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Moon Murder Mysteries #1
Nelson & MacIlwraith
No one wants a witch for a partner.
Time is running out, and the deck is stacked against Professor Lennox “Nox” MacIlwraith. Six girls have been abducted, but the FBI doesn’t realize they’re connected. There’s also the matter of the dead girl in New Castle. She was found tied to a tree and Nox suspects one serial kidnapper and killer is responsible. An unorthodox expert on the occult, Nox is rumored to be a psychic and a witch. And a crackpot. The wily young professor has to prove he’s not batty—or possibly a vampire—and that the cases are linked before the next full moon. If not, he fears the remaining girls will be sacrificed to a mythical god-king.
Everyone in the FBI hates Agent Grady Nelson. He’s failed to live up to his legendary father’s reputation within the bureau and is almost universally despised for being an uptight do-gooder. Nelson’s ready to kiss what’s left of his career goodbye when he’s ordered to work with the “sketchy professor” on what should be a nuisance case. The investigation turns into a professional minefield when Nox claims it’s connected to an ancient Gaelic cult. Rules are broken and lines are crossed as Nelson falls under Nox’s spell and begins to suspect his partner might be a real witch.
Nox is a little bit witchcraft. Nelson is a little bit Federal Bureau. Together, they’re a wickedly good team, but can they find the missing girls before it’s too late? Nox is prepared to sacrifice his own career and his life to save them. He’d also like to save Nelson, but is Nox ready to sacrifice his heart too?
Time is running out, and the deck is stacked against Professor Lennox “Nox” MacIlwraith. Six girls have been abducted, but the FBI doesn’t realize they’re connected. There’s also the matter of the dead girl in New Castle. She was found tied to a tree and Nox suspects one serial kidnapper and killer is responsible. An unorthodox expert on the occult, Nox is rumored to be a psychic and a witch. And a crackpot. The wily young professor has to prove he’s not batty—or possibly a vampire—and that the cases are linked before the next full moon. If not, he fears the remaining girls will be sacrificed to a mythical god-king.
Everyone in the FBI hates Agent Grady Nelson. He’s failed to live up to his legendary father’s reputation within the bureau and is almost universally despised for being an uptight do-gooder. Nelson’s ready to kiss what’s left of his career goodbye when he’s ordered to work with the “sketchy professor” on what should be a nuisance case. The investigation turns into a professional minefield when Nox claims it’s connected to an ancient Gaelic cult. Rules are broken and lines are crossed as Nelson falls under Nox’s spell and begins to suspect his partner might be a real witch.
Nox is a little bit witchcraft. Nelson is a little bit Federal Bureau. Together, they’re a wickedly good team, but can they find the missing girls before it’s too late? Nox is prepared to sacrifice his own career and his life to save them. He’d also like to save Nelson, but is Nox ready to sacrifice his heart too?
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2023
245 people are currently reading
630 people want to read
About the author
K. Sterling
102 books487 followersAuthor of the popular Nannies of New York and Boys of Lake Cliff book series, K Sterling has self-published dozens of books. K. is known for fast-paced romantic thrillers and touching gay romcoms. There might be goosebumps and some gore but there’s always true love and lots of laughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
November 9, 2023
This was such a bad book. It was just all wrong, like the author had an idea but didn’t know how to write it and at some point I don’t think they even tried.
Let’s start with the things that were wrong…
1. The investigation. This is, in theory, a book based around the investigation of missing girls and a murder. Very little actual investigating is done and what is shown feels bumbling and awkward. It feels like the sort of investigative work you’d find in a cosy mystery from the owner of a B&B with no formal training, just a Netflix subscription and a habit of listening to true crime podcasts. If all you saw of Nelson’s investigative abilities was this book you’d assume the reputation he has in the Bureau is accurate - and it could be. Nox contributes nothing to the actual investigation, he just passes on things someone else found and wields his reputation.
2. The characters. Nelson is an empty vessel who seemingly doesn’t have any kind of autonomy and that actually gets worse as his character “develops”. If this had been written well, Nelson starting to show desires and developing feelings for Nox despite a history that leans heavily asexual/aromantic could have been brilliant and touching and quite emotionally deep. It was not. It was so far from being handled well it became a glaringly under negotiated kink that left me feeling uneasy and frankly icked.
Nox was an immature manipulative man child that we were just repeatedly expected to find cool and interesting and sexy. He frequently blurted things out (an extremely inappropriate times maybe for comedy?), talked with excessive exclamation points and straight up lied and hid things that were important to the investigation. Hard pass.
There was no chemistry. None whatsoever.
3. The writing itself. I think there was an attempt at a dual POV here but there was no clean division between characters and we sort of slipped in and out of their heads as the author pleased but I never actually felt like I was in either of their heads because I don’t feel like I got to know either character. This was especially true of Nelson who seems to exist as that empty vessel I mentioned earlier. At one point he just straight up says he doesn’t need/want a will of his own? Which was all kinds of no.
The scenes weren’t clear. We jumped places without any real warning and it felt sometimes like people were standing around just waiting to deliver lines. This was especially noticeable when Nelson would declare he needed to take/make a phone call as a reason to leave Nox alone with a witness/suspect but we never saw him make any calls, never saw him do anything that would actually show him investigating even when we followed him outside. He spent so much time just sitting around waiting for Nox to wake up or finish teaching.
I cannot stress enough how gross it was that Nelson never seemed like his own person. And I get that was a thing - well it was supposed to be but it just wasn’t handled well.
None of this was handled well. It needed a thorough edit, a clearer idea of what it wanted to be (are you a murder investigation? Solving a kidnapping? Feeding me an imbalanced insta-love? An intriguing book about druids that draws on history?) and it needed to better flesh out the characters beyond the two dimensional caricatures we were expected to find compelling and perfect (Nox literally calls Nelson perfect and frankly I’m wondering what Nelson he met because we didn’t meet him).
I’m not about to hang around for the sequel and I’m sure as hell not going to read anything else this author has written because I don’t think they write the kind of depth I need in my characters and plot.
