Rounded up from 3.75 stars.
This was a very cute shifter romance and I enjoyed it very much. I have to admit, I was not expecting the cliffhanger ending, considering the description proclaimed the book a companion novel to another series. I think the ending is what threw me for a loop, but otherwise this was a fun ace read.

Netgalley ARC Educator 550974

This is a book within a series that can be read as a standalone. It is very repetitive with some action. There is an ace and poly love triangle and wolves and vampires. If the book is edited and the repetition removed it will be excellent.

Another great story from this author. I loved all the paranormal characters in this story and the addition of Snow was brilliant. Snow was more powerful than you would think but she was more of a submissive than dominant wolf and would rather avoid a fight than be in one. Cassidy is an alpha wolf trying to find her bearings while being the alpha who took care of her pack. At times you could tell that she just wanted to be left alone and her head voice was too hilarious for words sometimes. The addition of the vampires was even more interesting,because this seemed to be a setup for the next book in this series. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's coming next from this author.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Cassidy is the new Alpha of the Chicago North Shore Werewolf pack. She is struggling with how to run her pack and keep everything together especially when she learns several pack mates have gone missing. She gets help from lone wolf Snow who gives Cassidy information that other packs across the country are experiencing packs matés disappearing.

This was a good read I like how we right there with Cassidy as she learns to lead and wait to her Mom who’s is very nosy finds out what’s really going on can’t wait for her reactions.

Gritty and gripping urban fantasy
MacTague has delivered another gripping and gritty urban fantasy. The blurb says it is set „In the World of Five Moons Rising“ but make no mistake this is not a stand-alone to fully understand and appreciate Winter‘s Moon you are well advised to read the first two books „Five Moons Rising“ (1) and „Hunter‘s Decent“ (2).
MacTague delivers in beautiful prose very vivid and clear pictures (the ARC had still quite a few errors I hope that got polished away in the final ebook). The author immerses the readers in the dark inbetween-world of werewolves, distrusting alphas, other non-humans, possible conspiracies, growing despair and a glimmer of hope. I really liked the many unexpected twists and turns. And I think the story of Snow is not nearly told. There is a lot of gripping action in the last third of the book, but - gasp - this book ends with THE mother-f… of a cliff-hanger. In many ways this reads like a (very worthwhile) bridge-book between the first two in the series and an upcoming fourth - and the sequel better comes up very fast for readers hanging by their fingernails on said cliff.
It would be helpful for readers to indicate that this is a series and that another book (or more) will complete it.

Thanks to netgalley and Bella Books for the ARC. The review is left voluntarily.

This is a story about Cassidy Nolan the new Alpha of the Chicago North Shore Werewolf pack. Cassidy was turned into a werewolf in book 1 of the Five Moon Rising series. She was violently assaulted and it has given her added strength and powers that other Alpha pack leaders don’t have. A wandering werewolf-Snow, comes to visit the pack and check up on how they are doing. Her brother, Dean, was killed in the attack that turned Cassidy. Dean was the former Alpha of this pack.

Cassidy is feeling overwhelmed by her new leadership responsibilities. She’s trying to keep her pack together and to solve the mystery of several pack mates who have disappeared. Normally she would have help from her sister Malice (a monster Hunter) and her mate Ruri, but they disappeared while in a mission in book 2 of the series.

Cassidy shows her leadership when she seeks out other werewolf alphas in surrounding cities to help solve the disappearances. She goes to visit Carla, the vampire leader for help and ends up owing Carla a boon.

Snow is a loner and doesn’t belong to any pack. She’s drawn to Cassidy emotionally but doesn’t want a sexual relationship with her.

I liked this book much better than the second book in the series. I enjoyed the relationship between Cassidy and Snow. Carla is always a wild card and fun to watch her torment the Wolfpack. We get to meet Cassidy’s mom and she’s very nosy and bossy. And boy is she in for some surprises!

The last 30% of the book picks up speed and is filled with action and romance and very fun to read.

ARC received through Net Galley for a voluntary and honest review.

Cassidy is four months into being the Alpha of the North Side werewolf pack and some of her wolven have vanished. Her super human sister has also disappeared without a trace. Visiting lone wolf Snow brings information of other packs across the country experiencing similar disappearances.

Winter’s Moons is part of the Five Moons Rising series yet MacTague gives the reader enough background information to read this one as a stand-alone. I highly recommend you read Five Moons Rising though for the pure enjoyment factor.

This is definitely an all important ‘build up’ novel. Three quarters of the story is strategically laying out the foundation for the action filled confrontation at the end and the exciting set up for the next novel in the series. I am caught, hook, line and sinker waiting for the next book to come out.

I received a free advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I found the last few chapters quite exciting but the rest of the book not so much. I suppose it was more involved in setting out what was happening and leading up to the ending. It was left on a bit of a cliff hanger. Who is responsible for the disappearance of the wolven? That has not been properly resolved. Will look to read the sequel, I do want to know what happens!

4.25 stars. I’m a big fan of MacTague’s books. MacTague’s imaginary worlds are absolutely wonderful ranging from urban paranormal (like this book), to high fantasy, sci-fi and steampunk and if you like lots of action in your books like me, you’ll not be disappointed. The first book of this series, Five Moons Rising, is one of my all-time favorites. What I like about this series is that there are quite some morally grey or flawed characters and the world they find themselves in consists of not only vampires, werewolves (or wolven as they call themselves) and demons, but also of humans that have been modified by the government into hunters with extraordinary abilities.

OK, back to this book. It is part three in the series but it is actually a sidequel of the second book. Because it is set in the same time frame as the second book, you could read this book without having read the second book. The only thing you need to know is that the MCs from book 1 and 2 (Malice and Ruri) have disappeared (they are actually in a parallel fae dimension) leaving Cassidy behind to fix all her wolven problems on her own. If you like urban paranormal books, but not high fantasy (as I would classify the largest part of book 2) it is an option to skip the second book, although I don’t know if that would give problems further along in the series. You should at least read book 1 though to fully understand everything.

So, about these problems Cassidy has to fix. Cassidy just became alpha and has no idea how to run a pack and knows nothing about their traditions. She’s out of her depth and if that’s not bad enough members of her pack go missing. They have no idea who’s behind it or who they can trust.

A large part of this book is on the slow side, showing how Cassidy has to adapt to her role as alpha (and all the wolven politics it involves) and building the storyline of the missing wolves. Since this is a longer book I think this could have been shortened somewhat to increase the pace, but I found that it still kept my attention, even with the slower pace. Cassidy is an interesting character, showing the world fearlessness, but floundering on the inside and the only person who picks up on this is Snow, a lone wolf. There is a romance between them as a well and this romance surprised me as it is very different from what can be generally expected in a shifter romance. That’s all I can say without giving spoilers. Snow is a wolven that’s very low on the dominance scale, but at the same time she has an incredibly strong personality and knows her strengths and weaknesses.

There are quite some secondary characters, with Carla the vampire lord still being one of my favorites. Cassidy’s mom is an acquired taste and I’m still not sure if I have acquired that taste yet. I wished I would get to see some of Malice and Ruri, but that’s not the case, so I’ll have to wait a bit longer for that.

As mentioned, when I read a book by MacTague I expect action and while I had to wait longer than anticipated the last part of the book fulfilled my wishes fully. I arrived at this part when it was already past my usual bedtime and I just could not put it down until it was done. Needless to say, I had a rough day at work today, but it was worth it. Lots of action scenes and some unexpected surprises, one note though……cliffhanger! I can only hope the next book will arrive fast because I need to know how it will continue. Easily recommended for urban paranormal fans.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.