This spellbinding story follows sneaky thief Audra who becomes bound to the ruthless, mysterious “Moon”. They journey together to find a solution to their less than ideal fate, with plenty of questions and secrets to uncover along the way.

Whilst the multiple POVs, different characters and celestial entities took me a while to grasp, once I did I found the world building and magic system was really interesting. It reminded me of the TV show ‘Merlin’ which I loved. There’s plenty of political elements to build the background of the story.

It’s a well-paced, high stakes fantasy with the addition of an entertaining romance featuring a possessive, “touch her and die” mmc and strong, self-assured fmc.

Once I’d grasped the background I was unable to put this down, and found myself itching to find out what happened next. There’s drama; tension and yearning right to the end.

Highly recommend for fantasy lovers of magic, dragons, politics and angst.

Absolutely spellbinding. The Malice of Moons and Mages is a gripping high fantasy novel with elements of magic, political intrigue and destiny. The story follows thief Audra and the mysterious ‘Moon’ after a fated encounter leaves them searching for solutions. Their journey together, however, unearths more questions than answers, and the pair are running out of time.

Fans of rich world-building and imaginative magic systems will find this story immensely enjoyable. Fans of romantasy will adore an excruciating slow burn and a ‘touch her and die’ main male character. Fans of immense spice who prefer romance over plot, you might want to sit this one out.

A dazzling introduction to what will undoubtedly be a stunning series, The Malice of Moons and Mages will stay with the reader long after the last page.

I received an ARC copy of this book, but my review is entirely my own thoughts.

It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did I was hooked. The setting/background building did not feel overwhelming, a bit confusing but done well and slow, to the point it’s even still happening like half way through.

We have our FMC, Audra, who really stood out to me because she stayed true to herself and her goals/values through out the whole book. I feel all too often in fantasy/romance novels, the FMC starts out a badass, meets the MMC and suddenly her whole personality has shifted. Haskell did not let that happen though!!

In general, this was a quick, easy, and insanely entertaining read. Some things are obvious like with any fantasy novel but there are a couple times that I was bamboozled in the best way possible. I would recommend to any fantasy/romantasy lover, it has dragons, magic, angst, romance, all of the components of an amazing book!

˗ˏˋ 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

i was hooked from the first page, the twists and turns kept me flipping through the pages. i loved the unique magic system and did i mention there are dragons too?

if you're looking for LGBTQ+ representation, this book has it. it has multiple same-sex couples as well as opposite-sex couples.

i just didn't really like the multiple POVs, it was really hard to follow since there were so many characters. i also got a bit confused about the politics, but in the end it got cleared up.

anyways, such a fun read. can't wait for book two!!

⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What an amazing end to a book! I can't wait to read the next one.
The Malice of Moons and Mages is a story that follows Audra, a Western Mage, and thief, and Lua, Oji of the Moon tribe, who end up anchored to each other for unexplainable reasons. As they race to the Silence monastery in hopes of breaking this bond and going their separate ways, they start to question their goals and what they really want.
This is by far one of the best books i've ever read on Netgalley. It had me from the very beginning, wanting to read it at every given free moment. Every detail in the book is well thought through and the writing itself is very strong and powerful (some parts did tug some heart strings for me).
The only reason I didn't rate this a 5 star is that i'm personally just not really a fan of multiple POV'S when it comes to reading lots in the POV of a character that isn't the FMC or MMC, however i found nothing else that i disliked about reading this.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this absolute masterpiece, I cannot wait to be able to find out what happens next.
(All opinions are my own)

"The Malice of Moons and Mages" provides a wonderfully new fantasy world for readers to get lost in. Through the eyes of Audra, our fierce, determined thief, and Lua, our cunning, secretive yet surprisingly selfless crown prince, we traverse the lands of Raia as they struggle tooth and nail to make it to the Silent Monastery, where Lua will be crowned prince of the Moon Tribes. As if surviving the Empyrean Sea and making their way through treacherous lands isn't hard enough, our reluctant pair have to race against several groups who want them dead. Can they beat the odds and make it to the Silent Monastery before the eclipses have passed?