Let’s start with the things that were wrong…
1. The investigation. This is, in theory, a book based around the investigation of missing girls and a murder. Very little actual investigating is done and what is shown feels bumbling and awkward. It feels like the sort of investigative work you’d find in a cosy mystery from the owner of a B&B with no formal training, just a Netflix subscription and a habit of listening to true crime podcasts. If all you saw of Nelson’s investigative abilities was this book you’d assume the reputation he has in the Bureau is accurate - and it could be. Nox contributes nothing to the actual investigation, he just passes on things someone else found and wields his reputation.
2. The characters. Nelson is an empty vessel who seemingly doesn’t have any kind of autonomy and that actually gets worse as his character “develops”. If this had been written well, Nelson starting to show desires and developing feelings for Nox despite a history that leans heavily asexual/aromantic could have been brilliant and touching and quite emotionally deep. It was not. It was so far from being handled well it became a glaringly under negotiated kink that left me feeling uneasy and frankly icked.
Nox was an immature manipulative man child that we were just repeatedly expected to find cool and interesting and sexy. He frequently blurted things out (an extremely inappropriate times maybe for comedy?), talked with excessive exclamation points and straight up lied and hid things that were important to the investigation. Hard pass.
There was no chemistry. None whatsoever.
3. The writing itself. I think there was an attempt at a dual POV here but there was no clean division between characters and we sort of slipped in and out of their heads as the author pleased but I never actually felt like I was in either of their heads because I don’t feel like I got to know either character. This was especially true of Nelson who seems to exist as that empty vessel I mentioned earlier. At one point he just straight up says he doesn’t need/want a will of his own? Which was all kinds of no.
The scenes weren’t clear. We jumped places without any real warning and it felt sometimes like people were standing around just waiting to deliver lines. This was especially noticeable when Nelson would declare he needed to take/make a phone call as a reason to leave Nox alone with a witness/suspect but we never saw him make any calls, never saw him do anything that would actually show him investigating even when we followed him outside. He spent so much time just sitting around waiting for Nox to wake up or finish teaching.
I cannot stress enough how gross it was that Nelson never seemed like his own person. And I get that was a thing - well it was supposed to be but it just wasn’t handled well.
None of this was handled well. It needed a thorough edit, a clearer idea of what it wanted to be (are you a murder investigation? Solving a kidnapping? Feeding me an imbalanced insta-love? An intriguing book about druids that draws on history?) and it needed to better flesh out the characters beyond the two dimensional caricatures we were expected to find compelling and perfect (Nox literally calls Nelson perfect and frankly I’m wondering what Nelson he met because we didn’t meet him).
I’m not about to hang around for the sequel and I’m sure as hell not going to read anything else this author has written because I don’t think they write the kind of depth I need in my characters and plot.
January 18, 2024
DNF @8%
I don't usually abandon books this early in but it's very clear this author's writing is not for me. The characters are not believable at all, and while the author seems to attempt a "show don't tell", it doesn't work at all.
For example, when introduced to Nox, Nelson walks into his university lecture, and apparently every single student is absolutely spellbound by Nox and his lecture. Sure, bro. Nox then also immediately starts (imo, inappropriately and very awkwardly) flirting with Nelson, but I think I'm supposed to find that charming or be amazed at their "chemistry"?
When introduced to Nelson, we learn that he is an outcast in the FBI, because throughout his whole career, he managed to uncover multiple corruption cases inside the FBI even when he was still new, so unfortunately, all his colleagues hate him!!
There's just no... subtlety and not enough depth to it. From reading other reviews, it doesn't seem like it will get any better, so I don't think it's worth continuing.
I don't usually abandon books this early in but it's very clear this author's writing is not for me. The characters are not believable at all, and while the author seems to attempt a "show don't tell", it doesn't work at all.
For example, when introduced to Nox, Nelson walks into his university lecture, and apparently every single student is absolutely spellbound by Nox and his lecture. Sure, bro. Nox then also immediately starts (imo, inappropriately and very awkwardly) flirting with Nelson, but I think I'm supposed to find that charming or be amazed at their "chemistry"?
When introduced to Nelson, we learn that he is an outcast in the FBI, because throughout his whole career, he managed to uncover multiple corruption cases inside the FBI even when he was still new, so unfortunately, all his colleagues hate him!!
There's just no... subtlety and not enough depth to it. From reading other reviews, it doesn't seem like it will get any better, so I don't think it's worth continuing.
February 29, 2024
Kind of Underwhelming
This had potential and the author had a good story on hand but it just ended up being all over the place. She tried to do something but it didn’t fit in with her writing or she didn’t know how to do it (I don’t know but if felt off)especially with the conversations trailing on and off. I expected more to the mystery but it just kinda fell flat! And the excess use of exclamation marks too! I am hoping these characters, the mystery and the story gets better . I do believe it still has the potential to be a great series if written well and everything was organized . So i dare say i’m keeping my fingers crossed for the next book.
Recommended for those who love Mystery, Magick, Paranormal stories and MM romance.
This had potential and the author had a good story on hand but it just ended up being all over the place. She tried to do something but it didn’t fit in with her writing or she didn’t know how to do it (I don’t know but if felt off)especially with the conversations trailing on and off. I expected more to the mystery but it just kinda fell flat! And the excess use of exclamation marks too! I am hoping these characters, the mystery and the story gets better . I do believe it still has the potential to be a great series if written well and everything was organized . So i dare say i’m keeping my fingers crossed for the next book.
Recommended for those who love Mystery, Magick, Paranormal stories and MM romance.
March 2, 2024
I wanted to like this book, but it went wrong in so many ways. While the druidic angle was a nice deviation from a lot of stories revolving around magic, it never felt fully realized.
There were all these dense explanations about the history and practice of various rituals that Nelson just ✨️understood✨️ without any real clarifying questions, despite never having dealt with it before.
