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chaynesb's review against another edition
2.0
Wait you are telling me that
That makes no sense. She could have been a loving aunt or met her in highschool. I mean literally anything . What kind of writing is that? And she's been kidnapped from forests how many times and she didn't bring a dagger? Or have her husband on speed dial?
So many mistakes.
There are a lot of typos in the first book , even in the revised version. then the events of the novella do not agree with what is said in book 2. She says her parents never met Barret....they literally did at solstice in 1.5 . She said Lucia lived 1435-1885 and the next sentenced said "I lived over three hundred years." ....ya'll that's simple math and is over 400 years.
These things aren't the end of the world but they do bring you out of the book and make me question what else was written wrong. Just adds to an overall confusion and takes a way from the narrative.
I'll be honest i don't love this books , i think they are cheesy and Damien is so reserved, i keep being told of his adoration but I don't see it. He doesn't tell her anything. It's just weird. I liked this book okay but pretty much nothing happened until the end.
karlenestaves's review against another edition
4.0
Easy read, but will throw you into emotional turmoil you may never recover from
katrina_8505's review against another edition
5.0
Can I say more than five stars. It was so good. It had me from the beginning. I laughed, cried, screamed, and yelled while I was reading it. I really need the next book like now. Must read
jillsbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
She was truly the light in my life, the light in the darkness guiding me forward. She'd named me her sun, without whom she could not glow as brightly in the darkness. And I would bask in her glow until the end of time.
To Ashes and Dust is the second novel in the New Adult Paranormal Romance series Shadow and Moonlight. This series follows our two main characters, Damien and Cas, as they try to unravel the truth behind shocking revelations that force them to be wary of friend and foe. The time to step into leadership has come upon them both but dark forces loom not just in the distance as enemies...but within them. Time is not on their side with an ominous prophecy threatening all they hold dear.
This book had me by its claws from start to finish. Cas has grown so much in the novel and I loved seeing her gain confidence as she embraced her future and past. She is empathetic, fierce, and has such strength to her character despite the hand she has been dealt. Seeing her sacrifices and struggles pulled on my heartstrings and made me love her all the more.
Damien is to die for. He is the male main character who adores her woman and is not afraid to show it. He supports her throughout, challenges her, and encourages her to take her future by the throat. At the same time, his POV was heart-wrenching as you understood the true depths of the loss he has felt and the loss he fears for. I has so many feels while reading his story and it was the kind of angst I cannot stop reading - the kind where the lovers want to be together but know time is not on their side. The sacrifices Damien must make here and the losses he faces made gave so much light to his character.
We also want to address the amazing cast of characters that embraced the found family trope. Barrett, Zephyr, Thalia, Vincent, and more helped create these moments of calm before the storm that I need in my stories. I loved the history that exist between them and how entwined we get to see Cas become part of this. I also want to give special shout outs to Cole and Kat. You'll know why later.
This book does contain spice. I would place is at 2.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. The characters are in an established relationship so spice is present relatively early on and it spaced well across the story. There is this once scene towards the end involving blood that pushed me to add the .5 and I loved it.
"I'd struggled for so long, wondering why I kept holding on, why I kept going. I now know it was because of you, because part of me knew you were out there somewhere, looking for me, and you found me. You showed me what I've been missing out on, how wonderful life can be."
The world building in this series grew A LOT since this first book which had me incredibly excited. I loved the use of memories to help build background and also getting to see more of the society of Damien and co. Through this novel we get a much better sense of the world at play, the key players, and the mythology around it. I felt like I better understood the reason behind the growing war. There are still things left unraveled and a few characters I am extra curious about but its done in a way to tempt you and boy am i tempted.
Now the story...I DEVOURED it in one day. I could not rest until it was finished. You will need to finish the last 15% in one sitting so be prepared (it was a late night but so worth it). The journey of these characters is a blend of character developing, world building, slices of life, mystery, and action that keeps you on your toes. There are so many twists in this book that shake up the narrative and seeing it through the characters eyes was extremely enjoyable. Even with all the pacing we still get beautiful moments between the characters coupled with moments of tension, angst, sacrifice, and fear. I cried in this book and the additional art work had be stopping just to admire...and cry some more (probably 3 times). The crying was necessary and made me love the characters even more. Now, there is a cliffhanger here but of the cliffhangers I have faced its one that has me excited for the next book, not angry shaking my first at the author. Luna has truly outdone herself with this story and I am committed to this series.
If you are looking for a truly beautiful and moving paranormal romance with all the emotional heart-pulling, growing world, and action this series is one I definitely would recommend. It has all the tropes I love and I cannot say enough how much I loved this book.
