Frozen To The Core

Bentwhistle the Dragon #0.2

by Paul Cude

Evil personified finds itself captured and encased in ice, trapped beneath the harshest environment on the planet with absolutely no way out, until, that is, a chance encounter with an inquisitive member of an ancient race unlocks the key to escape.
Dastardly dark deeds set off a chain reaction that will have dire repercussions for the whole world as, against all odds, evil conquers good.
Can a psychotic leader’s twisted plan be stopped?
And will a mother’s love prevail?
Find out how the malevolence began in this bone chilling prequel.

Genres: Ebooks

163 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2019

About the author

Paul Cude is a husband, father, field hockey player and aspiring photographer. Lost without his hockey stick, he can often be found in between writing and chauffeuring children, reading anything from comics to sci-fi, fantasy to thrillers. Too often found chained to his computer, it would be little surprise to find him, in his free time, somewhere on the Dorset coastline, chasing over rocks and sand in an effort to capture his wonderful wife and lovely kids with his camera.
Paul Cude is also the author of The White Dragon Saga.

Reviews

[H.M. Holten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evil versus good
Can Man save his innocence? Can the naga survive? Will Man’s father take over the world? Will Man’s brother survive, and will Man’s mother?
Frozen to the Core is advertised as a book where evil wins. What occurred to me is that it’s all a question of viewpoint. Dragon/men or men/dragons are oppressed and kept on an icy world. There is one prisoner, who is the scapegoat for the race. The leader oppresses his people and tortures the scapegoat. His sons suffer under his maliciousness too and at this hangs a tale. Man (the eloquent name of the older son) is a thoughtful creature, but not only that, he discovers that he has a spark of the magic that is denied the captives on this icy world. Enter another magical creature, a naga, who recognizes Man’s potential. Evil and good are poised for another fight, but it is unclear who is evil and who is good in this match. Are the oppressors outside this world – or is the leader and father figure the incarnation of evil? Who will win, who is the oppressor or the oppressedoppressed? Is the captive dragon the culprit and is that the reason for the torture he suffers under the leader’s reign? Is the naga the real persecutor or are the outside forces evil incarnated? These are pertinent questions. Who can judge? What strikes me is that the father/leader is proud of his eldest son. There is hate between the two, but there is also – surprisingly – love. That discrepancy is what makes this such a compelling read. Cude manages to pose existential questions in this prequel to his White Dragon Saga. As one reads on the enigma grows. Who is malevolent and what is evil? This way any reader will be kept at the edge of his or her chair, trying to judge between good and evil.

[M.R. Pin · Rating 4 out of 5]

🇬🇧 + 🇵🇹 REVIEW

🇬🇧
Dragons with a cold touch!

Yeah, that's exactly it, we find dragons in a cold, so very cold, cave prison!! But they're not your usual dragons!! They have a human body, with the "dragon" and its magic being hidden and maybe even forgotten inside then!!

Now THAT was something different!!

Now on to the review itself, I have to divide this in 2 parts Mr. Cude... And straight forward, I'm sorry for that!!

STORY
⭐⭐⭐⭐

The story itself is very interesting, and only a bit confusing regarding the time period where it stands!! (The electrical filming equipment threw me off for a bit)

We find a rich story about a child with imense power hidden in him, that is then awakened!! We see themes like the new responsabilities of life and the consequences of the decisions that come with them eventually!!

We also see strong and dark themes like domestic violence and rape, alongside with a tyrant that defends such acts "for the greater good" !!

Also a strong theme is the inner fight against what's good and bad, the fight for what we believe, no mater what!! Literally..... No matter what!!

Absolutly love Man's father as the evil guy here!! Psycho to say the least!!

The ending is amazing, umpredictable and delicious for an introduction to the series itself!!

WRITING
⭐⭐⭐

Yeah, I didn't enjoy some parts of the writing itself Mr. Cude, but it's only an opinion and nothing else!!

I believe that sometimes you "pause" the story to add your own personal coment, which could be useful, although in some cases like the ones I'm focusing here are, for me, unnecessary...

First one was the explanation (short at that) of what an orca is... I know that for some is orca, others is killer whale... But I find unnecessary to explain while in story!! As well as the "get it?" on the mother situations... Twice! I get the fun of it, I simply don't find it necessary to, again, pause the story to add that remark... Twice...

