Moon Spell

Moon Spell
(The Tale of Lunarmorte, Book #1)
by Samantha Young

Genre: Paranormal Romance | Young-Adult (16+)

Rating: 4.5

It’s bad enough feeling different among the human crowd, but feeling different among wolves? No one said returning to her pack would be easy, especially after ten years without them, but seventeen year old Caia Ribeiro is unprepared for the realities of the transition. Raised in a world where kids aren’t scared by bedtime tales of the bogeyman but by the real life threat of enemy supernaturals who might come creeping into their community to kill them in their sleep, Caia is used to the darkness; she’s used to the mystery and the intrigue of the ancient underworld war she’s bound to by chance of birth. What she’s show more having trouble with are pack members treating her with wary suspicion, the Elders tucking secrets behind their backs out of her sight-line, and her young Alpha, Lucien, distracting her, with a dangerous attraction, from her decision to discover the truth.But as the saying goes ‘the truth will out’ and when it does, Caia will only have so long to prepare herself before the war comes pounding on their door threatening to destroy the safe, secret lives of the wolves… and the girl they protect.

Caia has been in hiding since her parents tragic death and, right before her 18th birthday, is being brought back into her father's pack, Pack Errante. Because of her shrouded past and unfamiliarity with the supernatural society around her, Caia reluctantly accepts that she has a lot of deep trust issues to resolve with her pack due to (surprisingly!) being treated with suspension and fear. Yet, the one person who attempts to ease Caia back into being a pack member is also the one person she is (secretly!) promised to as mate-- Lucien, the young alpha. Adjusting to a new school, new family members, and a new home is tough enough, but even more so when dark secrets from Caia's past become unearthed and the life, that Caia was so familiar with, turns upside down.

I was so excited I found this e-book since I was very eager to read this series... and overall... I was NOT disappointed. It was a fascinating book with lots of supernatural intrigue and budding romance. Caia is a torn (and somewhat indecisive) character throughout much of the story; torn about how to react to her mysteries past, torn about her position within the pack, and torn about her acceptance of a relationship with Lucien. As much as her uncertainty about everything could easily cause the reader to frown upon her as a faltering character, Caia succeeds in perfectly balancing out her wavering thoughts with a sense of innocent vulnerability and stubborn persistence. Plus, her personal connections with Lucian (steamy!) and her new friends within the pack (endearing!) create a well-balance protagonist that is hard not to enjoy. Expect lots of twists and surprises throughout the book in regards to the upcoming supernatural war and Caia's close association with it, but largely, Moon Spell, is about a girl adapting to a new life-style change (be it...a change in an out-of-the-ordinary world full of werewolves, witches, and fairies - Oh My!)

Likes: Really enjoyed the Greek Mythology weaved throughout the pack's origins.

Dislikes: Not really a fan of the Midnight Coven and/or those associated with the magical arts throughout the tale. I was disappointed b/c many of their scenes throughout the story, in regards to "magic," were kind of blah and humdrum. show less

The beginning of Moon Spell was without a doubt incredibly intriguing and mysterious. I wanted more and more of the storyline and the secrets revealed. You can tell that there are so many secrets that will keep you guessing even after only reading a few pages. I felt bad that Caia knew so little, especially when it came to things that pertained to her. Usually this would bother me since those with the knowledge are keeping it hidden for the character's 'own good' and this drives me batty. Moon Spell was just so densely completely woven with secrets that I never minded, I only wanted to know more as soon as possible!

“Yvana,” Lucien’s voice rumbled darkly in warning. Caia had never heard him use that tone before, but she was still show more too shocked by Yvana’s reaction to look at him. She was caught in this woman’s bleak gaze. What had she done to her?
“Griffin died because of your parents... because of you.” Yvana was standing up now, trembling with anger and grief.

I loved Moon Spell's lore and how it incorporated the Greek gods into the supernatural. It was such an interesting idea and I love stories that involve mythology in any way. Young didn't just adopt them into the lore and then drop them either. Caia regularly used them in her language like how normal teens would use 'oh my god'. I found that to be extremely clever and well done.

