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Winter #2
Winter Rising
The sequel to Winter Dark sees the return of Winter – and this time she has her work cut out. With only a week to go until the world's leaders convene for a summit in London, she is hot on the trail of the Guardsman, Firestorm’s top hitman. What is he planning for the summit and what are the disturbing experiments he is running? From London to Virginia, Marseille to Moscow, just how do all the strands connect?
What is the final countdown and who can she really trust?
What is the final countdown and who can she really trust?
Audible Audio
First published October 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 23, 2020
Winter Rising is the second in The Winter series featuring the intrepid Secret Service operative. It is an action-packed and nail-biting thriller and Winter is a fabulous character who kicks butt and is pretty fierce and fearless. Although preferable to gain maximum enjoyment, as this follows on from events 8 weeks prior, it is not essential to have read the series opener before this. Winter is still caught up in finding and bringing to justice those behind Firestorm, a site that provides a hitman for hire service considering the price is right. The infamous Guardsman is the one who does most of the dirty work and Winter decides to go after him despite her being under threat and in massive danger. It's complicated as the entrepreneur behind Firestorm, Alek Konstantin, saved her life when things went south in an operation in Paris. She gets wind of a plan to create chaos at the G20 summit in London where world leaders will gather for talks regarding the rapidly increasing terror felt around the world with so many hits being performed. Can Winter manage to stop the devastation that may unfold or is it already too late?
This is a thriller that moves at breakneck pace and has your heart thumping with the many edge of your seat moments throughout. I felt my adrenaline rising and although it took me longer to be gripped by the story than in the first, once I was a couple of chapters in I was totally engrossed and found it compulsively readable. The writing flows effortlessly allowing you to easily read chapter after chapter without really realising it. The cast of characters are developed further and I enjoyed learning more about everyone but especially Winter who exposes her softer side. An entertaining, quick and easy read and one you'll devour just as I did. If you enjoy non-stop action that doesn't give you a moment to breathe, a heroine who is complex and takes no crap from anyone and a plethora of truly shock-inducing twists, turns and superb red herrings you cannot afford to miss this cracking page-turner. I'm already excited for the third instalment; please don't make us wait too long Ms Callister. Highly recommended. Many thanks to BOTBS & Bookouture for an ARC.
This is a thriller that moves at breakneck pace and has your heart thumping with the many edge of your seat moments throughout. I felt my adrenaline rising and although it took me longer to be gripped by the story than in the first, once I was a couple of chapters in I was totally engrossed and found it compulsively readable. The writing flows effortlessly allowing you to easily read chapter after chapter without really realising it. The cast of characters are developed further and I enjoyed learning more about everyone but especially Winter who exposes her softer side. An entertaining, quick and easy read and one you'll devour just as I did. If you enjoy non-stop action that doesn't give you a moment to breathe, a heroine who is complex and takes no crap from anyone and a plethora of truly shock-inducing twists, turns and superb red herrings you cannot afford to miss this cracking page-turner. I'm already excited for the third instalment; please don't make us wait too long Ms Callister. Highly recommended. Many thanks to BOTBS & Bookouture for an ARC.
April 26, 2020
YES! YES! YES! That is how you write an action thriller. Meet Winter - kick-ass spy. Just like James Bond only she’s a woman with a bad attitude.
The internet, especially the dark web, is a haven for criminals and terrorists. Someone has snatched enough critical mass to set up a vast network called Firestorm - which is like eBay for contract killers. Something for everyone. Killings skyrocket around the world. Fear takes hold and anarchy erupts in many places. Winter recently unmasked the ‘boss’ of Firestorm as Alex Konstantin but during an operation in Paris he saved her life. Now he is in hiding and on the run. Winter is supposed to take down Konstantin and Firestorm but instead she is after one of Firestorm’s chief henchmen, the Guardian.
She sets a trap for the Guardsman but arrives too late. The victim only has time to tell her that something big is going down soon, and that she is an experiment, before dying. Winter is obsessed with taking down the Guardsman. By now the story is already engrossing - but it gets even better as Winter chases the Guardsman and Firestorm around Europe and fights her way out of desperate situations.
The pace is relentless. This is pure action - character development is incidental, well Winter and Konstantin do get steamy a few times. But I didn’t actually notice before reading that this is, in fact, the second book. So the background may be in more detail in the first book which I will now have to read! I highly recommend this for action junkies and anyone who likes a tense thriller. Many thanks the Netgalley, Bookouture and Alex Callister for my review copy.
The internet, especially the dark web, is a haven for criminals and terrorists. Someone has snatched enough critical mass to set up a vast network called Firestorm - which is like eBay for contract killers. Something for everyone. Killings skyrocket around the world. Fear takes hold and anarchy erupts in many places. Winter recently unmasked the ‘boss’ of Firestorm as Alex Konstantin but during an operation in Paris he saved her life. Now he is in hiding and on the run. Winter is supposed to take down Konstantin and Firestorm but instead she is after one of Firestorm’s chief henchmen, the Guardian.
