Member Reviews

I definitely enjoyed this story a lot which leads me to believe that I would have liked the first one more had I read a print or electronic edition instead. Again, if you enjoyed Hunger Games, Divergent, or like ecological and environmental dystopia you will probably enjoy this series. Long journey, self discovery, unraveling mysteries, romance, coming of age, dystopia, nature focused, trials and challenges, are just some of what you will be enjoying in this book.

<spoiler>This volume continues Ava's journey with learning about her true self and abilities and what she really wants. Does she want to stay where she has always been and gotten used to or does she want to go out and learn more about her ancestors and the truth of where she is from, and what she can do? Will she grow closer to Diablo and Glory and Daciana? Will she uncover what really happened to her mother? Will she survive the harsh conditions of her Blood Race so she can prove herself ready to the Klujns?</spoiler>

I hope there is a third, maybe more, to this story and that I can get my hands on it but seeing as this one isn't even out yet it will be a wait for me for sure. Definitely worth it though.

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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.

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***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

"Ice Moon," the incredibly well done sequel to Blood Circus, and is a fantastic continuation of Ava’s journey. After witnessing her fierce determination in Blood Circus, I couldn’t wait to dive into the next chapter of her adventure, and Camila Victorie delivers a satisfying and compelling story.

The narrative picks up two months after the events of Blood Circus, where Ava, now back among humans, feels lost and adrift. Her escape with Diablo begins their quest to return to Circo before the Ice Moon, presenting both familiar trials and new challenges. What really stood out to me was Diablo’s character development—despite initially planning to leave Ava behind, he stays with her, determined to help her get as far as he can. Over time, he becomes more patient and empathetic towards her, and their bond grows beautifully. Romance isn’t a central theme in this series, but the love and yearning between them feel deeply rooted, adding an emotional layer to their journey. The pacing of their journey kept me hooked as they navigate unexpected obstacles, and their evolving relationship adds a rich, heartfelt dimension to the story.

A particularly strong aspect of this book is Diablo’s expanded backstory, which adds depth to his character. The emphasis on earth magic and the spiritual elements of the world enhances the story, creating a setting that feels grounded and fully realized. Victorie excels at maintaining the richness and believability of the world she’s created, making it a seamless extension of what readers experienced in Blood Circus.

In Blood Circus, certain outcomes felt somewhat predictable based on the setup, but Ice Moon introduces surprising twists that kept the story fresh. I especially appreciated the ending, where Ava, despite the changes she’s gone through, decides to forgo the next Queen trials and return to the world she knew. It’s a bold choice, leaving me excited to see where her journey will go next.

Overall, Ice Moon is a brilliant sequel that deepens the character arcs, expands on the world-building, and keeps readers invested in Ava’s journey. I for one, cannot wait for book 3. Fans of Blood Circus will be pleased, and anyone who enjoys strong, complex characters and immersive world-building should definitely check out this series.

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Ice Moon was an incredible follow up to Blood Circus. It continues where Blood Circus leaves off, so definitely read that one first. The character development was great as was all the commentary on taking care of the earth and each other. It discussed themes such as believing in yourself and keeping in mind that your actions impact others. I had a great time reading this. It leaves room for additional books but also has a satisfying conclusion if this is the last book.

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The Blood Circus series is tragic and dark but so full of important reflections about life and society. The way Camila Victoire examines the world is so powerful and interesting. In book 2, Ava continues on her journey to learn more about herself and achieve self-acceptance. It’s sometimes a slow journey, but highlights important small moments that will stay with you for a long time. In some of the plot points, I wish the emotion would’ve been cultivated a little more. Some really huge things are happening with Ava, but the emotion is limited in how we, the reader, experience these transformations. However, these books are powerful and fascinating and have very important ideas about life and our world.

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There’s magic, intense action, and a lot of focus on healing and self-discovery.
The world building is excellent , but sometimes it gets a bit slow with too many details. If you liked Blood Circus, this is a great follow-up. If you’re new to the series, start with the first book to get the full story. It’s dark, emotional, and sticks with you after you’re done reading

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Could not finish this book, the moment the main character mentions a 3 year old having her fingers cut off and then collected… I could not read on.

