The magic system and premise of the book was, at first glance, very interesting and a unique take on moon magic. However, the execution of the characters within that system was lacking for me. It was a lot more juvenile teenage behavior and angst than I was expecting and that really made it hard for me to connect with the characters. The actions and motivations of the characters seemed to constantly change and, despite reading it a couple times over, I still don't understand what in the world happened during the final "battle" and why our main characters did what they did.

Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast has the usual things such as love, destiny, and an academic esc setting. The story itself was good and the world-building and magic mechanics were also good. the only thing that took me out of the story was that although the characters were eighteen I kept feeling like they acted younger so it was off-putting, still not a bad read hopefully things change and the characters act their intended age come the second book.

A solid YA fantasy romance - while the story follows a familiar trope of young love and coming-of-age adventures, it doesn't fail to provide a captivating, enjoyable read, with the bonus of having a follow-up novel on the way.

Book Name: Draw Down the Moon
Author: P. C. Cast; Kristin Cast

ARC
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/ Wednesday Books for an ARC of Drawn Down the Moon by P. C. Cast; Kristin Cast.

Stars: 1 (DNF)
New Series *Moonstruck* 
Fast Paced
Dual POV
Modern Fantasy w/ Hidden World

- Thoughts.
- Younger YA
- Hogwarts Vibes
- Middle-Grade Bridge
- Confusing Characters
- Friends to ...


The marketing blurb made this appear to be an upper YA adventure with a magical college/boarding school and a unique zodiac/moon magic system. We do have the magic system (highly interesting) and the magical school but it has a much more Percy Jackson age range than the older YA "House of Night" style series I was expecting. The Friends to Lovers vibes were off-putting for an older FMC and MMC. (this is also my pet peeve trope) I made it to roughly the 25% mark before I started to skim and ultimately DNF this one. This book appears a great read for a younger audience but how it was marketed makes this a negative.

Overall this is, unfortunately, a publisher issue that is appearing more frequently. As YA now encompasses both the transition YA to Middle-Grade books, alongside books that feel like a euphoria episode complete with graphic content. I hope to see more distinguishing remarks by publishers as to what vein within YA these books are. I am happy for this book to exist within the market and think it is a good match for a younger audience. (AFTER some major editing as to language and a few scenarios) but to market in the same way, as a series like House of Night is setting readers up for disappointment and bypassing the intended audience completely. It also makes the work disjointed as it waddles hopelessly between two major age ranges doing neither with the integrity and style this author is capable of.

Overall disappointing.

I really tried hard to give this YA fantasy a chance but I just couldn't get into it. I lasted until about the 40% mark but when I wasn't connecting with any of the characters I decided to give up for now. Totally a me thing, I think I'm just not a PC Cast person even though they are super popular with many. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

I felt like this had a great start. I enjoyed the dynamics of best friends to lovers with pining as well as the lunar magic system. The cool magical school setting really drew me in, but felt like things kind of fell flat as the story went on. By the time I was at the end, I was a little bored with it. I know that modern day things would be present here, but I didn't expect the occasional pop culture references in it and I feel the moments of humor just didn't quite hit its mark for me. I love awkward main characters and dynamics, but something about the awkwardness here with the cast didn't work for me. I think the atmospheric vibes could've been better, but I do think it's still a pretty decent YA read. It just definitely falls toward lower YA in the writing style.

I would probably still give the second book a chance but it would be lower on my priority list.

Now this is more like the mother daughter duo that I loved so much growing up. I devoured this book, I loved everything about this book.

I was a little hesitant going into this as I wasn't a huge fan of their last series but this book completely changed my mind and I'm so happy that I enjoyed this so much. The magic system is incredible, Wren thinking she's a mundane and then getting powers that she has no idea how to control, the romance. I loved the characters Wren and Lee, I loved the heartbreak, I'm honestly having a hard time finding something I didn't like about this book. I'm so excited and will be impatiently waiting for the next book to come out and I have a feeling this will be one of those books that I wish there were a longer series for. This book gave me total nostalgia for the House of Night series and I absolutely loved it.

"Drawn Down the Moon," a YA Academia Fantasy, by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, promised a blend of magic, mystery, and romance set within the enchanting backdrop of a mystical magic academy. While the concept of a magic system based on astrology signs presented an intriguing premise, the execution fell short of its potential, and the writing was more juvenile than expected.

