The Wolves of Midwinter: The Wolf Gift Chronicles

Rice, in her signature elegantly descriptive style, does not disappoint in this follow-up to 2012's The Wolf Gift, slowly doling out details about recurring characters like an hourglass, one grain at a time. Since being attacked by and subsequently turned into a werewolf, Reuben has found a home in a mansion on the Northern California coast with a cultured group of other Morphenkinder. As he prepares to celebrate his first Midwinter, a lavish Christmas party is planned for the whole town. Humans, unaware of their fellow guests' lupine secret, enjoy the grandiose party until the festivities end in a violent fight with a group of rival wolves. Meanwhile, Reuben struggles with building his new werewolf life while keeping his family close. He is sensitive and prefers to use his wolf gift to protect and defend others, even at the risk of exposing his secret.