Firstly, thank you to Fierce Reads for the E-ARC and my apologizes for finishing it a few days late. Secondly, this book does feature and make mentions of characters with schizophrenia. I have no personal experience with it so I can’t determine how accurate or “positive” that representation is. The author’s note at the end does provide details into that so I might recommend you read that first.

A YA medieval fantasy thriller pitched as the YA version of “Gone Girl”

I haven’t seen nor read “Gone Girl” so I can’t say how spot on it is. However, I will say I got mad “Stalking Jack the Ripper” vibes (Simon, unfortunately isn’t anything like Thomas Cresswell, except being a genius about murderers, but who is?)

Every time the Selenae were mentioned, I kept picturing the moon shadow elves from The Dragon Prince, minus the horns. Just me? Probably.

One thing I do want to mention is the “wait” between the first and second murders did kind of lose my interest for a minute because they were just focusing on the details of the first murder and not much else was happening. But, the second murder picks it up. Also, the thing with Simon’s eye was never explained even though it was the focus of a lot of Catrin’s thoughts.

Then there was sort of a “who hurt you?” scene but I don’t think Simon’s the stabby type. But he is the caring type and we love to see it.

Oh, and the romance. Slow. Burn. What kind of slow burn? The “Just. Kiss. Already.” Kind.

I don’t want to say to much about the murders to avoid spoilage, but I might warn you not to trust you’re first extinct. I didn’t know who the killer was until the very end (either through the author’s strategery or through my own ignorance and the fact that I usually don’t know who the killer is until the end)

Overall, this was a book to keep you on your toes and mess up with sleep schedule because you simply can’t put it down and demand to know what happens next. None of the characters are all who they seem and made it impossible for me to know who the killer was. Also, I kind of liked the ending, it wasn’t your typical HEA. I won’t go into details, it’s not really a spoiler, but as I said, it doesn’t end like how you might expect.

** 3.5 stars 🌟 **

Here is a story that while at the beginning, you find the world-building and character intriguing. The plot is interesting enough in combination with its blend of magic and the feeling of earlier 1800's England, you want to know more; throw in a Jack the Ripper style mystery and the ball gets rolling on this whodunit.

The problem comes, for me, when about 65% through you realize all this build-up was mostly driven by anything other than the main character. Cat wasn't compelling enough in this story to drive me to read it straight through. I found myself skipping some of the speaking parts, her interactions between herself and Simon. They felt contrived and forced. While Cat had an interesting job, that was the only thing she had going for her. I could have read the rest of the book with a faceless FMC just so I could find out who the killer was and have been done with it.

Speaking of killers, that was a let down too. The reasoning behind the murder not worth the suspense. Talk about a delayed balloon. Overall, the cover for me reading, the world-building got me more than halfway, but it wasn't enough to get me be impressed with the book.

** Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to review this advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion **

This book is a perfect combination of fantasy elements, murder mystery blocks , and top with historical romance sprinkles. I enjoyed reading this book so much that I had a hard time putting it down (i.e. hello 3am, why am I not asleep?) Here are 15 reactions I had while reading the book:

- The book cover is the first thing that drew me in. It was both beautiful and haunting.
- I wanted to read more about the character that consumed the whole layout.
- I empathize with Catrin right away. An orphan, seemingly different than those around her.
- She is skilled, but as a woman she was seen as lower. Not to mention her skills are pretty badass & intriguing.
- When the murders start happening, my first thought was that this book had a Jack the Ripper feel to it.
- I love that Cat doesn’t really care about her reputation and is willing to put herself in danger to protect those she cares for, especially sneaking out at night and going to the seedier parts of town.
- The fictional history/religious views of praying to either the sun or moon between the two people in Collis was interesting.
- The author did a great job of creating a mix of religion & magic that seamlessly worked together and didn’t feel forced.
- The fantasy elements braided into the Sherlock Holmes feel of historical mystery was so beautiful.
- The romance within the book didn’t detract from the overall story but added more substance to the plotlines.
- It seemed like a natural progression & a realistic portrayal of human behaviors (ie trust, betrayal, heartbreak, sacrifice)
- Even though people around Cat have been hiding secrets. I love that she has more people who care for her, want to protect her, and just believe in her more than she realizes.
- Cat finding out where she came from & people who are like her made me smile but I was also impressed that it didn’t change her sassy, independent attitude one bit.
- The conclusion (without spoilers) didn’t come out of left field as the main characters threw their suspicions back and forth to each other in the last part of the book.
- I felt it was wrapped up nicely & I didn’t feel short-changed. It gave me a sense of both being bittersweet and hopeful.