One of the book's strengths was its simple yet engaging magic system, which added depth to the world-building. The discovery of protagonist Wren's powers was unique but felt natural and fit well within the established rules of the world. Additionally, the depiction of Moon Isle was vivid and inviting, creating a sense of coziness that draws readers into the story.

However, the novel does have some significant flaws that detract from the overall experience. Despite being labeled as 18-year-olds, the characters lacked the maturity and depth expected of their age, often coming across as younger and less developed. This discrepancy undermined the believability of their actions and relationships, leading to rushed character development and clunky romantic subplots. Furthermore, the plot follows a familiar trajectory found in many young adult fantasy novels, failing to offer anything truly innovative or memorable. The pacing was uneven, with slow moments that failed to maintain my engagement and awkward scene transitions that disrupted the flow of the narrative.

Additionally, certain aspects of the world-building raised questions and inconsistencies that detract from the overall cohesiveness of the story. The inclusion of random Japanese words by one character felt forced and out of place, while certain plot points are left unexplored or unresolved.

Overall, 'Drawn Down the Moon' has the potential to be a compelling addition to the magic school genre, and will definitely appeal to much younger readers seeking a light and whimsical fantasy read. However, this was not the book for me, and I won't be continuing the series.

I was blown away by this book! The plot and the characters were both captivating. It's definitely geared towards a young adult audience, so it has broad appeal. The world-building is intriguing, the characters are fully developed, and the details are fascinating.

DNF at 42%

The scenes with the suv chasing Lee and Wren running was pretty dramatic and silly to me. As well as Queen Celestes attitude toward Wren right before her first trial.

The dialogue between Lee and Wren felt forced to me, making it difficult to believe the good rapport that the readers were supposed to see.

With the success that Zodiac Academy and Fourth Wing are receiving recently with them blending an academic setting within a fantasy world, its hard to not compare with Draw Down the Moon. I think it could have been helpful to make the magic system more clear, the pacing better with adding more story before her birthday and so we could have had more character depth.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Wren is t supposed to have any powers but when she suddenly manifests glowing power, she’s drawn into a magical world and has to attend a magical school where there are secrets she has to discover before it’s too late.

This book definitely fits the vibes of the Cast’s other series. It sets the stage for some fantastic friendships and a creative magical world that’s unique and beautiful, but it does take a while to really get into the story. There is a bit of a miscommunication trope which is fantastic for YA readers to read how things might not work out and how the characters communicate to find solutions. Overall an easy and fast read with an enticing story that I didn’t put down. My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough to really get to the meat of the story.

Notes: side characters include a relationship between a girl and a non-binary character who are both comfortably accepted and welcomed by friends. Looking forward to more of their story in the next book.

Draw Down the Moon was a wonderful introduction into the world of the Moonstruck! I love a good magical coming-of-age story. I also enjoyed the magic system in this book! Both authors crafted a wonderfully unique world and I can’t wait to see where the sequel takes us! If you love a unique YA fantasy story, you’ll love this book!

Rating: 5/5
I received eARC for my honest opinion.

Every book that these two amazing authors write, I know right away that I am going to love it, and of course they did it again. Another amazing book and series that I cannot wait to see where it will go from here. This book is about a Wren who thought for years that she was mundane, born without magic, until her 18th birthday. When she comes into powers that she never thought she would have, and a life that she always dreamt about, or so she thought.

This book will take you on an adventure to an island where magic welders will go to school to learn more about their magic and how to use it correctly. You will also be tested on trails to see how much you have learned and the out of those trails will help you in with placing you in the right profession. However, for Wern, she does not have a set house at the Academia and that leaves her feeling lost and scared. That is until she chooses to be with her best friend Lee Young at his house and of course Lee couldn’t be happier because he has the girl of his dreams with him, sadly he doesn’t know how to tell her that he loves her and has always loved her.

This book has prophecies, murder, dangerous secrets that people will do anything to make sure are kept secret. It has romance (friends to lovers), it has betrayal, death and of course magic. The plot is well developed, and the authors know how to make sure you see the character development in their first book of a series. The pace is great because it helps you to understand the main plot and to build a connection with the characters. The world building will have you loving this spooky, a little dark book. I cannot wait for the next book to come out! I need to know what is going to happen to Wren and where Lee truly stands.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin for the opportunity to review this book.

