I did a quick audiobook refresher of The Luminaries before I started this one, because I remembered there being a lot going on in the story. And I’m glad I did, because I was right. So the reread helped me understand all of the background, and get in the right mindset for this story. It also helped me remember one of my favorite things—the way it brought back such strong ‘90s fantasy vibes, and an atmospheric story.

To start with, I enjoyed the narration in this story. Caitlin Davies was fantastic with the variety of voices, although I couldn’t help but get irritated when she voiced Erica’s character. Perhaps that was done on purpose, since Erica isn’t exactly a sympathetic character in the story.

Speaking of sympathetic characters, I adored Winnie in this book. She really grew a lot and came into her own. Starting with identifying how she was feeling instead of pushing it down, she moved into speaking up for herself. The natural progression was for her to have to decide where that Wednesday loyalty stops—at where the Luminaries tell her to, or where her own morals say?

The whole Luminary society felt strange to me, although it didn’t seem to bother anyone in it except Winnie. After being outcast from the society for four years, all it took was Winnie passing her trials for the family to be welcomed back with open arms, and for her family to forgive four years of being outcast and deprivation. Yet Winnie is struggling with being expected to just go back to being friends with the people who turned their backs on her for years. More than that, she’s having difficulty reconciling her feelings about Jay, who she sees less and less. And on top of all of that, she’s still trying to figure out what’s going on with the Whisperer and the werewolf and navigating her newfound fame. So she’s got her plate full.

But there’s more, of course. Because she’s stumbled onto what seems like a plot by the Dianas that seems to back up her father’s story that he was framed. But she can’t just outright investigate, especially after her family has recently been returned to a status in society. I did enjoy learning to get to know more about the Dianas and how they operate.

This book adds depth and complexity to the story by expanding on some of the existing elements, and demonstrating a lot of change in Winnie’s character that I loved to see. I rated this book higher than the last one because it showed a lot of growth and delved a lot more deeply into the background, lore, and characters than the previous book did, as I’d expect from a second book. However, I’m hoping that there’s a third book coming soon, because the ending left me with questions!

I really enjoyed The Luminaries and was excited to get my hand on book two in the series. I was not disappointed. The Hunting Moon was even more fun than book one.

Some of the mysteries and questions raised in The Luminaries get revealed and answered in The Hunting Moon. Susan Dennard continues to unravel her story in a way that keeps the reader engaged and wanting to learn more. She also creates characters that are dynamic and interesting. I must confess that Winnie’s habit of clicking her teeth still drives me crazy and makes me secretly believe that she’s really a Nightmare, but she’s also very relatable. I actually liked her even more in this book than in book one. I’ll definitely read book three once it’s written.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley

The Hunting Moon by Susan Dennard is the follow up to last years the Luminaries. Winnie finds herself finally being accepted by the luminary community again after her actions at the end of the Luminaries, being called Wolf Girl and The Girl Who Jumped Winnie is suddenly popular with drinks being named after her. Meanwhile on the inside she’s bringing to question everything and grappling with the fact that her father left clues for her to find, along with the fact that still no one believes her about the whisperer that is proving deadly to the other hunters.

Last year I enjoyed the luminaries even though I didn’t think it was the best thing I ever read, this book was a improvement over the first and I am glad I requested it and decided to stick with the series. Seeing Winnie and Jay’s relationship repair and improve over the course of the two books has been nice along with seeing Winnie learn that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Looking forward to the next one!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced listener copy of The Hunting Moon in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first book and couldn't wait to continue the story, luckily I was able to get my hands on an ARC and didn't have to wait for its release.

This book picks up right where book one left us, so I was able to jump right back into this world as if I never left it. The book kept me engaged... so much so that I devoured it in 2 sittings.

I loved the world-building in this book, the descriptions of the living forest combined with the gothic atmosphere really drew me in. The ending left me with so many questions... I cannot wait for book 3!

I really enjoyed the audiobook, but I plan to get my hands on the physical book and re-read it as soon as it's available.

The sequel to "The Luminaries", "The Hunting Moon" follows Winnie Wednesday, who is now know as "the girl who jumped". Overnight it seems like her life has changed, she has gone from the "nobody" to the closest to thing to a celebrity the towns knows. Her family is not immune to the popularity either, and they all seem to be re-accepted into the Luminary community. However, for Winnie it feels wrong, where were her friends when she was exiled? Why was nobody helping Winnie until she risked her life in the forest? To top off those feeling Winnie has just decoded a message from her father pushing her to clear his name with the Luminaries. Winnie has also rekindled a friendship with her previous best friend, Jay. However, things are not the same and she cannot figure out what has happened...

I enjoyed this audiobook and found the story to be interesting. The genre reminds me of "Twilight" however, I found this to be a bit more enjoyable personally, as the characters seem to be more likeable. The narrators were enjoyable to listen, and clearly articulated. I now feel like I am invested in this series, and want to know what happens to Winnie Wednesday next.

