This sequel to Draw Down the Moon picks up right where the first book leaves off. Wren is fleeing for her life, still reeling from the murder of her best friend. She is joined by her Elemental and two allies. Together they must face a series of trials in order to defeat the evil Celeste.
I think I enjoyed the first book just a little bit more than this sequel. This is still a very good read especially if you like your YA romantasy heavy on the adventure/thriller elements. It’s a story about how power corrupts, about friendship (and a little romance), and working together to achieve a goal. It is supposedly the conclusion of a duology, but I felt the ending leaves an opening for more. 4 stars

Give Up the Night-Moonstruck #2-I recommend reading book #1 Draw Down the Moon first.

By P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast

Pub Date Apr 01 2025| Read Dec 12 2024

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, and P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast for this ARC🧡! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance

Tropes: coming of age, found family, dark academia, family drama, LGBTQIA+ rep

👆🏾POV: dual, 1st person

Setting: Seattle

Summary: After Wren and Viento's escape, she goes back to school to get Maya's book in hope of completing the ritual to free magic and the elementals. Lily and Ruby join her quest while befriending hostile elementals. Lee visits Maya's room to get answers about what happened to her. His father Tyrell comes to school pushing him towards Celeste and Dean Rottingham's agenda. Wren and Lee make their own way exposing the Academia de la Luna.

Characters

Wren-main h

Lee-main H

Luke-clued to Lee's side as Rottingham's co-apprentice

Lily-Luke's twin sister, a Leo moon

Ruby-befriends the gang, a Scorpio moon

Tyrell Young-Lee's father, has a business alliance w/ the Lunar Council

Dean Rottingham-keeps Lee and Luke close using their ambition to join the Lunar Council

Celeste-wounded, healed, hunts for Wren using fire elementals

Viento-air elemental that helps Wren

My Thoughts: I got lost during Wren's quest as it got a bit stale after the second attack. Their time in the other realm dragged on too long, but I loved how Wren and Lee reunited. The ending was satisfying but I see the potential for more. Overall, I enjoyed Wren and Lee's self-discovery journeys and their found family.

Rating:4/5 ⭐

This dark, magickal world continues to captivate with its irresistible romance, shifting allegiances, and the ever-present threat of danger. The ending is both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving me breathless as I close the book, eager for more. The emotional intensity of the journey, combined with the mounting tension and complex relationships, makes this conclusion an unforgettable ride.

Really enjoyed getting to read the second book in this series. I like how action packed and fast paced the story is, and plot is really the driving force here. The characters are okay but not developed enough for me to feel a real emotional attachment to. I think this might play into the fact that it is very YA. I love YA, I teach YA but sometimes the simplicity in the writing, characters and story development almost leans to childish. Even when devling into compelx emotions or topics it falls short some times. I do however think I would recommend this story to students. I love the diverse set of characters and think the more we can include diverse stories in our classrooms and bookshelves the better!

This was the perfect sequel! The action, the suspense, the hard decisions and tension, it was all so perfect! It felt like the perfect book to read in the current political climate. I couldn’t put it down!

I didn't realize this was a sequel when I initially requested, so there was a bit of a learning curve, but it wasn't too bad. I liked Wren and Lee and thought the two pov worked pretty well, although they weren't always that distinct in terms of voice. However, the plot kept moving and I became invested in what would happen, even without having read the previous book!

The second book in this magical fantasy gives us the answers to the true magic of the island and of the Elementals. This book has a lot more action as Wren faces down the four Elemental tests to find the Elder and take down Celeste. Ultimately the book is about relying on friends and treating all creatures with dignity.l

I will always devour anything and everything Kristin and PC cast write. I’ve been the biggest fan since the very first House of Night book came out and I’ll die a big fan too.

This was an amazing sequel. I loved it so much and I can’t wait to have these gorgeous books on my shelf.

I'm sorry to say that I couldn't get into this series. I gave it my best chance, the premise seemed interesting, and maybe because I just wasn't in the right mood for it that It was a bit of a struggle for me. Thank you for the opportunity to give this one a try.

I didn't realize this was a sequel when I initially requested, so there was a bit of a learning curve, but it wasn't too bad. I liked Wren and Lee and thought the two pov worked pretty well, although they weren't always that distinct in terms of voice. However, the plot kept moving and I became invested in what would happen, even without having read the previous book!

This continues the first book without interruptions. The stakes are higher now because Wren is being hunted, and she has few allies that will help her run and complete the ritual. I love that Viento is her protector and Lily made me laugh. I think readers will enjoy to binge both volumes as one and ignore that it's two volumes. Vivid imagery, bingeble and great magickal academy and characters. My fav chapters were from when they met the elder forward.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, but this book honestly left me wanting more. It was a super quick read but I always felt like more could’ve been added to it. The book starts from where we left off in the previous one with almost no time skip, which I appreciate especially since I was so intrigued on what was going to happen. We still have dual POV’s from Wren and Lee which I love and have gotten so used to although Lee made me angry at times in this book. The plot definitely came more around in this book compared to the first book which I appreciated and I felt the magical powers were shown more here too. All of my questions from last book were answered which I feel rarely happens so soon!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.