What could possibly go wrong with a power outage? But what if that power outage is state-wise and possibly a cyber attack on the power grid? Without any certainty to be back again?  What if it's a cold WINTER? No heaters are working in the houses while the temperature outside keeps dropping down, and the ration starts running out? Where people are crossing their threshold of humanity to engage in inhuman activities to merely survive?

That's the intriguing premise of ‘The Cold Winter’ by Chris Underwood, where our protagonist Thom must do all he can to keep his family and friends safe from the impending danger of cold temperatures and raiders who could kill you to take what's yours. With the first four chapters, the author pulls a reader into this riveting story, sets characters in place and puts the nail-biting narrative in motion. 

Its fast-paced and exhilarating storyline kept me hooked till the end of the book. Throughout the book it kept me in an ominous state. I always enjoy reading where I am not just reading but the author creates such a world through his noteworthy writing that I feel part of it. Whether it's the description of the neighbourhood of Thom, Gelena, or the action; it has been written cleverly, which makes it more like a cinematic experience (Those who follow my reviews may know how much a cinematic experience means to me when reading a good book).

My favourite aspect of this book is the characterization of Thom. He is calculative, strategic, cautious, knows how and when to take charge, and always thinks ahead of time in a catastrophic event, and these abilities help him survive such testing times.  Characters like Toni, Erick and Carl have been written well, but the characterization of JP, Brad, Ed and Allen is limited; even when a character dies, it doesn't make an impact as it's supposed to.   This is just the first book in this series, so I am still hopeful that maybe the author was holding himself back, and in the second book, other characters and their dynamics will be explored more.

The part that took me off guard was the revelation in the end that revolved around Thom and Randal. The way that parallel story was running, I had my speculations and predictions because it felt obvious that way but it was beyond that. The author certainly lets you predict and delivers the unpredictable. If this was a standalone book then I would have complained about the way it ended, but since it's part of a series and the end anticipates the events that may follow in the second book I am satisfied with it because, without open end, I wouldn't have been eager to know what what will happen in the second book. 

I still don't know what to expect from it because of the helpless state the first book ends with. How are our characters supposed to survive when a mere hint of having food can attract danger towards them? With jammed highways of cars, no means of communication to establish contact with other states, and no help coming from the government because of unfavourable and bleak conditions that too in the middle of a political crisis across the country.

This curiosity and eagerness to find out is what I mean whenever I mention “the author knows what he is doing” in my reviews. Chris Underwood's compelling storytelling in this book is praiseworthy for the detailing and unsettling atmosphere it has created. I am looking forward to knowing how the story turns out in the next book.