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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
2.0
Moonlands by Steven Savile is a young adult paranormal mystery/romance novel. Ashley Hawthorne looks like a regular 15 years old girl (almost sixteen), but she is very special. A group of loyal people took her from the Moonlands almost sixteen years ago for her safety. Now someone is out to kill Ashley (aka Ashkellion) before she comes of age at sixteen (and can try and claim the throne). They need to keep her safe.
Blackwater Blaze (and his pack) are sent through the moongate to London to kill Ashley and eliminate the threat to the king. His pack first encounters Targyn Fae (a warden who protects Ashley) and all of the pack is killed except Blackwater Blaze. At daylight Blaze transforms back into a man (because of the sun). He continues to watch Ashley hoping for an opportunity to kill her. Will the wardens be able to keep her safe? What happens when Ashley finds out her true heritage?
Moonlands was a very hard novel to get into to. It took me four tries to read this novel. Once I got about halfway through the book, I found it more interesting and engaging. I think part of the problem was too many characters. It is hard trying to keep track of all the people protecting Ashley, Ashley’s friends, and the characters in the Moonlands. There is also the two separate worlds and the magical elements (as well as the evil forces). There is a lot packed into one book (I just gave you a to-the-point overview). I give Moonlands 3 out of 5 stars. I found the romantic elements a little strange considering that Ashley was only fifteen (almost sixteen). She seems a little young for a to-die-for love (but kids grow up so fast these days). Overall, the premise is very interesting, likeable characters, and interesting setting.
I received a complimentary copy of Moonlands from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/10/moonlands.html
Blackwater Blaze (and his pack) are sent through the moongate to London to kill Ashley and eliminate the threat to the king. His pack first encounters Targyn Fae (a warden who protects Ashley) and all of the pack is killed except Blackwater Blaze. At daylight Blaze transforms back into a man (because of the sun). He continues to watch Ashley hoping for an opportunity to kill her. Will the wardens be able to keep her safe? What happens when Ashley finds out her true heritage?
Moonlands was a very hard novel to get into to. It took me four tries to read this novel. Once I got about halfway through the book, I found it more interesting and engaging. I think part of the problem was too many characters. It is hard trying to keep track of all the people protecting Ashley, Ashley’s friends, and the characters in the Moonlands. There is also the two separate worlds and the magical elements (as well as the evil forces). There is a lot packed into one book (I just gave you a to-the-point overview). I give Moonlands 3 out of 5 stars. I found the romantic elements a little strange considering that Ashley was only fifteen (almost sixteen). She seems a little young for a to-die-for love (but kids grow up so fast these days). Overall, the premise is very interesting, likeable characters, and interesting setting.
I received a complimentary copy of Moonlands from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogspot.com/2015/10/moonlands.html
blueluz's review
4.0
Ashley is just a normal girl recently moved to London. Like every almost sixteen year old, she isn’t sure where she fits in. At the reading of her aunt’s will, Ashley is left a safety deposit box key and the address of an old, decrepit bank. The safety deposit box holds an umbrella, aviator goggles, a blank book, and a locket with photos of two people Ashley has never seen.
A letter Ashley finds in the book tells her to seek out Marissa du Lac for answers. Ashley makes the connection between Marissa du Lac and her school librarian, Miss Lake. Entering Miss Lake’s office for a meeting, Ashley sees a giant wolf attacking her librarian. She runs.
Back at her house Ashley learns that things are a bit different than she always believed. The imaginative mural she had painted on her bedroom wall wasn’t just a product of her imagination. It turns out there is actually a place with no sun and seven moons. That place is called the Moonlands.
This story follows Ashley as she learns about herself. The story is face-paced and interesting. The ending is a horrible cliff hanger and really sets the book up to be the first of a series. I would love to know what happens next!
I really liked this book as Ashley’s journey is a fun adventure. Along the way she learns things aren’t always what they seem and the path isn’t always straight and family is more than just blood.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title or the content of this review.
This review first appeared at Orandi et Legendi.
