Reviewed by Valerie

TITLE:  Moon Spell

SERIES:  Fated #2

AUTHOR:  Christina Lee

PUBLISHER:  Self Published

LENGTH:  258 pages

RELEASE DATE:  October 4, 2021

BLURB:

Werewolves only exist in fairy tales…at least, that’s what most townspeople in Lunar’s Reach believe. Unless you’re a powerful healer who concocts a potion to help a fledgling shifter remain human during the full moon.

It works to Bellamy’s benefit since he’s been in hiding at Moon Flower from Ashwood, his beloved, who betrayed him two years before. But now that violet fever is sweeping through Etria and Bellamy has fallen deathly ill, not even the madam from the apothecary can heal him.

Ashwood believes only he—his fated mate—can save Bellamy from the sickness. Unfortunately, he’s right. But Bellamy cannot bear being in his presence nor suppress the longing he still feels for the man. Despite their history, Ashwood still owns his heart, and soon it becomes clear that someone from their past presents a danger to them both.

Perhaps Bellamy could use Ashwood to exact his own revenge before dooming him to eternal loneliness without his mate. Except, that plan would require allowing Ashwood to touch him again, and Bellamy isn’t certain he can resist being cast under his spell. Not when Ashwood feels so perfect—and so right.

Please note: Moon Spell is set in an imaginary world reminiscent of our nineteenth century, with some fantastical elements, such as potions and fated mates, and without explicit rules. Reading Moon Flower, the first book in the series, is highly recommended, as some of the plot elements and characterizations wouldn’t otherwise make sense.

TW: Discussions and depictions of assault, as well as a background representation that some might find unconventional.

REVIEW:

So… confession time. I’m not a fan of shifters. I wanted to review Moon Spell, however, for a few reasons:

1. I adored Moon Flower
2. It’s Christina Lee so I have to have some faith, right?
3. Surely there are other contemporary readers who might be hesitant to read a shifter book. My review – whichever way it goes – could help them decide.
4. It’s Christina Lee

Well, it turns out I appreciate a great love story even if it’s in the form of furry, snuffling wolves. Who knew?

As with Moon Flower, there’s something about the gentleness of this story. It’s as if I’ve had an enchanting spell cast over me. I felt almost tingly when I read both of the Fated books.

Fated mates. Sigh. My biggest feels when reading romance come from the concept of inevitability. Bellamy and Ashwood will be fated wolves once they come of age, but since they’re still shy of eighteen, they don’t know that yet. Ashwood has been bitten so he knows what’s in store for him, but Bellamy has no clue. They meet while begging for money on street corners, working for a slimeball who takes the money in return for food and a place to lay their heads at night in a cold, abandoned building. Bellamy ended up there after his mother – his only family – was killed by a wolf, and Ashwood after escaping a violent orphanage. They fall in love and consider themselves betrothed until the day Ashwood betrays Bellamy and breaks his heart. He was hiding something big from Bellamy – something big and furry.

The story jumps to the time frame of Moon Flower, after violet fever has gripped Lunar’s Reach, and Galen and Azriel have left for Solar’s Edge. For two years, Bellamy has been hiding out at the brothel, enjoying entertaining the gentlemen callers while avoiding Ashwood. He now knows he has wolf blood but he suppresses his wolf with a potion from Madam Langley. Then when Bellamy becomes deathly ill from violet fever, only Ashwood can save him.

Bellamy would rather die than take help from Ashwood. He can’t forgive him for his past treachery and can’t trust him not to deceive him again, maybe tricked and taken to the dangerous pack who turned Ashwood. Despite this, he still longs for his lover. Ashwood is devastated that he’s caused Bellamy such pain, and he’s heartbroken that he can’t be with his fated mate or even have the chance to heal him.

As with all the men of the Moon Flower Apothecary and brothel, Bellamy is a sweet character. He has a toughened outer shell, though, because of the pain he’s endured from losing his mother and then the boy he thought was his soul mate. It’s Ashwood who really touched me with his tragic story and immeasurable love and caring for Bellamy. Although not much time is spent at Moon Flower, there’s enough presence of Madams Langley and Fairborn, the twins and the others – especially Oscar – to enjoy the found family so wonderful in Moon Flower. There’s just enough danger to add some suspense to the story, too.

I would say this book is werewolf-light. Bell and Ash stay by themselves, not part of a pack. There are no hierarchies, no alphas, no howling at the moon. The wolfy times are primarily Bell and Ash experiencing the joy of running free together. The non shifter-lover in me approves.

The ending of this book – and the Fated duology – brings a lovely happily-ever-after to Bellamy and Ashwood, and ties up loose ends with other characters, as well. I’m so glad I gave this beautiful book a try – if you’re hesitant, I hope you will, too.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, those apertures on the brothel room doors are in use again. All I’ll say is gah!

And finally, hats off once again to artist Sarah Jo Chreene for another gorgeous cover. Ashwood is stunning.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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