No. Uh-uh, Haaades no.

Caia is really hard to describe personality-wise. As far as paranormal goes, she's the first character I've read about that isn't hotheaded, brave, dangerous... some mix of typical werewolf, vampire etc traits. Caia is quiet, unassuming, a loner (but not in an 'I hate everything' kind of way, more of a peace seeking type). To be honest I thought she was completely without personality at first. She goes along with everything, she doesn't make waves, she wasn't expected. I was wrong though, she doesn't need to be loud and constantly in the midst of the action to be her own person. As Irini said, Caia is gentle.

“According to our spy everything’s going perfectly well. She’ll be sending the information we need over the next few weeks.”
“And Caia?”
“Integrating into the pack. By the time we get the little bitch, the pack may actually mourn her.”

The multiple points of view (Caia's, Lucien's and the villain's) were a welcome surprise. I really liked getting into Lucien's head since Caia knew so little about what was going on. I also liked the quick glimpses into what was going on on the 'other side' too. I enjoy knowing what villains are up to and thinking but it's always ridiculous when they have a long monologue explaining everything at the end. Doing brief section in their POV was a great idea.

Something inside Lucien split open. With a shock of awareness that set him back on his heels, Lucien realised that all he wanted in this life … was to melt into the darkness with her.

Lucien was completely adorable, delicious, swoon worthy... I was so excited when Moon Spell even started hinting at a romance between him and Caia. It was a relief that his point of view was included because Caia is so unsure of how the pack operated and where she stood with Lucien that I would have worried for her otherwise. Instead I could just bask in all the sweet moments.

I loved, absolutely positively loved Moon Spell until the ending. I really don't want to give anything away but at the same time I could write out a page long rant. Why, Young?! Why would you do this to me!!?

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For more reviews from me, please visit Bitten Books show less

This is a low four, and being honest it should be in the threes. I really liked it, though the seriously BAD and MULTIPLE editing errors gave me Twilight flashbacks. In Young's defense, at least her book is self published so no editing team at the publisher for her. She also has a little trouble with repetitive phrases. There is a lot of "shoulder rolling" and "neck craning" going on. We get it already, the guys are muscular (and apparently tense) and Caia is short... There are others, but those are the ones popped into my head at the moment. She gets attached to a particular description of something and then you see it again and again for the rest of the book.

I won the second book in the series (which I don't remember being so riddled show more with errors) on Firstreads and enjoyed it so much I hunted down hard copies on Amazon of books one and three (couldn't find anything for my Nook...).

I preferred book two, but that is typical for me. As a series gets started there is always a lot of "laying of the ground work", and I find it a bit dull after a while. Later in a series when the expectation is that you know enough and they just recap is perfect for me. I want to get into the characters and relationships and ACTION! Plus, I already knew how it ended (for the most part) based on bits of book two, so that detracted as well, and was not Ms. Young's fault.

So, my least favorite of the three for sure, but I did really enjoy the series. (You simply HAVE to be able to ignore errors, if you can't you won't be able to handle this.) show less

Read the full Review at Witchmag's Boekenplank

I had concentration issues for the first couple of chapters. You were pushed into the dark and had to figure out what the hell was happening. I had to reread a lot before I finally managed to get a grip on the story, but it was more than worth it!

I was very happy to discover that in this book the attraction between mates isn’t infinite and all explainable. Caia manages to make a firm stand when Lucien has lied to her for the umpteenth time, she even wants to have nothing to do with him for a time! Okay, there are some weak moments, but given the circumstances, completely understandable.

Lucien… Lucien is a typical alpha male. He acts very rationally when he tries to protect his mate. He show more only seems to forget again and again that Caia has FEELINGS and that she isn’t a CHILD anymore. So what happens is his own fault and so I have no problem that he’s reaping what he sowed, except he hurts Caia a lot with it.

