Breathings of the Moon is a murder mystery with a touch of magic. Zoe Underhill is a memory keeper and is summoned to return home to help find who murdered her mother twenty years ago. This book kept me interested from the first page. I liked that the magical aspect of the story did not feel so overdramatic as to make it unbelievable. Thanks to Byrd Nash, Rook and Castle Press, and NetGalley for this complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I have read one other book by the author: A Spell of Rowans. There too, like here, we have a people with a hint of magic. The magic is not exactly earth-shattering but it exists in such a way that it alters the way everyone in the story sees their lives and manages to survive emotional issues.

Zoe is someone else when the book begins. This is not something that makes sense immediately and the author does not waste time explaining it. We have to get it based on how the story unfolds. Zoe is almost coerced by her brother to go back to their family’s home to figure out what happened to their mother all those years ago, since her body has just been found. Zoe is reluctant for more reasons than one.

This is the second book that I read so close to another where there is a missing mother and the replacement is terrible. Zoe’s skill is not the charm the men in her family (and her mother) have. She can see the memories of others and she draws it in like a cocoon around herself. Memories are biased as we are soon to learn, and this does not help the nascent investigation.

There is a romance in the narrative, to help alleviate some of the dysfunction we see amongst everyone else. The end result is reached through a process of elimination, but it is not the true goal of the plot. The family wants to find a semblance of peace in one form or another to move ahead, not realising that they have been stuck in limbo because of this one secret.

I like the author’s writing. The magic part of it is written into the narrative so seamlessly that I did not think it odd at any time. I would not recommend it to people who do not like magical realism in their tales, but for others, it would be an enjoyable (if sad) read.

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Rating: 4.5⭐️/5

So many challenging and taboo genres were approached in this magical realism novel and I thought it was done REALLY well for how short the novel was. A FMC with borderline personality disorder from stealing memories and using them as her own, navigating childhood trauma, patriarchal roles and ruthless family, Breathings of the Moon was so unique and a great read. Don’t forget about the murder mystery!

I do think there could have been a bit more character development, but I appreciated how chaotic her “splits” into new personalities were.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I tell you I loved the magical aspects of this book 🙌🏻
The use of magic, memory and historical significance was blended perfectly!
Also, totally did not expect the murderer 🥺

An enthralling, fast paced read! 🥳

I wanted so badly to like this book, there was so much about it that intrigued me, from the setting, the magical realism elements, and the dysfunctional family with many secrets. Unfortunately the execution and writing did not work for me and I DNF'd at 25%.

Our POV main character was written in a very immature way despite being in her mid-late 20s, constantly making assumptions and jumping to conclusions, her stilted inner monologue. There was also a lot of telling instead of showing, with plenty of info dumping and repetition. A couple of times I had to reread a previous paragraph because I thought I had missed something with the jumpy transitions.

Perhaps these are all things that improve as the book goes on, I kept telling myself to make it to at least 50% before making a decision on putting it down or not, but after an oddly written interaction between Zoe and Duncan I sadly couldn't care to continue.

An original read that brought me much joy when reading. I loved the fantasy concept and it felt fresh.. I would love to read more from Byrd Nash in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.75- Loved the objective of this story, but wish it was longer to expand upon ideas mentioned

This was my first book by Byrd Nash and I was definitely intrigued! I will have to go back and read more. This was a story filled with family drama, mystery, and magical realism. The family drama is what reeled me in and kept me reading.

The story follows Zoe Underhill, who has a gift to read the memories of those she touches. Her mother’s body was found after of being missing for many years, so upon her brothers request to get to the bottom of it. She uses these powers to figure out the truth behind their mother’s death.

Thoughts and Thinkings
The family drama was great, all of the family members were fleshed out and had their own motives. Some you loved, some you hated and I enjoyed reading about them.
The magical element was good the powers of memory was fleshed out, I wish we got more understanding about the Charm power and how it worked.