She sets a trap for the Guardsman but arrives too late. The victim only has time to tell her that something big is going down soon, and that she is an experiment, before dying. Winter is obsessed with taking down the Guardsman. By now the story is already engrossing - but it gets even better as Winter chases the Guardsman and Firestorm around Europe and fights her way out of desperate situations.
The pace is relentless. This is pure action - character development is incidental, well Winter and Konstantin do get steamy a few times. But I didn’t actually notice before reading that this is, in fact, the second book. So the background may be in more detail in the first book which I will now have to read! I highly recommend this for action junkies and anyone who likes a tense thriller. Many thanks the Netgalley, Bookouture and Alex Callister for my review copy.
July 1, 2021
This series is pulp action nonsense but at least it is fun pulp action nonsense!
This second book was not quite as good as the first book in the series but it was still an enjoyable enough sequel. Winter was back doing more of the stuff she did in the first instalment! The story itself was fine. Winter got a promotion after the last book so was trying to get used to the added responsibilities that came with that while also juggling her relationship with crime lord Alex Constantine with her efforts to stop his top assassin The Guardsman.
The pacing was good and Alex Callister has an engaging writing style so it was easy enough to get sucked into the story. We got a bit of drama and humour and plenty of action and spy stuff as well as a tad of mystery as Winter tried to identify the mysterious Guardsman. It was all crazy over the top action nonsense but it was pretty fun as long as one is not bogged down in wanting things to be realistic.
I'll read the third book for sure as this series is exactly the sort of pulp action thriller I was hoping it would be when I picked it up in an Audible sale.
Rating: 4 stars. Sure this series has flaws but it does manage to hold my attention and that is more than can be said for a lot of the books I've read in the last year so for that reason alone this is worth the 4 star rating.
Audio Note: I took a bit of time to get used to Ell Potter but now that I have I think she is doing a good job with the audio. I can see why some might not like the accents she uses from time to time but I actually quite like them!
This second book was not quite as good as the first book in the series but it was still an enjoyable enough sequel. Winter was back doing more of the stuff she did in the first instalment! The story itself was fine. Winter got a promotion after the last book so was trying to get used to the added responsibilities that came with that while also juggling her relationship with crime lord Alex Constantine with her efforts to stop his top assassin The Guardsman.
The pacing was good and Alex Callister has an engaging writing style so it was easy enough to get sucked into the story. We got a bit of drama and humour and plenty of action and spy stuff as well as a tad of mystery as Winter tried to identify the mysterious Guardsman. It was all crazy over the top action nonsense but it was pretty fun as long as one is not bogged down in wanting things to be realistic.
I'll read the third book for sure as this series is exactly the sort of pulp action thriller I was hoping it would be when I picked it up in an Audible sale.
Rating: 4 stars. Sure this series has flaws but it does manage to hold my attention and that is more than can be said for a lot of the books I've read in the last year so for that reason alone this is worth the 4 star rating.
Audio Note: I took a bit of time to get used to Ell Potter but now that I have I think she is doing a good job with the audio. I can see why some might not like the accents she uses from time to time but I actually quite like them!
May 20, 2020
"If you care, your enemies have all the leverage they need."
If you are looking for an action-packed suspense thriller with a kick-ass heroine government agent, then this is the book for you. Following the fast-paced WINTER DARK, this second installment still has it all.
The series focuses on organized crime and its boss, Alek Konstantin, who also happens to be intimately involved with Winter to the extent that he's embedded a tracker in her wrist. Previously unknown and in hiding, Winter found him and his identity has been exposed to the world and he is being hunted. Winter both wants and doesn't want to see him again.
There's danger in technology, and the new popular internet application is known as Firestorm. If you want someone dead, the Guardsman will do the hit. Anyone can have anybody killed for the right price. The world is in chaos and Winter decides to go after the Guardsman even as they are targeting her. Then word comes down that the Guardsman intend to wreak havoc at the summit of the world's top leaders scheduled in London and they have a very powerful weapon. Winter needs to figure it out and stop the planned assault in order to save humanity. NO SPOILERS.
Complicated and rife with red herrings and all manner of suspicious players, Winter doesn't know who to trust. There are lots of characters, some from the previous book, and some new ones who all might have ulterior motives in being close to her. Winter is a bit unbelievable as invincible superhero and her relationship with Alek is very twisted, so she's a bit hard to like even if you root for her success in the mission. There's lots of bloody death and carnage. Violence and fight scenes are frequently described in great detail. The sex doesn't resemble lovemaking. But it all works keeping true to the characterization. Yes, definitely I'll want to read the next book despite the aspects I didn't like because it is really just hard to put this aside as you feel the urge to know who is behind the Guardsman. Sure, I could do without the sick romance, but I think that partnership is permanent!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.
If you are looking for an action-packed suspense thriller with a kick-ass heroine government agent, then this is the book for you. Following the fast-paced WINTER DARK, this second installment still has it all.
The series focuses on organized crime and its boss, Alek Konstantin, who also happens to be intimately involved with Winter to the extent that he's embedded a tracker in her wrist. Previously unknown and in hiding, Winter found him and his identity has been exposed to the world and he is being hunted. Winter both wants and doesn't want to see him again.
