When you read dozens of romantasy novels in a year, they sometimes have a tendency to blend together. This is not the case with When the Moon Hatched, which stands out from the crowd with an imaginative world unlike any other and intrigue so layered that it is a marvel. This book genuinely dazzled me.
Raeve is an assassin, working for a rebel group in the fight against the tyrant king. She’s paid to kill — but what really fuels her is justice. When she goes after a powerful mark in her undying quest for revenge, she’s captured and finds herself facing death, trapped in a political battle that she is only just beginning to understand. Kaan Vaegor, a rival king, finds her in the dungeons, and the past comes rearing its ugly head, bringing its poisonous pain.
The prologue for this book is a gorgeous origin story, something that reads as though it was torn from the pages of an ancient myth. I was instantly captured, and it gives the reader a foundation before they are thrust into a world that takes some time to get used to. Because this fantasy is so unique, it builds a world that is so different that it is confusing. I was utterly lost for the first few chapters, trying to find my bearings in a land of many moons, dragons, and elemental magic.
Time is measured in cycles and phases, and it takes a great deal of getting used to, with some trips to the glossary. The magical system is deeply creative, and once you get a few chapters in and figure out glimpses of what is going on, it is gorgeous. By the end of the book, you realize that at least some of the confusion is entirely intentional, mirroring the gaps in knowledge that the characters hold about each other. Before I knew it, I had gone from being lost to being deeply in love with this book and its lyrical language.
A lady assassin always makes for an excellent romantasy heroine, and Raeve is no exception. She has a biting wit and a biting blade, and she’s strong in the face of unimaginable sadness. Kaan, our hero, immediately earned his place on my top list of fantasy heroes. Brawny and bold, but with a soft heart. He’s a man who will do anything for those he loves.
When the Moon Hatched is thoroughly enchanting, with equal parts high action and tender moments that will tug hard on the heartstrings. Fair warning: the end had me screaming. I actually scared my dogs. This cliffhanger is brutal, and so many questions are left unanswered. Not to be dramatic, but I might die waiting until the fall of 2025 for the next book in the series.
Writing: 4.5
Spice: 2.5
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