User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
The book purports to be "inspired by Bolivian politics," but the reality is that it's based on a perpetuation of Bolivian stereotypes with a sprinkle of local mythology to give this fetishisation of the exotic a feel of genuineness. That the author got this second-hand from her parents doesn't make this any less poor a portrayal, and might in fact be another reason for why it's so.
The problem here is that this author divides the people in this world, Inkasisa, into two camps: the "good" illustrians, which are very recognisably the Mestizo & Spanish portion of the Bolivian population as anyone familiar with the country will notice, and the "bad" Llacsans, who are the indigenous peoples of Bolivia, clearly, and whose leader is very obviously based on Evo Morales, the former socialist Amerindian president of Bolivia. In Bolivia, there's historically been tensions between these two demographics and a West/East divide that's driven much of the turmoil the country has experienced in its history, so Ibañez's bias is made obvious by her portrayal of the aristocratic Good Guys and their leader, who she describes as having ousted and killed the Illustrian royalty "out of ungratefulness," and who makes a drug that is his "main export" (that anyone will recognise is cocaine). Now, to put it in real-world terms, she's saying the indigenous peoples are the villains here and perpetuating the bad reputation of Bolivia as a country of cocaine exporters. Stereotypes much? This is as bad as inventing a fictional world based on Mexico in which the white and mixed-white population are the rightful dethroned rulers and the Mayan/Aztec population are the ungrateful villains for shaking off their chains, and whose economy is all drug-based.
Think of it, would it pass? Would this book be as popular and get as many high ratings if people realised this? Or if the world was based on the US, with the whites as the good Illustrians and the Native Americans as the bad Llacsans? No! Of course it wouldn't. Then, why is this book given a pass? All I can think of is: because most readers aren't aware of Bolivia's reality and complicated politics. The less you know of a remote and little-known country, the easier to fetishise it and ignore issues in media portrayals of it.
And, mind you, I do get Ibañez's point about Morales & socialism being very negative for the country of her parents. However, I do not give her a pass because that is the GOVERNMENT, NOT THE PEOPLE. You can hate socialism in Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, all you like, and you'd be right to hate it given what it has done to those countries and its long-suffering peoples. That doesn't give you any right to insult the people (and your readers' intelligence) with a Manichaean and poorly written black-and-white novel with a strong whiff of racism and ethnocentrism that you attempt to handwave in the name of hating socialism.
Also, I wonder what Eastern Bolivians would say about this novel's caricaturisation of their culture, very different to the Western Bolivian one this novel takes and runs away with to build its world on.
Now, the novel also has other problems besides the above. The worldbuilding is so very weak that all Ibañez did was just change names or put them in Spanish ("La Ciudad Blanca" would be Sucre, the capital, I guess. Not even subtle, since the actual city is called that often even now). So, again, anyone familiar with Bolivia will recognise how it's merely changing the names and altering some details of the real country for this fictional one. Lazy writing, that.
And speaking of lazy writing, Ibañez is guilty of what has become one of my most hated literary sins: bad use of a foreign language. She drops words and entire phrases in Spanish every other passage, and very needlessly so, as the stuff she puts in Spanish is stuff that can stay in English just fine. Does this author think that saying azúcar instead of sugar, primo instead of cousin, qué? instead of what?, etc., etc., is going to make her world more believable or realistic or whatever she thinks it will? All those words are basic Spanish that you could learn at school or look up on Google. I can understand the use of Quechua and words in Quechua that convey something better than Spanish, but all these are just basic words for basic everyday stuff. I mean, she even put "azúcar = sugar" in her Glossary. That's really laughable. Not to mention that she also becomes repetitive by saying it first in English and then in Spanish ("I'm sorry" and then "Lo siento" in the same sentence), aaand... something that's told me a lot about her research: she makes her oh-so-Bolivian character say a slang word in Spanish that Bolivians don't say but Spaniards do.
Sigh, now I'm getting a headache thinking of all the issues in the novel. I'm cutting it off here and leaving it at that, I think I've made my point already.
Rating: really liked it
Hi everyone!
I don't spend a lot of time on Goodreads but as WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT heads out into the world, I wanted to quickly mention a few things!
First, WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT is a standalone, but the Inkasisa world is expansive so I imagine there might be a few stories I can still hope to write! The next book set in this world is WRITTEN IN STARLIGHT, and while the story takes place directly after the events of WIM, it can be read on it's own—though you might enjoy it more if you read them in order. :)
Secondly, I get this question a lot, but yes, the antagonist is inspired by a real person and his actions. He is dangerous, corrupt and powerful and affecting thousands of Bolivians by his leadership. South America has a long history of such people in power, and you only need to look at what's happened to Venezuela to see the horrifying and truly heartbreaking results.
I also thought I'd mention a couple of content warnings: Graphic Violence + Death/Executions. WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT is very much a revolution story, filled with politics and inspiration from events that have happened in Bolivia.
Lastly, thank you so much for reading! I appreciate it so much. <3
Isabel
P.S. I’m editing this comment to add that the preorder campaign for WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT is LIVE! Details can be found on my IG (@IsabelWriter09). 💛 All preorders, including from international folks will receive: an art print, three character cards, a bookmark, and one sticker. There’s a grand prize, too (details in IG post from Nov. 20th). Just make sure to email your preorder receipt to IbanezPreorders [at] gmail [dot] com by January 6th!
Thank you so much! 🥰
Rating: really liked it
came for the gorgeous cover but stayed for the latin american representation, lush magic, a swoon-worthy rebel, fluid writing, THE MAGIC SLOTH, and the slow simmer into an explosion of an ending.
while there really is a lot to love about this, my main complaint would some aspects of the world-building are lacking. im not sure if it was mentioned and i just missed it, but i cant remember reading about why there is magic and why people have different kinds of it. its not really explained - the reader just kind of has to accept it, if that makes sense. not a deal breaker, but just a minor critique.
overall, this is a really lovely debut. im intrigued to see where the story goes. i know there isnt going to be a sequel but rather a second book which takes place in the same world, after the events of this novel. regardless, im sure it will be just as magical.
↠ 4 stars
Rating: really liked it
Two things to say about this book:
1) This is getting a lot of backlash for allegorically condoning racist sentiments and stereotypes about native Bolivians. As a reader, I thought the point of this book was that our protagonist begins the story filled with racist thought due to a prejudiced and propagandized upbringing, which she ultimately grows out of after interacting with plenty of the people she was previously bigoted against. I didn't realize this was a problem other readers had until after finishing the book, and because it didn't occur to me while reading, I'm not going to speak on it. I recommend reading a variety of reviews and judging for yourself.
2) It didn't work for me for other reasons. I didn't care much for the characters or the romance, the plot felt clunky, the world-building left a lot to be desired, and even the above racist-to-not racist character development felt a bit after-school-special - clichéd, cheesy, and unconvincing.
That's all I got.
Bottom line: Didn't work for me, but not for quite the same reason it didn't work for everyone else!
-----------------
pre-reviewdo you ever start and finish a book in a sitting and then get stressed out because you never updated goodreads for it??
...yeah, me neither.
review to come / 2 stars
Rating: really liked it
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I picked up WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT on a whim because it was offered to me as an ARC and I thought the cover was really pretty. I was a little leery, though; the cover looked cutesy and cutesy fantasy rarely sits well with me. But this is one of those instances where the cover doesn't really match the book. WOVEN IN MIDNIGHT looks like it's going to be a sweet and sleepy middle grade fantasy story about some brave and plucky girl.
Instead... it's dark. In some ways, it actually reminded me of one of my favorite YA fantasy books, THE WINNER'S CURSE. Set in a made-up land inspired by Bolivian history and politics, the main character, Ximena, acts as the "decoy" princess to the true ruler, Catalina. Catalina is soft and weak, so Ximena acts in her stead to fool the usurpers in case they ever attack.
