This book was just not for me. I loved the premise but found the story too confusing. Elodia is a great character, and I really wish that the story would have worked better for me.

Elodia is a high school girl who has suffered a terrible trauma that we are not privy to at the start of this story. We know that she used to have friends though her father didn't want her to and now she seems to have nobody. She doesn't speak; her life is school, home, memories, and bad dreams. Until one day a new teacher takes an interest in her.

Gabriel is a troubled boy who enjoys killing birds for some unknown reason and is desperate to find his birth parents and belong to a real family. These two storylines seem to have nothing to do with each other at first glance but hints are dropped like tiny breadcrumbs until suddenly they converge.

I didn't always understand why Elodia's father treated her the way he did. He was a strange combination of over protective yet emotionally and verbally abusive. When the two storylines came together, parts of it made more sense but others raised even more questions. I can't tell you why, without a spoiler but I am honestly not clear on whether the ending was meant to be a happy one. The supernatural or magical powers given to some characters seemed almost to be an afterthought. There was no rhyme or reason or explanation for them. It seemed like they were just included as a way to force the ending.

Unfortunately didn’t work out for me. I felt there was a lot missing and the incest plot wasn’t necessary. Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Thank you to Cemetery Dance and NetGalley for providing a review copy.
While this book is beautifully written and engaging, I found myself vaguely confused almost the entire time I was reading it. I wish the story had been fleshed out a bit more, especially the ending. I understood the ending, but there were a lot of things that were never explained or expanded on in this short novel. I am interested in more by the author based on the quality of the writing alone. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

I had to really think on this before writing a review. There was so much promise in the story, but I feel it wasn’t given justice in the telling - very confusing and unsound. The tone had perfect tension & darkness though, and the pacing was good. I just feel it could’ve been so much better if the parallel storylines had some cohesion from the start. Loved the cover art

Ooo so I had high hopes for this book and OMG the cover is gorgeous but I don’t know the book fell flat for me.

Some of the plotline was not needed but I understand it’s the authors vision. It was an interesting read but didn’t keep my attention 100% unfortunately

This book wasn’t for me.

No matter how much I tried I couldn’t bring myself to be invested in Elodia and Gabriel’s storylines. Perhaps because what we see of them in the first few chapters wasn’t compelling enough for me.

The moment you begin reading the book, you get the sense that it’s not going to be a cheery tale.

The writing has a dark and desolate tone just like the events that transpire in the main characters’ lives, plunging them into an abyss of loneliness.

I liked the fact that the author incorporates themes of toxic home environment and trauma well through these storylines. But it would have had a better impact if Elodia and Gabriel’s characters had more depth to them.

With two stories running parallel to each other, you begin to wonder what the connection is. I couldn’t digest that revelation – it’s disturbing and honestly, highly unnecessary.

I also wasn’t convinced by the ending. But maybe some other readers thought it made sense?

On the whole, I was intrigued by the premise of Bad Moon Rising but the execution of the story missed the mark, in my opinion.

I really enjoyed this book. I got to a point where I couldn't put it down. I was left in the dark most of the book and it drew me in so fast. I needed to know the answers to my questions I hadn't even asked and I wanted to know how it would end.
I loved the subtle and creeping horror elements.
The ending was a big build up with a very sad and shocking end. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it will most definitely stay with me for a long time to come.

ARC in exchange for review.
This book is so underrated, the writing style and world building were impeccable and deserving of four stars alone. It was full of emotion and atmosphere, Elodia was a great fleshed out character who was relatable and flawed. This author is extremely talented I’m beyond impressed with this debut and I hope to read more from her. The ‘twist’ was completely unexpected and I actually was going to mark the book negatively on the inclusion of the second characters storyline as I didn’t see why it was relevant, but it was a great. After about page 85 I started to lose interest unfortunately it got quite confusing and very wordy seeming to try and fit in tons of information at once and wrap the story up.
With slight edits this book would be truly fantastic. 3.5 Stars

I was about to dnf this book , it was so confusing , I couldn't really understand what was happening in it
The book revolves around Gabriel who kills birds and Elodia who is mute and lives with her abusive father
The stories of two people(Gabriel and Elodia)
is being told alongside each other and there was no connection.
Although i did like Mr. Wolk, he was the only character that i liked, but he also turned out to be creepy(iykyk)
The writing style could've been much better

Despite me being more of a character driven stories lover, the writing itself along with the world building in this book are admittedly so amazing they alone deserve 4 stars.

There is not much one can say about such a short book in fear of spoiling it,however this was THE PERFECT atmospheric read. So melancholically written, spooky and overall perfect. I'd definitely save this for Halloween if I were you :)

One star less for it being so short but overall really enjoyable.

Thank you to Netgalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was quite a short read and admittedly a bit confusing. Maybe some editing and revisions will make it more cohesive and clear. I was more excited after reading the summary but after reading I'm not really as sure about it.

You Know that meme of Daniel Craig in Knives Out, “It makes no damn sense. Compels me, though”. That meme is this book summed up for me.

We have Gabriel, a murderer of birds and generally a bit odd, and Elodia, mute and living with an abusive father. The two stories are being told alongside each other with no foreseeable connection.

While Elodia was the main narrative, it was Gabriel’s that drew me in more, not that either made any sense to me, but Gabriel had me hooked and confused instead of just confused. Some somethings can’t be explained, without spoilers, like Elodia’s teacher (IYKYK), but suffice it to say I didn’t understand these choices, nor did I see the need for them; again, the teacher and bits of Gabriel’s past.

I found the writing style quite sombre, and Colón managed to give the book a sense of unease, but I was so dang confused through the whole thing that I didn’t even realise it had ended!

So, the tone was there, and I think the characters would have made more sense with more time spent expanding on them and not just the plot, but I equally see why this wasn’t done, so as to save the reveals until late in the book. I think it just needs some reworking/revisions.

This was fraught with tension and unease and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, I couldn't put it down, the impending sense of doom is so well written, the atmosphere is gloomy and for a shorter book this really made an impact and made me feel extremely melancholy afterwards, I can't say much without giving away spoilers but in my opinion this was a fantastic creepy read, I would love to read more by this author!