Claire Legrand delivers in the second installment of The Middlemist Trilogy. Focusing on the slow burn enemies to lovers relationship between Farrin Ashbourne and Ryder Bask, Legrand weaves her tale of magic and romance.

The two rival families of Ashbourne and Bask have set aside their differences (kind of sort of) to work together against the creatures and forces seeping in through the mists from the Olden Country. When several people go missing, the children of those two families (and yes, Talan and Garreth too) work together to try to find a solution. Farrin, with her friendship with the queen, is often asked to use that friendship in order to get tasks done or acquire information. When more and more creatures slip through the middlemists, the families are tasked with using their powers to help fight off those creatures, protect their countrymen, and find a way to reinforce the mists. During these times, Farrin finds herself spending more and more time with Ryder and finds out there is much more to him than his broody nature. Over the course of the story, Farrin must look inside herself and trust her power in ways that she never has. She also must learn to trust herself, which is no easy task for her.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook put out by Dreamscape Media LLC and narrated by Evelyn Rose. Her singsong voice and talent for reading really shine through. I enjoyed her different voices for the characters, and she was easy to understand. I was easily transported right into the story.

Thank you for allowing me to listen to this audiobook!

First off I didn’t know this was book 2 but that’s ok. I was able to follow along due to the authors amazing writing. I didn’t feel lost at all. However I did stop listening around chapter 10 due to not wanting to spoil myself with book 1.

I will say that I loved this story so far. The narrator did an amazing job with all the characters. The story is very detailed and I instantly fell in love with the world.

I was a little shocked by the spice because I didn’t know but it wasn’t overalls graphic which I like.

I will be buying all her books!!!

A great followup to a story i didn't know if I wanted to continue and an intriguing world that I didn't expect. Gave me Gothic fairytale vibes for sure

Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the arcs. My opinions are my own.

I have been anxiously awaiting this sequel and it did not disappoint. I started out reading the ebook and was able to switch to the audiobook about 40% of the way through. Claire has crafted a very layered world that reveals more of itself as the story goes on. I loved the dynamic between Farrin and Ryder and continuing the fight against same evil as before.

I did have a bit of a hard time with the narrator due to the English accent, I’m not sure why I was envisioning something else since this was marketed as Bridgerton. The narrator did a great job portraying the emotions in the story.

The Vibes: slow burn, star-crossed lovers, muuuusic

Heat Index: 5/10

The Basics:

Although the curse on her family has been listed, Farrin struggles with the loss of her missing mother—and the fact that, as the Middlemist weakens, she must ally with Ryder Bask. She loathes him... but their connection may run deeper than she realizes.

The Review:

I approached this book really hopeful that it would be an improvement over the previous installment, A Crown of Ivy and Glass. Which wasn't a bad book; it just had some clear weaknesses. Unfortunately, I think I actually liked this one a bit less, despite the fact that I was excited about Ryder and Farrin after some hints in the ACoIaG.

Here's the thing: This book was too long.

And that's a common complain of mine lately. It's too long for a romance, including a fantasy romance. I would argue that it's especially too long because the world really doesn't need that much building. I like that Legrand has a cohesive plot arching over three books here with an otherwise standalone love story in each one. I used to read a lot of trilogies in this vein by Nora Roberts, including fantasy and paranormal series. Although she wrote about different standalone couples in each one, she spent less time explaining the backstory of the world in the second and third installments... Because the first covered it.

For all that the love story is meant to stand alone here, you are meant to read the first novel before this one. Often, the first book in a series like this is the rockiest, with smoother transitions into the second or third. I don't know if this was rocky, per se. The plot wasn't bad, the couple should've worked for me...

But it was just so slow, and part of that was the length. Part of that was again, as I've said often in romance reviews, the focus on Farrin's POV. I didn't feel like I got to know Ryder, and if I don't know Ryder, how can I know their love properly?

Fantasy-heavy readers may actually like this more, and I feel that the fantasy and political (as it is) aspects of the plot worked better than they did in the last. But I just couldn't really attach myself to the characters. When I could focus on the plot, I wasn't bored. I just could've focused better, in my opinion, with better character development and tighter editing.

Another thing I would say—I like Legrand's prose. I liked Farrin's voice (and I love that she's neurodivergent). There are so many components here I should like, so I can't say it's a bad book. It just read like the glue was missing.

The Sex:

I was also, I won't lie, disappolnted by the drop in heat in this one. Yes, I suppose it theoretically made sense for Farrin and Ryder. But it could've made sense for them to have more sex, too. I don't think I'd care as much if I wasn't excited for this couple and expecting more based off the last novel.

