Wren has been trying to restore her broken magick after her Moonstruck ritual was interrupted. Unfortunately, the Elementals cannot agree; some want to complete the ritual and others want everything to stay the same. Lee, on the other hand, is trying to figure out a way through his issues. He believes that if Wren returns to the Academia, then everything will work itself out. Which side will end up on top?

Give Up the Night is the second book in the Moonstruck duology. Readers will quickly be able to remember the events from the first book with the few nudges that are included at the beginning, yet it doesn’t have that sense of the author trying to refresh our memories. Overall the story was enjoyable, but it didn’t have a drop-everything-and-finish-this-book-now impression. This duology had a great resolution and readers won’t finish with the feeling of something missing. Give Up the Night is a good read for those who enjoyed the first book.

This mother and daughter writing team have been creating fantasy novels together for more than a decade. I came to read P.C. Cast, however, from her recent solo book, Boudicca (which by the way is excellent). Give Up the Night is Book 2 in the team’s Moonstruck series. I personally think you don't have to have read the first book to enjoy this one. But I think I will be going back to read it anyway, just to lay a foundation. I'm thinking there will be more books in this series, and yes, I want to read them.

So, welcome to an island where good and evil are battling, a result of a broken spell centuries before. Wren, one of two main characters (with a great supporting cast), is a student at the Academia De la Luna, a kind of university for humans with special powers. Each student has a relationship with an “Elemental”, a being of great power, but bound by the broken spell and the evil Selene/Celeste.

This is truly an epic tale.

I really wanted to like this one, but it didn't give me the same excitement as book one. I didn't really care about Wren, Lily and Ruby's journey and I felt like Lee's internal monologue vs actions were rather confusing. Internally, he seemed to always be on Wren's side and believing her, while his actions made it constantly seem like he was against her which did not make sense. I also did not understand Luke's betrayal in the end. A semi good conclusion to the duology because the ending does make it seem like there is room for another story to unfold.

This story follows the PC and Kristen Cast formula to a T. If you’ve read any of their other novels, you will definitely know what to expect. It’s an interesting sequel to the first, I think it may be better than the first one. It’s just very predictable and you can kinda expect every turn as it’s coming. From Lee and Wren, to Celeste being the awful beautiful older woman, to Luke betraying his friends for her.. it mirrors most of their other stories. Thanking the elements, the same way they did in House of Night and even Wrens nickname of Little Bird feels reminiscent of House of Night. Not bad, but it didn’t really feel like anything special.

Slightly better than the first, but only because the turmoil & plot actually moved in this book.

Just as cringe in terms of dialogue, just as convoluted when it came to mending relationships, just... really frustrating overall.

And I'll be honest... the ending was entirely unsatisfying as far as consequences for villains goes.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read/listen to this book early and share my honest review. All reviews will be posted to my socials (Netgalley, Goodreads, Fable, IG).

The exciting conclusion to the Moonstruck duology. Give Up the Night picks up where Moonstruck leaves off. Wren has found out that Selene has fractured the ancient magicks and ruined the lunar ritual. The Elementals are split into 2 factions; some of them want to complete the ritual where the others are terrified of what could happen to them and try to end Wren every chance they get. Wren is trying to reach the center of the island where the ritual can finally be completed.
Lee is left behind at the Academia de la Luna, trying to piece together if Wren is at fault or trusting the feelings he knows to be true. As Wren and Lee both battle for what they believe is right, they’ll have to uncover who their true allies are…and if they’re even on the same side of this magickal fight.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this digital e-arc.*

Unfortunately, I didn't read the first book in this duology before requesting this one. I thought I was guaranteed to like it, but I hated it.

Ｅｂｏｏｋ & Ａｕｄｉｏｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
🌟🌟🌟🌟.2
Give Up the Night is book two in the Moonstruck series. Wren and Lee's romance was just too cute. I enjoyed the world-building and the elemental creatures. That part gave me Frozen II vibes, and I loved it. The friendship was top-tier. This is a good book about moon magic and fantasy. Highly recommend.

The audiobook is dual narrated! The narrators did a good job bringing the story to life. They were easy to listen to and understand. Listened at 2x speed.

