Member Reviews
The cover of this book caught my attention first as it is gorgeous and then the blurb drew me in. Wren didn’t think she had any powers. On her 18th birthday, her life is turned upside down when she starts glowing and is Moonstruck! She has sent to a magical school off the coast to Seattle called academia de la Luna. She is there with Lee, a boy, who has been in love with her forever. They find the school has a lot of secrets, and Lee has a big decision to make.
I liked the storyline of the moon magic, astrology and the mystery. I felt the characters who are 18 seemed younger with the way they acted. It seems more like a middle school age book to me. It would be a great read for the younger why is age 13 to 15. Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for the E Arc in exchange for an honest review.
It was A 2.5 for Me but as i Usually Love these Authors i Rounded it Up to 3
The Story itself and the Imagination behind the Elements and the Moon born and school was really interesting.... The characters weren't Unlikeable but....
An academy for Elements - (House of Night)
Celeste (AKA Neferet) Was the Beautiful Baddie that could Bewitch Men with Her stunning Looks
Wren (AKA Zoe) the Underdog that comes up all powerful and (Probably) Chosen by the Goddess
Lee (AKA Heath or Eric im not sure which) the Boyfriend that's a bit of a softie with not much else to him other than the Female Mc
Sam (AKA Stevie Rae) She was my fave character in Both books.
There were too Many similarities for me.... Also the fact that this was aimed for A much much younger Audience (12 - 13 year olde Maybe)
The Main characters were 18, but they were a bit young minded for 18 Year olds (lifelong friends start dating and still haven't kissed till over a week and it was a huge thing) You Know like Middle school thrills.....
If this is your first book by these Authors and you Didn't enjoy it Give House of Night a Try those books were Epic
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and St. Martins publishing.
I was really excited for this book because house of night is one of my comfort reads. I was excited for a new world and magic system! But unfortunately this just felt very juvenile and lacking. I didn’t really enjoy any of the characters and just get the plot to be lacklustre. Nothing really enticed me.
If you're searching for a bewitching escape into a world where magic intertwines seamlessly with the mundane, "Drawn by the Moon" by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast is an enchanting choice. This novel captivates from the very first page and never lets go, weaving a tale that seamlessly blends fantasy, romance, and intrigue into an unforgettable tapestry.
One of the most compelling aspects of this novel is its richly developed characters. Each character, from the determined protagonist to the enigmatic supporting cast, is imbued with depth and complexity. Their individual struggles and triumphs resonate with authenticity, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journey.
The intricate world-building in "Drawn by the Moon" is truly exceptional. Cast has crafted a vivid and immersive setting filled with magical wonders and hidden dangers. As the story unfolds, readers are treated to a captivating exploration of this fantastical realm, complete with its own unique lore and mythology.
The romance in this novel is both tender and passionate, adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. The chemistry between the main characters sizzles with intensity, drawing readers into their whirlwind romance and keeping them eagerly turning the pages.
Fans of "City of Bones" are sure to love "Drawn by the Moon." Both books share a similar blend of magic, adventure, and romance, creating a reading experience that is both thrilling and heartwarming. If you're a fan of urban fantasy with a touch of romance, this book is an absolute must-read.
In conclusion, "Drawn by the Moon" is a spellbinding masterpiece that will leave readers utterly enchanted. With its gripping plot, memorable characters, and enchanting romance, this book is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. I cannot recommend it highly enough
This story follows a young girl who is born into a magical family with no powers until her 18th birthday when her life changes and now she’s off to the academy. If you have read the House of Night series by these authors, you will like the writing style of this book as it’s still the same. I know many won’t enjoy it for the fact that it’s more early 2000s writing style but I liked the feeling of it. This was a great book that focused more on world-building compared to action. You learn about the magic system and the academy that the MC has to go to. There wasn’t much action in this book but there were conflicts to keep the storyline going. This story is told from dual povs of both Wren and Sam.
Wren is the FMC who goes to the academy. I enjoyed her character and her story. The aesthetic of her character was more early 2000s feeling. She had some development but I feel that more is coming soon. Sam is the MMC and he is a likable character but I didn’t understand why his pov was in the book. I don’t think it was needed and could have gone without it. There are many side characters in this book and I believe that some will have more to their stories in the upcoming book. The romance was okay but not the best. For a romance book, it lacked the chemistry and tension.
The ending was good and makes me want to read the next book. I’m excited to see what the authors have in store for their readers. This book was more world building which I know can be a turnoff for most readers but you should give it a chance.
*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
This is one of my favorites so far this year. It has an excellent story line and great characters. The world this book is created in is awesome and I can't wait to see what happens in book 2.
I found Draw Down the Moon echoed many of the YA offerings of the early 2000's.I think It will be up to the individual to decide of this translates as outdated or nostalgic.
