This was a fun start to a new Romantasy by Claire Legrand. I found it easy to get sucked into the story and dive deep into the world. The characters were easy to love and root for. I will definitely be looking for more.

So, here's the thing, I LOVE CLAIRE LEGRAND and her books but the first one of this was rough. Now this sequel is so much better it felt like she answered all my questions and struggles that i had in the first one. A Song of Ash and Moonlight picks up where A Crown of Ivy and Glass left off. Instead of following Gemma, the story features Farrin, the eldest Ashbourne sister with the power to enchant with her voice. I was so excited to read Farrin instead of Gemma. I love the no physical contact and mental health visibility represented in a fantasy novel like no other I have read. I do feel like the love interest was more friendly than love or even like. the side characters were a miss with me, but Claire always out does herself with the setting just like in Furyborn! I wonder who the three book could be about and I look forward to reading anything Claire Legrand writes even if it's a sticky note. Thank you so much to Claire Legrand for the book, the publisher, and Netgalley!

I was absolutely desperate to get my hands on the book that would give us an Ashbourne/Bask romance, from the first moment Ryder and Farrin were in the same room. I loved every interaction between them and seeing their love grow. If anything, I wish I could get more! I'm also so excited by this book because it has been super keen for the next Ashbourne sister coupling (don't worry, no spoilers!).

This follow up to LeGrand's new adult series is incredibly done. The tension, the stakes, the romance, the imagery... Incredible! I loved how the world is continuing to grow and loved the romance. This was an improvement on her first in the series and I can't wait to see where we go next. Highly, highly recommend!

I zoomed through this one (at least, as much as you can zoom through an almost 600 page book!)! I liked that it was from Farin's point of view, rather than Gemma's, which makes me wonder if the third book will be from Mara's point of view. Anyway, this was a great read with many twists and turns and I'm looking forward to the final book of the trilogy!

Overall, I was satisfied with the continuation of this story and am looking forward to where its headed. Farrin, the MFC, I want to get her a room at a local tavern and just let her rest...girl is rightfully exhausted and in need of some self-care days.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley & Sourcebook for the eARC!

Lingering effects from the magical family feud leave Farrin to confront a past she is desperate to work through. Together with Ryder Bask (from the feuding family) she has found someone to help her discover the truth of what is going on with the magic in their world while edging towards an inevitable romance. This second book continues the fantastic world building and I will definitely be looking forward to the next installment of the series.

No regrets!!!!
3.5 stars outta 5

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.