Since turning eighteen and becoming Moonstruck, Wren Nightingale has found herself thrust into a world filled with deception, danger, and murder. Uncovering that their magic was fractured and limited when the original Moonstruck ritual was broken by Selene, Wren is determined to find a way to restore it. But the Elementals are split into two factions—some want the ritual completed and their freedom, and others are so terrified of change that they are willing to kill Wren before she can reach the center of the island where the ruined ritual can be completed.

𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
•Magic & Fantasy
•Young Adult
•Romance

Thank you, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the ebook and audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a moving book. The loss and betrayal for the group was so emotional. This was a great second book. It starts from where book one finished which is really nice. I love the found family that the group becomes. Wren has gone through so much and I'm hoping that her life and the time at school will become better. I love the fact that this book shows two sides to the elementals. I can't wait to see what happens next for the group and the school.

Give Up the Night is the highly anticipated conclusion to the Moonstruck duology, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. As a long-time fan of P.C. and Kristin Cast’s writing—this being the third series I’ve read from them—I was eager to see how this story would unfold, and I wasn’t left disappointed.

The book picks up right where Draw Down the Moon left off, with Wren at a crossroads, trying to survive while being hunted due to her rare Moonstruck powers. The tension is immediate, and I loved how the book dives straight into the action, with almost no time skip between the two volumes. The dual POVs from Wren and Lee continue to add depth to the story, though Lee’s actions did frustrate me at times, which only added complexity to his character.

The pacing was fast and relentless, keeping me on the edge of my seat, though I found myself wishing there was more time to fully immerse in the world. That said, the rapid progression didn't detract from my enjoyment. I also felt the world-building was more fleshed out in this book compared to the first, with the Elementals and the complexities of fractured magick taking center stage. The mythology here was captivating, and interacting with the Elementals felt like stepping into a mystical, ancient world that added rich layers to the plot.

I also loved how the stakes were raised in this second installment. Wren’s journey was compelling, and the loyalty of her friends, Ruby and Lily, provided the emotional heart that balanced out the darker moments. The magical powers were also more pronounced, which gave the book an added sense of wonder. Lee’s internal struggles and his attempts to navigate the complexities of the Moonstruck hierarchy brought even more depth to the narrative, and his character’s growth made him one I rooted for.

Overall, this was an engaging and magical conclusion to the duology. It was the perfect wrap of the story with just the right balance of romance, magic, and emotional payoff. The story was filled with suspense, and the twists left me breathless.

"New York Times bestsellers P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast return with Give Up the Night, the astonishing conclusion to their Moonstruck duology set in a dark and magickal world filled with incredible danger and irresistible romance.

Since becoming Moonstruck on her eighteenth birthday, Wren Nightingale has found herself thrust into a world filled with deception, danger, and murder. Uncovering that their magick was fractured and limited when the original Moonstruck ritual was broken by Selene, Wren is determined to find a way to restore it. But the Elementals are split into two factions - some want the ritual completed and their freedom - and others are so terrified of change that they're willing to end Wren before she can reach the center of the island where the ritual Selene ruined can be completed.

Between his overbearing father's arrival, Rottingham delegating him more and more responsibility, and Celeste taking a special interest in him, Lee Young has been struggling to find his own path. As much as Lee wants to take his place in the Moonstruck hierarchy, he knows something's not right at the Academia de la Luna. He thinks if he can talk some sense into Wren and get her to return to the Academia, that everything will turn out alright.

As Wren and Lee both battle for what they believe is right, they'll have to uncover who their true allies are...and if they're even on the same side of this magickal fight."

I so love a good duology.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books, P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast, Marie Smith (audio narrator), and Jordan Barton (audio narrator) for the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook of Give Up the Night in exchange for an honest review.

Give Up the Night follows Draw Down the Moon and concludes the Moonstruck duology. As I sated with the first novel, this is categorized as a teens/young adult novel, but the characters are over eighteen as a post-high school university and there are a few adult themes, so it leans more toward new adult.

The novel picks up right where the chaos left off with Wren. She is now seen as a villain, a Moonstruck with power that is rare and signals that she should be terminated. It goes with the idea that people want to destroy things they don't understand. With the help of her air elemental, a new companion and pretty fun character to get to know, along with two of her close friends, she flees the school (or rather is barriered out) and seeks to find answers.

