Draw Down the Moon

Draw Down the Moon
by P.C. & Kristin Cast

Book: Moonstruck #1
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Pub Date: April 2, 2024
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon

New York Times bestsellers P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast return with a new duology set in a dark and magickal world filled with incredible danger and irresistible romance.

Wren Nightingale isn't supposed to have any powers. Born of magickal parents but not under a moon sign, she was destined for life as a Mundane—right up until she starts glowing on her eighteenth birthday. In a heartbeat, Wren's life is turned upside down, and she's suddenly leaving her home for the mystical Academia de la Luna—a secret magickal school on a hidden island off the Seattle coast.

Lee Young has always known about his future at the Academia. He has one goal: pass the trials, impress the Moon Council, and uphold his family's reputation. But he wasn't expecting to be attending alongside the girl he's been secretly in love with for as long as he can remember.

As Wren and Lee are thrown into the Academie's gruelling trials, they quickly learn there's something different--and dangerous--about the school this year. Wren will have to navigate a web of secrets, prophecies--and murder. And Lee will have to decide who to protect--his family's legacy, or the girl he loves.

My Review: Love, love, love this new series!

I've loved these ladies since I discovered their House of Night series. Since then, I've been hook, line and sinker for everything that's come since.

Any who, Wren is just a normal girl. She is prepared to spend her life with books and take over her uncles book shop one day. Until then, it's the night before her 18th birthday and she's spending it with Lee, her favorite person. 

Pay no mind to what she was doing that night. But when the time hit and she became 18, Wren started to glow. Like the I've got magic in me and now what the heck is happening to me all wrapped in the same moment. 

Wren never had an inkling of magic and suddenly she does and goes from boring normal life with her uncles to being sent to a summer school with Lee where they will learn about their magic, attend trials and much more.

Now, at this point, I'm already hooked. Now once the trials starts, a death occurs and then the intrigue keeps you there when Wren finally figures out who/what she is. 

That is until she overhears the Dean and Leader of the Moon council talking. Well more kind of like an unofficial wasn't supposed to hear kind of warning. 

From there, you can't help it. You read on and next thing you know it's over and your begging for the next book. 

I love this book and can already see this series becoming a favorite of mine. These ladies know what they are doing and with every book they release, I'm reminded of why I'm such a huge fan of them. 

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

Weekly Spotlight - Sisters in Salem

 

“What you put out into the world returns to you, and that goes for thoughts, acts, and energy.”

― P.C. Cast, Spells Trouble

Spells Trouble 

Double double, twins spell trouble…

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers–the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and nightmares come to life.

When their mother becomes the first victim in a string of murders, the devastated sisters vow to avenge her death. But it will take more than magic to rein in the ancient mythological monsters who’ve infected their peaceful town.

Now Hunter and Mercy must come together and accept their destiny or risk being separated for good.

My Review

Omens Bite

Something wicked this way comes...

Twin sisters, Mercy and Hunter are witches, descendants of the Goode family of witches. After the murder of their mother at the hands of a foul demon, they have become the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds--ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and the darkest of creatures exist.

The problem is that the Goode sisters have split from each other. Grief and anger have torn them apart, driving Mercy to save the cursed Gates on her own and Hunter into the arms of a dangerous goddess. And when Mercy shifts her focus to the Egyptian Gate and Khenti, the guardian of its Underworld, little does she know that her connection to him will land her in the kind of trouble that only Hunter can save her from.

When it comes to breaking the curse, Mercy and Hunter's bonds are put to the ultimate test.

My Review

Hex You

Twin sisters, Mercy and Hunter are witches, direct descendants of the Goode family, the founders of their town. After the murder of their mother at the hands of a foul demon, they have become the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds--ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and the darkest of creatures exist.

