I got sent this ARC and I am so thankful I did! I would give this book a 3.75-4/5🌟

This book had a lot of themes that we can recognize from other books we all seem to love and gravitate towards like Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, and Fourth Wing. I can see where that might turn some people away, but this story was still interesting.

Three words to describe this book would be twists, turns, and tension. We get to see a lot of “creatures” that we like to see in our fantasy books like fae, angels, witches, elves, demons, oracles, wyvern, and more.

This book follows the FMC, Melody. Melody has been imprisoned most of her life and used as a pawn in a game she doesn’t even know about. Until one day she decides to escape only to be captured again by a fae warrior, Riven. Riven is second in command to the Dark Lord, Caryan, of the Court of the two moons. Caryan is a very dark and broody immortal angel who basically enslaves Melody again. Melody starts to unveil the truths behind her lineage and why she was brought there.

Melody starts to become enthralled with Riven, but she also has a big attraction to Caryan. Melody and Caryan’s lives are more entangled than what it seems. As she is exposed to this new magical world she stars to awaken her own powers. She is half human and half elven, and she could possibly change the prophecy of the upcoming war.

I became very interested in all the characters, but there is another FMC that we are introduced to early on named Blair. We get to kinda see Blair backstory and I am very interested to see where her story goes and how it is entangled with the others. Blair is a witch who gives off if Manon Blackbeak and Bryce Quinlan had a baby. Her comebacks are great.

I am excited to see how this story continues! Kingdom of the two moons is out MARCH 31st!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alexandra Thomashoff for an ebook in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Wow, this was a great time! I did find it a bit slow and hard to grip in the beginning, but that is normal with a new series. Super enjoyed the world building and the slow burn!

This book took me on an intense journey, and I’m still thinking about it long after turning the final page.

The world-building is immersive, with a unique magic system that took some time to grasp, but once I settled into it, I was completely hooked. The depth and complexity of the setting added to the story’s richness, making it an unforgettable read.

Melody is the only human in a fae world, making her an outsider in every way. Her journey from fear to strength is compelling, and while she’s not the typical warrior heroine, her resilience feels refreshingly real. Alongside her, we meet Blair—fierce, angry, and layered with complexity. And then there’s Riven—dark, magnetic, and impossible to ignore.

But the true standout? Caryan. Mysterious, powerful, and deeply alluring. He commands attention in every single scene. While we never get his perspective, his presence alone is enough to make him one of the most compelling MMCs I’ve read in a long time.

The ending left me wanting more, and I can’t wait for the next book! If you love high-stakes fantasy with morally grey characters, deep world-building, and a romance that keeps you hooked, Kingdom of the Two Moons is a must-read.

I am still reeling from the experience of reading Kingdom of the Two Moons by Alexandra Thomashoff. This fantasy novel has left me spellbound, and I'm already craving the next installment.

Riven and Melody are expertly crafted characters, with a palpable tension that simmers between them. Their romance is a slow burn that builds into a passionate and sweet relationship. I couldn't get enough of their interactions, and their love story has become my favorite of the year.

The world of Kingdom of the Two Moons is richly detailed, with a unique magic system and a complex web of characters. Alexandra Thomashoff's writing is engaging, and her ability to balance action, romance, and fantasy elements is impressive!

If you're a fan of fantasy romance, or just looking for a captivating read, Kingdom of the Two Moons is an absolute must-read. With its intricate world-building, memorable characters, and swoon-worthy romance, this book will leave you breathless and eager for more.

I don't really know where to start with this review. Kingdom of the Two Moons is addictive, frustrating, beautiful, done-before and intriguing, all at once. It felt like a crazy blend of a bunch of other books I've read before, but with gorgeous details and descriptions, two very hot and alluring love interests, and an ending that I didn't like but still made me want to know what will happen in the next book.

I wasn't a fan of the writing style with such choppy sentences, especially at the beginning of the book. It makes for such an uncomfortable reading experience. The bouncing back and forth from paralysing fear and shyness to petulant defiance and boldness also didn't work for me. I'm all for a feisty FMC but Melody gave me whiplash, and I had zero time for Blair. I didn't enjoy her sections at all. The men, however, were fantastic - I loved Riven - and I'm intrigued to see how that little love triangle works itself out.

So, yes, there were things that irked me about this book, but at the same time it was hard to put down at times and I'm definitely curious to see how this series develops. Thank you to NetGalley and Alexandra Thomashoff for allowing me to read and review this one.

This story took awhile for me to get into. The flow of writing, in my opinion, got better as the story progressed. I enjoyed the different point of views adding depth to each character. A love triangle is not my preferred trope but it was done in a way that had me hoping for both sides to work out. As I reached the end of the story I felt myself becoming sad that the next one wouldn’t be out sooner. Overall I enjoyed the world, there was a good amount of world building, could have been more detailed. The magic was explained and I found it interesting, especially the runes. I would recommend this story. I greatly appreciated receiving the ARC through NetGalley.