I have some complicated feelings about the Luminaries series so far. I requested this book without having read The Luminaries so I went back and listened to book 1 before diving into this one. This is one of those series that I think builds the world so slowly throughout that you are kind of floundering at the beginning to understand what is going on and you learn as you go. In that sense I think The Hunting Moon felt like the better of the two books because I am becoming more familiar with the forest and the creatures and the politics that all felt dumped upon me without me understanding them in book 1.
I have not fully loved either book but I have been entertained and motivated to keep listening so far. I appreciate the monsters and the redemption being sought. I am just not sure how invested I am and how far I am willing to take this journey for. I can't seem to find how many books this series will be. If it is one more book I will probably round it out and finish the series. If it is going to be a long series I'm not sure I will be sticking with it.

Thank you MacMillan Audio for an advanced copy of this one for review.

A lesson in friendship, love, and perseverance.

Thank you to Macmillan audio for the ARC copy! All opinions are my own.

Our story starts exactly where the first book, The Luminaries , ends. Winnie is trying to navigate her new found fame and trauma. As her family comes back into the fold, she gains new friends , and rekindles a love she thought she lost long ago.

The story starts off slow and shows Winnie trying to reenter society , however it is very overwhelming and she realizes her values do not necessarily fit with the luminary lifestyle like she thought. I like that she finally starts looking into what her father left her and allowing Jay to join her along the way.
Around thirty percent in, it becomes more suspenseful and action packed.

I liked the lessons Winnie and the reader learn. One is that misunderstandings happen but sometimes it is up to us to fully be aware of situations before making assumptions and judgement. Also , bad things will happen in life but we have to remember that it is not always just about us. Others are struggling too and by coming together we can support one another.

I am one hundred percent excited for a third installment as I want to dive more into this world and learn more about Winnie’s father , the Diana’s , and how what happened in the forest, all ties in.

She nailed it with the next installment for the Luminaries. Following Winnie after she passes the deadly hunter trials, as she continues to hunt down clues to find out what happened to her father and where he went. Still disbelieving that her father is a witch, and not framed. Her friend Jay helps and only after some instances with a werewolf does she find more hidden secrets about the people she loves.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, Tor Teen, Susan Dennard, and Caitlin Davies for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of The Hunting Moon in exhcange for an honest review.

The Hunting Moon is the second book in the Luminaries trilogy, following The Luminaries. The audiobook is brilliantly narrated by Caitlin Davies, who brings the character of Winnie Wednesday to brilliant life with an exceptionally perfect voice for the role.

Following the events of The Luminaries, of which the reader was left with at least two unsolved mysteries, this second installment picks ups soon after where the first book left off. The entity known as the Whisperer is still shrouded in mystery. The people of Hemlock Falls must all be tested for werewolf DNA, as there is on at-large in the community. Winnie has found some interesting information about her father, and she follows the trail to seek resolution.

Winnie certainly has her work cut out for her. Being a new hunter for the Luminaries, she aims for the safety of the townspeople, yet no one will listen to her or believe her about the Whisperer. Everybody is too focused on the werewolf, which will be the town's downfall if they don't start listening. There are plenty of bodies piling up and secrets unraveling to keep Winnie busy.

All the while, Winnie explores her feelings for Jay Friday. As the new lead hunter, he is one of the only people who will believe her tales, making him one of the only people able to help her out. Between the Whisperer, a werewolf, and the Diana secrets left by her father, some secrets may be resolved, though many more arise.

An excellent second installment. The reader gets some resolution to some of the mysteries they are left with from book one, though are fed even more. Book three is sure to be an exciting resolution. Another great fantasy from an iconic writer.

Winnie Wednesday is back in a sequel and left navigating the world of the Luminaries once more after being reinstated.
I was really excited for this sequel after The Luminaries was so haunting and thrilling. Unfortunately, I felt like the stakes in The Hunting Moon were lower or I just could not connect with them. The book was slow until all of a sudden, we crossed the 50% mark, and it was fast out of nowhere. I would have appreciated more consistent pacing. Still hoping for the completion of the series!
Caitlin Davies does a great job narrating as always!

**Disclaimer: I recieved a free eARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.  I loved this book.  Winnie is such a good character.  I love how determined and stubborn she is.  I also really liked her growth over the course of the novel.  She grew a lot.  I find the story very atmospheric with the forest setting and the nightmares.  Some of my theories came true with this continuation, and I was so satisfied.  I highly recommend this series.

This book was interesting and a good fit for a young adult audience. The twists of the plot were great and unpredictable and it was a fun read. This was definitely a sequel and, without having the read the first book in the series, there was missing information that made it confusing. The book refers vaguely to events that happened previously, quite often, but doesn't fill in that information for the reader. So read the first book first or you will be left with a partial story.

Now this is what I call a sequel !!! Gosh I loved this so much ! I was lucky to get an audiobook arc of this book and I’m so glad because not only was this book my most anticipated release from this year but it did not disappoint. It was so good and the audiobook was so funny to listen to. I absolutely adore Winnie and if you loved Jay in the first book you’re going to swoon over him in this one.

