I too would be curious to see a large, ornate fountain dosed with dish soap. But I’ll have to pass on the high school graduates acting like tweens.

This could’ve been a moon magicky summer camp romp in the vein of Percy Jackson. Kids show up at the mystical moon isle and get sorted by their moon signs (aka powers), oh no, what’s this, Wren doesn’t know hers and feels like a misfit? She feels estranged from her bff because he’s got an in with the cool kids? *shocked Pikachu*

With younger characters, or an aged up writing style, this could be fun. I liked the personification of the moon - it became something of a knowing entity not just a source of power, and each of the moonstruck forms a unique, spiritual connection. Also have to appreciate the Pride & Prejudice references (BBC version, tyvm) and the supportive friendships.

(Aside - I keep mixing up PC Cast with CS Pascat, and I know they’re not the same, lol.)

**Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC**

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was a delightful surprise. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.

I have a lot of notes on this book and could probably write a small essay regarding my opinions on it, but I shall try to be brief.

WHAT I LIKED:
-There were some really good bits of description.
-I appreciated the implied autism rep.
-I appreciated the casual queer rep.
-I love the idea of someone’s special ability being to amplify others' magick.

WHAT I DISLIKED:
-The autism rep was only implied, never confirmed, and the queer rep was so casual that the queer characters were barely present and had no direct impact on the plot.
-Ruby throws random Japanese into their dialogue, bows in greeting, wishes they could be a Shogun, and is the martially skilled character. In other words, a very shallow, bordering on offensive stereotype of Japanese people.
-The very first thing we learn about Lee is that he’s more likely to be arrested than Wren because he's black. This is an offhand comment of no consequence.
-Lee also comes from a wealthy black family that is so powerful that they basically decide who becomes president and have done so for generations. But institutionalized racism is still a huge problem?
-The plot is largely nonexistent and relies on characters never taking initiative/showing any agency or just being colossaly stupid.
-The romance subplot was super rushed and felt underdeveloped. The blip of conflict that existed in the middle of the story just left Lee looking like an incel douche who iced out his supposed best friend the second he thought she didn't want to date him.
-Characters felt much younger than 18

I love reading books by p.c.cast and Kristen cast so when i got the opportunity to read this one i was so excited. I cant wait for book 2

"New York Times bestsellers P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast return with Draw Down the Moon, the first book in a new duology set in a dark and magickal world filled with incredible danger and irresistible romance.

A mystical school. A mysterious death. A magickal romance.

Wren Nightingale isn't supposed to have any elemental powers. Born of magickal parents but not under one of the four fated astrological full moons, she is destined for life as a Mundane - right up until she starts glowing on her eighteenth birthday. In a heartbeat, Wren's life is turned upside down, and she's suddenly leaving her home for the mystical Academia de la Luna - a secret magickal school on a hidden island off the Seattle coast.

Lee Young has always known about his future at the academy. He has three goals: pass the trials, impress the Moon Council, and uphold his family's reputation. But he wasn't expecting to be attending alongside the girl he's been secretly in love with for as long as he can remember.

As Wren and Lee are thrown into the academy's grueling trials, they quickly learn there's something different - and dangerous - about the school this year. Wren will have to navigate a web of secrets, prophecies...and murder.

And Lee will have to decide what to protect: his family's legacy, or the girl he loves."

Everything about this book sounds awesome, but it's the title that gets me. I have always loved the concept of drawing down the moon.

The premise of this story is awesome (love dark academia), but it did not come together for me. The plot and relationships were a bit more juvenile than what I think it wanted to be. I also was not a fan of the main characters and felt they were not original or exciting. I think young readers would enjoy a lot of aspects of this such as modern day references and talk, and would connect more to the characters.

First of all, thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this eARC! I am always so appreciative of the opportunity to share my honest reviews!

Gorgeous cover, fanciful and magical story, it did feel a bit more middle grade (or towards the younger end of YA). However I think there’s such a market for this kind of novel, especially for tweens and teens who are enthralled by the ever popular romantasy genre!

