I've been a die-hard fan of the dynamic duo P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast forever, and their latest creation, Draw Down The Moon, is an absolute romantasy delight!

Picture this: a Y.A. adventure sprinkled with romance, magic schools, and a dash of moonlit charm. The cover alone had me head over heels and the whole magical academy thing? Count me in! At first, I stumbled through about a quarter of the book, but once I learned the characters, everything clicked! I craved more magic moments, but I can't complain. The characters were well-rounded and it had a diverse cast, also! The magic system was like a gentle breeze, intriguing and not too overpowering. I wanted more enchanting scenes and equally fell for the romance and overall story arc.

The tale whisked me away with dark, mysterious twists that kept me on the edge of my reading chair. And that ending – talk about a cliffhanger! The authors spun this enchanting world around moon magic, Elementals, and a magic school that is simply enchanting. The world-building was just the right blend of plot, character development, and pure magic.

I've already ordered a copy for my bestie because P.C. Cast is her absolute favorite writer! Draw Down The Moon is a must-read if you're a Y.A. reader hungry for fantasy or just dipping your toes into the magical realm. It's like a literary feast that leaves you spellbound and craving the next magical serving! 🌙✨

I haven't read a Cast book in about 11 years, so I was excited about a new release. There were mixed expectations for this book. My nostalgia made me really hope this book was as good as what I read at 12, but I also knew that my 12 year old self had much lower standards for literature so I tried to temper myself. But there was no reason for that! the book was really good. The world building was really awesome. I felt like i could see the world and understand the magic system. I liked the unique characters. It did seem like a misrepresentation of today's teens, but it wasn't unreadable, and how accurate can two women over the age of 30 be. I think some of my student may think the characters are cringy, but it didn't bother me.

another one by Kristin Cast that i just could not get through. I keep giving her books a chance, hoping they will improve, but they don't. I love YA books, but something about her writing feels like an unedited draft. I had higher hopes on this one because of the witchy story line but no this one still feels like it was written by a highschool student.

The first chapter of this book delighted me, and I was disappointed to see that most of the book went downhill from there.

This book had the makings of everything I love: quirky characters with heart, a setting based at a magic school, and a magic system whose powers originate from the moon. Let’s GO, right?

I was an early reviewer, so I knew that I may come across some typos, possible plot holes, or characters missing some development. And somehow I hit all of the above multiple times, and I was pretty shocked by the amount of typos that could’ve been caught with Word. It happens, so this review doesn’t reflect the misspellings, which would’ve docked it an additional star otherwise. (Seriously, this book is missing half of its commas.)

But I couldn’t stomach the characters that had so much promise of three dimensions in the beginning of the book, just to see that they were cardboard cutouts later on. This broke my heart, especially when we had chapters offering two separate points of view, and readers were granted near exact perceptions of events TWICE rather than two separate experiences. Descriptions of characters often included “Wreny” or “Sam-like,” and I didn’t have a good grasp of who these characters were, so this built them to be more paper thin and missing a perfect opportunity to build.

Also, is this plot/concept eerily close to Curious Tides? I haven’t read it personally, but when I got halfway through then found the Curious Tides synopsis, I didn’t really know what to think.

This magic system seems like a solidly missed opportunity. Sure, I think exploring 4 different zodiac moon signs is fine, but suddenly they’re locked into healing, super strength, or just being really smart? It had some redeeming features (read: I loved the nitty-gritty of how Tauruses worked or the concept of Leo powers), but overall, it seemed lackluster.

I’d say the largest reason for the 2 star rating comes to a spoiler-related reason that I have discussed on my StoryGraph. Yet another spoiler plot point delighted me, so while I won't mention it here, I mentioned it there.

Overall, the pitch of this book interested me much more than the execution. I probably won’t revisit this series, yet I hope my concerns are addressed. This has the makings of something magical, even if the moon magic didn’t make it for me.

This ARC was provided for free for a honest review.

A big thanks to Netgalley for providing an eARC and YABC for providing a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Look at that stunning cover.

Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast is a YA fantasy novel set in a world that is oddly similar to the likes of Harry Potter. Wren Nightingale isn't supposed to have any powers. Born of magickal parents but not under a moon sign, she was destined for life as a Mundane—right up until she starts glowing on her eighteenth birthday. In a heartbeat, Wren's life is turned upside down, and she's suddenly leaving her home for the mystical Academia de la Luna—a secret magickal school on a hidden island off the Seattle coast. Lee Young has always known about his future at the Academia. He has one goal: pass the trials, impress the Moon Council, and uphold his family's reputation. But he wasn't expecting to be attending alongside the girl he's been secretly in love with for as long as he can remember. As Wren and Lee are thrown into the Academie's gruelling 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. And Lee will have to decide who to protect--his family's legacy, or the girl he loves.