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for an early copy of this book!

Kingdom of the Two Moons is a phenomenal beginning to a romantasy series. While intertwining many common tropes and magical aspects you’ll find in many other fantasy books, there’s a certain uniqueness that kept me absolutely enthralled from page one! I’m very attached to the characters and am dying to see what happens next. The tension is to die for, and there’s not one, but TWO morally grey mmc. Swoon.

This book took a minute to get into. With the great detail of character development and world-building, it gets a little confusing and overwhelming at first. The pace is a bit slow, but then it picks up and becomes a book that is difficult to put down. I really enjoyed the mix of fantasy with real-world elements.

Despite a slow and somewhat confusing beginning, this book's ending is a powerhouse of dark fantasy immersion. If you love morally grey MMCs, complex love triangles, and worlds similar to ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, and The Cruel Prince, this is a book that will ultimately grip you.

This book had me giggling, kicking my feet, and wishing everyone would kiss.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Alexandra Thomashoff for the e-ARC! I truly loved the adventure this book took me on.

I truly think BookTok is going to love this one once they get their hands on it, because it felt like reading ACOTAR for the first time again. Elves, and witches, and vampires, OH MY!!

My biggest criticism, though, was that this book definitely feels like it took the most popular aspects of the entire SJM universe (and, I think, Fourth Wing) and combined them into one story. Examples include Starfall, Melody constantly saying, "I will not be afraid," and Blair’s silver teeth, nails, and her wyvern, and more.

Additionally, switching from first to third person, regardless of being multi-POV, drove me a little nuts, but I powered through.

The obvious references to popular books didn’t bother me as much because, at the end of the day, a lot of popular books are just referencing and retelling other stories. This also felt much more adult than the SJM universe.

One of my favorite things about this book, aside from the immersive world building, is that you can see each of our main characters grappling with their trauma and decisions in a real and honest way. It adds a lot of depth to their journeys and what makes these characters so endearing and easy to root for, regardless of their actions.

ALSO, the TENSION!!! I want all four main characters to be in a quad relationship, and you can’t stop me. They’re all hot and deserve to kiss each other.

All in all, a really fun debut novel. I will definitely be purchasing this book and I can’t wait to read more

I think this book started out really strong and I enjoyed the character Blair - she’s fun and fierce and I was really drawn into her. As we move to melodys story I had a lot of expectation but it fell short. The book was okay, but nothing super fantastic. I had a hard time finishing it. The love triangle was confusing, I think there could have been more spice but even then I think the author was trying to create tension and layers between the characters but it fell flat for me. I wasn’t in love with any character really, just Blair a little bit and that was it. I think the story would have more potential if it was edited more and there was some more of a plot flow during the time they’re in the fortress because that’s mostly the book and it’s really dry.

While Kingdom of the Two Moons has all the elements of an epic fantasy—intrigue, magic, and romance—it ultimately felt too derivative of Throne of Glass and ACOTAR without bringing much originality to the genre. The world-building, while ambitious, felt familiar rather than fresh, and the character dynamics followed well-trodden paths. The pacing dragged in places, making it difficult to stay fully engaged. If you’re looking for a nostalgic nod to popular fantasy tropes, this might work, but if you want something unique, it may fall short.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

I want to start my review honestly. I DNF'ed around 10% into this book and first wanted to DNF around 3%. I really wanted to enjoy this book. The blurb made it sound right up my alley, but I just could not get into it. The book starts in the 3rd person which made it hard for me to feel what the character was feeling. It was as if I was being told a story about someone instead of seeing it from their point of view and I immediately felt disconnected from the character. While many readers love having a fantasy take place in the modern world, it was not what I was expecting and felt a bit disappointed when Briar was so connected to her phone and Porsche. I also felt as if some of the dialog was a bit cheesy. I had a bit more hope when the chapter changed to 1st person, but found myself cringing at the use of the villains name over and over again. Even in 1st person, I could not connect with the character.

While this book was not for me, those who prefer a modern fantasy world might enjoy it more than I did.

Thank you to Netgally and Alexandra Thomashoff for the E-ARC copy of this book.

I really tried to give this book a fair shot but ultimately I DNF it.

I found it difficult to immerse myself in the story, largely due to the writing style. The frequent shifts in narration were jarring and interrupted the flow of narrative. Personally, I would have preferred a consistent point of view throughout the book to maintain cohesion. The human elements also set me off and I wasn't fond of its setting at the start of the book.

That said, its world-building is expansive so for readers who enjoy a lore-rich plot, this could be a great fit. The characters show some depth but not enough to connect with me. If you enjoy emotional complex characters with a dark defining history, this book could also appeal to you.

Please remember this is just entirely my own opinion and while this book did not work for me, It may work for others.

Arc review

I absolutely loved this book.. I devoured it in 2 days!

The world building was great but not too overwhelming, and the story hooks you in from the very start. The slow burn and angst is perfectly done, and I couldn’t get enough of it.

