Moontangled
Author: Stephanie Burgis
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B
What I’m Talking About:
With big wigs in attendance for a formal ball scheduled at the Thornfell College of Magic, Juliana is excited to finally see the love of her live, and secret fiancee, Caroline. It’s been three months since Juliana and Caroline were together. It was then that Caroline’s aunt was utterly disgraced and cast out of the Boudiccate, shaming Caroline in the process. Since that moment, Caroline has kept a cool distance from Juliana, trying to protect her from the shame of her aunt’s betrayal.
Moontangled reads as a “slice of life,” rather than a full story. We are introduced to both Caroline and Juliana (and discover their secret engagement) earlier in the series. That is where their story begins, so I highly recommend starting with the first book, Snowspelled. Knowing their history is what makes Moontangled fantastic and romantic. Otherwise, I’m afraid the story is too short to fully capture the depth of their love.
I enjoyed returning to the Thornfell College of Magic, even though we don’t spend much time there. Juliana is focused on her magic, just like always, so she nearly forgets the important ball which will bring her true love, Caroline, to her home at the school. It’s Caroline who’s changed, keeping her distance and breaking off her engagement with Juliana. Of course it’s all misunderstandings and miscommunications that drive the pair to this point. The perceived threat of permanent capture by the fae creates tension and heightened emotions, which allows the opportunity for the pair to let out all of their fears and secrets.
Overall, I am so glad the author gave fans this story. But in a way, I wanted more. This world is so magical and fantastical, I want to spend time and enjoy it to the fullest.
My Rating: B, Liked It
Jen
About the Book:
Take one ambitious politician and one determined magician with wildly different aims for their next meeting.
Add a secret betrothal, a family scandal, and a heaping of dangerous fey magic in an enchanted wood…and watch the sparks fly!
For just one moonlit, memorable night, Thornfell College of Magic has flung open its doors, inviting guests from around the nation to an outdoor ball intended to introduce the first-ever class of women magicians to society…but one magician and one invited guest have far more pressing goals of their own for the night.
Quietly brilliant Juliana Banks is determined to win back the affections of her secret fiancée, rising politician Caroline Fennell, who has become inexplicably distant. If Juliana needs to use magic to get her stubborn fiancée to pay her attention…well, then, as the top student in her class, she is more than ready to take on that challenge!
Unbeknownst to Juliana, though, Caroline plans to nobly sacrifice their betrothal for Juliana’s own sake – and no one has ever accused iron-willed Caroline Fennell of being easy to deter from any goal.
Their path to mutual happiness may seem tangled beyond repair…but when they enter the fey-ruled woods that border Thornfell College, these two determined women will find all of their plans upended in a night of unexpected and magical possibilities.
Release Date: February 3, 2020
Publisher: Five Fathoms Press
Series: The Harwood Spellbook #2.5
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Historical, LGBTQ, lesbian romance
Format(s): paperback (88 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)
Reviews in the Series:
Spellswept by Stephanie Burgis (Hardwood Spellbook #0.5) – Audiobook Review
Snowspelled by Stephanie Burgis (Harwood Spellbook #1) – Audiobook Review
Thornbound by Stephanie Burgis (Harwood Spellbook #2) – Audiobook Review