The Alchemy Of Moonlight by David Ferraro

3.47 AVERAGE

jlreadstoperpetuity's profile picture

jlreadstoperpetuity's review against another edition

4.0
emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 π‘¬π’Žπ’Šπ’π’†β€™π’” 𝒂𝒖𝒏𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒆 π’Žπ’–π’”π’• π’Žπ’‚π’“π’“π’š 𝒐𝒓 𝒃𝒆 π’…π’Šπ’”π’π’˜π’π’†π’… 𝒇𝒐𝒓 π’ƒπ’†π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’ˆπ’‚π’šβ€”π’‰π’† 𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒔 π’‚π’˜π’‚π’š 𝒕𝒐 π’‰π’Šπ’…π’† 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒕 π’Šπ’ π‘ͺ𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 π‘΄π’π’π’•π’π’π’Šβ€™π’” π’Žπ’‚π’π’”π’Šπ’π’. 𝑰𝒏 π’•π’‰π’†π’Šπ’“ π’”π’†π’“π’—π’Šπ’„π’†, π‘¬π’Žπ’Šπ’π’† 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’‡π’‚π’Žπ’Šπ’π’š π’˜π’‰π’ 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓 𝒂 π’”π’•π’“π’‚π’π’ˆπ’† π’‚π’‡π’‡π’π’Šπ’„π’•π’Šπ’π’ 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 π’Žπ’π’π’. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 π’π’—π’†π’“π’‰π’†π’‚π’“π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’”π’–π’”π’‘π’Šπ’„π’Šπ’π’–π’” π’‡π’‚π’Žπ’Šπ’π’š π’‚π’“π’ˆπ’–π’Žπ’†π’π’•π’”, 𝒉𝒆 π’‡π’Šπ’π’…π’” 𝒂 π’ƒπ’π’…π’š 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆, π’…π’“π’‚π’˜π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’‚π’•π’•π’†π’π’•π’Šπ’π’ 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 π’‰π’‚π’π’…π’”π’π’Žπ’† 𝒅𝒐𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒔 π’˜π’†π’π’ 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕’𝒔 π’„π’‰π’‚π’“π’Šπ’”π’Žπ’‚π’•π’Šπ’„ π’π’†π’‘π’‰π’†π’˜, π‘―π’†π’π’“π’Š

Initially, I thought this is just a straight up gay rep book set in the 1800s France, well it was until the plot progressed and then there's the twist of supernatural involved and concept of polyamory too. While all of these are interesting turn of events, I just wished there was more if it. 

1. Considering the age group of the cast (MCs are between 17 to 19 years old), the volatile emotional aspect is definitely there. I mean, can't really sustain my annoyance when I think about Emile forgiving Henri right away and then feeling bad for Bram the next. Typical representation of a teenage emotional dilemma 

2. The supernatural mystery added a positive effect on the overall story. Though some attributes were predictable it still was a pleasant experience to see families reunited

3. Twists weren't really prevalent all throughout. I read more descriptives of what they wore and where they were as compared to the actions done. The ending for me was a bit rushed and the catharsis I was waiting for wasn't met all the way.

Overall, it was a nice read. 


bonriki's profile picture

bonriki's review against another edition

1.5
adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
The Alchemy of Moonlight is a queer retelling of The Mysteries of Udolpho, Emile is a gay marquis who runs away from his homophobic aunt who controls access to his inheritance until he comes of age. He disguises himself as a servant in the Montoni household working for the cold Count Montoni and Montoni’s niece and nephew, Blanche and Henri Morano. While at the Montoni household Emile is courted by a local doctor Bram but he also becomes embroiled in strange events, pulled closer to the Morano siblings and the secrets their family holds. 

One of the best parts of this book is the supporting cast, Blanche, Annette (a lady’s maid), and Bram were vibrant characters with strong personalities and they stole each scene they were in. Unfortunately, that was where my enjoyment ended. 

Emile’s romance plot felt very underdeveloped at at times problematic. Henri’s character lacked believable development, his actions at the start of the book firmly make him a villain and he doesn’t have a demonstrable character arc that justifies him being a good person by the end. His relationship with Emile relies on Emile being quick to forgive poor treatment, an attempt to force him into a relationship against his will, and a betrayal. The way the romance turns into a polycule could have been interesting but instead is under-negotiated and once again, relies on a quick hand waved forgiveness of Henri’s past actions. 

The plot has several holes in it and relies on a lot of underdeveloped plans and ideas. The writing felt juvenile and gave an overall impression that the book is partway through writing but unfinished, there are pacing issues and overly simple dialogue. I think the core idea of the book is a good one but some significant rewrites are necessary to reach its full potential. 
whatjanereads's profile picture

whatjanereads's review against another edition

FOAMING AT THE MOUTH!!!
That cover!
If there isn’t at least one werewolf in this book I might scream.