The plot gets a new turn that was so thrilling and the romance is P E R F E C T !!!! I’m so excited to read the next book in this atmospheric series.

Tropes:
• childhood best friends to strangers to lovers
• found family

3.5 ⭐ rounded up.
Winnie Wednesday is back in Susan Dennard's sequel to the Luminaries. I really loved the vibe of the first book, creepy dark woods, monsters, and the hunter trials. The Hunting Moon takes place following the trials of the first book, and I couldn't wait to dive back in.
After her family is welcomed back into the Luminaries, Winnie finally has everything she wanted. But convinced that a new nightmare called a whisperer is killing the hunters, she sets out to find a way to prove it isn't a werewolf. Not knowing who to trust, she asks Jay Friday to help her prove the werewolf isn't the problem while also searching for clues of her Dad's innocence.
I was really excited for this book to come out, and couldn't wait for the story to continue. But although it was a good book it didn't keep my interest as much as the first. Some of the mysteries were obvious to me as I guessed them from the first book, and the little bit of romance that the book had just seemed more juvenile.
I would definitely recommend this book for younger audiences.
I listened to Luminaries as an audiobook as well, and I couldn't wait to hear Caitlin Davies narrate this one too. I loved her voice, she did a fabulous job of making this story come alive.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was going to be a duology. Well, I was definitely wrong. As things built up towards the end, I was sitting here thinking okay but what about this and this and ARE WE GOING TO FORGET THAT?! And turns out yes. Yes we are. Because it'll be answered in the next book.

As much as I liked book one, I didn't really know what to expect for book 2. I felt a lot of the times that things were super convenient, but eventually it made sense why it felt that way? Which was actually great considering the twist wasn't so obvious that I caught it right away. In fact, I didn't see it coming at all.

I think the biggest thing I loved about this book was the expansion of the world building that allowed us to really understand what had happened in book one, especially since there were a few things that had me scratching my head, confused, and just glossing over things that didn't make sense. Well, they make sense now.

In a way, it's almost like you need to continue into this book to really appreciate the layers that were in the first book. This series so far had felt like I've been peeling away layer after layer so slowly, but the payoff is looking pretty great.

I can't wait for the next book.

Actual rating: 4.5☆☆☆☆

Great sequel and a good setup for the next book. The big twist made sense and was one of the most logical outcomes, but Dennard does a good job of laying down several possible threads and leaving the door open for more mysteries on the next book.

Miss Winnie Wednesday has gone from monster hunter to super sleuth. I love that this book beautiful builds off the first but is also a little different. We spend a little less time in the forest with the monsters to looking for clues within Hemlock Falls to clear her dad’s name. Susan Dennard is a fantastic author with a knack for giving each character a clear and independent voice. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into the captivating world of "The Hunting Moon," (Luminaries #2) a spellbinding young adult novel that seamlessly blends coming-of-age themes with the chilling allure of Dianas, luminaries, and werewolves. It was an exciting read!

Winnie Wednesday, an ostracized teen on the cusp of adulthood, is not only relatable but also incredibly well-rounded. As she becomes town here, you experience her struggles, growth, and triumphs and you can't help but cheer her on throughout her journey. Her strange relationship with Jay Friday and her awkward moments with her ex-friend, Erica add much to the plot.

I felt that Susan Dennard masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with every turn of the page. The portrayal of the evil Diana's wielding their magical powers towards the end of the book was both terrifying and mesmerizing. It's a delicate balance that the author strikes flawlessly, ensuring that the supernatural elements enhance the story rather than overpower it.

I also enjoyed the gray ideas that the book tackles, especially the struggle between light and dark and possibilities that those who are different than us ARE NOT always evil. These themes are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding layers of complexity and depth to the story. "The Hunting Moon" is a fun and exciting bit of young adult literature, a book that manages to be heartwarming introspective and action-packed. I enjoyed every moment.

I have to say, this is not my usual genre and honestly I went into this series reluctantly, however, I was delightfully surprised. While the first book was a little slow due to the world/character building, this sequel was more fast paced. It was a page turner and I was so disappointed when I had to stop because I had to get to work (work is always ruining it when books are getting good). I would recommend this series even if this would not be something you would usually choose. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

This was a fun follow up to The Luminaries, the first in the series by Susan Dennard.
Winnie Wednesday has gotten close to achieving her goals. Her family is no longer considered outcasts, she has passed the trials to become a hunter... but nothing is quite right. There are still so many unanswered questions and so many secrets.
Nobody believes Winnie about the mysterious Whisper haunting the woods, everyone is still hunting the werewolf... despite her insistence that it must be something else. Winnie is also determined to figure out what the clues her dad left behind mean.
While I enjoyed the second book, it definitely had that middle of a trilogy book feel. There were some plot points that moved along Winne and Jay's relationship progressed a bit, Winnie seemed to begin to accept that he new friends were actually her friends, but a good bit of it could have moved faster and felt a bit like background.. interesting but also not moving us along well.

Can not wait to see where the story goes next though.