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I Shall Return with Winter
DEFY FATE. DEFY GODS. DEFY EVERYONE.
When Oben’s farm is sacked by marauding Skalgs, he embarks on a deadly quest for revenge, leaving pious Edale behind to enter the godless north.
But Skaligar is a strange place, and his enemies are full of surprises, which will push his endurance and his faith to their limits. He finds himself an unwitting pawn in their ancient prophecy; one which tells of a Conduit who will deliver Edale into their hands.
If Oben is to see his homeland again, he must not only survive, he must prove the prophecy wrong, whilst exacting vengeance on those to whom he grows ever more bound.
When Oben’s farm is sacked by marauding Skalgs, he embarks on a deadly quest for revenge, leaving pious Edale behind to enter the godless north.
But Skaligar is a strange place, and his enemies are full of surprises, which will push his endurance and his faith to their limits. He finds himself an unwitting pawn in their ancient prophecy; one which tells of a Conduit who will deliver Edale into their hands.
If Oben is to see his homeland again, he must not only survive, he must prove the prophecy wrong, whilst exacting vengeance on those to whom he grows ever more bound.
- GenresFantasy
350 pages, ebook
First published October 5, 2021
4 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
C.F. Welburn
12 books142 followersCraig Farndale Welburn is an award-winning author for his series: The Ashen Levels.
He was born in the year of Star Wars, in the birth town of Charles Darwin, and caught the fantasy bug as a child at the top of a faraway tree, in a hole in the ground and through a snowy wardrobe.
He left Shropshire to study literature, travel the lands and seek his fortune. (He’s still seeking…)
He lives in Madrid with his wife Jessica and son Otis.
He was born in the year of Star Wars, in the birth town of Charles Darwin, and caught the fantasy bug as a child at the top of a faraway tree, in a hole in the ground and through a snowy wardrobe.
He left Shropshire to study literature, travel the lands and seek his fortune. (He’s still seeking…)
He lives in Madrid with his wife Jessica and son Otis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 16, 2022
* I reviewed this book for SPFBO8. You can find my full video review here: https://youtu.be/VVZfQFnGFGc *
I Shall Return With Winter is a Norse-inspired tale of revenge, prophecy, betrayal, and faith. It focuses on one man’s journey of discovery, which is most definitely not the journey he originally set out on.
Our main character, Oben is a farmer. When his village is raided by the Skalgs and his sister is killed, he follows them north seeking vengeance, and tells his wife he will return with winter. Things don’t exactly go to plan, and Oben finds himself the subject of a prophecy he knows nothing about, in a land he doesn’t understand.
We start off here after the inciting incident, which is, in many ways, a bit odd, but I don’t mind that, and we do get to see this event in a flashback later on. By then, we already know what happened, just not the detail, but we also know Oben both in terms of the type of person he is becoming, and also who he was at the time the Skalgs sacked his village. I think if anything, this strengthens the impact of the flashback when it comes, because it’s not just happening to random people we know nothing about.
I like the development that Oben gets as he starts to learn more about the Skalgs, their language, their religion, where they actually come from. We definitely learn more about the Skalgs than we do Oben’s people, but I always like it when we can see these people through the eyes of an outsider, and especially what you might call a combative outsider.
The clan set up and rivalries are well covered and individual members of the different clans are well-portrayed and make for an interesting cast of supporting characters.
Probably the one thing I didn’t like so much was the pacing, which I felt to be a little off in a few places. For me, there was too much time spent travelling where the narrative tells us what happened on different, numbered, days and I found it to be a bit of a road block for the overall pacing of the story.
Other than that, it was a good book overall, there were a lot of elements here that I really liked and not a lot of negatives. If you like Norse-inspired fantasy and you like a good bit of action but don’t want that to be the sole focus of the book, this could be the title for you.
I Shall Return With Winter is a Norse-inspired tale of revenge, prophecy, betrayal, and faith. It focuses on one man’s journey of discovery, which is most definitely not the journey he originally set out on.
Our main character, Oben is a farmer. When his village is raided by the Skalgs and his sister is killed, he follows them north seeking vengeance, and tells his wife he will return with winter. Things don’t exactly go to plan, and Oben finds himself the subject of a prophecy he knows nothing about, in a land he doesn’t understand.
We start off here after the inciting incident, which is, in many ways, a bit odd, but I don’t mind that, and we do get to see this event in a flashback later on. By then, we already know what happened, just not the detail, but we also know Oben both in terms of the type of person he is becoming, and also who he was at the time the Skalgs sacked his village. I think if anything, this strengthens the impact of the flashback when it comes, because it’s not just happening to random people we know nothing about.
I like the development that Oben gets as he starts to learn more about the Skalgs, their language, their religion, where they actually come from. We definitely learn more about the Skalgs than we do Oben’s people, but I always like it when we can see these people through the eyes of an outsider, and especially what you might call a combative outsider.
The clan set up and rivalries are well covered and individual members of the different clans are well-portrayed and make for an interesting cast of supporting characters.
Probably the one thing I didn’t like so much was the pacing, which I felt to be a little off in a few places. For me, there was too much time spent travelling where the narrative tells us what happened on different, numbered, days and I found it to be a bit of a road block for the overall pacing of the story.
