Sisters of the Moon: A beautiful story of teenage challenges, grief, friendship, relationships and loneliness all sprinkled with a bit of fantasy magic. A lovely read, well written and packed with enough adventure. Highly recommended and perfect for discussing related problems with a teenage class or audience.

I feel so mean dnfing arcs but this time it’s totally on me, I got sent this arc and in my excitement, I didn’t bother to check what it’s about. I’m now 21 and I don’t particularly feel comfortable or really want to read books about fifteen year old protagonists, I’m so sorry. I’m not going to rule out the possibility of me picking this back up in the future, but the few pages I read just read so young and I’m sorry but I can’t. Thank you for the arc, though!

This was a beautiful story following the life of Suzy Button, who is surrounded by grief after her mother died, and struggling in school with no friends. One day a new girl, Rhiannon arrives, and the two become instant best friends. Over the course of the story, Suzy begins to notice that Rhiannon can make certain events occur and she becomes suspicious of this new friend and where she has come from. I thought this was a very well-written story and explored the themes of grief and depression really well, including how it can manifest differently, as seen in Suzy’s father. The theme of friendship was beautifully explored and showed what it was like to be a teen in high school, making these new relationships and finding out who you are. A fantastic read.

Loved it as it's a thought provoking and compelling novel. A novel that tells about friendship, grief, and spirituality
I enjoyed this book. as it's well plotted, fascinating world building, and entertaining. . I liked the good storytelling
Due to health issues cannot write a proper review now even if I enjoyed this book. A proper review will follow
Recommended.Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Suzy Button is still feeling like an outcast in the seaside town that she and her father recently moved to, after the passing of her mother. She’s struggling with the dark, friendships, and her body is still feeling the after affects of stress and grief. So, on the first anniversary of her mother’s death, she decides to go out and make a wish on the moon, as a way of marking the day, as her mum was into mystical rituals like that. She wishes to no longer be afraid of the dark, for her period to return, and for friendships to come into her life.

A few days later, a new girl shows up at school, called Rihannon. She’s a little odd, knows a lot about brilliant poets, has never had cheddar cheese, and claims to be from France. She also very quickly becomes Suzy’s best friend, and the world seems to open its doors for Suzy once again. But is she really from France? And how come Suzy is never invited back to her house?

I thought this book was lovely. It handles grief, friendships, and the turmoil of being a teenager, all with a little sprinkling of magic dusted throughout. It also shows Suzy grappling with her inner self quite a lot. A stand out chapter, for me, shows her stream of consciousness while attending a beach party, and the utter whirlwind of her thoughts as the night progresses. It really encapsulated the inner turmoil that is the mind of a young teenager, and how it feels when you’re trying to find your way.

The book is very engaging, and it’s so nice to see Suzy slowly re-emerge from the fog she’s been in, and grow and flourish alongside her new friends. I felt like it was wonderfully balanced alongside the more magical elements of the book, which I also loved. A very heartwarming YA read.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.

This is a rare, beautiful and spooky story about grief, friendship and growing up that has really stayed with me since I finished it. Suzy Button is struggling with grief after the death of her beloved mother. When she wishes on the moon one night though, things start to change. The mysterious and evasive Rhiannon arrives in her life and soon everything is different. Confident, beautiful writing, sympathetic, realistic characters and a plot that twists and turns in a delightful way. This book is going to be a winner with my readers.

Suzy Button's life is veiled with grief. She desperately misses her mum, who died a year ago, but also the friends she lost after the move, and seeing her father smile. One night, while gazing at a supermoon, she finds herself wishing her life would change.

Then it does.

A mysterious new girl called Rhiannon arrives in school. Amazingly, she pushes away the popular girls and elects Rhiannon to be her closest friend. More amazingly, things start happening - good things. Suzy's life is moving in the right direction and... It seems to happen very much because of Rhiannon. Surely Suzy's friend can't be MAKING things happen?

Suzy wonders though... What brought Rhiannon to Sallycove? Where does she live and why is she so evasive about any personal detail, pushing firmly away any suggestion of Suzy visiting. in Sallycove. Who is she, really?

I loved the story of Suzy and Rhiannon. A rare gem of a YA novel that's gentle yet extremely engaging. With just the right amount of mysticism and magic to make you wonder 'what if?'. Rhiannon might make things happen but Suzy is always very much the agent of her own destiny, opening herself to adventure (the adventure of weaving relationships and living!). It's a wonderful story of love and transformation and I'm so glad NetGalley made me discover it.

I really enjoyed this.

Even though this is YA and I'm in my late 40s I really connected with the main character, Suzy. My mum died 5 years ago and so the emotions that Suzy was feeling and that disconnect I could appreciate. Having that inner negative monologue is something I've lived with every day and has held me back.

I loved living vicariously through Suzy and the friendships she made along the way, with mysterious Rhiannon, and the people they pick up along the way. it was a quick read and but there was so much story behind it that it is one that will definitely stick with me

I truly think this is a great coming of age story, and I'd 100% recommend it.

I'm incredibly grateful to Netgalley and the wonderful publisher for gifting me a copy of Sister of the Moon. This heartwarming book chronicles Suzy Button's journey as she navigates through the loss of her dear mother and embraces a new life with her father at a new all-girls school. Despite facing various challenges, including physical struggles, following her mother's passing, Suzy's story takes a beautiful turn when, on the anniversary of her mother's passing, she makes three heartfelt wishes upon the moon, bringing about beautiful changes in her life. It's a touching tale beautifully portrays Suzy's passage through grief and her blossoming friendships, especially with her newfound kindred spirit, Rhiannon. This book is a true gem, filled with hope, resilience, and heartwarming connections.