Cast has created a world and magic system that are on the surface both intriguing and evocative. That being said, I wish both had gone a bit deeper. The fantastical world was what felt the most intriguing to me but it was threaded with references to modern day. These moments pulled me out of the story and left me scratching my head as to why they even needed to exist within the story.. The Characters, who are eighteen, read exceptionally young in my opinion. This came into even sharper focus when listening to the audio as the narrators inflections felt incredibly youthful. Although the age depiction felt off for me I did find the characters likable and layered. I was rooting for them by the end.
I think this is a read that could work for readers looking for a bit of nostalgia in writing styles.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
♡ eArc Review ♡
♤ Release April 2 ♤
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YA (Younger Ya)
Friends to Lover
Magic School
Black Male Character
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Judging a book by its cover because this COVER is gorgeous!
This is book 1 in the Moonstruck duology.
This is YA but is more ages 10-14 years old YA, very middle school vibes. It has great potential to be an amazing book.
This book gave me Harry Potter-ish vibes with the way they sorted the kids until their hall. Also, it gave me a Goble of Fire with the trails.
Draw Down the Moon is set in a dark and magical world filled with incredible danger and irresistible romance. It's a mystical school. A mysterious death. A magickal romance.
Wren Nightingale is born of magical parents but not under one of the four fated astrological full moons. She was destined to live her life as a mundane, a person with no magical powers Up until her 18th birthday. Then we have Lee Young, who is Wren best friend. He has always known about his future at the school and the three goals he has set.
As Wren and Lee are thrown into the academy’s grueling trials, they quickly learn there’s something different—and dangerous—about the school this year. Wren will have to navigate a web of secrets, prophecies . . . and murder.
This book does leave on a cliffhanger, so be prepared for that!
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♡ Thank you, Netgalley, and St.Martin Press for the eArc for my honest opinion ♡
This was such a fun young adult fantasy book! I really enjoyed the way the magic was connected to the moon and all the other world building. It was something completely new for me!
I loved all the friendships and the way they would lift each other up. So many great characters that made me grinning at time and crying at others. The cliffhanger left me wanting to read the next book!
I will say I think this is on the younger spectrum of YA! It was an enjoyable read for me in my 30s but I think my middle grade readers would really enjoy it as well!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy! All thoughts are my own.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for an electronic advanced readers copy of this novel.
Wren Nightingale grew up thinking that she wasn't going to have magic powers - even though both of her parents are magical, she wasn't born under the right conditions and so she is destined to be a person without elemental powers. All of that changes when she starts glowing on her 18th birthday and her direction in life changes. Because of her emerging powers, she is sent to the Academia de la Luna, where she will learn to use her powers.
Unlike Wren, Lee has always know his future - he feels his destiny is already spelled out for him because he comes from a prestigious magical family. But all of that changes when Wren comes to the school.
Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, is a fun and entertaining read about coming of age in a magical world. I really enjoyed reading it. It's part one of two, and I'm excited to read about what's going to happen next.
P.C Cast has brought us to a new world full of fun and adventure! The world building and magical aspects are so fun and engaging, and the story just flows beautifully. I was drawn in from the first page, and engulfed in beautiful magic and fantasy until the very last page!
Highly recommend this beautifully written read! Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Unfortunately, I will not be able to give a proper rating at this time.
I did not finish the book before the publication date and am not able to give a proper review at this time.
I'm selecting three stars only because I feel like it is a fair rating given that I was unable to finish the book on time.
Draw Down the Moon Will Sweep You Off Your Feet!
Draw Down the Moon brought me back to a beautiful magic that can only come from the combined minds of PC & Kristen Cast. There is nothing quite like stepping back into the beautiful writing created when they combine forces. They build places and describe worlds that I want so desperately to be a part of. Their characters are some of the most warm and fantastically dynamic beings that they feel a part of your life long after you have read the last page. It just is truly transformative and you know that they are truly fantastic writers who know exactly how to take their readers on the journey with them.
This story showcased all the reasons why I loved the House of Night Series so much and followed it for years. The world-building, which can be sometimes a slower-paced part of the story doesn't ever feel slow. It feels authentic and necessary and I think makes the endings worth it. You get to see how the characters will grow and evolve in the settings that are laid out. This is a unique take on a magic system as well.
The magic in Draw Down the Moon is creative and imaginative, but also still harkens back to the genuine spirituality that the authors have shared with their readers for years. Additionally, there was so much to enjoy about the entire character arc for Wren, as she discovers her place within the magical world, and for Lee as he shoulders the burden of familial expectations and his autonomy.
Fans of PC Cast and Kristin Cast both new and old are going to LOVE this start to a new series. Now I just desperately want to get my hands on book 2 (and hope for books 3, 4, and 5)!