Other than that, it was a good book overall, there were a lot of elements here that I really liked and not a lot of negatives. If you like Norse-inspired fantasy and you like a good bit of action but don’t want that to be the sole focus of the book, this could be the title for you.
October 9, 2021
An intriguing fable of revenge and of prophecy, this was like reading a metaphysical Dances with Wolves.
Like Welburn's Ashen Levels, there is a sort of dreamlike quality to this tale, so that you are never quite sure what to expect next. It's a book that defies categorisation, both its strength and weakness.
Our setting is a sort of fantasy version of the Viking North Sea (for me). Oben, the mc, a farmer from lush Edale (England?) travels to Skaligar (Scotland?), occupied by the Skalgs (Vikings) from Eisalhelm (Scandinavia?)
He is on a mission of revenge. Except it takes us a while to understand why. Even then, there's something about it that doesn't quite make sense. When the fearsome Skalgs take him, they become convinced he is an agent of destiny and prophecy. And, of course, the reader is never quite sure if they're right about him or not.
Despite this mysterious aura around him, Oben is one of those ordinary characters doing extraordinary things. Set a series of tasks like a character from Greek legend, it becomes increasingly clear that, whatever his own thoughts on it, he will be at the centre of a clash between his old home and his new, adopted one.
Written as a standalone, the author is obviously tempted to return to this new world he created. Good news, because I enjoyed the mystery of it - this is almost Welburn's trademark. But at other times I wanted the fog to clear and get to know these characters and their world a little bit more than I came to.
For those who've read Welburn before, it goes without saying how well written it is. Have a read yourself for some grimdark style moral greyness, gritty adventure, myth, mystery and madness.
Like Welburn's Ashen Levels, there is a sort of dreamlike quality to this tale, so that you are never quite sure what to expect next. It's a book that defies categorisation, both its strength and weakness.
Our setting is a sort of fantasy version of the Viking North Sea (for me). Oben, the mc, a farmer from lush Edale (England?) travels to Skaligar (Scotland?), occupied by the Skalgs (Vikings) from Eisalhelm (Scandinavia?)
He is on a mission of revenge. Except it takes us a while to understand why. Even then, there's something about it that doesn't quite make sense. When the fearsome Skalgs take him, they become convinced he is an agent of destiny and prophecy. And, of course, the reader is never quite sure if they're right about him or not.
Despite this mysterious aura around him, Oben is one of those ordinary characters doing extraordinary things. Set a series of tasks like a character from Greek legend, it becomes increasingly clear that, whatever his own thoughts on it, he will be at the centre of a clash between his old home and his new, adopted one.
Written as a standalone, the author is obviously tempted to return to this new world he created. Good news, because I enjoyed the mystery of it - this is almost Welburn's trademark. But at other times I wanted the fog to clear and get to know these characters and their world a little bit more than I came to.
For those who've read Welburn before, it goes without saying how well written it is. Have a read yourself for some grimdark style moral greyness, gritty adventure, myth, mystery and madness.
September 18, 2021
ARC Review 4.5*
Very enjoyable read. A single POV of an unlikely hero going from farmer, to avenging warrior, to prisoner to the rallying character for the enemy. Unlike Druss he's no natural warrior and that begins his convoluted revenge quest to pariah. There are heavy norse vibes and more with an interesting worldscape of medieval times with easy comparisons to medieval history, which works well in a comparable way to Windborn and ticks many fantasy boxes.
Taking the competing factions and religions aside it is a clever take on survival, and as Oben and his reluctant disciples find, survival is key when reviled on all sides, and set an impossible tasks.
It begins with an impressive opener that repeatedly twists the revenge saga into increasingly impossible tasks that test and erode Oben's faith and beliefs. Even more ironically impressive is how he achieve's his vengeance. The middle side quests, particularly with Rek, could have been fleshed out more as the supernatural and chosen one force Oben and co from one calamity to the next with surprising rewards and status.
The ending is well put together as Oben runs out of options and sides and friends as war rages. It is hard not to have sympathy for the guy as he twists and weaves to survive and attempt to keep ahead of prophetic fate and here the story works very well, with humour, brutality and varying moments of fortune. Neat twists and acceptance set things up for the final conflict which can easily provide options for future tales, and events. Oben is a bit of a shit, Blin worked well for humour and impulsiveness and Rek was a surprisingly good background character. It would be interesting to see more of Rek and Grinchell's stories as there was scope to flesh them and Oben's homecoming further.
Instead Oben is the loadstone for destruction and butchery, while furthering the number of jail cells he can visit, as fate and both sides twist him around. His final fate as hinted at is not unexpected and a surprise it took so long, but the moral of the story is "Don't underestimate Oben." And don't underestimate Oben's few friends, as the story wraps with humour and irony coming to roost.
I look forward to further novels/series as it's been damn good entertainment, and well worth anyone's cash.
Very enjoyable read. A single POV of an unlikely hero going from farmer, to avenging warrior, to prisoner to the rallying character for the enemy. Unlike Druss he's no natural warrior and that begins his convoluted revenge quest to pariah. There are heavy norse vibes and more with an interesting worldscape of medieval times with easy comparisons to medieval history, which works well in a comparable way to Windborn and ticks many fantasy boxes.