Nelson, as others have already stated, felt like a human husk whose sole purpose was to drive Nox around and become an unquestioning slave to a "greater power." He was an annoyingly ineffective detective who was somehow depicted as having an unerring moral compass, yet being more than willing to break protocols that could have jeopardized any future trial that resulted from his incompetent investigation. He pointed out he would need a warrant to go places, then immediately go there anyway. While I understand the whole "I don't follow the rules" detective trope, Nelson was presented as a cop who would turn in dirty cops, yet would not even attempt to get a warrant with plenty enough probable cause? He also didn't need warrants for most of the things he claimed to. Does he need a warrant to go to a witnesses' house? No, he doesn't. He could go knock on their door and say he needs to ask some questions. Like....this is a KEY witness to your investigation. No one is going to bat an eye if you drive to their house to ask them questions, but he wanted a warrant just to go. He also claimed to need a warrant to go to a house that was on the grounds of a graveyard. Considering he didn't need to be escorted onto the grounds, we can assume the graveyard was open to public viewing. No need for a warrant to go somewhere the public is welcome to come and go as they please. And then he broke I to the house on no hard evidence and killed a man while inside; again, without any hard evidence at this point. If he had been wrong about his suspicions, he would have killed a man in a home he had no right being inside of with no evidence. Even after being proved right, the case against the owner of the house is going to be thrown out because there was no hard evidence or probable cause for Nelson to be in the house without a warrant and subsequently murdered a person.
Nelson and Nox calling the small townspeople yokels was unnecessary and asanine. Nox is supposed to be this empathetic, ephemeral being with the capability of comforting people who haven't even asked to be comforted, but he calls an entire population yokels? He acts like a child every time he's upset, but he somehow gets information out of people that Nelson says he couldn't have gotten without him?
As for the ending, it was completely pointless. Nox and Nelson had NO reason they needed to turn around when Merlin called them. They already had the entire state police forse headed back to the altar site, and if they were two hours out, there should have already been other police officers at the scene before they arrived. Even if they decided the HAD to be there, once they actually showed up, they didn't do anything at all. Nelson and Nox were so worried that six more girls were going to be murdered during the rave, and instead of Nelson pulling Nox away from the party to search the woods, he just let him dance around. Did 6 girls actually get murdered or did the guy wanting to become a God just decide that silly little detail didn't matter anymore?
I almost gave this book a 3-star rating because some of the plot was okay, but there just wasn't enough cohesiveness or care in any of this book. I feel like the author didnt take enough time or care when creating the "in-betweens" of the book: the background characters, the emotional buildup, the relationship building, the reasons to make Nox and Nelson move or stay put, the character growth. It all felt horribly one-dimensional, like playing with paper dolls in front of a video camera and calling it a 3-d movie.
I'm a fastidious completionist when it comes to books, but I won't be reading the sequel to this one. I fear the sequel will be as vapid as Nelson's personality.
There were all these dense explanations about the history and practice of various rituals that Nelson just ✨️understood✨️ without any real clarifying questions, despite never having dealt with it before.
Nelson, as others have already stated, felt like a human husk whose sole purpose was to drive Nox around and become an unquestioning slave to a "greater power." He was an annoyingly ineffective detective who was somehow depicted as having an unerring moral compass, yet being more than willing to break protocols that could have jeopardized any future trial that resulted from his incompetent investigation. He pointed out he would need a warrant to go places, then immediately go there anyway. While I understand the whole "I don't follow the rules" detective trope, Nelson was presented as a cop who would turn in dirty cops, yet would not even attempt to get a warrant with plenty enough probable cause? He also didn't need warrants for most of the things he claimed to. Does he need a warrant to go to a witnesses' house? No, he doesn't. He could go knock on their door and say he needs to ask some questions. Like....this is a KEY witness to your investigation. No one is going to bat an eye if you drive to their house to ask them questions, but he wanted a warrant just to go. He also claimed to need a warrant to go to a house that was on the grounds of a graveyard. Considering he didn't need to be escorted onto the grounds, we can assume the graveyard was open to public viewing. No need for a warrant to go somewhere the public is welcome to come and go as they please. And then he broke I to the house on no hard evidence and killed a man while inside; again, without any hard evidence at this point. If he had been wrong about his suspicions, he would have killed a man in a home he had no right being inside of with no evidence. Even after being proved right, the case against the owner of the house is going to be thrown out because there was no hard evidence or probable cause for Nelson to be in the house without a warrant and subsequently murdered a person.
Nelson and Nox calling the small townspeople yokels was unnecessary and asanine. Nox is supposed to be this empathetic, ephemeral being with the capability of comforting people who haven't even asked to be comforted, but he calls an entire population yokels? He acts like a child every time he's upset, but he somehow gets information out of people that Nelson says he couldn't have gotten without him?
As for the ending, it was completely pointless. Nox and Nelson had NO reason they needed to turn around when Merlin called them. They already had the entire state police forse headed back to the altar site, and if they were two hours out, there should have already been other police officers at the scene before they arrived. Even if they decided the HAD to be there, once they actually showed up, they didn't do anything at all. Nelson and Nox were so worried that six more girls were going to be murdered during the rave, and instead of Nelson pulling Nox away from the party to search the woods, he just let him dance around. Did 6 girls actually get murdered or did the guy wanting to become a God just decide that silly little detail didn't matter anymore?
I almost gave this book a 3-star rating because some of the plot was okay, but there just wasn't enough cohesiveness or care in any of this book. I feel like the author didnt take enough time or care when creating the "in-betweens" of the book: the background characters, the emotional buildup, the relationship building, the reasons to make Nox and Nelson move or stay put, the character growth. It all felt horribly one-dimensional, like playing with paper dolls in front of a video camera and calling it a 3-d movie.
I'm a fastidious completionist when it comes to books, but I won't be reading the sequel to this one. I fear the sequel will be as vapid as Nelson's personality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2023
K. Sterling continues to amaze me. This book was sooo good, and it really had so much going for it: excitement, tension, mystery, high stakes, lovable characters, spicy romance, fun twists, I could keep going! What really impressed me is the amount of sheer research that clearly went into this. There is so much about the Celtic pagan tradition in here that is not only truthfully and respectfully rooted in the mythology, but exciting for the reader to learn about. But also just the way that Nox talked about his own practice felt so real and lovely!
The mystery here and anxiety surrounding finding these missing girls was palpable, and the certain unexpected spatial restrictions placed on Nelson and Nox made me sooo frustrated so I can only imagine what it did for them, especially Nelson! I love these two together though and I’m soooo excited to see where this story goes across the trilogy!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review. Congrats!!
