What do you think?
Rate this book
Mercy Thompson #14
Winter Lost
Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, must stop a disaster of world-shattering proportions in this exhilarating entry in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
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 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. . . .
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 18, 2024
About the author
Patricia Briggs
139 books28.9k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.
Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana, to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her husband, children, and six horses and writes full time, much to the delight of her fans.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 698 reviews
June 11, 2024
Once again, Patricia Briggs has blended urban fantasy, action, suspense, and a little romance into another fantastic novel.
Winter Lost
is the fourteenth book in the Mercy Thompson (Hauptman) series. Mercy is a car mechanic, coyote shapeshifter, and mate to Adam Hauptman, the leader of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack. Mercy needs to travel to Montana to help her half-brother Gary, but now that she’s not alone, Adam goes with her. In the Montana wilderness, they become trapped with strangers at the Looking Glass Hot Springs lodge. The storm isn’t your average storm and neither is Gary’s problem. Ancient magics abound. Will Mercy and Adam solve the problems and escape unscathed?
Mercy is a strong female lead character. She’s independent, kind, thinks the best of others, and has a sense of humor. She doesn’t get mad, she gets even when crossed and she doesn’t like people to worry about her, so she doesn’t always communicate what she should. Adam is a strong alpha werewolf and is good at walking tight ropes. However, his temper isn’t always his strong suit. They do a great job of supporting each other and are stronger together. The other pack members play minor roles in this story line, but occasional interludes keep readers up-to-date with some of them, but the interludes have a slight adverse effect on the overall flow of the story.
I was quickly drawn into Mercy’s life once again. It was easy to visualize the scenes and be transported to them throughout the story. The author is a wonderful storyteller who kept me turning the pages with a great plot, gripping scenes, and strong characters. The plot is twisty, the pacing is fast, and the mystery unfolds and culminates in a fascinating conclusion.
Overall, this is an excellent urban fantasy novel with great characterization and fantastic world-building. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here. Those who enjoy urban fantasies, supernatural suspense, and books by this author will likely enjoy this series. Since the story line as well as the characterization builds over the course of the series, I recommend reading it in order.
Berkley Publishing Group – Ace and Patricia Briggs provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 18, 2024.
----------------------------------------
My 4.77 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
Mercy is a strong female lead character. She’s independent, kind, thinks the best of others, and has a sense of humor. She doesn’t get mad, she gets even when crossed and she doesn’t like people to worry about her, so she doesn’t always communicate what she should. Adam is a strong alpha werewolf and is good at walking tight ropes. However, his temper isn’t always his strong suit. They do a great job of supporting each other and are stronger together. The other pack members play minor roles in this story line, but occasional interludes keep readers up-to-date with some of them, but the interludes have a slight adverse effect on the overall flow of the story.
I was quickly drawn into Mercy’s life once again. It was easy to visualize the scenes and be transported to them throughout the story. The author is a wonderful storyteller who kept me turning the pages with a great plot, gripping scenes, and strong characters. The plot is twisty, the pacing is fast, and the mystery unfolds and culminates in a fascinating conclusion.
Overall, this is an excellent urban fantasy novel with great characterization and fantastic world-building. I can’t wait to see where the story goes from here. Those who enjoy urban fantasies, supernatural suspense, and books by this author will likely enjoy this series. Since the story line as well as the characterization builds over the course of the series, I recommend reading it in order.
Berkley Publishing Group – Ace and Patricia Briggs provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 18, 2024.
----------------------------------------
My 4.77 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
June 22, 2024
3.5 stars
Re-reading books 10 and 13 might be useful before reading this one. I love this author and this series, so I’m biased - but I enjoyed how this book was a bit different. If anything I wished some of the interludes were even longer. However, at the same time there were some things I felt could have been improved ()
Overall I flew through this book and I’m already anxiously awaiting the next book.
Re-reading books 10 and 13 might be useful before reading this one. I love this author and this series, so I’m biased - but I enjoyed how this book was a bit different. If anything I wished some of the interludes were even longer. However, at the same time there were some things I felt could have been improved ()
Overall I flew through this book and I’m already anxiously awaiting the next book.
July 2, 2024
4 stars
When Mercy's brother Gary shows up at her house incoherent and affected by magic, Mercy and Adam head to Montana to see if they can break the spell. There they find themselves trapped in a resort in the midst of a snowstorm with other guests of the lodge. But not everything is as it seems and Mercy and Adam must find a magical artifact before even worse things begin to happen.
Let me start this with I am being very kind with my 4 star rating. Any other author or series I probably would have rated much lower, but I absolutely love this series and Mercy. But this book really was not up to the standards of the other books in this series. It was very disjointed with bad pacing and took me a very long time to read. But it's like pizza, even when it's bad, it's good. And I'll always welcome more of these characters and this world into my life. I just hope the next installment in the series is more plot forward than this book. This book felt a lot like a side quest.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my opinions, thoughts, rating, review.
When Mercy's brother Gary shows up at her house incoherent and affected by magic, Mercy and Adam head to Montana to see if they can break the spell. There they find themselves trapped in a resort in the midst of a snowstorm with other guests of the lodge. But not everything is as it seems and Mercy and Adam must find a magical artifact before even worse things begin to happen.
Let me start this with I am being very kind with my 4 star rating. Any other author or series I probably would have rated much lower, but I absolutely love this series and Mercy. But this book really was not up to the standards of the other books in this series. It was very disjointed with bad pacing and took me a very long time to read. But it's like pizza, even when it's bad, it's good. And I'll always welcome more of these characters and this world into my life. I just hope the next installment in the series is more plot forward than this book. This book felt a lot like a side quest.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. This did not affect my opinions, thoughts, rating, review.
May 19, 2024
Action-packed winter storm!
For the hard-core readers of this series, this installment doesn't disappoint.
Mercy is still recuperating from the attack she suffered in the last book. She is not doing well. Her mind and her magic were affected by the Soul Taker. No one really knows how to fix her.
Adam knows she is not well but no one he knows can help her.
Then, Mercy's half-brother, Gary shows up. He is unable to talk or comprehend. Something happened to him while he was taking care of a ranch in Montana. Despite her own problems, Mercy knows she has to help him.
Mercy and Adam decide to take a trip to Montana to find the answers. Their trip is not an easy one. The winter storm is a powerful one. Someone is behind it. But why? By whom?
As they arrive at the Lounge, they are met by a wedding party. It's not a typical one. Mercy and Adam come to the realization that more than Gary's life is in danger.