Mercy and Khenti are trapped in the Ancient Egyptian Underworld and need Hunter’s help to escape. But while Hunter searches for a way to save them, other evil threatens Goodeville. Amphitrite is still looming–and she wants vengeance against Hunter. With the gates rapidly weakening, Amphitrite lures out a deadly creature and sets it free on the residents of Goodeville. It will take everything in Mercy and Hunter’s power to stop the goddess and seal the gates once and for all.

My Review

Weekly Spotlight - Sisters in Salem

 Spells Trouble

Double double, twins spell trouble…

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers–the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and nightmares come to life.

When their mother becomes the first victim in a string of murders, the devastated sisters vow to avenge her death. But it will take more than magic to rein in the ancient mythological monsters who’ve infected their peaceful town.

Now Hunter and Mercy must come together and accept their destiny or risk being separated for good.

My Review

Omens Bite 

Something wicked this way comes...

Twin sisters, Mercy and Hunter are witches, descendants of the Goode family of witches. After the murder of their mother at the hands of a foul demon, they have become the protectors of the Gates to different underworlds--ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules and the darkest of creatures exist.

The problem is that the Goode sisters have split from each other. Grief and anger have torn them apart, driving Mercy to save the cursed Gates on her own and Hunter into the arms of a dangerous goddess. And when Mercy shifts her focus to the Egyptian Gate and Khenti, the guardian of its Underworld, little does she know that her connection to him will land her in the kind of trouble that only Hunter can save her from.

When it comes to breaking the curse, Mercy and Hunter's bonds are put to the ultimate test.

My Review

Weekly Spotlight - The Key

The Key to Fear

To Health.

To Life.

To the Future.

We are The Key.

'No touching today for a healthy tomorrow.'

Elodie obeys The Key. Elodie obeys the rules. Elodie trusts in the system. At least, Elodie used to...

Aidan is a rebel. Aidan doesn't do what he's told. Aidan just wants to be free. Aidan is on his last chance...

After a pandemic wiped out most of the human race, The Key took power. The Key dictates the rules. They govern in order to keep people safe. But as Elodie and Aidan begin to discover there is another side to The Key, they realise not everything is as it seems.

Rather than playing protector, The Key are playing God.

My Review

The Key to Fury

Safety comes with a price. Change comes with a cost.

The Key Corporation has kept Westfall safe from pandemics for the last fifty years. But that's not all they've done...

After discovering the shocking truth behind the Key Corporation, Elodie and Aiden have managed to escape in search of New Dawn - the stronghold for the Eos resistance movement. There, they can fight for a better world, one where everyone can decide their own futures.

But things aren't always as they seem, and as they navigate the tricky paths between perception and reality, freedom and fighting for survival, the two young rebels must discover who they can trust, even as they learn more about who they really are...

My Review

The Key to Fury

The Key to Fury
by Kristin Cast

Book: The Key #2
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Pub Date: April 26, 2022
Genre: Young Adult
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon   

Safety comes with a price. Change comes with a cost.

The Key Corporation has kept Westfall safe from pandemics for the last fifty years. But that's not all they've done...

After discovering the shocking truth behind the Key Corporation, Elodie and Aiden have managed to escape in search of New Dawn - the stronghold for the Eos resistance movement. There, they can fight for a better world, one where everyone can decide their own futures.

But things aren't always as they seem, and as they navigate the tricky paths between perception and reality, freedom and fighting for survival, the two young rebels must discover who they can trust, even as they learn more about who they really are...

My Review: Okay a little better than the first book, but really, I'm disappointed. I wanted to love these books because of how much I loved her other writings. 

Elodie is finally more rebellious. She finally see's the Key isn't exactly what she thought it was, she doesn't have to marry a man that a system match her with. She kissed Aiden and nothing bad has happened to her (health wise), and now she determined to start a new path. 

Aiden had Elodie and is happy, at least he was until Elodie's best friend saw them kiss and well things just went down hill. His mother is gone, I swear his sister has no soul at all and Elodie's ex-fiance still wants to make things work with her so there's that too. 