A well-written book that immerses you in its world with marked success. I struggled a little with sharing the main character's love of climbing and her lack of safety precautions, but the general appreciation for architecture was noted with fondness. Catrin is a fun YA protagonist who, while not breaking any molds of originality, made me remember the best of Katniss Everdeen without the dystopian protagonists' dour characteristics mixed in.

A solid 4 stars….
This book was entertaining, mysterious and intriguing! Good world building, character development and pacing. This was a pretty tame mystery/thriller and the romance, while there, was pretty tame as well. Overall and enjoyable read!

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up

CW/TW: graphic descriptions of brutal murders and deaths (blood, gore), mental illness (schizophrenia), sexual assault (implied), incest (implied)

Wow, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did but I loved the combination of fantasy and murder mystery. I enjoyed the world-building and found the magick system fascinating, I thought the characters were complex and well-fleshed out, and the mystery of the serial killer had me on my toes and constantly bouncing theories back and forth on who could possibly have done it. Although there were moments when the pacing slowed down towards the end of the middle of the story, I found myself completely hooked and I ended up finishing this in pretty much one long sitting. Also, let's share some cover appreciation for the beauty that is this cover—it's absolutely stunning in every way! I love the building details in the background because it's such a vital part of the story, and the details of the main character in the front, with the moon vines and flowers woven through the hair and the bit of blood running down the hand. Just stunning!

This is my first book by Beaty although I've had her trilogy on my TBR for a while now. The story was well-written and pretty well-paced which made it so easy for me to continuously read without wanting to take a break from the book at any point. I was definitely expecting stronger fantasy elements but although this is set in what's essentially a made-up world, it felt more like a historical thriller with few fantastical elements including magic. I really didn't mind it though because I do enjoy historical fiction and parts of the story actually reminded me of Ken Follett's "Pillars of the Earth" because of how big a role the construction of the sanctum played in the story—which is a book I enjoyed so I really liked the inclusion of it! Even though we only learned more about the Selenae and moon magick in the latter half of the book, I loved learning about the origins of the community and the magick that ran through their veins, and I wished that it and they had played a bigger role in the story. I honestly wouldn't be mad if Beaty decides to write spin-off stories set in this world and about the moon magick because I would definitely be eager to read it! The murder-mystery/psychological thriller aspect had me on my toes the whole way through. Honestly, it seemed pretty obvious who the killer was at the start but as we learn more about the core group of characters, the many red-herrings Beaty sprinkled throughout the story had me constantly bouncing back and forth between theories. I'm pretty sure that at one point I suspected everyone except our two MCs and I couldn't make up my mind about whodunit until the very end. At least I know I got the motive right!

The story is told through Catrin's POV but there was a core group of characters who I really enjoyed reading about. I thought all the characters were complex and well-fleshed out and although one or two were a little less multi-dimensional in comparison to say Catrin and Simon, all of them had interesting facets to their personalities that made them stand out. I wanted to learn more about them and I loved when more layers were peeled back. Catrin was such an easy character to root for. She's a little bit stubborn but her tenacity to uncover the truth and her ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations were admirable. Simon as the lead in solving the mystery started as a bit of a mystery but as we learned more about his past and where he came from, my heart hurt for how much trauma he carried with him. Then there's Juliane, the Magister, Remi, and Oudin—all of whom play compelling roles in the mystery and some who I liked more than others for a large part of the story but I never once didn't want to learn more about them. There is also a bit of a romance that develops but it doesn't at all overshadow the mystery and magick.