The mystery here and anxiety surrounding finding these missing girls was palpable, and the certain unexpected spatial restrictions placed on Nelson and Nox made me sooo frustrated so I can only imagine what it did for them, especially Nelson! I love these two together though and I’m soooo excited to see where this story goes across the trilogy!
Thank you to the author for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review. Congrats!!
July 5, 2024
Well, I finished it. I didn't hate it. But I'm not reading the rest of the books.
Part of it is me; I dislike the nebulous 'magic system' here, which makes continuing unimaginable. Plus, the setup for the FBI agent feels contrived, like it didn't get as much support as the witch/druid did. And the 'ace/aro' bit was dorky. If you're 'made for one person' that doesn't mean aromantic or asexual. You're just very specific.
Part is objective: I noticed the last part of the book was better-edited, which--nope I didn't forget how messy the whole thing feels to me; Sterling's style reminds me of Rhys Ford's, only Sterling's is dismayingly less concise. The vast majority of this novel needed a better line-editor to curb the author's addiction to the word 'and' and the distressing habit of piling on run-on sentences in whole paragraphs. Is the author allergic to periods?
Part of it is me; I dislike the nebulous 'magic system' here, which makes continuing unimaginable. Plus, the setup for the FBI agent feels contrived, like it didn't get as much support as the witch/druid did. And the 'ace/aro' bit was dorky. If you're 'made for one person' that doesn't mean aromantic or asexual. You're just very specific.
Part is objective: I noticed the last part of the book was better-edited, which--nope I didn't forget how messy the whole thing feels to me; Sterling's style reminds me of Rhys Ford's, only Sterling's is dismayingly less concise. The vast majority of this novel needed a better line-editor to curb the author's addiction to the word 'and' and the distressing habit of piling on run-on sentences in whole paragraphs. Is the author allergic to periods?
November 17, 2023
The murder/procedural plot aspects were quite engaging and really, it was this alone that kept me persisting through to the ending. The character development for both Nelson and Nox didn't give me enough for me to become invested in them individually or as a potential couple. However, it was the Celtic mythology/paranormal aspects that let me down; I got quite confused regarding the legends/lore and how these came down through the centuries to modern day USA. I'm not sure I'm sufficiently interested to proceed with the next book in the series. 2.5 stars generously rounded up to 3.
March 16, 2025
This is a trilogy and I’ll be reviewing books 1-3 together so expect this review under all three though I rated each book differently. The mystery presented in book 1 is not completely resolved until book 3. There are companion novels that follow that I’m not sure I’m going to read. This story follows FBI agent Grady Nelson when he assigned to a possible missing persons report that his boss thinks is just a nuisance case. Nelson is assigned to work on the case with Professor Lennox “Nox” MacIlwraith, an expert on the occult, also rumored to be a psychic and a witch.
I was attracted to this series since it had witches, MM romance, a mystery and Irish mythology. There was a lot of Irish mythology, pronunciation keys, glossaries, and a quite a few footnotes, so if those bug you be warned. Honestly, it was a mishmash of a lot of different mythology at times and while I enjoyed it in parts, sometimes it felt like it might have been too much.
I found the initial mystery to be intriguing but was a bit disappointed in the overall arc of the story. It came on strong in the beginning but lost momentum in the subsequent books, overshadowed by other elements. At times, I really enjoyed the witchy elements. The sex magick took over as the dominant practice at one point (this trilogy is spicy). I honestly found it confusing, almost ethereal and it just didn’t make a lot of sense to me, especially at moments that were apparently important to the story. I would have enjoyed seeing Nox practice other types of magic equally.
As far as characters, I often preferred the supporting cast over the main characters. I adored Merlin but often felt Clancy was more of an enigma. I enjoyed Tony the TA, Aubrey and Howard as well as a few other supporting characters. Nox was sometimes an interesting character, and others just went off in his own world that I wasn’t quite following. I thought I was going to enjoy Nelson in the beginning, I love a stiff Fed, but the initial presentation of his character shifted in a way that didn’t feel like a natural progression to me.
If you enjoy spicy witchy/druid characters that speak Gaelic, give this a try, you may enjoy it more than me.
I was attracted to this series since it had witches, MM romance, a mystery and Irish mythology. There was a lot of Irish mythology, pronunciation keys, glossaries, and a quite a few footnotes, so if those bug you be warned. Honestly, it was a mishmash of a lot of different mythology at times and while I enjoyed it in parts, sometimes it felt like it might have been too much.
I found the initial mystery to be intriguing but was a bit disappointed in the overall arc of the story. It came on strong in the beginning but lost momentum in the subsequent books, overshadowed by other elements. At times, I really enjoyed the witchy elements. The sex magick took over as the dominant practice at one point (this trilogy is spicy). I honestly found it confusing, almost ethereal and it just didn’t make a lot of sense to me, especially at moments that were apparently important to the story. I would have enjoyed seeing Nox practice other types of magic equally.
As far as characters, I often preferred the supporting cast over the main characters. I adored Merlin but often felt Clancy was more of an enigma. I enjoyed Tony the TA, Aubrey and Howard as well as a few other supporting characters. Nox was sometimes an interesting character, and others just went off in his own world that I wasn’t quite following. I thought I was going to enjoy Nelson in the beginning, I love a stiff Fed, but the initial presentation of his character shifted in a way that didn’t feel like a natural progression to me.
If you enjoy spicy witchy/druid characters that speak Gaelic, give this a try, you may enjoy it more than me.
November 3, 2025
3⭐️
A nice little story and a new author for me! I loved the witchy, paranormal aspects, a mystery to solve with some romance sprinkled in.
A nice little story and a new author for me! I loved the witchy, paranormal aspects, a mystery to solve with some romance sprinkled in.
September 16, 2023
Came for the mystical mystery, stayed for the top notch UST and food descriptions that left me with an oddly powerful craving for oatmeal
Nelson’s father and grandfather were FBI legends, and the intention was for him to follow in their footsteps. Unfortunately the reality is he lives for a job that doesn’t love him back. Focused day and night, even in dreams, his career is still totally stalled. Repeatedly doing the right thing over the smart thing is admirable but has been a career killer.
