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Unholy Warrior: Post-apocalyptic Spy Thriller
Twenty-five years after the nuclear war, the world is still a harsh, frozen place. Second Lieutenant Rebane Nordstrom, a sniper in the ranks of a Russian elite reconnaissance unit, doesn’t know how to give up…ever. After someone assassinates the president of the European Union, the EU forces capture her and her lover. He soon disappears, but Rebane has no time for grief. She faces her worst nightmare in the form of Major Weisser, a man who commands the European Union counter-intelligence with an iron fist.
Thrust into a world ruled by torture, and constant fear, the battered, weakened Rebane knows her only chance of survival is to escape from the fortress that holds her captive. Faced with certain death, she becomes an unstoppable force and escapes the womb of hell. But her battle is far from over. A race across the post-apocalyptic badlands starts, but the man hunting her is a force of nature. Weisser destroys everything in his path. Can the Invisible Zone—the furthest corner of sub-zero Scandinavia—wipe out Rebane’s footprints in the snow?
No woman is an island, not even one as capable as Rebane. She saves a teenager named Liva, and an alliance forms between the desperate women from the opposite sides of the conflict. As the Russian Federation and the European Union head toward the final battle for diminishing resources, Liva proves to have aces up her sleeve.
Spirit animals and ancient Nordic deities have their role in the surprise outcome of this spy thriller. Where arctic weather wipes out armies, heeding an omen can spare your life.
Unholy Warrior is available as e-book, paperback and hardcover.
Thrust into a world ruled by torture, and constant fear, the battered, weakened Rebane knows her only chance of survival is to escape from the fortress that holds her captive. Faced with certain death, she becomes an unstoppable force and escapes the womb of hell. But her battle is far from over. A race across the post-apocalyptic badlands starts, but the man hunting her is a force of nature. Weisser destroys everything in his path. Can the Invisible Zone—the furthest corner of sub-zero Scandinavia—wipe out Rebane’s footprints in the snow?
No woman is an island, not even one as capable as Rebane. She saves a teenager named Liva, and an alliance forms between the desperate women from the opposite sides of the conflict. As the Russian Federation and the European Union head toward the final battle for diminishing resources, Liva proves to have aces up her sleeve.
Spirit animals and ancient Nordic deities have their role in the surprise outcome of this spy thriller. Where arctic weather wipes out armies, heeding an omen can spare your life.
Unholy Warrior is available as e-book, paperback and hardcover.
162 pages, Paperback
Published December 14, 2020
67 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Rebecka Jäger
6 books110 followersRebecka Jäger is a Finnish author of post-apocalyptic survival fiction.
Born in the Northern part of Finland, known as Lapland, she embraced the arctic temperatures and became an avid musher and highly skilled markswoman—a necessary skill when hunting for food. She studied history at the University of Helsinki and screenwriting at Aalto University’s Department of Film, Television, and Scenography.
Her work ranges from dystopian to post-apocalyptic. Arctic nature is a recurring theme in her writing.
As a dedicated fan of action-packed novels, she loves Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum, but also the subtle way of building suspense used by the ultimate grandmaster of spy novels—John LeCarre. Her favorite writer will always be George Orwell with his bone-chilling 1984: an evergreen classic of dystopian literature.
Born in the Northern part of Finland, known as Lapland, she embraced the arctic temperatures and became an avid musher and highly skilled markswoman—a necessary skill when hunting for food. She studied history at the University of Helsinki and screenwriting at Aalto University’s Department of Film, Television, and Scenography.
Her work ranges from dystopian to post-apocalyptic. Arctic nature is a recurring theme in her writing.
As a dedicated fan of action-packed novels, she loves Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum, but also the subtle way of building suspense used by the ultimate grandmaster of spy novels—John LeCarre. Her favorite writer will always be George Orwell with his bone-chilling 1984: an evergreen classic of dystopian literature.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 19, 2021
Damn! This was one hell of a story!
You know those cool Mad Max movies with edge of the seat all hell breaking loose kind of action? Unholy Warrior is a little bit like them.
