Review: WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT by Isabel Ibanez
Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.
When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.
She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.
Isabel's book was also featured in a few book boxes in January. Some of these exclusive editions are still available for purchase. I will link them below:
I thought that Isabel did an amazing job setting up the story, weaving in new (to me) folklore and I definitely didn’t foresee some of the twists towards the end. I found the magic system very unique and intriguing. The last third/quarter of the book had me completely entranced. I couldn’t put it down.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the book and plan to reread it, as well as continue with the series. This is a fantasy debut that I think will capture the heats of many.
*Advanced copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Born and raised in Boca Raton to a pair of Bolivian immigrants, matured in Orlando and currently living my adult life in Maitland, Florida. I'm an avid movie goer, a giant word nerd, and talented in mispronouncing basic English words, which is just the beginning of my endearing quirks. I love to doodle, cook, and read (sometimes a book a day—I know, I should really go outside more). I freely admit to loving the heck out of Young Adult literature (Potter!) and am a raving romantic sentimentalist—I adore Austen, James, Hardy and Wharton. I'm big on imagination, traveling, trivia about world history, and getting to the heart of the things. I have a profound fondness for all things Anthropologie.
Along with writing, I’m also a graphic designer, specializing in greeting cards. My work has been sold in nationwide brands like Anthropologie (!!!), Crate and Barrel, and Paper Source, and in over 350 mom and pop shops around the country. To take a look at recent designs, check out 9th Letter Press, a company I founded and sold in 2017.
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