I was really upset with what happens to Aiden in the book, it really shouldn't have happened but ugh. 

Overall, I just really don't know. It's not what I expected this series to be, though this book is better than the first, but I wouldn't say its better by much sadly.

My Rating:

✪✪✪

The Key to Fear

The Key to Fear
by Kristin Cast
 
Book: The Key #1
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Pub Date: October 13, 2020
Gere: Young Adult
Format: Print
Source: Bought
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon   

To Health.
To Life.
To the Future.

We are The Key.

'No touching today for a healthy tomorrow.'

Elodie obeys The Key. Elodie obeys the rules. Elodie trusts in the system. At least, Elodie used to...

Aidan is a rebel. Aidan doesn't do what he's told. Aidan just wants to be free. Aidan is on his last chance...

After a pandemic wiped out most of the human race, The Key took power. The Key dictates the rules. They govern in order to keep people safe. But as Elodie and Aidan begin to discover there is another side to The Key, they realise not everything is as it seems.

Rather than playing protector, The Key are playing God.

 

My Review: Um what did I read? Yeah, that's a way to put it... I wanted to love this book. I love Kristin's work with P.C. on the HON books so, obviously I had to get these books.

But I had such a hard time with this book for the longest time, it didn't finally grab me until the end of the book. 

Elodie is boring...she follows the rules to a T and believes everything the Key says, after all they did save them all right? I mean besides the household she wants to get away from, she doesn't ever questions the Key, not even when they picked a guy for her to marry. 

Aidan took a little bit of warming up to, but he was pretty good. he does what he wants and doesn't really care about the Key, as if he knows what is really going on and is just putting on a face for when he is back in the Key, or at least in front of his sister.

But overall it was an okay book, if it wasn't for who wrote the book, I wouldn't  have finished it.

My Rating:

✪✪✪

Weekly Spotlight - House of Night Otherworld

“Joy isn’t easy or inherent. It is a choice, and not always an easy one—not at first.”

― P.C. Cast, Forgotten

Loved

It’s Zoey’s eighteenth birthmas and the Nerd Herd has been scattered across the country busily adulting for almost a year when Stark calls them back to Tulsa to surprise Z. But all is not well in T-town. Strange, dark signs are appearing—could it be possible Neferet is stirring? Not willing to chance disaster striking again, Zoey calls on her newly reunited friends to circle with her and add a layer of protection over Neferet’s grotto jail. Easy-peasy, right?

Wrong. Nothing at the House of Night is ever as it seems.

With rabid red vampyres closing in, Zoey and the Nerd Herd must come together again and battle evil. But a year is a long time. Have these old friends grown too far apart?

When the world fractures and allies become enemies, will darkness devour friendships or will light save those she’s loved?

My Review

Lost

Things have settled down at the Tulsa House of Night since Zoey and the gang closed the tear between worlds and sent Other Kevin back to the Other World. Neferet hasn't stirred. Damien and Jack are falling in love all over again. Stevie Rae and Rephaim are back in Tulsa where they belong. The Depot Restaurant is being rebuilt with the enthusiastic involvement of local humans. A new school year has begun, and Zoey's exchange student program with public schools is really taking off. All is well.But if all is well, why is Zoey increasingly withdrawn and moody?

Sadly, Stark is sure he knows the answer to that question. Zoey can't stop thinking about following her brother to the Other World, and Stark isn't deluding himself about why. Of course she wants to be sure her brother is okay. Of course she wants to help defeat Neferet in yet another world and be sure the balance between Light and Darkness is restored. But the real reason Z is so drawn to that other House of Night world is because Heath Luck, her childhood sweetheart, is alive in that world-alive and mourning her death.In Lost, we follow Zoey, Stevie Rae, and Rephaim to an alternative version of the House of Night, where dangers take the form of friends and allies are found in the strangest places. Will Z return to our world and leave Heath to his? And if she does, will Stark forgive her for leaving? Find out in the second part of this exciting new House of Night Other World adventure! 