Imagine the Mad Max type of action set on a wintry landscape with a badass female lead. Add in a pinch of Finnish legends and myths, top them up with a good number of raw, gut-wrenching torture scenes and serve them in a vivid first person POV and there you go! Unholy Warrior - A book I read in one sitting biting my nails at times, wanting to punch someone at others andnot so silently chanting 'Go! Go! Go!' at others.
As for cussing like a drunk sailor who just dropped his last bottle of rum while reading one paragraph or another, or cheering when a knife found it's mark - I'm gonna have to plead the fifth on that.
Twenty-five years after the nuclear war, the world is still a harsh, frozen place. Second Lieutenant Rebane Nordstrom, a sniper in the ranks of a Russian elite reconnaissance unit, is captured by the EU forces. Imprisoned and accused of assassinating the EU president, Rebane faces her worst nightmare in the form of Major Weisser, a man who commands the European Union counter-intelligence with an iron fist.
Thrust into a world ruled by torture, and constant fear, the battered, weakened Rebane knows her only chance of survival is to escape from the fortress that holds her captive. Faced with certain death, she becomes an unstoppable force and escapes the womb of hell. But her battle is far from over. A race across the post-apocalyptic badlands starts, but the man hunting her is a force of nature. Weisser destroys everything in his path to get Rebane back and achieve his goal.
The woman's only hope is that the Invisible Zone—the furthest corner of sub-zero Scandinavia—will wipe any trace of her existence and keep the madman off her back. In an arctic weather that wipes out armies, Rebane has only herself to rely on, as well as a little help from Spirit animals and ancient Nordic deities.
Fast-paced, gripping and compelling, this post-apocalyptic spy thriller is one roller-coaster ride from first to last page.
Vivid and unembellished torture and rape scenes written in first person POV from the victim's perspective had me wanting to reach through the pages and throttle the damn bastards! They were so well written!
Military forces, tactics, weaponry and fight scenes, everything seems meticulously researched and downright real. And the same goes for the survival scenes, during Rebane's flight through the snowy landscape. Kudos to the author for pulling all that off.
A great plot with surprising twists, an awesome female lead who, despite being as badass as it gets doesn't cross the line and turn into a Mary Sue, one hell of race for survival with stakes as high as it gets set on a setting that practically leaps off the page, as well as a little mystery to keep you guessing now and then. Unholy Warrior has it all!
It's a damn fine book if you ask me and I highly recommend it to any post-apocalyptic spy thriller fans out there.
Do bear in mind however that it's not for the faint of heart. It has graphic torture and rape scenes, with a lot of violence and gore in between.
Hugs and light everyone
and happy reading.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
You know those cool Mad Max movies with edge of the seat all hell breaking loose kind of action? Unholy Warrior is a little bit like them.
Imagine the Mad Max type of action set on a wintry landscape with a badass female lead. Add in a pinch of Finnish legends and myths, top them up with a good number of raw, gut-wrenching torture scenes and serve them in a vivid first person POV and there you go! Unholy Warrior - A book I read in one sitting biting my nails at times, wanting to punch someone at others and
As for cussing like a drunk sailor who just dropped his last bottle of rum while reading one paragraph or another, or cheering when a knife found it's mark - I'm gonna have to plead the fifth on that.
Twenty-five years after the nuclear war, the world is still a harsh, frozen place. Second Lieutenant Rebane Nordstrom, a sniper in the ranks of a Russian elite reconnaissance unit, is captured by the EU forces. Imprisoned and accused of assassinating the EU president, Rebane faces her worst nightmare in the form of Major Weisser, a man who commands the European Union counter-intelligence with an iron fist.
Thrust into a world ruled by torture, and constant fear, the battered, weakened Rebane knows her only chance of survival is to escape from the fortress that holds her captive. Faced with certain death, she becomes an unstoppable force and escapes the womb of hell. But her battle is far from over. A race across the post-apocalyptic badlands starts, but the man hunting her is a force of nature. Weisser destroys everything in his path to get Rebane back and achieve his goal.