I was not set on the romance part of the story, while I liked Duncan. I wish there was more yearning and drawn out romance of their relationship

I felt like there were repeated themes, that had no conclusion. Like “where were the women” this was repeated and I only got a small part about Sarah making her husband embarrassed but nothing else about why.

I really wanted more of the spiral into another person from Zoe. I loved what we had but wish the story slowed down a bit to give us that.

I enjoyed the resolution of this book, I was happy with how it ended and felt like the main pieces of the story was wrapped up. I just wish the smaller pieces had a climax as well.


To Wrap Up!
I really enjoyed this story and would’ve been happier with more of it. The magical realism and mystery of it reeled me in, but the family drama kept me hooked till the end. If you like stories with dysfunctional families, murder mysteries and a touch of magic. Then I would strongly recommend this book!

Thank you, NetGalley and Rook and Castle (Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This was interesting. Not really what I expected when I read the summary. My favorite character was Duncan, which was probably on purpose. But I wasn’t really sympathetic toward Zoe. I felt like there were some things about the book that didn’t make sense, like phrases that were repeated a few times that didn’t seem to connect to anything but I felt like were important. I’d recommend this for someone who wants a closed-door romance with a mystery and some mystical powers thrown in, but not for someone who wants romance with spice or in-depth magic. Thank you to NetGalley and Rook and Castle Press for the ARC in exchange for my review.

“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.”Marcus Tullius Cicero

This is my first book by Byrd Nash and I enjoyed it a lot! I couldn’t stop reading and that says a lot.
I was immersed in the mystery, family drama, and magical realism.
What captivated me was the exploration of fragility of memory, questioning how much can we trust our own recollections and how narratives shift depending on who tells them.
The story follows Zoe’s journey to uncover her mother’s killer when she returns home and every family member holds a different version of the past. This family has different gifts (or curses) and Zoe’s is memory keeper, it’s an ability to access other people's memories with possibility to become someone from the inside out.

Also how stunning is the cover of the book right?
Looking forward to more books by the author!

Some favorite quotes:
The older the memory, the harder it is for people to even think about what happened. Anything I learn will be colored by time, by nostalgia.
The man prefers center-stage, with all eyes on him. Jealous or admiring ones, but eyes there must be. He often forgets to leave the stage so the other actors can say their lines.
Dinner is ready, which means we can now use knives to cut each other instead of words.
I feel the urgency of the season, of letting go of the old.
I am drunk on him and ignore worrying about what the hangover will feel like later when I wake from this dream.

A big thank you to Rook and Castle Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

a memory keeper....what a gift....

but the family also had other gifts... gifts that could exploit others....

zoe underhill could take a memory from people and turn her life into that memory that people had... thats how she disappeared and lived her life away from her family....

though her brother always found her and took her back home....

but it was time....

time to remember.... but could she do it.... could she remember who murdered her mother....

a family fraught with tension.... who had murdered her mother but already someone was trying to keep her there.... by taking away her access to money.... her cards had been stolen out of her bags.... who could she trust....

man this book is going to haunt me..... its compelling and shocking in equal measure but man this author can keep you on the edge of your seat....

cant wait for the next book from this author

Byrd Nash’s writing is what truly captivated me in Breathings of the Moon. Her prose has an ethereal quality that elevates the novel beyond a simple mystery-thriller, immersing the reader in a world full of secrets and intrigue. Every member of the Underhill family had their own distinct voice, and Nash gave them the perfect amount of page-time to make them feel real—whether that meant making them likable or, in Aunt Belle’s case, distinctly not.

The gifts (or curses) bestowed upon the Underhills were particularly intriguing, as they fit so well with who they were as individuals. It made their struggles feel even more personal and added depth to their family’s legacy. While I enjoyed the supernatural and mystery elements, I felt the romantic relationship in the book was somewhat misplaced. I would have preferred if it had been left more ambiguous, creating tension about whether it would ever truly develop rather than progressing as much as it did.