This book provides a unique insight into the other characters present, telling the stories of not only our two protagonists but even the very people they are fighting against. We are able to see their wants and desires, their hidden motivations for their questionable actions, and gain insight into what they might do next. Just like the threads that tie the mages and their anchors, the different points of view tie the entire story together in a beautiful weave of trouble, longing, triumph, and regret.

What I love most about this book, and it's a 5-star book for me, is the amount of detail that goes into the world-building. From the description of the space outside of this world, where two moons weave in and out of planetary rings, to the delicate magic system that requires sacrifice, it was extremely difficult for me to put this book down. Never would I ever consider a magic system that asks for its more powerful practitioners to anchor their lives to another individual, nor twist it into a system where the anchor is eventually robbed of their life force. I especially enjoyed the contrast between the magic systems of different peoples, with the Moon and Starling tribes sticking to the clever star system while the Western tribes practice something completely different.

My only regret is finishing this book. I truly am devastated that I do not have the second book to continue where I left off, and I truly cannot wait until the second comes out.

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

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it far into The Malice of Moons and Mages, but I don’t believe that’s a reflection of the book itself. The writing was strong, and the story had an intriguing premise, but I think I may be heading into a bit of a reading slump, which made it difficult to fully engage.

I plan to revisit this book when I’m in a better reading mindset because I do think it deserves a fair chance. Readers who love fantasy with rich world-building and magic-infused storytelling may find a new favorite here.

I was giving the opportunity to read this as an ARC. At first I found it difficult to get into but no matter how many times I put it down, I had the itch to pick it up and continue and I’m so glad I did. There was a lot of world building which you don’t get often in books and I think that’s where I found it difficult BUT throughout the book, it made me realise how important that was to understand everything going on.

Thank you so much for allowing me the chance to read this masterpiece!

I really enjoyed this book. Assuming it’s the first in a series (duology? trilogy?), but I’m already hankering for the next one. A high level mage needing an ‘anchor’ to help with controlling/channelling their power was a nice concept, and worked well as an integral part of the plot. The pacing of the book was good. Right at the beginning there are 4 chapters all from different POVS, which personally didn’t work for me. I understand it was probably just trying to get the story moving on all sides, but it felt a bit info heavy, and I got a bit confused with the number of characters I’d been introduced to in a short space of time. However it did clear itself up a further few chapters in and start making sense.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

this book is a rich, high-stakes fantasy filled with magic, betrayal, and an unlikely alliance. i loved the tension in this book and the character!! this is a multiple pov book and a gripping read for fans of intricate fantasy!

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read "The Malice of Moons and Mages" by N.V. Haskell as an ARC!
This unique multi-POV story captivates from the very first chapter. Audra is a tough, determined, while still utterly compassionate FMC which I love to see. The writing is wonderful, and the author doesn't info-dump at the beginning, instead letting answers to previous questions unfold very naturally. This can be a little confusing at first, but I guarantee it is worth it! Each POV was captivating, though slightly less so than Lua and Audra. It was a lovely balance of story building, magic, and just the right amount of romance without being graphic. It was a wonderfully diverse story as well, very LGBTQ+ friendly!

My favorite aspect to this story was how the magic worked. I loved the concept of celestial bodies granting the magic and making it stronger, as well as how mages can bond to their anchors, both drawing from and giving power to them. Excellent read!

“The Malice of Moons and Mages” N.V. Haskell takes place in a world where mages harness magic from celestial bodies - the sun, Starling, and two moons named Silence and Song. The story centers on Audra, a determined Westerner who will go to great lengths for her family, and Lua, a gifted Moon mage on the run.

One of the highlights and things I loved about this stoy was the aspect of the magic bonding! While I don’t usually gravitate toward the bonded mates trope, the way it was woven into the story was so compelling that I couldn’t help but love it.

I was also drawn to the rich and whimsical lore and enjoyed the included multiple POVs, though I felt most connected to Audra and Lua’s perspectives. While the other characters’ romances didn’t resonate with me as strongly, I could still appreciate how their viewpoints added depth to the overall narrative.

