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kelamity_reads's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I actually went straight online after finishing it and purchased a paperback version of it as well as the next book in the series.
Can I just say how awesome it is to have an aromantic protagonist? Especially an allo-aro one?
I really loved a lot about this story but the world building was especially brilliant. I love the depth and complexity of the hmun society that Silver has created. The lunar phasal method for determining gender was particularly fascinating to me.
I pretty much immediately warmed up to every single character within moments of meeting them. I really enjoyed the character development and the way that Sohmeng and Hei's relationship develops.
Given the protagonists' ages, I'm assuming that is considered a young adult novel, but I never got that uncomfortable, unrelatable feeling I usually get when I read YA fiction.
I'm was really keen to read the next book so I bought the ebook as well so I could read it while I waited for my hard copy to arrive!
Can I just say how awesome it is to have an aromantic protagonist? Especially an allo-aro one?
I really loved a lot about this story but the world building was especially brilliant. I love the depth and complexity of the hmun society that Silver has created. The lunar phasal method for determining gender was particularly fascinating to me.
I pretty much immediately warmed up to every single character within moments of meeting them. I really enjoyed the character development and the way that Sohmeng and Hei's relationship develops.
Given the protagonists' ages, I'm assuming that is considered a young adult novel, but I never got that uncomfortable, unrelatable feeling I usually get when I read YA fiction.
I'm was really keen to read the next book so I bought the ebook as well so I could read it while I waited for my hard copy to arrive!
ally1135's review
5.0
WOW!! This must be one of the best books (if not THE best book) I read this year. I usually don’t write long reviews but this warrants one.
Two Dark Moons is gripping from the very first page. The premise is intriguing, and the world building is fantastic. I loved how the lunar cycles were incorporated into names and identities, and how it was later challenged. I think the characters were multi-dimensional, real, raw, strong and vulnerable all at once. I don’t even have a favourite, because I love them all. There are many parts of this novel I identified with, and some that were so poignant that I think they will stay with me for some time. I got chills, goosebumps, and overcome by feelings throughout. I don’t think that this book was in any way predictable, which made it really exciting to read. It felt like pulling back a curtain to a window of another world that we just get to explore through these characters. I felt like I was reading with the same passion the author must have put into it, because it was such an intricate mix of completely random things that somehow worked perfectly together. By the last page I was crying my eyes out, had gone through half a box of tissues, and felt like I just wanted to scream into the void. This book is amazing and I NEED to read the sequel ASAP.
Avi, if you’re reading this. I am a huge fan. You are incredible. Please don’t ever stop writing. The world needs you. ❤️
Two Dark Moons is gripping from the very first page. The premise is intriguing, and the world building is fantastic. I loved how the lunar cycles were incorporated into names and identities, and how it was later challenged. I think the characters were multi-dimensional, real, raw, strong and vulnerable all at once. I don’t even have a favourite, because I love them all. There are many parts of this novel I identified with, and some that were so poignant that I think they will stay with me for some time. I got chills, goosebumps, and overcome by feelings throughout. I don’t think that this book was in any way predictable, which made it really exciting to read. It felt like pulling back a curtain to a window of another world that we just get to explore through these characters. I felt like I was reading with the same passion the author must have put into it, because it was such an intricate mix of completely random things that somehow worked perfectly together. By the last page I was crying my eyes out, had gone through half a box of tissues, and felt like I just wanted to scream into the void. This book is amazing and I NEED to read the sequel ASAP.
Avi, if you’re reading this. I am a huge fan. You are incredible. Please don’t ever stop writing. The world needs you. ❤️
knifekun's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
parue's review
4.0
This is certainly the most unique fantasy book I've read in a long time. A race of nomadic lizard creatures? Societal roles and gender based on what phase of the moon you're born under? Cave-dwelling people? Yes please. The anthropology nerd in me is screaming.
And kudos to Avi Silver for writing a believable teenager (to me anyway). Dare I say Silver did too good of a job at first because Sohmeng really irritated me in the beginning, though it's probably because it reminded me of how petulant and annoying I was at that age, lol. I definitely grew to like her though.
In terms of glossary, kindle readers who have trouble remembering vocabulary like I do may have a tough time. I was surprised when I finished that the glossary was actually very short? I felt like there were a lot more new words that would have been nice to have back there.
In the end, I appreciate this book for its unique world more than anything else. I wish I ended up feeling more connected to the characters or more emotionally invested in the plot - for the most part I felt the same the entire way through, which is why I rated this 4 stars and not 5. That all being said, the book ended in a satisfying place and I'm extremely curious to see what direction its sequel will take.
And kudos to Avi Silver for writing a believable teenager (to me anyway). Dare I say Silver did too good of a job at first because Sohmeng really irritated me in the beginning, though it's probably because it reminded me of how petulant and annoying I was at that age, lol. I definitely grew to like her though.
In terms of glossary, kindle readers who have trouble remembering vocabulary like I do may have a tough time. I was surprised when I finished that the glossary was actually very short? I felt like there were a lot more new words that would have been nice to have back there.
In the end, I appreciate this book for its unique world more than anything else. I wish I ended up feeling more connected to the characters or more emotionally invested in the plot - for the most part I felt the same the entire way through, which is why I rated this 4 stars and not 5. That all being said, the book ended in a satisfying place and I'm extremely curious to see what direction its sequel will take.
regen_regal's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Absolutely adored the world-building! It's a shorter book and the plot is pleasantly straightforward instead of trying to do too much at once. I could get a real sense for the characters, even the side characters that only showed up in a few scenes or were spoken of in memory.
lunarexorcist's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
mpbookreviews's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Animal death, and Grief
keato's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Okay so first thing’s first. I picture the Sãoni as Randall from Monster’s Inc (with a little bit of Toothless from HTTYD) and I picture Hei’s Sãoni costume as Boo’s monster costume.
I was intrigued by how the society in this book approaches gender, specifically as more tied to when they were born rather than anything to do with their bodies. I didn’t entirely understand it but I love it when queerness is so deeply engrained in a culture like that.
The dedication to phasal intervals was very astrology and I loved it! And how Sohmeng and Hei were able to have a conversation about it’s validity. The glossary was very helpful in my understanding of the worldbuilding. I did really love the world, but just wasn’t entirely engrossed in the plot. Since it ended so abruptly I may end up reading the sequel but I haven’t fully decided.
I know that Sohmeng is aroallo which was really cool to see portrayed, but it also left me with a lot of questions about what being aroallo can look like because this is only one character. There’s so much grey area so I have questions.
I was intrigued by how the society in this book approaches gender, specifically as more tied to when they were born rather than anything to do with their bodies. I didn’t entirely understand it but I love it when queerness is so deeply engrained in a culture like that.
The dedication to phasal intervals was very astrology and I loved it! And how Sohmeng and Hei were able to have a conversation about it’s validity. The glossary was very helpful in my understanding of the worldbuilding. I did really love the world, but just wasn’t entirely engrossed in the plot. Since it ended so abruptly I may end up reading the sequel but I haven’t fully decided.
I know that Sohmeng is aroallo which was really cool to see portrayed, but it also left me with a lot of questions about what being aroallo can look like because this is only one character. There’s so much grey area so I have questions.
piecrumble's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
t0astghost's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Amazing worldbuilding and I really enjoyed the characters.