I really loved this atmosphere of Draw Down the Moon. The island school off the PNW coast felt moody and mysterious and I liked the way the students were “sorted” into moon sign houses. It’s all basically a play on Harry Potter, even to the way the island guardians had a dementor quality. It just didn’t really feel super fresh to me, besides the unique setting.
My main gripe is that Wren felt like a literal child. This leaned way into the YOUNG aspect of YA and I couldn’t connect to her wide-eyed immaturity. And I felt like the love story wasn’t flushed out at all… just will they, won’t they, oh they will and it’s perfect - no explanation of real efforts needed.
That said, this ends on a huge cliffhanger and I’d definitely read the next one. It may be a somewhat basic, predictable formula, but it’s tried and true for a reason. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of magic, boarding schools, and the whole prophecy/ chosen one storyline. This book is inclusive with character times and beautiful.

I am disappointed to state that reading this book was not a pleasant experience. I think the writing was a little too juvenile for my liking. There were a lot of sentences and lines of dialogue that made me outwardly cringe. This brought me back to the worst parts of 2010s writing which is something that I don’t say lightly. That being said, I probably should’ve DNF’ed this book because I don’t have a lot of nice things to say about it.

I want to actually start with the buildup to the ending and the ending itself, and all I really have to say is “HUH???”. I am going to be SO honest, the ending had me so confused. Like I get that this is book is going to be part of a series and it needed a cliffhanger…just maybe I don’t know, have a better cliffhanger? The story is left off on confusing territory.

Working backwards a bit, I am so sorry but I did not like any of these characters. They were so flat and one-dimensional, literally in the first chapter Wren outlining her relationship to Lee in a repetitive manner was just unnecessary. Lee had a bit more nuance to his character as he had background with his sister passing away and that changing the structure of his family; therefore changing what he needed to accomplish for his family’s sake. I liked Lee, but what was this poor boy on during those last few chapters??? I don’t understand that change in mindset that I won’t spoil. I will say I really disliked Wren, she was incredibly childish and a lot, if not all, the miscommunication that occurred in this book was because of her. I hate the miscommunication trope with a passion especially when it’s done poorly like in this book.

The pacing of this book is slow, the flip flopping between perspectives got a bit annoying towards the end especially when Wren was finally having her moment. The romance was not…it. I personally wish I was a supporter of Wren and Lee but I find myself wishing they could just stay friends because they did not do it for me as lovers.

If this book had been published in 2016 when I was getting into reading, this would’ve been my bread and butter. However, it just fell flat for me but if you’re looking for a book that used zodiac in its magic system or a book about teenagers attending a magical school, this book is for you!

Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.5 stars - Draw Down the Moon had an interesting premise with a unique magic system, but nothing really stood out in the end. This was a Chosen One story set at a magical academy off the Oregon coast, with four houses divided by elemental guardians. The student’s magick awakens when they turn 18 and is determined by which moon sign they are born under:
Aquarius, Air - healers
Taurus, Earth - collective memory
Scorpio, Water - physical intensity
Leo, Fire - emotion manipulation

The magic system could have been unique but ultimately didn’t give enough depth to make it stand out from any other magical school story. The power was gifted by the moon, but it never really goes into that, and focused on the elements which the magic doesn’t even control. We start to learn about the origins at the end, and all is not as they have been taught, but I still feel like they could have enriched it.

This is definitely a Young Adult level book, and feels geared toward a lower age group even though the characters were 18 and had graduated high school. They had adult aspirations, but still acted and spoke like they were 14-15 years old. While I appreciate that it was marketed appropriately, I still feel like it didn’t meet the standards of other high-school level low-fantasy books. The plot was predictable and could have been so much more. This is a planned duology, and while I feel that the authors could probably bring it together for a satisfying conclusion in one more book, I’m not invested enough in the plot or characters to continue in another year when it releases.