There's danger in technology, and the new popular internet application is known as Firestorm. If you want someone dead, the Guardsman will do the hit. Anyone can have anybody killed for the right price. The world is in chaos and Winter decides to go after the Guardsman even as they are targeting her. Then word comes down that the Guardsman intend to wreak havoc at the summit of the world's top leaders scheduled in London and they have a very powerful weapon. Winter needs to figure it out and stop the planned assault in order to save humanity. NO SPOILERS.
Complicated and rife with red herrings and all manner of suspicious players, Winter doesn't know who to trust. There are lots of characters, some from the previous book, and some new ones who all might have ulterior motives in being close to her. Winter is a bit unbelievable as invincible superhero and her relationship with Alek is very twisted, so she's a bit hard to like even if you root for her success in the mission. There's lots of bloody death and carnage. Violence and fight scenes are frequently described in great detail. The sex doesn't resemble lovemaking. But it all works keeping true to the characterization. Yes, definitely I'll want to read the next book despite the aspects I didn't like because it is really just hard to put this aside as you feel the urge to know who is behind the Guardsman. Sure, I could do without the sick romance, but I think that partnership is permanent!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read, review and recommend.
March 27, 2023
In the genre, techno-thriller/romance/dystopian/erotica, it's very good. And well written. I'm hooked!
October 11, 2019
Excellent fast-paced follow up novel to the superb 'Winter Dark', expanding the range of characters and fleshing out the cast of the first novel (although.. note to Ed... a little more 'fleshing out' in the style of the first novel would.. ahem.. totally be fine with readers :-) Sassy humour, tight plot - and I really liked the way that the ancilliary characters are engaging and actual people, and not just plot devices. Definitely looking forward to the third one!
May 12, 2020
Alex Callister has created an engaging protagonist in her new series who you will be rooting for from the first page. Winter Rising is Alex’s second book and following on from events which took place in the last novel; Agent Winter once again has her mind fixed on the operation Firestorm. It is all she can think about as she imagines new ways to bring it down. In the background, London is gearing up to host the G20 summit, but something is being planned. As Winter begins to infiltrate Firestorm again, she begins to realise that the G20 is being targeted. But someone is after Winter as well. Winter is all too keen to engage them in combat and finish this once and for all.
Alex Callister has created a highly engaging new series. I read the last book really fast, and it was no different with this one. Agent Winter is a character who really stands out. Right from the opening pages, you feel as though you are there with her, as Alex’s writing is sharp and clear, and it draws you into the action on the page. You don’t need to have read the previous book to enjoy this one, but I would highly recommend it if you wanted to get more detail on the operation Winter is up against. It’s something that could scarily be plausible in the real world.
There are some new characters introduced in this book as well, including a woman who begins working with Winter called Xiu. And Winter once again teams up with Leon who featured in book one. I thought they worked together really well, and it’ll be interesting to see how they develop further.
The world-building in Alex’s books is really good and vivid. I like that Alex Callister takes us to a variety of different places across the world, which is what I also enjoyed when I read the first book. Alex Callister keeps the tension rising by counting down to an explosive event. We also hear from The Guardsman, who is keen to track Winter down and this keeps the pace flying forward as we see Winter sailing closer to danger. She doesn’t know who The Guardsman is, she can only speculate, and this is what makes it all the more dangerous. She is drawing closer and closer to an unknown enemy; all Winter knows is that they want to do her harm.
This is a series which I’m sure I’ll keep returning to. It’s different, action-packed and hugely exciting all the way through. Winter Rising is a thrilling and entertaining read!
Alex Callister has created a highly engaging new series. I read the last book really fast, and it was no different with this one. Agent Winter is a character who really stands out. Right from the opening pages, you feel as though you are there with her, as Alex’s writing is sharp and clear, and it draws you into the action on the page. You don’t need to have read the previous book to enjoy this one, but I would highly recommend it if you wanted to get more detail on the operation Winter is up against. It’s something that could scarily be plausible in the real world.
There are some new characters introduced in this book as well, including a woman who begins working with Winter called Xiu. And Winter once again teams up with Leon who featured in book one. I thought they worked together really well, and it’ll be interesting to see how they develop further.
The world-building in Alex’s books is really good and vivid. I like that Alex Callister takes us to a variety of different places across the world, which is what I also enjoyed when I read the first book. Alex Callister keeps the tension rising by counting down to an explosive event. We also hear from The Guardsman, who is keen to track Winter down and this keeps the pace flying forward as we see Winter sailing closer to danger. She doesn’t know who The Guardsman is, she can only speculate, and this is what makes it all the more dangerous. She is drawing closer and closer to an unknown enemy; all Winter knows is that they want to do her harm.
This is a series which I’m sure I’ll keep returning to. It’s different, action-packed and hugely exciting all the way through. Winter Rising is a thrilling and entertaining read!
October 14, 2019
What a whirlwind!
Even better than the first!
Phew! Just finished ‘Winter Rising’ by Alex Callister...what a whirlwind!
‘Winter Dark’ was good, but this one? I think this second in the series will be difficult to top.
