A fast paced sequel to "A Crown of Ivy and Glass". More secrets are uncovered and a new love story blossoms.It also builds a perfect fundament for the finale. A must read if you enjoyed the first book.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

A Song of Ash and Moonlight follows Farrin Ashbourne, the responsible eldest daughter of the Ashbourne family, as she navigates a world on the brink of collapse. With magic unraveling, mysterious disappearances, and a fiery Olden creature stalking her, Farrin must reluctantly team up with Ryder Bask, the arrogant heir of the rival Bask family, to uncover the truth behind the growing chaos. As gods stir from their slumber and old curses resurface, Farrin and Ryder must confront their personal demons and simmering attraction while racing against time to save their loved ones and their world.

Legrand delivers a phenomenal follow up to the first book in the series, with arguably more compelling characters and story. This entry is sure to win new readers to the series.

I wanted to love this book so badly but it just didn't work for me. If you haven't reread the first book before picking this one up, REREAD first. I was getting extremely lost because I couldn't keep track of the storyline. Which is not a problem of the book, but just a piece of advice. Even though the book focuses on a different sister, the plot is deeply interwoven with the first book.

The relationship and the characters just weren't all that believable to me. I thought their story was interesting, but it just fell flat.

I still love this author and the plot overall was worth the read for me, but it did not give me the same feeling the first book in the series did.

If you’re looking for your next great fantasy series, this is it! The world building is beautiful and there’s so much happening without you feeling bombarded with information.

A Song of Ash and Moonlight is the second book in the Middlemist Trilogy. While this book does focus on a different couple, it is important to read book one first. I was excited for this book because enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes.

A Song of Ash and Moonlight follows Farrin and Ryder. Unfortunately I didn't end up liking this book as much as I hoped. I think this book was a bit longer than necessary. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it were shorter. The final book of the trilogy focuses on the last sister, Mara. I can't wait to get her POV and see how it all ends!

Ever since I found out that book 2 of The Middlemist trilogy was going to be Farrin's book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it...and it doesn't disappoint! Song picks up shortly after the first book: the ytheliad curse between the Ashbournes and the Basks has been broken, Gemma eagerly awaits Talan's clandestine visits, Mara protects the Mist as one of the sentinel Roses, and poor Farrin runs the entire estate. But when Queen Yvaine succumbs to a sudden madness and the Mist begins to malfunction more, it's now Farrin's turn to save her family and the realm from the edge of danger. And, of course, having to team up with her former enemy, the enigmatic Ryder Bask, makes Farrin's task all the more challenging.

Much like the first book, Legrand perfectly blends fantasy and romance. I adored the glimpses we got of the rest of the realm -- especially the North -- and loved the deepening mystery of the Mist, the demon Kilraith, and the origins of our beloved Queen. Legrand's writing is consistently breathtaking, too, making the nearly 600 pages of this book fly by. I couldn't put it down!

But I think what I loved most of all is Farrin herself. I'm not quite sure if I love her more than Gemma, or perhaps just differently, but I love, love, love how Legrand always gives us MCs who are...difficult. Not morally gray, but just...flawed. Human. Vulnerable in a way I rarely find outside of Claire Legrand's books, and something that touches my heart so, so deeply. Farrin is an angry, strong-willed, stubborn woman, but she's also deeply sensitive and overwhelmed by the world. I've seen some readers refer to Farrin as neurodivergent, and I think there's plenty of subtext to support that. Much like in Gemma's story, I saw pieces of myself in Farrin; at times I found Farrin's romance and personal arc to be so beautiful and affirming that I cried. Man, nothing can make me cry a like Claire Legrand book.

The romance between her and Ryder, while not as spicy as Gemma/Talan, is also beautifully done. I love how tenderly it unfolded, how Ryder truly cares for her and supports her, and she does the same for him. When the spice did show up, it felt earned and well-deserved. The slowburn here is incredible -- for folks who were peeved with how quickly Gemma and Talan got together, I think Farrin/Ryder is going to go over really well. And his pet name for her? Swoon. Yes, I preordered the physical book so I could get that beautiful quote. Yes, "star of my life" is now permanently stuck in my head. Truly, I don't know how we're going to ever top Ryder in terms of Book Boyfriend material (although if the final book is Mara/Gareth, Ryder may have some competition).

Many thanks to NetGalley, SourceBooks Casablanca, and Claire Legrand for gifting me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. I am so, so blown away by this series and cannot wait for Mara's story!

Unfortunately this one fell flat for me. The pitch of “enemies to lovers” was undermined by the fact that the love interest was obsessed with the main character from the get-go. I didn’t believe their chemistry and some of the romantic scenes felt oddly… enabling? And the MC was both too self-aware yet simultaneously not self-aware in a way that felt inconsistent.

I’m normally not a romantasy reader but I love Claire Legrand’s writing so much that I gave this trilogy a try. I’m glad I did — it’s completely sucked me in and I’m loving it so much.

