YA in the medieval times and is about a girl who is an orphan who gets caught between a serial killer and a genius and the adventure goes from here and forward. I was skeptical at first because I am not usually a fan of YA thriller ish but this one wasn't too cheesy and had more fantasy aspect to it which was such a good mix!

Erin Beaty's Blood and Moonlight is a young adult themed medieval fantasy thriller about an orphan girl named Catrin with secret powers of perception who gets caught between a mysterious genius and a serial killer. Abandoned as a baby by parents she's never known, raised by the Abbey of the Sisters of Light, Catrin has found her calling when she turned 12. Rising above the city of Collis is the Holy Sanctum. And watching over its spires is a girl with unique skills—for she alone can spot the building’s flaws in construction before they turn deadly.

Catrin is tasked with inspecting the scaffolding following a deadly accident and prefers to do her job at night with the aid of the moon when there are less people around. After she checks the Sanctum for the last time before she turns in, she hears something mysterious. First, a voice tells her she should go home. Second, it appears as though something stops her from falling to her death. But when Catrin witnesses a murderer escaping the scene of his crime, and finds the body of a familiar she recently saw at the Sanctum, she’s pulled into the web of a dangerous man who will definitely strike again.

Assigned to capture the culprit is the mysterious, brilliant, and enigmatic Simon, whose insights into the mind of a killer are frighteningly accurate. Since she found the body, Cat is asked to be interviewed and later joins the investigation with the venatre (Simon) and his cousins, Juliane and Lambert. As the grisly crimes continue and her mentor Magister Thomas is arrested for murder, Catrin finds herself caught between a serial killer and detective while hiding her own secret—a supernatural sight granted by the moon, destined to make her an outcast like all Selenae, and the only thing that might save her and those she loves from becoming the next victims, is to put herself in the line of fire.

When it becomes a game of cat and mouse, Cat must find out who she can trust and who is hiding beneath the city’s shadows. In this story, almost everyone could be a serial killer. The was actually pretty dark and disturbing when it came to the murders and the horror of what happens to the victims. She starts working with Simon to help solve these murders but has to hide her magic out of fear. The two of them start to form a bond but at the same time no one can be trusted. As things start to unravel and they get closer to the murderer she's forced to reveal her secrets.

The world is strongly rooted in the religions surrounding the Sun (the Sisters of Light and other followers of the omniscient power that created the sun) and the Moon (the Selenae who possess a magic that causes those who follow the sun to shun and fear them as heretics). The story is also a self-discovery for Cat after she learns about the people who were her father, and the family that she's never knew. I do honestly believe there is room for a sequel since Cat's journey isn't finished. Not after all that happens at the end of the story.

Solid fantasy involving a murder mystery! Erin writes interesting characters, with excellent prose and very engaging pacing. I really enjoyed this one!

[Full review linked]

I'd like to thank the publisher Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) and Netgalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

First, let’s talk about the cover. HELLO??? Immediately yes. Next, something I’ve absolutely adored about this book so far are its descriptive writing and depictions of gore. The magic is fascinating and the moments where Catrin explores what she's capable of are definitely fun to read.

Unfortunately, something about it made me struggle to keep my connection the further I got. There is a lot happening in this world, from the different beliefs to the madness to the relationships between the characters and the more we got into the narrative, the more information was given to us in HUGE chunks. Enough that I started skimming, and then losing my focus.

Thank you to Fierce Reads for my copy. I hope I like the next one more!

Firstly, thank you to Fierce Reads for the E-ARC and my apologizes for finishing it a few days late. Secondly, this book does feature and make mentions of characters with schizophrenia. I have no personal experience with it so I can’t determine how accurate or “positive” that representation is. The author’s note at the end does provide details into that so I might recommend you read that first.

A YA medieval fantasy thriller pitched as the YA version of “Gone Girl”

I haven’t seen nor read “Gone Girl” so I can’t say how spot on it is. However, I will say I got mad “Stalking Jack the Ripper” vibes (Simon, unfortunately isn’t anything like Thomas Cresswell, except being a genius about murderers, but who is?)

Every time the Selenae were mentioned, I kept picturing the moon shadow elves from The Dragon Prince, minus the horns. Just me? Probably.

One thing I do want to mention is the “wait” between the first and second murders did kind of lose my interest for a minute because they were just focusing on the details of the first murder and not much else was happening. But, the second murder picks it up. Also, the thing with Simon’s eye was never explained even though it was the focus of a lot of Catrin’s thoughts.