I love Mercy and Adam together. They have learned to trust each other and to let the other be independent when the right occasion arises. My one complaint is that I missed the rest of the pack and I also miss Bran.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ace via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
For the hard-core readers of this series, this installment doesn't disappoint.
Mercy is still recuperating from the attack she suffered in the last book. She is not doing well. Her mind and her magic were affected by the Soul Taker. No one really knows how to fix her.
Adam knows she is not well but no one he knows can help her.
Then, Mercy's half-brother, Gary shows up. He is unable to talk or comprehend. Something happened to him while he was taking care of a ranch in Montana. Despite her own problems, Mercy knows she has to help him.
Mercy and Adam decide to take a trip to Montana to find the answers. Their trip is not an easy one. The winter storm is a powerful one. Someone is behind it. But why? By whom?
As they arrive at the Lounge, they are met by a wedding party. It's not a typical one. Mercy and Adam come to the realization that more than Gary's life is in danger.
I love Mercy and Adam together. They have learned to trust each other and to let the other be independent when the right occasion arises. My one complaint is that I missed the rest of the pack and I also miss Bran.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ace via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
March 30, 2024
I am beyond grateful to the publisher for an advanced copy of this one, it is probably my favorite and most anticipated advanced reader copy I’ve ever gotten since starting reviewing. Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite characters and series and this has been one of my most anticipated books of 2024 and it did not disappoint at all. This book takes off pretty much where the last one ended. Mercy isn’t the same or going back to normal after what the Soul Taker did to her. She’s stubbornly hiding the worst of the symptoms and her loved ones are sneakily researching how to help heal her. Mercy and Adam have to go to Montana to find out what happened to Gary after he showed up cursed and unable to communicate and of course there are some surprises awaiting them. This is book 14 in Mercy’s series (book 20 in this world) and you definitely should read these ones in order.
July 5, 2024
3.5 stars
I love Mercy Thompson and this series. I’m always so excited when a new book is released. We’re on book 14 now, and I’m still happy to be reading. I love that we got so much Mercy and Adam in this story, but there was a lot that felt… unfinished. We got teased a bit more about Bonarata and then there was a little of Sherwood that also felt out of place. I also wish we would have gotten more pack and of Gary! It had a slower start and then the pacing felt off. As a whole, I enjoyed this one, but I think it would have been better if it had been longer and more conclusive.
I love Mercy Thompson and this series. I’m always so excited when a new book is released. We’re on book 14 now, and I’m still happy to be reading. I love that we got so much Mercy and Adam in this story, but there was a lot that felt… unfinished. We got teased a bit more about Bonarata and then there was a little of Sherwood that also felt out of place. I also wish we would have gotten more pack and of Gary! It had a slower start and then the pacing felt off. As a whole, I enjoyed this one, but I think it would have been better if it had been longer and more conclusive.
Audio book source: Libby
Story Rating:
Narrators: Lorelei King
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Length: 11h 15m
March 9, 2024
As an avid fan of Patricia Briggs' series, each new installment is a highly anticipated event for me. Winter Lost, the latest addition, does not disappoint. Briggs once again demonstrates her mastery of storytelling by weaving a well-crafted plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
In this installment, we find Mercy grappling with the wounds inflicted upon her soul and magic, while her loyal pack and friends stand by her side. When her cursed brother enters the picture, Mercy and Adam embark on a perilous journey to Montana, where they confront not only a killer storm but also a sinister force threatening to unleash chaos upon the world unless its demands are met.
One of the highlights of Winter Lost is the dynamic between Mercy and Adam. Their bond is as strong as ever, and following their adventures is always a delight. Briggs seamlessly blends magic, action, and emotion, creating a narrative that is both captivating and immersive.
While Winter Lost introduces several new characters and storylines, it occasionally suffers from an overabundance of narrators, making it challenging to keep track of who is telling the story. However, once the focus shifts back to Mercy, the pace picks up, and the story becomes unforgettable.
Although Winter Lost serves as a bridge to future adventures, it is a must-read for fans of the series. While there may not be a cliffhanger ending, there are enough unresolved challenges to pique readers' interest and leave them eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Winter Lost is a thrilling tale that offers insight into beloved characters and sets the stage for future developments within the pack.
It' gets a solid 4.5 stars for me and reaffirms Patricia Briggs' status as a master of urban fantasy.
In this installment, we find Mercy grappling with the wounds inflicted upon her soul and magic, while her loyal pack and friends stand by her side. When her cursed brother enters the picture, Mercy and Adam embark on a perilous journey to Montana, where they confront not only a killer storm but also a sinister force threatening to unleash chaos upon the world unless its demands are met.
One of the highlights of Winter Lost is the dynamic between Mercy and Adam. Their bond is as strong as ever, and following their adventures is always a delight. Briggs seamlessly blends magic, action, and emotion, creating a narrative that is both captivating and immersive.
While Winter Lost introduces several new characters and storylines, it occasionally suffers from an overabundance of narrators, making it challenging to keep track of who is telling the story. However, once the focus shifts back to Mercy, the pace picks up, and the story becomes unforgettable.
Although Winter Lost serves as a bridge to future adventures, it is a must-read for fans of the series. While there may not be a cliffhanger ending, there are enough unresolved challenges to pique readers' interest and leave them eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Winter Lost is a thrilling tale that offers insight into beloved characters and sets the stage for future developments within the pack.
It' gets a solid 4.5 stars for me and reaffirms Patricia Briggs' status as a master of urban fantasy.
June 21, 2024
This is the 14th book in the Mercy Thompson series and I am still into it. My only disappointment in this one was the complete absence of my favourite vampire, Stefan. However, the tale wasn't completely vampire free, as we got Elyna, a lone vamp, unrelated to the Tri-Cities seethe.
I like that Briggs wrote this from multiple points of view. It gives both some additional complexity and the opportunity to dole out more details. This is a Fae-heavy tale and, although I am not as excited about the Fae as I used to be, I still appreciate Briggs' version and her Fae characters who have become familiar. I was pleased to realize that this volume would involve the snow elf who frequents Uncle Mike's bar, aka the frost giant, Ymir, and his brother, Hrimnir. I love when Norse mythology impinges on my urban fantasy. An added plus was the role of my favourite werewolf, Sherwood Post.
