This was so, so good. So much that Dennard built up to in the first book came to fruition in this one and it was just really satisfying to read. The characters all gained more depth, the mysterious grew deeper, and the climax was just phenomenal. Dennard continues to show that she's incredibly talented and has once again solidified her place as one of my favorite authors. I absolutely cannot wait for the final book in this series.

I unfortunately did not get to this one in time to give a full review by the publish date, however I gave it 5 stars.

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed The Luminaries and instantly needed to read the second one. I enjoyed The Hunting Moon just as much as the first! I honestly couldn’t put it down and needed to see how it was going to end. I love Winnie so much and seeing her character development in this one from the first. I definitely enjoyed the twists even though I did guess some of them. I can’t wait to read the third and final book in this series and see how it all ends!

Overall, I really enjoyed The Luminaries series and definitely recommend to anyone who loves a fun YA fantasy read that’s perfect for fall!

Winnie falls deeper into trouble in THE HUNTING MOON as she tries to solve the mystery of whether her father is a traitor or not.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This is one of those books that I just want to read for the first time again! I'm completely invested in this series and will continue to be for the foreseeable future!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. I absolutely loved it!! Highly recommend this read!
This is one I wish I could go back and read again for the first time!

I am really loving this series! Very likable characters, great world and I am totally invested. This was fast paced and completely engaging. This one was slightly less memorable than the first but very enjoyable read

“One of the key defense mechanisms of a phoenix is to shine so brightly, their predators are temporarily stunned and unable to pursue.”

The Hunting Moon was one of my most anticipated sequels for 2023 and I was so excited when Tor sent me a copy! I loved everything about the Luminaries, the moody gothic atmospheric setting, the emphasis on sacrifice and loyalty above all seen through the eyes of a teenage girl. Set in a world where monsters reside, I've been hooked since the beginning and The Hunting Moon made me fall for the world all over again.

The story picks up right where Luminaries left, with Winnie Wednesday finally getting her family back accepted into the good graces of her clan, literally all she's ever wanted! But when you spend all your time chasing a dream - it's hard when the payoff doesn't feel as good as you expect. Or how to deal with the town switching their tune as if their past few years of treating her family terribly never happened.

Alongside that, she knows the wolf isn't to blame for the murders but no one else seems to believe her about the new monster she keeps seeing, the Whisperer. Jay is another mystery to her, with their feelings always under the surface but as the new clan leader (the youngest ever!) he's fighting his own demons.

Winnie has so many complex relationships with herself, her clan and her friends (past and present) and at the core of it, there's the anguish of been a teenage girl in a world coming to adulthood. I love the emphasis of her own self growth happening alongside the actual world. There's an undercurrent of danger throughout - seeped into the entire town and I think that makes the book even more enjoyable when we see Winnie's moments of joys. Her parties, her coffee breaks with friends and even her concert interludes - her life does not end because the world is in danger, which endears me to her even more.

There's an explosive ending - so much is revealed much like the end of book 1, with a plot twist I could have NEVER seen coming. No spoilers - but it made me want to reread the book to see what else I missed. I cannot wait for book 3!

rep// side mlm

cw// violence, grief, injury, death

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this second book of the Luminaries series, Winnie Wednesday has been reinstated as a Luminary and has become touted as a community heroine for passing the deadly hunter trials. However she does not like the attention, and would much rather investigate the two mysteries that she has uncovered: is there a Whisperer or Werewolf on the loose, and what happened when her dad disappeared? She turns to her sometimes friends Jay and Erika for support, and in the process uncovers even more than she bargained for.
This book read like the middle book of a trilogy–it was a bit slow for the majority of the book and I was just waiting for the action to take off. I also felt that this one was darker and full of teenage angst. Overall, it was still an enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

This series is hands down one of my favorite ya series ongoing right now. It’s as if we’re getting back to the roots of ya fantasy and I couldn’t be happier to be here to see it. The writing is so fun and bingable, yet there are those heavier themes woven throughout that tug at the heart strings. The characters are all holding a secret or two and as the plot unfolds, they begin coming to light and the intrigue only grows. I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment.

Book Summary:

Winnie Wednesday has picked up many names over the years. For the longest time, she was shunned – an outcast to her society. Now she's the Girl Who Jumped. The Girl Who Got Bitten. What will be her next title?

The rapid changes in her life are enough to make Winnie dizzy, yet her journey is far from over. She must find the truth behind her father's supposed framing, track down a dangerous monster, and learn a few more surprising truths along the way.

My Review:

Oh Winnie, don't ever change. Winnie is one of those characters you want to protect, even knowing full well that she can take care of herself (usually). She's a trained fighter, sure, but she can sometimes be pretty oblivious.

