The book's cover and book summary really made me want to read this book. I read this book in a day because I really wanted to know what was going to happen, it made me keep reading. I felt that it was a bit confusing sometimes going from character to character, but I did enjoy their own stories what they were going through during the snowstorm. I wish it had a better ending, but I guess that is the point of the story, and you will never know. I am still confused about Rose's story and what exactly happened to her. I am grateful for being approved to read this book, thanks for letting us readers have a chance to check out ARCS!

This was a fairly average thriller. Nothing really ties together and the characters all kind of blend together

Thank you, Rebecca Rowland and Clash Books, for sending me a copy of Eminence Front via Netgalley. Publication date Jan 2026.

A winter storm ravages a small community in New England, but the residents of one street are unprepared for what the snow brings: an ancient curse, an entity that knows both their sins and their regrets and will stop at nothing to consume what belongs to it.
When John Stephenson peers out of his window on a Tuesday morning, he sees nothing but clear, gray skies hovering above the houses on his staid suburban street, but the next 48 hours will prove to be a waking nightmare from which John and his neighbors cannot escape. As the first flakes fall, the whispering begins. A woman walking her dog leans into the sidewalk as though something buried beneath speaks to her. As the storm grows in ferocity, each of the residents hears the storm calling.
What it says, however, few may survive to repeat.
From Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker Award finalist Rebecca Rowland comes a winter horror novel of cosmic proportions, one in which one neighborhood comes face to face, and ear to ear, with a malevolence as old as the world itself.

My review/opinion. What the actual heck did I read? I get the concept, but it just kept flitting between the characters in the street. It was so confusing, hard to keep up with who was who, at times, and what happened. Like, actually, what happened?
Also, for a horror, it didn't have me scared, just confused. There were times when I thought oh we will find out, then nope nothing. I don't like to write a review with spoilers, so it is really hard to even write anything about this. The blurb and cover had me drawn in. But I really wish I had DNF this book because it wasn't as good as the blurb made it sound. I really wanted to like it. I'm grateful to Netgalley and Rebecca Rowland for the chance to read the book, though.

Fear, when born of the strange and unexplained, is not a scream but a silence—thick, pressing, and absolute. It creeps in like a mist at twilight, curling its cold fingers around the mind, whispering doubts in a language older than words. It is the hush before the storm, the stillness in the forest when even the birds forget to sing. Or a snow-laden field, absorbing all sounds in the dead of the night.

It begins in the gut, a slow tightening, as if the body itself remembers something the mind cannot name. The air grows colder, not in temperature, but in temperament—hostile, watching. Shadows stretch longer than they should, and familiar shapes twist into unfamiliar silhouettes. The world tilts, just slightly, just enough to make you question whether it ever stood straight.

In that moment, fear is a poet. It paints the unknown with brushstrokes of dread, turning every creak into a whisper, every flicker of light into a warning. It is the heartbeat you hear in your ears, the breath you hold without realizing, the sense that something is just there, just beyond the veil of understanding.

And yet, it is not loud. It is quiet. Terrifyingly quiet. Because the most dreadful things are not those that roar, but those that wait.

You must first understand fear, before you put pen to paper and give it breath. The author, Rebecca Rowland understands fear.
In Eminence Front fears\ creeps into a Southern New England town in the anticipation of a blizzard. The narrative is focused on a small neighborhood of quiet desperation masquerading behind friendly faces. The characters Rowland introduces us to, could be anyone on your street: a happily married couple, a successful family, a teacher, a writer, a senior citizen and a shut-in. But behind all these facades, are characters consumed by guilt or regret, addictions and illnesses. It is a community of people groping in the dark for some semblance of a happy life.

The author takes her careful time to give us the back story of each of these characters, to understand and embrace their fears before the storm comes for them. There are no happy endings here --no hidden miracles or satisfying resolutions. Only the chill of what is left behind.

This is a creepy horror and I will never look at a snowstorm the same ever...

In New England a storm wrecks havoc and the residents find they are facing more than a bleak winter.

The snow brings a curse and as the residents secrets and sins unfold it becomes a psychological fight for life.

This is a pacy and horrifying read and I loved the many characters that were introduced at different times.