That being said, I’m rounding up to 4 stars as I do think a younger audience ready to leave middle-grade would enjoy it. You can expect:
Dual, First-Person POV
No spice, only a kiss
Magical academy on hidden island
Chosen One
Discovering Powers
Secret Crush
Childhood Best Friends
Found Family

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday books for providing an eARC for my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Right off the bat, I have to say that this is certainly read on the younger side of YA even though the characters are 18-19 years of age. Even though it’s on the younger side, we certainly do deal with some darker themes in this book and some TWs as well.

With that stated, it was a fun read but the fact that the writing lended to a younger side of YA would take me out of the story, and for me this was a 3 star read.
A great story & premise but the writing style in this one was not for me. I would’ve preferred more of a mid-older young adult range with more showing rather than telling in the story writing/telling.

Our main characters end up being Wren and Lee, with Sam as a supporting character. I enjoyed both Wren and Lee and their connection, but they came off much younger than 18 to me, the characters read very middle school/middle grade with their worries and inability to communicate for that age.

The story itself, the magic and the premise were very intriguing albeit a little confusing. I really enjoyed the magic system and the different magical types and I think more could be revealed in this world in later books that I’d really enjoy. The ending left a little to be desired and I was a little confused as to what happened, since there seems to still be information missing that I hope is apparent in the next book, as we were left on a bit of a cliffhanger. The pacing of the action and the information revealed was very nice, easy to digest and kept me interested in the evolution of the story!

The worldbuilding had a really nice pace as well, I received enough information to still me intrigued and so that the pieces fit nicely together. The only confusing part was, again, the lore + clues not exactly lining at the end of the story with the action scene. I am hoping that this is remedied and explained at the beginning of the next book, however, and would love to learn more about this world and its lore!

Overall, this was a fun read with an intriguing magical system and magical beings, but reads a little younger than expected for YA. If the story didn’t have dark themes and TWs, I’d recommend it to a younger audience but this is still may be squarely in YA due to those. However, I wish it was written for a slightly older audience within YA.

🌙 Draw Down the Moon ARC Review 🌙

Thank you so much to PC Cast, Kristen Cast and Wednesday Books for the opportunity to read and review this book!

Draw Down the Moon is a paranormal fantasy and book one in the Moonstruck series. Wren is surrounded by magic. Her family had it, her best friends have it, but she has none. She’s gotten used to being the normal human among the magical. But something unexpected happens when she is celebrating her 18th birthday and her whole world changes

This was a fun read! I really enjoyed Wren and her best friend Lee - and their growth throughout the story. I really enjoyed the academy vibes and the magic system, and thought the world building was super unique. This book did have a smidge of a miscommunication trope which I struggled with, but otherwise it was a fun read

Overall this was a solid four star read. I enjoyed the characters and the story and look forward to reading more in this world. There was a romantic subplot but no on page smut so one flame for spice

If you’re a fan of YA academy fantasy with dual POV, Friends to lovers and chosen one vibes, then absolutely pick this one up!

Please note: review will be posted to Amazon upon publication

Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

At midnight on her 18th birthday, Wren is struck with moonlit magic. She has spent her life thinking she didn’t have magic, but now that she does she must attend the Academia de la Luna where everything is not as it seems.

This was a fun magical story, and the narrators were excellent. I loved their voices and storytelling. However I didn’t love this one simply because of how predictable it was. It followed a very typical fantasy coming of age story. Magic school, childhood friend turned love interest, quirky best friend, and corrupt leaders. Even the magic was very by the book and the twists and ending were exactly what I thought might happen.

So this one would be good for young readers new to fantasy, like have never read it before. It’s ya but I think it would be okay for tweens. Overall it was well written and the narrators were amazing, just would have loved something a bit more unique and special.

Thank you to @macmillan.audio for my copy! This one is out on April 2nd.