The woman's only hope is that the Invisible Zone—the furthest corner of sub-zero Scandinavia—will wipe any trace of her existence and keep the madman off her back. In an arctic weather that wipes out armies, Rebane has only herself to rely on, as well as a little help from Spirit animals and ancient Nordic deities.
Fast-paced, gripping and compelling, this post-apocalyptic spy thriller is one roller-coaster ride from first to last page.
Vivid and unembellished torture and rape scenes written in first person POV from the victim's perspective had me wanting to reach through the pages and throttle the damn bastards! They were so well written!
Military forces, tactics, weaponry and fight scenes, everything seems meticulously researched and downright real. And the same goes for the survival scenes, during Rebane's flight through the snowy landscape. Kudos to the author for pulling all that off.
A great plot with surprising twists, an awesome female lead who, despite being as badass as it gets doesn't cross the line and turn into a Mary Sue, one hell of race for survival with stakes as high as it gets set on a setting that practically leaps off the page, as well as a little mystery to keep you guessing now and then. Unholy Warrior has it all!
It's a damn fine book if you ask me and I highly recommend it to any post-apocalyptic spy thriller fans out there.
Do bear in mind however that it's not for the faint of heart. It has graphic torture and rape scenes, with a lot of violence and gore in between.
Hugs and light everyone
and happy reading.
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
December 2, 2020
What can I say about Unholy Warrior? There are so many praising cliches out there that certainly fit, but do they mean anything anymore? Let’s skip them and jump right into the story. Rebane Nordstrom, the MC makes for an unlikely protagonist. Although she has many admirable qualities—she’s a fighter, she’s courageous, she is determined to let nothing get in her way—she is also a cold-blooded killer. But it’s war, and if she wants to live, she must be able to do anything necessary to survive. A highly skilled sniper for the Spetznaz–the elite of the GRU, Russia's Military Intelligence Agency, she is a valued prize for the enemy, the European Union. When Rebane is captured, she knows she faces torture, unspeakable horrors, and in the end—death. She is taken to a formidable prison where she meets Major Weisser, a giant of a man capable and willing, to do anything to get answers. And to satisfy his twisted needs. The author, Rebecka Jäger takes us inside the mind of Rebane, and I for one was with her every step she took through hell, in her goal to reach the sanctity of her father’s cabin. Miss Jäger is an artist, and paints a vivid picture of a devasted world, one even our worst nightmare pale in comparison. And in Rebane, one finds a realistic character who must fight everything from the harsh arctic weather to a man who has an army behind him, and won’t let go.
June 3, 2021
This book is an action packed trek across an unforgiving landscape. The author’s style is filled with grit which connects with the plot to make it seem very real. The main character is built of an intensity that is truly frightening at times. At other points in the story this character is a vulnerable victim of the post atomic apocalyptic world. The author shows that war can and does create these contradictions. The realism of this story made it hard for me to put the book down. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this book to adult readers craving an intoxicating escape from our reality.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 31, 2020
Wow! This is my first book from the author, and I’m amazed and delighted. This is a story of the future. A no nonsense Finnish warrior, Rebane should’ve been born thousands of years ago, an Amazon, a Valkyrie, or even Bia, the goddess. Her small stature makes her more fierce than the enemy can handle. The book is not for the weak, it contains some graphic violence. There are scenes that may be disturbing. I’ll be looking for more of her work.
December 10, 2020
Unholy Warrior is a spy thriller whose main character, Rebane Nordstrom, is a badass female sniper. The story takes place in a dystopian future after World War III in the area that used to be Poland, Sweden and Finland. Rebane survives capture and torture by the enemy, but never gives up. She escapes and is recaptured multiple times. The story is fast moving with many twists. The descriptions of the survivalist arctic lifestyle are both beautiful and stark. This story is not for the faint of heart as it describes the violence inherit in war in great detail. Readers of fast paced spy thrillers will love it!
June 2, 2021
Just have to read this
I absolutely loved this book. Truly a great artist at work. I hope to read many more of her books.