Which they do. And of course, Ximena goes in Catalina's place to their cutthroat and terrifying court where she meets the terrifying Atoc, a man who has risen up against his oppressors but who has let power corrupt and brutalize him. Now he is just as cruel as the people he claims to be fighting against, if not more so, and he's demanding that Ximena marry him.
There are two small gleams of hope. The first is a figure called El Lobo, a masked vigilante who's like a cross between Zorro and the Scarlet Pimpernel. He doesn't agree with Atoc's strongman totalitarianism and isn't afraid to say so. The second is Ximena's own magic ability; she can weave with the threads of the moon and imbue her tapestries with magic.
WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT has it all-- swashbuckling, forbidden romance, masked and dashing heroes, magic, court intrigue, strong heroines, adorable sidekicks, drugs and trafficking, high stakes, and difficult conversations and questions. It doesn't condescend or talk down to its audience at all. The world-building here is great, and the influence of Bolivian culture is strong with beautiful descriptions of art, lavish and mouthwatering foods, Spanish dialogue and words (as well as indigenous ones). The balance between the light and the dark was really well done.
I think there's going to be a sequel and I'm really curious to see where the author takes it from here!
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review! 4 stars
Rating: really liked it
See my review on Booktube...
And the below review originally appeared on Open Letters Review.
Inspired by Bolivian culture and history, Isabel Ibañez spins a glittering and richly drawn story in her young adult fantasy debut,
Woven in Moonlight. A tale of revolution, loyalty, and identity, it begins with a shaky show of leadership by heroine Ximena Rojas, giving her questions about her ability to rule over her people, the displaced Illustrians.
Her self-doubt has roots. Unknown to all but a few within their circle of refugees, Ximena is not the true condesa of the Illustrian people, but a decoy for the actual queen, Catalina. Ximena has been dedicated to her stand-in role since being selected in childhood based on her resemblance to the last Illustrian royal. Now an adult, she fully understands the necessity of such a scheme to protect the physical safety of the condesa, the last hope of their people. And though falsely holding the power of condesa may give a less moral character a craving for the real crown, our heroine’s greatest desire is not to rule, but to stop playing the pretending game:
It’s an honor to protect Catalina. To give up my life for hers should it come to that. And despite my duty, despite the long years of living as somebody else, I love her. As a sister, as my future queen. Sometimes, though, that kind of love just isn’t comfortable.Fake or not, the condesa is summoned by the Llacsan king Atoc to La Ciudad Blanca, the capital of Inkasisa that he claimed years prior using the dark magic of an ancient artefact called the Estrella. As usual, Ximena takes Catalina’s place in a journey to the castillo, hoping to find some way around the false king’s demand for her hand in marriage after she arrives. In the meantime, she begins putting together a plan to get her own hands on the Estrella to exact Illustrian revenge and put the real Catalina on the throne.
She may be battle-trained, but Ximena is still unprepared for the dangers lurking around every corner of the castillo. The Llacsans at the king’s side don’t take kindly to who they believe to be the queen of the opposing faction and Atoc’s rage, easily provoked, triggers violent powers. He’s particularly prickly about a masked vigilante, El Lobo, repeatedly causing trouble for the crown yet remaining at large. Ximena hopes this stranger can be an ally, should their paths cross.
The decoy condesa has little hope for any additional assistance in the castillo, as her outrage over the suffering of the Illustrians during Atoc’s uprising nips at any Llacsan in her path. But as she lets her guard down with those charged with her care as Atoc’s intended, she begins to learn more about her enemy and the root of the revolution that saw her people cast out of the city. The longer she resides in the castillo alongside the Llacsans, the more it seems that matters may not be as clear-cut as she once thought.
