Reviews with content warning for Murder - When the Moon Hatched

3.5 stars 🌟 This was a solid beginning to a new series. I really liked the world and felt like it was unique, something I havent read before! However, I wished there was more yearning and pining. For some reason I couldn't really obsessed over the romance which was a disappointment. However, I really like all the other characters we are introduced too and I can tell there is a lot of promise for the next book. I'm excited to see how the story unfolds and will definitely pick up the sequel.

I did not like the chapters where the main character partakes in trials with a tribe in the burn. It felt in poor taste the way they spoke and were protrayed. Also there is a big intentional miscommunication trope/hiding information and it irked me to no end. It lasted the whole book! I know there were reasons for the lack of communication but those reasons didnt work for me the way they were written. It felt like the main character was being childish and avoiding a past she supposedly didnt remember. It got under my skin a lot. The ending still redeemed it for me but it definitely was something that was hard for me to get past.

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booksalacarte's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

5⭐️ 3🌶️

Fantasy Romance
Multi POV
Unique magic system
Assassin FMC
Dragons
Secrets
Politics
Flashbacks

I started out with all 3 mediums of consuming this book. I put the audiobook aside fairly quickly due to finding the female narrator to be to be lacking the inflection to keep my interest. I stopped listening and quickly went to my ebook to start over.

But I highly recommend listening to chapter 15, if you have the audiobook available. As well as any following that feature the characters in the chapter.

The prologue was so beautifully used to start the world-building and laying down the groundwork for this to be the start of a very intricate and intense series! Once I got to Chapter 15, I was all in. That was when the book differentiated itself from other assassin FMC books, for me.

The plot was very steady, providing the breath catching moments that kept me at the edge of my seat as well as moments settling in and showing the softer side of the characters. This made it so easy to relate to, and like, the characters.

I loved it. It lived up to all the hype I saw.

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marleyellise's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this book and found myself wanting to keep picking it up. The fantasy elements mythical creatures and world building were super interesting, and the angst built between Raeve and Kaan really had me excited, it’s very much slow burn though… I’m hoping that book one is a little spicy, and as they series progresses you get more and more spice along the way as the relationship develops.
This book was definitely only 🌶️🌶️ at most.

The glossary/guides were a nice feature to have, and allowed me to reference back when a character, or creature came into the story that I couldn’t remember, but the entire family tree and glossary contain spoilers for the characters and storyline that could have been removed and added to the glossary when the plot point features in the book.

Upon reflection, although I enjoyed this book, it seemed that not a lot happened plot wise. We spent a lot of our time learning about Raeve, her background and her obsession with Rekk Zharos but not much of the secret elements were shared by the author in this first book. I ended the read feeling a little bit frustrated that I didn’t have a big cliffhanger making me ITCHING for the next book. The book did end on what some would call a cliffhanger.. but not one that made me gasp in anticipation!
Will I read the next book, yes. But with an expected release date of August 2025, I’m not that disappointed that I have to wait.

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antidietleah's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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cosmic_kurt's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I will be picking up the sequel for sure. There were bits that I didn’t love and sometimes the MC really got on my nerves, but I do think she stayed true to her character arc even though I got frustrated with her at times. This book definitely is a gateway to an even bigger story, and has a lot of world building but I do think it was done pretty well. In the middle the pacing gets kind of weird but it does get better and it’s worth getting through that. I do wish the POVS were more evenly balanced but I think in the next book it’ll be easier to see from the other characters more. All in all, I would recommend this book!

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jdasilva's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Loved jumping right in and the world building around the story versus a long intro and background. Quick pace from the start that lagged a bit about 3/4 of the way through but picked up again towards the end. I was immersed and desperately hoping for an end tied up in a bow and I was just left with even more questions. Wish I could already be reading the next one!

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kitsune42's review

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Loved the start of the book, but the paced slowed once FMC was kidnapped. Unique world with intersting creatures. FMC unwillingness to address her trauma really started to become annoying. Didn't feel any real connection between characters. Unlikely to read the next book in the series when it's released.

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rachelbooks's review

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Wow. This book was stunning. The world was lush and interesting. The characters were unforgettable. Kaan and Raeve. <3 The writing was artistic and stuffed with imagery. Emotionally raw. I loved it!

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