I absolutely loved this book. Truly a great artist at work. I hope to read many more of her books.
May 28, 2021
A heart stopper
This story grabbed me right away. A couldn't stop reading if I wanted too. I was taken to a new and frightening world that I had never imagined before. Just brilliant , I loved reading it.
This story grabbed me right away. A couldn't stop reading if I wanted too. I was taken to a new and frightening world that I had never imagined before. Just brilliant , I loved reading it.
December 24, 2021
A good story
A quite believable story set in the not so distant future, where one soldier has to not only fight the elements, but an enemy that is closing in. Other than a few grammatical errors, the story was quite enjoyable.
A quite believable story set in the not so distant future, where one soldier has to not only fight the elements, but an enemy that is closing in. Other than a few grammatical errors, the story was quite enjoyable.
March 28, 2021
What a story! This book delivers tons of tension and grit.
I was amazed at the raw intensity this author brought to the plate, and I appreciate the meticulous research that must have gone into this book to convincingly create the armed forces, their codex, and their MO.
The bleak, wintry scenery creates a setting which stacks the odds mile-high against Rebane, a tough, female soldier with a strong spiritual connection to the natural world, who escapes from a military torture camp.
This action packed post-apocalyptic spy thriller is nailbiting stuff, and it's not for the fainthearted or squeamish.
You have been warned...
I was amazed at the raw intensity this author brought to the plate, and I appreciate the meticulous research that must have gone into this book to convincingly create the armed forces, their codex, and their MO.
The bleak, wintry scenery creates a setting which stacks the odds mile-high against Rebane, a tough, female soldier with a strong spiritual connection to the natural world, who escapes from a military torture camp.
This action packed post-apocalyptic spy thriller is nailbiting stuff, and it's not for the fainthearted or squeamish.
You have been warned...
March 28, 2021
Just reached the end of this beautifully written dystopian thriller. I am so thrilled I got to know Rebane and her story. The scenery is beautiful. The main character's willpower unwavering even is horrible situations. And the way Finnish legends are woven throughout the novel is absolutely brilliant.
January 11, 2021
If I had one word to describe this novel, I think “visceral” suits pretty well. Rebane is a great character, a tough young woman who faces almost impossible odds in escaping the clutches of the psychotic Major Weisser.
Set in a sparse, wintry landscape which emphasises the post-apocalyptic world, I’m not kidding when I say this is heart-pounding stuff. The chase across the snowy wasteland begins after two really ugly (and very well-written) torture and rape scenes respectively, as Weisser attempts to exert his power over her. I’m afraid to say I kind of read these through my fingers. Even so, they didn’t feel gratuitous. I’m glad the author went there boldly, but they are not for the faint-hearted so be warned.
The author has obviously meticulously researched her subject, and convincingly creates the armed forces, their techniques and weaponry, without going into tedious detail. Rebane may be small but she is a true soldier. She takes a beating and comes out fighting but she isn’t devoid of humanity. She believes in the ancient deities of her homeland, and befriends a young woman who should have been an enemy.
In the end, this is a bleakly beautiful novel of survival, of a strong female character using her wits and skills to evade the men pursuing her, who puts her trust in the right person and heeds the wise guidance of her Nordic beliefs. Rebane is an ultra-modern role model for the unpredictable world we live in, and the author is definitely one to watch.
Set in a sparse, wintry landscape which emphasises the post-apocalyptic world, I’m not kidding when I say this is heart-pounding stuff. The chase across the snowy wasteland begins after two really ugly (and very well-written) torture and rape scenes respectively, as Weisser attempts to exert his power over her. I’m afraid to say I kind of read these through my fingers. Even so, they didn’t feel gratuitous. I’m glad the author went there boldly, but they are not for the faint-hearted so be warned.
The author has obviously meticulously researched her subject, and convincingly creates the armed forces, their techniques and weaponry, without going into tedious detail. Rebane may be small but she is a true soldier. She takes a beating and comes out fighting but she isn’t devoid of humanity. She believes in the ancient deities of her homeland, and befriends a young woman who should have been an enemy.
