rbellirving's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVE THIS BOOK! This has everything I love in a fantasy: strong imperfect lead, great fight scenes, secrets that are enticing, and a hint of teasing romance. Ibanez did a fantastic job of balancing external and internal conflicts, raising the stakes and every turn and getting my heart racing! It was a happy ending but not every character ended happy and I think that was so important to the story (even if it means our main character really just can't catch a break - ugh). The descriptions in the story are so lush and vivid and I swear I could feel the heat on my cheeks while reading it. And the FOOD! I can't wait to see what this author has next.
rubysbiblioteca's review against another edition
5.0
This book isn’t normally what I would’ve chosen to read, but I’m so glad that I did!!! Isabel is so descriptive in het writing that I could see all the food, clothing and woven animals that Ximena describes during her journey. This story had so many aspects..romance, friendships and loyalty, and being torn between the hats right and wrong. Can’t wait to read Written in Starlight!
literarylindsey's review against another edition
5.0
This book is filled with beautiful imagery that describes the lives of the Illlustrian and Llcasan people. Ximena’s character is something I fell in love with. She is a strong woman who only wants to do what is right. We see her character struggle with not being her true self and also see challenges she faces as she learns new things. I think Ximena’s growth is something that really stood out to me and I enjoyed that her story was intertwined with action, fantasy, and a little bit of romance. There was never a point where I wanted to put this book down, except to keep it from ending. I give it 5 out of 5 stars because it is a well-written story with awesome characters!
bbracker's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nadia_ndco's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
The world built here has moments of great detail, like the weaving that Ximena does (those animals!!) or the clothing, but there are large swaths that needed more: what daily life is like in the Keep and La Ciudad, what the history of the country (and the two main societies) is, and how the different magics work. Add to that the fight scenes that don't quite make sense, the fact that Ximena's life as the decoy should have trained her to have more control and possession, and the question of Who Was El Lobo is too easily solved and, well... On the other hand, the pseudo-Bolivian setting is unusual and that difference made me continue reading.
This is supposed to be a standalone, but would have benefited from either tightening up the plot or expanding it into a duology. The author says that the next book is set in the same world, so perhaps some of what was left out here will be added then.
eARC provided by publisher.
This is supposed to be a standalone, but would have benefited from either tightening up the plot or expanding it into a duology. The author says that the next book is set in the same world, so perhaps some of what was left out here will be added then.
eARC provided by publisher.
livthebooknerd's review against another edition
5.0
FULL REVIEW:
Content Warning: Forced/arranged marriage, oppression, war, violence, on-page death, executions
Hey, guys!
Back in early January, my fiance and I decided to go to a book event in the Indianapolis/Franklin area for Isabel Ibanez's debut tour. Tour perk! Shelby Mahurin was also speaking with her.
I had just finished Shelby's debut release, Serpent and Dove, and I was so excited to meet her. But because WIM was Isabel's debut, I had to hurry and read the book so I could potentially gush about it with Isabel and anyone I met at the event. I decided to get a copy from Book of the Month and hope that I got it before the event. The next thing I knew, I was winning a copy from Bookish First and it came the day the book came out. *victory pose*
This book was absolutely phenomenal. An instant new favorite and auto-buy author. I cannot wait for book #2! I have so many predictions for the companion story. This was everything I could have hoped for.
Woven in Moonlight follows Ximena, the decoy Condesa for a warring country. When the usurper Illustrian, Atoc, demands the Condesa's hand in marriage (promising peace, of course), it's Ximena's job to go for the real Condesa. If Ximena can find a relic that could stop the war, she can fix everything that the usurping Illustrians destroyed. Unfortunately, when she arrives in La Ciudad, not everything is as black and white as it seems. When she meets a group of kind, funny, and thoughtful people, she has to rethink her position and do what is best for every citizen.
This book was masterfully written. Not only were the characters realistic, compelling, and wonderful to read about; the story was lush with Bolivian culture, the politics were spot on, and the magic was everything I could have hoped for. I loved this book so so so much!
I have a massive soft spot for the arranged marriage trope. I love to see how the character or characters escape the marriage or defy the person they don't want to be with. It's strangely one of my favorite tropes because it can either be done well or terribly. I think I just like those odds.
This book's plot and conflict were just so compelling. I didn't want to stop reading and I couldn't stop reading. I think that this book was just what I needed. The books I had read before picking this up were either let downs or just meh reads. I'm so glad I pick up this magical story. Please pick it up!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINI REVIEW FEATURED ON MY BLOG:
This book is by far my favorite from the month. I was so nervous that one of my most anticipated reads would be disappointing or lack some sort of element, but this was exactly what I needed and the exact sort of story that I adore. It was so gloriously whimsical and such a delight to read.
First of all, the characters were so wonderfully developed. Each was fabulously flawed and realistic. I was rooting for Ximena, slowly starting to love with our mysterious love interest, and unabashedly despising Atoc. These characters were so engaging and I couldn't help but get attached to their lives. I cannot wait for our companion book. I have some guesses of who it will follow, but we don't have any clues quite yet. I'm so excited to dive into book #2 in 2021!
If you love intricate magic systems, beautifully described settings, lush and captivating storytelling, and the desire to dive deep into the Bolivian culture -- you will adore this book! Please pick it up and give it a read. This is bound to be another favorite and one of my top favorites of 2020.
I will have a full review up for this book in the next couple of weeks!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book was phenomenal, but now I want a book from the true Contesa’s POV...please?
*Full review to come*
5 stars
Such a fantastically whimsical read!
