Reviews with content warning for Gore - The Hunting Moon

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The Hunting Moon by Susan Dennard

4 reviews

taryn_g's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense 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

4.0

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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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

4.5

The second instalment in Susan Dennard’s the Luminaries series was just as lush and beautifully atmospheric as the first, with more monsters (and mysteries) to delve into.

Continuing on where book one left off, we once again follow Winnie Wednesday who, having passed her trials (and survived a werewolf bite) has become a bit of celebrity in Hemlock Falls. And yet, despite finally getting what she’s always wanted, Winnie isn’t satisfied. The Whisperer, is still out there and Winnie can’t make anyone believe in its existence.

With former best friend Jay Friday the only person she can turn to, and mysterious clues left by Winnie’s father, she might just get answers to the events that took place four years ago— and maybe even find proof of his innocence.

But with the fate of Hemlock Falls resting in the balance and secrets growing (along with the bodies left in The Whisperer’s wake) Winnie finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about being a Luminary. And answering some of the most difficult questions of all: where do her loyalties lie, and what is she willing to risk for them?

I really enjoyed this! The stakes are still high and the action still deliciously intense. Plus, we get more stunning illustrations of the Nightmares Winnie encounters— which was one of my favourite aspects of book one. But, I admit loved Winnie (and the emotional development we see her undergo) the most.

Having secured her family’s place among the Luminaries (and Clan Wednesday) once more, Winnie’s rose tinted glasses have been well and truly removed. Giving us a front row seat to some of the complex, morally grey politics that make up the organisation. We don’t delve into this too heavily though but, given how things transpire in that phenomenally explosive ending— I’m looking forward to (hopefully) exploring it in more depth in the next book.

I was a little disappointed that Winnie’s newfound friends (Bretta, Emma and Fatima) aren’t nearly as present as I would’ve liked. As Winnie spends a lot of time emotionally detached from the people around her, both in an effort to solve the clues left by her father, and work through the trauma she endured during the hunting trials. I did however love the slow burn intensity still simmering between Winnie and brooding former bestie (and love interest) Jay.

Their chemistry is incredible and seeing Winnie finally open up to someone after years of closing herself off emotionally was really gratifying. As was watching their paranormal investigations begin to unravel some of the unanswered questions I had at the end of The Luminaries.

Though I admit, I did manage to guess the identity of the werewolf, so wasn’t all that surprised when my suspicions were confirmed. I did however love how nuanced and emotionally charged Winnie’s reaction to the news was.

Overall, an incredibly enjoyable YA fantasy (and solid sequel) that has me eagerly anticipating the next book already.

Also, thanks to Blackcrow PR and Daphne Press for this stunning finished copy.

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teri_b's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

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

4.0

I was curious to where the story would go from book onwards, and book two takes off with a vengeance.

There are still many mysteries and questions that needs solving, as slowly Winnie's family gets reintegrated into the wider community of Hemlock Falls.

What I truly loved where the woods surrounding Hemlock Falls, where ou never know who or what you might encounter when you enter into it. The mists add an additional layer of suspense and horror to the scenes within the woods.

And then there is the slow burn romance that has this big huge elephant in the room throughout the whole book and any reader knows from the beginning who the wolf is, and well, can it be said that at some point, the penny drops?

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bookcheshirecat's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

5.0

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Teen for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review! The quotes are taken from the Arc and are subject to changes!

The Hunting Moon was a fantastic sequel! I loved The Luminaries and this follow-up was even more intriguing and mysterious 👀 I flew through his book in an entire day, as the plot was fast-moving and the main character compelling in her trauma, grief and struggles to fit into the mold of her society!

“But then, Winnie has never been a very good Wednesday bear, has she? Her loyalty has always been in the wrong place, and lately, her cause hasn’t aligned with anyone else’s.”

Winnie remains a compelling heroine who’s trying to find her way ➽ She has just been through a traumatic experience that left her shaken and questioning everything she thought she knew about the Luminaries. Meanwhile, everyone else is sensationalizing her trauma and worshipping her as a hero. I loved how this was discussed, as Winnie is appalled that everyone is so blase about her near-death experience and hailing her as the ‘Wolf Girl’ as if there isn’t a different, dangerous nightmare out there that could kill all of them. Her friends quickly catch on, but most of the Luminaries leave her feeling alienated from their culture. It feels like they aren’t taking the right danger seriously and are too caught up in turning her trauma into a spectacle to notice. Winnie always wanted to be back in their good graces, but she’s not the same person she was before or even during The Hunter Trials. Now, she’s questioning the core of her society, such as the rigid clan rules about what you should value and their insistence that all a Nightmare like the werewolf should be killed. Their fixation on the wolf especially bothers her, as no one is facing the real danger – the Whisperer – and no one takes her warnings seriously. Caught between being a local celebrity, but knowing what it feels like to be an outcast, Winnie’s still processing her family’s banishment. She’s now a hero to them, but it frightens her how quick their favor can change and how brutal their punishment was for something neither of them did.

“She hates hope. She hates it. She thought she had killed it four years ago when it was clear that there would never be any fairness for her family, never be any justice.”

In The Hunting Moon we’re discovering more about the Whisperer and the Dianas! ➽ Ever since Winnie found out that her father was framed and left her clues, she’s chasing his mystery and the dangerous Whisperer, that no one wants to believe in. While everyone else is fixated on the werewolf, Winnie knows that there’s a much bigger danger – a brand new nightmare that annihilates everything in its path. She’s got to keep her search hidden from her loved ones, as no one can know she’s close to committing treason in the eyes of her society. I was on the edge of my seat, as Winnie uncovers all the connections and we feel the foreboding sense of danger all around her. We also learn a bit more about the Dianas, the elusive archenemies of the Luminaries, who dabble in forbidden magic. There are some answers, but even more questions in the end and I’m excited to see all the reveals in the next book 👀

“The booping! The tussling! The jokes about them dating! He must think her a fool. Or worse, he must think she’s in love with him.”

Winnie’s relationships with Jay and Erica are also in focus this time. ➽ She’s been training with Jay for the trials, but now there’s chaos in the wake of the hunt for the werewolf. Jay’s just been named Lead Hunter for the Fridays after a tragic death and there’s still so much unspoken hurt between them. There was just the right amount of chemistry and angst between them! Jay wasn’t there for her when her world was falling apart, but he’s also been through more than he lets on. Their conflict is because Winnie’s loyalty to her family and Jay’s honesty about everything are at odds with all the secrets they are hiding. Winnie’s research is dangerous and she knows that if anything gets out, her family will be the ones paying the price for anything Diana-related, even though they had nothing to do with it. Erica and Winnie also keep warming up to each other, though barely. Their dynamic keeps shifting to be much more civil, even though their history still lingers with them.

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