If you aren't reading these books as they are published, this might not be the place to jump in. Mercy and Adam are still dealing with fallout from the previous five books, which is a lot. They have assumed responsibility for the safety of everyone within their territory and been turned loose from the official werewolf hierarchy by the Marrock. Mercy has been kidnapped by the baddest vampire in Europe, Bonarata, and brought her Coyote chaos to his plans and life. They have dealt with a coven of invading witches, losing their ally, Elizaveta, who cursed Adam as she died. They have arranged the destruction of an evil artifact, dropped into their community as revenge by Bonarata, who expected it to achieve much more destruction. Mercy, who had been unwillingly linked to this Soul Taker, is still suffering from the wounds that it inflicted on her psyche as this novel opens. Adam is worried after Bonarata made it clear that he is the better brawler of the two of them. As I said, a LOT.
Some things get solved, some things make progress, others get started. I sped through the first reading, then turned to the beginning and enjoyed it with more attention, slowly. This series remains a favourite and I'll be purchasing a paperback copy of this installment for my permanent collection.
I like that Briggs wrote this from multiple points of view. It gives both some additional complexity and the opportunity to dole out more details. This is a Fae-heavy tale and, although I am not as excited about the Fae as I used to be, I still appreciate Briggs' version and her Fae characters who have become familiar. I was pleased to realize that this volume would involve the snow elf who frequents Uncle Mike's bar, aka the frost giant, Ymir, and his brother, Hrimnir. I love when Norse mythology impinges on my urban fantasy. An added plus was the role of my favourite werewolf, Sherwood Post.
If you aren't reading these books as they are published, this might not be the place to jump in. Mercy and Adam are still dealing with fallout from the previous five books, which is a lot. They have assumed responsibility for the safety of everyone within their territory and been turned loose from the official werewolf hierarchy by the Marrock. Mercy has been kidnapped by the baddest vampire in Europe, Bonarata, and brought her Coyote chaos to his plans and life. They have dealt with a coven of invading witches, losing their ally, Elizaveta, who cursed Adam as she died. They have arranged the destruction of an evil artifact, dropped into their community as revenge by Bonarata, who expected it to achieve much more destruction. Mercy, who had been unwillingly linked to this Soul Taker, is still suffering from the wounds that it inflicted on her psyche as this novel opens. Adam is worried after Bonarata made it clear that he is the better brawler of the two of them. As I said, a LOT.
Some things get solved, some things make progress, others get started. I sped through the first reading, then turned to the beginning and enjoyed it with more attention, slowly. This series remains a favourite and I'll be purchasing a paperback copy of this installment for my permanent collection.
June 18, 2024
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I devoured this book! I have been looking forward to this book since I finished the last installment so I was eager to get my hands on it. I went into this book with extremely high expectations and am happy to report that it did not disappoint. I loved that we get to see both Mercy’s and some of Adam’s points of view in this book.
One of the things that I love about reading a longer-running series like this one is spending time with familiar characters that almost feel like family. I feel like I have been through a lot with Mercy, Adam, and the rest of the gang. In this installment, Adam and Mercy must navigate a new environment as they work to get to the bottom of what is happening. Mercy is still dealing with the effects of the events in the last installment and I felt really bad for both her and Adam. Even with Mercy not quite at her peak, these two are a formidable pair and I had a feeling that they would figure things out.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Lorelei King did a phenomenal job with the narration. She does such a good job of bringing this cast of characters to life. I read a copy of this book as soon as I could get my hands on it but didn’t hesitate to pick up a copy of the audiobook for a quick re-read because I knew that this narrator would be able to take the story to the next level. She adds just the right of emotion to her reading and uses very distinctive voices for each of the key characters. I do believe that her performance added to my enjoyment of this story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This is a series that I would recommend reading in order since the character relationships that are so important to the story have grown and changed throughout the series. I had such a great time with this novel and hope to spend more time with Mercy and Adam very soon.
I received a review copy of this book from Ace and Penguin Random House Audio.
I devoured this book! I have been looking forward to this book since I finished the last installment so I was eager to get my hands on it. I went into this book with extremely high expectations and am happy to report that it did not disappoint. I loved that we get to see both Mercy’s and some of Adam’s points of view in this book.
One of the things that I love about reading a longer-running series like this one is spending time with familiar characters that almost feel like family. I feel like I have been through a lot with Mercy, Adam, and the rest of the gang. In this installment, Adam and Mercy must navigate a new environment as they work to get to the bottom of what is happening. Mercy is still dealing with the effects of the events in the last installment and I felt really bad for both her and Adam. Even with Mercy not quite at her peak, these two are a formidable pair and I had a feeling that they would figure things out.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Lorelei King did a phenomenal job with the narration. She does such a good job of bringing this cast of characters to life. I read a copy of this book as soon as I could get my hands on it but didn’t hesitate to pick up a copy of the audiobook for a quick re-read because I knew that this narrator would be able to take the story to the next level. She adds just the right of emotion to her reading and uses very distinctive voices for each of the key characters. I do believe that her performance added to my enjoyment of this story.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This is a series that I would recommend reading in order since the character relationships that are so important to the story have grown and changed throughout the series. I had such a great time with this novel and hope to spend more time with Mercy and Adam very soon.
I received a review copy of this book from Ace and Penguin Random House Audio.
March 17, 2024
Okay, it looks like this is an unpopular opinion at the moment, but this one didn't do much for me. I love this series, and I'm so happy that I got an ARC. This particular installment was disappointing for me. It didn't really pick up until the second half, and there are so many secondary characters, distracting side stories, and time jumps that by the time I *was* invested, I was also confused, and the high stakes fell flat. As always, the cover art is gorgeous. Three stars up from 2.5.
Thank you very much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you very much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
July 6, 2024
Reading a Patricia Briggs novel is a pleasure! Every. Single. Time.
Not surprising, Winter Lost was a highlight in a more than mediocre reading year for me.
And it makes me happy to say that I had the best time reading it!!!
The novel delivered in all aspects, from a fantastic story, to beloved characters, to the big picture.
I ended up binge reading it in one day.
And now I can't wait for the next one.
The big picture is what makes me crave these books. I have this itching feeling that I'm going to be wowed by what's still to come.
And also feel like I need to re-read the entire series soon, just to get a better grasp of what's to come.
Also I loved that Winter Lost felt like a continuation of Soul Taken. I get this feeling of BIG, BIG things to come.......
So, to come to an end, these are fantastic books.
A MUST READ series.
And I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
Not surprising, Winter Lost was a highlight in a more than mediocre reading year for me.
And it makes me happy to say that I had the best time reading it!!!
The novel delivered in all aspects, from a fantastic story, to beloved characters, to the big picture.
I ended up binge reading it in one day.
And now I can't wait for the next one.
