their work.
However, there are regular people who suddenly become aware of the magical world. They typically have a hard time accepting it and are vulnerable as one magical side is trying to take advantage of them while the other tries to stymie those efforts.
I liked both the hero and heroine, who are doing their best but each find (for different reasons) that their magical lives are interfering with their professional ones. However, I most liked the bar owner, who is a neutral and mysterious figure. She was the most interesting and the one I wanted to know the most about. That is one reason I didn't give this episode 4 full stars.
The other is that occasionally there were some logical or world building weaknesses. For one, it took a while to understand what was going on and the fact that there some characters were playing two different roles. While I appreciate the lack of info dumps, it could have been more clear earlier. Secondly, there was a scene in which some magical action takes place right outside the bar while (apparently) some magically sensitive people were inside. It seemed unlikely to me that those in the bar would be unaware of that activity outside, which wasn't subtle and should have drawn all kinds of attention.
In the end, I find the world intriguing, and plan to pick up the next episode. I received this one free from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
So, the story's world is both similar to ours and different in that it takes place in Cold War 1950s Prague with KGB, American, and other intelligence agents working to cultivate local contacts for their information networks. However, there is also a (secret) world of magic that overlays that one, and that one is also in the middle of its own cold war. What makes things interesting, and confusing, is that people may be on opposite sides politically but the same side magically. And they manage to differentiate their work.
However, there are regular people who suddenly become aware of the magical world. They typically have a hard time accepting it and are vulnerable as one magical side is trying to take advantage of them while the other tries to stymie those efforts.
I liked both the hero and heroine, who are doing their best but each find (for different reasons) that their magical lives are interfering with their professional ones. However, I most liked the bar owner, who is a neutral and mysterious figure. She was the most interesting and the one I wanted to know the most about. That is one reason I didn't give this episode 4 full stars.
The other is that occasionally there were some logical or world building weaknesses. For one, it took a while to understand what was going on and the fact that there some characters were playing two different roles. While I appreciate the lack of info dumps, it could have been more clear earlier. Secondly, there was a scene in which some magical action takes place right outside the bar while (apparently) some magically sensitive people were inside. It seemed unlikely to me that those in the bar would be unaware of that activity outside, which wasn't subtle and should have drawn all kinds of attention.
In the end, I find the world intriguing, and plan to pick up the next episode. I received this one free from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
February 8, 2016
I always wanted a fantasy spy-thriller during the cold war and lo and behold! The first installment is more of the "action prologue" of a spy film, action packed, arranging all the key players, but little character development. I wish the magic system was a bit stronger (the concept of "Ice" and "Flame" societies seemed juvenile - granted, spy-thrillers aren't known for their sophistication). But there is a lot of promise. If anything, the serial delivers the 70's spy setting in Eastern Europe I craved.
February 18, 2016
Interesting introductory chapter/episode. I'll have to keep an eye on this. Cold War spy games plus a magical cold war, playing out in 1970's Prague? Yeah, I'm interested.
February 23, 2016
I liked this. It's a first installment and will need some ironing out. Some of the initial build could have used more time, but I suspect that's a problem with the medium in general. Excited for #2
February 24, 2019
Espionage and magic intertwine in Prague in the Cold War era in A Long, Cold Winter (The Witch Who Came In From the Cold #1.1) by Max Gladstone and Lindsay Smith.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
In 1970 the streets of Prague are filled with various secret agents from the familiar major governmental players, the CIA and KGB, but there's a larger battle looming beneath the surface, and intermixed with the governmental strife, between the Consortium of Ice and the Acolytes of Flame, old organizations at odds with one another that are focused on harnessing elemental magic. An agent for both the KGB and Ice, Tanya Morozova encounters a Czech student, Andula, who unknowingly has been feeling the impact of magic in the area, and attempts to protect her from threats against her well-being. Meanwhile, CIA agent Gabe Pritchard works to secure a valuable asset, only to fall terribly ill at a most inconvenient time, facing again some of the horrible and haunting realities of his past.
This first installation in a 13 part planned series serves primarily to set the scene for what's yet to come in the world that it's establishing. The text is ambitious in its endeavor to combine elements of the Cold War, espionage, and magic into one narrative. With an intriguing premise set in a rather complex world, this story has good potential to develop into a captivating story of governmental and magical intrigue, but the broken up format of this narrative makes it difficult for me to become and remain invested in the briefly introduced characters as they navigate this odd world and I think this might work better for my reading style as a novel instead of serial episodes, which might help to temper the uneven pacing of action and character/world development.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
In 1970 the streets of Prague are filled with various secret agents from the familiar major governmental players, the CIA and KGB, but there's a larger battle looming beneath the surface, and intermixed with the governmental strife, between the Consortium of Ice and the Acolytes of Flame, old organizations at odds with one another that are focused on harnessing elemental magic. An agent for both the KGB and Ice, Tanya Morozova encounters a Czech student, Andula, who unknowingly has been feeling the impact of magic in the area, and attempts to protect her from threats against her well-being. Meanwhile, CIA agent Gabe Pritchard works to secure a valuable asset, only to fall terribly ill at a most inconvenient time, facing again some of the horrible and haunting realities of his past.