Then there was sort of a “who hurt you?” scene but I don’t think Simon’s the stabby type. But he is the caring type and we love to see it.

Oh, and the romance. Slow. Burn. What kind of slow burn? The “Just. Kiss. Already.” Kind.

I don’t want to say to much about the murders to avoid spoilage, but I might warn you not to trust you’re first extinct. I didn’t know who the killer was until the very end (either through the author’s strategery or through my own ignorance and the fact that I usually don’t know who the killer is until the end)

Overall, this was a book to keep you on your toes and mess up with sleep schedule because you simply can’t put it down and demand to know what happens next. None of the characters are all who they seem and made it impossible for me to know who the killer was. Also, I kind of liked the ending, it wasn’t your typical HEA. I won’t go into details, it’s not really a spoiler, but as I said, it doesn’t end like how you might expect.

** 3.5 stars 🌟 **

Here is a story that while at the beginning, you find the world-building and character intriguing. The plot is interesting enough in combination with its blend of magic and the feeling of earlier 1800's England, you want to know more; throw in a Jack the Ripper style mystery and the ball gets rolling on this whodunit.

The problem comes, for me, when about 65% through you realize all this build-up was mostly driven by anything other than the main character. Cat wasn't compelling enough in this story to drive me to read it straight through. I found myself skipping some of the speaking parts, her interactions between herself and Simon. They felt contrived and forced. While Cat had an interesting job, that was the only thing she had going for her. I could have read the rest of the book with a faceless FMC just so I could find out who the killer was and have been done with it.

Speaking of killers, that was a let down too. The reasoning behind the murder not worth the suspense. Talk about a delayed balloon. Overall, the cover for me reading, the world-building got me more than halfway, but it wasn't enough to get me be impressed with the book.

** Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to review this advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion **

This book is a perfect combination of fantasy elements, murder mystery blocks , and top with historical romance sprinkles. I enjoyed reading this book so much that I had a hard time putting it down (i.e. hello 3am, why am I not asleep?) Here are 15 reactions I had while reading the book:

- The book cover is the first thing that drew me in. It was both beautiful and haunting.
- I wanted to read more about the character that consumed the whole layout.
- I empathize with Catrin right away. An orphan, seemingly different than those around her.
- She is skilled, but as a woman she was seen as lower. Not to mention her skills are pretty badass & intriguing.
- When the murders start happening, my first thought was that this book had a Jack the Ripper feel to it.
- I love that Cat doesn’t really care about her reputation and is willing to put herself in danger to protect those she cares for, especially sneaking out at night and going to the seedier parts of town.
- The fictional history/religious views of praying to either the sun or moon between the two people in Collis was interesting.
- The author did a great job of creating a mix of religion & magic that seamlessly worked together and didn’t feel forced.
- The fantasy elements braided into the Sherlock Holmes feel of historical mystery was so beautiful.
- The romance within the book didn’t detract from the overall story but added more substance to the plotlines.
- It seemed like a natural progression & a realistic portrayal of human behaviors (ie trust, betrayal, heartbreak, sacrifice)
- Even though people around Cat have been hiding secrets. I love that she has more people who care for her, want to protect her, and just believe in her more than she realizes.
- Cat finding out where she came from & people who are like her made me smile but I was also impressed that it didn’t change her sassy, independent attitude one bit.
- The conclusion (without spoilers) didn’t come out of left field as the main characters threw their suspicions back and forth to each other in the last part of the book.
- I felt it was wrapped up nicely & I didn’t feel short-changed. It gave me a sense of both being bittersweet and hopeful.

A well-written book that immerses you in its world with marked success. I struggled a little with sharing the main character's love of climbing and her lack of safety precautions, but the general appreciation for architecture was noted with fondness. Catrin is a fun YA protagonist who, while not breaking any molds of originality, made me remember the best of Katniss Everdeen without the dystopian protagonists' dour characteristics mixed in.