The big picture is what makes me crave these books. I have this itching feeling that I'm going to be wowed by what's still to come.
And also feel like I need to re-read the entire series soon, just to get a better grasp of what's to come.
Also I loved that Winter Lost felt like a continuation of Soul Taken. I get this feeling of BIG, BIG things to come.......
So, to come to an end, these are fantastic books.
A MUST READ series.
And I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
June 21, 2024
Mercy Thompson continues to be my all-time favorite UF series, so Winter Lost was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024! This is book 14 in a series that’s best read in order. If you haven’t read this series yet, go grab book one and start reading! The audios are a fantastic way to experience the series!
Winter Lost picks up with Mercy still dealing with the effects of the Soul Taker from the last book. Mercy’s worried, but so are Adam and the Pack, however this is put on the back burner when her brother, Gary shows up in trouble. To find a solution they must travel to Montana in an epic winter storm and find a lost/stolen artifact. They end up at a lodge with a varied group of guests as they search for the artifact before it’s too late for Gary and the world. I’m being vague so as not to spoil anything.
In this installment while Mercy and Adam tackle this immediate problem there seems to be a few brewing in the background: Bonarata being the most troubling one, IMO.
One of the things I love most about this series is the relationship between Mercy and Adam. They continue to be a united, powerful force against all that comes at them. I also love the bits of humor; the friendships and the intricate world of magic and creatures Briggs has created. The story was action-packed, full of danger and riveting! Of course, now I can’t wait for the next one!
A copy was kindly provided by Ace in exchange for an honest review.
Winter Lost picks up with Mercy still dealing with the effects of the Soul Taker from the last book. Mercy’s worried, but so are Adam and the Pack, however this is put on the back burner when her brother, Gary shows up in trouble. To find a solution they must travel to Montana in an epic winter storm and find a lost/stolen artifact. They end up at a lodge with a varied group of guests as they search for the artifact before it’s too late for Gary and the world. I’m being vague so as not to spoil anything.
In this installment while Mercy and Adam tackle this immediate problem there seems to be a few brewing in the background: Bonarata being the most troubling one, IMO.
One of the things I love most about this series is the relationship between Mercy and Adam. They continue to be a united, powerful force against all that comes at them. I also love the bits of humor; the friendships and the intricate world of magic and creatures Briggs has created. The story was action-packed, full of danger and riveting! Of course, now I can’t wait for the next one!
A copy was kindly provided by Ace in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2024
3.5/5.0
To give y’all an idea of just how big a Mercy Thompson fan I am… I have been on the library’s list for this book for months now, but when I saw it had actually published, I couldn’t wait. I ran out and purchased it anyway! *sigh*
SO… was it worth the high price? Well, it is always worth getting back into Mercy and Adam’s world. I love every single moment I get to sit down and enjoy time with the stories the amazing Ms. Briggs creates in this series. There are a few considerations one must acknowledge in this book, however…
Since this book is #14 in the series and the people and over-arching arc continues from book to book, there are a LOT of people and situations to remember! That is usually not a problem, BUT (and it’s a big one) there is a time lag of up to two years or more between books. So, it is a challenge to remember all the characters and their personalities, backgrounds etc. that hit the ground running in this particular conflict. AND, it especially plays into one’s enjoyment of this story since one of the side-characters (the vampire, Bonarata) is from Book #11, which was written a whopping SEVEN YEARS AGO. Now, I consider my memory relatively good but trying to figure out what exactly happened with his character after that many years have passed to affect Mercy and Adam so strongly today… uhmm no.
As to the story, itself, It was good.The first half of the book was a bit slow-going, to the point I wasn’t especially driven to stay with it while reading (and that is really weird for me with this series). The second half picked up considerably but was still kinda confusing. The plot introduces an entire batch of new characters (added to all the old characters) created from old Norse folklore but there were enough of them that we never really got to understand any of them aside from a quick surface gloss-over. Mercy’s brother Gary is a pivotal character in this installment, as well. But after the initial problem was laid out, we heard nothing more about him until the very end, and then only in passing… It was all just a touch odd and frustrating.
Oh, also! Ms. Briggs uses multiple POVs in this book, as well! Some work well, like the few we get from Adam that help us greatly in understanding and deepening our connection to him. Others not so much, though. Most were little blips from characters or situations that really have no impact on the overall plot. *shrugs*
SOPE… why the four stars? Well, there just isn’t an author around any better at creating storylines that are totally unique and can write almost anything into existence and make it real! And, like I mentioned earlier, I will always love just diving into the world and characters I have grown to love so much over the past eighteen (yikes!) years.
To give y’all an idea of just how big a Mercy Thompson fan I am… I have been on the library’s list for this book for months now, but when I saw it had actually published, I couldn’t wait. I ran out and purchased it anyway! *sigh*
SO… was it worth the high price? Well, it is always worth getting back into Mercy and Adam’s world. I love every single moment I get to sit down and enjoy time with the stories the amazing Ms. Briggs creates in this series. There are a few considerations one must acknowledge in this book, however…
Since this book is #14 in the series and the people and over-arching arc continues from book to book, there are a LOT of people and situations to remember! That is usually not a problem, BUT (and it’s a big one) there is a time lag of up to two years or more between books. So, it is a challenge to remember all the characters and their personalities, backgrounds etc. that hit the ground running in this particular conflict. AND, it especially plays into one’s enjoyment of this story since one of the side-characters (the vampire, Bonarata) is from Book #11, which was written a whopping SEVEN YEARS AGO. Now, I consider my memory relatively good but trying to figure out what exactly happened with his character after that many years have passed to affect Mercy and Adam so strongly today… uhmm no.
As to the story, itself, It was good.The first half of the book was a bit slow-going, to the point I wasn’t especially driven to stay with it while reading (and that is really weird for me with this series). The second half picked up considerably but was still kinda confusing. The plot introduces an entire batch of new characters (added to all the old characters) created from old Norse folklore but there were enough of them that we never really got to understand any of them aside from a quick surface gloss-over. Mercy’s brother Gary is a pivotal character in this installment, as well. But after the initial problem was laid out, we heard nothing more about him until the very end, and then only in passing… It was all just a touch odd and frustrating.
Oh, also! Ms. Briggs uses multiple POVs in this book, as well! Some work well, like the few we get from Adam that help us greatly in understanding and deepening our connection to him. Others not so much, though. Most were little blips from characters or situations that really have no impact on the overall plot. *shrugs*
SOPE… why the four stars? Well, there just isn’t an author around any better at creating storylines that are totally unique and can write almost anything into existence and make it real! And, like I mentioned earlier, I will always love just diving into the world and characters I have grown to love so much over the past eighteen (yikes!) years.