Additionally, I wish there had been a deeper descent into madness for Zoe. While she certainly didn’t deserve it, that unraveling of the mind is something I enjoy in thrillers, and a darker turn could have made the story even more gripping. In regards to genre, this book was definitely more on the mystery side of the mystery/thriller genre.

Overall, Breathings of the Moon is a beautifully written novel with well-crafted characters and a unique blend of mystery and the supernatural. While there were aspects I wished had been explored differently, the writing kept me engaged from beginning to end.

The magical realism in this book was so well done and this is probably one of my favourite books. I started off kind of disliking the book, but stuck with it and by about 20% into the book I was hooked. I cried, I laughed and I was on the edge of my seat. I absolutely loved it.

I was hesitant to read this even though I love the author and her other books because I’ve only ever enjoyed 2 books with the use of memory. This book officially makes it 3. I should have never doubted her. That was my mistake.

This book is so soft but unyielding in its tragedy and heartache. However, it is also full of hope and love. My favorite aspect aside from the setting and characters was actually how memory was used in this book to be magical, but also tied to the reality that many face. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but Nash does such a good job at making you love and hate characters, and man, did I hate a few of them.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Great premise; wanted more from it

Zoe Underhill can share other people’s memories with just a touch. She can even take on their memories to become a new person. This ancestral gift made her run far away to live a life free of chaos and dysfunctional drama. However, Zoe’s brother comes for her; their mother (who disappeared twenty years ago) has been found dead. To find the truth, her brother needs Zoe’s help to access the memories of their family members and separate emotions from facts.
Legend says Abraham Underhill, Zoe’s ancestor stopped by the Gale in 1898 to save Kingstowe. In return, he and his family were gifted strange powers. The townsfolk are wary of the Underhill family because of this.
As the 130th anniversary of the Gale approaches, Zoe realizes that she needs to tap into the past and her own memories to find the truth.
The story comes from Zoe’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I’ve enjoyed the author’s works before, so was excited to read this one. The premise is terrific. Imagine a person with the power to see your memories with just a touch!
There’s a bit of everything, which can make it hard to highlight a single genre. It has dysfunctional family drama, a mystery about the mother’s disappearance, paranormal abilities, and a touch of romance.
The family drama gets the highest marks. The tension, toxicity, and stress of living with such people are very well done. I could feel the same itch as Zoe, to escape the house and go somewhere peaceful. The relationship dynamics are complex and the characters are just as messy, adding to the feeling of suffocation. This can be a trigger for some readers.
The mystery is okay, decent enough as the family drama often takes over. Can’t help it since both tracks are interconnected. I could guess the killer halfway through and got it right, though I didn’t know the reason until the reveal.
The FMC’s abilities are shown through various scenes. This makes it easy to understand how her abilities work as well as see the side effects. I like her enough, though something feels missing. I can’t point out what exactly, sorry!
The MMC, Duncan, is the right type of counterpart for the FMC. His stability and steadfastness are evident. It is easy to see why the FMC is attracted to his calm and assured personality. At the same time, he is competent and assertive; just not in-your-face type, and a very comforting presence to have around.
While the story definitely has some atmosphere, I was hoping for more. I need to feel the storm and salty sea breeze around me. Some scenes were quite there but some weren’t.
The side characters have definite personalities. I like that the relationship between Zoe and her brother is a bit strained but they also share a deep sibling bond. It feels realistic.
The climax is pretty cool. I like how the resolution aligns with the character’s personality and delivers justice.
However, the ending is more of HFN and a bit open-ish. An epilogue set a year or two later would have helped a lot. I want to know if the nasty old aunt got what she deserved. Maybe newsletter subscribers can get a bonus epilogue (hint, hint).

To summarize, Breathings of the Moon is an intriguing and dark story about family secrets, memories, and relationships.
Thank you, NetGalley and Rook and Castle (Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Breathings of the Moon is magic realism with a murder mystery, dysfunctional family dynamics, and some ghostly elements. The book was well written, fast paced, and engaging. Character backgrounds explained the motivations and actions of all the main players in a believable way. This is magic realism at its best, when the magic is seamlessly integrated into stories and lives of the characters. Solid 4 stars.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

I swallow hard before asking Duncan, "Has anyone said this building is haunted?"
"No one has mentioned it."
Zoe
Seeing ghosts is not my gift.