Another great book written! I can’t wait to see what will happen in the sequel! I love the characters and this story so much!

I was absolutely enamored by the cover and concept of Draw Down the Moon. Wren Nightingale isn’t supposed to have elemental powers, but on her eightieth birthday, powers she never knew she had and with her best friend, Lee, she’s unexpectedly on her way to Academia de la Luna, a secret magickal school. Lee has spent his whole life training for the Trials at the academy, but having Wren there—who he has been secretly in love with his whole life—changes things. And as the trials grow, even more secrets are uncovered and Wren learns the reasons for her powers and the prophecy hidden in the school. This is the first in a duology, so there’s a lot of world building happening, but I think the pacing happens too fast, and while I loved the friendship of Lee and Wren, I actually didn’t love the romance. I wanted more of their friendship and more banter to build up how they fell for each other. They’re eighteen, so I understand they’re younger too, but it is definitely a YA novel, and it felt very young. I had trouble connecting with any of the characters to be honest, and I wanted to know a lot more about them as people. Still, the world-building was interesting, and I liked the elemental magic. I was engaged with the premise and the trials, and I was curious where the story went next and to learn about Wren. I’ll definitely still check out the ending of this series.

DNF @ 20%

When I saw Kristin and PC Cast it sent me right back to buying books by these authors for my sister. While this is tagged as YA, in my opinion, it reads much younger- almost middle grade. Which is ok! That’s essentially what YA started as, but I feel like it’s just not what I’m interested in reading right now. That age group will love this, but it’s just not for me.

I’m rating this a one just because I have to put a star rating, but that’s not fair as I don’t think I’m the target for this. Thanks for the chance to read!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC.

This was a tough one for me. Let me start with the parts that I think were good.

The magic system is simple but interesting. It doesn't go out of its way to overexplain how the magic works, so that it feels natural and understandable. The discovery of what Wren's powers actually are comes across naturally and fits well into the already established rules of the world, without coming off as too overpowered or out of nowhere. In general, the world-building is done well. The Moon Isle is well described and feels homey and cozy, someplace that readers will want to visit and be a part of. I think that kind of open world where a reader can view themselves as being a part of is an important part of YA fantasy.

Other than that, however, I felt there were a lot of clumsy elements that dragged down my experience.

First off, I felt there was no reason for these characters to be defined as 18 year olds. None of them acted like freshly graduated high school students, and in fact, a lot of times, they felt even younger than teens. I think this would have made more sense if they were perhaps 14-15. I've often been confused as to why YA protagonists keep getting older, and I worry that it's due to a sense that it has to cater to adult readers, and in this case it really felt like the number was just slapped on these characters without actually working to write them as older, nearly adult characters.

On that same note, the characters themselves felt a bit undefined. Character relationships happen extremely quickly - one character befriends another two characters and becomes very close, best friends with them, almost entirely off screen. Other characters seem to be defined by one or two character traits and rarely edge beyond that. There is one, extremely clumsily written character who sprinkles their sentences with random Japanese words, and it comes across like the writing of a younger teen who just learned what anime is and wants to sound cooler by adding the few words they know into the narrative. The romance ends up feeling clunky, as romantic parts are forced between plot points so that it feels as though we are being jerked back and forth, and comes to what feels like an unsatisfying, pre-sequel break at the end, that genuinely doesn't make any sense based on how the characters have felt about each other up to this point.

Those are my main complaints, but there were other minor nitpicks. Like, why do the Elementals speak Spanish, of all things? Isn't it a bit concerning that Moonstruck are constantly in the shadows manipulating other human beings for no particular reason, and why doesn't anyone think that's a problem? Why are "Mundanes" treated as so extraneous when the main character thought she was one for so long? In the major climax moment towards the end, why does [spoiler] make the ridiculous decision to meet somewhere in the middle of nowhere instead of in the safety of their dorm rooms, so that they can [spoiler] for the main character's angst journey?

