In the supernatural realms, there are creatures who belong to winter. I am not one of them. But like the coyote I can become at will, I am adaptable.

My name is Mercy Thompson Hauptman, and my mate, Adam, is the werewolf who leads the Columbia Basin Pack, the pack charged with keeping the people who live and work in the Tri-Cities of Washington State safe. It’s a hard job, and it doesn’t leave much room for side quests. Which is why when I needed to travel to Montana to help my brother, I intended to go by myself.

But I’m not alone anymore.

Together, Adam and I find ourselves trapped with strangers in a lodge in the heart of the wilderness, in the teeth of a storm of legendary power, only to discover my brother’s issues are a tiny part of a problem much bigger than we could have imagined. Arcane and ancient magics are at work that could, unless we are very careful, bring about the end of the world. . .

In Book 14 of the Mercedes Thompson series, Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs, the story is multilayered and entertaining, with several different points of view and an incredibly intriguing mystery that kept me reading long into the night.

From the beginning, I’ve loved the character of Mercedes Thompson and Adam along with his pack. What I love in book 14 is how Patricia Briggs realizes the consequences from previous books. Mercedes must handle what has gone on before but also as a character both she and Adam are constantly growing and changing. Mercedes has learned to accept help while Adam has learned how to let Mercedes be strong when she needs to be. I also loved the layers of other voices and characters that are woven into this story as it illustrates how big the world has grown as well, giving readers more and more to love.

Along with the fantastic characters, the story is tantalizing as it drops folklore references from at least two different mythologies and the mystery of the lodge, of what is happening with Mercedes powers kept me intrigued. I also like the dynamics between the different members of the pack and how different elements there get resolved. The different point of views allow us to see a wider world than just from Mercedes’ eyes and it is a revelation. I really like how the supernatural elements are built as well, with well thought out effects and consequences. The resolutions to the different aspects of the story are incredibly interesting and exciting. 

Even though this is book 14, Patricia Briggs is not losing a beat. I do caution you that this is part of a series so you might want to not start with this novel but if you’ve read the other books, you will love this one. It is multilayered and entertaining, with tons of mystery and intrigue that will keep you loving the world. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 hot springs