#audiobookreview #audiobookrecommendation #audiobooks #gifted #listentobooks #yaaudiobooks #bookreview #yabooks #yabookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookish #bookthoughts

Step into a world where magickal secrets intertwine with dangerous mysteries and forbidden romance. "Draw Down the Moon" by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast is a spellbinding journey into a realm of enchantment and intrigue.

When Wren Nightingale discovers she possesses elemental powers on her eighteenth birthday, her life takes an unexpected turn. Sent to the secretive Academia de la Luna, she finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, prophecies, and murder. Alongside her longtime crush, Lee Young, Wren navigates the academy's trials while uncovering the dark truths lurking beneath its surface. From the hidden island off the Seattle coast to the halls of the Academia de la Luna, the setting brims with atmospheric charm and intrigue.

Perfect for fans of magickal academies, forbidden romance, and pulse-pounding mysteries, "Draw Down the Moon" is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating journey into the realms of the supernatural. Turn the pages and prepare to be enchanted.

Honestly, I got about 65% in and was so aggravated with just about everything happening that I finally decided to put it down. The premise was good, the execution not so much. The biggest thing I enjoyed was the magic system as far as the elementals go it was a good concept but almost all of the characters ruined the rest of it for me. I also didn’t love that the “romance” portion of it was built on one of the most gaslighty encounters I’ve ever read that was encouraged by supporting characters. I could see where a younger crowd might enjoy this but it just wasn’t for me.

It’s a quick book to read, I was surprised that it was a light read, so points for that, from the beginning it’s very interesting, but as the story went on it faded a little, more than anything the way it develops.
The idea of ​​the story is very good, it just doesn't develop very well, some things happened quickly, especially the relationship of the protagonists, it’s a friends to lovers, their friendship is cute but it happened very quickly to being "couple", I didn't feel any connection with them, in fact I didn't feel any connection with any character.
I also felt like I was reading 15-16 year olds and not +18, so I didn't really like their attitudes either.
I liked the ending, it was interesting, and it entertained me enough to want to read the second book haha.


Thanks Netgalley for the Arc✨

Thank you so much Wednesday Books for the physical gifted copy for an honest review.

First, this cover is absolutely gorgeous and so appealing. I think, every teen will be compelled to buy it.

Second, even if the characters are 18 years old, this book felt like it was written for younger YA, more for teens aged between 13 to 16 years old. It's really well written but the writing style is more childish and I don't think that readers older than 17 will find what they want in this book.

This story made me think a lot of Harry Potter with this magical school, the academic universe, the prophecy and the housing assigned by moon signed.

I really recommend this book to younger teens who love :

✨ Magical School ;
✨ Astronomy ;
✨ Friendship ;
✨ Mysteries and Murder ;
✨ Romance.

This was pretty good, but not amazing to me. I enjoyed the story, but I found it took a long time for the action to start, and while the characters are supposed to be 18, it felt more like they were 16. The cliffhanger ending left me with questions but not with a burning need to get the answers. Solid book, but not necessarily one I'd pick up again. Thank you to the publisher for a copy in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

Draw Down the Moon was a beautiful story that I can't wait to continue! I have been a fan of these authors for a long time, and I JUMPED at the chance to read a book of theirs again. The story was interesting, different, magical, and romantic.

Wren, born of parents with magic, but not under a moon sign, was destined for life as a Mundane. However, everything changes when she starts glowing on her eighteenth birthday. Suddenly, she’s leaving her home for the mystical Academia de la Luna, a secret magickal school on a hidden island off the Seattle coast.

Lee, always aware of his future at the Academia, has one goal: pass the trials, impress the Moon Council, and uphold his family’s reputation. But he wasn’t expecting to attend alongside the girl he’s secretly loved for years.

As Wren and Lee navigate the Academia’s grueling trials, they discover something different—and dangerous—about the school this year. Secrets, prophecies, and murder intertwine, forcing Wren to tread carefully. Meanwhile, Lee faces a choice: protect his family’s legacy or the girl he loves.