A solid 4 stars….
This book was entertaining, mysterious and intriguing! Good world building, character development and pacing. This was a pretty tame mystery/thriller and the romance, while there, was pretty tame as well. Overall and enjoyable read!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up

CW/TW: graphic descriptions of brutal murders and deaths (blood, gore), mental illness (schizophrenia), sexual assault (implied), incest (implied)

Wow, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did but I loved the combination of fantasy and murder mystery. I enjoyed the world-building and found the magick system fascinating, I thought the characters were complex and well-fleshed out, and the mystery of the serial killer had me on my toes and constantly bouncing theories back and forth on who could possibly have done it. Although there were moments when the pacing slowed down towards the end of the middle of the story, I found myself completely hooked and I ended up finishing this in pretty much one long sitting. Also, let's share some cover appreciation for the beauty that is this cover—it's absolutely stunning in every way! I love the building details in the background because it's such a vital part of the story, and the details of the main character in the front, with the moon vines and flowers woven through the hair and the bit of blood running down the hand. Just stunning!

This is my first book by Beaty although I've had her trilogy on my TBR for a while now. The story was well-written and pretty well-paced which made it so easy for me to continuously read without wanting to take a break from the book at any point. I was definitely expecting stronger fantasy elements but although this is set in what's essentially a made-up world, it felt more like a historical thriller with few fantastical elements including magic. I really didn't mind it though because I do enjoy historical fiction and parts of the story actually reminded me of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" because of how big a role the construction of the sanctum played in the story—which is a book I enjoyed so I really liked the inclusion of it! Even though we only learned more about the Selenae and moon magick in the latter half of the book, I loved learning about the origins of the community and the magick that ran through their veins, and I wished that it and they had played a bigger role in the story. I honestly wouldn't be mad if Beaty decides to write spin-off stories set in this world and about the moon magick because I would definitely be eager to read it! The murder-mystery/psychological thriller aspect had me on my toes the whole way through. Honestly, it seemed pretty obvious who the killer was at the start but as we learn more about the core group of characters, the many red-herrings Beaty sprinkled throughout the story had me constantly bouncing back and forth between theories. I'm pretty sure that at one point I suspected everyone except our two MCs and I couldn't make up my mind about whodunit until the very end. At least I know I got the motive right!

The story is told through Catrin's POV but there was a core group of characters who I really enjoyed reading about. I thought all the characters were complex and well-fleshed out and although one or two were a little less multi-dimensional in comparison to say Catrin and Simon, all of them had interesting facets to their personalities that made them stand out. I wanted to learn more about them and I loved when more layers were peeled back. Catrin was such an easy character to root for. She's a little bit stubborn but her tenacity to uncover the truth and her ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations were admirable. Simon as the lead in solving the mystery started as a bit of a mystery but as we learned more about his past and where he came from, my heart hurt for how much trauma he carried with him. Then there's Juliane, the Magister, Remi, and Oudin—all of whom play compelling roles in the mystery and some who I liked more than others for a large part of the story but I never once didn't want to learn more about them. There is also a bit of a romance that develops but it doesn't at all overshadow the mystery and magick.

What I really appreciated and didn't expect was the mental illness representation, specifically of schizophrenia through Juliane and her family history. Reading Beaty's author note mentioning about how important this representation is and about how one of the places a character in the book is from is based on a real-life location was really interesting and made the rep in the book even more meaningful. I think the author did a great job of addressing these issues in a sensitive WAY and shed light on the impact the stigma of mental illness can have on those who experience it, and how much of a difference it makes when they receive proper care.

Overall, this was very different to what I initially expected when I picked it up but I'm glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised by it. Once the story picks up around the 25% mark the pace really flies and the next thing you know, the story is over. I can't wait to read more by this author in the future!

This book gave me some Stalking Jack the Ripper meets The Beautiful vibes in its setting and I loved it. For me the setting and the murder mystery was the most interesting part of the book. I thought the magic was unique and different but confusing to understand at times.

Catrin's abilities were more than those with her magic have ever possessed before and it isn't until she gets caught up in a murder that she realizes how to use them. She starts working with Simon to help solve these murders but has to hide her magic out of fear. The two of them start to form a bond but at the same time no one can be trusted. As things start to unravel and they get closer to the murderer she's forced to reveal her secrets.

The ending was such a rollercoaster and I honestly couldn't figure out who the killer was up until the very last second. I think the author did a good job of keeping things intense and unpredictable. I didn't feel the romance lent much to the story but overall I enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a YA Fantasy Thriller with a historical setting.

*Thank you @netgalley and publisher (Macmillan Childrens Publishing Group) for providing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

They say you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but I was drawn to this book from the cover alone! This historical/fantasy/thriller/murder mystery follows Catrin on her magical adventure to uncover a gruesome murderer who is targeting those closest to her. Throughout the story Cat uncovers family secrets and navigates her growing list of suitors.