The trilogy involves three sisters with very different magic whose world is falling apart. The Middlemist, which protects humans from dangerous creatures, is failing.

Each book focuses on a different sister, and Song is Farrin’s story. One of my favourite things about the trilogy so far is that the sisters are flawed, complex people, even a bit unlikeable at first.
Farrin is overwhelmed, stubborn, and angry, and the only one who understands her is her family’s sworn enemy, Ryder.

Legrand blends fantasy and romance so well — the world-building is complex and simmers with danger. A few scenes border on horror. The romance builds nicely and isn’t the insta-love that usually has me avoiding the genre.

A Song of Ash and Moonlight is book two in the Middlemist trilogy. I enjoyed it even more than the first book, A Crown of Ivy and Glass.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my review copy of this book.

I did like this book better than the first, because Farrin somehow seems like a better character than her sister. There is a lot in the story, and would usually like long books, but this one was longer than I would have liked. Overall, it was ok, but better than first one. I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Claire Legrand and her Empirium trilogy so I had big hopes for her new series. I had some mixed feeling towards to first book, so I was a bit hesitant to pick up the second book of the series. And I was so glad that I did!

In A Song of Ash and Moonlight we follow another sister of the Ashbourne family and while I thought that the pace of the story could've been picked up a bit, I loved that we as readers learnt more about the magic and history of this world. The worldbuilding is really amazing and while we got a lot of answers there were also some new questions that make me so excited for book 3!
The romance part was also really amazing - I love me some slow burn, enemies to lovers romance - throw in the "He falls first" trope and I'm all in.

If you're looking for a great fantasy series, where you're not instantly bombarded with a ton of information and new things, with great worldbuilding, mystery and romance, this is the one! I would definitely recommend this!

**Review of *A Song of Ash and Moonlight* by Claire Legrand**

Claire Legrand’s *A Song of Ash and Moonlight* is a breathtaking tapestry of rich world-building and deeply resonant themes. Legrand crafts a mesmerizing narrative that weaves together elements of magic, betrayal, and the complexities of identity, all while keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

The characters are vividly drawn and relatable, each with their own struggles and motivations that resonate deeply. The protagonist's journey is both personal and universal, exploring themes of love, sacrifice, and the quest for belonging. Legrand’s lyrical prose captures the beauty and darkness of her world, immersing readers in a landscape that feels both familiar and entirely unique.

The pacing is expertly balanced, blending moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow for character development and emotional depth. The plot twists are unpredictable, ensuring that readers remain engaged until the very last page.

Overall, *A Song of Ash and Moonlight* is a masterful blend of fantasy and emotion, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys richly developed characters and an intricately woven story. Legrand has once again proven her talent for creating an unforgettable narrative that lingers long after the final chapter.

"None of your children asked to be born into your war, and yet we're the ones doing all the work to end it."

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Content warnings: death (including a gory one at the end), parental abandonment, physical abuse

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a copy of this book for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read this via an e-book ARC, purchased physical copy, and library audiobook.

I had been checking for this book every day since it got into its ARC season and managed to snag an ARC during a timed "read now" giveaway! I wanted to read this book badly because, while I didn't love book 1, Claire Legrand is still one of my favorite authors, and this book's main characters are my favorite characters from book 1 (other than Gareth, love him too).

A Song of Ash and Moonlight follows Farrin Ashbourne, the oldest of the three Ashbourne daughters. Farrin essentially took over managing the entire household after her mother abandoned them and her father became emotionally detached, so she is definitely giving firstborn daughter syndrome and we love to see it. In the present, Farrin is stuck managing a timid alliance with the Basks (including their son, the annoyingly handsome and rude Ryder), and convincing the rest of the nobles they've broken their curse of hatred. Unfortunately, there are worse things to deal with, like the Queen behaving strangely, the Mist starting to disappear, and people along with it. Can Farrin and her sisters and their allies figure out what is happening while there's still time to intervene?

I waited a week to review this book and still feel torn on what I want to say! I did really enjoy the characters and related much more to Farrin than Gemma. I also liked Ryder more than Talan and the romance overall better than book 1. The romance scenes were not at all what I'd been expecting before starting the book, but I do really like the representation of people learning to be comfortable in and unashamed of their own bodies. I also loved getting to see more of the side characters like Gareth and Mara.

I also enjoyed the atmosphere of the book and had high intrigue for most of the story. I finished a 600 page book in 20 days, which for me is 1/3 of how long I'd usually take! I think I was hooked for the first 70-75% or so. Unfortunately, I still have no idea how I feel about the plot. It was much better than book 1, but it felt like there were so many plot twists (I anticipated the one involving the queen since the beginning) at the end and I just.... didn't care? I read it all and closed the book and said "... okay!" and didn't think about it again. I hate that I can't label what was wrong to me! Is it just that I wasn't interested in the plotline? I did think it felt more cohesive and part of one story than the first book! I was also disappointed with how the discovery of who the boy from Farrin's dreams went. It seemed so illogical how long it took her to realize and, while I understand to some degree how she reacted, I hated the way it played out. The plot twist involving the sisters' abilities also didn't appeal to me, but mostly out of disinterest.