Although I thought I knew who the infiltrator was, I could never have anticipated that there were more than one.
While I feel vindicated in the knowledge that I was right, I was also not prepared for the other revelations.
This is a MUST, with more twists and red herrings than I have come across in a while.
When does the next one come out?
Even better than the first!
Phew! Just finished ‘Winter Rising’ by Alex Callister...what a whirlwind!
‘Winter Dark’ was good, but this one? I think this second in the series will be difficult to top.
Although I thought I knew who the infiltrator was, I could never have anticipated that there were more than one.
While I feel vindicated in the knowledge that I was right, I was also not prepared for the other revelations.
This is a MUST, with more twists and red herrings than I have come across in a while.
When does the next one come out?
May 22, 2020
Winter Rising by Alex Callister
The Winter Series #2
On the edge of my seat from beginning to end! This story grabbed my attention and held it from beginning to end. Winter is a superb main character that I am eager to read more about as soon as the next book is ready!
What I liked:
* Winter: smart, brave, exceptional in all that she does, able to hold her own in a fight and almost anywhere else. She is a woman to admire, fear and find out more about. I wonder if SHE believes there is one right person for HER…
* Alek: The bad guy that holds the world in his hand and has intrigued Winter – I want to hear more about him
* The two youth she has taken on and how they follow her a bit like ducklings imprinted on her
* Simon: The quartermaster there for her when she needs him
* The plot, writing and pace of this story
* That not all expected to be on the side of right are and on the flip side…not all that are expected to be evil are without a soul
* The chess game played out on the board of this story
* The mysteries solved
* That the evil were truly evil, remorseless, and nasty people that deserved to be taken down
* Winter’s “other face”
* Written down as I read: complex, taut, lone wolf, impulsive, traps within traps, brash, interesting, intriguing and more
* Not knowing who to trust
* The twists, turns and surprises
* Trying to figure out what the implication of 12 and all the ramifications it would have in this story
* Wondering how it will all play out
What I did not like:
* The loss of innocents
* The truly evil people unveiled…so deserved what they got
Did I enjoy this book? My – oh MY – I surely did!
Would I read more in this series? As soon as I can!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
The Winter Series #2
On the edge of my seat from beginning to end! This story grabbed my attention and held it from beginning to end. Winter is a superb main character that I am eager to read more about as soon as the next book is ready!
What I liked:
* Winter: smart, brave, exceptional in all that she does, able to hold her own in a fight and almost anywhere else. She is a woman to admire, fear and find out more about. I wonder if SHE believes there is one right person for HER…
* Alek: The bad guy that holds the world in his hand and has intrigued Winter – I want to hear more about him
* The two youth she has taken on and how they follow her a bit like ducklings imprinted on her
* Simon: The quartermaster there for her when she needs him
* The plot, writing and pace of this story
* That not all expected to be on the side of right are and on the flip side…not all that are expected to be evil are without a soul
* The chess game played out on the board of this story
* The mysteries solved
* That the evil were truly evil, remorseless, and nasty people that deserved to be taken down
* Winter’s “other face”
* Written down as I read: complex, taut, lone wolf, impulsive, traps within traps, brash, interesting, intriguing and more
* Not knowing who to trust
* The twists, turns and surprises
* Trying to figure out what the implication of 12 and all the ramifications it would have in this story
* Wondering how it will all play out
What I did not like:
* The loss of innocents
* The truly evil people unveiled…so deserved what they got
Did I enjoy this book? My – oh MY – I surely did!
Would I read more in this series? As soon as I can!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
April 23, 2022
After having such a good time reading 'Winter Dark', the first book in the series, I couldn't imagine how Alex Callister could come up with a sequel that would have the same impact. Fortunately, Alex Callister didn't have the same problem. This episode was as action-packed and fast-paced as the first book and managed to have almost as many surprises.
I liked the fact that Winter doesn't remain static in this book. She is forced to accept some responsibilities for her actions in the first book and recognise that there are consequences to 'over-estimating her own capabilities and taking recklessly impulsive actions'. That doesn't mean she'll stop, just that she'll deal with the fallout later.
In this book, Winter has been promoted to GCHQ Head of Field, which feels almost like a punishment for having gone rogue in the previous book. There's some nicely judged humour in watching Winter squirm under, abuse and ultimately evade her responsibilities, especially when this involves conflict with the new head of HR or with the therapist who has to sign-off Winter's readiness to return to active duty.
The plot is powered by the emergence of a new and very unpleasant baddy, known as The Guardsman, who is leaving messages for Winter carved into the bodies of his victims. Winter's boss is uninterested in The Guardsman and sees the victims as acceptable collateral damage. He wants Winter focused on catching the man she exposed as the head of Firestorm in the previous book, something Winter has no interest in.
Of course, Winter doesn't do what she's told, Of course, she drops back into her Snow White Russian assassin persona and goes rogue. Of course, everything turns out to be much more complicated and dangerous than she'd anticipated.