A letter Ashley finds in the book tells her to seek out Marissa du Lac for answers. Ashley makes the connection between Marissa du Lac and her school librarian, Miss Lake. Entering Miss Lake’s office for a meeting, Ashley sees a giant wolf attacking her librarian. She runs.
Back at her house Ashley learns that things are a bit different than she always believed. The imaginative mural she had painted on her bedroom wall wasn’t just a product of her imagination. It turns out there is actually a place with no sun and seven moons. That place is called the Moonlands.
This story follows Ashley as she learns about herself. The story is face-paced and interesting. The ending is a horrible cliff hanger and really sets the book up to be the first of a series. I would love to know what happens next!
I really liked this book as Ashley’s journey is a fun adventure. Along the way she learns things aren’t always what they seem and the path isn’t always straight and family is more than just blood.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title or the content of this review.
This review first appeared at Orandi et Legendi.
annie_lynn's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
aly36's review
3.0
With Moonlands, we began with a good setting and plot, lots of magic, hidden worlds, many supernatural species, but it did not keep my attention like I thought it would. Relationships between characters felt like they were not full enough for me. Ashley’s childhood background story is non-existent. Details were only given for a few characters added in the story. The multiple first-person viewpoints were never confusing for me. I wish I could this book more starts but it just was not as good as I hopes it would be. * I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
justasking27's review
4.0
Doesn't every teenage girl want to be special? The stacked one-sentence paragraphs annoyed me at first, but I got over it, especially when such vivid descriptions and intense action sequences were there to distract me.
sarahwilson60's review
3.0
I was sent a copy of this book from BadPress, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. This is another book which I had heard nothing about and I was very interested in the premise, particularly as it was an urban fantasy book set in London, which I haven't really seen much of before.
Just because I only gave this book three and half stars does not mean I didn't enjoy it. I did, I really liked it and found it a fun read. However, I think I was at the wrong age to read this and nothing really leaped out to me to make me want to read more.
The story follows young Ashley Hawthorne who discovers that there are whole other worlds beyond that of ours and that she is actually a huge part of it. I felt like so much happened in one book and I often wanted it to slow down a bit to maybe flesh out the more two-dimensional characters and to explore more about what was going on. I'm not one hundred per cent sure if this is a stand alone novel but it kind of felt like one and I don't think I'll be picking up the rest if there are any more. That's not to say it was a bad book though.
Many of the characters were interesting and if you enjoy urban fantasy, werewolves and magic then you will definitely enjoy picking up this book. It was fast-paced, interesting and it did keep me turning the page to find out more. I especially loved the incredibly creepy creature that destroyed a person's senses (which, in description, reminded me of The Gentlemen from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and I found it very eerie and sinister.
One thing that did make me a bit less enthused about the book was the Moonlands themselves, as they felt pretty flat and I couldn't imagine so much of it. There was very little description about the world which is also why I feel another book would be useful to explore that. I was so interested in this new place but there was so little about it that I feel like some of the book was missing.
I think if you're in your early-mid teens and enjoyed The Mortal Instruments then you would probably enjoy this book too. I know many people will enjoy the romance that develops in the book and the action towards the end was extremely well written. The author is incredibly talented but I just wish the world was a bit more fleshed out. Overall it was a very solid book but it just wasn't for me!
Just because I only gave this book three and half stars does not mean I didn't enjoy it. I did, I really liked it and found it a fun read. However, I think I was at the wrong age to read this and nothing really leaped out to me to make me want to read more.
The story follows young Ashley Hawthorne who discovers that there are whole other worlds beyond that of ours and that she is actually a huge part of it. I felt like so much happened in one book and I often wanted it to slow down a bit to maybe flesh out the more two-dimensional characters and to explore more about what was going on. I'm not one hundred per cent sure if this is a stand alone novel but it kind of felt like one and I don't think I'll be picking up the rest if there are any more. That's not to say it was a bad book though.
Many of the characters were interesting and if you enjoy urban fantasy, werewolves and magic then you will definitely enjoy picking up this book. It was fast-paced, interesting and it did keep me turning the page to find out more. I especially loved the incredibly creepy creature that destroyed a person's senses (which, in description, reminded me of The Gentlemen from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and I found it very eerie and sinister.