I’m obsessed with Riven and Caryan.. Riven in particular. I adore his character so much and can’t wait to see how his story develops with Melody.

Hope we see more of Ronin in the next instalment.. I need more of him!

If you love anything by Sarah J Maas or Rebecca Yarros this will definitely be for you. Absolutely recommend this book!! It has all the elements of a perfect romantasy story.

I can’t stop thinking about it, and already can’t wait for the second book!

Not gonna lie…I really couldn’t get into this book at the moment. The characters were great with a good storyline but unfortunately It’s not holding my attention and will probably try again at a later date.

First impression was I felt like the beginning was a little slow, but after reading further I did think it was necessary to get to the good stuff. The world-building was really well done, and I’m hoping we get to see more of it in future books.

.Caryan is that perfectly complex antihero who wants peace but is ready to throw personal freedom out the window to get it. I really liked Melody; the only human in the whole world. Loved her emotional journey.

The romance was steamy, and full of tension. The slow-burn between Melody and Caryan had me hooked. And don’t even get me started on the love triangle—it added a whole new level of drama, passion, and just perfect chaos.

This was such ana amazing fantasy read!

The characters, the world building, the fantasy elements, the romance, I was in love with everything!
The romance especially; it felt so angsty, dark, and full of tension, exactly all the things I love.

The magic system was so unique and I absolutely cannot wait to find out more about it.

I kind of loved everything about this book so can everyone pls read it, thank yewwww.

Thank you so much for a chance to read and eARC of this book! This was my first approved ARC & I was so giddy!! lol

What a way to start! Loved the book from start to finish. Well written, engaging plot! I will definitely be recommending this!

“Kingdom of the Two Moons” by Alexandra Thomashoff is a spellbinding entry into the fantasy genre, weaving together elements of dark magic, forbidden love, and epic adventure. The narrative follows Melody, a young woman with rare gifts, who escapes her oppressive captor only to find herself ensnared in the enigmatic Court of the Two Moons. Here, she encounters Riven, a captivating fae warrior, and Caryan, the formidable Dark Lord, both of whom challenge her perceptions of freedom and destiny. As Melody’s latent powers awaken, she becomes central to a prophecy that could alter the fate of their world. Thomashoff masterfully crafts a tale of resilience and self-discovery, set against a richly imagined backdrop teetering on the brink of war. If you’re drawn to stories of complex characters, intricate world-building, and the timeless struggle between light and shadow, this novel is a must-read.

3.75/5 ⭐️
0.5/5 🌶️

My first ARC read (thank you Netgalley!)

Alexandra Thomashoff’s Kingdom of the Two Moons is an ambitious fantasy with an intricate world, a unique magic system, and intriguing/mysterious characters. While the book offers plenty of potential, its complexity worked against it for me.

Strengths:

- Expansive World-Building: The book introduces a richly detailed world filled with angels, fae, witches, demons, and other magical beings. I honestly found this to be rather overwhelming with so many fae. The glossary at the beginning does offer explanations, which does help to a degree.
- Strong Character Concepts: Caryan and Riven are compelling characters with a dark, mysterious allure, making them interesting to follow. Caryan gives very similar vibes to Xaden/Kingfisher.
- Unique Magic System: The book brings fresh ideas to the fantasy genre, offering a magic system that feels distinct from similar romantasy books. It was very out of the box thinking, and quite refreshing to see.

Weaknesses:

- Overly Complicated Plot: While the story has a lot of potential, the layers of lore, shifting perspectives, and intricate backstories can make it hard to follow. The pacing sometimes drags due to excessive detail. I did feel like majority of this book was explaining places and objects. Which I like to a certain extent. It just got really overwhelming eventually.
- Mix of First- and Third-Person POVs: The switch between perspectives can be jarring, making it harder to stay immersed in the story. Some sections might have been more effective if streamlined. Mixed in with throwbacks/flashbacks I just got really confused at times.
- Unnecessary Details: Certain elements felt like they were included for the sake of complexity rather than contributing meaningfully to the plot.
- Lack of Connection with Melody: Although Riven and Caryan are well-developed, the emotional bond between them and Melody felt weak. The chemistry wasn’t fully convincing, making some of the romantic tension fall flat.

Overall Thoughts:

If you enjoy ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, Fourth Wing or Quicksilver, you may appreciate the dark romance, morally gray characters, and expansive world-building in Kingdom of the Two Moons. However, be prepared for a dense read that requires patience. While the book has a lot to offer, a stronger emotional connection between the characters and a more refined approach to storytelling could make future installments even better. It’s as if the author had so many amazing ideas, but instead of just picking a few and rolling with them, they all got brought into the book and I just generally struggled to follow it all.

There were moments I didn’t even realise I was reading, and flew through chapters, but other times I just couldn’t wrap my head around it. It’s not to say I wouldn’t recommend it, if you like complex reads. But at some points I did struggle. If it was simplified I think it could have been a 4-4.5 ⭐️ read, with more connection with the characters, definitely had a lot of potential.