Taking the competing factions and religions aside it is a clever take on survival, and as Oben and his reluctant disciples find, survival is key when reviled on all sides, and set an impossible tasks.
It begins with an impressive opener that repeatedly twists the revenge saga into increasingly impossible tasks that test and erode Oben's faith and beliefs. Even more ironically impressive is how he achieve's his vengeance. The middle side quests, particularly with Rek, could have been fleshed out more as the supernatural and chosen one force Oben and co from one calamity to the next with surprising rewards and status.
The ending is well put together as Oben runs out of options and sides and friends as war rages. It is hard not to have sympathy for the guy as he twists and weaves to survive and attempt to keep ahead of prophetic fate and here the story works very well, with humour, brutality and varying moments of fortune. Neat twists and acceptance set things up for the final conflict which can easily provide options for future tales, and events. Oben is a bit of a shit, Blin worked well for humour and impulsiveness and Rek was a surprisingly good background character. It would be interesting to see more of Rek and Grinchell's stories as there was scope to flesh them and Oben's homecoming further.
Instead Oben is the loadstone for destruction and butchery, while furthering the number of jail cells he can visit, as fate and both sides twist him around. His final fate as hinted at is not unexpected and a surprise it took so long, but the moral of the story is "Don't underestimate Oben." And don't underestimate Oben's few friends, as the story wraps with humour and irony coming to roost.
I look forward to further novels/series as it's been damn good entertainment, and well worth anyone's cash.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2021
C.F. Welburn has a knack for writing grim fantasy tales with seedy, treacherous characters and interesting plotlines. Enter Oben, a great protagonist with a trickster’s skill for escaping fate by the seat of his pants. When his farm is ransacked and burned by northern invaders, Oben sets out to avenge his people at any cost. Angry, reckless and naïve, his grisly exploits get him tangled up in a prophecy and sentenced to die unless he can prove he’s the conduit for an amoral goddess he doesn’t believe in. After undergoing a series of impossible, arcane feats he haphazardly accomplishes by chance and the nasty deaths of nearly everyone who’s forced to accompany him, he returns home and does the unthinkable, freeing himself from a worse fate as only a trickster can—and I rooted for the poor bastard the whole way through.
October 5, 2021
I’ve previously read The Ashen Levels by C.F. Welburn and loved it, so when I found out that he was coming out with a new book and ARC’s were available I jumped at the chance to read it! And I am pleased to report that I Shall Return with Winter is just as good. It’s well written, the descriptions are vivid, and the characters are well realized with unique personalities. Oben is a farmer who sets out on a quest for revenge after his sister is murdered by Skalgs. But he quickly finds out he is way over his head and should have stayed home to work his fields. But it’s too late for that now and the only way to go is forward. He must make impossible choices and everything he believes comes into question. This is a story of vengeance and survival against insurmountable odds. Defy fate. Defy gods. Defy everyone.
November 22, 2021
Interesting story. Felt a little like the original Total Recall only so far as that you're left questioning whether the prophecy was fulfilled because of or in spite of human free will.
January 10, 2022
I Shall Return with Winter is one of those books that you keep thinking about long after you finish it. There are a lot of twists and turns, betrayals, unexpected kindness...it keeps you on your toes. It's both fast paced and wandering...the way the book is broken into sections keeps the story moving, even if some of the passages seem out of place or sudden. It's an interesting approach and it totally works for this story, making it almost dreamlike or like a story that has been handed down over time, passed around campfires and whispered in the dark.
October 10, 2021
I have been a fan of C. F. Welburn's books since I discovered his Ashen Levels series, and when I heard he had written a dark fantasy with some Norse flavor to it, I was intrigued. When I got the chance to read it, I dove in, and while it is very distinct from his previous work, the things that appealed to me in those previous books were still very much present with I Shall Return With Winter. The same strong world building and character creation is there, and the twisting plot keeps you guessing the whole way through.
That world building is on full display from the beginning. We start off in Edale, the "civilized" country in the south, where a village has just been raided and part burned by the Skalg "barbarians" from across the border in Skaligar. This dynamic is the main crux of the story, since the long term enmity between the two has spilled over for years, but the truth behind this violence and mistrust between the two countries is revealed throughout the story, with some very surprising twists and turns.
The characters definitely drive the story. From the time he leaves his village to chase the Skalgs, Oben is the driving force behind all the subsequent events. His arc is so interesting, starting with being an unambitious farmer, but driven to revenge when people he loves are killed in a raid. Completely unprepared with anything resembling combat training, he follows a bunch of warriors and manages a small measure of revenge through sheer luck. After being marked by a goddess in a storm (or maybe just being struck by lightning) his arc takes a wildly different turn after his capture by the Skalg, who seem to think he might fit a prophesy. This is where his story takes some wild twists and turns, as fate, or just sheer coincidence, finds Oben in events no farmer should ever find himself in, and he finds himself at the center of something that will shape the future of two countries.
The secondary characters really enhance Oben's arc. Outcast Skalgs (actually Taliskans, in their own language) like Rak, a warrior cast out of his clan, and Blin, who found herself on the wrong side of her clans laws for little things like murder, have really interesting arcs of their own, and help round Oben into the man he becomes by the end of the book. They have so much tragedy in their past, and have death hanging over their heads, and yet they still fight alongside Oben throughout the story, even when they would rather just take their executions at times. They really add a lot of character to the story.