What I loved about this book was how it was the perfect first book. It introduced the reader to both a familiar world and a new one. Without completely info-dumping and drowning the reader in fantasy nonsense. Cast did a really good job in balancing the familiar with enigmatic. While also creating a world that draws on the reader's nostalgia for other magical school reads.

The concept of this book was really cool, but the execution was a little lack luster. And I mostly blame it on the writing style. P.C. Cast's style is simple and creates an easy to follow narrative. But it's nothing special, when compared to other books being published nowadays. Honestly, this book kind of read like just another book of the 2000's that was trying to ride the hype train following the final publication of Harry Potter. While also trying to appeal to a younger audience, despite it being called a 'young adult' novel.

Overall, this was an interesting read. But I probably won't be picking up the second one. I get authors want to appeal more to the younger side of the YA genre, but sometimes it's easier and will do more good in the end just to stick to the basics.

The book is very good. It’s a nice fantasy with lots of tension. I wish that there was more romance between Wren and Lee but hopefully will be able to see that in the second book. I liked the pacing of the book in which a little bit of romance, then a big event, then more plot and romance to help build and segue and then the big cliff hanger. I liked all of the characters I think that they were all pretty well rounded and strong. The women especially are all confident and capable. I liked getting to see a glimpse of each of the different types of magikal people. The setting felt so realistic and mystical. I could really see it in my head. I will see that having read the Marked series. This is very similar in theme: A girl who seems very normal, finds out that she possesses some type of magic and gets whisked away to a fancy boarding school and some mystical place that also is just hiding in plain sight. Then the girl discovers that the rulers of this magical school are actually not as great as they seemed and she has to trust her friends to help her. There are some pretty big shifts in the series though especially since this is a Dual POV, which I love! It was a little predictable at times. I liked the ending though and I’m really excited to see how this series continues!

I've come to expect more upper YA books especially from Wednesday books, so this one felt like a real letdown. The characters have just graduated college, yet this reads like they are in middle school. I liked a few of the sides characters, but the thing that made me want to read this most was the friends to lovers, and I wasn't very fond of them. This did feel like a quick fast read, but really wasn't anything special. The powers and sorting of them reminded me a bit of Curious Tides. Really beautiful cover at least.

After being obsessed with this author as a teenager I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book!! Enchantment, danger, trials... here for it!

A magic school. A magic system based on the Moon. A best friend to lovers MCs. A wonderful world to get lost in.

Wren grew up knowing that she is a Mundane, non magical. She's ok with it and has made peace with the fact that she won't have magic. Her best friend Lee is the opposite. He knows he will get his magic at 18 and has been working toward it his whole life. But on Wren's 18th birthday, she becomes Moonstruck. She is suddenly found at an island cloaked by magic at a school with Lee.

I liked that Wren gets the magic that she has. She doesn't know what it is for a long while but I liked to see her figure it out. I really like the development of the "more than friends" relationship of Lee and Wren. I loved a lot of the side characters (though if one person, Ruby in this case, identifies as they.... Please use they every time... There were at least 2 instances where she is used when talking about Ruby) .

The way this ends is not exactly how I thought it might end and there were some parts where I felt sad, but I can't wait for the conclusion to this duology! This book was thrilling and exciting and I'm just begging for more of that

I really wanted to love this book, but for some reason it just didn’t grab my attention like I hoped it would. It felt like something was missing for me, but I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. In the end, I think it might just be written for a younger audience than other books I usually read. I will say that it gets more interesting as the story goes on. It’s the first book in a duology, so it’s pretty obvious there’s still more left to this story when the book ends. I’m curious about where things will go next.

I will review this book at a time in which St Martins Press addresses the racist and Islamophobic comments of their employee.

So Good! I loved PC + Kristin CAST going up reading the house of night series, now I’m excited to read the next book in this duo to see what happens! It does have a feel for a younger demographic like 13-15 than young adults but I love the magic and the world/characters are well written!

A mystical school. A mysterious death. A magickal romance.


Draw Down the Moon
by P. C. Cast; Kristin Cast
Pub Date: 02 Apr 2024

Wren Nightingale isn’t supposed to have any elemental powers. Born of magickal parents but not under one of the four fated astrological full moons, she is destined for life as a Mundane—right up until she starts glowing on her eighteenth birthday. In a heartbeat, Wren’s life is turned upside down, and she’s suddenly leaving her home for the mystical Academia de la Luna—a secret magickal school on a hidden island off the Seattle coast.