If book 3 is about Mara and who I assume is the love interest, I definitely still plan to read it, but I do think that this will probably end up being my favorite book of the series. I'd love to be wrong, though. Legrand has written some of the best conclusions to wild plotlines that I've ever read, so I know she's capable!

I'm not sure how I missed this was a series but I still had a lot of fun! This author has a fantastic voice.

Great addition to this series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it to others.

I loved reading about Edyn and being back in the middle mist world. These sisters are all special and have such significant parts to this story, it was so fun to read about them! The story gets in-depth snd is difficult to put down. Stop all your weekend plans and continue into this beloved world!

I will always love Claire Legrand's work! This didn't disappoint and is sure to thrill those who love her other adult works and adult romantasy in general.

A Song of Ash and Moonlight, by Claire Legrand, is the second installment in the authors Middlemist trilogy. This story takes place in a world known as Edyn. Three sisters (Farrin, Gemma, and Mara) in a noble magic family must fight to protect their home from invasion by the creatures of the Old Country—the realm of the gods and the birthplace of magic—before the weakening Middlemist, the boundary dividing the two worlds, disappears forever. This story revolves around Farrin Ashbourne, the older of three sisters, and Ryder Bask, the son of Lord Alastair Bask. The two families have been at war for many years.

Farrin has a musical ability that can sway people to do as she pleases, or become obsessed with her and she has previously used that ability to sing and help her sister save her lover from the last book. Unfortunately she feels that her gift is a curse more than a blessing, and she tries to seclude herself in the running of the family estate but her father has become more and more derange and possibly harmful. The one person she finds she can turn to is actually someone who has been her families enemy for most of her life, Ryder.

Ryder is tired of the feud that has kept their families apart for years and just wants to make things right between the two and overcome the dangers that are trying to effect the kingdom they live in. He finds he can relate to Farrin and that he wants to spend more and more time with her and as they both look to find what is harming the Middlemist and the queen herself they find themselves together more and more. Will Farrin let Ryder in fully, and does Ryder truly love her for who she is or is it the fact that he has heard her magical ability multiple times and that is what lures him in.

In this world, there are people who were anointed with magical abilities from the Gods. Farrin's younger sister, Mara, was taken away from the family to become a member of the Order of the Rose. She guards against the old country and wild magic, but she can literally transform into something wild that gives her awesome abilities to be faster, stronger, more dangerous than her sisters. Farrin's father is anointed by the Gods as a Sentinel, but nothing can stop the pending death of the Mist, a magical entity that separates humans from Gods. Gemma and Talan have found love, but Talan is still weary of the return of Kilraith who has gone silent.

Farrin was first introduced as the cold, unapproachable sister in the first book. As the oldest, she barely survived the burning of her home (Ivyhill) by her families enemies. Farrin is the one that keeps the family together. After what happened to their mother and what happened to her sister when she was taken away at 10-years old, she now has to face an enemy she doesn’t know anything about, with the help of a boy she doesn’t want as friends but soon enough will realize is so much more. Her insecurities and doubts and fears are real, and so is her love for her sisters.

I think that there are a whole lot of enemies to lovers readers out there, and this will definitely satisfy that hunger. In this book, readers will see even more of the Citadel, the Old Country, the Wardwell, and Moonhollow too. The good thing about taking notes while reading, is that you know who the important characters are, and where certain events take place. Otherwise, it can be tiring trying to figure out where they are and why it's important to the story. It is pretty obvious that Mara is going to be the next featured character since the first book was Gemma. I would encourage readers to try to read this as close to back to back as you can since everything is connected.

Thank you Netgalley for the book in exchange for a review.

While the novel starts off strong, with plenty of potential for a gripping and immersive story the execution falls short in a few areas. The pacing is inconsistent, with certain sections dragging while others feel rushed and the story was just unbelievably long. It did not need to be this long.

The romance while sweet at times, lacked the depth and was very much surface level. Where there should have been conflict there wasn't which for a politically motivated novel is weird.

I am sure other people will love the deep world building, but the plot and characters were just not for me.

I was so excited for Farrin and Ryder’s story, and this did not disappoint!
Book 2 of The Middlemist Trilogy, The Song of Ash and Moonlight takes you on a journey with Farrin. With more insight into their past and what happened when their mother went away, Farrin and her sisters are discovering more about their demigod blood and gifts.
And the unfolding relationship with Ryder is beautiful.
Gorgeous storybuilding, I can’t wait until book 3!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for this arc in return for my honest review.

Pub date: 17 September 2024