The antagonists aren't just villains of the evil king variety. They have rational reasons for their actions, and justify it for the greater good. And if they benefit as well, so much the better. They have some really interesting arcs, and their effects on the two countries with their actions causes a lot of pain and devastation, but not all hope is lost. They are excellent foils for Oben and his companions, and the twists involving them just really surprise the reader, in the best way.
This book definitely fits more on the dark fantasy side, and while it doesn't slide over into full grimdark, it does skirt the edges. There are some really morally questionable choices various characters make, but as things are revealed in the story, you find that the ends do justify the means in some cases. If you are looking for a story with a bright, happy ending, you might have to look elsewhere. However, if youre looking for a gritty, character driven fantasy tale, this just might be for you. I can tell you this ending is satisfying in its own way, and is completely consistent with the arc of the story. I think fantasy fans will be able to find something to love with this story, no matter their preferences. I highly recommend checking it out and seeing for yourself.
That world building is on full display from the beginning. We start off in Edale, the "civilized" country in the south, where a village has just been raided and part burned by the Skalg "barbarians" from across the border in Skaligar. This dynamic is the main crux of the story, since the long term enmity between the two has spilled over for years, but the truth behind this violence and mistrust between the two countries is revealed throughout the story, with some very surprising twists and turns.
The characters definitely drive the story. From the time he leaves his village to chase the Skalgs, Oben is the driving force behind all the subsequent events. His arc is so interesting, starting with being an unambitious farmer, but driven to revenge when people he loves are killed in a raid. Completely unprepared with anything resembling combat training, he follows a bunch of warriors and manages a small measure of revenge through sheer luck. After being marked by a goddess in a storm (or maybe just being struck by lightning) his arc takes a wildly different turn after his capture by the Skalg, who seem to think he might fit a prophesy. This is where his story takes some wild twists and turns, as fate, or just sheer coincidence, finds Oben in events no farmer should ever find himself in, and he finds himself at the center of something that will shape the future of two countries.
The secondary characters really enhance Oben's arc. Outcast Skalgs (actually Taliskans, in their own language) like Rak, a warrior cast out of his clan, and Blin, who found herself on the wrong side of her clans laws for little things like murder, have really interesting arcs of their own, and help round Oben into the man he becomes by the end of the book. They have so much tragedy in their past, and have death hanging over their heads, and yet they still fight alongside Oben throughout the story, even when they would rather just take their executions at times. They really add a lot of character to the story.
The antagonists aren't just villains of the evil king variety. They have rational reasons for their actions, and justify it for the greater good. And if they benefit as well, so much the better. They have some really interesting arcs, and their effects on the two countries with their actions causes a lot of pain and devastation, but not all hope is lost. They are excellent foils for Oben and his companions, and the twists involving them just really surprise the reader, in the best way.
This book definitely fits more on the dark fantasy side, and while it doesn't slide over into full grimdark, it does skirt the edges. There are some really morally questionable choices various characters make, but as things are revealed in the story, you find that the ends do justify the means in some cases. If you are looking for a story with a bright, happy ending, you might have to look elsewhere. However, if youre looking for a gritty, character driven fantasy tale, this just might be for you. I can tell you this ending is satisfying in its own way, and is completely consistent with the arc of the story. I think fantasy fans will be able to find something to love with this story, no matter their preferences. I highly recommend checking it out and seeing for yourself.
September 17, 2021
Wow, Grim as hell, brutally awesome, CF Welburn has outdone himself with this beautifully written story of vengeance, fantastic worldbuilding, great characters, the plot and setting is brilliant even if its bloody freezing.🥶 A fast paced book that will make you not want to put down, CF has given us a character that refuses to lie down and give up, when there's absolutely no hope that he will see his home and his family or is there, in this beauty we follow Oben who is on a mission of vengeance, after Skalgs (Giant Ass Bloody Northmen) raided his farming village and murdered his sister Mara, killing others and all his horses, accept for one nag Justice, he sets out with a plan and that plan is to kill all who are responsible, after catching up with one raiding party and poisoning there food while sleeping, after falling asleep, he wakes to the sound of dying Skalgs, but there clan leader Mascal being a big brute refuse to go down, Oben has finish him with his sword vengeance, while continuing his mission, he struck by lightning and caught by marauding Skalgs, about to be killed they find the dead clan leader Mascal axe in his bag, Obens mission is about take him on a perilous journey North, a proficey the Conduit and hope to bring the Southern lands into the skalgs hands for good, but after promising his wife Delia he would be home by winter, he must indure these skalgs a little longer, survive and kill all those he promised he would, Holy Bloody Trinity's Balls that was just fantastic, thank you CF Welburn for the opportunity to read your new baby, I'm speechless after finishing it, all you grim lovers out there need to get your hands this as soon as its released, very highly recommended...😁🪓💀🥶⚔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2021
After "The ashen levels" I was eager to read more from CF Welburn so I was more than happy when "I shall return with winter" arrived and I couldn't put it down... the wait was worth it but now I want more!
Following Oben, our reluctant hero in his journey for vengeance, CF will take us in a fast paced journey through a mean and frightening world where live itself has no value, where you can’t grow fond of characters as death awaits behind every corner. Without making any spoilers, one of the most refreshing things in this book is that our hero is not such, not a righteous chosen one but a flawed human being making questionable decissions, far from the typical main character and an every day guy. More than one time you find yourself questioning him and realizing that you might do the same under the same situation, which might not be the heroic thing to do, but the realistic one.
If I had to remark something it would be how CF developes the characters, as the story unfolds it gives them new depths, blurring the lines between good and evil so in the end it’s just a matter of perspective. Oben might be the main character but there is a gallery of them as rich as one would desire, each of them with their motivations and fears, surprising you when you realize that hateful characters grow on you as you understand their motivations, and the way around.
I can’t wait to explore again this new world CF takes us to. His descriptions are so vivid you see it in your mind as if you were there, with detailed societies rich in details making you wish just to roam around just getting the feel of it. With the tittle “I shall return with Winter”, one can only hope he has something in mind for the remaining seasons. Buy this book, it’s worth every cent!
Following Oben, our reluctant hero in his journey for vengeance, CF will take us in a fast paced journey through a mean and frightening world where live itself has no value, where you can’t grow fond of characters as death awaits behind every corner. Without making any spoilers, one of the most refreshing things in this book is that our hero is not such, not a righteous chosen one but a flawed human being making questionable decissions, far from the typical main character and an every day guy. More than one time you find yourself questioning him and realizing that you might do the same under the same situation, which might not be the heroic thing to do, but the realistic one.
If I had to remark something it would be how CF developes the characters, as the story unfolds it gives them new depths, blurring the lines between good and evil so in the end it’s just a matter of perspective. Oben might be the main character but there is a gallery of them as rich as one would desire, each of them with their motivations and fears, surprising you when you realize that hateful characters grow on you as you understand their motivations, and the way around.
I can’t wait to explore again this new world CF takes us to. His descriptions are so vivid you see it in your mind as if you were there, with detailed societies rich in details making you wish just to roam around just getting the feel of it. With the tittle “I shall return with Winter”, one can only hope he has something in mind for the remaining seasons. Buy this book, it’s worth every cent!
September 17, 2021
This story starts out with Oben a farmer. He has left his village Gilden, and he has vengeance on his mind. The Skalgs had come to his village, set fires and killed many people, one, in particular, was his sister Mara. With hatred in his heart but no clue how to fight, he still wants his enemy to regret what they had done and hear them scream. What Oben endures is a harsh experience he never saw coming.
Wow, so much going on in this story. I was interested from the start. Craig has a great ability to make you feel part of this story, to see each scene in your mind's eye, to picture each snowflake as it falls, to feel the cold, the hunger, the fright. With the descriptions of the characters, their quirks, their emotions, I felt I was right beside them, Blin is one of my favorites, love her attitude. It is a grim read that left me wanting more.
October 5, 2021
Oben has loathed the Skalgs since they murdered his sister, Mara, but when they destroy his farm, it is the last straw. Taking only his horse and a few provisions, Oben leaves his country and sets off for Skaligar - and his revenge. Unfortunately for Oben, things don’t go the way he planned, and he ends up mixed up in a Skaligar plot to take over his country.
Okay, so this book was really freaking awesome. It’s extremely violent and the characters have absolutely no filter, so if any of that offends you, step away now. But I thought the characters were brilliantly written, and that the world building was both vivid and unique. This was my first CF Welburn book, but I will definitely be checking out more of his work after this. I completely recommend!!!
Okay, so this book was really freaking awesome. It’s extremely violent and the characters have absolutely no filter, so if any of that offends you, step away now. But I thought the characters were brilliantly written, and that the world building was both vivid and unique. This was my first CF Welburn book, but I will definitely be checking out more of his work after this. I completely recommend!!!
October 16, 2021
What do you do when the God of your enemies chooses you to be their champion? Survive. Oben sets out on a quest for revenge after the heathens attack his homestead and kill his sister. He’s a simple farmer going up against axe wielding “barbarians” and somehow he survives. He is dragged from one life-threatening challenge to the next. He keeps surviving.
The story of Oben is a deliciously dark twist on the “chosen one” theme. Welburn’s prose and dialogue and characters are fantastic and immerse you into a cold, unforgiving world. Oben struggles with holding to his own faith when his Gods seem to have abandoned him to the fate prophesied by his enemies’ Goddess. He fights that fate every chance he gets and the twist ending rocked me. Definitely worth a read if you like your fantasy on the grimdark side.
I received an ARC ebook and this is my honest review.
The story of Oben is a deliciously dark twist on the “chosen one” theme. Welburn’s prose and dialogue and characters are fantastic and immerse you into a cold, unforgiving world. Oben struggles with holding to his own faith when his Gods seem to have abandoned him to the fate prophesied by his enemies’ Goddess. He fights that fate every chance he gets and the twist ending rocked me. Definitely worth a read if you like your fantasy on the grimdark side.
I received an ARC ebook and this is my honest review.