Nox MacIlwraith is an anthropology expert and charismatic college professor who has done work with FBI before. Brilliant but blunt, likely a witch, not many in the bureau want to work with him.
He calls to them for attention to the cases of multiple missing young women, and with his knowledge and connections they can’t entirely ignore him. They can however shuffle him to agent non grata Nelson, with orders to appease him enough to keep him quiet.
After he meets with Nox, Nelson learns these victims are not the easily dismissed flighty types he’d been told - Not that anyone *should* be easily dismissed like his ‘superiors’ believe! - also, the scope of the case is much larger than originally thought.
At that point the story really gets going and this book is ✨fascinating✨
Without giving anything more away about the plot - because going in blind(ish) is best - I can say the further I got into the book the more invested I was in finding out exactly what was going on and making wild assumptions about the guilt or innocence of the characters. Closer to the finish, my heart got going a few times to where I feel like reading this book should count for cardio!
There is *some* resolution to the storyline, but not completely. And that ending will probably have you yelling for more like I was/am!
“To be continued”?
I can’t wait!
Note - This is a procedural, of sorts, following and trying to solve violent crimes, so please check the section just before the book begins for content warnings if there’s anything you’re worried about.
Many thanks to The Author for this ARC!
Nelson’s father and grandfather were FBI legends, and the intention was for him to follow in their footsteps. Unfortunately the reality is he lives for a job that doesn’t love him back. Focused day and night, even in dreams, his career is still totally stalled. Repeatedly doing the right thing over the smart thing is admirable but has been a career killer.
Nox MacIlwraith is an anthropology expert and charismatic college professor who has done work with FBI before. Brilliant but blunt, likely a witch, not many in the bureau want to work with him.
He calls to them for attention to the cases of multiple missing young women, and with his knowledge and connections they can’t entirely ignore him. They can however shuffle him to agent non grata Nelson, with orders to appease him enough to keep him quiet.
After he meets with Nox, Nelson learns these victims are not the easily dismissed flighty types he’d been told - Not that anyone *should* be easily dismissed like his ‘superiors’ believe! - also, the scope of the case is much larger than originally thought.
At that point the story really gets going and this book is ✨fascinating✨
Without giving anything more away about the plot - because going in blind(ish) is best - I can say the further I got into the book the more invested I was in finding out exactly what was going on and making wild assumptions about the guilt or innocence of the characters. Closer to the finish, my heart got going a few times to where I feel like reading this book should count for cardio!
There is *some* resolution to the storyline, but not completely. And that ending will probably have you yelling for more like I was/am!
“To be continued”?
I can’t wait!
Note - This is a procedural, of sorts, following and trying to solve violent crimes, so please check the section just before the book begins for content warnings if there’s anything you’re worried about.
Many thanks to The Author for this ARC!
November 7, 2023
4.5 stars
Really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next one! I have so many questions!
Really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next one! I have so many questions!
October 6, 2023
Un grand merci à l’auteure pour cet ARC et sa confiance.
J’ai découvert l’auteure avec sa série contemporaine "Boys of Lake Cliff" puis par son standalone paranormal Fenrir que j’ai beaucoup aimé, alors quand j’ai vu cette superbe couverture pour un thriller urban fantasy j’ai tout de suite sauté dessus!
Nelson est un agent du FBI qui, comme beaucoup de ses collègues, se moque (semi)-ouvertement de l’occulte et de ses pratiquant.es. C’est le personnage type du septique que j’adore!😆 Mais c’est avant tout un limier consciencieux et redoutable qui s’applique à toujours faire la chose juste même si cela doit lui porter préjudice.
C’est un Steve Rogers avec une conscience en béton dans un monde et une institution pourris jusqu’à l’os.
Vivant dans l’ombre de son père et de son grand-père, il subis les quolibets sur le népotisme de la part de ses collègues parmi lesquels il est un paria à peine plus apprécié que MacIlwraith.
MacIlwraith (Nox🥰) est un professeur d’anthropologie/consultant occulte auprès du FBI (et star d’un jour dans un documentaire Netflix).😂
Il est empathique, absolument adorable, ressent la peine des victimes et de leurs familles, et a du cœur comme aucun autre. Ce qui, je pense, lui servira énormément (ça et Nelson) pour s’ancrer et ne pas perdre le contrôle plus tard…👀 (pas de spoiler, juste des spéculations de lecteur).
L’enquête qu’ils mènent pour empêcher un culte de nouveau druides d’assassiner de jeunes sorcières est sombre, mystérieuse et remplie de mysticisme et de mythologie celtique. Nox est lui-même plus secret que prévu et Nelson plus vulnérable que je ne l’avais imaginé.🥺♥️
Le slow burn entre eux est paradoxalement brûlant! J’étais sur les dents de les voir se tourner autour, et les rêves torrides de Nelson impliquant Nox étaient d’autant plus frustrants comparés à la réalité.😆
Hâte de lire la suite!😉
J’ai découvert l’auteure avec sa série contemporaine "Boys of Lake Cliff" puis par son standalone paranormal Fenrir que j’ai beaucoup aimé, alors quand j’ai vu cette superbe couverture pour un thriller urban fantasy j’ai tout de suite sauté dessus!
Nelson est un agent du FBI qui, comme beaucoup de ses collègues, se moque (semi)-ouvertement de l’occulte et de ses pratiquant.es. C’est le personnage type du septique que j’adore!😆 Mais c’est avant tout un limier consciencieux et redoutable qui s’applique à toujours faire la chose juste même si cela doit lui porter préjudice.
C’est un Steve Rogers avec une conscience en béton dans un monde et une institution pourris jusqu’à l’os.
Vivant dans l’ombre de son père et de son grand-père, il subis les quolibets sur le népotisme de la part de ses collègues parmi lesquels il est un paria à peine plus apprécié que MacIlwraith.
MacIlwraith (Nox🥰) est un professeur d’anthropologie/consultant occulte auprès du FBI (et star d’un jour dans un documentaire Netflix).😂
Il est empathique, absolument adorable, ressent la peine des victimes et de leurs familles, et a du cœur comme aucun autre. Ce qui, je pense, lui servira énormément (ça et Nelson) pour s’ancrer et ne pas perdre le contrôle plus tard…👀 (pas de spoiler, juste des spéculations de lecteur).