April 13, 2024
If you can count on one thing is that Patricia Briggs is going to write a fast-paced fantastic book. In this volume, Mercy's brother gets into some trouble (shocker!) and Mercy has to go with Adam to figure out what happened. They have graduated to nordic gods which is so much fun because I love nordic mythology. We also get a great new array of new characters and some reoccurring ones. I'm not going to lie, I was a little worried that we were leaving the Tri-Cities because it felt like something Anna and Charles would do but the story totally makes sense. I also really enjoyed switching POVs between different characters. It really allowed you to understand their motivations and made the book feel really fresh even if we are deep in the series. I wish I was as good a writer as Patricia Briggs to truly explain it but it was so so good! Anyone who knows m or follows me knows I love these books so much and I will re-read them constantly so know that I'm being serious when I say that this is one of my favorites and I think it would read great even as a standalone. I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, Ace, and Patricia Briggs for giving me the amazing opportunity to review this book as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, Ace, and Patricia Briggs for giving me the amazing opportunity to review this book as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 8, 2024
I adore this series. It is just so much fun and even though the creatures aren't original per se, the myths, origins, legends, and the way of the land, absolutely are and make this series a stand-out series that I just can't get enough of.
I love all the characters and am always eagerly awaiting the next release. I love the dynamic between Adam and Mercy and the understanding, love, and respect they have for one another, not to mention all the secondary and side characters and how much they always add to the story as well.
This truly is a wonderful series I am so glad I found and that is still going strong after fourteen books. I can't wait for the next installment!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I love all the characters and am always eagerly awaiting the next release. I love the dynamic between Adam and Mercy and the understanding, love, and respect they have for one another, not to mention all the secondary and side characters and how much they always add to the story as well.
This truly is a wonderful series I am so glad I found and that is still going strong after fourteen books. I can't wait for the next installment!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
February 29, 2024
Mercy’s half brother shows up unexpectedly and seems to be afflicted by some unknown magic. Adam and Mercy travel to where he was working in Montana, trying to figure out how to help him, since Zee wasn’t able to. They meet the frost giant who needs their help finding something which was stolen from him, and they learn that things could end very badly for everyone unless they figure out how to help. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
July 8, 2024
almost 4 ☆
Oh Mercy, haven't you figured out yet who likes to yank your tail?
Coyote might have said this about one of his children but the underlying sentiment certainly applies to Coyote as well for he's the ultimate trickster. Coyote first appeared to Mercy in River Marked #6 during her ill-fated honeymoon about a year and a half ago (in the timeline of the Mercy-verse). She struggled with the idea but finally accepted that Coyote is her father. With that acknowledgement, Mercy discovered earlier this year a half-brother, Gary Laughingdog, whom she met in Fire Touched #9.
Too true. So when Gary got into trouble and was hexed into incoherence, he ran to his half-sister's home. And now Mercy and Adam are stuck in some mystical lodge in rural Montana and with a mystery to solve in the hope of fixing Gary's affliction.
Winter Lost could have been like one of those classic Agatha Christie closed-house whodunit murder mysteries with a supernatural twist. But alas it was not. There was very little mystery solving for Winter Lost had bigger aspirations such as preventing the end of the world.
The vast majority of the Mercy Thompson novels had been written in Mercy's first person perspective. In this book Briggs augmented her storytelling style. There was also third-person narration to present points of view from Adam and several others. This was effective most, but not all, of the time. Sometimes they were a jarring interruption to the main storyline involving Mercy and Adam. Other times, they felt like snippets that would only become relevant in future books.
For many of the previous novels, I had complained in my reviews that they all seemed like transition novels. This was because seven books - from Night Broken #8 through Winter Lost #14 - were all set within the same calendar year. Just like in real life, many problems, especially those that involve others, take a while to get resolved. So in that vein, this one does have an issue that had been introduced earlier but at least it wasn't the major focus. With this compressed timeline in the overall storytelling, it's challenging to appreciate these novels on an individual basis unless the reader can recall the story arcs and particularly their details. This aspect is made more difficult by the time lapse in between these novels' publication dates. So the last five or six Mercy novels cannot easily be read as stand-alone novels despite all the reminders Briggs incorporated about previous events.
Returning to Winter Lost, overall I liked this more than the preceding novels because of the story's catalyst -- the frost giant. I also always enjoy the stories which involve Coyote and in this case what the readers learn about the gifts Coyote bequeathed to Mercy and her half-brother. This book mentioned two major problems that had originated in earlier novels and only one got fully resolved. Briggs may or may not be laying the groundwork for the resolution of the second issue -- stay tuned to find out as the next Mercy installment probably won't be published until 2026.
All of us trapped on sacred ground by a snowstorm controlled by a frost giant.
We had been brought together deliberately. I wondered who had done that and why.
Oh Mercy, haven't you figured out yet who likes to yank your tail?
Of course he’s an extraordinary idiot. Take any skill and add years of practice and you get extraordinary.
Coyote might have said this about one of his children but the underlying sentiment certainly applies to Coyote as well for he's the ultimate trickster. Coyote first appeared to Mercy in River Marked #6 during her ill-fated honeymoon about a year and a half ago (in the timeline of the Mercy-verse). She struggled with the idea but finally accepted that Coyote is her father. With that acknowledgement, Mercy discovered earlier this year a half-brother, Gary Laughingdog, whom she met in Fire Touched #9.
We weren't friends, Gary and I.
We were fellow prisoners, maybe, both of us serving out the sentence of being our father's children.
Too true. So when Gary got into trouble and was hexed into incoherence, he ran to his half-sister's home. And now Mercy and Adam are stuck in some mystical lodge in rural Montana and with a mystery to solve in the hope of fixing Gary's affliction.
Winter Lost could have been like one of those classic Agatha Christie closed-house whodunit murder mysteries with a supernatural twist. But alas it was not. There was very little mystery solving for Winter Lost had bigger aspirations such as preventing the end of the world.
The vast majority of the Mercy Thompson novels had been written in Mercy's first person perspective. In this book Briggs augmented her storytelling style. There was also third-person narration to present points of view from Adam and several others. This was effective most, but not all, of the time. Sometimes they were a jarring interruption to the main storyline involving Mercy and Adam. Other times, they felt like snippets that would only become relevant in future books.