Within, Lee still aims to become the great council member he has always sought to be, but with everything happening with Wren, the girl he loves, he knows there is something wrong when it comes to the council. Lee will do what he can to do what's right, but that might mean getting involved in a centuries-old secret and uncovering the past in an unimaginable way.

This novel was a fun adventure. I loved the elementals and the exploration of nature and elemental magic, the connection to beings that perhaps are just misunderstood. The story alternates between the first person perspectives on Lee and Wren, so the reader gets to see secrets unraveling both inside the Academia de la Luna as well as the magical existence outside the castle and within a whole separate plane.

As a duology, this book was an enjoyable listen and the audio narrators really brought the two main characters to life. The production is an enjoyable and immersive read. The conclusion is everything it needs to be and more. If you enjoy P. C> and Kristin Cast, you will certainly adore this novel and its world.

This was a great conclusion to this duology. I enjoyed the magic system and the characters. It also had a bit of romance. The world-building was easy to follow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the St. Martin's Press publishing team for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Give Up The Night by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast! As a longtime fan of their writing, this being the third series I've read from them, I couldn't wait to dive into the conclusion of this duology.

Right from the start, the book gave me nostalgic vibes that reminded me of the House of Night series, which I absolutely loved. The world-building was captivating, and I enjoyed learning more about the Elementals and the complexities of the fractured magick. The tension between the factions and the high stakes of restoring the original Moonstruck ritual kept me hooked throughout the story.

Wren Nightingale's journey was compelling, and I appreciated how Ruby and Lily stood by her side as loyal friends. Their bond added warmth to the darker moments of the book. Some characters truly surprised me, adding layers of intrigue and emotional depth to the plot.

Lee Young’s struggle to find his place within the Moonstruck hierarchy and his attempts to reason with Wren added another dimension to the narrative. His internal conflict and the external pressures he faced made him a character I rooted for.

Overall, Give Up The Night delivered a satisfying and magickal conclusion to the duology. It was filled with suspense, emotion, and just the right amount of romance. I highly recommend it to fans of P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, as well as anyone who enjoys immersive fantasy worlds with rich character development.

Give Up the Night
by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
Moonstruck #2
YA Fantasy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Apr 1, 2025
St. Martin's Press
Ages: 14+

Wren Nightingale is on the run after finding out the original Moonstruck ritual was broken, and while she wants to fix it, the one who broke it will kill to keep things as they are.

With the help of two friends and her spirit elemental, she runs into the forest to pass four tests to prove she is worthy of being the Maiden.

Lee is torn between the Academia and his love for Wren, but believes Wren had tried to kill Selene. But deep down, he knows something is wrong with the school and if he could talk Wren into coming back, they could fix it.


This is the final book in the Moonstruck series and picks up from the last, and moves along at a good pace. The characters and writing at times come across a lot younger than their supposed eighteen years, acting more like fourteen-year-olds with how they presented themselves and I wonder if that is the age group the authors intended to reach.

There is some pretty good recapping of the first book, but more details about Wren and Lee's relationship could have made the reader feel the hurt of the betrayal.

I do wish more depth was added to this world, there was so much potential in these books, but sadly this series felt hurried, as if written as quickly as possible to get the books on the shelf. More history of the world; school, characters, and elementals could have made this story as good and immersing as another series from these authors, but this one didn't reach half of what it could've.

The violence isn't overly graphic, and the romance is clean so the book is suitable for readers fourteen and older.

Also, this book is left open so more books could follow either with the present characters or new ones.

Almost didn't make it to...

3 Stars

I really like that we get to find out more about our main character and that we get more emotion. I also really enjoyed the magical system and the elementals. I can’t wait to have the physical copy on my hands. I love to read anything by these two and can’t wait for anything else they write

I loved that this book picked up right where book one left off. This book does seem like it targeted the ya more this time which pleased me as me and my daughter are reading this together. Plenty of magic and scenes that have you laughing and the mfc is perfect. She grows emotionally as well as in strength. Good job p.c. Cast loved it!

P.C Cast is a great author. And I was very happy to get to read this book. The world building is very good and the story was so interesting.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

I really liked this book and if you are a fan of their books, you'll notice the flow from book 1 to book 2 is super similar to the flow of the house of night books. I really enjoy that aspect and continuation of the story as if there was no pause between books. I do recommend doing a reread of book 1 or the ending of 1 before starting if it's been a minute as you'll want a refresher. Solid A book once again.