This first installation in a 13 part planned series serves primarily to set the scene for what's yet to come in the world that it's establishing. The text is ambitious in its endeavor to combine elements of the Cold War, espionage, and magic into one narrative. With an intriguing premise set in a rather complex world, this story has good potential to develop into a captivating story of governmental and magical intrigue, but the broken up format of this narrative makes it difficult for me to become and remain invested in the briefly introduced characters as they navigate this odd world and I think this might work better for my reading style as a novel instead of serial episodes, which might help to temper the uneven pacing of action and character/world development.
January 1, 2018
The setting seems promising, the streets of Prague during the cold war, but under the surface there are magical factions at odds. The book took off with a riveting action scene and then wound down with world building and characterization. I am going to have to hold my judgement and see how it goes.
July 17, 2017
An exciting beginning for the cold war magical spy thriller! putting the rest on my wishlist.
May 22, 2018
This is a teaser. Not a book, novella, or even a short story. Far less satisfying than a well constructed drabble.
June 14, 2019
An interesting beginning. I will admit to being more intrigued by Gabe's past and story than Tanya and Andula's, and I am curious to see how the two will eventually intersect.
September 10, 2019
please see review for complete season 1 : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I received an eARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The FTC wants you to know.
I received an eARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The FTC wants you to know.
December 9, 2021
Nice start!
Read
July 12, 2025Love Prague, love witches, love campy cold war power struggles. This was a nice intro but not quite enough to make me pay for the rest. Shame it's not the kind of thing you find in the library :(
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February 17, 2016The Witch Who Came in From the Cold is the latest e-book weekly 'serial' from e-publishers 'SerialBox'. Published in weekly 'episodes', it can best be described as 'urban fantasy-meets-Cold War thriller', as it features both witches (& warlocks) and spies battling it out in mostly hidden conflicts for both magical and political supremacy in the mid-1960s.
As with other series from SerialBox, each episode is written by a different author or combination of co-authors, but they all join up to tell one single cohesive story. With 'A Long Cold Winter' being the opening episode of The Witch Who Came in From the Cold its difficult to tell how successful this series will be in the long run. All I can do is give my impressions of this first salvo.
The best description I can give it is 'intriguing', which is appropriate for a tale of espionage. Eschewing a lot of detailed exposition and opting instead to drop the reader straight into the action as if mid-story, A Long Cold Winter manages to both successfully whet the reader's appetite and leave a huge number of narrative threads dangling. Characters are introduced but barely fleshed out. Scenes are set and some background details are filled in, but you're left with many questions unanswered. In many respects its the ideal way to hook the reader and bring them back for Episode 2, ever if it isn't terribly satisfying by itself.
Its also gratifying to find out that you're getting more than a single chapter per episode. Too many serialised e-books provide a measly offering in terms of page count each week in exchange for what can add up to be a relatively hefty total charge for a series. At least with this opening Episode you're getting something that is a decent length but remains easily digestible in a single sitting.
Its all enough to bring me back for episode II, which is now awaiting me on my Kindle. Hopefully that will give me a better idea of how successful the series is going to be overall. I will report back when I know.
As with other series from SerialBox, each episode is written by a different author or combination of co-authors, but they all join up to tell one single cohesive story. With 'A Long Cold Winter' being the opening episode of The Witch Who Came in From the Cold its difficult to tell how successful this series will be in the long run. All I can do is give my impressions of this first salvo.
The best description I can give it is 'intriguing', which is appropriate for a tale of espionage. Eschewing a lot of detailed exposition and opting instead to drop the reader straight into the action as if mid-story, A Long Cold Winter manages to both successfully whet the reader's appetite and leave a huge number of narrative threads dangling. Characters are introduced but barely fleshed out. Scenes are set and some background details are filled in, but you're left with many questions unanswered. In many respects its the ideal way to hook the reader and bring them back for Episode 2, ever if it isn't terribly satisfying by itself.
Its also gratifying to find out that you're getting more than a single chapter per episode. Too many serialised e-books provide a measly offering in terms of page count each week in exchange for what can add up to be a relatively hefty total charge for a series. At least with this opening Episode you're getting something that is a decent length but remains easily digestible in a single sitting.
Its all enough to bring me back for episode II, which is now awaiting me on my Kindle. Hopefully that will give me a better idea of how successful the series is going to be overall. I will report back when I know.