#SuzyButton #SisterOfTheMoon #FriendshipJourney #GriefHealing #ResilienceStory #MoonWishes #EmotionalChallenges #NewBeginnings #PowerOfFriendship #BookReview

A wonderful story dealing with grief, friendship and the struggles of navigating school, with just a dash of moon magic. Perfect for young girls

Marie Louise Fitzpatrick has such a way with words in that I'm the most simple of stories told in the simplest way, she has the ability to create total magic.

A smooth and lovely story about grieving, friendship and moon magic. YA as it should be written with complex characters, gorgeous prose and delicate handling of tricky and poignant themes. I loved the setting as well.

Suzy Button is grieving for her mother who died a year ago, she is struggling at school where the class mean girls seem to target her and there is no support from her father who is stuck in his own bubble of grief. Despite her fear of the dark, she goes outside at night and makes a wish to the moon. The next day things start to change for the better. A new girl called Rhiannon joins her class and becomes her friend, changing Suzy’s life and allowing her to move on. But who is Rhiannon? Why does she never mention her home life and how does she seem to make things happen?
This is a lovely YA read. Set in Ireland, the descriptive writing is so evocative of Suzy’s seaside home, I felt like I had been through the tunnel to one of the beach parties myself! The friendships which develop between Suzy and Pod, Jazzy, Derry and Paul feel so authentic and heartwarming and the mystical element of the story weaves into the background without ever becoming unrealistic. We really get to know Suzy as she re-engages with life, starts to take risks and find herself again.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

3,75 stars.
Despite the poignant and profound themes of Sisters of the Moon manages to be a smooth read.
The characterisation is very well-done. Suzy is a relatable, complex and lovely character.
The chapters are not lengthy and the story shape is ideal.
My favourite part was the prose. 5/5 for that.
The plot is suitable and enjoyable for YA readers.
I am eager to read more by this author for her mastery of characters and prose.

This is a story that although it covers grief and friendship also has a magical element. Suzy Button's mum died a year previously and neither her nor her father have ever really moved forward. On a full moon, as she used to do with her mother, she goes into the garden and makes three wishes to the moon. The next day, everything seems to change - coincidence? One of her wishes was to have a friend. In her new school, she is the butt of the jokes from the mean girls in the class, the class leaders. That day, Rhiannon arrives and a friendship develops. Rhiannon is a mystery, from her way of talking to the fact that Suzy is never allowed to visit her. But through Rhiannon, Suzy gains friends, and develops a reckless streak. Written in first person, Suzy's personality shines - even when she is arguing with her inner self. This is a charming story of friendship entwined with moon magic. A lovely YA read.

4-5 stars rounded up

“She asked me, “Be my sister
Sister, sister of the moon” ….
Some call her sister of the moon,
Some say, illusions are her game
They like to wrap her in velvet
Does anyone, ooh, anyone know her name”
Fleetwood Mac, words by Stevie Nicks, Album Tusk, 1979

26th August is NOT just another day for nearly 16 year old Suzy Button. It’s the first anniversary of the day her mum dies and life is rubbish without her despite her father’s decision for a change of scene, relocating them from the city to Sallycove. Her dad is not in a good way either, zombie like, struggling with overwhelming grief. Suzy even makes wishes to the moon, after all, her mum was into things like that. Star of the Sea school is difficult for her too, very difficult, no thanks to Casey and Clodagh, the alpha mean girls. That is, until new girl Rhiannon Albedo arrives and then things start to look up. However, who exactly is Rhiannon and where does she live???

This is a captivating, charming, heartwarming, life affirming tale which is magical, amazing and full of atmosphere as the outstanding cover suggests. It’s wonderfully written with some fantastic descriptions that leap from the pages. Suzy’s personality and character come across beautifully in this first person narrative. It’s like she’s not only in a dialogue with herself but with the reader and inevitably, her mother. She’s funny, smart, insecure, talented and understandably conflicted. As for Rhiannon - pure magic and through her she gains lovely friends in Pod, Jazzy, Derry and Paul. You can well imagine Casey and Clodagh as those girls exist everywhere but they do make for some lively scenes both in school and on the beach!

The novel has multiple layers to it. I love the mystical element especially that of the moon which is indeed magical. The inclusion of actual places in Ireland adds to the mystique. Another layer is obviously grief but also coming back to life and there’s friendship too among other things. It’s comforting yet also suspenseful and tense, funny yet also sad, magical yet also real, sensible and safe but also foolish, exciting and reckless (they are teens!) it’s contained and thoughtful yet also wild and free, there’s being solitary and then not so, there’s kindness and its polar opposite and there’s illusion versus reality. The moral if there is one - be braver and laugh. A lot.

Overall, I had no idea what to expect with this but I loved it from start to finish. It’s classed as YA but as I’m way beyond that I’d say anyone could read this and get something from it. I sure have.

Finally, sisters of the moon spiritually means connecting in truth, sharing stories, connecting with and to divine wisdom and forging an unbreakable bond of sisterhood. Suzy Button definitely does that.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber.