True Winter (A Series of Four Seasons Book 1) by Q.K. Petty

A scythe-wielding demon arrives in Alabama to reclaim a sacred weapon that could win an ancient war in True Winter by Q.K. Petty, an exhilarating first chapter of a new urban fantasy saga.

Tasked with finding a biblical relic for a cult-killing faction called The House of David, Eden Dowler is a nearly immortal hunter with a drinking problem and a string of bodies left in his wake. A psychopath named Whiteface and his sect of masked killers are also dead-set on recovering St. Peter’s cursed shackles, leaving heads literally rolling on the streets of Mobile. Tangled in this bloody mess is a grouchy goddess of a bartender and Eden’s long-lost brother, Orion, who may not fit the bill as a perfect acolyte of the House, but his unshakable nature and brilliant mind could be the secret to finally turning the tide of a centuries-long struggle.

The dual character-rich narration and realistic real-world crafting give the book intense dimension and a nuanced scope. The plot starts fast, which can be an issue in fantasies that rely too much on exposition, while the meaningful contemplations of mortality, purpose, and spirituality make this a fantasy that isn’t afraid to go deep, and dark. With provocative discourses on divine power, family bonds, and the moral roads we either follow or forget, this novel is gritty and gripping, with edgy foils and sharp dialogue that’s as quick as the action.

An entertaining and relentless mix of secret cabals, broad-daylight brawls, and brotherly drama with existential implications, this first installment of Petty’s sprawling Series of Four Seasons is an outstanding work of dark urban fantasy.