1star
Ürünstar 1.0
Nordic Horror: Chilling Cold. A R S Horkka
I'm a sucker for a good horror story, and Nordic Horror delivers. This one's got all the right ingredients: creepy atmosphere, jump-out-of-your-seat scares, and a plot that'll keep you guessing till the very end. If you're a fan of the genre, you won't be disappointed.
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A Chillingly Cold Disappointment
summarizeEditor's Summary
I picked up this book by a lesser-known author in November 2025, drawn in by its super affordable price of 94 rubles. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The world-building, characters, and story fell flat for me. While I didn't expect much, I still felt like I got a decent deal for the price - at least the story's complete and finished. However, I'm not recommending it to anyone. If you're looking for a compelling read, keep searching. The author's writing style is easy to follow, even if the story itself is dull. The book is a decent length, so you won't feel like you're wasting your time. It's a good option for a quick read, especially if you're looking to pass the time on a plane or during a commute. The cover art is actually pretty cool, even if the story inside doesn't match up. But let's get real, the story itself is predictable and doesn't offer anything new or exciting. The pacing is slow, making it hard to stay motivated to keep reading. The themes are heavy-handed and feel like they're being forced down the reader's throat. The author's attempts at depth and complexity fall flat, making the story feel shallow. The characters are flat and unengaging, making it hard to care about their struggles. The world-building is seriously lacking, making it hard to become invested in the story.
settingsSpecifications
KararKötü
Düzen2/10
Hikaye3/10
Karakterler2/10
YazımKalitesi2/10
A Chillingly Cold Disappointment
Hello everyone, friends! It's me, The Seeker, and I'm sharing my thoughts on a recent read.
I stumbled upon this book by chance, never having heard of the author before. To be honest, my purchase was a bit spontaneous. I often discover new authors and works by browsing the cover or blurb, and buying if it catches my eye. In this case, the price was a major factor - it set me back around 94 rubles. I picked it up in November 2025.
Tears are a way to soothe the soul, - Seyta tried to encourage me. - A way to give emotions an outlet. Sorrow is a blessing.
Am I satisfied with my purchase? Not quite - the book is headed to the library, where it'll wait patiently for its next reader, someone who'll actually enjoy the story. As for me, I'm washing my hands of it. Don't get me wrong - I didn't expect much from the story, so I wasn't disappointed. Actually, I think I got a decent deal for the price - at least, the story's complete and finished.
The thing that didn't sit well with me was the world-building, the characters, and the lack of explanations or logic behind the world - that's secondary stuff.
In this story, an old woman tells her granddaughter about two wolves inside every person - one of hatred, the other of love. One day, the girl asked, 'Which wolf will win?' Guess what she said? 'The one you feed.'
I'm a bit of an oddball, even at my age, but I think this book is more suited for kids than for young rebels looking for their place in the world. The story's presented in a horror series, but honestly, it was a snooze-fest for me. Maybe it's just because I'm getting old, but I tried to put myself in a kid's shoes.
When I first read Stephen King's IT around 10 years old, it freaked me out, big time. But something like this would have left me feeling disappointed and bored. I mean, it's not a great idea to justify a poorly thought-out, raw, and empty world by saying it's for kids. Take Andrei Krapivin, for example - he wrote for kids too, and what a world of difference.
Let's be real, friends - the story itself is underdeveloped, and it feels more like a lazy attempt at writing or a first draft. We won't be excusing that as 'children's literature.' To make matters worse, the issues tackled here aren't exactly kid-friendly. With a bit more finesse, this could have been a great horror novel. Hell, if it were adapted properly, it could have been something truly unique and original.
But alas, we have what we have - a mediocre, boring read that's forgotten as soon as you finish it.
Is it worth my time to read reviews like this? Honestly, I don't think so. But it's up to you, friends. Below, I'll try to explain why I gave this product the rating I did. Just a heads up: everything I write here is just my personal opinion, not some objective truth. I'm not a pro critic or a journalist – just a regular reader. So, your opinion might not match mine, and that's totally fine, since we're all different.
My Rating Breakdown
World-building: 2/10 - The world in this book is super rough and underdeveloped. Nothing's explained, and there are too many holes that you need to fill in yourself for the story to make any sense.Characters: 2/10 - I'm not a fan of the main character, even before he turned into an emotionless ice cube. The kid was already kind of cardboard with a mouth that spewed out generic lines. Sorry, I just don't feel any sympathy for him.Plot: 3/10 - The story itself is underdeveloped, and it feels more like a lazy attempt at writing or a first draft. We won't be excusing that as 'children's literature.'Writing quality: 2/10 - The writing quality is subpar, with too many clichés and generic lines. It feels like I'm reading someone else's rough drafts, not a finished product.The story revolves around a boy who's lost his parents. He's sent to this mysterious orphanage where weird and scary things happen. At first, Armas looks at the other kids and caretakers with suspicion, but then he meets a girl who suggests they escape together because this place is bad news. And if he stays here too long, he'll disappear and lose himself, just like the other kids who ended up in these places. Those who were unlucky, with no one to rely on, and no one to save, protect, or look for.
I shifted my gaze to the trees lining the river. The leaves were already turning yellow and orange. I hate autumn. Dead leaves fall to the ground, and you can feel winter coming. I hate winter too. Naava had gray hair, just like me now. On the night my mom and dad died, my hair turned a steel gray color. It's funny how I was old before my time.
That's why no one will notice their disappearance, the government won't raise an alarm, and they won't check the paperwork to see where the kids went and why the information on the forms doesn't match reality (sorry for the tangent, but it's not worth expecting logic and coherence in a story like this). Armas gets closer to the girl, and they stick together, but then she disappears. Although she initially suggested they escape together.
