This is a fine book for anyone still in their YA fantasy era. I know I would have eaten this up as a teenager, and even as an adult with an undeveloped frontal lobe. However, as a 26 year-old, I do think I've aged out of this type of book.

Now, I know that I just acknowledged that this was YA and that it's no longer for me, but the characters were really juvenile. They were supposed to be 18-20 years old, but acted a lot like middle-schoolers. That being said, they were way too emotionally mature for their tone. They'd be acting like children one second, and then all of a sudden having serious conversations. It was a little bit jarring to be honest. Came off as preachy... like a parent trying to teach their child about emotional maturity.

The worldbuilding and magic system were fine, on par for this age group. It's an urban fantasy so you don't really have to relearn a whole new world. The magic system was straightforward and easy to understand, and didn't have so many moving parts that you're left feeling confused.

I'm debating whether or not to read the sequel... it's just interesting enough that my curiosity is piqued and I'd like to know how it ends, but ultimately if I never read the second book, I won't be agonizing over it.

In summary, this is a good YA book, but not one really made to also entertain older audiences.

Immediately on finishing this I placed book 2 on hold at the library. If you were a House of Night lover this is very similar but also feels totally new and updated. It was making me feel so nostalgic and i loved it.
We've got teens identified with magic going to a secret academy on an island. Some interesting spirits helping the school and mysterious adult figures who are acting strange.

The plot was interesting and well done where I had an inkling that I was getting snaped, but wasn't able to figure out all the details until the reveal which i always enjoy.

Definitely excited to keep reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this one.

As I do with many books, I both listened to the audiobook and read the ebook in parts. It’s so hard to find time to do one or the other these days 😂

I liked the dual narration but felt that it was a little unnecessary. I think the story could have been stronger if just from Wren’s POV but I still like hearing from Lee.

Anyway, on to my thoughts. I thought the magic system was so interesting here. I loved the idea of zodiac signs and the moon as the driving force behind the magic and was excited to find that there was a lot more to it than initially described. The reveals were really interesting and I’m definitely eager to read the sequel.

The romance is very very slow burn but also sweet. A little of the miscommunication trope frustrated me at times but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I feel like it was one of those “yell at the TV screen” kind of moments where I wanted the characters to do something about their feelings but they just weren’t doing it. However, that felt right for their personalities. Lee and Wren are shy teenagers and their romance was very appropriate.

I also loved the side characters and hope to see more of them in the sequel.

Lastly, I think this is age appropriate for younger YA readers which is nice to see. The themes of the story are about finding yourself, trusting yourself, and fighting for what’s right which are all things that YA audiences can appreciate.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have always been a pretty die hard fan of the Cast duo. This book ha been no exception. I loved the characters, the world, and i always love a good academy setting. Wren was a fantastic fmc. She was relatable, charismatic, caring, and hopeful. I can relate to wanting to spend my life in a bookstore. Lee was an admirable mmc. He was witty, caring, empathetic, and a genuinely good guy. When Wren becomes moonstruck, he sticks by her side and wants to make sure she excels and finds her place in the moonstruck community. Thus begins their stint and Moon Isle, the academy for those who the moon chose to imbue with her power. At first, all seems normal within the school, but as Wren begins to realize her power isn't quite like the other moonchosen, she starts to see that not everything is as it seems. The dean is a little too eager to see what her powers are. The council leader is mysteriously absent for most of their stay. The elementals are whispering strage things to her. It seems that only Wren, with some help from her lovely sidekick Sam, can figure out what is really going on. It ends on a cliffhanger that has me ravenous to find out what will happen next. The Casts have done it again with another fantastic story that I can recommend over and over with no shame!

A Spellbinding and Immersive Fantasy

Draw Down the Moon by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast is a captivating blend of magic, mythology, and strong character dynamics. The mother-daughter writing duo creates a richly imagined world filled with intrigue, romance, and powerful themes of destiny and self-discovery.

The novel’s worldbuilding is one of its strongest aspects, weaving together lore and magical elements that feel both fresh and immersive. The characters are well-developed, with compelling arcs that keep you engaged. While some plot twists are a bit predictable, the journey remains exciting, and the emotional depth adds a layer of authenticity to the storytelling.

The pacing is steady, with moments of action balanced by introspective, character-driven scenes. The writing is fluid and engaging, though at times, the dialogue feels a little modern for the setting. Despite minor flaws, Draw Down the Moon is an enchanting read that fantasy lovers will thoroughly enjoy.

A solid 4-star book—magical, emotional, and full of heart!