What I really appreciated and didn't expect was the mental illness representation, specifically of schizophrenia through Juliane and her family history. Reading Beaty's author note mentioning about how important this representation is and about how one of the places a character in the book is from is based on a real-life location was really interesting and made the rep in the book even more meaningful. I think the author did a great job of addressing these issues in a sensitive WAY and shed light on the impact the stigma of mental illness can have on those who experience it, and how much of a difference it makes when they receive proper care.

Overall, this was very different to what I initially expected when I picked it up but I'm glad to say that I was pleasantly surprised by it. Once the story picks up around the 25% mark the pace really flies and the next thing you know, the story is over. I can't wait to read more by this author in the future!

This book gave me some Stalking Jack the Ripper meets The Beautiful vibes in its setting and I loved it. For me the setting and the murder mystery was the most interesting part of the book. I thought the magic was unique and different but confusing to understand at times.

Catrin's abilities were more than those with her magic have ever possessed before and it isn't until she gets caught up in a murder that she realizes how to use them. She starts working with Simon to help solve these murders but has to hide her magic out of fear. The two of them start to form a bond but at the same time no one can be trusted. As things start to unravel and they get closer to the murderer she's forced to reveal her secrets.

The ending was such a rollercoaster and I honestly couldn't figure out who the killer was up until the very last second. I think the author did a good job of keeping things intense and unpredictable. I didn't feel the romance lent much to the story but overall I enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a YA Fantasy Thriller with a historical setting.

*Thank you @netgalley and publisher (Macmillan Childrens Publishing Group) for providing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

They say you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but I was drawn to this book from the cover alone! This historical/fantasy/thriller/murder mystery follows Catrin on her magical adventure to uncover a gruesome murderer who is targeting those closest to her. Throughout the story Cat uncovers family secrets and navigates her growing list of suitors.

I really enjoyed the fantasy aspect of this story, however, I felt like there was a lack of set up for this unique world - I had to double check that this wasn't a part of a series. I also really enjoyed the author's clever discussion of mental health and stigmas through various characters. This book was quite long and started to drag a bit but the ending did a good job of trying up loose ends. Overall, I enjoyed this book due to its unique nature but I would have preferred more exploration of the fantasy aspect. (⭐⭐💫/5)

This was a cover read for me all the way. I was interested in the synopsis but LOOK AT THE COVER.

Anyway. I wanted to love this. And I did enjoy a lot of it! The author wrote something very fast-paced and the short chapters kept me moving through it even when I wanted to put it down.

Medieval fantasy murder mystery.

That's a lot going on and I think it was almost too much. The author ties it all together pretty well but I think the fantastical element needed to be pulled in a bit more. The MC is just amazingly good with her powers without any training or knowledge whatsoever of courseeee. Also, everyone is in love with her. Of course...

I think this book was written and sequenced well but it just didn't keep me hooked. Like the layout was perfectly like any episode of a crime show I've seen. It started and ended where I thought it would. I think I needed more focus on the murders and serial killer. I also wanted something more atmospheric with either more of the fantasy or mystery elements to pull me in. Unfortunately, I checked out a bit when I didn't get those things. I was so interested in the moon magic and I love a grisly murder mystery and it weirdly felt like those things took a backseat.

What bugged me most about this book was the amount of "twists" and that Catrin thought she always knew the answer???? She was like "how does Simon know all this stuff? He's so smart." And then we find out he has tons of experience with mental illness and murderers who experience mental illness but Cat still think she always knows who the killer is. And Simons believes her. Because he likes her..... Like the last few chapters were too much especially because it's obvious who the killer is way back in the book if you watch too much Criminal Minds like me lmao.