This has the elements of what could be a very good magic school series, but unfortunately, the clunky scene transitions, clumsy relationship writing, and frankly annoying character choices really drag down its ability to have any staying power. This is not one that I would feel interested in reading further.

i would love to provide a full review as soon as SMP addresses the boycott and the issues within its brand!

The Academia de Luna become Wren's unexpected home when magic she wasn't supposed to have appears on her birthday. But this school of magic is surrounded by vicious magic, has deathly trials, and apparitions as house parents. I need the resolution in book two, because that ending was a cliff hanger!

This book is sort of hard to rate. The first chapter was really strong and drew me into the story but then it sort of fizzled out for a while and got good again towards the end.

It’s told with alternating perspectives between the two main characters and I feel like I would have liked it more if it was just told from Wren’s perspective. Occasionally I would forget whose perspective I was reading as they sounded similar.

The magic system was interesting. It focuses around the moon being their source of power but is really more of an elemental and zodiac based magic. The political corruption and student deaths definitely add an air of mystery and intrigue.

I’m glad I stuck with this one but it was a little rough for awhile there and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to finish it. It felt a little predictable and obvious in places but the ending might be enough to get me to continue the series.

I will not be providing full feedback or posting public reviews of this book until SMP addresses the demands of the reader publicity boycott. Please see https://www.instagram.com/readersforaccountability/?hl=en for more details.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Draw Down the Moon" by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast takes readers on an enchanting journey into a world where magic and mystery combine. Set in a contemporary world where humans and witches coexist, the novel introduces us to Wren Nightingale and Lee Young, two teenagers whose lives are forever changed by the discovery of their magical abilities. If you enjoyed the House of Night series by these authors as well as stories of magic(k) academies, then you will definitely enjoy this book. I will say, however, that this is definitely a younger book, even though the main characters are 18. I would classify this book as younger YA, but if you have read and enjoyed the House of Night series, then you will find the writing very similar. I think the main characters could have been aged down to better appeal to younger YA readers who would better connect to the writing style as well as the plot/humor.

The novel's premise, while not entirely unique, was an engaging experience, especially with the worldbuilding from the authors as well as the developed, intricate magic systems. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this story as I learned more about the magick shown throughout the book. The novel also shines in its exploration of friendship and love in the backdrop of a magickal school setting. The alternating perspectives of Wren and Lee provide depth to the narrative, and I like how we got both of their perspectives.

Overall, "Draw Down the Moon" is a fun read that will appeal to younger fans of young adult fantasy. With its blend of magic, mystery, and romance, it offers an entertaining escape into a world where anything is possible. I think middle schoolers and 9th/10th graders would really get into this book. Also, the cover is absolutely gorgeous! I would buy this book just to have that cover on my bookshelf.

This book was solidly middling and I DNF’ed. I’m an adult reader who enjoys YA but this felt very juvenile to me and not anything particularly special. The characters weren’t all that memorable and I didn’t love the use of dual POV. I hadn’t read any PC Cast in my youth but I had higher expectations. Probably ok for a younger reader exploring fantasy books.

Draw Down the Moon is a good beginner fantasy for teen readers. Young characters in academic setting, astrology themed magic and a little bit of romance. While I wasn’t the demographic for this book, I appreciate the whimsical magical elements but unfortunately it just wasn’t very unique or memorable for me. Featuring coming of age themes for teen readers, I recommend this for a younger audience.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the review copy.

This book felt very young to me and i was unable to finish. It felt more middle grade than YA and the pacing was strange. DNF at 20%.

Draw Down the Moon by PC Cast and Kristin Cast is a new yong adult fantasy book. I was so excited to read this one as I enjoyed the House of Night series growing up. I was excited to see what these authors were writing next but unfortunately, this book did not work for me.

There are some young adult books that I feel like anyone can enjoy and some that are only meant for young adult readers and this book is the latter. I think for the age appropriate audience, this book will be a hit. But it just read to juvenile for me. It almost felt like a middle grade at times.

I would recommend this to early high school kids because I think they would really enjoy this!