Though she’s stand-in royalty in title, Ximena as a heroine is the genuine article. Although her devotion to Catalina does prove to have its blind spots, her focus is always on the good of her people. This loyalty even lies at the heart of what makes up both her artistic expression and magical gift. We’re told that the Illustrians, serving Luna, Goddess of the Moon, each have unique powers granted by the moonlight. Ximena is an expert weaver and by night, she can incorporate threads of moonlight into her ornate woolen tapestries:
I work the incandescent thread, over and under again, building a scene of the night sky. The moonlight turns to moondust as I weave, fluttering to the stone floor like falling snowflakes. In what feels like minutes, a new tapestry winks back at me. A glittering silver work of art that lights up the small room. Pools of moondust gather at my feet, as if I’ve wandered into winter. Ximena uses this skill to attempt to communicate with her people while imprisoned at the castillo, which gives her some surprising advantages but also unintended drawbacks. Besides its plot usage, the weaving aspect also enriches the story with Bolivian heritage and brings it to life with Ximena’s passion for the craft. Readers will half expect to look up and see a finished tapestry, shimmering with moonlight, after they finish a passage detailing her handiwork.
Though some of the heroine’s internal strife could, at times, belabor the point, the story moves at a steady pace and provides ample food for thought, fitting for palettes of all ages. The author keeps a command of the writing, direct and purposeful, as well as the reader’s attention. Natural slower periods in the storytelling are equally as entertaining with skillful worldbuilding, mouth-watering food writing, and, of course, Ximena’s beautiful weaving.
Truly, this novel is full to the brim with heart. Ximena’s touch can’t only spin moonthread, but also encircles the whole story with authenticity. True bravery can be found in admitting there are things one may have gotten wrong and Ximena’s willingness to keep an open ear to things that may change her perspective makes her not only an engaging guide through this story, but also an admirable young woman, herself worthy of emulation.
Rating: really liked it
4 stars
Ximena can weave moonlight into lush tapestries of wool, and sometimes they come to life.
When her people need her to infiltrate the enemy's kingdom to take down the false king, Ximena doesn't hesitate—she's ready to fight. But what happens when the cause you've been fighting for becomes more gray than black and white?
World: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★
Dialogue: ★★
Pacing: ★★★
Ximena's job is to be the decoy Condesa, who is the true heir to the Illustrian throne. The Illustrians were recently overpowered by Atoc, the leader of the Ilyacans, in a bloody battle that decimated the current ruling powers and made way for a new regime. But all is not well in this new rule, and the Illustrians desperately want their kingdom back.
When Atoc demands the hand of the Condesa in marriage, Ximena knows she must go in the princess' stead.
Entering into the belly of the beast, all Ximena has to rely on are her wits, her family's culture, and her magical moonlight weaving—which she plans to use to send secret messages to her people.
But Ximena soon realizes that the playing field isn't all that it seems, and it will take an interesting cast of characters—
including a masked vigilante, a trapped princess, and a broody healer—to change her black and white beliefs on an entire community of people.
Sometimes the "enemy" isn't evil....This was such a fun story.
I liked the world building and the descriptions—this world is described as "lush" in the blurb, and that's so accurate—and I really enjoyed Ximena's character growth throughout the story. Also,
even though the plot felt extremely predictable, it did surprise me a few times!
The only real negative for me was the stilted dialogue.
Woven in Moonlight really struggles for the first 50% with what feels like extremely scripted, surface level dialogue interactions. Real people don't talk like they're regurgitating rehearsed lines...and
sometimes Ximena's interactions felt like B-list theater plays, where none of the conversations feel organic. This does improve throughout the novel (or maybe I got used to it, let's be real) but it was still something that kept me from getting fully invested into the plot from the get-go.
Thank you to Page Street Books via NetGalley for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.Blog | Instagram
Rating: really liked it
I read the first couple chapters of this a while ago, and I was excited to see more of Inkasisa. There was magic and Bolivian history and politics and some pretty stark realities we don’t see often in YA fantasy (like food shortages and ration lines). But all of that seemed to melt away pretty quickly and the story devolved into a trope-heavy and predictable offering from this genre.
I’m not sure if this has been given a name, but there’s a particular type of plotline that I think of as
‘captive in luxury’, which I’ve become increasingly exasperated by. It’s typically a young woman who is held against her will in a lavish setting with servants, elegant gowns, an abundance of decadent food, etc. But she is
very angry about being
forced to sit around & eat bonbons all day and takes it out on whatever poor sap has to be her keeper. She lobs sarcasm at anyone who crosses her path and feels bad about being surrounded by all that opulence for approximately two seconds before indulging in another bubble bath.
I know this is a pretty cynical take on this type of character, but it’s just been done
so much and I dread it every time it starts to happen. There’s this vibe that’s not unlike a bunch of rich celebrities or corporations singing about ‘coming together’ while the rest of the world is suffering. I dunno, maybe I’m just sensitive to that kind of thing at the moment.
As for the book itself, Isabel Ibañez is not a bad writer. The characters are grating, but her descriptions are lush and inviting. The magic system isn’t elaborated much on, so you just kind of have to go with it. It’s not really explained how moon dust makes you sleepy, but also lets some people see the future and can be used by others to weave magical tapestries? I wish we had gotten more of Bolivia and the setting as opposed to whatever bullshit Ximena is getting up to with her Stockholm-Syndrome family. And even though there’s a lot of death, you don’t really form emotional attachments to the characters, so they’re no biggie.
I’d still be willing to pick up more from Ibañez, all that said. This one just disappointed me, despite the pretty cover. Oh publishers, why do you do this to me?? 😩
Rating: really liked it
RATINGS: 2.5 STARSWarning: Spoilers and cursing ahead. Read at your own risk. Let's unpack this shitcase. Have you ever worked hard for something but ultimately failed at it? This is how I'm feeling right now.
First, let's talk about the good.
-The world building is awesome.
-The cultural representation is refreshing.
-The stereotypically feminine characteristics are shown as strength.
-The political undertones were rightly hit in the nail.
-The beginning was a kick-start.
-The blurred lines between morally black and white were done right.
But how could a book jump from compelling to mediocrity?
By ruining the ending. Those fudging nine chapters ruined it all.
PLEASE STOP ADDING UNNECESSARY ROMANCE INTO EVERYTHING.
No, I'm all for romance if it suits the plot but if you add bacon in the coffee, it loses all of it's flavour. You can't start off with a violently dark beginning only to end up with unicorns and rainbows. You can't expect for things to fall into places by themselves.
And stop withholding information just to make your story mysterious. Not only it shatters the reader's hope but also diminishes whatever effort you've put in the beginning of the book.
Don't even ask me about how this book destroyed the characters. Ximena was a badass protagonist we were rooting for who turned out to be the Mary Sue in the end. How dare you destroy Rumi, Atoc and Sajra's characterization? Rumi went from bubbling sweet guy to major alpha jerk, Atoc's intimidation all together vanished and Sajra lost his initial dominating power.
The plot was predictable and it offered nothing new on the table. The ending was filled with deus ex machina which conveniently dismisses the efforts of the protagonists. The random addition of characters and undeveloped characterization of the plot facilitators doomed the book.
Don't mind me crying out my tears of frustration.
~~~~~
Buddy read with Nina, Kuwei and Jesper
Rating: really liked it
Who knew I would dislike a book solely because of the last 10 Chapters. But here we are...
While I liked the concept of this book the execution wasn't right. It's definitely atmospheric, the writing sucks you in from the get go. It has solid plot points, atleast in the beginning. Okay yeah! The magic here was unique. But the protagonist didn't include it as much other then for making tapestry and cute animals. I mean if you are mentioning a flexible magic system I want to see it in action. That certainly didn't happen in like 25 chapters
(Granted the book is only 29 chapters long so....You decide)Now let's talk about Ximana.
Dear God, Help me!
Look if the synopsis says she is a decoy and has been trained in combat and making decisions on behalf of the Condesa. Then it's not wrong for me to think that she will put some brain cells into work and think clearly. But instead we get a girl who's basically airheaded.
I mean...If you are making impulsive decision to kill someone, end up killing your own friend, and get trapped in enemies castle without informing anyone, means you have fucked up xD in short!
The side characters aren't as fleshed out. Which makes them feel unnecessary. They either serve the purpose to feel like El Lobo or to get the water at just the right temperature so she can bath.
Okay so Sajra, Right?!
The evil guy who knows black magic and what not...
If you are like me who thought there would be an epic battle where they would take him and Atoc down.
Then here's something for you...
The big reveal at the end wasn't even that big. Who are we kidding here. You really thought we wouldn't know?
All in all I was hoping to like another fantasy, since I am in a mood to read those. But This wasn't it. What I am really thankful is the food that were mentioned here. They were very tempting.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Stuck here reading with an INTJ,
ENFP,& INFJ
( bunch of silly people)
Rating: really liked it
ADDITION: recently, i’ve been made aware of the questionable elements of this novel more explicitly. earlier this year (2020), there was a discussion going on about the portrayal of indigenous bolivian culture & its people versus the portrayal of descendants from the colonizers of bolivia.
colonization
is a theme within this novel and the main character is quite harshly confronted with her opinions and prejudice towards the indigenous characters. however, the onus is still put upon the indigenous characters to show the colonizer the error of her ways.
as someone with ZERO understanding of current bolivian politics, as well as someone who has never lived its colonial reality, it is really not my place nor within my ability to accurately judge this issue.
this review by marquise explains the book’s problems better than i ever could, and i think it’s important to keep this in mind when (considering) reading it.
cande from latinx magic also has a very solid review on their blog that i can 100% recommend. they also have a follow-up review on the sequel, which is apparently way worse :(
i’ll leave my original review unaltered below.
------------------------------------------------
“but our way of life, our culture, is gone, like pages torn from a book.”
this is a little gem of a debut that’s light on the fantasy, and heavy on its inspirations from
bolivian culture, customs, and history. its central themes also make themselves known pretty early on: colonization, corruption, and revolution.
ximena rojas, decoy to catalina, the true condesa and her best friend, has suffered being under siege for long enough. her people are without food and she’s got
a surplus of anger stored away, ready to slit throats if she has to.
an opportunity presents itself when king atoc proposes
enforces a marriage between himself and the condesa -- ximena goes in her friend’s stead, hoping to send sensitive information back home by using
her magic art of weaving strands of moonlight into tapestries.
however, once back in the city she considered hers after ten long years in exile, ximena is forced to
confront her biased worldview and derogatory beliefs;
was the city ever hers?
the imagery of this novel is evocative, and its magic whimsical. it basically
breathes its beautiful world right at you, blooming with lush descriptions of architecture, food, and textiles.
(not gonna lie, i spent about 60% of my time reading this with my mouth watering. the fact that the glossary in the back has an entire section dedicated to
food should tell you all you need to know.)
that said… if this book is a gem, it’s most definitely
a diamond in the rough.
it reads somewhere
halfway between a fairy-tale-esque book for middle-graders and a more serious fantasy for young adults. at times, that contrast can get jarring: the ideas are pretty big and adult and yet the plot remains
predictable. some threads of it are simplistically and/or almost too easily resolved.
you never get a true sense of
who the villain is and why they suddenly turned to cruelty. at the end of the story, some people with
dubious motives just go and fuck off in the jungle. themes
are there (does ximena still have an identity of her own after pretending to be the condesa for over eight years? are her people who she thought they were?), but they’re rarely thoroughly
explored.
there’s also always time for cutesy, sarcastic banter… while the rest of the country
tears itself apart in civil unrest through drug addictions and lack of resources while former oppressors try to better themselves over the backs of the oppressed. yes, that sure is some contrast.
and by now i can already hear you thinking:
“so what about that jarring contrast between so much criticism and a high star rating, huh, jade?”‘cause i LIKED reading it anyway, you bunch of malcontents.
you’ve got a
masked vigilante with questionable loyalties, a new and
diverse setting in white-and-always-sexy YA fantasy-land, a sweet slowburn romance, a revolution in the making, AND it’s tackling colonialism. oh, and there’s
magical woolly animals.
this story has nuance, it’s
colorful in every sense of the word, and the possible love interests defy or
subvert their standard YA cookie-cutter molds. i liked it a lot better than anything else i’ve read in this genre so far.
in conclusion: i was entertained, fascinated, and hungry for more. what else could i possibly want?
✎
3.5 stars.
Rating: really liked it
Review for Tor.com https://www.tor.com/2020/01/08/moon-m...
TL;DR - A take on Latin American/Andean history and politics. It's inspired by Bolivian history and the post-conquest between the peoples of Bolivia and the conquering Spaniards. I wasn't sure I'd like Ximena from the jump because of who she is. She's close minded and thinks everything she's doing is for her people, without realizing that her people are the conquerors. But her journey is about unlearning her bias and the lies she's grown up with. It's definitely not a narrative for everyone! But if you like Children of Blood and Bone, Shadow and Bone, and other books where the story line focuses on warring peoples unlearning hatred and biases, this might be for you.
Promising debut author. I'm excited for her medieval Spanish fantasy Together We Burn TOGETHER WE BURN coming 2022.
Rating: really liked it
Woven in Moonlight was an impressive debut from Isabel Ibañez.
The fantasy setting, based off Bolivia was refreshing and unique. The atmosphere was enthralling and immersive. Descriptions of the food, clothing and palace made the world tangible.
Woven in Moonlight covers the aftermath of war and the intricacies of morality when nothing is black and white. There were clear parallels between political and cultural aspects of past and present Bolivia, and the Spanish Inquisitor overthrow of the native Incan people.
The characters were a bit hit and miss for me. For the most part I liked our main character, though she could get on my nerves at some stages. I loved Rumi and his sarcastic banter. I thought Atoc was a well developed villain who definitely gave me the creeps. However some others felt a bit one dimensional to me.
I personally was a fan of the romance! It was
slowburn- but that paid off in the end. I would love to read more books following these characters.
The magic of this book was what really brought it to life. Abilities such as magical weaving and reading the stars just elevated it to another level.
It was hard to believe this is a debut, as the writing was lyrical, descriptive and beautiful.
Isbañez masterfully wove those elements into a whimsical and intoxicating novel.
My main problems with this story was
1. It was very predictable. I guessed very very early on who El Lobo was, and thought it was so obvious that it couldn't possibly be him. But no, I was right.
2. The story
lacked the tension that should be present from being a decoy in the midst of the enemy. She was more focused on her inner turmoil than her surroundings and it showed, I was very surprised no one figured out she was a decoy- she didn't make it difficult. I would have expected since she had been the Condesa's decoy since she was so young- she would be... better at it?
overall, I would recommend this one when it releases in January 2020
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this title.
Rating: really liked it
January 19, 2020:Woven in Moonlight weaves clashing cultures and strong women with a loom placed on societal consequences of war, stepping into enemy grounds, fighting for yourself and your people, and learning, understanding, loving what you once thought you never could. A definitive recommendation for those who love a diverse background and POC in a mixture of politics, history, and magic. Animals literally woven in moonlight, a mysterious vigilante, a handsome healer, and the incorporation of language & food into the world built through these pages is like an icing on the cake!
November 23, 2019:I never knew politics and history would sound so good once they got together with magic, but here I am! Super excited to read this for a blog tour. Received a digital copy via Netgalley.
Rating: really liked it
Isabel Ibanez brings a modern story to an ancient world in her debut novel, WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT. With immersive prose, original magic, and characters as rich as the Bolivian culture that constructs the story, Ibanez delivers a wholly unique book for the YA shelf.