My Review

Forgotten

Before he was freed by Neferet, Kalona was imprisoned within the earth for centuries because of the Darkness in his heart. But what happened to the Other World's Kalona? It's as though he's been forgotten, or maybe he never existed at all

In the present, Other Neferet may have left her House of Night, but she has far from given up her goal of immortality and world domination. As she operates in secret to gain access to Old Magick, the new High Priestess, Anastasia Langford, works toward peace and acceptance for the vampyres of the Other World. But just as Other Kevin's broken heart will take time to heal, peace in that world will also take time and work--and not all of the Other World vampyres want peace. After all, why should they return to being shunned by humans, especially when they've had a taste of how it feels to be in power?

Meanwhile, Zoey is desperate to help rid the Other World of Neferet once and for all, and not knowing what's going on over there is eating away at her. But, as the Nerd Herd warns, it's far too dangerous to call on Old Magick time and again. As a distraction, she throws herself into her work and attempts to bring the humans and vampyres of Tulsa closer together with the first human-vampyre swim meet in history! It's too bad that something always seems to go wrong whenever the stakes are high.

What happens when worlds clash and powers that should be left alone are awakened? Can Other Kevin and his world heal from the wounds Neferet continues to inflict? Can Old Magick ever truly be harnessed and used for good? Or will Darkness extinguish Light and leave our heroes broken, hopeless, and as forgotten as Kalona of the Silver Wings? Don't miss this second to last volume in the House of Night Other World saga! 

My Review

Found

Fog rolls into Tulsa, and with it comes Darkness. Zoey knows something is up, and that the something involves Neferet, but Neferet can t possibly be freed, right?

Other Neferet and her companion, Lynette, arrive in Woodward Park to set this world s Neferet free from her grotto prison, and discover there may be those who sympathize with their cause. Meanwhile, Other Kevin and Other Stark are hot on their trail, but how can the new friends travel to this world without invoking Old Magick and paying a costly, perhaps deadly, price?

In Found, the culmination of the House of Night Other World series, a surprisingly talented fledgling, an immortal, and the unlikeliest of allies will band together with Zoey and the Nerd Herd. Will they be powerful enough to defeat her old nemesis, or will two worlds be destroyed and claimed by Darkness? Find out in the thrilling conclusion to the House of Night Other World series!

My Review

Weekly Spotlight - Favorite Authors

Kristin Cast

#1 NYT & #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR 

Kristin teams with her mother to write the wildly successful HOUSE OF NIGHT series, and is currently working on a new YA series with PC! She has editorial credits, a thriving t-shirt line, and a passion for all things paranormal. When away from her writing desk, Kristin loves going on adventures with her friends, family, and significant other and playing with her pups (Grace Kelly and Hobbs the Tiny Dragon). And Kristin is currently obsessed with her squishy baby boy. 

My Reviews: Marked (HoN Series), Loved (HoN Otherworld), The Dysasters

PC Cast 

#1 NYT & #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR 

PC was born in the Midwest, and, after her tour in the USAF, she taught high school for 15 years before retiring to write full time. PC is a member of the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have been awarded the prestigious: Oklahoma Book Award, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award, Booksellers' Best, and many, many more. Ms. Cast is an experienced teacher and talented speaker who lives in Oregon near her fabulous daughter, her adorable pack of dogs, her crazy Maine Coon, and a bunch of horses. 

My Reviews: Marked (HoN Series), Lost (HoN Otherworld) 

Weekly Spotlight - House of Night Series

“You are old beyond your years Zoeybird. Believe in yourself and you will find a way. But remember darkness does not always equate to evil just like light does not always bring good.”