*Draw Down the Moon* by P.C. and Kristin Cast is an engaging addition to the *House of Night* series, blending paranormal intrigue with teen drama. The plot follows the protagonist, Zoey Redbird, as she navigates new challenges with her powers and relationships. The book delves into themes of loyalty, love, and self-discovery, all while maintaining the series' signature mix of romance and supernatural action. Though the writing can feel repetitive at times, the engaging characters and captivating world-building keep readers hooked. Fans of the series will appreciate the developments, while newcomers may find it a bit difficult to follow.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

A Magical Coming-of-Age Tale

Draw Down the Moon is a captivating young adult fantasy that introduces readers to a hidden world of magic and mystery. The authors skillfully blend elements of supernatural powers, teenage drama, and coming-of-age themes.

The premise of a young woman discovering her hidden magical abilities is intriguing, and the setting of a secret academy adds to the allure. However, the characters, particularly Wren, often come across as younger than their stated age of 18. Their behavior and thought processes sometimes feel more appropriate for a younger age group, which can disrupt the flow of the story.

Despite this minor issue, the book offers a fun and exciting read. The world-building is imaginative, and the romantic tension between Wren and her fellow students adds a delightful spark to the narrative.

The audiobook narration is satisfactory, with the dual narrators providing distinct voices for the different perspectives. However, the male narrator's performance can sometimes feel one-dimensional, focusing primarily on expressing romantic interest rather than showcasing a complex character.

Overall, Draw Down the Moon is a promising start to a series, with the potential for further exploration of the magical world and its inhabitants.

3 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #drawdownthemoon

Draw down the moon is the first novel in a new series by P.C. Cast and Kristen Cast. Fans of their previous series, the house of night, will definitely enjoy this one. So will fans of fantasy stories with magic.

This story is told from both main characters, Lee and Wren’s, points of view while they face this new world and trials. Plenty of action fills the pages of this story and makes it hard to put down once you start.

Draw down the night is both enjoyable as a read or listen. Both draw you in and keep your attention.

This book was shocking in so many ways! I have not read a book that felt new in awhile! This was a great twist on a coming of age magical story that always keeps you wondering what will happen next. If you think you are good at guessing what happens next I dare you to give this book a read to try out your skills. I guarantee you’ll get it wrong at least twice! This is a book I would recommend to anyone needing to get out of a reading slump!

I absolutely adored this book and the romantic, magical fantasy! PC and Kristin Cast are an excellent writing team and I'm glad I gave this book a listen!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Having serious issues getting into this book. I really was hoping I was going to enjoy it but I really couldn’t get into it. The narrators did a great job I just couldn’t finish the book.

It was a good book,.......................... ... .............................................

I would recommend this title for younger teens, but it was a little young feeling for myself or my teenagers, who are 17 and 19.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This felt too childish for me. They wrote fantastic YA and I think they should just stick to it. This felt more like midgrade even with the characters being 18.

I enjoyed this one! The dark academia vibes were spot on and I love a good school setting. This was a great start to a new series - the magic system and world building is great. I found the astrological factions really creative! I do have a few questions but I'm guessing they'll be answered in book 2 👀. Can't wait to read it!

I went between the audiobook and ebook but ended up liking the narrators a lot so I finished it off by audio!

A huge thanks to St-Martin's Press, MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC/ALC. All opinions are my own.

It wasn't for me, but I did still enjoy it. I can see why a lot of people felt the teenagers seemed young, but I could write that off as people are raised differently. I've met 18 year old who act like this many times - that didn't bother me. I appreciate the opportunity to listen to this - and I will certainly be reading more of PC Cast in the future. This book just didn't do it for me.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Draw Down the Moon by Kristin Cast and P.C. Cast. I really enjoyed the beautifully magical world. The mixture of zodiacs and the elements created a unique magic system. The sort of magic that can be done is a little vague and could have used some more definition but otherwise it was really good. The characters were a little on the shallow and somewhat annoying side but they definitely grew on me by the end. I also liked that the romance didn't overshadow the plot. The plot had a few holes and easy to see coming twists but it was fun, fast paced, and engaging. And the cliffhanger of an ending left me ready for more. The narrators did an amazing jobs bringing these characters to life too.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you net galley for this e arc. Unfortunately I had to DNF at 10% the book was very juvenile. The voice actor sounded grainy and the story lacked any depth.

I really liked this book. I listened to it in one day iirc. It is set in modern times with teenagers. As you can imagine, there's a lot of pop culture reference. Other reviewers think its unbearable and that the characters are acting more like 13-14 year olds, but I disagree. I have coworkers that are 18-19 and they act the same way as these characters. So, moving on, the magic isn't necessarily unique but how they get the magic and the relationship it has with elementals and the main plot is unique. I loved the twists, and was not entirely surprised at the MMC's actions following the twist, but still disappointed and shocked that he did it... *sigh* I will be reading the next book and am excited for it!

YA with slight romance but not the main focus. Good twists and enjoyable side characters (content warnings: death).

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners for the ALC! ♥