Cold West is a dark story set in a brutal world. Everything here is plagued by moral decay and despair. There’s a plot, of course, but since the story’s structure is non-linear, approach it as an exercise in writing about grief, hardship, and a man’s struggle to move forward after losing his beloved wife.

I’ll start with the things I liked. I appreciated the writing style; its strong imagery conveys a poignant portrayal of loss and the emotional suffering it caused. The story’s somber, melancholic atmosphere fits the harshness of the world. There’s also a complex backstory to everything happening, and I think it’s used reasonably well throughout the story.

The protagonist is a complex character with a troubled past, a strong sense of responsibility, and an emotional depth. His interactions with his children and the memories of his late wife add emotional complexity to his character. And his struggles and the challenges he faces as a father and a provider are understandable. More so than his actions, I guess.

On the flip side, a lot of what’s happening could benefit from more clarity and context, which would allow readers to fully grasp the underlying conflicts and characters’ motivations. The pacing goes from slow and depressingly introspective to short outbursts of action and violence and doesn’t feel balanced (subjective). The world feels dangerous and gritty, and everything feels harsh: surroundings, other people, political situation. It’s depressive and brutal and utterly dark with no shred of hope.

The narrative's nonlinear structure and the use of flashbacks will appeal to some, and irk others. I wasn’t crazy about it and I didn’t think it was done particularly well. Subjective, again. Readers seeking a more straightforward storytelling experience will probably have an issue with it, too, though. The complex, dark themes and the graphic depiction of violence will be divisive.

Now, I’m okay with bleak and violent, but there’s something about Cold West that made me actively dislike the world and characters. While I appreciate the author’s skill in portraying grief and a brutal world, I’ve never felt particularly immersed in it or invested in any meaningful way. Subjectively speaking, reading Cold West was rather unpleasant. It doesn’t mean it’s a bad book as I’m sure it’ll resonate with some readers.

In all, Cold West is a dark read filled with gritty action and a level of psychological depth. For fans of dark, character-driven stories with little to no hope.

OFFICIAL SPFBO RATING