There are books you read once, say, ‘That was a neat experience,’ and put down. Then, there are books you read once, say ‘if I go over this again, maybe I can spy an Easter egg or something else just as cool.’ So you read it a second time.

Always Gray in Winter was definitely in the latter.

Mark J. Engels has created an action-packed adventure about a family suffering from an affliction that turns them into werecats. There are conspiracies, government operatives, lost loves and second chances, and history that you just know is richer than told and begging to be explored more in-depth. Despite the fantastical elements, the characters all fell real. It’s the villains, however, who steal the show. The relationship and their dynamics win them as favorites, and I was honestly relieved to see that some characters survived to the end.

As far as style of writing, Mark is thorough, which can sometimes slow the pacing a little bit, but that’s because there is often a LOT going on and he wants to make sure you don’t miss much. I heard some comments about his time hopping in the narrative, but I had no trouble following when I was in the third paragraph.

My favorite thing in the entire story is trivial, but it’s a detail I loved and laughed at and imagined the afflicted characters’ frustrations. Whenever one of the werecats returns to normal state, they don’t magically suck in their grown pelts, but instead, have to deal with all the unwanted fur. Every time I encountered such a scene, I smiled. It just added such a sense of reality to me that I actually looked forward to characters returning to their human form.

Would I read it again after reading it twice already? Well, there’s a copy on my phone, so, more than likely, and I plan to enjoy it even further, knowing that there are sequels yet to come.