The body count is high. The action is fast-paced. The baddy is a horrible mixture of vicious and competent but what really keeps the book moving is that Winter can't quite be the Snow White she was last time. This time she has more people that she has to keep safe, more responsibility that she has to carry and a very personal hatred of The Guardsman.
The ending is spectacular and has more than a couple of twists that I didn't expect. It left me sated and happy and looking forward to the next Winter book.
Like the first book, 'Winter Rising' was written to be an audiobook and Ell Potter's narration makes it a listening experience not to be missed. Click on the SoundCloud link below to hear a sample.
May 19, 2020
I read the first part in December and I was totally blown away. I could hardly wait to see what happened next and yesterday it was D-day. 🙂
When I finished the prologue my mouth had already fallen open and I had hardly time to pick my jaw up from the floor. I can tell you that throughout the whole book I was on the edge of my seat. I was like riding on a narrow mountain road at 150 km/hour. I sometimes had to brace myself, but I loved every minute of the ride.
Not only is the book filled with fast paced action, the author also slips some jokes into the mix.
What would you do when the most wanted man on the planet is the one you want the most too? What would you do when he wants you to step out of the Light and become his Princess of Darkness? What would you do when you help and save each other, fighting on the same side occasionally, but nobody is allowed to know?
I know we are headed towards the summer, but I can’t wait for Winter to come back. 5 stars
Thank you, Alex Callister and Bookouture
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
When I finished the prologue my mouth had already fallen open and I had hardly time to pick my jaw up from the floor. I can tell you that throughout the whole book I was on the edge of my seat. I was like riding on a narrow mountain road at 150 km/hour. I sometimes had to brace myself, but I loved every minute of the ride.
Not only is the book filled with fast paced action, the author also slips some jokes into the mix.
What would you do when the most wanted man on the planet is the one you want the most too? What would you do when he wants you to step out of the Light and become his Princess of Darkness? What would you do when you help and save each other, fighting on the same side occasionally, but nobody is allowed to know?
I know we are headed towards the summer, but I can’t wait for Winter to come back. 5 stars
Thank you, Alex Callister and Bookouture
https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com
March 4, 2025
4.5 ... Not quite as good as the first book, but still a lot of thrills and fun along the way, and a thrilling, twisty last 20%!
Winter is bad ass (and sexy as hell!). This book series SO should be filmed. It's the "Jane Bond" for the 21st century that people are asking for.
As before, Ell Potter perfoms the audio to perfection, really bringing Winter to life. I don't think I'd enjoy the books quite as much I do if I read them as text. Ell is *really* good, and I intend to check out her other audiobook work.
Winter is bad ass (and sexy as hell!). This book series SO should be filmed. It's the "Jane Bond" for the 21st century that people are asking for.
As before, Ell Potter perfoms the audio to perfection, really bringing Winter to life. I don't think I'd enjoy the books quite as much I do if I read them as text. Ell is *really* good, and I intend to check out her other audiobook work.
May 15, 2020
Winter is back and feistier than ever. The world is (literally) on fire following the action of the first book. Winter has a new assignment and takes her usual risks, but this time she is haunted by her encounter with Alek Konstantin. I loved how Winter’s character was further developed in this book and how she came to some realizations about herself. The action is absolutely page-turning. I have become invested in her and can’t wait for the next installment. For a full review, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of this book.
November 13, 2025
Loving this series, and that Alec, sounds so lush. Need to read book three now. Winter is awesome. Got a bit of a crush.
December 27, 2020
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via netgalley.
After finishing Winter Dark I had to read Winter Rising. Alex slowly drew me in with the first book but the second I was in deep and was not coming out. While this is the second book you could read it as a standalone. I would, however, recommend reading both books to really get the background.
This book is set 8 weeks after the first. The world is still hunting for Alek but Winter has a new focus and that is finding Lucy's killer, The Guardsman. As in the first book Winter is kickass and confident. I think she has a lost a little of her overconfidence and is starting to use the people around her a bit more. But she is still on a solo mission to save the world. There are times when her overconfidence really gets her into trouble;e. She thinks no one can do it as well as her. I still love her and while she can go, rogue, I think she does it with the best of intentions.
Alex's writing is perfectly paced. I easily read page after page. I was hooked! We also get to know some of the characters from the first book a bit more. See more of their personalities and their skills as Winter starts to learn to use the help she is offered. I love the new recruits too. I can't wait to see them develop.
I honestly cannot wait for the next book in this series!
After finishing Winter Dark I had to read Winter Rising. Alex slowly drew me in with the first book but the second I was in deep and was not coming out. While this is the second book you could read it as a standalone. I would, however, recommend reading both books to really get the background.
This book is set 8 weeks after the first. The world is still hunting for Alek but Winter has a new focus and that is finding Lucy's killer, The Guardsman. As in the first book Winter is kickass and confident. I think she has a lost a little of her overconfidence and is starting to use the people around her a bit more. But she is still on a solo mission to save the world. There are times when her overconfidence really gets her into trouble;e. She thinks no one can do it as well as her. I still love her and while she can go, rogue, I think she does it with the best of intentions.