Also, the insta-love is so forced and out of nowhere I just didn't even understand. The characters just MET and another character was like "you liiiikkkeee him, huh?" and I was like where???

This did give me similar vibes to Stalking Jack the Ripper which I adored so if you're looking for something with a similar set up, I would recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

This book has a special place in my heart. It's so lush and well-written. The cover is stunning. The characters are complicated and well-written. There's a killer on the loose, and the story goes through the clues and keeps the reader guessing. This book was incredible!

Blood and Moonlight ended up being something completely different than what I expected and I have to say, I'm not hating it. From the blurb I expected a fantasy/paranormal murder mystery with a large focus on the paranormal. What I got was a psychological murder mystery with a dash of paranormal as a side plot. Around every corner I kept expecting a big bad, some monster, something not human. In the end it's not the monsters outside but those within that are the true villain.
The book deals heavily with the topic of mental health and schizophrenia. I feel the topic was handled really well and compassionately. It really showed how those suffering from such ailments are affected greatly by the care and treatment from others. Both sides of the spectrum are illustrated. Juliane is a great example showing how when given proper care, compassion, and understanding someone suffering from mental illness can blossom and live a fulfilling life. Where as the killer shows how mental illness can develop into an all consuming monster that can corrupt and twist an individual into something terrifying when it's ignored and kept in the dark to keep up appearances.
The mystery who done it plot was really well done with constant plot twists and misdirections. Multiple times throughout the book I was certain I knew who was the killer, only to have a new piece of information make me question who it was and completely change my suspicions. Even still with all the twists and turns, when the killer is finally discovered it makes perfect sense. Sometimes mysteries can feel forced or like the final reveal doesn't quite fit due to the author trying to hard to confuse the reader along the way, but in this case it's done beautifully.
The romance is a sweet side story to the main mystery. There is a mild love triangle between Remi and Simon both competing for Catrin's affection. The romance is really a minor part of the book, so readers that don't necessarily want it at the forefront of a book will appreciate it.
Alot of times when a mystery is a big plot point in a book it can be fustrating when characters make terrible decisions and just can't see what's right upfront them. Blood and Moonlight doesn't suffer from this blind protagonist syndrome. Catrin's choices and actions are almost always completely logical based on the information at her disposal.
Along with an exploration of mental illness there are a few more content warnings to be aware of, especially for some younger readers. It's a murder mystery so death is an obvious one, in particular gruesome mutilation and abuses of a body. Incest and sexual assault do come up as well as prostitution and substance abuse.
The fantasy aspect of the story was apparent but understated in my opinion. Blood and Moonlight is a standalone novel but I would absolutely love to see a spin off in the same world that delved deeper into the Selenae and their magic. There is so much possibility with the world there to fuel another book or even series focused on them. Their history, the fading of the bloodline and weakening of the magic in it is the perfect set up for more books set in the universe.
I'm not one to usually buy physical cookies of books when I already have the ebook but Blood and Moonlight might be an exception to the rule with the beautiful cover art and story I would absolutely love my girls to read when they get older.

When Cat sees a murderer fleeing the crime scene, she gets swept up in an investigation. More murders occur and Cat starts to fall for Simon, the mysterious investigator who seems to know just how the killer works. This only complicates things. What's more is that Cat is hiding a secret as she posses a power granted by the moon. While this has always made her feel like an outsider, it may just be the one thing that can save her.

What a gorgeous cover right? I wanted to like this book. I really did. The problem was, I was so incredibly bored. This book is long for YA, over 400 pages, and if a book loses my interest in the first 100 pages, then I'm out. I felt so detached from the first murder, so I definitely didn't care about the first victim. I didn't really like Cat either. She came across as whiny and so juvenile (even for YA). The romance between Cat and Simon didn't hold my interest at all because Cat kept acting like a kid with a crush.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. However, this book just wasn't for me.