The dual protagonist point of view adds depth to the story, and the fast-paced plot sets the stage for a sequel. Fans thirsty for stories of moon magic and enchanted education will find this duology irresistible.

“Draw Down the Moon” weaves themes of destiny, love, and sacrifice, creating a captivating read for fantasy enthusiasts. The magic system, based on moon phases, is easy to grasp, making it suitable for young teens venturing into the world of fantasy.

Overall, this book invites readers to explore a world where moonlight holds secrets, and fate dances on the edge of a blade.

The House of Night series was one of my favorites when I was in high school so I will always read anything P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast write! I have to start with how eye catching the cover is because the colors drew me right to it and it's so distinct. I love the profile of Wren and how the moon is placed right around her. It 100% would have drawn me right in if I wasn't already pulled to it by the authors.

I love a good YA fantasy and it's perfect that this is a duology because I find that I'm much better at remembering what is happening and also because I always want to know how a story is going to end so I'm happy I won't have to wait terribly long. Especially because this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger threatening everything. I can't say more than that without it being a spoiler but if you read this book, you are going to wish the next one was out already so you can see what happens next.

There is so much going on in this book. The magick (because that's how they're spelling it) and the different Moon signs with different abilities, plus the elementals. It's a lot to pick up in the beginning but the authors explain the whole magick system really well and the development throughout the book becomes easy to follow. The setting is very cool and the trials meant to grow their magic added some danger and excitement to their education. Each of the characters in Wren and Lee's friend group are pretty well developed and I like that they aren't all instantly best friends but we see them trying to build relationships, with each character having their own unique qualities and backgrounds. I also really enjoyed the darker aspects of this story. How Wren ended up being found the morning after magick awakened in her despite having thought she was mundane, and the mysterious deaths that preceded their attendance at Academia de la Luna and continue to happen while they're there. There's a lot of secrecy and not knowing who to trust while trying to discover the school's mysteries. It's a fun magickal fantasy with some murder mystery and a little bit of romance thrown in. I really liked that the story is told in both Wren's and Lee's points of view. Having dual POV always lets me feel more invested in what's happening to the characters. I would recommend this book to any P.C. & Kristin Cast fans -- you will not be disappointed! And also to any YA fantasy lovers who enjoy a good cast of characters, some intrigue, danger, secrets and magick schools!

This just really hit me while I was reading, I was like wow:
"I take a deep breath, and my mind starts gathering all the words to detail how great she is, but I let them go on my next exhale. I don't mean to her what she has meant to me, and giving her all those adjectives to describe how magickal she truly is would be a waste of beautiful words. This time, I'll keep them." 😢


Thank you Wednesday Books for the digital ARC of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Every book I read by the Cast's just hits right and full cements them as auto read authors for life. I really enjoyed the magic system in this one and how it brought in the moon signs. The characters were fun and I enjoyed the dynamics between them. The settings was cool I really enjoyed the Island and the way that the Academia was set up. I found myself fully immersed into the mystery and mayhem that ensued once they landed. I can't wait til the next book to see what happens to Wren and Lee.

I unfortunately wish I loved this book more! I absolutely loved the house of night series including the spin-off. The magic system and Wren discovering her powers kept me reading, but the book felt more for a younger audience. Even if I didn’t enjoy I will still be recommending this to anyone between the ages 12 to 17.

As a self-proclaimed "friends to lovers" supremacist, I was so looking forward to this book. A magical school that revolves around MOON POWERS?!?! Friends to lovers?? A SECRET THAT NEEDS TO BE UNEARTHED??? This sounded like everything I could want and more!!

...and then I listened to the audiobook and was deeply disappointed. Now, I knew going into this story that it was going to be a YA novel. The characters are both freshly 18, so I was expecting it to feel a bit younger than a normal new adult/adult fantasy novel and was okay with that. What I wasn't expecting was for these characters to act as though they were in middle school/early high school rather than being ready to start their first year of college. The dialogue felt very juvenile, and really took me out of the story for the majority of the time I spent listening to this.

