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raavenreads 's review for:
The Alchemy of Moonlight
by David Ferraro
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I love the cover for this book and I loved the gothic atmosphere this story had with it. This story focuses on Emile, a 17-year-old marquis who has run away from his homophobic aunt. She wants to pressure him into marriage to make sure their family name lives on. She also wants to commit him to an asylum for being gay if he disagrees with her. Emile is only 6 months shy of being 18, and he wants to hide away until he is of age to take his inheritance. He pretends to be a servant to the Montoni family, even though he’s never had to do anything for himself in his entire life.
In the beginning I really liked Emile. He was dedicated to his mission and wanted to be free to be his own person. He knew what he needed to do and was willing to do anything for his freedom. When the romance was introduced, my like for him was done. Bram is the first man that Emile is interested in. He is an apprentice doctor and comes to the Montoni home to help with ailments. I liked the chemistry with Bram and Emile. He was sweet and caring and wanted to take him out on dates and show him around town. But then…came Henri. GOD I hated Henri! He was literally the worst from beginning to end. He is so manipulative and mean to Emile. There are scenes were I was shocked by just how petty and jealous he was and Emile just forgives him a few minutes later. I was sure Henri was supposed to be seen as a villain or antagonist but no. He’s actually supposed to be a love interest. And the end!!! The poly relationship?! What! Emile has this grand idea for all three of them to be together because Henri says that Bram was his first crush? And this was never discussed but everyone is like oh yeah sure why not.
Putting aside the romance, it took way too long for the werewolves to be introduced. It’s obvious something is weird and wrong but they just don’t say anything and take forever to get to the action.
I wanted to like this book. It was a little slow getting my attention but after a while I kept trying not to rage quit with Henri’s shenanigans. I don’t think this one was for me.
I love the cover for this book and I loved the gothic atmosphere this story had with it. This story focuses on Emile, a 17-year-old marquis who has run away from his homophobic aunt. She wants to pressure him into marriage to make sure their family name lives on. She also wants to commit him to an asylum for being gay if he disagrees with her. Emile is only 6 months shy of being 18, and he wants to hide away until he is of age to take his inheritance. He pretends to be a servant to the Montoni family, even though he’s never had to do anything for himself in his entire life.
In the beginning I really liked Emile. He was dedicated to his mission and wanted to be free to be his own person. He knew what he needed to do and was willing to do anything for his freedom. When the romance was introduced, my like for him was done. Bram is the first man that Emile is interested in. He is an apprentice doctor and comes to the Montoni home to help with ailments. I liked the chemistry with Bram and Emile. He was sweet and caring and wanted to take him out on dates and show him around town. But then…came Henri. GOD I hated Henri! He was literally the worst from beginning to end. He is so manipulative and mean to Emile. There are scenes were I was shocked by just how petty and jealous he was and Emile just forgives him a few minutes later. I was sure Henri was supposed to be seen as a villain or antagonist but no. He’s actually supposed to be a love interest. And the end!!! The poly relationship?! What! Emile has this grand idea for all three of them to be together because Henri says that Bram was his first crush? And this was never discussed but everyone is like oh yeah sure why not.
Putting aside the romance, it took way too long for the werewolves to be introduced. It’s obvious something is weird and wrong but they just don’t say anything and take forever to get to the action.
I wanted to like this book. It was a little slow getting my attention but after a while I kept trying not to rage quit with Henri’s shenanigans. I don’t think this one was for me.