Cold from the North by D.W. Ross
Friends Surviving War
An Indie Book Review by Joseph Poopinski
4 stars
This is the first book in the Onyxborn trilogy, which prophesies the rise of an evil magic-wielder & the end of all who oppose her. It reads like a well-rounded action/adventure movie with ominous happenings, bravery, friendship, hardship & naval ships too. Ogulf & Melcun are best friends beset by war & suddenly, solemnly charged with a baffling quest that may offer the world’s only hope to unravel that dire prophecy, which at the time they know nothing about, by their dying mentor. Before they can thwart the juggernaut army, they must flee for their lives. Exciting stuff. Our main characters have interesting/colorful/mysterious backstories or revealing anecdotes. Of these, when we witness Ogulf’s dad’s martial prowess as he easily defeats the insulting King’s knight is my favorite. The tally of dead is astronomical: Starting with the northern berserkers eradicating the entirety of their nation save our heroes & village refugees. Numerous side characters pop in & pop out, dropping left & right from the war or its tendrils (like the Onyxborn’s horrific, personified powers slaying the brave Admiral). And ending with bunches of casualties from a climactic battle in another country’s civil war. Throughout, messages of honest self-improvement & goodwill/tolerance surface periodically: “The chance to speak freely does not mean you should speak mindlessly.” “My grandmother could best most of the men who watch our walls.”
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