A brutal winter storm isolates a small New England neighborhood, bringing an unnamed curse that causes residents to apparently take their own lives, each in a unique and fitting way. I consider it skillful storytelling that I really can't tell if there is an actual entity, or just some elemental doom that arrives with the blizzard, bent on punishing this neighborhood so ripe with miseries and trespasses. I kept wanting the early exposition to move faster, like I was hearing too much about these people and the day-to-day of their little street. But the victims sins, guilts and fears are used to mesmerize and torture them just before their death, so all that background pays off when the bad thing finally appears and the body count begins. If I didn't like each character, I at least knew them. Watching them go through their final excoriation and death had the frightful impact it did because I had spent all that time in their heads. The last third of this book is one horrifying, brutal death after another, each a satisfying vignette of gruesome power. Eminence Front would be particularly suited to an audiobook experience.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc. Wasn’t really a fan of this one. The beginning sucked me in but once more and more characters got introduced, it just seemed to be all over the place and confusing. And the horror aspect was lacking unfortunately.

Eminence Front is a chilling, atmospheric horror novel that blends cosmic dread with suburban paranoia. When a brutal winter storm descends on a quiet New England neighborhood, the residents of one street are pulled into a terrifying reality where the snow carries more than just cold. It brings with it a curse—an ancient entity that preys on personal guilt, hidden sins, and unspoken regrets.

Rebecca Rowland crafts a gripping narrative that unfolds over a claustrophobic 48 hours. As the blizzard intensifies, strange occurrences mount: whispers in the wind, haunting voices from beneath the snow, and residents losing control of their sanity. At the center is John Stephenson, who watches his neighborhood descend into chaos, powerless to stop it as each household is drawn into a confrontation with something inhuman and unfathomable.

The writing is sharp and immersive, echoing the creeping unease of Shirley Jackson with the existential terror of Lovecraftian horror. Though some moments are deeply unsettling, the novel balances character development with supernatural tension, making the reader care about the people even as they are being consumed by the storm’s madness.

With eerie atmosphere, layered storytelling, and an ending that lingers like a cold breath, Eminence Front is a strong entry in modern horror. It is a perfect read for those who enjoy slow-burning dread and stories where the true terror lies just beneath the surface—literally and figuratively.

Writing Style
Rowland’s style is very compelling. After a slow(ish) start to the story, things get intriguing very quickly. At first, I couldn’t latch on to a character—the story jumped to the next, just as I was getting comfortable, but don’t let that put you off—stick with it because I think that’s the point. This technique allows a feeling of unease set into the reader, and I must say, it’s brilliant.

One of my favourite types of story is winter horror—and I’m forever lamenting that there doesn’t seem to be enough of it to satiate my appetite. Well, consider me well-fed. This story has everything; snow, characters who suddenly act strangely, blood, more snow—and did I mention… snow?

The pacing is on point; plenty of action to keep you turning pages. In fact, I found it hard to put down, which brings me to my only gripe—some of the chapters, though by no means all—were a tad longer than I usually like. I found it incredibly challenging to put the book down to sleep.

Finally, while I admit I struggled to connect to the characters at first—I’m glad I stuck with the book because they are fully fleshed out with compelling backstories and relationships. In fact, these characters seem so real that I wonder if Rowland took inspiration from people she knows.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Eminence Front is an excellent read. If you love winter horror, the contrast of blood and snow, and the occasional gruesome offing, then this book is just what the doctor ordered.

January will be the perfect date for this release given a blizzard is rolling into this town. As it does, it brings something sinister with it and the residence of this quiet suburb, with their own secrets and lies, do not know what awaits them. My only wish is that I had been reading this in the winter, but I can always reread it given it was definitely a one sitting read. I loved how Rowland captured flawed characters in this shorter work. I absolutely enjoy her writing style and will be looking out for more of her work.

This was a really fun, fast and creepy read! Loved it!!! I really enjoyed all of the character development and the slow building creepy/eerie atmosphere that built as the snowstorm moved in. I just wish this book had been longer!! That's not really a complaint, but more of a compliment to the author that I would have loved to have spent more time with these characters.
Can't wait to see what she writes next.