If you’re looking for a story with strong diverse representation, this one excels. Most of the romantic relationships are queer, and both main characters have had same-sex partners.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and no spoilers will be given.

The world of The Malice of Moons and Mages was fascinating and immersive. Audra is a strong and clever FMC, which I absolutely love to see. The book did not dump too much information on readers at once, and although this might be slightly confusing at first, I was still able to figure it out quickly.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book!

N.V. Haskell’s The Malice of Moons and Mages is a gripping and intricately woven fantasy that plunges readers into a world of magic, betrayal, and unlikely alliances. With its richly imagined setting, complex characters, and high-stakes plot, this novel is a thrilling exploration of power, identity, and the bonds that unite us.

The story follows Audra, a resourceful and determined woman who has spent her life lying and stealing to survive the oppression of the Moon and Starling tribes. When she finally obtains the dragon’s eye jade—a powerful artifact that could save her brother and restore her people’s magic—fate intervenes, throwing her into the path of Lua, the most powerful and hated mage of the Moon tribes.

Lua, haunted by his role in his father’s death, is determined to claim his throne and prevent his sociopathic sister from dooming their people. Betrayed and left for dead, Lua’s magic binds him to Audra, creating an unwanted bond that forces them to work together. As they race to reach the Silent monastery and break the bond, they must confront their own prejudices, question their loyalties, and uncover uncomfortable truths about themselves and their world.

Haskell’s world-building is nothing short of spectacular, blending the beauty and danger of a magical realm with the tension of political intrigue and personal conflict. The novel’s exploration of themes like power, identity, and the cost of loyalty is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. Audra and Lua are compelling protagonists, their growth and evolving relationship adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

The supporting cast, including the enigmatic former comrade-in-arms and the sociopathic sister, adds richness and tension to the story. The action sequences are dynamic and thrilling, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Haskell’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the grandeur and peril of the world with equal skill.

A truly wonderful read, The Malice of Moons and Mages is a story of survival and redemption, of the bonds that unite us and the truths that define us. It’s a tale that will captivate fans of fantasy and leave them eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this mesmerizing series.

The Malice of Moons and Mages by N.V. Haskell was so good. This author is a total genious! I loved the way the author created this story and the characters in this book. I rated it 5 stars because It has everything a fantasy book girl wants and needs.

This epic romantasy unfolds in a magical land where mages draw their power from the sun, Starling, and two moons—Silence and Song. I loved the celestial names, though it took me a moment to distinguish which was which.
The story follows Audra, a resilient Westerner willing to do whatever it takes for her family, and Lua, a powerful Moon mage on the run.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the magic bonding. I’m not usually drawn to the bonded mates trope, but this one was executed so beautifully that I couldn’t help but fall in love with it.
I also adored the rich, whimsical lore. Some of the political elements went over my head, and I found myself confused at times—but since political intrigue isn’t something I typically enjoy, that might have been more about me than the book itself.
The story features multiple points of view, though I was most invested in Audra and Lua’s perspectives. While I didn’t feel as connected to the other POVs or their romances, I can see how they add depth and complexity to the narrative.
If you’re looking for diverse representation, this book delivers. Most of the relationships are MM or FF, and both MC's have had same-sex partners.

I absolutely love this! It feels like a beautifully reimagined, female-driven version of Aladdin, full of love and magic. The addition of dragons makes it even more enchanting. I also love the friendship and bond that Audra and Lua develop—it’s so powerful and heartfelt. A story of love and fate, with warriors and dragons—what more could you ask for?

This book was such a fun read, it had such an incredible and magical world but also such a incredible story. I loved the magic bonding, bonded mates happens to be one of my favourite tropes so i knew this book was for me, the way the author wrote about the bonded mates was so beautiful it had me swooning. Lua and Audra were forced to navigate this bond together, they weren’t together by choice but are destined to be together by fate and their journey consists of growing together and learning with heartbreak along the way.
I loved that their was multiple POVs i get to be in the thoughts of multiple peoples heads through out the story while watching their relationships and friendships develop, but of course my favourites were Lua and Audra, i felt so connected to them and seeing their feelings for eachother develop was perfect.
A story of mages, magic, warriors, love and most importantly fate.