I'm really quite torn about what I should rate The Midnight Blade. On one hand, once I hit the 50% mark of the book I was obsessed with the story and couldn't put it down. It was fast paced and the mystery of what was going on and who would survive literally kept me up all night. It told a compelling story of what it means to love and to be human, told through the eyes of a girl struggling to find herself and remember her past lives. On the other hand, the first half was confusing and even in the second part I wasn't always sure what was happening. I had been so impressed that a plot twist had surprised me - until I realized I was surprised because I literally hadn't known that it was an option.

(We're going to start with the good stuff first, then I'll get to my more complicated feelings later.)

One of the things I loved the most was that the entire book was centered around family, both blood and found. The bonds between characters was one of the story's strengths, even when it's unknown if they're a threat to Narra. I really liked that she stayed focused on her task of rescuing her mother, without getting too distracted by her new friends and love interest though. In general Narra was just a really strong character, she genuinely tried to do what she thought was best, even if it wasn't what she wanted, but without making herself some sort of martyr. Throughout the book she challenges the way things are, and is determined in her goals, whatever they may be as the story changes.

Also, her discovering her past lives and connection to Teloh? *chef's kiss* This book is romantic as hell when it's not busy brutalizing it's characters (and sometimes it even does both!!). Teloh was perfectly angsty and I loved the complexity of the relationship between the two of them. Discovering Teloh's personality alongside Narra was one of my favorite parts of the story, and I'm so excited to see how that continues in book 2.
Now, on to the messy parts. Like how I almost DNFed the book 10% of the way in, because I had no clue what was happening. For clarification purposes, my knowledge of Filo culture is limited, so that was likely part of why things weren't as clear to me. But while I don't think that the book should have to italicize "foreign" words or include a little translation guide, I think things could have been written clearer at times to give readers a little context to work with. Honestly though, the issue was just the writing itself. 

Keeping in mind that I read an ARC, there were parts that were super repetitive, to the point where the same thing was stated over again only a paragraph or so apart. Things would skip around without any real explanation of things, such as how the magic system worked, how the government/whatever the Astar, Datus and Baylans fall under. I don't mind having to Google terms I'm unfamiliar with, but I don't have the option to do that for information about a fantasy world in a currently unpublished book. And I shouldn't have to. I know that authors try to avoid info dumping, but giving a chart of how the government system worked, or at least how everyone was connected would have been really helpful. I'm honestly hoping they have that in the finished version because trying to learn the names and roles of 7 Datus with almost no page time on top of everything else and a LOT of other side characters was impossible. Literally as I read through the last portion of the book I was still confused about who some of the names being mentioned were at first because there were that many. I also still don't understand how all of the families tie into the role of Astar other than a vague mention of nepotism. I literally could not explain how this world worked if you asked me, just vague ideas of it (also what was with the severe lack of explanation for the insane cultists???)

Essentially, if you're like me and are fine with reading a fantasy world you don't fully understand, then this book shouldn't bother you. But if you like things to be explained and aren't as happy to just be pulled along by the story and the characters, I'd skip it. Also, I've seen some comparisons between this and the Hunger Games, and to be quite honest I think it's a pretty poor description of it. All of the contestants are willing participants, and the challenges felt more similar to Squid Games, where it could be used as a test, rather than just watching kids murder one another. The nuance of the show is obviously not there because of major setting differences, but that's more what the challenges felt like to me. 

Overall, I think if Barbosa had focused more on trying to tell the story, rather than keep things  ~mysterious~ that the book would have potentially flowed better and seemed less abrupt in it's twists. However, despite it's flaws, I really loved this story. Narra's journey to find her true self and the relationships she created along the way told a beautiful story of what it means to be human. While the book has it's flaws, I'm really excited to see where the next one goes, and definitely plan on picking it up. I'm hoping that by the time it does, Barbosa's writing will have improved, so the story can really shine the way it deserves to.

First of all, the blurb and Filipino aspect of this book drew me in.. It sounded very entertaining, with trials in a competition to become the ruler. I am not OwnVoices for this book, but I'm pretty sure reading all the cultural details about food and phrases will be like a warm hug to those readers.

I like plots about competitions, but I really couldn't get into the story here. The writing style did not flow and I didn't connect with Narra. The story itself was a bit underdeveloped. Reading this was like being thrown into Narra's life, without context for why she was so adamant about risking her memory for her mother.