This book was everything I could have hoped for. Not only was the story compelling and un-put-down-able, but the characters were also so vivid and relatable. I absolutely adored this story.
I love love loved the Bolivian culture that was woven throughout the story. When I was in middle school, I did a year-long project where I studied Bolivia and wrote papers on the various aspects of the country. I was so in love with their culture then, but reading a fantastical story with so many elements that tied back to their lush and fascinating culture was just too good for words.
If you love kick-ass fem protagonists, slow burn/hate to friendship to love romances, villains you can hate with all of your might, glorious food descriptions, and lush magical worlds -- you will adore this story! Please read it!
Content Warning: Forced/arranged marriage, oppression, war, violence, on-page death, executions
Hey, guys!
Back in early January, my fiance and I decided to go to a book event in the Indianapolis/Franklin area for Isabel Ibanez's debut tour. Tour perk! Shelby Mahurin was also speaking with her.
I had just finished Shelby's debut release, Serpent and Dove, and I was so excited to meet her. But because WIM was Isabel's debut, I had to hurry and read the book so I could potentially gush about it with Isabel and anyone I met at the event. I decided to get a copy from Book of the Month and hope that I got it before the event. The next thing I knew, I was winning a copy from Bookish First and it came the day the book came out. *victory pose*
This book was absolutely phenomenal. An instant new favorite and auto-buy author. I cannot wait for book #2! I have so many predictions for the companion story. This was everything I could have hoped for.
Woven in Moonlight follows Ximena, the decoy Condesa for a warring country. When the usurper Illustrian, Atoc, demands the Condesa's hand in marriage (promising peace, of course), it's Ximena's job to go for the real Condesa. If Ximena can find a relic that could stop the war, she can fix everything that the usurping Illustrians destroyed. Unfortunately, when she arrives in La Ciudad, not everything is as black and white as it seems. When she meets a group of kind, funny, and thoughtful people, she has to rethink her position and do what is best for every citizen.
This book was masterfully written. Not only were the characters realistic, compelling, and wonderful to read about; the story was lush with Bolivian culture, the politics were spot on, and the magic was everything I could have hoped for. I loved this book so so so much!
I have a massive soft spot for the arranged marriage trope. I love to see how the character or characters escape the marriage or defy the person they don't want to be with. It's strangely one of my favorite tropes because it can either be done well or terribly. I think I just like those odds.
This book's plot and conflict were just so compelling. I didn't want to stop reading and I couldn't stop reading. I think that this book was just what I needed. The books I had read before picking this up were either let downs or just meh reads. I'm so glad I pick up this magical story. Please pick it up!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINI REVIEW FEATURED ON MY BLOG:
This book is by far my favorite from the month. I was so nervous that one of my most anticipated reads would be disappointing or lack some sort of element, but this was exactly what I needed and the exact sort of story that I adore. It was so gloriously whimsical and such a delight to read.
First of all, the characters were so wonderfully developed. Each was fabulously flawed and realistic. I was rooting for Ximena, slowly starting to love with our mysterious love interest, and unabashedly despising Atoc. These characters were so engaging and I couldn't help but get attached to their lives. I cannot wait for our companion book. I have some guesses of who it will follow, but we don't have any clues quite yet. I'm so excited to dive into book #2 in 2021!
If you love intricate magic systems, beautifully described settings, lush and captivating storytelling, and the desire to dive deep into the Bolivian culture -- you will adore this book! Please pick it up and give it a read. This is bound to be another favorite and one of my top favorites of 2020.
I will have a full review up for this book in the next couple of weeks!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This book was phenomenal, but now I want a book from the true Contesa’s POV...please?
*Full review to come*
5 stars
Such a fantastically whimsical read!
This book was everything I could have hoped for. Not only was the story compelling and un-put-down-able, but the characters were also so vivid and relatable. I absolutely adored this story.
I love love loved the Bolivian culture that was woven throughout the story. When I was in middle school, I did a year-long project where I studied Bolivia and wrote papers on the various aspects of the country. I was so in love with their culture then, but reading a fantastical story with so many elements that tied back to their lush and fascinating culture was just too good for words.
If you love kick-ass fem protagonists, slow burn/hate to friendship to love romances, villains you can hate with all of your might, glorious food descriptions, and lush magical worlds -- you will adore this story! Please read it!
dearreaderr's review against another edition
4.0
I don't usually expect books with pretty covers to be actually good, but this genuinely was ??? and I'm really excited about it. the only thing I was a little iffy about was a few small mistakes with the Spanish but that's because I'm a very intense grammar nerd I'M SORRY, and sadly I'm also a history nerd, so the whole time I was waiting to find out what the hell happened with the Spaniards ?? did they die ?? did they just leave ???
pryngols's review against another edition
4.0
The first time I laid eyes on the gorgeous cover I just knew I had to read this book! I was not disappointed because this novel is just as lovely and lush as the cover promised it to be. It’s a story of two different communities fighting for justice, and tells of a long history of war and revenge that goes too far back in the past that the lines blur between the victims and the oppressors. Final rating: 3.5⭐
I talked about this in length on my blog: https://princessandpages.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/intl-blog-tour-woven-in-moonlight-by-isabel-ibanez-arc/
I talked about this in length on my blog: https://princessandpages.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/intl-blog-tour-woven-in-moonlight-by-isabel-ibanez-arc/
blondeeishere's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book!!! It was once upon a bookclub pick and the gifts that went with it were beautiful and unforgettable ❤️ this book is about finding yourself and battling your past with hopes of a better future!