Cold Storage by Michael C. Grumley, The Revival #2

Cold Storage, The Revival Book #2

Author: Michael C. Grumley
Published: January 7th, 2025
Publisher: Forge Books
Rating: 4/5

Cold Storage picks up where Deep Freeze left off, continuing the story of John Reiff—the first person successfully revived from cryogenic sleep. This time around, the stakes are higher and the secrets run deeper, as powerful people will stop at nothing to control what John knows… and what he is.

Right from the start, this book throws you back into the chaos. John wakes up in the back of a run-down ambulance with no memory of how he got there, and from that moment on, it’s a race to stay ahead of the people hunting him. The pacing is fast, with plenty of action, but also a lot of internal reflection and strategy.

The science behind the story—cryogenics, memory, and physical transformation—is still interesting, though I felt like it leaned a bit less on actual science this time and more on the action. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I did miss some of the heavy scientific depth that made Deep Freeze so compelling.

One of the highlights for me was seeing how the characters have grown. John isn’t in every scene, but this gave other characters—especially Rachel—a chance to really shine. The returning cast felt stronger and more developed this time, and I appreciated getting a clearer view of the billionaire villains and their motives.

There were definitely some over-the-top twists, especially near the end, but I didn’t mind. It’s fiction, and I’m here for the drama. The plot keeps you guessing, and Grumley uses just enough mystery and slow reveals to keep the tension going from chapter to chapter.

My only small gripe is that while the story was gripping, it didn’t quite have the same wow factor as the first book. Still, it kept me turning the pages and had a great payoff at the end.

If you like tech thrillers with sci-fi edges, secret projects, and a solid dose of action, Cold Storage is worth picking up. Just make sure to read Deep Freeze first—it sets everything up in a way that makes this one hit harder.

Cold Storage doesn’t hit quite as hard as the first book, but it’s still a fun, fast-paced ride with some great twists and character moments. A solid follow-up for fans of tech thrillers and conspiracy sci-fi.