It makes her situation all the more dangerous – and compelling to read. Admittedly, I think most readers figured out at least one (if not two or three) of the big reveals before Winnie arrived. That said, I feel it's in keeping with her character. Last to know and all that, right?

The Hunting Moon is a dark and compelling read, fitting perfectly with the monster hunter vibe. But it's also a light young adult fantasy, so there's always something to lighten the mood (usually Winnie's antics).

I don't think I loved The Hunting Moon quite as much as the first novel in this series (The Luminaries), though I have no doubt I'll dive into the sequel (The Whispering Night) when I get the chance.

Highlights:
YA Fantasy
Magical Society
Urban Fantasy
Monster Hunters

Let me preface this by saying I didn't actually like the first book in the series: while I had loved the concept, it had felt trope-heavy and formulaic. Yet the worldbuilding was exciting enough to have me come back, and here we are: this sequel has surprisingly elevated the series, addressing many of the concerns I had and introducing a depth that was sorely needed.

The concept of a secret society living to hunt the supernatural, with each family named after a day of the week they guard, remains as intriguing as ever. However, the execution in the first book felt trope-heavy and lacking in novelty. One particular quirk, the incessant teeth clicking, had me more distracted than immersed. And the romance? It treaded the all-too-familiar territory of the enigmatic bad boy fixated on an ostensibly plain protagonist.

But this sequel improves on most of those issues: the pacing has quickened, the stakes are raised, and the characters, particularly Winnie, have gained layers of complexity I relish. The world's relentless partying amidst death and violence sparks a fascinating exploration of trauma and coping mechanisms, a theme that adds a welcome layer of sophistication to the story. Winnie's character development is a highlight. Her journey from naivety to skepticism, her gradual questioning of long-held beliefs and societal norms, gives the story a much-needed edge. It's compelling to watch her navigate a world filled with more gray than the black and white she was taught to see.

However, some frustrations persist. The obvious clues and revelations that Winnie overlooks can be maddening. It's like watching a horror movie and screaming at the protagonist to notice the monster lurking in the corner. Yet, this is part of what makes the book engaging — the urge to follow along and see when and how she'll piece everything together. There is still SO MUCH TEETH CLICKING, yet it's overshadowed by the improved aspects of storytelling, world-building, and character development. The sequel has done what many fail to accomplish: it's taken the foundational elements of the first book and built upon them to create a more thrilling, thoughtful, and immersive experience.

I liked this book so much more than the first one and I'm really glad I gave it a try. It offers a darker, more intricate look into the lives of the Luminaries and the monsters they hunt. It's a book that finally starts to tap into the rich potential of its world, and I'm here for it!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. Check it out! It is worth picking up and taking home for the weekend! #NetGalley

I want to preface this review by saying I usually LOVE Susan Dennard's books. They're usually top tier reads for me. However, this one fell short. I felt disconnected from the story and didn't feel the same enjoyment that I usually do. Not sure what was different but it just didn't enrapture me the same way her other books do.

Susan Dennard's second book in the Luminaries series is even better than the first! The story goes deeper into the overall mystery behind Winnie's dad's leaving and his mysterious notes. There is a little more romance in this (which is not the point of the book, but I enjoyed it and hope for more in book three).

The Hunting Moon is the second book in the Luminaries series. This book was just as good as the first. The characters are well-developed and highly likable, which makes you root for them from the beginning. The mysteries surrounding Hemlock Falls are interesting enough to keep you coming back to see what will happen in this series.

I absolutely adored The Luminaries but this one missed the mark a little. It was still relatively full of action BUT where was the suspense and that signature style of punchiness.

Winnie is still a little whiny but throughout the course of this one, we start to see why she is how she is (honestly she's kind of bratty which wasn't particularly a thing in The Luminaries).

Loved that Jay was still quintessentially Jay but also inside was squishy marshmallow who just wants the best for his bestie. He also continues to reign supreme as the town hottie who NOW PLAYS IN A BAND. Tick for dark, handsome and morally grey love interests everywhere.

I really wish there had been more in the forest but I will admit I got super excited when we finally get to see the Dianas and their mischief.

Overall not too bad but comparing it to other publications of Dennard, this one definitely has second book syndrome

In this sequel, we are following the events just days after Winnie’s last trial.

All questions are answered in this continuation of Winnie’s story. There is some angst building between Jay Friday and Winnie, death and despair is still part of life, and what’s up with the Dianas?

The book felt completed with the ending, but if the author was going to pick up the story again, she could elaborate more on what happened in the years that Winnie’s family was outcasted, and how that affects Winnie moving forward as a hunter.