― P.C. Cast, Marked

Marked

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed.  In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change.  Not all of those who are chosen do.  It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling.  She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx.  But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers.  When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

My Review

  

Betrayed

Fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird has managed to settle in at the House of Night.  She's come to terms with the vast powers the vampyre goddess, Nyx, has given her, and is getting a handle on being the new Leader of the Dark Daughters. Best of all, Zoey finally feels like she belongs--like she really fits in. She actually has a boyfriend…or two. Then the unthinkable happens: Human teenagers are being killed, and all the evidence points to the House of Night. While danger stalks the humans from Zoey's old life, she begins to realize that the very powers that make her so unique might also threaten those she loves. Then, when she needs her new friends the most, death strikes the House of Night, and Zoey must find the courage to face a betrayal that could break her heart, her soul, and jeopardize the very fabric of her world.

 My Review 

  

Chosen

Dark forces are at work at the House of Night and fledgling vampyre Zoey Redbird’s adventures at the school take a mysterious turn.  Those who appear to be friends are turning out to be enemies.  And oddly enough, sworn enemies are also turning into friends. Her best friend, Stevie Rae, is undead and struggling to maintain a grip on her humanity. Zoey doesn’t have a clue how to help her, but she does know that anything she and Stevie Rae discover must be kept secret from everyone else at the House of Night, where trust has become a rare commodity.  Speaking of rare: Zoey finds herself in the very unexpected and rare position of having threeboyfriends.

  My Review

Untamed

Life sucks when your friends are pissed at you. Just ask Zoey Redbird – she’s become an expert on suckiness. In one week she has gone from having three boyfriends to having none, and from having a close group of friends who trusted and supported her, to being an outcast. Speaking of friends, the only two Zoey has left are undead and unMarked. And Neferet has declared war on humans, which Zoey knows in her heart is wrong. But will anyone listen to her?  Zoey's adventures at vampyre finishing school take a wild and dangerous turn as loyalties are tested, shocking true intentions come to light, and an ancient evil is awakened in PC and Kristin Cast's spellbinding fourth House of Night novel.

My Review

Redeemed

Redeemed
by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Book: House of Night #12
Publisher: St. Martins Griffin
Pub Date: Oct 1 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Print
Source: Bought
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon  

In the final electrifying novel in the HoN series, Neferet has finally made herself known to mortals. A Dark Goddess is loose on Tulsa and the world. No single vampyre is strong enough to vanquish her - unless that creature has the power to summon the elements as well as the ability to wield Old Magick. Only Zoey Redbird is heir to such power…but because of the consequences of using Old Magick, she is unable to help. Find out who will win and who will lose in this epic battle of Light versus Darkness



My Review: I can't believe this series is over. I have been reading these books for years now and it was this series that reignited my love for reading. 


This was the best book of all, despite it being the last one. And it gave you so many feels, which was just amplified at the end. Ugh the end was just too good, there needs to be some kind of spin off now.

Okay so, Zoey is now in jail. She keeps blaming herself, and rather just reject the change. However, she was not the cause, it was Neferet who killed those two guys. Its always Neferet behind all this horrible crap. I'm glad Detective M. finally realized that. After all, he will need her help and her friends help. Otherwise Neferet might actually win and we just can't have that happen. 

So Zoey is freed and needs to meet with everyone, explain the situation and come up with a plan to stop Neferet.  They come up with a plan and things just start moving. Zoey needs to use the seer stone. Thantos will perform a spell. The circle will gather and do whatever they can to help. In the end, you hope they all make it through this crazy mess. There is a death I didn't expect, but you get a glimpse into whats going on in the otherworld with Nyx, and it made everything okay. 

The ending though, I just can't get over it. You can probably figure out that they found a way to stop Neferet. But I won't say how. There was a price in the end, to be paid by the cost of a true love. Does that make you want the read book? It definitely wasn't who I thought it would be.  And they all finally made it through the change.  Then you get a few pages about whats been going on after that night. And I just have to keep saying it, but it was the best ending ever!!!!

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