They say if you see the Stranded, it ’s already too late…
Tasked with transporting a monster-hunting “ghost” to the Vulgar Division artillery unit, far from the fighting, Wild Wish is ready to take a break for the winter. Their destination, Lake Harmonial, is a place of peace and tranquillity. An idyllic, safe retreat.
Until now.
This ghost is no ordinary soldier, and Command want Wild Wish with him for a reason. When the ice comes to Harmonial, it will bring a threat that could unbalance the entire war.
One that only the Blood Scouts can stop.
These peaceful woods contain forces darker than any Wish has seen before. Win or lose, this mission is going to leave deep and terrible scars.
Return to the world of the Rocc for another thrilling, chilling chapter in the One War, as the Blood Scouts come to face the true cost of survival.
A Winter’s Mercy (The Blood Scout Trilogy #3) by Phil Williams
This is the third book in the Blood Scout series, and while it features the characters we already know and love, it also brings in new ones who blend in seamlessly with the established cast. The mix of familiar and fresh faces keeps the story lively, and even the newcomers feel immediately real. Some become friends, some clear enemies, and others are still impossible to define, which makes following them all the more engaging.
I really enjoyed seeing Wild Wish continue to grow here. She finds herself caught between being a leader and having to share command with other military figures. It is not an easy balance, and the story captures both the satisfaction and the frustration that come with it. That tension adds even more depth to her character, and I loved seeing her handle it in her own no-nonsense, slightly sarcastic way.
The pacing feels a bit more measured this time, but it suits the tone of the book. There is still plenty of action and grit, but it is blended with more reflection and emotional weight. Wish has come a long way since the start of the series, and this book really shows how much she has grown, not just as a fighter but as someone learning what leadership actually costs.
Wish never asked to be followed, but she draws people in naturally. That loyalty brings strength, but also responsibility and pain when she loses those who trusted her. She did not seek out her position, but she has grown into it, and now she is no longer willing to accept orders she does not believe in. I love how she sets her own rules and, at times, simply refuses to care what others think. She is such a complex, fiercely human character.
The last third brings some great twists and a new layer of worldbuilding that left me very curious about what comes next.
The absolute strength of this book is how honest it feels about the grit and horror of war. It does not glorify anything, but shows the ugly sides with clarity and care, while still leaving space for the camaraderie and bonds that form between soldiers. Those connections can be stronger than steel, built on trust, shared danger, and the knowledge that your life depends on the person beside you. It also starts to blur the line between sides, showing that even the so-called enemy is made up of people, not so different from yourself. I have talked a lot with my grandparents about their war experiences, and while this is obviously fiction, it struck me how close this book comes to that sense of truth.
A Winter’s Mercy continues what I have come to expect from this series: a dark, muddy, and deeply human military fantasy that manages to be both brutal and heartwarming. It is a story about survival, loyalty, and the people who keep fighting when everything around them is falling apart.
If you have read the first two books, this one is a must. It is a strong continuation of everything that makes the Blood Scouts special and a satisfying next step for Wish and her squad.