The Moonlight Blade by Tessa Barbosa is a dynamic original fantasy filled with mystery, love, and sacrifice.
What I loved
1. The world building was superb
2.Challenges were interesting and kept the stakes high throughout the story.
3.Fantasy Elements were well developed and enriched the overall experience
What Didn't work as well for me
1.Dialogue felt oddly structured during the first fourth of the book.
2. Action scenes while well placed often felt rushed within the scene.
Who I would recommend this book for
The Moonlight Blade will be a wonderful read for readers of action oriented fantasy who are fans of a little mystery with their stories.

Interesting idea and concept. But couldn't connect with the writing.

Narra Jal thought the only way to save her mother was to enter this dangerous competition. She didn't need to win the trials. She only needed to survive long enough to find her mother and get out alive. What she didn't expect was how grueling the trials were.

I wanted to love this book, but the writing didn't work for me. It was very choppy at times. I had to reread some pages because I felt like I was missing something. A lot was going on but there wasn't enough reasoning or explanation behind them. Not to mention, the characters felt one-dimensional.

In the end, I couldn't connect with the story or characters. I ended up skimming through most of the novel.

***I would like to thank NetGalley, Teressa Barbosa, and Entangled Publishing, LLC for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**

This was a fantastic story. It kept me interested and guessing the entire time! The world building was well done and these characters were completely lovable. The ending had me in tears with anticipation. i highly recommend this one!

I think what I loved most was how the expected and hoped-for pieces of this story perfectly lined up with fresh, new pieces I never could have imagined in order to create an engaging story from start to finish..

I cannot wait to see what stories Tessa Barbosa brings to life next. The Moonlight Blade is a new favorite.

What a fun read! While originally viewing this from more of a post-apocalyptical expectation a la Hunger Games, etc. This almost felt to me as a historical fiction with bringing in Ancestral components and involving cultural developments. Felt like I was learning amidst reading a captivating story.

I had a difficult time finishing this book. the book is well written. Just wasn’t something I would normally read.

Absolutely loved this book. The lore is interesting and the storyline addictive. I found myself unable to put it down and read until finished well into the early morning. I really enjoyed the MC and the inclusion of reincarnation was fun. Also a big fan of Teloh and I sincerely hope for a sequel!

The Moonlight Blade tells the story of Narra Jal, a girl who is considered cursed by those around her, as she embarks on a quest to save her mother. In order to do that, she must enter the Sundo, which is a grueling, bloodthirsty series of challenges designed to weed out the weak, the greedy, and the foolish in order to select the next ruler of Tigang. Along the way, she feels an intense connection with a Guardian that will confuse her and leave her seeking answers. Narra is not prepared and does not have the training needed to survive the Sundo. Will she make it out alive?

This book did a good job of world building in the beginning. The author introduced concepts in a vague way that kept you interested and then found an effortless way to explain those concepts. The author also did a good job of portraying the love Narra has for her sister. I really felt their connection through the author's descriptions.

In this story, there are multiple mysteries happening at once, which keeps the reader invested because just when you think you are about to figure out one mystery, clues to solving another mystery pop up and lead you in a different direction.

This story also explores many kinds of relationships from relationships with Narra's mother/parents, friends, siblings, grandparents to her relationship with her ancestors and lovers. The love story in this book is surrounded by so much tension, mystery and buildup.

There is also a lot of action in this story. At times, the description of action scenes felt a bit rushed. There were many times where the author quickly jumped from one scene to the next without much transition which led to some confusion. If the book had been a bit longer, I think this issue could have been solved.

While a lot of the concepts described in regards to the magic and answer to the mysteries are initially vague, the author does a good job of wrapping everything up in the last few chapters and the revelation of what it all means took me by surprise!

Overall, this is a fun read that involves magic, love and sacrifice and I would be interested in reading more about Narra and the world she lives in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF. I really tried to read this but I could not get into it. I was very confused and wished I could give it more of a try but just couldn’t. I hope to try reading it again in the future, but as of right now, it isn’t for me.

thank you to netgalley and entangled publishing for a review copy of the moonlight blade
I thought this book had a great world and magic system, I had never read a book like it!! The characters were amazing and writing was beautiful and the plot was great, I do think it got a bit repetitive in the middle but I would definitely read more books in this world.

*I am going to post my review on instagram closer to the release, I will then add the link to this review

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Teen for sending me a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

When I read the description, I really thought this book would be right down my alley. The concept sounded very interesting. Unfortunately I had to DNF this book at 18%. This book just wasn't for me. I was very confused about what was going on and constantly reading back to see if I missed something. Like some of the other reviewers said, it seemed like the author was jumping around from what was going on and the characters (or the reader) couldn't really catch a breath. A lot of things aren't really explained. Because all of this, I couldn't really connect with the story or the characters.

I'm very sorry that I couldn't finish this book. I rarely DNF anything, but in this case, there were so many things going on and not making sense that I just couldn't keep up with the story.