Blood and Moonlight has all the elements I wanted it to have: danger, romance, magic, betrayal, mystery, and adventure. Cat is a spunky heroine dramatically thrust into the center of a macabre murder investigation while learning to navigate her own magical changes. I appreciated how Erin Beaty depicted the struggles that accompany mental illness without limiting her characters or defining them by their illness, despite the people around them attempting to do so.

Language: Moderate
Violence: High (multiple murders, explicit understanding of victim experience)
Sex: Moderate (no explicit sexual encounters, prostitution, sexual violence)
Drugs: Moderate (addiction, recreational and medical drug use)

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

For Catrin, she has found herself a position working with the master architect, finding flaws in the construction of the Sanctum that no one else can she. Once an orphan with no family other than the sisters in the convent, she has people who she would do anything for, and when the master architect is drawn under suspicion for a series of murders which she alone can hear and see, Catrin involves herself in the investigation, with the handsome Simon at the helm. But as they work together, they start to question everything they've always known, and soon find themselves in a danger no one could ever have imagined.

When I heard that Erin had a new book coming out, I immediately added it to my TBR. I adore her Traitor's Circle series, and have been desperate for more, so Blood & Moonlight was a definitely must read for me! I was drawn to Catrin as soon as I started this book. She's strong, but also quite vulnerable, and she's always wanted a family - or at least to know more about her parents and why she was abandoned at the Abbey. When she falls from the Sanctum, and hears the first murder, it awakens something inside of her which she embraces, but also fears, as she's worried it will drive others away. I loved the way she explored her new found powers, and how she embraces the differences of others around her with relative ease. Meeting Simon, and Juliane was really great for her, and I loved their banter, as well as the romantic aspect.

The true identity of the murderer kept me guessing until the end. I had suspicions of about 5 different characters at one point - including the actual murderer - but the way in which the plot line progressed was definitely one to keep you hooked until the very end. The world building seemed familiar to me, and when I realised it was loosely based on medieval Europe, with real life places and saints interwoven with the fictional, I was in awe of Erin's research. I've been waiting over 3 years for this book, and Erin has not disappointed. If you loved her debut series, this is definitely one for you, and I for one, can't wait for her next story!

This is an interesting book. You have a lot of genres wrapped up in one concept, such as mystery, murder, and magical. I feel like sometimes so of those themes got lost in the book as it goes along. The biggest one being the magical aspect. While it helps Cat get literally into the eyes of the killer, it is just absent so long before it becomes a topic again it just seems to semi fade in importance. Also, Simon is an odd character. I don’t know that I truly loved or hated him. He just kind of read flat for me. Cat and him together just seemed like an odd couple. Like I know as a reader they make sense to go together, but them being together and their draw to each other just doesn’t seem maybe as strong as other character couples I have enjoyed reading. Overall, this is still a decent book. I think that teens will enjoy the mystery and magic and will be talking this book up with teens who like either genre.
Thank you to Macmillian Children’s Publishing Groups and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

Blood and Moonlight is a fascinating serial killer mystery with a touch of fantasy. The world-building is impeccable, and I really enjoyed the mystery. The murders are dark and it balances well with the lightness of the romance and fantasy world. The romance wasn't super overdone, but I enjoyed it greatly.

This story follows Catrin “Cat” as she works under the master architect and starts to learn about her past through a murder investigation. There is mystery, blood magic, and the moon. The setting of this was 5/5 stars. I loved the first half of this book with a passion. However, the last 25% of this really lost me. Cat would come up with conclusions about the murderer that came from nowhere and the last quarter of this book was her just accusing everyone with minimal reasons.
This story had Jack the Ripper vibes and that part was interesting. Like I said earlier, the setting of this story was great, but the plot was where it fell flat. There was also so suspense when it came to who the killer was. After the third time of Cat “guessing” who the killer was, I was just ready to finish the book. This feels like a debut novel or the authors first shot at a mystery. However, the setting along with the fantasy/blood magic aspect is good enough that I possibly read more from this author.