I really enjoyed the fantasy aspect of this story, however, I felt like there was a lack of set up for this unique world - I had to double check that this wasn't a part of a series. I also really enjoyed the author's clever discussion of mental health and stigmas through various characters. This book was quite long and started to drag a bit but the ending did a good job of trying up loose ends. Overall, I enjoyed this book due to its unique nature but I would have preferred more exploration of the fantasy aspect. (⭐⭐💫/5)

This was a cover read for me all the way. I was interested in the synopsis but LOOK AT THE COVER.

Anyway. I wanted to love this. And I did enjoy a lot of it! The author wrote something very fast-paced and the short chapters kept me moving through it even when I wanted to put it down.

Medieval fantasy murder mystery.

That's a lot going on and I think it was almost too much. The author ties it all together pretty well but I think the fantastical element needed to be pulled in a bit more. The MC is just amazingly good with her powers without any training or knowledge whatsoever of courseeee. Also, everyone is in love with her. Of course...

I think this book was written and sequenced well but it just didn't keep me hooked. Like the layout was perfectly like any episode of a crime show I've seen. It started and ended where I thought it would. I think I needed more focus on the murders and serial killer. I also wanted something more atmospheric with either more of the fantasy or mystery elements to pull me in. Unfortunately, I checked out a bit when I didn't get those things. I was so interested in the moon magic and I love a grisly murder mystery and it weirdly felt like those things took a backseat.

What bugged me most about this book was the amount of "twists" and that Catrin thought she always knew the answer???? She was like "how does Simon know all this stuff? He's so smart." And then we find out he has tons of experience with mental illness and murderers who experience mental illness but Cat still think she always knows who the killer is. And Simons believes her. Because he likes her..... Like the last few chapters were too much especially because it's obvious who the killer is way back in the book if you watch too much Criminal Minds like me lmao.

Also, the insta-love is so forced and out of nowhere I just didn't even understand. The characters just MET and another character was like "you liiiikkkeee him, huh?" and I was like where???

This did give me similar vibes to Stalking Jack the Ripper which I adored so if you're looking for something with a similar set up, I would recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

This book has a special place in my heart. It's so lush and well-written. The cover is stunning. The characters are complicated and well-written. There's a killer on the loose, and the story goes through the clues and keeps the reader guessing. This book was incredible!

Blood and Moonlight ended up being something completely different than what I expected and I have to say, I'm not hating it. From the blurb I expected a fantasy/paranormal murder mystery with a large focus on the paranormal. What I got was a psychological murder mystery with a dash of paranormal as a side plot. Around every corner I kept expecting a big bad, some monster, something not human. In the end it's not the monsters outside but those within that are the true villain.
The book deals heavily with the topic of mental health and schizophrenia. I feel the topic was handled really well and compassionately. It really showed how those suffering from such ailments are affected greatly by the care and treatment from others. Both sides of the spectrum are illustrated. Juliane is a great example showing how when given proper care, compassion, and understanding someone suffering from mental illness can blossom and live a fulfilling life. Where as the killer shows how mental illness can develop into an all consuming monster that can corrupt and twist an individual into something terrifying when it's ignored and kept in the dark to keep up appearances.
The mystery who done it plot was really well done with constant plot twists and misdirections. Multiple times throughout the book I was certain I knew who was the killer, only to have a new piece of information make me question who it was and completely change my suspicions. Even still with all the twists and turns, when the killer is finally discovered it makes perfect sense. Sometimes mysteries can feel forced or like the final reveal doesn't quite fit due to the author trying to hard to confuse the reader along the way, but in this case it's done beautifully.
The romance is a sweet side story to the main mystery. There is a mild love triangle between Remi and Simon both competing for Catrin's affection. The romance is really a minor part of the book, so readers that don't necessarily want it at the forefront of a book will appreciate it.
Alot of times when a mystery is a big plot point in a book it can be fustrating when characters make terrible decisions and just can't see what's right upfront them. Blood and Moonlight doesn't suffer from this blind protagonist syndrome. Catrin's choices and actions are almost always completely logical based on the information at her disposal.
Along with an exploration of mental illness there are a few more content warnings to be aware of, especially for some younger readers. It's a murder mystery so death is an obvious one, in particular gruesome mutilation and abuses of a body. Incest and sexual assault do come up as well as prostitution and substance abuse.
The fantasy aspect of the story was apparent but understated in my opinion. Blood and Moonlight is a standalone novel but I would absolutely love to see a spin off in the same world that delved deeper into the Selenae and their magic. There is so much possibility with the world there to fuel another book or even series focused on them. Their history, the fading of the bloodline and weakening of the magic in it is the perfect set up for more books set in the universe.
I'm not one to usually buy physical cookies of books when I already have the ebook but Blood and Moonlight might be an exception to the rule with the beautiful cover art and story I would absolutely love my girls to read when they get older.