In the end, this is a bleakly beautiful novel of survival, of a strong female character using her wits and skills to evade the men pursuing her, who puts her trust in the right person and heeds the wise guidance of her Nordic beliefs. Rebane is an ultra-modern role model for the unpredictable world we live in, and the author is definitely one to watch.
March 5, 2021
Wow! Rebecka Jäger skillfully throws you right into the action of her post-apocalyptic spy thriller! Her main character Rebane is a courageous warrior who will stop at nothing to survive each grueling challenge she is thrown. This is a fast-paced thriller with twists and turns you don't see coming and I was on the edge of my seat all the way to the end! The author creates a captivating world with a character you root for every step of the way and a plot you won't soon forget. I look forward to reading more from her! Bravo!
February 5, 2022
Trigger warnings appropriate for this book: Torture, brutality, gruesome death, slavery, sexual assault. I won't detail out these things in this review but knowing these things are present should guide whether you want to weather the storm of what unfurls in the novel.
Unholy Warrior is quite a ride. Rebane is a compelling main protagonist that isn't without her flaws. I wasn't sure why she felt loyal to the Russian Federation, considering the real world history of resistance between Finland and the Soviet Union. Even more timely is reading a book where nuclear world war has happened, irradiating the Baltic nations, leaving the US backed European Union and the Russian Federation the only national actors left standing. There were numerous little details that I appreciated as a military person that showed the author's interest and research in writing a story about spies and snipers that usually get overlooked - like use of a spotter, SERE training, the threat of a drone, and the use of the skies as a method of fighting in arctic conditions.
There is explicit violence in this book but it's all detailed in a way that doesn't glorify or justify why it happens. It feels uncomfortable and it should. As awful as these specific actions and violence are, it's a tragic reality of what has happened in previous wars and in other parts of the world. These specific trauma tropes are often used as misguided attempts at character development but in Unholy Warrior, it feels tempered as visceral as such scenes are.
Rebane faith as a Sami is present but it isn't used as a crutch or deux ex machina for saving her from danger. There are prayers, but it is a touch of luck and a lot of tactical planning that gets Rebane through her trials. The Finnish pantheon is not one often portrayed in media and it's refreshing to see it here.
Unholy Warrior doesn't conclude so much as it stops leading towards the sequel. It's gritty, visceral, action packed with a touch of the spiritual. Rebane Nordstrom is a new voice in the Post-Apocalyptic Thriller genre and I look forward to reading more about her struggles against the Union and the Federation.
Review originally written for Reedsy Discovery: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/unh...
Unholy Warrior is quite a ride. Rebane is a compelling main protagonist that isn't without her flaws. I wasn't sure why she felt loyal to the Russian Federation, considering the real world history of resistance between Finland and the Soviet Union. Even more timely is reading a book where nuclear world war has happened, irradiating the Baltic nations, leaving the US backed European Union and the Russian Federation the only national actors left standing. There were numerous little details that I appreciated as a military person that showed the author's interest and research in writing a story about spies and snipers that usually get overlooked - like use of a spotter, SERE training, the threat of a drone, and the use of the skies as a method of fighting in arctic conditions.
There is explicit violence in this book but it's all detailed in a way that doesn't glorify or justify why it happens. It feels uncomfortable and it should. As awful as these specific actions and violence are, it's a tragic reality of what has happened in previous wars and in other parts of the world. These specific trauma tropes are often used as misguided attempts at character development but in Unholy Warrior, it feels tempered as visceral as such scenes are.
Rebane faith as a Sami is present but it isn't used as a crutch or deux ex machina for saving her from danger. There are prayers, but it is a touch of luck and a lot of tactical planning that gets Rebane through her trials. The Finnish pantheon is not one often portrayed in media and it's refreshing to see it here.
Unholy Warrior doesn't conclude so much as it stops leading towards the sequel. It's gritty, visceral, action packed with a touch of the spiritual. Rebane Nordstrom is a new voice in the Post-Apocalyptic Thriller genre and I look forward to reading more about her struggles against the Union and the Federation.