Blood and Moonlight is a thrilling YA fantasy/murder mystery surrounding an orphaned girl, Catrin in the city of Collis. Though she was raised in the local abbey under the Sisters of Light, she abandoned the two life paths that orphans of Collis are left with (a life in the cloister or a life on Pleasure Road) to become the assistant of the master architect (or Magister) of the Sanctum, the local cathedral. Catrin is tasked with inspecting the scaffolding following a deadly accident and prefers to do her job at night with the aid of the moon when there are less people around. One night as she is inspecting, she hears cries for help and has unusual visions. Though she rushes to save the person who is screaming, she is met with a scene of carnage and death.
Though the crime was gruesome, usually it would not warrant further investigation as the victim was poor and had a more taboo profession, however when the Comte’s son is named as a suspect, he appoints a venatre (detective) to investigate the crime. Since she found the body, Cat is asked to be interviewed and later joins the investigation with the venatre (Simon) and his cousins, Juliane and Lambert. As bodies begin to pile up, Cat finds herself at the center of something wicked and deadly.
The narrative/writing: Beaty’s writing is beautiful. Her descriptions are rich and detailed. The imagery and settings (particularly the Sanctum and the Selenae quarter) come to life in a captivating manner that makes you feel truly immersed in the writing.
The plot/worldbuilding: Blood and Moonlight is like a Jack the Ripper murder mystery with a sprinkling of moon magic and fantastic elements. The magic system and religions in this book are unique and original which gives this book a fresh feel. The worldbuilding in this book is strongly rooted in the religions surrounding the Sun (the Sisters of Light and other followers of the omniscient power that created the sun) and the Moon (the Selenae who possess a magic that causes those who follow the sun to shun and fear them as heretics). There is also a strong heaping of the found-family trope to round out the intertwining plot points.
The characters: This book has a cast of characters that are all unique and have interesting and individual voices. Though the main focus is on Cat and Simon, the side case is diverse and likeable.
Cat – The story for Cat is one of self-discovery and development into one’s own path in life. For most of her life, Cat felt as though she had no choices in her future until she met the Magister and ultimately Simon. Through the investigation into these murders, Cat develops a sense of self and confidence. She can be a little stubborn and head-strong at times, but she is tenacious and cares about those she loves loudly.
Simon – Simon is a bit less self-assured than Cat with a traumatic past keeping him from reaching the level of confidence I hoped for him. Through his past, he seems to be the only one who can truly connect to the mind of the serial killer to help stop him. He is sweet and boyish and I couldn’t help falling for how much he cared about Cat.
Side characters: My favorite side characters were Juliane and Athene. Juliane was a whimsical and sometimes nonsensical character who I couldn’t help but love. She brought the story a sense of reality with some of her character’s subplot and I felt that she helped round out the story as a whole. Athene was very much a no-nonsense straight to the point type of character and I loved her personality. Remi was also a bit stubborn and not my favorite character if I’m being honest. I felt like he had no boundaries and didn’t understand Cat in the way he thought he did.
Overall: Blood and Moonlight is an engrossing story with captivating characters and an immersive story that is sure to be perfect for readers who love fantasy, magic, and murder mysteries.

To be fair, I didn't have any strong reactions while reading this book, emotionally. Like I cared about the characters, but it wasn't an upheaval of feelings.
And I think this is one of those books that's not meant for it even. This is quite like those quintessential mysteries and thrillers, but with a fantasy setting. And it's a little tricky to talk about because there is so much to love about this book, objectively.

The murder mystery is so well-written. Albeit slightly dragged, the twists and turns, the reveals, and the ominous clues have perfect timing and the desired gripping effect on the reader.

MAGIC SYSTEM

The magic system is also fascinating. I didn't expect it to have a lot of magic, to be honest. And I was mostly right.
Because technically the magic doesn't play a huge role in propelling the plot forward. And the looming threat of a serial killer roaming in their midst doesn't allow for the author to focus on how the magic fits in the world-building too much. It's more like a sub-plot, more relevant to the character's journey rather than the plot.