This book brought me back to the feels I had when reading the House of Night series in the BEST way. I love Wren, and Lee, and Sam, and all their interactions. The misunderstanding trope dragged on a little longer than I like, but it worked itself out eventually. If you question authority and why things are the way they are, this is the book for you. If you love side characters, and the power of books, and envision Nature as an actual personified creature, this is the book for you.

This was a really fun and involved YA read! I loved the Magic system and the source of the Magic. The incorporation of elementals was a fun twist (although I kept picturing elementals from video games).

Wren is an amazing character and I loved the way that the authors tackled teenage emotional development throughout the story - yes emotions are big and we don't always have the easiest time processing them

I was not a Lee fan. He doesn't read "endgame" to me for Wren and while he was a sweet match as a bff turned boyfriend he was just sorta lacking. Yeah he had his own stuff he was going through, but still. I wouldn't mind less POV from him in the future.

I loved each and every House of Night book and this new series appears to be as good or better! Wren, Lee and their magical friends go off to a hidden secret school to learn to control their elemental moon powers but hidden secrets abound.
The magic system and world building is top notch and I was hooked from the first chapter.

I was given an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to The Cast's and to #Netgalley

DNF @14%

I am withholding my review until St. Martin's Press speaks up about racism in its organization and how it is going to mitigate the harm caused. #SpeakUpSMP

I have been a big fan of P.C. Cast, having read her Tales of a New World series and loved it. So, when I saw that she had a new book, Draw Down the Moon, I knew I needed to read it, and I was thrilled when I got the widget from St. Martin’s Press in my email. Having read the book, I think it was an excellent start to this series.

The main storyline of Draw Down the Moon centers around Wren and Lee. Wren is born a Mundane in a world where magic is powerful. On the other hand, her best friend, Lee, is a potent healer and is going to the highly sought-after Moon Isle to learn how to harness his magic. But everything changes when, on the night of her eighteenth birthday, Wren suddenly develops magic. At a loss of how it happened, Wren soon finds herself on a ferry to Moon Isle. Once on the island, Wren is plunged into a treasure trove of secrets and lore. With the secretive head of the school seemingly watching her, the elemental assigned to her house protecting her, and her feelings for Lee growing daily, Wren must figure out what is going on. But the truth will have a cost, either breaking Wren or setting her on a path to right old wrongs.

The main storyline of Draw Down the Moon was well written. Even the fact that it was a dual POV didn’t bother me. The author could seamlessly go between Wren and Lee’s POV without disrupting the storyline. I also liked that while I figured out what was happening (around when Wren had the 2nd trial), I was still surprised at what happened and the fallout.

I did get some strong Harry Potter vibes during the chapters where the other students were assigned to their houses. But I did like how they were assigned (it was better than the Sorting Hat, and yes, I am prepared for backlash on that). The Harry Potter vibe got stronger when they entered the dorms. But, as soon as Wren got her room, those vibes stopped, and the book started to take shape. I will warn you, there is no kindly headmaster (actually, just the opposite) or teachers with an agenda (well, not that I saw). The only magical creatures are the elementals that allowed the school to be on the island, and they are dangerous.

I liked Wren. She was mischievous and not afraid to stand up for herself. She was also out of her element during the first few days in school. Her lack of magic did set her apart. But it was during the first trial that I noticed something about her power. That thought grew when the elementals started approaching and talking to her. I did wish that she and Lee weren’t so tight. I would have loved to see her interact with Sam or any other students she befriended more.

Lee was all right, and I felt terrible for him. The poor kid was under so much pressure to live up to the family name that he suffered panic attacks. Add in that his older sister was killed while at the school, and he was barely keeping it together. At times, I could see almost two different sides of Lee. There was one side where he was this carefree boy man who just wanted to hang with his girl, and there was the other side where he was this anxiety-ridden mess who couldn’t/wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his family name. I wasn’t surprised by any of his decisions. They were all done to further his family name. The only thing he couldn’t control was Wren or his feelings for her.

The fantasy angle of Draw Down the Moon was amazing. I loved that the author chose the magic system based on astrology. At first, there wasn’t much information about the different signs and magic. But, as the book went on, the author did start explaining the origin story of the Moonstruck and the other magic. I also liked that the author used elementals instead of the usual creatures featured in these books. The fact that the elementals were aware of Wren and were protecting her, but no reason was given, was frightening.

