A review by finnsbookrecs
Under the Dragon Moon by Mawce Hanlin

adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 

Mael Nguyen is an 80 something year old warlock that owns a bookstore and occasionally steals artifacts for those who hire him. Leo Greyson is a human that didn’t know magic was real until his sister and brother-in-law are killed, leaving him guardian for his 8 year old warlock niece, Remy. And his sister’s killers took Remy’s dragon egg, which will hatch soon and become her patron. So, Leo hires Mael to help them find it. But Leo is a puzzle that Mael is endlessly curious about, and Leo can’t seem to take his eyes off this heavily tattooed older man with a passion for learning. 

ANYWAY this book is so fucking good I am kissing everyone who posted about this thank you for brining it to my attention. I am just. SCREAMING. Basically. I loveeee the magic in this world and the eclectic mix of magic and modern and different cultures and patronages and schools of thought that go behind it all. 

And the writing? OK GO OFF. So good. And sex scenes 10/10. Also like not something I often notice or comment on but it was exceptionally well plotted I think. The pacing was perfect and at some point I realized that even the moments that seemed like just little cozy character building moments were in some way connected to what we will need to know later. At least I am pretty sure. There are SO many questions left, I was ranting and raving all my theories about where this is all going!!! But don’t worry everything gets wrapped up neatly in what I would assume is a HFN ending haha. 

By the way I would absolutely die for Mael Nguyen. Like… ok visibly autistic trans masc characters are basically my kryptonite because…same. But the way he used magic for coping mechanisms, the beautiful support system he had, the anchoring himself to Leo in overstimulating moments AHH I can’t word it well. 

Overall, a beautiful and kinda cozy little mystery adventure with some super powerful threads that I cannot wait to follow. It’s about found family (or family that stumbles into your life and sets up shop to take care of you), magical puzzles, believing in fate, allowing yourself moments of pleasure and happiness, and caring so much about someone you nearly lose yourself in it.