L’enquête qu’ils mènent pour empêcher un culte de nouveau druides d’assassiner de jeunes sorcières est sombre, mystérieuse et remplie de mysticisme et de mythologie celtique. Nox est lui-même plus secret que prévu et Nelson plus vulnérable que je ne l’avais imaginé.🥺♥️
Le slow burn entre eux est paradoxalement brûlant! J’étais sur les dents de les voir se tourner autour, et les rêves torrides de Nelson impliquant Nox étaient d’autant plus frustrants comparés à la réalité.😆
Hâte de lire la suite!😉
September 28, 2023
This first installment of the Moon Murder Mysteries blatantly defies being pigeonholed. Is it MM romance, a murder mystery, a snappy folkloric read for autumn, or a combination of all of the above?
Expectations are futile here, as there were none of the usual, clear-cut romance formulas at play. It delivers police procedural vibes without getting too carried away with the procedural aspects and thus losing readers who like the idea of a crime thriller but get bored with too much protocol. The romantic aspects somehow manage to feel like a side plot while also being front and center; and the spice is nice and hot while also being sweet and, I daresay, spiritual. Then, there’s that ending that basically guarantees you’ll keep reading beyond this first book.
Nelson, our grumpy, all too literal FBI agent for whom “this is fine” may as well count as high praise had earned the distinction of Best Boy. He is my best boy for this series, he must be properly appreciated, and that’s just it! Nox is no slouch either. I can understand him and his heightened empathy so well. He’s a sweetheart. . . a dirty minded sweetheart. Together, these two make an excellent investigative team and a fun, swoon-worthy couple.
Nelson & MacIlwraith is officially my favourite K. Sterling book and I’m anxiously anticipating the next Moon Murder mystery! Many thanks to K. Sterling for providing an ARC. I’m sharing my thoughts voluntarily.
Expectations are futile here, as there were none of the usual, clear-cut romance formulas at play. It delivers police procedural vibes without getting too carried away with the procedural aspects and thus losing readers who like the idea of a crime thriller but get bored with too much protocol. The romantic aspects somehow manage to feel like a side plot while also being front and center; and the spice is nice and hot while also being sweet and, I daresay, spiritual. Then, there’s that ending that basically guarantees you’ll keep reading beyond this first book.
Nelson, our grumpy, all too literal FBI agent for whom “this is fine” may as well count as high praise had earned the distinction of Best Boy. He is my best boy for this series, he must be properly appreciated, and that’s just it! Nox is no slouch either. I can understand him and his heightened empathy so well. He’s a sweetheart. . . a dirty minded sweetheart. Together, these two make an excellent investigative team and a fun, swoon-worthy couple.
Nelson & MacIlwraith is officially my favourite K. Sterling book and I’m anxiously anticipating the next Moon Murder mystery! Many thanks to K. Sterling for providing an ARC. I’m sharing my thoughts voluntarily.
January 30, 2024
Okay I have to stop. This feels like a giant Wikipedia article about Celtic folklore and Wicca/Pagan rituals. I have been hand fed so much lore and history I don’t know what’s what and I have no idea what’s actually going on…it just feels like “possible cult kidnapped girls and murdered at least one but we don’t know for sure they might be starting a war over the planet earth with other humans I have no idea”
And I do not like it when authors name the two main characters names that start with the same letter. I keep getting them mixed up!
And Nelson’s character is unsettlingly empty? Like…I made it about halfway through and the guy reads like an asexual robot who just discovered he has a wiener. It’s weird.
And Nox and his buddy Merlin are almost comically gay? A few times I felt like the author was making fun of gay people and I was a little annoyed. Not to mention Merlin is WAY obnoxious and just…not cool. I don’t know but he also gave me the ick.
I will say this: I was vaguely interested in whatever was going to happen with the mystery because I love a good procedural drama but so little actual investigating went on! It was just one long diatribe after another about Paganism and witches and druids and on and on and on 🙄
It could have been cool…but it wasn’t. 🤷🏼♀️
And I do not like it when authors name the two main characters names that start with the same letter. I keep getting them mixed up!
And Nelson’s character is unsettlingly empty? Like…I made it about halfway through and the guy reads like an asexual robot who just discovered he has a wiener. It’s weird.
And Nox and his buddy Merlin are almost comically gay? A few times I felt like the author was making fun of gay people and I was a little annoyed. Not to mention Merlin is WAY obnoxious and just…not cool. I don’t know but he also gave me the ick.
I will say this: I was vaguely interested in whatever was going to happen with the mystery because I love a good procedural drama but so little actual investigating went on! It was just one long diatribe after another about Paganism and witches and druids and on and on and on 🙄
It could have been cool…but it wasn’t. 🤷🏼♀️
May 8, 2024
For me having a touch averse aroace character suddenly really into sex and physically unable to separate for a person they’ve just met while there’s a ?possession - so much ick. It gets explained, and the person they’ve enamoured with talks a big game about lack uninhibited consent not being okay but I still can’t reconcile it.
Rep: aroace m, gay m (asexual and aromantic used on page but not by character describing themselves)
Content warnings: cults, kidnapping, ritual abuse, off page rape and sexual assault.
Rep: aroace m, gay m (asexual and aromantic used on page but not by character describing themselves)
Content warnings: cults, kidnapping, ritual abuse, off page rape and sexual assault.
April 2, 2024
UGH! My brain hurts!!! It may have been a 5-star read, if not for that!
I understand we need the mythology for the backstory, as we would be lost otherwise... but, dang!
Nelson and Nox are two characters that I feel are going to "grow" on me as the series continues. I have made my choice for the "big bad" and posted it in my Sticky Notes, and now I just have to wait and see if I was correct.
I understand we need the mythology for the backstory, as we would be lost otherwise... but, dang!
Nelson and Nox are two characters that I feel are going to "grow" on me as the series continues. I have made my choice for the "big bad" and posted it in my Sticky Notes, and now I just have to wait and see if I was correct.
September 24, 2023
Bones meets Hannibal but make it gay.