Perfect for fans of the House of Night Series and The Magicians!
This was an enjoyable story for the most part. However, I was under the impression this was suppose to be an Adult Fantasy. This is definitely a YA fantasy, with the characters having just turned 18 and the writing felt on the younger side of YA as well.
The dual POV did not enhance the story, I feel like writing this just from Wren’s POV would have been a lot more enjoyable.
However, I enjoyed the premise of the story and the idea of having certain kinds of magic based on the moon & your birth. I felt like Wren and Sam were both very likable characters, but I struggle to root for the relationship blossoming between Lee and Wren because of how insufferable I found his POV.
Overall, I would only recommend this book to someone who already enjoys YA Fantasy.
In the book Draw Down The Moon Written by PC Cast and Kristen Cast. We meet teenagers Rin Nightingale in Lee Young out celebrating the eve of Rins birthday as they take a picture to send to their friend Sam the clock strikes 12 and Rin is possessed by overwhelming energy and cannot tare her gaze away from the full moon above. Rin knew her friendly and other best friend Sam were magical‘s, but thought herself to be a Mundane despite her magical parents this news changes everything instead of going off to college she is going to the Laluna island with her two best friends for the summer. Lee Young new his destiny thought he would take this step without his secret crush and best friend Rin when they make it to the island he cannot help but to feel an uneasy energy but is it because of his overprotective nature with the Rin? It doesn’t help that he is still haunted by the loss of his sister Maya on the island two years before so when someone else dies Lee will have to decide whether to follow the rules or his heart. There is so much I didn’t put in this review from this awesome book I thought this book was smart and inventive and a true page Turner I started reading it this morning and could not stop until I was done a truly fabulous book and cannot wait for the second in this dualogy. Will Ren get the vengeance she seeks or did she already get it and what about her and Lee? I have so many questions and cannot wait for the second book I did not expect the story to go where a did but OMG sign me up for Book Two this is a great read! just an FYI it ends on a cliffhanger of sorts but I still totally recommend it. I want to thank the publisher the authors Net galley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
I liked the premise of Draw Down the Moon the world that was created, and the magic system. I felt that it was meant for a much younger audience, however.
𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧
𝐁𝐲 𝐏.𝐂. 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟒.𝟐.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐻𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 𝑃𝑢𝑏 𝐷𝑎𝑦!
Thank you @wednesdaybooks and @stmartinspress for a gifted copy.
Thank you @macmillan.audio for a gifted audiobook.
🌙 Moon Magic, zodiac signs, and elemental powers.
🏫 A secret magickal academy on a hidden island.
🔮 Prophecies, secrets, murder.
🩵 Young love.
Are you intrigued yet? I love stories set in academia that swirl with magic and mystery. 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 is the first book in the Moonstruck duology. It has some exciting elements and who isn’t fascinated by the pull of the moon?
I love the young adult genre. While it’s always tough to say where middle-grade ends and young adult begins, this book leaned on the younger side of YA. The friendship group and the blossoming romance between the main characters were well done, with some added humor and angst.
The plot and fantasy elements have reflections of other familiar stories. Wren’s parents died, her magic comes in late, and Wren appears to be the “chosen one.” The story is set in a school of magic, where the kids must go through trials, and someone or something is murdering people. It was a quick and enjoyable read, and I’m interested to see how the duology will close out.
Some hardcore fantasy readers may be looking for more complexity and ingenuity. But young readers or those just dipping their toes into the fantasy world will be enchanted with this story.
3.5 🌟
This was an interesting YA (the MCs are 18 years/old) magical school. The magic system is based around zodiacs/moon phases and destiny. This is a dual POV: Wren & Lee. While this was a very plot forward novel the pacing was okay to me.
Some enticing tropes that many may love include but are not limited to; found family, and miscommunication romance.
Plus there is also secrets, lies, mythical creatures, and new friendships.
I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys magic, young adult, mythical creatures and a mystery past and future.
Wren Bliss Nightingale has accepted that she is a mundane and is preparing for a future working in her Uncles’ bookstore. Her two best friends are Moonstruck and are preparing to head off to magick school to learn how to control and use their powers. On the eve of her 18th birthday she is struck by a powerful moonbeam and in an instant everything changes.
First in a new duology, it’s a little bit mystery, little bit romance, and a whole lot of action going on. The fast pace, a likable group of friends and intriguing magickal elements are what help to make this a gripping page turner. The chapters alternate points of view between Wren and her best friend Lee. To me it’s a kind of friends to lovers to enemies story. If you enjoy YA fantasy romance then you should relish this read. 4.5 stars
This is a YA book that reads like a middle grade book and is incredibly juvenile. I did not enjoy this one.