Lee Young has always known about his future at the academy. He has three goals: pass the trials, impress the Moon Council, and uphold his family’s reputation. But he wasn’t expecting to be attending alongside the girl he’s been secretly in love with for as long as he can remember.

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. And Lee will have to decide what to protect: his family’s legacy, or the girl he loves.

With this one, I definitely didn’t know what I was getting into.

When Wren discovers that she may actually have magickal powers, and may not be Mundane, she is whisked off to the Academia de la Luna for the summer after her 18th birthday, along with her friends Sam and Lee. Still unsure of whether she really has magick, since she wasn’t born under a moon sign, she questions her attendance. However, with support of her friends, as the summer continues with trials and strange happenings, she starts to question what may really be going on. What isn’t she being told? What’s her purpose?

This novel was so different! The magick system itself was one I hadn’t heard of, and I appreciate the creativity. It was fun to learn about and see how the characters progressed with their magick. I also really enjoyed the overall storyline. I was excited to see what would happen! The overarching mystery kept my attention when reading.

However, it fell just a bit flat for me. The story was great, but (trying to not give spoilers) I had trouble believing some events. It may be because of the timeline, as they were just to be at the academy for only one summer - only 2-3 months. I would have thought they’d need more time for practice and such. It all felt like it was happening quickly, for me.

But really, it was a fun, enjoyable fantasy. Definitely one to pick up if you’re looking for something different. The authors always have a way of making such unique stories!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from Wednesday Publishers, P.C. Cast, and Kristin Cast through NetGalley. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions.

Wren is a Mundane. Or at least that is what she thought until she turned 18, and began to glow like the sun... Now she is expected to attend the Academia de la Luna despite not being able to actually use her magic.

When you read this book, you get the same writing style that the Casts are known for. In fact, it definitely gives off House of Night vibes - especially in the beginning of the book. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline, but it did take me a little while to get through due to the pacing. It was pretty slow going for most of the book, then the last 50 pages or so were super fast paced. I also thought the side characters were a bit bland as there wasn't a ton of character development. Perhaps this will change? This is supposed to be book one of a duology, after all. I will say that this book ends on a pretty big cliffhanger, so just be aware if that's not your thing. Either way, I will definitely read book 2.

Overall rating 3.5 rounded up.

🧚🏻Thanks so much to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and authors P.C. and Kristin Cast for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

DNF 35%

Although I DNF this book I am still giving it 3 stars. I do love YA fantasy. This reads more middle grade even though the main characters have graduated high school. The writing style reads very young and lacks the beautiful prose often found in YA fantasy. There is a cool magic system based around the moon and I think for a younger YA or middle grade reader this novel could be really enjoyable.

P.C and Kristin Cast have created a wondrous world full of magic, lies, mystery, and friendship. The authors have built this amazing world centered around moon magic, Elementals, and a magic school. The world building was amazing and was not overwhelming. It was the perfect blend of building and plot and character development. I was never bored or distracted by too much of one thing. Everything blended really well and the next book is set up to fantastic.

This book is PERFECT for middle schoolers to young adults. It it has magic, romance, and the characters are going through coming-of-age events and adventures. That age demographic would be able to relate and connect to the characters very well and would make the story more immersible than when I was reading it (I am a 20 something so obviously I'm not the target demographic).

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

DNF @ 30%

When she turns eighteen, Wren’s discovers she is Moonstruck, and her plans for the future change so she can attend a magical academy.

While I always to my best to not DNF books, especially this early into them, I could not get through it. The premise is interesting, where one’s magic is determined by their moon sign, and the Academia is split into four zodiac houses (Leo, Taurus, Scorpio, and Aquarius), but the prose is what did me in.

This books reads more like a young teenager’s bad fanfiction, with childish inner monologue and cringey dialogue. (I can relate because my bad fanfiction at fifteen sounded just like this.) The fact that our main characters are eighteen does not come across easily, as they often behave and speak like ten-year-olds.

I really wish I could have gotten through more of this book because it might have ended really well, but life is too short to read about adult people who sing “Grace Kelly is smelly”.

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

This was the first PC Cast book I’ve read and I really enjoyed it. I was intrigued throughout. Would recommend and will be picking up more books by this author.

Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast is a delightful and fast paced fantasy adventure steeped in all my favorite tropes.
I adored in particular the found family vibes and how they colored character interaction.
Fans of this mother daughter duo's previous works will have a wonderful time and those who are looking for an entry point into their work will get a great experience of what their writing has to offer.