One thing that did make me a bit less enthused about the book was the Moonlands themselves, as they felt pretty flat and I couldn't imagine so much of it. There was very little description about the world which is also why I feel another book would be useful to explore that. I was so interested in this new place but there was so little about it that I feel like some of the book was missing.
I think if you're in your early-mid teens and enjoyed The Mortal Instruments then you would probably enjoy this book too. I know many people will enjoy the romance that develops in the book and the action towards the end was extremely well written. The author is incredibly talented but I just wish the world was a bit more fleshed out. Overall it was a very solid book but it just wasn't for me!
marjanabosnjak's review
4.0
Moonlands is a wonderful, well-written and thought through book with fantastic characters and marvelous storytelling.
It's Ashley who thought all her life she was ordinary yet still a little weird fifteen year old girl. But her life was turned upside down with the death of her Aunt who wasn't really her Aunt.
The woman left three things for Ashley: a journal, an umbrella and a pair of goggles. Those three things would help Ashley fulfill her destiny and become who she really was. But at the same time Blackwater Blaze, a Wolfen, was sent to kill her.
Ashley would need all the protection she could get if she was to win a fight. The journey this book offers is incredible, with so many things adding up that you really feel like you're living in a fairy tale.
Plot twists blow you away and the author's writing style is incredible.
But the one thing that won me over was the ending. Having read so many books, I never thought I'd say this but by far, Moonlands has the best landing I have ever seen or in this case read.
It's Ashley who thought all her life she was ordinary yet still a little weird fifteen year old girl. But her life was turned upside down with the death of her Aunt who wasn't really her Aunt.
The woman left three things for Ashley: a journal, an umbrella and a pair of goggles. Those three things would help Ashley fulfill her destiny and become who she really was. But at the same time Blackwater Blaze, a Wolfen, was sent to kill her.
Ashley would need all the protection she could get if she was to win a fight. The journey this book offers is incredible, with so many things adding up that you really feel like you're living in a fairy tale.
Plot twists blow you away and the author's writing style is incredible.
But the one thing that won me over was the ending. Having read so many books, I never thought I'd say this but by far, Moonlands has the best landing I have ever seen or in this case read.
meedah92's review
Received free copy in exchange for honest review. This is another instance where the cover and blurb pulled me in only to be disappointing. I Don't have much to say except this wasn't for me. 2 stars overall.
Will have a better review over at www.swoonyboyspodcast.com and i will link when it posts.
Will have a better review over at www.swoonyboyspodcast.com and i will link when it posts.
ayanamifaerudo's review
4.0
Actual rating: 4.5
Moonlands was a well-written fantasy. Winding, at times, but generous with its description of the settings and places the characters found themselves in. Lyrical in the sense that the flow of thoughts and prose was infused with emotions and hidden meanings. It felt that way.
I also liked the main character. Here was a girl that, despite being given a kingdom and being crowned queen, felt that she was not ready to take her place on the throne. She didn’t want to be queen, she wanted just to be a normal, ordinary girl but she had that innate sense of responsibility, of doing what is right. She was not ready – yet, but she will be.
She has to be if that ending has any say on the matter. I have a feeling that she will be back in the Moonlands sooner that she thinks.
Original review at Whatever You Can Still Betray.
Moonlands was a well-written fantasy. Winding, at times, but generous with its description of the settings and places the characters found themselves in. Lyrical in the sense that the flow of thoughts and prose was infused with emotions and hidden meanings. It felt that way.
I also liked the main character. Here was a girl that, despite being given a kingdom and being crowned queen, felt that she was not ready to take her place on the throne. She didn’t want to be queen, she wanted just to be a normal, ordinary girl but she had that innate sense of responsibility, of doing what is right. She was not ready – yet, but she will be.
She has to be if that ending has any say on the matter. I have a feeling that she will be back in the Moonlands sooner that she thinks.
Original review at Whatever You Can Still Betray.