I'm not gonna get into a rant about how all women are the same or whatever. That's not gonna happen. Instead, let's hear it from the kid himself. He's hurt, confused, and left wondering how to move on, who to trust, and what to do. He opened his heart, believed in her, and she just left him.
— The second rule, Naava said with a somber tone. I felt a chill run down my spine. — You're an orphan, so learn to work hard and take care of your fellow orphans.
It's crazy that the idea of the girl having warned him about the dangers in this place never even crossed his mind. And it's equally mind-boggling that he doesn't think about the possibility of her being helped to disappear. Now, I'm not saying it's illogical to try to understand the world's twisted logic, but it's hard not to feel a bit annoyed with the kid. He's not even trying to analyze what's going on; he's just drifting along with the current.
Of course, we'll eventually figure out what's going on with this place. Of course, the kid will escape (but at what cost?) And, of course, he'll run into the 'missing' girl years later, and everything will be explained and revealed (but it won't be). My grievances are centered around a couple of key points:
- We have this weird institution where they send kids who are nobody's business. And, as much as we love to hate the government, bureaucracy, statistics, and reports exist even in places like this. The authorities would've noticed a missing kid, and considering the nature of this institution, it's likely they have ties with the government that's covering for them.
No map is going to send you back to the people, Naava said coldly. The forest is full of wolves and bears. Don't leave the sanctuary without permission.
But that's not even mentioned. That's what I take from the lack of connections. It leads to a pretty obvious question - WHY nobody's noticed the strange and regular disappearance of kids and the changes in those who are here? Because it's a children's book? That's not exactly a convincing argument.
I'm not a fan of the main character, even before he turned into an emotionless ice cube (not exactly a metaphor - read the book for more details). The kid was already kind of cardboard with a mouth that spewed out generic lines. Sorry, I just don't feel any sympathy for him.
You're hurting too, Lumi said. You've got too much pain and sadness in your life for a little kid like you. It's slowly killing you.
How do you know? I asked.
Your pain is loud, like... a rainbow in the sky. Brighter than a falling star. It... smells like a field of dandelions, Lumi said, speaking in a weird way.
As I mentioned earlier, the world in this book is super rough and underdeveloped. Nothing's explained, and there are too many holes that you need to fill in yourself for the story to make any sense. I mean, why did I buy this book? To finish the author's job for them? Or to enjoy a decent horror story? It's the latter, but it feels like I'm co-authoring the thing.
The ending is a mess. I don't even want to write or say anything about it. They just mashed together whatever was interesting. It feels like I'm writing this part too.
- Jarring time jumps. I think it's a pretty poor decision to spend two days outlining a book with so many plot threads, only to skip over countless years. Sure, readers don't tell authors how to write, but we can certainly share our opinions. Here's mine.
Naava didn't even seem to notice I was crying, or maybe she just didn't care. She just kept going.
‘Third and final rule,’ I heard her merciless voice say. ‘You mean nothing, boy. No one's going to save you.’
'Chillingly cold' is a pretty weak story. It's boring, vague, and full of logical and narrative problems. I felt like I was reading someone else's rough drafts, not a finished product. The concept's actually not bad, though. There's potential there. But it needs a complete overhaul, more development, more fleshed-out characters... the works. As it stands, it looks like a mess.
I'm no expert, of course, but it's my honest opinion.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by. I hope to see you all again sometime. Take care of yourselves!
PS. All the quotes I've included are to give you a sense of the writing quality, not to add any extra context.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is this book a good option for fans of the author's other works?
Unfortunately, this book doesn't showcase the author's best work. If you're looking for a compelling read, I'd recommend checking out their other books instead.
Is the book suitable for readers of all ages?
While the book doesn't contain any explicit content, it does deal with mature themes that may not be suitable for younger readers.
Can I return the book if I don't like it?
Yes, you can return the book if you're not satisfied with your purchase. Just make sure to check the return policy before buying.
Is the book available in digital format?
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on a digital version of the book. You may be able to find it on certain e-book platforms, but I couldn't verify it.
Can I purchase the book in a physical store?
Yes, you can purchase the book in a physical store. Just make sure to check the store's inventory before making a special trip.
Is the book part of a series?
No, this book is a standalone novel and not part of a series.
Can I purchase a used copy of the book?
Yes, you can purchase a used copy of the book from certain online marketplaces or second-hand bookstores.
Is the book available in other languages?
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information on translations of the book. You may be able to find it in other languages through certain online platforms, but I couldn't verify it.
check_circlePros
- •The book is a decent length, so you won't feel like you're wasting your time.
- •The author's writing style is easy to follow, even if the story itself is dull.
- •The price is super affordable, making it a great option for budget-conscious readers.
- •The book's complete and finished, so you won't have to worry about it being a cliffhanger.
- •The cover art is actually pretty cool, even if the story inside doesn't match up.
- •It's a good option for a quick read, especially if you're looking to pass the time on a plane or during a commute.
- •You can return the book if you don't like it, so there's no risk involved.
- •The book is available in physical stores, so you can check it out in person before buying.
cancelCons
- •The world-building is seriously lacking, making it hard to become invested in the story.
- •The characters are flat and unengaging, making it hard to care about their struggles.
- •The story itself is predictable and doesn't offer anything new or exciting.
- •The pacing is slow, making it hard to stay motivated to keep reading.
- •The themes are heavy-handed and feel like they're being forced down the reader's throat.
- •The author's attempts at depth and complexity fall flat, making the story feel shallow.
