Review: Moonless by Crystal Collier

MoonlessMoonless
by Crystal Collier
YA Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Paperback323 Pages
November 13th 2013 by Raybourne Publishing

Summary

MOONLESS is Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.

In the English society of 1768 where women are bred to marry, unattractive Alexia, just sixteen, believes she will end up alone. But on the county doorstep of a neighbor’s estate, she meets a man straight out of her nightmares, one whose blue eyes threaten to consume her whole world—especially later when she discovers him standing over her murdered host in the middle of the night.

Among the many things to change for her that evening are: her physical appearance—from ghastly to breathtaking, an epidemic of night terrors predicting the future, and the blue-eyed man’s unexpected infusion into her life. Not only do his appearances precede tragedies, but they are echoed by the arrival of ravenous, black-robed wraiths on moonless nights.

Unable to decide whether he is one of these monsters or protecting her from them, she uncovers what her father has been concealing: truths about her own identity, about the blue-eyed man, and about love. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with the man of her dreams and risk becoming one of the Soulless.

Moonless is free from Kindle's Library for Prime members or only $1.99 to purchase.
   

My Review

I didn't know what to expect from Moonless. The reference in the blurb to Jane Eyre definitely peaked my interest, as that is one of my favorite classics. It was a good reference to make. There is the same feeling or weight of something a little darker as you read this story. It is also set in basically the same time period. There is young, innocent, and niave Alexia and older, experienced, intense, and roguish Kiren. There is a great attraction and passion between them that is almost instantaneous and which Alexia doesn't completely understand. 

Then there are the differences. This is definitely not Jane Eyre rewritten. It just has that feel to it. Alexia has a loving family. She has means and has been cared for her whole life. Then the circumstances surrounding Kiren are also very different. He definitely has been keeping something hidden from Alexia, but it is something that is not only his secret, but hers as well.

The beginning of the story started off very mysteriously. I was intrigued by the characters and wanted to know what was going on. Alexia happens to see a man that she has seen in her dreams, but doesn't know who he is or what it all means. Then something terrible happens and Alexia is whisked away. The story continued to be mysterious as the story progresses, and slowly things are explained. There were some things that didn't make sense to me, such as Alexia looking quite haggard and then miraculously changing overnight. It would have made sense on her sixteenth birthday, but not then. I also wanted a lot more information on the Passionate and the Soulless. There was some explanation, but I wanted more.

I did really like Alexia in many ways. She acts her age in being a little rebellous and passionate, but she also has this fierceness to her to find the truth and to defend those she loves. That drive seems to carry her into danger quite often, but it is still commendable. Kiren is your brooding and handsome leading man. He is also torn and tortured in many ways and has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He doesn't want Alexia to become a weakness for him, for both of their safety, but he desperately loves her. Their romance was the focus of much of the second half of the story and some of it was a little over-the-top for me. It was a little too instant as well and I would have liked it to have slowly developed a little more, particularly on Alexia's part. Kiren's love I could understand as he has known Alexia for a very long time.

There was plenty of action, intensity, and climatic moments, which all kept my interest. There are a couple of different characters that the story follows and one character who has been plotting revenge. It got pretty hairy towards the end. I wasn't sure exactly how it was all going to fit together and turn out. It ends satisfactory, but open for a second book.

I would recommend Moonless to those who enjoy a more Gothic  tale, Romance, and historical Urban Fantasy.


Content: There is some intense kissing and violence, but I would consider this clean.

Source: From the author, which did not affect my review in any way.


What do you think? Does this sound like a book you'd want to read?


25 comments

  1. Sounds really good. Sadly I have yet to read Jane Eyre... I know! Sacrilegious! I need to read both now! Love this review! And my god... that cover! It's like gothic text meets girl and then has a steampunk baby! <3

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  2. I'll forgive you not having read Jane Eyre. ;) The title does look steampunkish. After reading it, think more about a clock and time.

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  3. I love Jane Eyre and I love the cover on this! I think I would like this one for sure. Great review Tressa!

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  4. This sounds awesome, and I am crazy about the cover. Maybe, if I read this one, I will be so intrigued that I will run out and immediately buy Jane Eyre, start and finish it in a day, and find my love of the classics?!

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  5. I'm so glad to hear that you loved this book! Bantering dialogue...gotta love that. The whole premise of this novel piques my interest...can't wait to read it! ~Pam

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  6. I actually really love Gothic stories so this sounds like right up my alley.

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  7. Hmmm…Jane Eyre meets Supernatural…I'm sold! It sounds like you did enjoy this even though there were a few issues that you had (I like more slowly developing romances as well). But hey, especially given it's free on Kindle for prime members, I'm adding this one. ~Pam

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  8. All of these sound great! And might I say, they have pretty cool covers too. I haven't heard of most of these authors, so I'll have to check them out!

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  9. Thanks for the honest reviews. I'm finding that I discover better books to read as I see other's opinions on them.

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  10. The whole EX-FACTOR gave me the duh, duh, duhhh feeling. Like, what's going to happen between these two next? The title is definitely eye-catching.

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  11. KellisAmberlee4/13/14, 4:56 PM

    So glad you loved this one!! I absolutely adore this book. Definitely enjoyed it more than This is What Happy looks Like. Very nostalgic for me.

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  12. I would definitely recommend ALL of these except maybe All the Truth That's in Me. That one is a difficult read.

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  13. I think you'd like it. I'm thinking her writing will improve too for the next book. This is her debut and was really well done for being so.

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  14. Lol!! You definitely still need to read Jane Eyre. I think they're pretty different in writing style, but whatever will get you there...

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  15. It is definitely Gothic. The paranormal aspect was interesting, although I still want more info.

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  16. I'm curious to see what you think. You really can't beat borrowing it for free.

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  17. Everyone has their different take on things, but I do think that generally when you have a lot of people who like something that it's normally decent.

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  18. They look like great summer beach reads!

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  19. I agree. Hopefully there will be some review copies coming.

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  20. Nostalgic is a great word for this book. It definitely felt that way as I read. I'm glad you liked it too!

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  21. It is so true. I love how in Jennifer's book she also has these nuggets of wisdom that are just true. I was so happy I was approved for it too. My hard copy comes tomorrow. Now I just need Jennifer to visit a nearby bookstore so that she can sign all my books. :)

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  22. I hope you enjoy it. It was such a unique book because the two MC's aren't even together for most of the book and there's all this traveling and then these special and sweet moments between all the characters (the MC's, then Owen with his dad, Lucy with her mom, and a few others).

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  23. If it makes you feel better, it is definitely on my TBR! I've wanted to read it for ages, just haven't gotten around to it. Sad, I know!

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  24. Lol! Well, get to is some day. :)

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