Alex's writing is perfectly paced. I easily read page after page. I was hooked! We also get to know some of the characters from the first book a bit more. See more of their personalities and their skills as Winter starts to learn to use the help she is offered. I love the new recruits too. I can't wait to see them develop.
I honestly cannot wait for the next book in this series!
February 22, 2020
On its surface, this is another excellent thriller, with rough edges.
Once you dive into it, the story is so much more. Callister manages to touch all the classic pieces of plot, then makes them summersalt and land backwards in a triple axe - with grace and ease.
And the language is pure poetry. In between detailed description of torture and death we have Winter descriptions of her surroundings, her thoughts and her feelings in a way a young poet describes a lovely summer's day. And with the amazing narration by Ell Potter this is a true masterpiece.
A must read.
Once you dive into it, the story is so much more. Callister manages to touch all the classic pieces of plot, then makes them summersalt and land backwards in a triple axe - with grace and ease.
And the language is pure poetry. In between detailed description of torture and death we have Winter descriptions of her surroundings, her thoughts and her feelings in a way a young poet describes a lovely summer's day. And with the amazing narration by Ell Potter this is a true masterpiece.
A must read.
October 21, 2019
Brilliant!! Fast paced, engaging book!! I strongly recommend this series.
May 20, 2020
I read, reviewed and loved reading the first book in the series featuring Winter called 'Winter Dark'. I couldn't wait to grab a copy of the sequel. Well ladies, gents, children and anybody else I can think of, the wait is over because the sequel ('Winter Rising') to 'Winter Dark', was released on 18th May 2020. It's another cracker of a read and I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of it, but more about that in a bit.
I have to say that it took me a little while to get into this book, which has more to do with the fact that I was tired and finding it hard to concentrate than anything else. Once I got into the story that was it and I was away. I found it very difficult to part with this book for any length of time. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book and I was looking forward to picking the book up again. To say that reading 'Winter Rising' became addictive seems like a huge understatement. I was like an addict in desperate need of their next fix. The plot intrigued me. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen and how the story would pan out, so of course I had to keep reading to find out if I was on the right track or if I would end up going down another road entirely. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of the story which I was disappointed about because I had to say a temporary goodbye to Winter again.
'Winter Rising' is well written but then I thought to be true of 'Winter Dark'. For me, 'Winter Rising' was well paced. The story hit the ground running and maintained the fast pace throughout. The author has created a tight plot, which will take you on one hell of a journey with lots of twists and turns along the way. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat for most of the book. 'Winter Rising' also kept me guessing. The author uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Winter Rising' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will be reading more of Alex's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I have to say that it took me a little while to get into this book, which has more to do with the fact that I was tired and finding it hard to concentrate than anything else. Once I got into the story that was it and I was away. I found it very difficult to part with this book for any length of time. If I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about the book and I was looking forward to picking the book up again. To say that reading 'Winter Rising' became addictive seems like a huge understatement. I was like an addict in desperate need of their next fix. The plot intrigued me. I had my own suspicions as to what was going to happen and how the story would pan out, so of course I had to keep reading to find out if I was on the right track or if I would end up going down another road entirely. The pages turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened grew and grew. All too quickly I reached the end of the story which I was disappointed about because I had to say a temporary goodbye to Winter again.
'Winter Rising' is well written but then I thought to be true of 'Winter Dark'. For me, 'Winter Rising' was well paced. The story hit the ground running and maintained the fast pace throughout. The author has created a tight plot, which will take you on one hell of a journey with lots of twists and turns along the way. I was gripped by the story and on the edge of my seat for most of the book. 'Winter Rising' also kept me guessing. The author uses such vivid and realistic descriptions that I really did feel as though I was part of the story myself.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Winter Rising' and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will be reading more of Alex's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
January 31, 2022
Note: This is book 2 in the series and it works best if you read book 1 first.
Winter is a busy bee this book. She’s actually in charge of something. Scary, I know. Who would seriously give Winter responsibility like that? The British government, apparently. But it leaves the door open for a lot more humor. I especially liked that scene where she had an entire class jumping on one foot barking like poodles. lol
There’s also a crew of sidekicks like Zu, Simon, and Pansy Face. Zu was my favorite. I loved her sense of humor and how she effortlessly kept up. Simon was like our big huggable emotional-support bear. And Winter gets a lot of time outside the office, in the field, where she is at her best. While I wasn’t surprised to learn that management played her, I think her reactions were spot on.
The pacing moves swiftly but there a few quiet moments that give Winter (and the reader) time to regroup. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game as Winter tries to track, lure, and trap the Guardsman, e very evil sort that keeps leaving dead-body calling cards.
Winter often has trouble reading subtler emotions, giving her a kind of callous demeanor. But then we see her struggling with putting others through pain, even the enemy. This was very humanizing and showed that Winter does have depth. She’s not just sexual innuendos and sharp, pointy knives.
Near the end, there’s a lot of action and some surprises. I did not see that coming. Nor that. Or that. But that one thing I did expect. But not that other thing. It was an awesome rollercoaster ride there at the end! This story surpassed book 1, which I quite enjoyed. I really look forward to book 3. 5/5 stars.