Wren definitely gave off a bit of a Mary Sue vibe at first just based on how she was described ("long, blonde hair so light it's basically white but with pink dyed tips" gave me Manic Pixie Dream Girl flashbacks, and the name Wren Nightingale???), but I was super excited to hear Lee's description since I feel like we almost never get good male main characters with a set of braids! A handsome black male protagonist in a fantasy novel is often unheard of and felt like a breath of fresh air compared to every brunette/black-haired white man with gray eyes we have in every romantasy. So while I didn't love this story, I don't want that to reflect my love of Lee (even if he did start getting on my nerves towards the end, but that wasn't his fault).

This story also has a LOT of miscommunication trope, which makes me want to pull out my hair. I abhor when teenagers think "I just won't tell this person until I have the whole story and I'll figure it all out myself". NO YOU WON'T!! It was very aggravating and made me want to stop the book at times.

Overall, I think this would be a better story for middle-schoolers or freshmen in high school - there is nothing sexual or spicy other than a few kisses here and there that are very chaste, so I think that other than a couple of traumatizing attacks the students have to deal with that are oddly described in truly horrifying, descriptive detail, it is suitable for 13-16 year olds to read.

Will I read the second? Maybe, but I don't feel like I need to know the ending to this story. Someone please recommend a better P.C. Cast story to read because I hate that this was my first introduction to their stories.

This was honestly entirely to juvenile for me. Its not that it was a bad book, but it was entirely too "young" for me. I saw another reviewer point out that there is a large disparity in YA novels. I read lots and lots of YA novels, some more mature than others, but this one I had a lot of trouble finishing. I think it has a lot to do with the pop culture references and general character immaturity.

I'm just 30 and this felt so pre-teen to me. I'm going to rate it 3 stars because I don't think its a bad book, I just really think it was too young for me as a reader.

The cover was beautiful, and the premise was interesting. It just wasn't for me.

This story didn’t really wow me. The characters felt younger than 18, and I just wasn’t crazy about them. I think this book could’ve been more suited towards a middle grade audience.

Kristen and P.C. Cast created such a unique magical world in Draw Down the Moon. I absolutely loved the idea that being “moonstruck” and born under a certain moon tells your powers. Plus, the cover is absolutely gorgeous!

With Wren and Lee, I really like their dynamic and how they are always there for each other. However, in this book, they are 18 and starting college. Yet, I feel their relationship and the way that some situations are handled come off very young and forced. I would have liked to see them mature a little more.

This book also combines a ton of different elements. There is romance, lore, thriller-type situations, and fantasy all mixed into one. The ending is also a cliffhanger… so be ready for that. Overall, a unique start to a new series.

Thank you, NetGalley and Wednesday Books, for my free digital copy for review.

Draw Down the Moon presents an immersive adventure that transports readers into the captivating world of the Moonstruck people. Set within the enchanting Academia de La Luna, the story unfolds amidst a backdrop of charm and mystery, intricately woven with personified elementals. The narrative seamlessly integrates this elaborate world, skillfully sidestepping any overwhelming information dumps, thus ensuring an engaging reading experience.

At the heart of the story are the characters and their relationships, which take center stage. Through the perspectives of Wren and Lee, the narrative delves into their internal struggles from meeting familial expectations and a significant transition of their friendship to romance. Wren, a distinctive kind of Moonstruck and a pivotal figure in the prophecy, emerges as a compelling and intriguing character, drawing readers to champion her cause. The novel's mystery element adds depth to the plot, featuring hidden entrances, a magical book, secrets, and peril, ultimately delivering a fast-paced and engrossing narrative without any lulls.

While subtly hinted at, the story touches on environmental issues and the retaliatory forces of nature, adding a thought-provoking layer to the narrative.

The poignant and intense conclusion, coupled with a tantalizing cliffhanger, sets the stage for an enticing series. Overall, I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.