I have been so excited to read this sequel, and it didn’t let me down. This is such a fun young adult story. I’d gladly let my kids read this one!

I loved the 1st Luminaries books, and I was really really excited to get to read this one early! I really liked the new information on the Dianas and learning a little bit more about how the clans function within Winnie's world. Overall I enjoyed this book a lot, but I kinda feel like maybe book 1 and 2 should have been combined into one larger book? The big twist is something I guessed reading the 1st one so having so much of this one build on the mystery of that made a lot of this seem like nothing was happening.

Winnie Wednesday has gotten her wish, but it’s come with a high price, and more questions than answers. As bodies pile up, and secrets are discovered around every corner, Winnie has to define for herself what Loyalty truly means, and who deserves it most.

This book is incredible, but three things about this story stand out most:

One, the tension between Winnie and Jay is palpable. We get so much payoff in terms of their relationship growth. It’s so satisfying, and also leaves you wanting to see where it goes.

Two, the mysteries deepen to the point where you want to scream at the story to reveal more than it does. Yes, you get answers to your questions from book 1, but you also get more new questions than ever once you find those answers. Not just about the Dianas, either, but about who the Luminaries really are, what the creatures in the forest might actually be, and why does everything about this society feel like there’s a massive cover-up happening?

Three, the forest is still something to fear, but also…not? It reminds me a lot of fantasy shows where the creatures you start out being scared of become more sympathetic, and less threatening, than the humans walking around you. In book 1, we were told to trust the forest. In book 2, we learn what that means…at least, to start with.

Being a Susan Dennard book, there’s always more than what meets the eye. I am so grateful that I got the chance to read this book, and I am yearning to know where it all ends up!

Let me start by saying I am a huge Susan Dennard fan. I loved the first book in this series. I thought it was the most original, well thought out book I had read in awhile. That being said, I was really excited to read this second book in the series. I could hardly contain myself. It started off great, where the last one left off with excitement and not a little violence and mayhem. The problem is that it fell...flat. That magic that was in the first book was just not there for this one. This was especially so in the middle of the book where the pace of the book was slow and plodding. I know that the title character is unraveling a mystery surrounding her father and the Whisperer, but good Lord. Also, she is very whiny about becoming popular and getting everything she asked for instead of being thankful she's no longer an outcast. It does get better towards the end and, a warning, it does not end. There will be another book. Hopefully a better one. I'm not saying this book is bad. I actually thought it was a good book. I think thatIi was just spoiled by the first book and I am hoping I will be spoiled again by the third.

This book was one of the best sequels I have ever read. The way that Winnie thinks and feels about thing is super similar to how my brain works so it's so easy to fall into this book and get lost. While I don't typically like third person books this one is so well written that I could not put it down and I finished it within a day. I absolutely love this series and I can not wait until the next one comes out. The ending to this one is satisfying enough that I don't feel like I had a book hangover but I am excited to see where this story line goes in the next book!!

Winnie has gone from being an outcast to being famous in the Luminary community and she’s starting to discover that it may not be all that she was hoping for. Still trying to navigate her father’s clues and what to do about the werewolf and whisperer, Winnie is overwhelmed and doesn’t know who she can turn to for help. She’s about to discover everything is much more complicated than she thought.

So much of this book is about Winnie realizing that being back in the good graces of the Luminaries isn’t necessarily what she thought it would be. Navigating friendships, old and new. Dealing with the fame that she’s acquired from her last trial. She’s doing all this while trying to follow the clues and understand what her dad was trying to lead her toward. The last third of the book really picks up as Winnie has some epiphanies and some shocking secrets are revealed. The end was absolutely stellar! I’m already waiting for the next one with bated breath!

Thank you to Tor Teen and NetGalley for an ARC.

I did enjoy the first book in this series, I even said it had some supernatural feel to it. I thought that this one would be more of the same. And it was in a way. However, I also felt that it fell a bit short for me as a reader. I didn't feel that this book had as much tension or heightened sense of mystery as the previous book did.

We're still following plot lines from the first book (some of which are still not resolved). I didn't mind this, because I love overarching plot lines, but what I didn't love was the pacing of this book. I felt that the pacing was slow, especially in the beginning and it took a while to pick up. By the time it did, I was less interested in finishing the book.

We do get to see more of Winnie and Jay's relationship, which I thought was super sweet. I did enjoy those aspects of the book, because I thought they were well done.