There's a recipe here. It just either isn't for me, or there's something missing. I don't know if I'll pick up the next book, but if what you wanted more of was the fantasy and non-romance plot from the last novel, you'll probably enjoy this a lot more than I did.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5⭐️
This book was SO good, and I have to admit I liked it more than A Crown of Ivy and Glass. I enjoyed following Farrin’s POV and found her to be less frustrating than Gemma. To be sure, Farrin had moments where I wanted to smack her, but is it even a good book if you don’t have at least a few moments like that? I also prefer Ryder as the MMC. I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers. So basically, their relationship was more to my taste. This book also had the benefit of already having established the world building in book 1, so we were able to go straight into action. It was exciting from chapter 1. Delving deeper into the history of the world and the mysteries within it was really fun. We also delve into some deeper issues and emotions in this book.
I also enjoyed Evelyn Rose’s performance more in A Song of Ash and Moonlight. I think she did a very good job of portraying Farrin’s emotions, and the accent/tone for Ryder worked really well with his character.
All in all I loved this audiobook, and I am genuinely excited to see what happens in the next installment.
A huge thank you to Claire Legrand, NetGalley, and DreamScape Media for this advanced copy!

Wow! This one was even better than the first!!
So now this is book #2 of the trilogy.

This one focuses on Farrin, the sister with the golden voice.
We once again return to the world of fantasy, fae, wars, Gods, otherworldly creatures, Magicks, family, friends, sisters…and so much more!

The original war is over, BUT, there are many changes going on. Some of them are not so good….And…people are being taken. Just disappear. One of them is Farrin’s best friend Garrett.

As they search for and obtain clues, the course is getting harder…and the stakes higher…

Along the way there are clues about their Mother. But can any of this be real? Is it just a glamour??

Farrin and Ryder, her arch enemy, must find a way to work together if they want to get ahead of what is coming…but can she trust him?

And then there’s reference to some Demi-Gods…and, well, how is that even possible?? Stay tuned!

This one was full of surprises! 😮😮 At the same time I found myself HOLDING MY BREATH waiting for what was to come!!

Anointed beings that are taken. Flashbacks and visions of the past. Glimmers into the future. Horrors that cannot be unseen…

Absolutely LOVED this one, and so looking forward to Book #3 (which I believe comes out next year!)

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#ASongOfAshAndMoonlight by #ClaireLegrand and narrated beautifully by #EvelynRose. Book #2 of the Middlemist Trilogy.
**** Release date is set for 9/17/24 ****. So look for it in a few days!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #DreamscapeMedia for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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I want to start off by saying that the audiobook narrator did a fantastic job! There are so many different voices that really make the story come alive.
If you read the first book, you probably did not have very high expectations of this story. I am happy to say that this story is such a great improvement on the first one. If you are new to this series I say skip the first one and just read this. Farrin's magic is music and it makes people weep at her feet. Ryder has been her enemy her entire life and they now have to work together to help stop a war. Ryder has had such great character development from the last book to this one. He is also such an excellent book boyfriend. Farrin is a much better MMC than her sister Gemma. She is not selfish. She instead takes care of everyone and her friendship with her queen propels a lot of the story. My biggest issue with this story is that I feel the author throws a lot of problems into the book when there was already a lot going on. I think it could have been a hundred pages shorter and it would've been five stars.

I love it when the 2nd book doesn’t fall flat! This is such an amazing dark epic fantasy adventure with just a touch of spice. Ongoing conflict and character growth. Very relatable characters that are each coping with some sort of trauma, chronic illness/pain, abuse/neglect or nuerodivergency. This second installment we are immersed into Farrin’s POV as the saga continues. I love that this isn’t your standard romantasy, it’s not happy go lucky, it's deep and raw. You really get a feel for who the characters are and what made them that way without sacrificing plot. The storyline is engrossing and keeps you guessing at what will transpire next. I can’t wait to see how the story ends in the next installment! The narrator also does a smashing job. Definitely adds to the draw of the storyline and emotion of the characters.

Super sad about this.

The narrator wasn’t great and didn’t match the story well at all.
I really did struggle with this the story dragged a bit and I think it probably could have be shorter as things was repeated a lot.

I’m so sorry

I felt like every chapter could have been one sentence. The same thing was explained for an entire chapter. The actual story is good, just should be told in WAY less words.

First of all, I didn't like this narrator. This very much seemed like a why a book/series and I am not a why a girl. I will say the story was intriguing and it kept me listening but everything was very corny very hokey not my style.