The end was so bittersweet. I had a hard time keeping it dry, cause I didn’t expect it at all! After finishing the book I was still thinking about what happened. I just couldn’t let it go and envisioned all kinds of different scenarios in my head, to make it better. That wasn’t the only time something very unexpected happened, although this was the most shocking one. I really like it when books keep me on the edge of the seat, while not knowing what the next page will bring.

Overall rating 4 hearts. I was actually planning to give this one 5 hearts. Then I remembered my struggling at the beginning of the book. I actually considered to put this one down! Fortunately the rest of the book was way better! Look forward to the next book! show less

This is a low four, and being honest it should be in the threes. I really liked it, though the seriously BAD and MULTIPLE editing errors gave me Twilight flashbacks. In Young's defense, at least her book is self published so no editing team at the publisher for her. She also has a little trouble with repetitive phrases. There is a lot of "shoulder rolling" and "neck craning" going on. We get it already, the guys are muscular (and apparently tense) and Caia is short... There are others, but those are the ones popped into my head at the moment. She gets attached to a particular description of something and then you see it again and again for the rest of the book.

I won the second book in the series (which I don't remember being so riddled show more with errors) on Firstreads and enjoyed it so much I hunted down hard copies on Amazon of books one and three (couldn't find anything for my Nook...).

I preferred book two, but that is typical for me. As a series gets started there is always a lot of "laying of the ground work", and I find it a bit dull after a while. Later in a series when the expectation is that you know enough and they just recap is perfect for me. I want to get into the characters and relationships and ACTION! Plus, I already knew how it ended (for the most part) based on bits of book two, so that detracted as well, and was not Ms. Young's fault.

So, my least favorite of the three for sure, but I did really enjoy the series. (You simply HAVE to be able to ignore errors, if you can't you won't be able to handle this.) show less

Reviewed by Monica Sheffo for TeensReadToo.com

Disturbingly delicious, Sam Young shines in her debut novel.

In LUNARMORTE, the first of a trilogy, we follow Caia, the newest member of a Lycan wolf pack, as she struggles to fit into a family she has never known. Adding to the list of her troubles is the pack leader, Lucien, who has the hots for her.

But when a friend goes missing, will she have the courage to do what's right and save her, or will she be too late?

Ms. Young is the latest author to jump on the werewolf craze, which she does with effortless style. She individualizes her tale with mythological roots and a fantastical world full of magic and endless possibilities. Young's characters take on a life of their own to the point where show more you can't help but believe they're real.

A fair warning, this intoxicating romance will leave you hungry for more! show less

Caia has lived apart from her pack of lykans for many years. Finally, when it's safe to return, she begins to reintegrate into the pack. But something isn't quite right. Some of the pack are uncomfortable around her and others can't seem to trust her. And the secrets about the war... sure, she's knows there's a war on, between the daylight and midnight supernaturals. But why will no one talk to her about it?

Then, there's the whole issue of pack dynamics. Previously she'd lived a loner life. Not really integrating into the human world, not really connecting with her caretaker. Here, she's thrust into the volatile and protective world of werewolves. She finds a good friend like she'd never had before. School friends and enemies. And a show more crush on the leader of the lycans, Lucius. But will the secrets being kept rend apart her newly awakening sense of pack?

Yet another book with no editor... Although this book suffered from all the ills common to these ebooks with no editor (perhaps even worse than average), it was a better-than-average story. As with all these books, the story needs tightening up--it was too long. Also, grammar was atrocious. Primarily it was dumb things like (many, many) absences of commas or spelling "too" as "to." Things that distract you from the story.

I'd say it was an enjoyable, quick read. Mediocre, easy, candy stories are forgivable when they're quick reads. But this book just went on too long. If it had a better editor (pardon, any editor) I might have even given it 3 1/2 stars. But instead I give it 3, which is generous, as I debated between 2 1/2. I am curious what happens, but I'm not sure that I can slog through another long book in the next book in the series. show less