The fantasy angle also included a book Wren could not read (the writing was messed up). How she got the book was pretty funny, but she needed to decode it once she got it. All she knew was that Lee’s older sister wrote it, and it was something explosive. I wasn’t prepared for what it was and the fallout that happened. But I did like seeing the lore and the island’s past brought into better focus. It explained a lot.

The last couple of chapters of Draw Down the Moon were heartbreaking. While I like it when an author kills off major secondary characters, I was very heartbroken and surprised by who the author chose. While I had figured out Wren’s magic, I was not prepared for what happened at the end of the book. The revelations that were revealed were earth-shattering, as was the fight that went along with them. I also didn’t blame Lee for what he did.

The author ended Draw Down the Moon on a cliffhanger. There were so many questions that needed to be answered. And when I say so many questions, I mean it. I cannot wait to read book two and see what the fallout from the death and Wren and Lee’s actions have on the island.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, NetGalley, P.C. Cast, and Kristin Cast for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Draw Down the Moon. All opinions stated in this review are mine.

✨ Publication date: April 9, 2024✨

Draw Down the Moon is a new magic YA duology by PC & Kristen Cast (authors of The House of Night series).

Wren Nightingale has no magik. Her parents both had strong elemental magik powers but children usually show their powers if they have them early on. After her parent tragic deaths Wren went to live with her uncles and planned a future without magik.

Lee Young is Wren’s best friend and comes from a long line of powerful magik and after his sister’s death, knows he is the only one left to carry on the Young name with the Moon council. Lee is headed to Moon Isle academy to participate in the trials and determine his future.

Lee and Wren spend her eighteenth birthday together before Lee heads off to the academy. At midnight Wren is moonstruck and her dormant powers are released. They head to the academy together where Wren starts to discover things aren’t what they seem and she doesn’t know who she can’t trust.

This was a good story. The magik system is easy to follow and well laid out. I would have liked to understanding the role of the Elementals a bit more. There is also the love story of Lee and Wren, they have such a strong friendship connection and both have harboured romantic feelings for each other.

This is a 3.5 star for me. I liked the story and the build up but I did find the writing of the characters to be a bit more immature than the 18 year olds they were portraying. The responsibility and actions matched their age but the dialogue was a bit mismatched. Looking forward to the conclusion of this one!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#NetGalley #pccast #kristencast #drawdownthemoon

Thank you to Wednesday Books and SMP for the digital arc copy and the physical arc copy of DRAW DOWN THE MOON. This review is entirely my own thoughts and opinions based on the advance copies I recieved!

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

DRAW DOWN THE MOON is a coming of age and coming into your own magick story of a girl who thought she would live her life magick-less until the moment she turned 18. She's suddenly pulled into the world she thought she'd never be apart of only to have mysteries about her own powers and her place in their world begin to surround her. With the help of her friends, Wren begins to unweave the mysteries of their magical world, even the secrets that were meant to be buried.


*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

MY THOUGHTS:

This book definitely sits on the young side of Young Adult, which confuses me a bit as the characters are supposed to be 18 year olds heading off to college. To be fair, the bulk of the characters reflect their age— LIly, Ruby, Sam, Luke. But the two main characters, Wren and Lee, were written to act like early high school aged characters, which aged the book down into lower YA. It did at times feel like I was reading a young teen's diary. Since I am clearly not the target audience, I'm rating and reviewing this book in the mindset of this is for a younger audience.

Outside of that, this reads very much like a P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast book. Its style is reminiscent of the House of NIght series which gave me some serious nostalgia to when I was 18-20 years old and obsessed with that series. Plot-wise, I loved it. While my 35 year old mind was able to quickly put together the plot and know what the big reveals would be, I could easily see my younger self obsessing over it.

I loved the unique premise of how magick works in this world, My Pisces ass is slightly salty that we're not one of the Moonstruck signs. LMAO (I was even born on a full moon night!) I appreciated the familiar PNW setting. I loved the focus on friendship and communication, listening to your intuition, and learning to shape your own future. The romance between Wren and Lee was sweet, if not a bit cringy at times (but weren't we all cringy at that age?). I especially appreciated the huge effort to create a YA story that is heavily inclusive.

All in all, this was a pretty solid 4 star read for me and I will be looking forward to the sequel cuz of course they left the book off with a huge cliffhanger.