The Narration: Ell Potter is a joy to listen to. She was good in book 1 but here I think she’s even more in tune with Winter and the story. I love the way she carries off the snark and other humorous moments. Porter always sounds engaged in the tale and her variety of voices was great for keeping all the characters separate. Her male voices were well done. There were no tech issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.
Winter is a busy bee this book. She’s actually in charge of something. Scary, I know. Who would seriously give Winter responsibility like that? The British government, apparently. But it leaves the door open for a lot more humor. I especially liked that scene where she had an entire class jumping on one foot barking like poodles. lol
There’s also a crew of sidekicks like Zu, Simon, and Pansy Face. Zu was my favorite. I loved her sense of humor and how she effortlessly kept up. Simon was like our big huggable emotional-support bear. And Winter gets a lot of time outside the office, in the field, where she is at her best. While I wasn’t surprised to learn that management played her, I think her reactions were spot on.
The pacing moves swiftly but there a few quiet moments that give Winter (and the reader) time to regroup. I enjoyed the cat and mouse game as Winter tries to track, lure, and trap the Guardsman, e very evil sort that keeps leaving dead-body calling cards.
Winter often has trouble reading subtler emotions, giving her a kind of callous demeanor. But then we see her struggling with putting others through pain, even the enemy. This was very humanizing and showed that Winter does have depth. She’s not just sexual innuendos and sharp, pointy knives.
Near the end, there’s a lot of action and some surprises. I did not see that coming. Nor that. Or that. But that one thing I did expect. But not that other thing. It was an awesome rollercoaster ride there at the end! This story surpassed book 1, which I quite enjoyed. I really look forward to book 3. 5/5 stars.
The Narration: Ell Potter is a joy to listen to. She was good in book 1 but here I think she’s even more in tune with Winter and the story. I love the way she carries off the snark and other humorous moments. Porter always sounds engaged in the tale and her variety of voices was great for keeping all the characters separate. Her male voices were well done. There were no tech issues with this recording. 5/5 stars.
May 12, 2020
💓Heart-pounding danger with a female James Bond😲 Total adrenaline fest!
Just as lightning-paced as Winter Dark, I adore agent Winter and this resumption of her scary exploits. This loner operative could be unlikable, but author Alex Callister has given her heroine her soft side, in her unstoppable attraction to Alek, the Dark Prince who heads a global criminal network; her mentorship of two young, unlikely recruits; or her sympathy for Lucy and subsequent victims of Alek's most senior and cruel assassins. Winter is a consummate hard-bodied fighting machine with a heart.
In this second book in the series the world is in turmoil with revolt, lawlessness and violence taking over in a perceived power vacuum. As the world's key leaders prepare for a meeting to address the problem, Winter gets drawn into a web of seemingly unrelated events with the Guardsman, one of crimelord Alek's principal contract killers, constantly involved. Something supremely bad is going down and Winter's determined to prevent it. Once again, Winter is changing identities and moving country to country meeting shady characters along the way.
I have to admit that I, like Winter, was totally surprised by the Guardsman's identity when they finally meet. But the climatic fight scene was worth the wait. In fact, I read until I neared the climax and then put the book aside for a day because I did not want the story to end!
The writing is top-notch and I would put Callister's action series against the best in the genre -- Jack Ryan, move over!
Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.
Just as lightning-paced as Winter Dark, I adore agent Winter and this resumption of her scary exploits. This loner operative could be unlikable, but author Alex Callister has given her heroine her soft side, in her unstoppable attraction to Alek, the Dark Prince who heads a global criminal network; her mentorship of two young, unlikely recruits; or her sympathy for Lucy and subsequent victims of Alek's most senior and cruel assassins. Winter is a consummate hard-bodied fighting machine with a heart.
In this second book in the series the world is in turmoil with revolt, lawlessness and violence taking over in a perceived power vacuum. As the world's key leaders prepare for a meeting to address the problem, Winter gets drawn into a web of seemingly unrelated events with the Guardsman, one of crimelord Alek's principal contract killers, constantly involved. Something supremely bad is going down and Winter's determined to prevent it. Once again, Winter is changing identities and moving country to country meeting shady characters along the way.
I have to admit that I, like Winter, was totally surprised by the Guardsman's identity when they finally meet. But the climatic fight scene was worth the wait. In fact, I read until I neared the climax and then put the book aside for a day because I did not want the story to end!
The writing is top-notch and I would put Callister's action series against the best in the genre -- Jack Ryan, move over!
Thanks to publisher Bookouture and NetGalley for providing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.
May 25, 2020
Funnily enough, I wrote an article about Alex Callister a while back in the Independent in which I said that "She [Winter] can out-punch Bourne and out-pull Bond." The opening words of Winter Dark, her previous, are “sexually omnivorous” (the young Winter’s written self-description). And in a memorable sentence in Winter Rising, she says to a man who is starting to make overly-possessive noises: “I will fuck the whole Marseille police department if I feel like it.” The surprising thing about Winter Rising is that, amid all the horror and the suspense and the thrills, there is a screwed-up love story at the heart of it all.
