This reminds me of Harry Potter goblet of fire except with young adults! The elementals were so intriguing and I fell like the writing flowed to well I was rarely bored! It does seem a slightly younger ya even though the characters are 18

It was A 2.5 for Me but as i Usually Love these Authors i Rounded it Up to 3

The Story itself and the Imagination behind the Elements and the Moon born and school was really interesting.... The characters weren't Unlikeable but....

An academy for Elements - (House of Night)

Celeste (AKA Neferet) Was the Beautiful Baddie that could Bewitch Men with Her stunning Looks

Wren (AKA Zoe) the Underdog that comes up all powerful and (Probably) Chosen by the Goddess

Lee (AKA Heath or Eric im not sure which) the Boyfriend that's a bit of a softie with not much else to him other than the Female Mc

Sam (AKA Stevie Rae) She was my fave character in Both books.

There were too Many similarities for me.... Also the fact that this was aimed for A much much younger Audience (12 - 13 year olde Maybe)

The Main characters were 18, but they were a bit young minded for 18 Year olds (lifelong friends start dating and still haven't kissed till over a week and it was a huge thing) You Know like Middle school thrills.....

If this is your first book by these Authors and you Didn't enjoy it Give House of Night a Try those books were Epic

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillain Audio for this ARC Audio Copy!

I had high hopes for this book and was excited going in knowing that the characters were in a school setting but also were older, 18+. However, though the characters are said to be 18 when they enter the school the characters in this book did not read as 18. I ended up DNFing at 22% just due to the immaturity of the characters but also the story.

I read a lot of YA books and I have no problem with younger characters or the YA aspects of books but this was just a bit too juvenile for me to continue. When the FMC was shocked and awed about seeing a DVD player like it was a relic from a lost time I knew that this just was not the book for me.

The premise looks really fun, but I think it is going to be a great book for a younger audience, just not for me.

Draw Down the Moon features Wren and Lee in a magical world where the moon sign you are born under determines your magical abilities, if you are born with any at all. If magical abilities appear, then after teens turn 18, they are whisked off to a magical university strikingly similar to Hogwarts, including being placed into a house based on your moon sign. Wren does not show any powers until her 18th birthday, so it surprised to find her future quickly pivot as she joins her childhood friend Lee into the magical university, where they will have to overcome many challenges.

The novel reads INCREDIBLY young, and has a tone more suited to middle schoolers. There is a great disparity between the ages the characters are and how they act and think, behaving more like 13-14 year olds rather than 18 year olds. It made this a challenging read to get through. If the characters had been aged down and the marketing for this book skew younger, rather than rating it for teens (perhaps even middle grade), I would have started this with a very different mindset. As it is, this novel does not feel fresh or bring anything new to the table.

I would recommend this to perhaps lovers of the School of Good and Evil perhaps, but not to high schoolers.

The cover is absolutely gorgeous though and is what drew me in.

A crescendo of magic, emotions, plot twists, and magical powers in a visual and striking novel part of a duology that I couldn't put down. It hits all the marks for me, chosen one, dark academy, powers, magic, trials, slow burn romance with (friends wanting to be more) betrayal... omg that emotional ending.

Wren has lived eighteen years without magic as a Mundane and gets moonstruck on her birthday but she doesn't quite understand what has happened to her only that she will be able to follow her best friends (who are Magickals)to a secret island/academia (de la Luna) and learn to develop her powers. There are four elements and four "houses":Taurus, Aquarius, Leo, and Scorpio). Each with specific powers or affinities, for example, an Aquarius can heal.

This dual POV novel follows Wren but also Lee. Told in the first person, present tense. They both lost beloved close family and their affection for each other is stronger than friendship. Although Lee must do all to win the trials, he is protective of Wren. Wren understands that something is very wrong with the trials and with the school especially when students start to die "accidentally".

Wren investigates with all her bravery and with the help of loyal friends. Wren is a great character who loves Bridgeton, Downton Abbey, and Beauty and the Beast. Approved. I read my first P.C.Cast in 2007 with her House of the Night series which has already 12 volumes) this author knows her craft and this duology is modern, always on topic, diverse, and inclusive.

Perfect for upper middle graders who are already into YA and YA readers. Light romance ( level: kissing). Awesome cover. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for this e-ARC

I found Draw Down the Moon echoed many of the YA offerings of the early 2000's.I think It will be up to the individual to decide of this translates as outdated or nostalgic.