Byrd Nash and her writing with mysterious/paranormal undertones is just fabulous. Breathings of the Moon was no exception.
Zoe has zero interest in being with or apart of her family, she wants nothing to do with the Gifts that have been passed down from generation to generation, but she also knows she can't get away from it or the family. When her mother is found dead after being missing for twenty years Zoe is being brought back to the family estate. She wants to find out what happened on the last night of her Mother's life, but no one "seems to know what happened". The family is more interested in celebrating the Legend of the Gale and the rise of the Underhills.
Zoe knows that history is missing, people are lying and using their Gifts to cover up everything. The story goes through how she unravels her own family past. It is gripping, mysterious, so good!

"The Gale takes back what was gifted. The Underhills take back their heritage. You are cast out. Exiled. Alone, without name or power."

An interesting and engaging read with a unique fantasy twist! Very enjoyable! Thank you to NetGalley and Rook and Castle Press for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

After the discovery of her missing mother’s body, Zoe Underhill is drawn back into the suffocating embrace of the Big House and her family’s legacy. Utilizing her Gift, Zoe attempts to discover the truth behind her mother’s murder and the secrets her family would rather keep hidden.

“Breathings of the Moon” was a combination of all my favorite things: magic, crime, and family secrets. Nash crafts an atmospheric tale where the weather is its own character and the narrator is unreliable, in the best way. Through her Gift, Zoe has built a collection of identities through memories she has absorbed from others, separating herself from her family in as many ways as possible. This makes Zoe the perfect instrument for discovery as an ‘outsider’ in her family but tied to it enough to have an understanding. I appreciated the overall narrative of fighting for the truth and the pruning of spoiled fruit, poisoning the entire tree.

While the mystery of who killed her mother is what brought Zoe back to Kingstowe, other discoveries pull focus for a good part of the middle of the book. Even though discovery is a theme of the book, I would have liked to see a stronger through line of finding her mother’s murderer. Through the middle, the focus is shifted to other topics so that it almost seems as if Zoe must be reminded about her goal.

I really enjoyed the relationship fostered between Duncan and Zoe throughout the book, as well as the threading of the family’s Gifts through the storyline. The magical realism brought an extra depth to the book that I appreciated. I believe this book would be a great read for those who might not be sold on fantasy as a genre, as the magical realism and the mystery aspects are enough to pull in even the most averse readers.

Zoe Underhill comes from a wealthy and prestigious family who are the self-proclaimed caretakers of their town called Kingstowe. In 1898 their ancestor Abraham allegedly saved the whole town from a mighty Gale. Ever since then, the Underhills have had special powers; the powers of Charm and Memory. Zoe left the town but is pulled back in when the body of her long lost mother is recovered. Presumed to be dead when Zoe was only 6, Zoe will use her Memory abilities to try to uncover her mother’s murderer.

I love the premise of the this! The whole idea of this subtle family magic, the deep rooted history the Underhills have with their town, the mystery of her mother’s murder, and there is even a small romance. It is an excellent idea and has the trappings of a phenomenal book. My 3 star rating comes from the execution, which fell short for me. There was a lot of telling instead of showing, and clunky linear writing “then this then this then.” It just seemed very amateur to me. Easy for me to say, I’ve never written a book! I am sure it is harder than I can imagine. I do read a ton of them though. I am not trying to be mean, I really did love the story and for me that is most important. I’m just trying to be honest. Great story! Lackluster execution!

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book releases March 4, 2025.

Thank you to Byrd Nash, Rook and Castle Press, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

The synopsis and beautiful book cover art intrigued me and the book did not let me down. Such an interesting concept executed very well. A great blend of fantasy / magical realism / mystery / romance.