For many of the previous novels, I had complained in my reviews that they all seemed like transition novels. This was because seven books - from Night Broken #8 through Winter Lost #14 - were all set within the same calendar year. Just like in real life, many problems, especially those that involve others, take a while to get resolved. So in that vein, this one does have an issue that had been introduced earlier but at least it wasn't the major focus. With this compressed timeline in the overall storytelling, it's challenging to appreciate these novels on an individual basis unless the reader can recall the story arcs and particularly their details. This aspect is made more difficult by the time lapse in between these novels' publication dates. So the last five or six Mercy novels cannot easily be read as stand-alone novels despite all the reminders Briggs incorporated about previous events.
Returning to Winter Lost, overall I liked this more than the preceding novels because of the story's catalyst -- the frost giant. I also always enjoy the stories which involve Coyote and in this case what the readers learn about the gifts Coyote bequeathed to Mercy and her half-brother. This book mentioned two major problems that had originated in earlier novels and only one got fully resolved. Briggs may or may not be laying the groundwork for the resolution of the second issue -- stay tuned to find out as the next Mercy installment probably won't be published until 2026.
Want to read
December 2, 2023Published 2023 by Ace
Expected publication January 1, 2024
Expected publication June 18, 2024
Expected publication January 1, 2024
Expected publication June 18, 2024
June 20, 2024
This will be my last Mercy book
This kept referring to the prior book, had German names that were hard to pronounce, left out the characters that you look forward to reconnecting with and left out the fun and excitement. Even the few returning characters like her brother Gary, they never had a conversation. They had story lines that they mentioned but that was it, Adam's security company had a problem, person dies, that's it, no ending other then it was taken care of. It was like the author had things she wanted to have in the book so she just threw them in there. I found it very disjointed. Go back and reread they early books and save your money.
This kept referring to the prior book, had German names that were hard to pronounce, left out the characters that you look forward to reconnecting with and left out the fun and excitement. Even the few returning characters like her brother Gary, they never had a conversation. They had story lines that they mentioned but that was it, Adam's security company had a problem, person dies, that's it, no ending other then it was taken care of. It was like the author had things she wanted to have in the book so she just threw them in there. I found it very disjointed. Go back and reread they early books and save your money.
May 20, 2024
Winter Lost is book #14 in the Mercy Thompson series, and is deeply focused on the consequences of something that occurred in book #13, Soul Taken. There are also loads of references to the events of previous books, but I think book #10 Silence Fallen is also important to reference here, as Bonarata is still a looming major threat to Mercy and her loved ones.
Mercy's half-brother Gary arrives on her doorstep in distress, and most of the book is Mercy and Adam heading off to Montana during a supernatural blizzard to try and help him. Besides Mercy's first person narrative, we also got scenes from Adam's POV as well, which I appreciated--I like getting to see his perspective on things. Mercy's investigation primarily involves Norse mythology, but we also had a little more Native American mythos (my favorite part of these books) with Spider Grandmother and the manitou of the hot springs. The resolution of Gary's problems felt a little rushed/underdeveloped, but I liked how Mercy's issues after Soul Taken played out and were finally resolved.
Since the story is so heavily focused on Mercy and Adam, though, Briggs chose to include a number of Interludes about different characters. These were less successful for me: I understand wanting to touch on characters, especially when we're fourteen books into the series, but I felt like they misdirected focus from Mercy's story and some of them were just too slight to include here.
Mercy's half-brother Gary arrives on her doorstep in distress, and most of the book is Mercy and Adam heading off to Montana during a supernatural blizzard to try and help him. Besides Mercy's first person narrative, we also got scenes from Adam's POV as well, which I appreciated--I like getting to see his perspective on things. Mercy's investigation primarily involves Norse mythology, but we also had a little more Native American mythos (my favorite part of these books) with Spider Grandmother and the manitou of the hot springs. The resolution of Gary's problems felt a little rushed/underdeveloped, but I liked how Mercy's issues after Soul Taken played out and were finally resolved.
Since the story is so heavily focused on Mercy and Adam, though, Briggs chose to include a number of Interludes about different characters. These were less successful for me: I understand wanting to touch on characters, especially when we're fourteen books into the series, but I felt like they misdirected focus from Mercy's story and some of them were just too slight to include here.
June 27, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy. Below you'll find my honest review.
I've been eagerly anticipating the next Mercy novel since the very second I finished the last one. If you remember correctly, the last one left Mercy's spiritual self a little damaged, and this one picks up that story thread. It also brings back the story threads involving her Coyote heritage, including her brother Gary. Throw in some seriously cool (cold joke, see what I did there?) Norse mythology, along with the addition of a new (to the series at least) Native/Indigenous American spirit.
We get a lot of Mercy and Adam's relationship, which is great, but we also get little Interludes that give a little more interaction with some of the other major characters, from the Pack especially, including an absolutely hilarious and awesome moment for Warren and Sherwood.
I loved this one, and now begins the long, long wait until the next Mercyverse novel from Patty Briggs. I believe it's going to be an Alpha & Omega one, too!
I've been eagerly anticipating the next Mercy novel since the very second I finished the last one. If you remember correctly, the last one left Mercy's spiritual self a little damaged, and this one picks up that story thread. It also brings back the story threads involving her Coyote heritage, including her brother Gary. Throw in some seriously cool (cold joke, see what I did there?) Norse mythology, along with the addition of a new (to the series at least) Native/Indigenous American spirit.
We get a lot of Mercy and Adam's relationship, which is great, but we also get little Interludes that give a little more interaction with some of the other major characters, from the Pack especially, including an absolutely hilarious and awesome moment for Warren and Sherwood.
I loved this one, and now begins the long, long wait until the next Mercyverse novel from Patty Briggs. I believe it's going to be an Alpha & Omega one, too!
June 30, 2024
Charles is baby girl
June 17, 2024
Winter Lost is the fourteenth novel in the Mercy Thompson series and one I look forward to each year. Briggs has created a rich world with flawed, strong and loveable characters that have become like family. Like most urban fantasy series, I recommend reading this series in the order of their release despite the wonderful job the author does of acclimating new readers to each book.
Mercy is still not right after the events of Soul Taken, but when her half-brother Gary shows up on her doorstep unable to communicate, they call in a favor and learn that he is under a spell. All of this leads them to Montana during the snowstorm of all snowstorms. Their quest has them spending time at the Looking Glass Hot Springs lodge, where a wedding party is trapped and something taken must be returned.