March 3, 2016
Pretty solid pilot here, good narration. It's something that might take place somewhere in the margins of Tim Powers' "Declare", with the proliferation of magic turned up maybe juuuust a bit, and official governmental involvement turned down maybe juuust a bit. Some unique twists in the mix, not just the post-Prague Spring setting, but the notion of the "36 elementals" and their hosts. It didn't quite rise to 5-stars for me as the camera was zoomed in pretty close here: pretty small cast, even with a slight slight glimpse outside of our two main parties, the CIA field agent Gabe and the KGB agents Tania and Nadia. I'm really hoping to see more of what happened to Gabe in Cairo in future episodes, as well as finding a bit more about Jordan, and Andula remains a nearly completely blank. But, well, Serial Box has done it again, a pilot that has me hooked and very interested in where the story will go from here, what the different authors will bring to the table.
February 17, 2016
Listened to this first chapter on audio and was intrigued by the premise. I've become much more interested in Russian culture, particularly Cold War era Russia, since devouring the first three seasons of The Americans on FX, so it's cool to see a similar style of story that prominently features magic and other fantasy elements.
As I listened to this entry (I plan on looking back over and actually reading it at a later date), I have to point out that I'm really enjoying the narration of this series. The narration alternates between a male and female narrator depending on the P.O.V. The female narrator, in particular, does a great job with the Russian accent, which really helps the listener connect to the character and the scenes that she is reading.
As I listened to this entry (I plan on looking back over and actually reading it at a later date), I have to point out that I'm really enjoying the narration of this series. The narration alternates between a male and female narrator depending on the P.O.V. The female narrator, in particular, does a great job with the Russian accent, which really helps the listener connect to the character and the scenes that she is reading.
February 28, 2022
The kick-off to another Serial Box storyline, this one definitely intrigued. It's set in Prague during the Cold War. Two Soviet witches are trying to track down an elemental host being tracked by the enemy (magical, not political, enemy, since they are both soviet spies and members of the Consortium of Ice). Meanwhile, an American spy is having issues since an unexplained event in Cairo.
This first chapter sets up an intriguing world and a very evocative magic system, just hinted at so far. A nice start.
This first chapter sets up an intriguing world and a very evocative magic system, just hinted at so far. A nice start.
May 10, 2021
This turned out to be a very short start to what felt like a longer story. I liked the premise and was just starting to get interested in the storyline and characters when it finished. As such it was flawed. It didn't provide more than a tasty introduction to what might become a great story. For a novella/short story to really work, it needs to provide more. So this was a flawed story in my view. I wouldn't mind reading more, but I'd rather get a full story - so I might look for all of The Witch Who Came In From the Cold once it's all available. A nice start, but not a whole story.
August 19, 2020
What a fascinating brief tale. There's a lot of worldbuilding packed in here, a clearly limned place and time and atmosphere all squeezed into this tale: cold war, plus magic; spies, plus witches. I haven't investigated more of this shared world yet, but I look forward to it.
"Blyad," Nadia swore
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
"Blyad," Nadia swore
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
January 25, 2020
A long nights work
If espionage is what you crave it is indeed in this book but it also has the paranormal element to it as well. A well crafted storey if you are aquainted with previous works. But things can be quite confusing if you are not familiar with other works of the same author. Try your hand at desifering this work it might possibly be your next great series. 🙄Kat
If espionage is what you crave it is indeed in this book but it also has the paranormal element to it as well. A well crafted storey if you are aquainted with previous works. But things can be quite confusing if you are not familiar with other works of the same author. Try your hand at desifering this work it might possibly be your next great series. 🙄Kat
February 25, 2022
33 page chapter.
Strong entry in the series that does a smooth job of explaining the setting. The classic spy vs spy plot is done by a talented writing team. Each episode is crafted like a tv series. Maybe even better than netflix. Alluring females vs cultured British and hard fisted American males.
Strong entry in the series that does a smooth job of explaining the setting. The classic spy vs spy plot is done by a talented writing team. Each episode is crafted like a tv series. Maybe even better than netflix. Alluring females vs cultured British and hard fisted American males.
March 13, 2016
I picked this up because I saw that Ian Tregillis wrote one of the sections, but, unfortunately I won't make it that far. The story didn't captivate me, and I don't feel any urge to continue.
It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't for me.
It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't for me.
March 30, 2016
Reviewing the audio version of this. I liked it, especially Tanya's POV which was more magical in nature. Some of the worldbuilding was a little confusing and there were some slow and dry parts in Gabe's POV, but the setting and premise had me sucked in. Full review coming soon.
January 6, 2017
I thought this book was ok but not really my thing. Witches and spies sound good but it takes itself a little too seriously IMO. Anyway, I actually chose this because it sounded interesting, it ended up being a short book, not why I picked it though! First book of the year done!
August 2, 2017
You know what, revisiting this - it was spectacularly Russophobic with ear-splittingly bad ascent work in the audio version. I see Max Gladstone worked on both this series and the Bookburners, which kinda makes me think that his hang-ups are at fault.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews