Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Wane On Harvest Moon
SERIES: Moonlight Prophesies #3
AUTHOR: Amanda Meuwissen
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 208 Pages
RELEASE DATE: December 13, 2022
BLURB:
Cat shifter Luke and rat shifter Preston have had a solid relationship for ten years, but lately, the increasing attacks on their pack and the stress of raising their adopted daughter are highlighting more of their differences than the values they have in common. When they travel to Glenwood to investigate the source of the ancient artifacts tied to the recent violence, tensions in the shifter community—and their relationship—are already running high.
Strangely, this mystery seems tied to the events that brought them together. On their first mission, eighteen-year-old Luke and twenty-one-year-old Preston had to put aside their differences—and back-burner their mutual attraction—to prevent a disaster that would have revealed the existence of shifter kind to humans.
But how does what’s happening now connect to their past? And can they find the answers their pack, their species, and their relationship need to survive?
REVIEW:
Life between Luke and Preston is increasingly fractured, with old insecurities coming to the fore originating from opposite sides of the social divide. That, plus some ancient artifacts, puts a few things into perspective.
Wane On Harvest Moon is a splendid read, but not quite what the blurb led me to expect.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Preston and Luke. I always love Amanda Meuwissen’s ability to get the world-building spot on for my taste, and her characters are superbly different. Luke spent most of his life at the shelter, where he was free to express his feelings. In contrast, Preston’s upbringing was sewn tighter than a monk’s purse. Luke is adorably cheeky, along with Preston’s dose of strait-laced that is willing to be influenced. And, I loved the comic book references.
The story mainly follows Luke and Preston’s initial meeting as their past connects to what’s happening in the present and the series’ storyline. Remembering the past also influences the actions of the present. These characters are awesome additions to the story. However, given the blurb, I’d have liked more relationship issues to be aired in the present, as what was on the page didn’t alter my heart rate. But, what makes the story a page-turning read, is the extra pack action and heat.
The beginning and end were the connectors to the series timeline and the progression of the underlying arc. But with the focus on Luke and Preston and their past, the present relationship issues became somewhat safely dealt with. It was a shame because that could have added some delicious angsty moments that would have elevated the story to a higher rating for me. What happens is probably more realistic, but this is fantasy and I love a bit of angst.
Nevertheless, Luke and Preston are a marvelous power couple, and alongside the other pack members and story characters – what I read, I enjoyed, and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
RATING: 
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