Briggs gives us Mercy’s perspective, but also those of Adam and others. While the pack was missing for most of the story, we get brief interludes with familiar characters. The major story, involving Gary, Mercy’s magic issues and the end of days, was well done and kept me reading into the wee hours.
Fans will appreciate the closure, the meddling from Coyote, and the mythology. I am always sad when the story ends and cannot wait for the next book. An addictive tale in this action-packed, character driven series with my favorite pack.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Mercy is still not right after the events of Soul Taken, but when her half-brother Gary shows up on her doorstep unable to communicate, they call in a favor and learn that he is under a spell. All of this leads them to Montana during the snowstorm of all snowstorms. Their quest has them spending time at the Looking Glass Hot Springs lodge, where a wedding party is trapped and something taken must be returned.
Briggs gives us Mercy’s perspective, but also those of Adam and others. While the pack was missing for most of the story, we get brief interludes with familiar characters. The major story, involving Gary, Mercy’s magic issues and the end of days, was well done and kept me reading into the wee hours.
Fans will appreciate the closure, the meddling from Coyote, and the mythology. I am always sad when the story ends and cannot wait for the next book. An addictive tale in this action-packed, character driven series with my favorite pack.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
June 23, 2024
Supernatural locked-room mystery
Winter Lost is the 14th novel in Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series. Mercy Thompson is the series that introduced me to urban fantasy and is still my all-time favorite urban fantasy series.
This one didn't quite feel to me like a typical Mercy Thompson novel. The Mercy Thompson novels are, as a whole, very political -- not that they are about real-world politics, but in the sense that they involve the political machinations and palace intrigues of groups of supernatural creatures, the most important being fae, werewolf packs, and vampire seethes. Mercy, with her werewolf husband Adam Hauptman has, over the course of the the previous 13 novels, become the leader of an alliance of fae, werewolves, and vampires that seeks to ensure security in her local community.
These political threads are present in Winter Lost, but really only in the form of unresolved conflicts from previous novels that continue to hang over Mercy's head in this one. Instead, Winter Lost is a supernatural locked-room mystery. (Well, it's a snowed-in lodge instead of a literal locked room.)
Most science fiction and fantasy novels are mysteries. However, the typical F&SF mysteries, instead of being about a murder or some other crime, are about the more basic question -- what is this world made of, who's in it, and what makes it tick? Although there is a literal crime involved in this one, it is mostly that sort of F&SF mystery.
Winter Lost was slow getting started. Briggs takes her time trapping Mercy and Adam at the lodge. Some of that time is spent elaborating those hold-over political conflicts I mentioned. I could have done with less of this, or at least swifter movement through it. However, once we get to the lodge the plot moves quickly, with a regular stream of new revelations. I ended up enjoying it quite a lot.
Blog review.
Winter Lost is the 14th novel in Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson urban fantasy series. Mercy Thompson is the series that introduced me to urban fantasy and is still my all-time favorite urban fantasy series.
This one didn't quite feel to me like a typical Mercy Thompson novel. The Mercy Thompson novels are, as a whole, very political -- not that they are about real-world politics, but in the sense that they involve the political machinations and palace intrigues of groups of supernatural creatures, the most important being fae, werewolf packs, and vampire seethes. Mercy, with her werewolf husband Adam Hauptman has, over the course of the the previous 13 novels, become the leader of an alliance of fae, werewolves, and vampires that seeks to ensure security in her local community.
These political threads are present in Winter Lost, but really only in the form of unresolved conflicts from previous novels that continue to hang over Mercy's head in this one. Instead, Winter Lost is a supernatural locked-room mystery. (Well, it's a snowed-in lodge instead of a literal locked room.)
Most science fiction and fantasy novels are mysteries. However, the typical F&SF mysteries, instead of being about a murder or some other crime, are about the more basic question -- what is this world made of, who's in it, and what makes it tick? Although there is a literal crime involved in this one, it is mostly that sort of F&SF mystery.
Winter Lost was slow getting started. Briggs takes her time trapping Mercy and Adam at the lodge. Some of that time is spent elaborating those hold-over political conflicts I mentioned. I could have done with less of this, or at least swifter movement through it. However, once we get to the lodge the plot moves quickly, with a regular stream of new revelations. I ended up enjoying it quite a lot.
Blog review.
June 13, 2024
When I was approved for the arc for this book, I honest-to-god did a triumphant fist pump. I love
the Mercy Thompson series, and if you’re a fan of urban fantasy, don’t let this one pass you by.
In Winter Lost, Mercy is still dealing with some pretty negative effects from the last book; her
magic and her soul took a hefty beating and she’s not yet recovered. What she really needs is
some time to rest, but when her half-brother shows up on the doorstep, cursed and freaking out,
they need to figure out what’s happening. She and Adam drive up to Montana where Gary was
staying to try and track down the cause and remove the curse, only to be pulled into a winter
storm that isn’t entirely natural. And this storm could have serious consequences for the entire
world.
A series this long (14 books!) will have a lot of backstory informing the plot. If a lot of time goes
by in between books, it’s easy for the reader to forget things, which is why you often get a
“previously on…” style infodump in the first few chapters. Briggs is great at giving you that
rundown without it feeling like a firehose of information, and doing it in an organic way that
doesn’t take you out of the story. I cannot overstate how much I appreciate that and the skill it
takes.
Winter Lost gives us more of the great bond between Mercy and Adam, a good plot balanced
with a lot of emotional character beats, and some new and fun supernatural creatures. We get a
highlight on Nordic mythology this time! The rest of the pack isn’t really too involved in this book;
they get a little time early on, but the focus is really on Mercy and Adam, with a sprinkling of
Gary.
We get resolution for a couple of big plot issues, but there’s still plenty to address in the next
book. Overall I liked this book a bit more than the previous two, and it’s a fantastic addition to a
beloved urban fantasy series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy! It made my day
to get the chance to read and review this.
Winter Lost will be released on June 18. If you like urban fantasy, don’t miss out on this series!
the Mercy Thompson series, and if you’re a fan of urban fantasy, don’t let this one pass you by.
In Winter Lost, Mercy is still dealing with some pretty negative effects from the last book; her
magic and her soul took a hefty beating and she’s not yet recovered. What she really needs is
some time to rest, but when her half-brother shows up on the doorstep, cursed and freaking out,
they need to figure out what’s happening. She and Adam drive up to Montana where Gary was
staying to try and track down the cause and remove the curse, only to be pulled into a winter
storm that isn’t entirely natural. And this storm could have serious consequences for the entire
world.
