Erin Beaty

Look can we stop? By we I mean my fellow white people and by stop I mean stop relying on lazy racist and misogynistic tropes to prop up a story

Stop making bad guys dark skinned
Stop making "not like other girls" girl characters
Stop encouraging girl hate
Stop making excuses for writing hurtful books

Just. Stop.

In all the wide world of fantasy why do we insist on rewriting Tolkien all the friggin time??? Why do we think that we're being creative or different when we're just propping up tired show more racist colonial propaganda?

Come on. Bring us something new. Something not racist. show less

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.

This young adult read uses a medieval France-inspired setting and overlays that with a grim case of a Jack-the-Ripper-esque criminal and a heady dose of moon magic. It follows Cat, a teenage orphan who is an assistant on a project to essentially build a massive cathedral devoted to the Sun. When one night she can mysteriously hear a woman being murdered, she rushes to help and ends up being part of the investigation--and with a keen show more romantic interest in the investigator, Simon, a young man who seems almost too capable of thinking like a serial killer.

Some of the positives: the author approaches mental illness with a deft touch. This book could really open readers' minds to what those thought processes are like and the importance of patience, friendship, and compassion. The setting is interesting, too, though I was left craving deeper worldbuilding; if there are more books, I hope to understand more about this world and its magic. Cat's job is fascinating and that premise hooked me from the very start. That said... Cat's actions also frustrated me at times. She seems to be in a strange place of privilege, to be able to get buddy-buddy with powerful people so quickly. She's also the type of lead heroine that all the boys fall in love with, and that's a tiresome trope for me personally.

This book should also come with some trigger warnings in published form, as it is quite dark. Sexual assault happens and there are graphic descriptions of grizzly murders. That said, the book makes an effort not to dwell on these scenes or glorify what happens. show less

A page-turning tale of obsession, murder and intrigue set in a magical medieval world.

Catrin's an orphan who's carved out a home for herself at a cathedral called the Sanctum. But when evidence indicates her beloved master architect may be involved in a grisly, Jack the Ripper-style series of murders, she joins the investigation to make sure the investigator considers others suspects. Catrin soon finds herself drawn to the mysterious investigator, Simon, even as Simon's wealthier cousin and show more Cat's childhood friend also show an interest in her.

This book pits two religions against each other - the followers of the sun and the followers of the moon, who can tap into magic in the moonlight. Cat was raised in a nunnery by followers of the light, but she begins to have experiences she cannot explain. When followers of the moon begin trailing her, she begins to question everything she thought she knew.

Determined her friends are innocent, Catrin uses her extra-sharp senses to find evidence that the killer is someone else. But the killer begins toying with Simon and Cat, leaving trophies and evidence to taunt them. But Cat's keeping secrets, too. In the moments before their death, she's heard the victims calling to her in her head. As the killer's victims get more personal, Cat has to decide who she can trust.

Filled with potential suspects, this book kept me guessing until the very last page. The magic system was well-done, and the descriptions of Cat discovering her powers were beautiful. This was a well-done, unique fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and TBR & Beyond Tours for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less

I'll admit it. I picked this book up because of the cover. Yes, I'm easily influenced by pretty covers such as this one. But the content, ohhh yeah, that made me stay.

Blood & Moonlight was such an amazing read. I loved the magic system between the sun and the moon, the high stakes of capturing the murderer thought the book (murderer which by the way I was able to identify before we found out which makes me feel so incredibly smart) and how the relationship between Simon and Caitlin (Cat for show more friends) slowly progressed with the book.

About the characters, I absolutely adored Simon. Simon, oh you sweet, sweet boy you deserve all the world, and I hope that with Cat's help you'll finally figure out that you existence matters as much as the others do. Cat too was another character which captured my interest, she mostly thought with her head, yet the author was able to make me see the teenager in her, something I really was able to appreciate.

Around the 55% till the 75% the book felt a bit muddled, with a lot of info dump and casual thoughts here and there, still th author was able to deliver a clean and well-made ending.

I won't speak about dear Juliane because her death broke my heart, I swear that was where I actually took a personal hit while reading and it will take a while for me to get her off my mind.

Between a well-crafted murder mystery filled with angst, hope, love and longing, all mixed with a bittersweet ending, Blood & Moonlight is a book that should not be missed. I can't wait to get my hands on book 2 and dive in.

4.2⭐️ show less