Perhaps I should have really spent time researching the book more before reading!

The writing style was already a problem for me as the book is written quite oddly. The story doesn’t really flow and wasn’t something I enjoyed.

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Was overly detailed. Felt like alot of it could have been removed and still bern understood. Story was interesting and I had a good time read it. Just wish it had moved a bit faster. This series is very promising for sure.

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This one took me a little longer to read as I had to go find the first one before I could but I’m so so glad I did as it made far more sense afterwords!
I loved the plot and all the twists and turns I did feel like some parts had a little bit of information overload but it’s good for keeping up.
Overall I really enjoyed this book (and the first) and think it would make for a good contender for your next read.

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While my experience with this book was mixed, I found it worthwhile. I recommend starting with the first book in the series for a better understanding. Although there are sprinkles that recap through out the book it tends to be lengthy and could definitely be streamlined.
The realm building was impressive, yet I felt there was room for further exploration. I appreciated the book's brutal elements, but I struggled to connect with any of the characters, which could be a personal issue for me. To be honest, I wouldn’t rush to snag a physical copy, but i'd snag the e-reader version when it releases. I see great potential in the author, and I’m eager to see what she brings us next!

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The book has a lot of information which I personally believe should have been scrapped or shortened down and used as introduction. The story is good and the overall plot is interesting. The twist and turns are good. Battles and adventures are good. Overall this is a good book with ample plot, twist, story and a good evening read.

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First off thank you NetGalley & Blackstone publishing for this opportunity to read this ARC. I am voluntarily leaving this review so all opinions are mine.

I feel a little guilty as I didn’t realize this was a series. With a never ending tbr, I decided to go in blind and boy was that wrong. The whole first part of the book is recapping what happened last so I was left confused and not connected to the characters.
Ice Moon is the sequel to Blood Circus, continuing the story of Ava, who must navigate the dangers of the wild to complete the Klujn Blood Race before the Ice Moon rises.
Mostly my criticisms are that it felt too confusing, too many names and characters with not enough history/world building to connect. Ava's journey is compelling and striking, but the supporting characters are lacking.
I am also not a big YA fan besides the Powerless trilogy so perhaps this would be better suited for the younger generation that hasn’t already read Hunger Games. Also who else thought there was going to be a circus element??
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7345980019

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Ice Moon, the sequel to Blood Circus by Camila Victoire, continues the story of Ava, who must navigate the dangers of the wild to complete the Klujn Blood Race before the Ice Moon rises. The plot is filled with primal rituals, sentient plants, and earth magic, creating a world that is both dazzling and grotesque. While the book offers an intriguing premise and a richly detailed setting, it sometimes feels overly complex and dense. The pacing can be uneven, with some parts dragging on while others rush through key events. Ava's journey is compelling, but the supporting characters lack depth, making it hard to fully invest in their fates. Overall, Ice Moon is a decent follow-up to Blood Circus, but it may not fully satisfy readers looking for a more streamlined and engaging narrative.

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The book's cover and title of this drew me in. The synopsis of the book is way more informative than reading even the first 10% of the book.

Unfortunately the start is pretty rough - it's very difficult to read this book if you haven't read the first one. I wish there had been a recap of some sort.
There are a TON of names, place, terms, etc thrown at you. It takes a while to even learn the narrator/MC's name. She also really feels like an unreliable narrator, for a while it sounded like she was being kept in a windowless room for the past 6 years...but then she goes to school? The author really acts like you're supposed to already know what's going on when the reader is left with more questions than answers. This wouldn't be a problem if things got resolved along the way. Conveniently Ava, the MC, gets a lecture on Klujns and their developmental milestones, mating habits, etc. Disappointed that some things are overly detailed and spoon-fed to readers, while some other huge elements are left dangling.

Overall, this book has potential but needs a lot of polishing. I get that it's a YA book but have a little faith in your readers... Mostly my criticisms are that it felt too confusing: seemingly contradictory elements, too many names, not enough history/world building to connect to anything.

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