I love the chemistry between Nelson and Macllwraith since their first interaction. I loved the loving nature of Macllwraith and all the devotion he has for Nelson (who knew black cat boyfriends could have golden retriever personalities). The pull Nelson and Macllwraith was so intense, so pure at times.
As for the mistery, oh boy, it got dark soon but so engaging, I couldn’t put the book down and I kept guessing and not getting it right over and over.
This was such an amazing good and can’t wait to read what comes next
I love the chemistry between Nelson and Macllwraith since their first interaction. I loved the loving nature of Macllwraith and all the devotion he has for Nelson (who knew black cat boyfriends could have golden retriever personalities). The pull Nelson and Macllwraith was so intense, so pure at times.
As for the mistery, oh boy, it got dark soon but so engaging, I couldn’t put the book down and I kept guessing and not getting it right over and over.
This was such an amazing good and can’t wait to read what comes next
September 29, 2023
Loved this one
I am a true K.Sterling fan
This is great start on a new series
Nox is a professor and Nelson is up tight FBI agent
Two total opposites
Nelson was supposed to go check it out and close the case.
Nox shows him what he has already found
They go check out the first victim
And this is the work of a cult
Nelson realizes that Nox is a little bit witchy.
The things they find brings both
going out of the box
The mystery on this is perfect
The naughty is always off the charts
I can't wait for the next one
So go and get your copy, and join me waiting for the next one
I am a true K.Sterling fan
This is great start on a new series
Nox is a professor and Nelson is up tight FBI agent
Two total opposites
Nelson was supposed to go check it out and close the case.
Nox shows him what he has already found
They go check out the first victim
And this is the work of a cult
Nelson realizes that Nox is a little bit witchy.
The things they find brings both
going out of the box
The mystery on this is perfect
The naughty is always off the charts
I can't wait for the next one
So go and get your copy, and join me waiting for the next one
December 20, 2023
Me gusto mucho mas de lo que esperaba, ya que es super llevadero al leer y me gustaron mucho los personajes. Tanto Nelson como Nox fueron alucinante y sobretodo el mundo que a creado la autora. Lleno de misterios y mucha magia y rituales . Espero con muchas ganas leer el próximo libro y saber como terminara todo para estos dos. El final me gusto pero el epilogo lo ame....
Wen
Wen
October 1, 2023
Great
This was a different read for me...K.Sterling is always trying to widen my reading adventures 😉....I read the ARC....too much paranormal messes with my head..[the witch in the Wizard of Oz gave me nightmares for years]....maybe a sexy vampire the next time!!.
Love you K. Sterling
This was a different read for me...K.Sterling is always trying to widen my reading adventures 😉....I read the ARC....too much paranormal messes with my head..[the witch in the Wizard of Oz gave me nightmares for years]....maybe a sexy vampire the next time!!.
Love you K. Sterling
October 5, 2023
I loved this - the two leads are so likeable, and the mystery was really compelling. I’m not sure , but that’s far from the only thing going on. Can’t wait for book two.
October 2, 2023
What a trip! I definitely was not expecting that when I picked this book up. Can't wait for the next one!
October 3, 2023
The Investigation!
If you like murder mysteries, then try this first book in a new series.
K Sterling has a unique style of writing ✍️
If you like murder mysteries, then try this first book in a new series.
K Sterling has a unique style of writing ✍️
October 12, 2023
Loved it. I thought the MC's Nelson and Nox were perfect compliments to each other. I enjoyed the blending of the elements of mythology, witchcraft, and lore was well done and the mystery was a good one. I hope the next book comes out quickly!
November 15, 2023
Yall what the fuck. I haven’t been so upset about the loose ends in a while.
featured
January 22, 2025Grady Nelson from Nelson & MacIlwraith is acespec!
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...
October 6, 2023
amazing, terrifying, haunting, and extremely suspenseful. It’s no surprise that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.
Rating: 5🌈
K Sterling has become a go to author for me and this book is an excellent example why. Nelson & MacIlwraith, the first in the Moon Murder Mysteries, is steeped in mythologies and cultural traditions. These myths and lores that enrich and at times horrify the characters and readers have been pulled from literary sources and the author’s incredible imagination.
To say the Celtic mythological tapestry Sterling has woven here works to enhance the themes, mysteries, and unique relationships is an understatement. It goes beyond that.
It starts with the unusual characters. FBI Agent Grady Nelson has been assigned the case of a missing girl, but told to “bury” the investigation by his superiors. Nelson, the son and grandson of famous agents, is a man out of favor with the FBI, a person they are looking to bury.
We’ve seen this type of character before but not Grady Nelson. Sterling has created in Nelson someone of unusual depths and qualities, submissive, unyielding in a hunt for the truth. Nelson is a dichotomy of traits and desires. And his growth here is unexpected and astonishing.
Nelson is paired with his complete opposite. That’s the renowned and well connected Professor Lennox “Nox” MacIlwraith. Looking like a combination of goth musician, he’s an archaeologist professor who’s consults in cases that have an occult or otherworldly nature. Which is what he has been working on. One exactly like the one Nelson isn’t supposed to investigate.
From a truly macabre starting point, Sterling launches a spectacular new series and couple. One missing girl becomes more, and the fact that each one is linked to local pagan communities and witchcraft just adds to the mystery.
Sterling builds on the men’s hugely different lives and unusual interior mentalities to craft a relationship unlike any other. This overlays an increasingly horrifying investigation with a narrow timeline.
This story is amazing, terrifying, haunting, and extremely suspenseful. It’s no surprise that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.
I can’t wait to see how the next episode in the men’s relationship and journey will go.
If you love a fantasy story with highly developed and compelling characters and a world that’s equally layered, this is for you.
Moon Murder Mysteries:
- [ ] Nelson & MacIlwraith #1
Rating: 5🌈
K Sterling has become a go to author for me and this book is an excellent example why. Nelson & MacIlwraith, the first in the Moon Murder Mysteries, is steeped in mythologies and cultural traditions. These myths and lores that enrich and at times horrify the characters and readers have been pulled from literary sources and the author’s incredible imagination.
To say the Celtic mythological tapestry Sterling has woven here works to enhance the themes, mysteries, and unique relationships is an understatement. It goes beyond that.
