Review copy was received from Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Druid's Moon by Deniz Bevan on September 20, 2022
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 192
Format: eARC
Source: Author
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Beauty to his Beast…
Lyne Vanlith, an archaeologist who seeks a logical explanation to any mystery, discovers an ancient Druidic curse on her first dig. When the signs foretold by the curse descend on her, Lyne can’t find a reasonable interpretation.
And that’s even before a Beast rescues her from a monstrous sea-creature. She drops a grateful kiss on the snout of the Beast, who transforms into a man, Frederick Cunnick, Baron of Lansladron. Lyne is meant to be Beauty to his Beast—and break the curse forever.
Now both spellkeeper and monster are targeting Lyne. She must take up her legendary role, to defeat the curse and save Frederick—and herself. Instead of logic, for the first time, Lyne must trust her heart
An archeologist intern discovers a manuscript at the Cornwall coastal dig site and unleashes magical signs, an old curse, and this facts-driven woman faces the inexplicable of living out a fairytale-like adventure and romance.
I didn’t catch it when I read the blurb and decided I wanted to read Druid’s Moon, but this is a Beauty and the Beast retelling full of Druid prophecy, a family curse, werewolf beast, a unique use of the Rose, and, Lyne, a clear-eyed archeologist for Beauty, and a few unique twists with the Octopus villain needing to be defeated and something of a sacrificial theme for how Frederick became the Beast. I love fairytale retellings and the Beauty and the Beast plot so I was even more excited as the story unwinds.
Druid’s Moon was vague not in the plot, but in the backdrop of the story. The reader is dropped into the story and has a myriad questions as events transpire which I didn’t mind and even like as a way of getting my attention. Some are answered as the story unfolds, but there is much left unexplained or left vague in general terms. There is a curse, but why and how? Lyne is Frederick’s Beauty, but why and how even with the family legacy. The Council? It’s there, but not a lot of explanation. And, so on. I could enjoy the immediate story, but I was distracted as my brain chewed on the under-developed background mysteries. Still, one does get caught up in the action sequences once Lyne and Frederick start working together to break the curse.
I loved getting the alternating narration between Lyne and Frederick’s POV. Particularly, Frederick’s. He struggles to hold onto his human reasoning against the Beast’s nature even when he is at his lowest. Lyne struggles with reason vs the inexplicable and it takes her a bit to buy in that she is ‘Beauty’ in the manuscript and must face off against Octopus with Frederick. I was cheering for them both.
An easy read and exciting fairytale retelling that other fans of this niche fantasy romance genre might consider for the unique way of presenting the tale.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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oooh this one sounds really interesting, although the backdrop and world building sounds chaotic haha but I really love it when authors do a solid job on the retelling portion and deliver on duo POV’s.
Great review!
There are explanations to many parts of it including how the heroine gets involved, time getting to know the hero, and the build of the romance which was indeed the most important parts in a romance.
Oh, that cover is stunning and it sounds like a good read. Happy reading!
Yes, that cover definitely has pop and the story is pretty exciting, Jennifer!
Oh, this sounds like a good find. Thanks for sharing with us!
Glad to put you onto it, Jen!
That cover is awesome. Beauty and the Beast retellings are my catnip, so I think I will check this one out.
LOL, yeah that pretty much hooked my attention, too, Nadene. 🙂
I do like Beauty and the Beast retellings. Nice review, Sophia
Glad to put it on your radar, Wendy! Thanks!
I do love Beauty and the Beast retellings!
That was a big source of excitement with this one for me once I got into it.
This sounds like my kind of book.
Glad to put it on your radar, Mary!
I do enjoy Beauty and the Beast re-tellings. Glad to hear you enjoyed the story despite some points being underdeveloped.
I always get excited when I spot a fairytale retelling. The background of this one was great and I enjoyed the action and characters so the curiosity points that were vague were tolerable. 🙂
I feel like I would have some issues and too many questions about the world
There was enough development to enjoy the characters, the plot, and the romance, but yes, I was left with niggling questions. 🙂