I also believe that Dennard is an excellent writer, and that the writing was lovely. This book definitely still had atmosphere to it, but I just felt something was missing.

I can't quite put my finger on what I felt was missing, I just wasn't as in love with this book as much as the first. I think it was a solid entry in the series, but it isn't one I have a desire to go back and reread at any point.

I will be curious to find out what happens next.

What I liked:
Diving back into the world of The Luminaries was like putting on my favorite pajamas. It was like I never left it. I picked up right next to Winnie Wednesday as she embraced being accepted back into The Luminaries and all the crazy stuff like corpse duties, nightmares in the forest, and puzzling clues left by her father. I liked that we learned much more about Diana in this second book. You also need to remember that as a constant in this series, You either trust the forest or don't.
Final Verdict:
With this second book, Winnie Wednesday has become one of the most unique fantasy characters I have read about. The secrets around her and this mysterious Whisperer that no one else can see or smell. What exactly does her dad want her to figure out with all these clues she finds? Also, what in the heck will happen with her and Jay now that we know what we know. Also, I think her Aunt knows a lot about what is happening, and I can not wait to unravel it all.

A thrilling sequel to The Luminaries. More mysteries abound as some get solved. Relationships were tested and boundaries were crossed. I thoroughly enjoyed this second book and was happy to see some things come to fruition or be resolved. Look forward to the next book!

This is the second book in the Luminaries series. I was lucky enough to be part of the twitter adventure that helped this series become published, and it holds a special place in my heart. Winnie Wednesday survived the three trials in the last book to become a hunter and in this one her family can finally be accepted back into the society they were exiled from. But Winnie's experiences through the trials left her questioning a lot about the Luminaries as a society and about many people in her life. She tries to find answers in this book. There are some reveals and still more questions to be answered in the next one. I liked that she's starting to question if the good guys are all good and if the bad guys are all bad and hope to see more of it in the next book. I think this is a fun series that many teens would like.

This second book in Susan Dennard’s Luminaries series brings more paranormal threats and even higher stakes. Winnie grapples with her new-found fame and has to reconcile her present with her isolated past. Now that she is reintegrated with her Luminary society, she must battle creatures both known and unknown, all while trying to keep up her friendship with the mysterious Jay Friday. Recommended for fans of paranormal romance, thrillers, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Appropriate for 14 and up, with an emphasis on teens finding themselves.

"The Hunting Moon" by Susan Dennard is a thrilling and captivating sequel that delves deeper into the world of the Luminaries and brings a new layer of mystery and danger to the story. Picking up where its predecessor, "The Luminaries," left off, this book continues to follow Winnie Wednesday as she navigates the complexities of her newfound life within the Luminaries and uncovers even more secrets and challenges.

One of the strengths of this novel is its complex and well-developed protagonist, Winnie Wednesday. Her internal struggles and external conflicts are palpable, making her a relatable and engaging character. As she tries to balance her family's history, her place within the Luminaries, and her desire to protect the innocent, readers are drawn into her emotional journey. Her determination to uncover the truth about the Whisperer and her refusal to jump to conclusions showcase her strength and conviction.

The plot of "The Hunting Moon" is tightly woven and expertly paced. The mystery surrounding the Whisperer, the murders, and the secrets of the Luminaries keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. The world-building is richly detailed, allowing readers to immerse themselves in a unique and captivating magical world. The author's ability to create suspense and tension heightens the stakes and adds depth to the overall narrative.

The secondary characters are equally well-crafted, each contributing to the story in their own unique way. The relationships, both platonic and romantic, are nuanced and realistic, adding depth to the characters' interactions and emotional arcs.

Susan Dennard's writing style is evocative and vivid, painting a vivid picture of the world and its characters. The dialogue is engaging, reflecting the characters' personalities and motivations. The author's attention to detail and her ability to create an atmosphere of both danger and intrigue enhance the reading experience.

In "The Hunting Moon," Susan Dennard successfully builds upon the foundation laid in the first book, expanding the mythology and deepening the characters' arcs. The novel combines mystery, fantasy, and emotional depth, making it a satisfying and immersive read. Readers who enjoyed "The Luminaries" will find themselves enthralled by this sequel's exploration of family, loyalty, and the pursuit of truth in a world filled with magic and danger.

A stellar sequel, this book reminds me of my high school summers spent watching the Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf, and this series is a fantastic, yet fresh, return to the mid 2000s paranormal YA era. Secrets kept and revealed, stakes raised, and a simmering romance behind it all this book had me turning the pages almost faster than I could finish reading them.