Cast has created a world and magic system that are on the surface both intriguing and evocative. That being said, I wish both had gone a bit deeper. The fantastical world was what felt the most intriguing to me but it was threaded with references to modern day. These moments pulled me out of the story and left me scratching my head as to why they even needed to exist within the story.. The Characters, who are eighteen, read exceptionally young in my opinion. This came into even sharper focus when listening to the audio as the narrators inflections felt incredibly youthful. Although the age felt off for me I did find the characters likable and layered. I was rooting for them by the end.

I think this is a read that could work for readers looking for a bit of nostalgia in writing styles.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

DNF @ 54%. The writing style is fine, but the plot is a little lackluster. It isn't holding my attention, not much has happened so far and l'd rather not continue.
Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC.

✨Audiobook review✨
I was drawn to this book because I loves me a story with a magical Academy setting, especially if there’s a promise of romance involved. So I could not resist when I read the description. As I dove in, I was quickly drawn into this world, rife with magic, mystery and intrigue.
Wren, who grew up thinking herself a Mundane (a human without magic), is unexpectedly “Moonstruck” on her 18th birthday. With these powers manifesting, the course of her life changes, as she is sent to the Academia de la Luna, a secret magical Academy. Lee, Wren’s best friend, grew up with his powers, and had many expectations placed on him by his family. He is sent to the same Academy, his life set on a predetermined path.

Wren & Lee become entangled in a clandestine world of murder & prophecies, as they endure the Academy’s dangerous trials, and they quickly discover that not everything is as it seems. The relationship between the MCs is tested when Lee, who has always carried a torch for Wren, must choose between his love for her, and his loyalty to his family.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and found it to be an engaging, whimsical coming of age tale. It did read more along the lines of juvenile fiction, despite the protagonists being 18. But the writing was lovely, and I was invested, and will absolutely pick up the second installment.

As for the audiobook performances, I thought both narrators did a wonderful job. Will definitely listen to the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and Macmillan Audio, for this ALC.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the chance to review!!

This book was so fun, the whimsical and mystical school setting really was my favorite. The magic system based by the moon was such a fresh perspective from other based magic.

You follow Wren and her childhood friend Lee on their adventure at Academia de la Luna trials while also uncovering mysteries that put Wren’s life at risk. It’s such a great start to the series and you should definitely pick it up.

This book gripped me right away. I found the magic system to be both familiar enough to understand and unique! I liked the characters, and cared about their well being. It did seem like a “younger” young adult book, though they are 18, they have the type of “romance” one could see in younger teens in books. This is not a bad thing but just something I noticed

This was such a fun young adult fantasy book! I really enjoyed the way the magic was connected to the moon and all the other world building. It was something completely new for me!

I loved all the friendships and the way they would lift each other up. So many great characters that made me grinning at time and crying at others. The cliffhanger left me wanting to read the next book!

I will say I think this is on the younger spectrum of YA! It was an enjoyable read for me in my 30s but I think my middle grade readers would really enjoy it as well!

I thought the narrators did a good job of bringing the story to life and I really enjoyed listening to this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy! All thoughts are my own.

Great Ya book, interesting, but you can notice this is definitely for Ya , losses interest halfway. I guess not into this style anymore, still definitely enjoyable for younger people.

Blending elements of magic, mystery and romance the authors craft another compelling young adult fiction.

The story follows Wren Nightingale who is supposed to not have any powers and her best friend Lee Young who is known to have an end goal of being on the Moon Council. Wren and Lee navigate the Academia's dangerous trials, and quickly learn there is more going on. Deceit, lies, and powers are what is at stake. Not to mention the girl he loves.

It's interesting to note the observation regarding the novel's tone and audience. The book definitely hit on nostalgia (one of the reasons I wanted to read the book) but it was a very thin line leaning towards a more younger adult reader. Currently, it's structured as an ideal option for novice readers venturing into the fantasy genre, providing an entry point devoid of intricate mature themes.

I did receive the audio book in advance through NetGalley and really enjoyed the narrators. The audiobook provides an enthralling young adult fantasy brought to life through the captivating narration of both a female and male narrator. The dual narration adds depth and does a great job captivating the tone set by the authors.

Similarly to their House of Night series they explore themes of friendship, destiny, academia, romance, self empowerment and more. Its blend of some of the these favorite tropes with unique world-building, compelling storytelling, and cliff hanger that keeps me eager to continue reading the series.

𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧
𝐁𝐲 𝐏.𝐂. 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐭
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝟒.𝟐.𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐻𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑦 𝑃𝑢𝑏 𝐷𝑎𝑦!


Thank you @wednesdaybooks and @stmartinspress for a gifted copy.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for a gifted audiobook.


🌙 Moon Magic, zodiac signs, and elemental powers.
🏫 A secret magickal academy on a hidden island.
🔮 Prophecies, secrets, murder.
🩵 Young love.