Review originally written for Reedsy Discovery: https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/unh...
January 18, 2022
Unholy Warrior is about Rabane Nordstrom, a military sniper who goes on operations deep behind enemy lines with her squad of specialists after WWIII. Unfortunately, on this mission, all but Rabane are killed and she submits through torture and continued interrogation. Her nemesis is Major Weisser, who is a psychopath, and enjoys the torture he dishes out. She escapes a couple of times then is recaptured to live through another session of torture under the rabid major. She is close to the breaking point and ready to give up her secrets.
During her last escape, she travels through wintery Scandinavia en route to her own lines - it takes her an entire year, but the major continues to close in behind. Some parts of the book are extremely descriptive of the blood and guts surrounding the characters. Reader beware.
The story keeps my interest, flows well, and is error-free which is a rarity in many of the dystopian and post-apocalypse books. Unholy Warrior is well worth the read - a cat/mouse type story filled with scenes that can make even the most unholy war veteran pause.
During her last escape, she travels through wintery Scandinavia en route to her own lines - it takes her an entire year, but the major continues to close in behind. Some parts of the book are extremely descriptive of the blood and guts surrounding the characters. Reader beware.
The story keeps my interest, flows well, and is error-free which is a rarity in many of the dystopian and post-apocalypse books. Unholy Warrior is well worth the read - a cat/mouse type story filled with scenes that can make even the most unholy war veteran pause.
June 8, 2021
Perhaps not such an unholy warrior?
Rebeka Jager has created a strong but human warrior in Rebane. While there is much violence, it is not gratuitous, serving to reveal aspects of Rebane's character as she moves from warrior to a place where another's life is more important than her own. Her physical journey mirrors the spiritual one, illuminated by the traditional beliefs and natural deities of the wilderness, even a wilderness riddled with nuclear fallout and populated by radioactive wolves.
The story is fast paced and the detail is well researched. I would have liked to better understand the motivations of Rebane's nemesis, but this is a minor quibble in a well told and engrossing read.
Rebeka Jager has created a strong but human warrior in Rebane. While there is much violence, it is not gratuitous, serving to reveal aspects of Rebane's character as she moves from warrior to a place where another's life is more important than her own. Her physical journey mirrors the spiritual one, illuminated by the traditional beliefs and natural deities of the wilderness, even a wilderness riddled with nuclear fallout and populated by radioactive wolves.
The story is fast paced and the detail is well researched. I would have liked to better understand the motivations of Rebane's nemesis, but this is a minor quibble in a well told and engrossing read.
July 31, 2021
Worth a Read
The reason for the futures dystopia our hero inhabits barely registers in the book. There’s a reference to a nuclear war and the number who died. That’s about it. The rest of the story is about the strength of Rebane in running from the Union. It was an enjoyable read and I will likely check out the others in the series.
The reason for the futures dystopia our hero inhabits barely registers in the book. There’s a reference to a nuclear war and the number who died. That’s about it. The rest of the story is about the strength of Rebane in running from the Union. It was an enjoyable read and I will likely check out the others in the series.
October 3, 2021
Enjoyed this book, my first by this author. Well-written with a great storyline, it’s an action-packed story of a skilled soldier in a dystopian future who manages to handle whatever her survival demands. The Scandinavian setting and an infusion of poetry and mythology bring in beautiful elements that contrast well with the violence of a future filled with warfare.
September 26, 2021
A New Writer to Follow
Utterly surprised! This writer grabbed my attention with a heroine so female and so tough that I would put her up for a medal and a membership in any vets' club anywhere. Finns must be really dangerous!
Utterly surprised! This writer grabbed my attention with a heroine so female and so tough that I would put her up for a medal and a membership in any vets' club anywhere. Finns must be really dangerous!
September 2, 2021
It's worth it to read to read to the end!
the book gets better and better as you read to the end. The ending makes the rating a 5 star read.
the book gets better and better as you read to the end. The ending makes the rating a 5 star read.
Read
April 3, 2023Good book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews