Winter Song is a story of survival--sometimes by brutal methods. While the novel won't revolutionize the science fiction genre, it stands strong on a foundation of solid writing, the adventure of discovering a new world, and the theme of remaining human in conditions that are more than dehumanizing.
The reader is thrown immediately into the action with a space fight that is over even before the main character, Karl Allman, knows it has begun. With his ship crippled, his onboard AI ejects him into an escape pod and sends him crash-landing to the nearest planet. This happens to be the icy world of Isheimur, which humanity settled centuries ago. However, since then, most communication and support has been cut off, and the colonists have slowly regressing into a scattered tribal society with Norse-based mythologies and primitive living conditions.
Karl is nursed (literally) back to health by a native woman, Bera, who herself is little more than a slave to the land-owner she is in debt to, Ragnar. When Karl finally recovers, he doesn't plan to stick around this inhospitable place, and so the struggle begins to find a way to either get off the planet or reestablish communication with the star-bound civilization.
The main thing to know about Winter Song is that it isn't a human vs. alien story, nor is it even a human vs. technology one. It is more human vs. environment. The ongoing struggle for survival in the bitter cold, the lack of food, the dangerous terrain...plus how all these harsh elements have shaped the people who have lived among them. Author Colin Harvey shows a keen imagination and talent in his descriptions of this hostile world and the occasional alien beastie. Harvey also does a good job of bringing dimension to his antagonists. While Ragnar is a brute, more likely to settle matters with a blow to the head rather than a calm discussion, it isn't a senseless thing. While his management style might not be the friendliest, one can sympathize with the incredible pressure he operates under which leads him to make the destructive decisions he does.
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One thing readers do come away with is almost absolute ignorance of the universe beyond Isheimur. Oh, there are hints and glimpses, mostly at the beginning and end of the book. And we learn directly from Karl that humanity has populated much of the galaxy and is, of course, divided into numerous--and sometimes warring--factions. However, we see practically none of this in action. Harvey might have written it this way on purpose, especially if he intended to write some sequels. If so, he's certainly given himself a ton of empty space to expand the story into.
Winter Song may not hit the level of "epic" or be the space opera that some folks might look for in science fiction. However, it is an engaging and character-driven novel with powerful writing that will bring a new world to life for readers (though one they would likely never want to visit). Well worth the read.
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