Solid second book for the series!

I was very excited to get a copy of The Hunting Moon. I fell in love with Winnie Wednesday and Jay Friday in book one and absolutely needed answers immediately. There wasn't a ton of action going on in this book as far as dealing with the nightmares, but there is so much more information about the werewolf and the Diana's.

Somethings in Hemlock Falls are REALLY not as they seem to be.

I DNF'd at 56% unfortunately because nothing was capturing my attention, and it shouldn't have been taking me that long to read a book under 300 pgs. I enjoyed the first book and was intrigued by this sequel, but the intrigue wasn't enough for me to push through, especially because I found out it's going to be a trilogy.

After surviving the Trials, WInnie is elevated to a strange new status. There's even a coffee named after her! But while she battles through the trauma she has gone through, she continues searching for the clues her father left for her. With a hand-drawn map, familiar conspiracies, and objects hidden in the woods, Winnie's family's past fights with her present. Because, in the end, is she truly meant to be a Hunter or something else...?

Full of Dennard's strong prose and quick pacing, this is a sequel fans will devour in a day, demanding the last installment of the trilogy.

(I am a Macmillan employee. The author provided a copy pre-employment. All opinions are my own.)

The Hunting Moon is a fantastic follow up to The Luminaries. It's part mystery, part thriller, with a slow burn romance. The Hunting Moon continues Winnie's story as she searches for answers about her dad, the Diana's, the Whispered, and the werewolf. All while trying to sort out her feelings for Jay and put their friendship back together. This book has strong world building, characters, and keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more.

**3.5 STARS**

Content Warning: violence


I loved the first book of The Luminaries because Winnie’s test to become a luminary made this book exciting. This sequel felt slower and a little more like a filler.

I did love that Jay and Winnie’s relationship gets somewhat resolved, but it’s slow to get there. There is some complicated feelings between them and some things that has to be said out loud but I was happy that there was progress between them because I just want them together.

Winnie is trying to figure out clues maybe her dad has left her but it’s a challenge for her. And the community is still looking for the werewolf, while Winnie still is insisting there is a Whisperer creature on the loose. Her family has now earned their right to come back into the fold and she doesn’t want to jeopardize anything but when she finds out something about Jay, she puts everything on the line.

The first half is slow, but the second half picks up and just as I was invested in the story it ends abruptly. I was actually shocked that it was over. But I did enjoy the second half of the book more than the first.

I probably went in with high expectations because I loved book one. I did enjoy some parts of it but it does slow down and becomes more of a mystery with Winnie trying to put all the clues together.

Tropes: slow burn romance, friends to lovers

Why you should read it:
*you enjoyed book one, but this one is more of a mystery and slower
*Winnie and Jay’s angsty romance
*a few things happen, but at the end

Why you might not want to read it:
*abrupt ending and shorter than I expected, wanted more

My Thoughts:

I had high expectations which this sequel didn’t quite meet mostly because mysteries are too slow for me and this becomes a mystery that Winnie is trying to solve. It’s definitely not a high stakes challenge anymore for her. I did love that FINALLY she and Jay make some headway into their slow burn romance, because it was frustrating seeing these two not being able to communicate. I’ll definitely read book three after that ending – but I do wish the ending wasn’t so abrupt and the book was longer.

Susan Dennard has done it again! The worldbuilding of the Luminaries is so richly imagined, from the nightmares to the forest itself. All of it is reminiscent of my favorite YA books when I was younger. The Hunting Moon is a perfect continuation of The Luminaries, full of intrigue about the world, where Winnie belongs, and who the HECK is this werewolf???? I tend to be good at guessing plot twists (and this book is no exception), so I tend to look at the build up to a big reveal. The reveals were always well-deserved and completely made sense. Winnie Wednesday is full of righteous angst, and I love seeing her internal battle with the choices she makes. Also, she's just SO much cooler than I was when I was a teenager lmao

I cannot wait for the final book in this series!

This second installment of The Luminaries trilogy did not disappoint. Dennard is a master of putting in little tidbits and easter eggs that have you screaming as you make connections. I love how we got to explore more of the dynamics between Winnie and Jay, as well as see more of Winnie and Erica. In The Hunting Moon we see more of the mystery element as Winnie tries to decipher the clues her dad left for her. Once I started, I couldn't stop, and the reveals at the end had me screaming. This book as all the vibes of a book perfect for fall weather, and I cannot wait to see where the conclusion takes us.