September 25, 2021
I Shall Return With Winter, by CF Welburn, is a raw, gutteral epic saga of a simple farmer set out to avenge the death of his sister. This quest takes him on a road that will change his life forever. The storyline is reasonably fast-paced and very well written, filled with drama, intrigue, subterfuge, politics and danger. This story is obviously not lightly written by the author, but rather told through what must have been sweat and tears. It is bold. It is raw. It is amazing. The characters are well developed and engaging. Oben is a simple farmer, yet you can feel the determination for revenge and survival rolling off him. If you like a good saga, this truly is a story not to be missed!
September 26, 2021
I got a chance to read an ARC of this book. I was so happy I did.
Hatred and revenge is the book’s starting theme. It’s the reason why Oben, a simple farmer, leaves the south and heads into the wild, savage north. But what he seeks and what he finds are two very different things.
The pacing of this novel is amazing. The action is epic, while the quiet times gives you a chance to get to know, hate, and love the characters. Even the characters you think are horrible people seem to have a thread of integrity or likability to them, making them all multidimensional.
If you're looking for a dark read with heart, this is the book for you.
Hatred and revenge is the book’s starting theme. It’s the reason why Oben, a simple farmer, leaves the south and heads into the wild, savage north. But what he seeks and what he finds are two very different things.
The pacing of this novel is amazing. The action is epic, while the quiet times gives you a chance to get to know, hate, and love the characters. Even the characters you think are horrible people seem to have a thread of integrity or likability to them, making them all multidimensional.
If you're looking for a dark read with heart, this is the book for you.
October 5, 2021
Having discovered this author before the summer and reading through his excellent library of released works, I was delighted to hear that he had a new release on the horizon, and after reading The Ashen Levels and The Linguist, looked forward to it greatly.
Thankfully, I Shall Return With Winter doesn't disappoint.
Delivering his smooth, styled prose as always, Welburn takes all the great aspects from his previous works and molds them into a riveting, dark, unforgiving, and thoughtful tale of vengeance, faith, and unlikely "heroes".
I don't hesitate to say that this is CF Welburn's best work yet.
Thankfully, I Shall Return With Winter doesn't disappoint.
Delivering his smooth, styled prose as always, Welburn takes all the great aspects from his previous works and molds them into a riveting, dark, unforgiving, and thoughtful tale of vengeance, faith, and unlikely "heroes".
I don't hesitate to say that this is CF Welburn's best work yet.
October 19, 2021
If you enjoyed any of the previous work by this author or have any sort of love for fantasy fiction then this book is a must read. Following the arduous and often bloody story of Oden and his quest to avenge the murder of his sister and her village. The story takes us to many weird and wonderful locales and introduces us to even weirder and sometimes not so wonderful characters who will do anything to save their own skin. The characters are well fleshed out and the world building is up to the usual high and fantastical standard of CF Welburn with a satisfyingly epic ending which answers many questions and leaves some unanswered. A superb read.
October 2, 2021
Right and wrong, good and evil are often a matter of perspective. Welburn takes this theory to another level in this story.
Often profoundly–but always subtly–this book asks some difficult questions about faith. Faith in ourselves, our family, and in God/s. It does so through a series of very difficult decisions and trials that should be too much for our determined, but woefully under-prepared, hero (I use the term "hero" loosely) to bear – but bear them he does (sometimes quite literally ;)).
I have read other stories by this author and love his style. The prose is smooth and easy, and the pacing and flow are spot-on. A clever, thoroughly enjoyable story.
Often profoundly–but always subtly–this book asks some difficult questions about faith. Faith in ourselves, our family, and in God/s. It does so through a series of very difficult decisions and trials that should be too much for our determined, but woefully under-prepared, hero (I use the term "hero" loosely) to bear – but bear them he does (sometimes quite literally ;)).
I have read other stories by this author and love his style. The prose is smooth and easy, and the pacing and flow are spot-on. A clever, thoroughly enjoyable story.
October 4, 2021
This is the story of Oben and his struggle to survive. He treks off on a journey to avenge his murdered family only to be caught by the enemy. It's an amazing story of survival as Oben has to do many things just to stay alive. He struggles with his own beliefs and thoughts. He finds friends in dark places that he would never have thought possible. He learns of the dark deeds of those that he trusted. In the end, he finds that freedom has many costs. I highly recommend this book for teen to adult.
I received a free ARC copy of this book for an honest review
I received a free ARC copy of this book for an honest review
October 4, 2021
"A journey of revenge! Will he find it? Prepare yourself for a daring adventure, exciting action, betrayal, loss, grief, courage and new friendships as Oben sets out on a quest for revenge. His heart is full of hate because the Skalg marauders have rampaged through his village, killing and burning. They destroyed his farm and killed loved ones. Now there is only one thing left for Oben to do..... With excellent world building, well developed characters and a story that moved at a great pace, I found this novel extremely entertaining. I was totally immersed from beginning to end.
October 5, 2021
What an amazing story. A farmer to a hero who has to fight and then gets caught. You get caught up in all that happens to him. Binge reading to find out what happens to him. Ready for more by this outstanding author.
January 4, 2022
I Shall Return with Winter was an exciting read! There's a lot of action that kept me enthralled. Welburn's story telling is exceptional and his imagination is endless. I highly recommend this story for lovers of dark fantasy.