A series this long (14 books!) will have a lot of backstory informing the plot. If a lot of time goes
by in between books, it’s easy for the reader to forget things, which is why you often get a
“previously on…” style infodump in the first few chapters. Briggs is great at giving you that
rundown without it feeling like a firehose of information, and doing it in an organic way that
doesn’t take you out of the story. I cannot overstate how much I appreciate that and the skill it
takes.
Winter Lost gives us more of the great bond between Mercy and Adam, a good plot balanced
with a lot of emotional character beats, and some new and fun supernatural creatures. We get a
highlight on Nordic mythology this time! The rest of the pack isn’t really too involved in this book;
they get a little time early on, but the focus is really on Mercy and Adam, with a sprinkling of
Gary.
We get resolution for a couple of big plot issues, but there’s still plenty to address in the next
book. Overall I liked this book a bit more than the previous two, and it’s a fantastic addition to a
beloved urban fantasy series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy! It made my day
to get the chance to read and review this.
Winter Lost will be released on June 18. If you like urban fantasy, don’t miss out on this series!
June 23, 2024
My first thought regarding this book was “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I’m disappointed that I paid for this audiobook and didn’t rent it through the public library first. The story felt like a series filler, which is disappointing given the printing & production delays. Ugh! Fractured storytelling with way too much jumping around; some don’t add to the overall storyline (fluff). Definitely didn’t have the normal Mercy Thompson feel. On the positive, the narrator did a fantastic job (hence the 3 stars instead of 2).
Want to read
November 18, 2023
January 29, 2024
Mercy is still dealing with the aftereffects of having her mind ripped open by an ancient magic artifact. While, on the one hand, it's rapidly destroying her sanity, on the other hand, it gives her interesting insights into the true character of some of the other people around her. Most of the book is focused on Adam and Mercy on a mission driven in part by Mercy's father and brother, and it's nice to get some quality time with them as a couple. On the other hand, you only get a few little vignettes about some of the other characters, and it feels like either not enough or too much - the side chapters don't seem to serve much of a purpose other than to remind you these characters exist. I guess this is a problem in a fully fleshed-out world - so many people to spend time with, and not a thousand pages to do everyone justice.
June 27, 2024
This series has been a firm favorite for a very long time. Mercy and Adam are so great that every book is like getting to visit some of my most dear friends, and the entire secondary cast is wonderful. I especially love when Coyote has something afoot, which is most definitely the case here. It gets twisty and convoluted as the story unfolds, but in the best kinds of ways ... because Coyote plays complicated games, that always fall together beautifully.
I've bailed on the A&O spin-off series, sadly - I know I'm in the vast minority here, but I don't really like Anna. She's just this perfect combo of self-righteous and naive (in a YA-ish way) that just sets my teeth on edge. That plus the retconning happening in that series really just pushed me away, but again, I know I'm in the minority. I'm only mentioning it for the folks wondering if they HAVE to be current on A&O to follow this series. The answer is: no. I'm not current, and there was no place where I felt like I was missing crucial info or events. So the threads where the two series braid together - and I'm sure they're present, they were in the earlier A&O books that I read - were done subtly enough that they don't feel like a big neon sign in these books screaming "IMPORTANT INFO THAT YOU ARE MISSING HERE!" I feel like that's perfect - a fun bit of extra for the folks reading them both, without ruining the story for folks who aren't.
However, there were details from Mercy's series that I could have used a refresh on, and felt like I was floundering around them for a bit. I remember Bonarata from the book where he kidnapped Mercy to Italy, but not any other appearance in books since then (which is weird to me, because he's such a big presence, but apparently my brain didn't agree). I think that's because there are 2-3 years between books, and some of the details just slide away. Briggs gives you enough of a refresh in this book that you can follow the story, but I was kicking myself for not doing a re-read of the series before hitting this book, honestly. I may do that now.
Only other quibble: I know their split from the Marrok is not as real as they try and make it look to the outside world (and I agree with their reasons - a war between the supe communities would be a disaster), but I missed the little interactions with those characters - Bran the father figure, Charles and Samuel as brother figures, and the overall feeling of a dysfunctional family that has been trying to mend the bonds between them. It was nice, in previous books, having them as even somewhat distant secondary characters (though I miss the Samuel of earlier books, who lived in the Tri-Cities too). That said, I'd rather not have them at all than have to deal with the retconning that goes on about them in the A&O series, so it is what it is.
While this book itself is probably 4-4.5 stars, I gotta give it 5 because this series is a long-time favorite.
I've bailed on the A&O spin-off series, sadly - I know I'm in the vast minority here, but I don't really like Anna. She's just this perfect combo of self-righteous and naive (in a YA-ish way) that just sets my teeth on edge. That plus the retconning happening in that series really just pushed me away, but again, I know I'm in the minority. I'm only mentioning it for the folks wondering if they HAVE to be current on A&O to follow this series. The answer is: no. I'm not current, and there was no place where I felt like I was missing crucial info or events. So the threads where the two series braid together - and I'm sure they're present, they were in the earlier A&O books that I read - were done subtly enough that they don't feel like a big neon sign in these books screaming "IMPORTANT INFO THAT YOU ARE MISSING HERE!" I feel like that's perfect - a fun bit of extra for the folks reading them both, without ruining the story for folks who aren't.
However, there were details from Mercy's series that I could have used a refresh on, and felt like I was floundering around them for a bit. I remember Bonarata from the book where he kidnapped Mercy to Italy, but not any other appearance in books since then (which is weird to me, because he's such a big presence, but apparently my brain didn't agree). I think that's because there are 2-3 years between books, and some of the details just slide away. Briggs gives you enough of a refresh in this book that you can follow the story, but I was kicking myself for not doing a re-read of the series before hitting this book, honestly. I may do that now.
Only other quibble: I know their split from the Marrok is not as real as they try and make it look to the outside world (and I agree with their reasons - a war between the supe communities would be a disaster), but I missed the little interactions with those characters - Bran the father figure, Charles and Samuel as brother figures, and the overall feeling of a dysfunctional family that has been trying to mend the bonds between them. It was nice, in previous books, having them as even somewhat distant secondary characters (though I miss the Samuel of earlier books, who lived in the Tri-Cities too). That said, I'd rather not have them at all than have to deal with the retconning that goes on about them in the A&O series, so it is what it is.
While this book itself is probably 4-4.5 stars, I gotta give it 5 because this series is a long-time favorite.
June 20, 2024
While I love Mercy and the gang, I was disappointed in this one. There was not enough action for me. I will continue with the series because I love it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 698 reviews