Though because our character does have the magic, it gives us a bit of an upper hand and more aware of the strange things happening around them.

It's the way it worked that attracted me the most. So it works in the way that there are two kind of magic-users: some who get their magic from the Sun, and others from the Moon.
Generally, the people who get their magic from the Moon are looked down upon and excluded from society. Stereotypes and false stories have been propagated about them in the city, and they've stayed away from them as a rule.
One of the reasons is that these people tend to stay up at night so that their blood can absorb as much moonlight as it can (for magic), and they sleep during the day. That alone is enough to make them an anomaly.

atmospheric and well-researched writing

Another thing that I appreciated in the writing is the character's voice. Our MC is an architect, or like an assistant to an architect. So when she describes a scene or a building, her passion shows through her words. And in the book itself, there are a lot of instances where the author takes a minute to re us about the details of the buildings and structures, and you can tell she knows her stuff.

The writing is very eerie and atmospheric. The way it's written, it amplifies the terror the character feels. It's not fast, but still edge-of-your-seat.

THE PLOT

The way the author keeps us on our toes, constantly making guesses about who's the killer and how are they doing is AMAZING! I already have a strange fascination with stories about serial killers and sociopaths. This was a great example of a book that uses that plot device well.
TBH, the pacing was the only thing I had an issue with. I still can't pinpoint exactly what it was. Maybe it was that we could've easily gone without a few scenes, or cut them short at least.

Just wanna throw it in there- Perhaps I'm just dumb, but I couldn't say for sure who the killer was. I had an inkling, of course. It wasn't completely out of the blue. But others seem to have guessed it easily, but I couldn't. So do with that what you will.

(3.5+) This book had me sufficiently hooked at 12 percent of the way through that, at 1:09 a.m. and running on less than four hours of sleep, I couldn’t bear to put it down.

Erin Beaty has crafted a quite beautiful tale with lovely whispers of magic and romance throughout. This is an ornate world, and it’s so well-researched and well-depicted that it comes alive and acts as a near-perfect backdrop to this story. A lot is based on the fact that you’re able to picture the imagery and the architecture, but Beaty’s way of describing everything is lively and robust without ever coming across as heavy-handed, so I never felt like I was floundering to imagine all the visual intricacies of her setting. The magic in the book was intriguing and fresh, and watching Catrin grow to understand her abilities never came across as forced; she acts as a perfect conduit to this world because she’s charming and spirited and curious. The other characters are intriguing, too, especially Simon and Juliane in regards to their relationship; through them, Beaty deftly tackles some more serious issues (mental illness).

While this book is many things (maybe too many), it’s mainly a murder mystery, and it’s well played out within these pages. I figured out who the killer was very early on, and I was still waiting with bated breath to see how the plot developed and what happened in the end. (Even if, when all’s said and done, the motive didn’t quite make sense.) The only problem with the whodunnit being telegraphed — at least for me — was that Catrin was blind to what I saw as so obvious, so her confusion felt like a glaring oversight and became frustrating. Like, the answer is right there!!!! But the investigation of the murders (which, beware, are quite gruesome) is nicely paced — even as the book toggles between being a murder mystery and a fantasy and a romance — and the clues will definitely get the reader theorizing.

I wish Beaty had created a little more chemistry between Catrin and Simon; instead of their connection growing naturally, it felt like they picked up in the middle of a relationship with no real lead-in, and things thereafter felt a little forced. I really enjoyed the way they related and opened up to each other, but there wasn’t much in these pages to explain this supposedly intense connection they felt. They’re cute together, but, for whatever, reason, I didn’t really buy a deep attraction. I almost think they would have been better as friends.

So, no, it’s not a perfect book. But it’s a well-woven tale, and it was well worth my __ under-eye bags the next day.

(Also, I’ll say what we’re all thinking: The cover is absolutely stunning and worth a buy for that alone.)

Special thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Erin Beaty for proving me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.