I received an early review copy of this book via NetGalley, and I can honestly say that True Winter caught me off guard—in the best possible way.

When I first read the preview, I was intrigued. It had atmosphere, promise, and a tone that hinted at something deeper. But by page 40, I wasn’t just interested—I was completely invested. And that’s rare. Especially for a novel that just crosses the 300-page mark, where sometimes the story or characters don’t have the room they need to breathe. But Q.K. Petty doesn’t waste a single page. This story breathes—with urgency, with emotion, and with purpose.

Eden Dowler, the protagonist, isn’t just someone you follow—she’s someone you root for, someone whose choices carry weight. The supporting cast is no less compelling. There’s a real sense of history and personality in the core characters, and their interactions feel lived-in. Petty doesn’t rely on lengthy exposition or pages of filler to build this world; instead, every scene feels deliberate. Every moment adds something—whether it’s tension, tenderness, or insight into what drives these people forward.

The pacing is swift but never careless. When the action pauses, it does so with intent—to give you a breather, yes, but also to deepen your understanding of what’s really at stake. I never felt lost, never felt rushed. Instead, I felt like I was being guided through something carefully designed to hit both plot and heart.

There’s a sharpness to the prose that I really admire—clean, vivid, but never cold. And while the ending left me with a small sting of disappointment in how one character's arc wrapped up (no spoilers!), it wasn’t enough to dull the overall impact. The final paragraph is a gut punch in the best way—quiet, but unforgettable.

Knowing that Indigo Spring is coming next in the series fills me with excitement. Q.K. Petty has built something here that feels honest and alive, and I can’t wait to see how it grows from season to season.

This book surprised me, moved me, and left me wanting more. Highly recommended for fans of tightly woven fantasy with real emotional stakes.

I liked the story and characters were well developed. Iˋd recommend it to some students but specially to colleagues.

An intricate story of secret organizations determined to acquire dangerous historical artifacts under the guise of "What's best for humanity". This story follows a man who must battle his own demons and personal trauma while simultaneously battling his rival organization for artifacts, all while attempting to connect with his long lost brother.

The writing for this book was absolutely incredible. It was messy, in the best way possible. The storyline is elaborate and more intricate than I was originally anticipating. The deep history that was written about the underground organizations, the religious lore from different pantheons, as well as the complicated and deep characters all compile to create a fantastic read. I also love that it's multi POV. I appreciate how much time and effort must have gone into creating something so in depth that you can't help but get lost in the story. The characters seem to jump to life off the pages. It was difficult to rate this book because one of the characters irritated me to the point that I didn't want to keep reading the story. I mean he was just insufferable at times. I kept reading however, because I was determined to see where the story would go. While I'm not personally satisfied with the ending, I know the story continues and I can't wait to see where it winds up. Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the opportunity to read the first in this series and I can't wait to read the next one. All opinions are my own. With that said, please note that this may not be suitable for those that are sensitive to blood, gore, trauma, PTSD, cultist behavior, religious trauma and death.

Q.K. Petty’s True Winter is a darkly thrilling ride that stands out for its rich character development and razor-sharp themes. The evolving relationship between brothers Eden and Orion, each battling their own secrets and loyalties, is remarkably engaging and adds real emotional depth to the urgent, action-packed plot.
The novel’s exploration of how everyone wears masks—hiding their true selves—feels urgent and relatable, especially as every character confronts deception, trust, and identity in a world driven by secret organizations and shadowy motives.

Petty’s writing drew me in with gripping action, high stakes, and a tautly paced narrative, balancing dark intensity with the strength of found family among broken individuals. I’m eagerly anticipating the next adventure in Indigo Spring—this is a series I can’t wait to continue!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC to review.

Loved this story! The characters, the pacing, the plot, and the world building was great! Can’t wait to read more by this author!

This book was full of thrilling action and exciting adventure.

I loved the concept of the story and the plot was captivating.

Will definitely recommend.

Chock full of adventure and conspiracy which holds the reader in it's grip. The characters are devious and the plot has lots of secrets to discover.