Other than this, I only found it confusing to know which character was I following at some points, and even where (past or present) was I... But nothing umbeareble, not at all!!

There!! That's all!! 😅 Thank you for the free ebook!! Would love to read the rest of the series, as I got really curious!!


🇵🇹
Dragões com um toque frio!!

E exactamente isso!! Um história com dragões aprisionados numas cavernas muito muito frias!! Embora não sejam os típicos dragões!! Mas mais dragões em forma humana, com a sua forma original e magia associada aprisionada dentro de si e, quase, até esquecida!!

Vou dividir a review em duas partes porque achei que devia sinceramente...

HISTÓRIA
⭐⭐⭐⭐

A história é muito interessante até, se bem que um pouco confusa no que toca à época, ou algo semelhante a isso, em que ocorre!! (Aparece levemente equipamento eléctrico que me deixou à nora...)

Encontramos então uma história sobre uma criança com um poder imenso escondido dentro de si e que é, posteriormente, despertado!! Temos com isto temas sobre assumir responsabilidades e lealdades, assim como as consequências das decisões que temos de tomar com estas novas responsabilidades!!

Temos também temas muito "Dark" como violência doméstica e violação, assim como um ditador, ou tirano, que justifica esses actos por um bem maior!!

Outro tema forte é a luta interna contra o que é bom ou mau, sobre que lado tomar ou a inevitabilidade das nossas decisões, ou das decisões que tomam por nós!! Assim como a luta por aquilo em que acreditamos, venha o que vier!! Literalmente!!

O pai de Man, a personagem principal, é absolutamente brilhante como vilão!! Um autêntico psicopata!!

O final é então muito bom, imprevisível até certo ponto e deixa o leitor a querer o resto!!


ESCRITA
⭐⭐⭐

Ok, aqui, na minha opinião e é apenas a minha opinião, há umas quantas falhas!!

O autor parece que "pausa" a história para fazer um comentário pessoal, curto, mas a meu ver completamente desnecessário...... Comentários do narrador podem ser interessantes se adicionarem algo à história... Já aqui nos casos que falo não é o que vemos...

Posso começar logo pelo primeiro que vi que foi aparecer uma Orca na história e entre parêntesis o autor ter "para tu e eu, baleia assassina"... Traduzido rudemente claro... Mas essencialmente é isto... Entendo que nem todos lhe chamem orca, nem todos lhe chamem baleia assassina, mas nunca vi em livro algum o narrador fazer uma atenção nesse sentido de explicar o que é apenas com outro nome...

Outra situação é aquela atitude do comediante que conta uma piada e quando ninguém se eu fica "perceberam??" Com cara de tolo à espera que alguém responda... Faz isto duas vezes... Duas!! Dá para perceber a "pun" mas considero ter um anexo a dizer "get it?" Desnecessário... Duas vezes!!

Fora isto, é apenas por vezes complicado perceber qual a personagem que estamos a seguir e em algumas ocasiões até em que parte da história vamos, passado ou presente!! Mas nada de extraordinário!!

E é isto!! A história vale a pena, é diferente e interessante e puxa a querer ler a série em si!!

[Anna Casamento Arrigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read! Sometimes, the line between good and evil leads one to question the very existence-sometimes, blurred and fraught with challenges interspersed with more questions than answers. How can those demarcations be explained, held to the light (for examination and reflection), and ‘set things on their right course?’ What might happen if evil overcomes goodness? A highly engaging and provocative read! I’m reminded of Frost’s poem…Fire and Ice-‘but if the world should perish twice…ice is nice and would suffice-‘(paraphrasing)

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for free in exchange for an honest review. For a very short prequel this novel packs a punch to the gut. This book is not your typical good versus evil kind of book. This book should not be for younger readers as it is has a lot of deceit, secret keeping and violence (suggestions of rape). The author twists good into evil and leaves us breathless at the end. I definitely plan to read the rest of this series just to find out what happens.

[Hilda Baard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story, so beautifully told it kept me glued to the very last page. Original story line, great world building with great characters. well worth the read.

[Emily Gains · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A gripping, chilling prequel that sets the stage for epic darkness

Frozen to the Core is everything I didn’t know I wanted in a fantasy prequel: cold, claustrophobic, and utterly absorbing. Paul Cude manages to take something as simple as “evil trapped in ice” and turn it into a tense, slow-burning origin story that’s as fascinating as it is unsettling.