October 5, 2021
Grim tale of revenge. Complex characters and cultures. Epic battles. Fast pace. Good stuff.
October 11, 2021
Great read
Worth reading and worth buying. Strong story. Good world building a little much at the beginning but still feels natural. It quickly becomes immersive and real. A ride of adventure and sorrow.
Worth reading and worth buying. Strong story. Good world building a little much at the beginning but still feels natural. It quickly becomes immersive and real. A ride of adventure and sorrow.
October 16, 2021
This is the PG gory saga of the quest of Oben Granger to avenge the death of his sister Mara and can be read in one incredibly long day. I had an ARC and this voluntary review is my own opinion.
October 7, 2021
A man set on revenge for wrongs fibe to him as his, leads this man on a adventure across the sea. Well he feels all is lost he is saved or perhaps crused by the Goddess of his sword enemy. All he wants to right a wrong and return to his home. Things are not as they seem and home isn't what it use to be.
CF Welburn takes the reader on a fabulous ride on this page turning adventure.
CF Welburn takes the reader on a fabulous ride on this page turning adventure.
November 23, 2021
Fascinating
This is a fascinating story. Full of action and deceit at every turn. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it until the end.
This is a fascinating story. Full of action and deceit at every turn. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it until the end.
October 5, 2021
Any time a favourite author’s book crosses my desk, I can’t help but read it. And, thus far, with CF Welburn’s work, I have never been disappointed. Nor was I with I Shall Return With Winter.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Oben, a farmer from Edale, whose village is attacked by northerners known as Skalgs. He goes north to exact revenge, but the north holds many enemies and they are not entirely what they seem. Prophecy speaks of a Conduit that will deliver Edale to them, and now Oben must prove the prophecy wrong while also attempting to take his revenge and not lose himself in the process.
This book is a large-scale dark fantasy. I would edge it close to the epic fantasy genre, but primarily stick it with dark fantasy. And oh, my, what a fantasy it was! This book is great on plot. Just when I think I had a handle on what the world had in store for Oben, something new came and added an extra twist, an extra knot. It made the plot intricate and entertaining, something to puzzle through while desperately rooting for Oben.
2. Thoughts on the character
I’ve never read a story where a character gets captured by enemies, only to become their agent of prophecy. It is very similar to being plucked out of your ordinary life to become a chosen one, but not quite. That difference was slight, but it really solidified the story and made Oben that much more interesting. At the beginning, he is a character that is certain to be swiftly overwhelmed by circumstances. Yet, he never gives in, his determination to see his wrongs righted subsuming everything until there is only will remaining. He has the sort of grit that I want in a main character, with enough of a soft side squirrelled away to make me actually care about him instead of just root for him. And how he is at the end of the book? I can say little, for fear of spoilers, but it was perfect.
3. Favourite part
As stated just prior, the ending was my favourite part. The twist on the prophecy, the aftermath…sublime.
4. Critique
My only critique is that the bit with the aubergines was a bit rushed and didn’t quite make sense with the rest of the story. However, that’s a minor situation and it was really not a big deal at all.
Overall, I Shall Return With Winter is a stunning dark fantasy, with characters to root for, a plot that keeps you thinking and prose that draws you in and doesn’t let you go until you finish the story. An excellent book.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Oben, a farmer from Edale, whose village is attacked by northerners known as Skalgs. He goes north to exact revenge, but the north holds many enemies and they are not entirely what they seem. Prophecy speaks of a Conduit that will deliver Edale to them, and now Oben must prove the prophecy wrong while also attempting to take his revenge and not lose himself in the process.
This book is a large-scale dark fantasy. I would edge it close to the epic fantasy genre, but primarily stick it with dark fantasy. And oh, my, what a fantasy it was! This book is great on plot. Just when I think I had a handle on what the world had in store for Oben, something new came and added an extra twist, an extra knot. It made the plot intricate and entertaining, something to puzzle through while desperately rooting for Oben.
2. Thoughts on the character
I’ve never read a story where a character gets captured by enemies, only to become their agent of prophecy. It is very similar to being plucked out of your ordinary life to become a chosen one, but not quite. That difference was slight, but it really solidified the story and made Oben that much more interesting. At the beginning, he is a character that is certain to be swiftly overwhelmed by circumstances. Yet, he never gives in, his determination to see his wrongs righted subsuming everything until there is only will remaining. He has the sort of grit that I want in a main character, with enough of a soft side squirrelled away to make me actually care about him instead of just root for him. And how he is at the end of the book? I can say little, for fear of spoilers, but it was perfect.
3. Favourite part
As stated just prior, the ending was my favourite part. The twist on the prophecy, the aftermath…sublime.
4. Critique
My only critique is that the bit with the aubergines was a bit rushed and didn’t quite make sense with the rest of the story. However, that’s a minor situation and it was really not a big deal at all.
Overall, I Shall Return With Winter is a stunning dark fantasy, with characters to root for, a plot that keeps you thinking and prose that draws you in and doesn’t let you go until you finish the story. An excellent book.