A Filipino fantasy that can only be described as unequally its own, from the lore to the characters there is nothing quite like it. From the start the reader is thrusted into a new fantasy world with mysterious figures and a compelling mission: join the fray of a deadly trial for the throne in hopes of freeing someone the main character loves dearly. The author does a great job of making the reader care about Narra Jal, however this makes her the only character with depth within the entire novel. There is a lack of detail when it comes to other characters, making key characters within the novel feel lackluster and pointless. I am left with this desire to know more about the characters and more about the world. In my opinion, the book is too short and if there was a bit more time taken at pivotal points in the book I think it would make a world of difference. I truly am excited to see what Tessa Barbosa does with their career, since this book and its concept are beautiful and truly unique.

Pub Date: 03/21/23
CW: —

Like all my other reviews: thank you Entangled and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read an advance copy of this book. My review is my own thoughts and opinions.

Unfortunately, right off the bat, I was a bit confused as to what exactly was going on. I was four percent in and had no idea what was happening. It seemed like the author was kinda jumping around from what was going on. There were a lot of words that weren’t really explained upon either; now that could’ve been due to the author’s Filipino heritage, or it could’ve been fantasy words, but either way I was a tad confused by all the new words being introduced.

The author also didn’t really give us or the characters time to catch their breath, which is something I saw in another review and 100% agree with.

In the beginning chapters, the MC, her sister, and the sister’s lover (I guess, it’s never explicitly said they’re dating, just that they fond of each other) are hanging out in town when the lover decides he’s leaving to join the Baylan (never explained what this is either). The sister and MC react to the initial news and then the next scene shows them going to a party.

Sooooo what I’m getting out of this is that Mr lover wasn’t all that important to begin with. And if he WAS, then we’re definitely not seeing it. So this either needs to be expanded upon or taken out completely imo.

I’m also finding it hard to connect with the characters. Narra’s whole identity seems to be centered around her “curse” and this past lives thing that the author has going is hard to understand when it’s not really being expanded upon. Like Teloh asks Narra “you really don’t remember me?” and Narra immediately thinks that he can’t be asking about a past life, his anger is too raw. Okay, but this is the first time past lives have even come up and where did it come from?? I’m sorry, I’m just confused. Maybe I’m thinking too much into it…

And all this was in like the first 15% of the book.

When I got to the part where Narra is talking about the Sundo, a sentence caught my attention. Narra explains, “those that survive are never come out the same […] their memories are erased and they’re taken to a place outside the city…”

Then literally like three sentences later she says that they’re magically bound to never speak of the Sundo. Soooo is this in general or is it of their experience in the Sundo, cause if it’s the latter, then that doesn’t make sense because their memories were erased??

I’m sorry but I just couldn’t finish this book… I stopped around the 15% mark; there was just too much that wasn’t making sense and I was having trouble following along. My reviews are RARELY this long and I’m not trying to be too harsh, but this is the point of ARCs and reviews.

This book started off very exciting and drew me in quickly. I absolutely loved the world building and the characters. It made the story so immersive and fun to read. Very enjoyable.

A viciously thralling bloodbath! Barbosa had me on the edge of my seat and kept me there! The book is incredible and even though the MC doesn't have magic what is described of it is amazing.

I’ll start by saying I truly did want to like this book, the concept was incredibly interesting and I am grateful I had the opportunity to give it a chance. I would say my biggest positive was the environment this was set in. I did enjoy the kind of spin on a hunger games with an element of mysticism as well as some of the beautiful spots in the fortress for the competition. I also enjoyed the creation folklore we got snippets of that were new to me personally.

That being said, I feel like I got halfway through the book and still had made no emotional connection with any of the characters and was still struggling to understand a lot of the world that was kind of thrown at you with zero explanation. The “mystery” surrounding almost every person even mentioned was so heavy it was hard to really care what was happening to them because you had no idea who they were or why you should feel anything. There was a lot of unnecessary bullying amongst more characters that had little to nothing to do with the plot and the romance element was confusing at best. This one just wasn’t for me.

I am obsessed with this!! I loved this so much. This is a have to read!! You won't regret it.
I just reviewed The Moonlight Blade by Tessa Barbosa. #TheMoonlightBlade #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Thank you to entangled Publishing LLC for the opportunity read, rate and review this arc which is available March 21,2023.

This book was poignant and strong. The mood of the book was twisting and lush. The writing was superb. The characters were engaging and so human. It’s a girl power book without being obnoxious and in your face. Highly recommend this book to anyone who love ya adventure and fantasy. Narra will stick with you for quite awhile.