You can expect a fair amount of sadistic violence, notably from the Guardsman: “The Guardsman turned to look at the picture of Winter. How the Guardsman would love to have her, right now, chained to the floor in the cellar, instead of some trainee.” And there is a dystopian take on the internet, with mass assassinations let loose upon the world.
The plot never lets you go.
Winter has remarkable skills of endurance. But she had me laughing out loud too with some of her cracks.
If I have a caveat it is that she has a poor diet, consisting mainly of junk food, and very little sleep, and yet remains in decent nick, despite being regularly set upon and beaten and stabbed and shot.
Winter manages to get the best of a killer bearing a strong resemblance to Jack Reacher. And this novel might just be better than Lee Child.
Fiendishly brilliant.
I have a feeling this series will run and run.
You can expect a fair amount of sadistic violence, notably from the Guardsman: “The Guardsman turned to look at the picture of Winter. How the Guardsman would love to have her, right now, chained to the floor in the cellar, instead of some trainee.” And there is a dystopian take on the internet, with mass assassinations let loose upon the world.
The plot never lets you go.
Winter has remarkable skills of endurance. But she had me laughing out loud too with some of her cracks.
If I have a caveat it is that she has a poor diet, consisting mainly of junk food, and very little sleep, and yet remains in decent nick, despite being regularly set upon and beaten and stabbed and shot.
Winter manages to get the best of a killer bearing a strong resemblance to Jack Reacher. And this novel might just be better than Lee Child.
Fiendishly brilliant.
I have a feeling this series will run and run.
July 8, 2020
Another fantastic Audible Original! I loved the first one and just had to find out what happened next between Winter and her forbidden love. The narration and writing are amazing. The story is fast paced with a few unexpected twists and really nice level of smutty content. I love a strong female lead that has a fluid sexuality and is a general badass. As many have previously mentioned Winter is like the female version of James Bond.
The story arc of Firestorm and the potential for anyone to hire a hitman for any reason was terrifying, thought-provoking and well executed. It made for an intense read, hoping that Winter can get it shut down as quickly as possible. I would fully recommend and I hope they release a third one.
The story arc of Firestorm and the potential for anyone to hire a hitman for any reason was terrifying, thought-provoking and well executed. It made for an intense read, hoping that Winter can get it shut down as quickly as possible. I would fully recommend and I hope they release a third one.
July 9, 2020
Winter Rising By Alex Callister
If you enoyed Winter Dark, then read or listen to this book, the second in the series. Winter is a fierce individual, and I just love this strong character.
I got this book on netgalley, but enjoyed the narration of the first book so much I decided to buy this book on audible, and I am glad I did.
I could write a full review on just the narrator alone, her work is exceptional. She flawlessly goes from accent to accent, often switching from one accent to another and back in one conversation. I could listen to this nartator all day.
The combination of Alex Callister, Ell Potter narrating and Winter the character, will have me snap up another book in this series if there is one.
So well written, and the narration is the icing on the cake.
If you enoyed Winter Dark, then read or listen to this book, the second in the series. Winter is a fierce individual, and I just love this strong character.
I got this book on netgalley, but enjoyed the narration of the first book so much I decided to buy this book on audible, and I am glad I did.
I could write a full review on just the narrator alone, her work is exceptional. She flawlessly goes from accent to accent, often switching from one accent to another and back in one conversation. I could listen to this nartator all day.
The combination of Alex Callister, Ell Potter narrating and Winter the character, will have me snap up another book in this series if there is one.
So well written, and the narration is the icing on the cake.
June 3, 2020
I was so eager to read this book after reading Winter Dark. This instalment was not a disappointment.
Fast paced and gritty it is a roller coaster of a read, which I loved. Winter is still trying to locate Alek after the climax of the last book. When a body of a woman is found with a personal message to Winter she needs to find out who is responsible for it.
The trail leads to a cold hitman but who is he working for.
If you like an action filled book then this is perfect for you.
Fast paced and gritty it is a roller coaster of a read, which I loved. Winter is still trying to locate Alek after the climax of the last book. When a body of a woman is found with a personal message to Winter she needs to find out who is responsible for it.
The trail leads to a cold hitman but who is he working for.
If you like an action filled book then this is perfect for you.
July 12, 2024
Another cracker of a novel. Great plot, clearly well researched, with some deeply written characters. This feels like a queer feminist riposte to Bond & Bourne, with 21st century sensibilities.
Brilliantly voice-acted by Ell Potter, who remains my favourite reader on Audible.
Brilliantly voice-acted by Ell Potter, who remains my favourite reader on Audible.
October 10, 2019
Excellent Follow up
Can't wait till the next one.
Can't wait till the next one.
November 22, 2019
(audio) not as good as the first one, but still an entertaining romp (and I use the work advisedly) through cybercrime, and British secret service
March 30, 2020
Sexy, thrilling and enjoyable. Loved the narration!
July 25, 2020
Easy to read but no real reason to read it
November 29, 2020
Fantastic book. Great, fast paced, action plot, plausible and realistic hero and cleverly constructed villains. Fab job, well done.
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