August 30, 2022
The book opens with Oben, its main character, traveling through wild regions, far away from the village he lived in. Some time ago his homeland got raided by the savage northern tribes and seeking justice became his main motivation. From the first page, Oben’s wrath, hate, and a desire for revenge are palpable, the obsession causing him to leave his family and ride towards the desolate and dangerous lands. His only companion on his journey is a horse called Justice. His bond with the animal seems unbreakable.
When a band of warriors from the north capture and imprison Oben, the real fight to survive begins. We observe how much someone can endure just to see the next sunrise. He is pushed to the very limits of what a common farmer is capable of. Here his primal instincts surface, helping him stay sane.
The main character's will to live moved me, especially after he stops being afraid of death. The shifting balance of will to live versus acceptance of death makes for a fascinating struggle. He’s ready to meet the gods, but he clings to life, even if it’s without hope.
As with the discussion of the prophecy, there are many times when the characters question the existence of their gods. This makes the characters feel more real and relatable. The main character is a strong believer, he participates in ceremonies and hopes his gods will help him, but it's the belief in a strange goddess that saves his life many times.
It's hard to tell more without spoilers, but I was fascinated how the reader’s view changes through the story. In the beginning ,we're sure that the southern civilisation is noble and fair, the saviours amongst the savages, but when we know more about the northern tribes, we begin to question that.
In conclusion, "I Shall Return with Winter" is an excellent book with a fantastic core idea and a bit less wonderful execution. I would give 10/10 for the plot itself, but the writing style had a few weak moments. I love fast-paced books, but at times here the pacing was a bit too fast. Occasionally, the showing was replaced by telling. My final rating is a strong 8/10, I have high hopes for the author in the future.
When a band of warriors from the north capture and imprison Oben, the real fight to survive begins. We observe how much someone can endure just to see the next sunrise. He is pushed to the very limits of what a common farmer is capable of. Here his primal instincts surface, helping him stay sane.
The main character's will to live moved me, especially after he stops being afraid of death. The shifting balance of will to live versus acceptance of death makes for a fascinating struggle. He’s ready to meet the gods, but he clings to life, even if it’s without hope.
As with the discussion of the prophecy, there are many times when the characters question the existence of their gods. This makes the characters feel more real and relatable. The main character is a strong believer, he participates in ceremonies and hopes his gods will help him, but it's the belief in a strange goddess that saves his life many times.
It's hard to tell more without spoilers, but I was fascinated how the reader’s view changes through the story. In the beginning ,we're sure that the southern civilisation is noble and fair, the saviours amongst the savages, but when we know more about the northern tribes, we begin to question that.
In conclusion, "I Shall Return with Winter" is an excellent book with a fantastic core idea and a bit less wonderful execution. I would give 10/10 for the plot itself, but the writing style had a few weak moments. I love fast-paced books, but at times here the pacing was a bit too fast. Occasionally, the showing was replaced by telling. My final rating is a strong 8/10, I have high hopes for the author in the future.
August 6, 2024
I Shall Return with Winter is an intriguing, dark and gritty tale by C.F. Welburn.
Oben, our protagonist, sets off on a journey of revenge after Skalgs ransacked his home and murdered his sister. He is determined to exact vengeance on four leaders of the Skalgs and promises his wife he shall return by winter.
Well, needless to say, things don't exactly go to plan.
Oben is thrown into the midst of an age-old prophecy, of which he believes none, but he is forced to partake if only to survive. Yet, as the parts of the prophecy are revealed and events play out, his own faith is put to the ultimate test, and the stakes are sky-high.
With a fresh take on The Chose One-trope, I Shall Return with Winter has twists and turns you won't see coming. The prose is flowing and intricate (no surprise there - all of Welburn's books are fabulously written), the world-building is fantastic, and everything holds a mysterious quality that only adds to the book's appeal and immersiveness.
I devoured this book in search of answers, wholly invested in Oben and the other characters. They were all wonderfully depicted and, despite their flaws, highly entertaining (even if they were not always likeable) as they all had their part to play in the prophecy. This was one exciting yet bloody ride, from start to finish.
And even though I Shall Return with Winter is a standalone novel, I'm happy to see Welburn leaves it open for a sequel. I, for one, will look forward to it!
Oben, our protagonist, sets off on a journey of revenge after Skalgs ransacked his home and murdered his sister. He is determined to exact vengeance on four leaders of the Skalgs and promises his wife he shall return by winter.
Well, needless to say, things don't exactly go to plan.
Oben is thrown into the midst of an age-old prophecy, of which he believes none, but he is forced to partake if only to survive. Yet, as the parts of the prophecy are revealed and events play out, his own faith is put to the ultimate test, and the stakes are sky-high.
With a fresh take on The Chose One-trope, I Shall Return with Winter has twists and turns you won't see coming. The prose is flowing and intricate (no surprise there - all of Welburn's books are fabulously written), the world-building is fantastic, and everything holds a mysterious quality that only adds to the book's appeal and immersiveness.
I devoured this book in search of answers, wholly invested in Oben and the other characters. They were all wonderfully depicted and, despite their flaws, highly entertaining (even if they were not always likeable) as they all had their part to play in the prophecy. This was one exciting yet bloody ride, from start to finish.
And even though I Shall Return with Winter is a standalone novel, I'm happy to see Welburn leaves it open for a sequel. I, for one, will look forward to it!
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