The Winter Warriors - by Olivier Norek (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A breathtaking novel of war, about the heroism of an entire country against seemingly insurmountable odds, the limits of human resilience, and the best sniper the world has ever seen. November 1939: The Soviet Union, the largest army in the world, invades its small, relatively defenseless neighbor Finland, just three months after the declaration of World War II. So began what is known as the Winter War. A makeshift Finnish army of soldiers, workers, and farmers must face off against columns of tanks and almost a million of Stalin's Red Army fighters. In a dramatic and moving narrative based in part on diaries, journals, and accounts of participants, Norek captures the horror and tragedy of war. Soldiers go to battle with a shortage of weapons, and the cold becomes both enemy and friend-causing wounds to freeze and limiting the movement of the invaders. The legendary sniper Simo Hèayhèa, nicknamed the "White Death," puts terror in the hearts and minds of the Russians. Intense, propulsive, and deeply human, The Winter Warriors is a stunning historical novel of Finnish courage and determination in the face of the Soviet invasion"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A GUARDIAN BEST BOOK OF 2025

"A novel you will not put down. Maybe never."--Richard Ford

With over 250,000 copies sold, an award-winning WWII novel about the heroism of a single Finnish infantry company--and the best sniper the world has ever seen--defending their country against the largest army in the world

November 1939: The Soviet Union invades its small, relatively defenseless neighbor Finland, just three months after the declaration of World War II. So began what is known as the Winter War. A makeshift Finnish army of soldiers, workers, and farmers must face off against columns of tanks and millions of Stalin's Red Army fighters.

In a dramatic and deeply moving narrative based in part on diaries, journals, and accounts of participants, Norek captures the horror and tragedy of war. Soldiers go to battle with a shortage of weapons, and cold becomes both enemy and friend--causing wounds to freeze and limiting the movement of the invaders. The legendary sniper Simo Häyhä, nicknamed the "White Death," puts terror in the hearts and minds of the Russians.

Intense, propulsive, and deeply human, The Winter Warriors is an stunning historical novel of Finnish courage and determination in the face of the Soviet invasion.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Winter Warriors:

"Astonishingly compelling"--The Guardian, Best Crime and Thrillers of 2025

"Timely, thrilling, and deeply affecting... [a] tour de force"--The Independent

"There are echoes of Vasily Grossman in this gripping, chillingly urgent story of the horrors and heroism of war."--Andy Miller, author of Snowdrops

"Oliver Norek's astonishing account of the Soviet invasion of Finland is gripping, horrifying, and surprisingly moving, not least for his portrait of the 'White Death', perhaps the greatest sniper who ever lived. Impeccably researched and beautifully written, The Winter Warriors is perfect for fans of Ben McIntyre and Robert Harris."--Paula Hawkins, author of The Girl on the Train

"A compelling tale of the murderous madness of war and its absurdity, of course, but also of friendship, solidarity and resistance. Once again, Olivier Norek, the humanist, blows us away."--Le Parisien

"Magnificent."--L'Express

"A masterpiece."--Figaro

"Deeply researched and masterfully paced. In this novel, red-hot despite its setting's -40°C conditions, Norek paints the portrait of the elite Finnish sniper who personified his country's bravery."--Nouvel Observatoire

"Norek depicts the courage and resilience of the Finns, fighting for survival in extreme conditions.--Actualitté

"Exhaustively researched, subtle, sensitive."--France Info

"A novel which captivates the mind and touches the heart, with echoes of the horrors of the war in Ukraine."--Marianne

"At once epic and intimate, The Winter Warriors demonstrates how tenacity and courage can sometimes triumph in the face of far superior forces."--Radio Télévision Suisse

About the Author

Olivier Norek spent eighteen years in the French police force. He is the author of seven widely acclaimed internationally bestselling thrillers. The Winter Warriors is his first historical novel. His books have sold three million copies in France alone and won more than twenty prestigious literary prizes. His work has been translated into fourteen languages.