Thank you for the author for this ARC.
She was truly the light in my life, the light in the darkness guiding me forward. She'd named me her sun, without whom she could not glow as brightly in the darkness. And I would bask in her glow until the end of time.
To Ashes and Dust is the second novel in the New Adult Paranormal Romance series Shadow and Moonlight. This series follows our two main characters, Damien and Cas, as they try to unravel the truth behind shocking revelations that force them to be wary of friend and foe. The time to step into leadership has come upon them both but dark forces loom not just in the distance as enemies...but within them. Time is not on their side with an ominous prophecy threatening all they hold dear.
This book had me by its claws from start to finish. Cas has grown so much in the novel and I loved seeing her gain confidence as she embraced her future and past. She is empathetic, fierce, and has such strength to her character despite the hand she has been dealt. Seeing her sacrifices and struggles pulled on my heartstrings and made me love her all the more.
Damien is to die for. He is the male main character who adores her woman and is not afraid to show it. He supports her throughout, challenges her, and encourages her to take her future by the throat. At the same time, his POV was heart-wrenching as you understood the true depths of the loss he has felt and the loss he fears for. I has so many feels while reading his story and it was the kind of angst I cannot stop reading - the kind where the lovers want to be together but know time is not on their side. The sacrifices Damien must make here and the losses he faces made gave so much light to his character.
We also want to address the amazing cast of characters that embraced the found family trope. Barrett, Zephyr, Thalia, Vincent, and more helped create these moments of calm before the storm that I need in my stories. I loved the history that exist between them and how entwined we get to see Cas become part of this. I also want to give special shout outs to Cole and Kat. You'll know why later.
This book does contain spice. I would place is at 2.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. The characters are in an established relationship so spice is present relatively early on and it spaced well across the story. There is this once scene towards the end involving blood that pushed me to add the .5 and I loved it.
"I'd struggled for so long, wondering why I kept holding on, why I kept going. I now know it was because of you, because part of me knew you were out there somewhere, looking for me, and you found me. You showed me what I've been missing out on, how wonderful life can be."
The world building in this series grew A LOT since this first book which had me incredibly excited. I loved the use of memories to help build background and also getting to see more of the society of Damien and co. Through this novel we get a much better sense of the world at play, the key players, and the mythology around it. I felt like I better understood the reason behind the growing war. There are still things left unraveled and a few characters I am extra curious about but its done in a way to tempt you and boy am i tempted.
Now the story...I DEVOURED it in one day. I could not rest until it was finished. You will need to finish the last 15% in one sitting so be prepared (it was a late night but so worth it). The journey of these characters is a blend of character developing, world building, slices of life, mystery, and action that keeps you on your toes. There are so many twists in this book that shake up the narrative and seeing it through the characters eyes was extremely enjoyable. Even with all the pacing we still get beautiful moments between the characters coupled with moments of tension, angst, sacrifice, and fear. I cried in this book and the additional art work had be stopping just to admire...and cry some more (probably 3 times). The crying was necessary and made me love the characters even more. Now, there is a cliffhanger here but of the cliffhangers I have faced its one that has me excited for the next book, not angry shaking my first at the author. Luna has truly outdone herself with this story and I am committed to this series.
If you are looking for a truly beautiful and moving paranormal romance with all the emotional heart-pulling, growing world, and action this series is one I definitely would recommend. It has all the tropes I love and I cannot say enough how much I loved this book.
Thank you for the author for this ARC.
darei3ear's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
beccadawn1021's review against another edition
5.0
I don't even know where to begin! I'm grateful to have gotten an ARC because I absolutely loved alf Shadow and Moonlight. But this one was SO much better. We got progression of Cassie and Damien's relationship (
riniya's review
5.0
I was given a free copy as an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions on the continuation of the “Of Shadow and Moonlight” series.
Cassie struggles with inner turmoil over a decision she had to make and a friends betrayal. The decision that resulted in a life being taken. As she starts to uncover the truth, she’s left with more questions than answers, and a secret that is threatened to be revealed.
Forced to accept the reality that she can’t hide from Damien’s world anymore, she steps into the role as Queen and faces the ruling council. But she’s only human in a world full of gods, immortals and monsters that most people couldn’t even imagine.
Damien is trying to build his armies, to strengthen them to fight back against the growing darkness. He petitions the council for help only to have pushback and his mates capabilities called into question. Through all this, he is trying to find a way to save Cassie from her mortal lifespan, unbeknownst to him that her life is threatened by an internal battle that will take her far before her time.