The way the ancient race is introduced is masterful; it feels alien and timeless, but also strangely relatable. Their “chance encounter” with the frozen evil had me almost yelling at the page, knowing it was the spark that would set off chaos. The pacing is spot on; the story moves from quiet, oppressive isolation to an unstoppable chain of catastrophic events.

What stood out most to me was the villain. This isn’t a cartoonish, mustache-twirling evil; it’s calculating, manipulative, and genuinely terrifying. Watching the psychotic leader’s plan slowly come together gave me that uneasy “I shouldn’t be rooting for them, but I want to see what happens” feeling.

And yes, the emotional core, centered around a mother’s love, hit surprisingly hard. In between the darkness and destruction, there’s this fragile thread of humanity that makes the stakes feel real. By the end, I was both chilled and deeply invested in where The White Dragon Saga will go next.

If you’re already a fan of the series, this prequel makes the world feel richer and more dangerous. If you’re new, it’s a great (if terrifying) place to start.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frozen to the Core (The White Dragon Saga .02) , my fifth read from author Paul Cude and kind of prequel in the 6-book series. A wonderful 164-page read that reads even longer due to the attention to detail written in. Now that I've discovered the prequels I need to find a copy of A Right Royal RumpASS. Although this book is included in The White Dragon Saga (Volume 1) I've been unable, so far, to find a copy of A Right Royal RumpASS. I received a free Kindle copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll definitely be reading more from this author. A Fiery Farewell (The White Dragon Saga Book 5) is next on my TBR list, unless I find A Right Royal RumpASS first. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.

[Gail Marchant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Paul Cube for the copy of Frozen to the Core
I have read this prequel which tells of Man, Josh & their father the leader
He is the leader of an evil race captured & encased in ice
The story tells of why they are in the ice with no way of escaping until a stranger arrives & things change
Oh & did I tell you they are dragons
Cannot wait to read the next book

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually really enjoy books about dragons. However, this one leaves me conflicted and disappointed. I wonder why I even read this to the end.
I am not inclined to read any further in this series.

[Smasher]

Note to self: there is mention of rape in this, and I don't go there in any way shape or form. Nope.

[Saundra Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique, just as I found his steampunk.

[Lynne-Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frozen to the Core, written by Paul Cude. This is a well written book about an a group of people sent into exile below the ice, where their true forms were supressed by the cold conditions. This group of people wanted nothing more than to escape their prison and return to the surface of the Earth, where they could spread their wings and resume being the dragons they were born to be.

This was a hard book for me to read at times, because there were some very well written violent scenes, but they did enhance the story Paul was telling. The violence was the one thing about his story that I didn’t enjoy quite so much, however, if you are not as sensitive as me to graphic scenes, it is a great book to read.

I enjoyed being let into Pauls under the ice world, as his writing was very descriptive, about the barren landscape and how this affected the people living there. They were a cruel society, and no one was crueller than their leader, to everyone including his own family.

It took me a chapter or two to get dragged into this story but was very happy when it happened. At times this story, had me feeling sad and at other times it had me feeling very angry. I consider a book a good read if it elicits emotional responses in me and this one certainly did.

The main characters certainly developed and grew as the story read on, however, not all growth was positive, which was a definite interesting twist I did not see coming. One thing I find very annoying is the book ended but the story didn’t, I now need to buy the second book to find out what happens, the next story has been set up but it was left hanging. I would definitely prefer the story to have come to some conclusion, and then it is a choice to read the second book.

So this is the prequel to the White Dragon Saga series of books written by Paul Cude and I would recommend this book to mature readers, it is not really suitable to younger readers due to the graphic violence and unsavoury topics that are mentioned. A reader who likes to read series, I feel this would appeal to. This is a good versus evil tale and the blurb is a great representation of this story. If the blurb appeals then dive in, you are in for a ride.

I was gifted a copy of this book by the author Paul Cude.

[Iseult Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m afraid this story wasn’t for me. I found the plot interesting, and I love the idea of dragons being imprisoned in Antarctica, as well as dragons who can take human form, but I found the writing very off putting.
I received a free copy and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.