Are you intrigued yet? I love stories set in academia that swirl with magic and mystery. 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 is the first book in the Moonstruck duology. It has some exciting elements and who isn’t fascinated by the pull of the moon?

I love the young adult genre. While it’s always tough to say where middle-grade ends and young adult begins, this book leaned on the younger side of YA. The friendship group and the blossoming romance between the main characters were well done, with some added humor and angst.

The plot and fantasy elements have reflections of other familiar stories. Wren’s parents died, her magic comes in late, and Wren appears to be the “chosen one.” The story is set in a school of magic, where the kids must go through trials, and someone or something is murdering people. It was a quick and enjoyable read, and I’m interested to see how the duology will close out.

Some hardcore fantasy readers may be looking for more complexity and ingenuity. But young readers or those just dipping their toes into the fantasy world will be enchanted with this story.

3.5🌟

This was an enjoyable story for the most part. However, I was under the impression this was suppose to be an Adult Fantasy. This is definitely a YA fantasy, with the characters having just turned 18 and the writing felt on the younger side of YA as well.

The dual POV did not enhance the story, I feel like writing this just from Wren’s POV would have been a lot more enjoyable.

However, I enjoyed the premise of the story and the idea of having certain kinds of magic based on the moon & your birth. I felt like Wren and Sam were both very likable characters, but I struggle to root for the relationship blossoming between Lee and Wren because of how insufferable I found his POV.

Overall, I would only recommend this book to someone who already enjoys YA Fantasy.

I love the unique magic system using the moon. I thought that was super cool. It was interesting and I enjoyed the characters. Lee is probably my favorite pov. The narrators were good as well.

I have great memories of passing P.C. Cast books back and forth with my friends in high school and adoring them. I'm not sure if nostalgia clouds my memory a bit or if the variety of YA novels has vastly improved since, but this was... a let down.

To be clear, the narrators did the best with what they had. I absolutely cannot fault them for that. They were great and I'd love to hear them in other works. But this reads much more like a middle grade novel than a young adult book with leads meant to be eighteen years old starting their adult lives. If this had been written with thirteen-year old leads and marketed as middle grade? My review would be completely different. As it is, this just read as very immature.

Wren is different! She's tiny and blonde but has pink streaks in her hair and a double-bird name! And she isn't supposed to have magic but she's special! And the adults at school want to kill her for it! And Lee is under so much pressure to do everything right! Except not really because he will literally throw everything away for Wren.

And do not even get me started on the Japanese character who randomly spouts out one word of Japanese in an otherwise very clear English sentence.

Plus I had to hear way too much about Grace Kelly the Frenchie. And all of Wren's Frenchie-themed clothes... All of Wren's weird, punny clothes, honestly.

5 Stars
This is one of my new favorite YA Fantasy's. Wren grows up thinking she is a Mundane but on her 18th birthday she suddenly comes into her powers and starts her shocking journey as a Moonstruck. I loved the zodiac elements that were used. This book is written as a duology and this first book sets up the story nicely. The audiobook was enjoyable to listen to. I love when there are male and female narrators.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book.

In another tale of the “magically gifted” vs normal or “mundane”, Draw Down the Moon shines in the fast-paced plot and mystery of who the bad guys are. Wren and Lee, best friends for forever, know that they are soon to be separated as Wren is a “mundane” and Lee is not–he is headed for the special and highly secretive Academia de la Luna to train with his magical powers. On Wren’s 18th birthday, she is struck by the moon, thereby giving her magical powers and she is whisked away to the Academia as well. All should be good, but Wren notices weird things happening, including deaths of students. There is also a side plotline involving the romance of Lee and Wren, but it isn’t nearly as interesting as the rest of the story. This reader is anxiously awaiting the next installment in this series! Highly recommended for anyone who likes a fast paced fantasy.

DNF @ 20%

This reads like a middle grade fantasy.
I think if it was marketed that way I would have come into it with a different mindset, but as it is, I'm very thrown off by the fact that they're supposed to be 18 years old. 14 would have made way more sense, and the cringey dialogue / actions (a dude trips her? in college?) would have felt more realistic.
Wren is so small. And has a double bird name. and is so short. and pours soap in a fountain for her birthday. and has pink in her hair. She's so quirky. and small. I also must have missed how everyone was supposed to keep this secret about moon magic but she still knows. If her parent's told her why did they make her uncle promise not to talk to her about it? How did she find out about Lee and Sam?
Lee is. sigh. Fine. His unrequited crush again feels a little juvenile. But I just can't bring myself to care about either of them or their romance.