Cassie and Damien are struggling to pick up the pieces as friends become foe, and foe turns to friends.
This book….
The author came in with both arms swinging with this one. She had no mercy and made sure you knew from the beginning that that tone in this book has changed. She starts off strong, throwing you back into the action and giving you a glimpse of the past that explains …. Well nothing … until later.
I could see Luna’s confidence in this book versus the first. She hit her stride as an author and it’s so clear in her character’s interactions, development and the way the story unfolds. There are tiny hints and nods throughout the story that later turn out to be teasers to bigger reveals. The twists and turns that the story takes, along with the way the author slaps you across the face with your feelings were truly inspired.
I really enjoyed the way that Cassie continued to explore her past lives and come into her own with her abilities. I enjoyed that there were redemption arcs for previous characters that made sense within the world and didn’t feel rushed or forced.
My only critique about the book is how much of it was “daily life” of the characters. You see a lot of simply hanging out, or more relaxed moments with the characters but there is plenty of action. In saying so, the author still managed to continue the plot even within those moments, I would just say to be aware that there isn’t as much action as it may seem.
Also, while the majority of this story did take place because of a mating bond between Damian and Cassie, the romance plot is still somewhat of a backseat plot to the book. Don’t get me wrong, there are some spicy scenes present, but the majority of the story is Cassie’s training and the war/politics that is occurring.
I do like the way the author brought back into the forefront Cassie’s medical condition. I did feel like at one point in book one it kinda got forgotten, but Luna explained why perfectly! I can now say proudly that it wasn’t an oversight, it was a nod to information that gets revealed in this book. Honestly, it attests to the authors ability to plan things out.
I absolutely loved this story and I am so grateful to be apart of the arc reader community for this sequel.
Cassie struggles with inner turmoil over a decision she had to make and a friends betrayal. The decision that resulted in a life being taken. As she starts to uncover the truth, she’s left with more questions than answers, and a secret that is threatened to be revealed.
Forced to accept the reality that she can’t hide from Damien’s world anymore, she steps into the role as Queen and faces the ruling council. But she’s only human in a world full of gods, immortals and monsters that most people couldn’t even imagine.
Damien is trying to build his armies, to strengthen them to fight back against the growing darkness. He petitions the council for help only to have pushback and his mates capabilities called into question. Through all this, he is trying to find a way to save Cassie from her mortal lifespan, unbeknownst to him that her life is threatened by an internal battle that will take her far before her time.
Cassie and Damien are struggling to pick up the pieces as friends become foe, and foe turns to friends.
This book….
The author came in with both arms swinging with this one. She had no mercy and made sure you knew from the beginning that that tone in this book has changed. She starts off strong, throwing you back into the action and giving you a glimpse of the past that explains …. Well nothing … until later.
I could see Luna’s confidence in this book versus the first. She hit her stride as an author and it’s so clear in her character’s interactions, development and the way the story unfolds. There are tiny hints and nods throughout the story that later turn out to be teasers to bigger reveals. The twists and turns that the story takes, along with the way the author slaps you across the face with your feelings were truly inspired.
I really enjoyed the way that Cassie continued to explore her past lives and come into her own with her abilities. I enjoyed that there were redemption arcs for previous characters that made sense within the world and didn’t feel rushed or forced.
My only critique about the book is how much of it was “daily life” of the characters. You see a lot of simply hanging out, or more relaxed moments with the characters but there is plenty of action. In saying so, the author still managed to continue the plot even within those moments, I would just say to be aware that there isn’t as much action as it may seem.
Also, while the majority of this story did take place because of a mating bond between Damian and Cassie, the romance plot is still somewhat of a backseat plot to the book. Don’t get me wrong, there are some spicy scenes present, but the majority of the story is Cassie’s training and the war/politics that is occurring.
I do like the way the author brought back into the forefront Cassie’s medical condition. I did feel like at one point in book one it kinda got forgotten, but Luna explained why perfectly! I can now say proudly that it wasn’t an oversight, it was a nod to information that gets revealed in this book. Honestly, it attests to the authors ability to plan things out.
I absolutely loved this story and I am so grateful to be apart of the arc reader community for this sequel.
akrivers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
jamiemorton_books's review against another edition
5.0
As with most fantasy series, the second book of The Shadow and Moonlight series was phenomenal. Instead of wading through world building, we hit the ground running and never looked back.
Watching the relationship between Cas and Damien deepens was SO good, and that SPICE!
Watching the relationship between Cas and Damien deepens was SO good, and that SPICE!