I actually really liked this!!!! a story about a neighborhood where a dangerous snowstorm is barricading them in and an ancient curse makes its way into their homes. what a premise! I thought the pacing of the story was phenomenal and I literally ate this up in like two sittings. at first, I didn’t think I was going to enjoy the amount of characters there were, but immediately, my mind changed, and I loved how unique each of them were. it was also very suspenseful not just because of what was happening but also because the atmosphere was so dreadful so that in my mind, I was thinking nothing good can happen. the only thing that could have been explained further is the curse because I think its so unique that it is sad that I didn’t get to learn much about it and I believe it would have made the book feel more fuller. other than that, I really really really enjoyed this book

There's nothing like reading a wintery horror novella at the fringe of summer's arrival. Everyone needs a few chills when the weather heats up.

In this gripping, one-sitting read, we get the threat of an approaching winter storm, a quiet suburb where secrets and lies hide inside each neighbor's humble dwelling, and a little something extra...something strange and sinister, creeping in with the first snow fall. When the anticipated blizzard is at it's peak, so is the plot of the story as violence breaks out and the body count is high.

"Eminence Front" was my introduction to author Rebecca Rowland's writing and I am definitely a fan! Her ability to develop such complex, flawed characters in such a short book is what will make readers immediately want to read everything she writes. I truly wish this novella had been longer. That's my only complaint. I want more!

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC

This was such an intense book, and although I do love to read spooky and winter all year round, I will say this is quite a seasonal read.

Thank you to the author and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. Eminence Front is a quick read with a fast pace story setting. The character development is strong throughout and the characters are flawed. The flawed characters create an interesting story line and hooks you. A truly creepy "snowed-in" horror story.

Nobody likes getting snowed in, especially when the blizzard has an extra creepy vibe to it. You definitely get sucked in to this slow burn small town horrifying tale. The neighbors are all interesting in their own way.

Thank you NetGalley! It's only May 2025 and I have already found my favorite book of 2026.

If you are a big fan of the movie “Rubber” (yes…the movie about the killer tire), then you might really love this book. Instead of a tire, the only thing murdering you is the snow.

I would have rated the book 5 stars, but I feel like the ending dropped off a little too suddenly. I turned the page and was instantly met with 'About the Author'. I would have really liked it the last 'article/transcript was a wrap up of how all of our characters were found and the horror of the discovery. You probably rolled your eyes at my reasoning, but I'm sorry! With such a large cast of characters, I needed a recap!

First, I want to thank NetGalley and CLASH Books for allowing me to have this eArc to review. These are my honest and own opinions.

Just finished Eminence Front by Rebecca Rowland, and I’m feeling a solid 3 stars on this one.

The premise pulled me in right away—there’s this creepy, slow-burn vibe and a lot of tension simmering under the surface. I really liked how the book tackled privilege and small-town secrets; it had some sharp commentary without feeling too heavy-handed. The main character was complicated in a good way, and I appreciated that they weren’t super easy to pin down.

That said, the pacing dragged a bit in the middle. I found myself losing focus here and there, and some of the twists didn’t quite land for me—they felt a little predictable or just didn’t hit as hard as I hoped. A few side characters could’ve used more depth, too; I wanted to care more about what happened to them.

Overall, I didn’t love it, but I didn’t dislike it either. If you like character-driven thrillers with a slower burn and a creepy undertone, this might be worth checking out. Just go in knowing it’s not a super fast-paced page-turner.

Rebecca Rowland’s Eminence Front delivers a slow, suffocating descent into suburban dread.
Set during a relentless New England blizzard, the novella captures the isolation and claustrophobia of a quiet neighborhood unraveling under pressure — both external and internal.

Rowland builds tension with unsettling precision, focusing less on overt horror and more on the psychological erosion of her characters. As strange phenomena creep into the edges of their world, it becomes clear the real danger isn’t just outside in the snow — it’s inside their homes, inside their minds.

The writing is sharp and unsentimental, matching the cold atmosphere of the setting. Rather than relying on shock or spectacle, Rowland lets a quiet sense of distortion and unease take over, making the familiar feel increasingly unstable.

Eminence Front is a tight, character-driven story about how easily ordinary life can collapse under the right pressure

A winter storm changes the lives of the residents on one suburban street. "Can you hear the snow"?

This novel was unlike any that I've read of late. The characters are engaging and flawed. Are these flaws the reasons for their unusual behavior with this particular storm? A page turner for sure.