When Cat sees a murderer fleeing the crime scene, she gets swept up in an investigation. More murders occur and Cat starts to fall for Simon, the mysterious investigator who seems to know just how the killer works. This only complicates things. What's more is that Cat is hiding a secret as she posses a power granted by the moon. While this has always made her feel like an outsider, it may just be the one thing that can save her.

What a gorgeous cover right? I wanted to like this book. I really did. The problem was, I was so incredibly bored. This book is long for YA, over 400 pages, and if a book loses my interest in the first 100 pages, then I'm out. I felt so detached from the first murder, so I definitely didn't care about the first victim. I didn't really like Cat either. She came across as whiny and so juvenile (even for YA). The romance between Cat and Simon didn't hold my interest at all because Cat kept acting like a kid with a crush.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. However, this book just wasn't for me.

Blood and Moonlight has all the elements I wanted it to have: danger, romance, magic, betrayal, mystery, and adventure. Cat is a spunky heroine dramatically thrust into the center of a macabre murder investigation while learning to navigate her own magical changes. I appreciated how Erin Beaty depicted the struggles that accompany mental illness without limiting her characters or defining them by their illness, despite the people around them attempting to do so.

Language: Moderate
Violence: High (multiple murders, explicit understanding of victim experience)
Sex: Moderate (no explicit sexual encounters, prostitution, sexual violence)
Drugs: Moderate (addiction, recreational and medical drug use)

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

For Catrin, she has found herself a position working with the master architect, finding flaws in the construction of the Sanctum that no one else can she. Once an orphan with no family other than the sisters in the convent, she has people who she would do anything for, and when the master architect is drawn under suspicion for a series of murders which she alone can hear and see, Catrin involves herself in the investigation, with the handsome Simon at the helm. But as they work together, they start to question everything they've always known, and soon find themselves in a danger no one could ever have imagined.

When I heard that Erin had a new book coming out, I immediately added it to my TBR. I adore her Traitor's Circle series, and have been desperate for more, so Blood & Moonlight was a definitely must read for me! I was drawn to Catrin as soon as I started this book. She's strong, but also quite vulnerable, and she's always wanted a family - or at least to know more about her parents and why she was abandoned at the Abbey. When she falls from the Sanctum, and hears the first murder, it awakens something inside of her which she embraces, but also fears, as she's worried it will drive others away. I loved the way she explored her new found powers, and how she embraces the differences of others around her with relative ease. Meeting Simon, and Juliane was really great for her, and I loved their banter, as well as the romantic aspect.

The true identity of the murderer kept me guessing until the end. I had suspicions of about 5 different characters at one point - including the actual murderer - but the way in which the plot line progressed was definitely one to keep you hooked until the very end. The world building seemed familiar to me, and when I realised it was loosely based on medieval Europe, with real life places and saints interwoven with the fictional, I was in awe of Erin's research. I've been waiting over 3 years for this book, and Erin has not disappointed. If you loved her debut series, this is definitely one for you, and I for one, can't wait for her next story!

This is an interesting book. You have a lot of genres wrapped up in one concept, such as mystery, murder, and magical. I feel like sometimes so of those themes got lost in the book as it goes along. The biggest one being the magical aspect. While it helps Cat get literally into the eyes of the killer, it is just absent so long before it becomes a topic again it just seems to semi fade in importance. Also, Simon is an odd character. I don’t know that I truly loved or hated him. He just kind of read flat for me. Cat and him together just seemed like an odd couple. Like I know as a reader they make sense to go together, but them being together and their draw to each other just doesn’t seem maybe as strong as other character couples I have enjoyed reading. Overall, this is still a decent book. I think that teens will enjoy the mystery and magic and will be talking this book up with teens who like either genre.
Thank you to Macmillian Children’s Publishing Groups and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Blood and Moonlight is a fascinating serial killer mystery with a touch of fantasy. The world-building is impeccable, and I really enjoyed the mystery. The murders are dark and it balances well with the lightness of the romance and fantasy world. The romance wasn't super overdone, but I enjoyed it greatly.