It starts with the unusual characters. FBI Agent Grady Nelson has been assigned the case of a missing girl, but told to “bury” the investigation by his superiors. Nelson, the son and grandson of famous agents, is a man out of favor with the FBI, a person they are looking to bury.
We’ve seen this type of character before but not Grady Nelson. Sterling has created in Nelson someone of unusual depths and qualities, submissive, unyielding in a hunt for the truth. Nelson is a dichotomy of traits and desires. And his growth here is unexpected and astonishing.
Nelson is paired with his complete opposite. That’s the renowned and well connected Professor Lennox “Nox” MacIlwraith. Looking like a combination of goth musician, he’s an archaeologist professor who’s consults in cases that have an occult or otherworldly nature. Which is what he has been working on. One exactly like the one Nelson isn’t supposed to investigate.
From a truly macabre starting point, Sterling launches a spectacular new series and couple. One missing girl becomes more, and the fact that each one is linked to local pagan communities and witchcraft just adds to the mystery.
Sterling builds on the men’s hugely different lives and unusual interior mentalities to craft a relationship unlike any other. This overlays an increasingly horrifying investigation with a narrow timeline.
This story is amazing, terrifying, haunting, and extremely suspenseful. It’s no surprise that it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.
I can’t wait to see how the next episode in the men’s relationship and journey will go.
If you love a fantasy story with highly developed and compelling characters and a world that’s equally layered, this is for you.
Moon Murder Mysteries:
- [ ] Nelson & MacIlwraith #1
January 20, 2024
Love it!
K. Sterling has the ability to write characters that I love doing things and having adventures that are both exciting and compelling. I love Nelson's grumpiness and his sense of justice and rightness. I love Nox and his bright magical self and sunshine-y disposition. They are a pair that shouldn't work together but they do brilliantly. And I love the mix of investigative work and magic implications (hello Celtic myths 😍).
Also, Merlin. I don't know why, he reminded me of Bob from Dresden Files.
I can't wait to read the next!! Because, my dudes, there are many things left unsolved.
K. Sterling has the ability to write characters that I love doing things and having adventures that are both exciting and compelling. I love Nelson's grumpiness and his sense of justice and rightness. I love Nox and his bright magical self and sunshine-y disposition. They are a pair that shouldn't work together but they do brilliantly. And I love the mix of investigative work and magic implications (hello Celtic myths 😍).
Also, Merlin. I don't know why, he reminded me of Bob from Dresden Files.
I can't wait to read the next!! Because, my dudes, there are many things left unsolved.
April 15, 2025
* to be revised when I have the time*
What an underwhelming read.
The premise and the characters had so much potential but the execution was very lame.
First of all, the characters were not believable at all; Nelson had the personality of a cardboard cutout and Nox was so childish that he seemed more of an amateur occultist lover than an actual college teacher.
The setting was very interesting but the actual "investigation" was not good. It felt like a badly written chapter of Criminal Minds but instead of fun quirky characters we were left with manchild n°1 and no personality guy n°2 oh! and flamboyant old molester... this guy was so gross. As a person who refuses human touch as much as possible (not even my family gets to hug me often) the way this guy disregarded all boundaries just because he's so flamboyant and quirky irked me real bad. No personality trait forgives this level of disrespect sir, get your shit together puh-lease.
Anyway, I don't have any issue with non/dub con in general, it's not triggering for me. And this was not-triggering, but it was very poorly executed. The ACE aspect of Nelson sexuality is also handled very poorly like... he's ace until he has a wet dream with a god? then he's suddenly horny all the time? This is like the magical pussy that can cure the gay but instead we got the magical dick that makes you... what? demisexual? I have no fucking clue why Nelson was so into Nox... none whatsoever, the chemistry was nowhere to be seen. (Is the chemistry between this two in the room right now???? is it??? I think not!).
As for the craft: the writing was very repetitive and boring. Nelson's answer to EVERYTHING is "fine": I'm fine, this is fine, it's fine, fine. Nox mentions this ONCE and he changes his answer to "okay" then we're back to normal.
I also have a thing for shouting during intercourse. Is a big no for me... The cringe dirty talk I can endure but I draw the line at "he shouted his release" and "he came with a shout" and more like this. (ESPECIALLY SO when they're fucking in a motel, please don't shout anything in such a public space, respect the other patrons okay? no one wants to know that you're having an orgasm sir, not even I, the reader).
The cliffhanger in the end did nothing to entice me into reading book 2. Sorry, the author sounded like a very nice person in her intro and trigger warning page but I still think this book is badly written.
Even now I can't think of anything positive other than the premise of ritualistic murders in a paranormal setting being very interesting.
The execution, characters, dialogue and the rest of the writing was just bad. The two stars go to the setting and the author respectively, since everything else was not to my liking.
What an underwhelming read.
The premise and the characters had so much potential but the execution was very lame.
First of all, the characters were not believable at all; Nelson had the personality of a cardboard cutout and Nox was so childish that he seemed more of an amateur occultist lover than an actual college teacher.
The setting was very interesting but the actual "investigation" was not good. It felt like a badly written chapter of Criminal Minds but instead of fun quirky characters we were left with manchild n°1 and no personality guy n°2 oh! and flamboyant old molester... this guy was so gross. As a person who refuses human touch as much as possible (not even my family gets to hug me often) the way this guy disregarded all boundaries just because he's so flamboyant and quirky irked me real bad. No personality trait forgives this level of disrespect sir, get your shit together puh-lease.
Anyway, I don't have any issue with non/dub con in general, it's not triggering for me. And this was not-triggering, but it was very poorly executed. The ACE aspect of Nelson sexuality is also handled very poorly like... he's ace until he has a wet dream with a god? then he's suddenly horny all the time? This is like the magical pussy that can cure the gay but instead we got the magical dick that makes you... what? demisexual? I have no fucking clue why Nelson was so into Nox... none whatsoever, the chemistry was nowhere to be seen. (Is the chemistry between this two in the room right now???? is it??? I think not!).
As for the craft: the writing was very repetitive and boring. Nelson's answer to EVERYTHING is "fine": I'm fine, this is fine, it's fine, fine. Nox mentions this ONCE and he changes his answer to "okay" then we're back to normal.
I also have a thing for shouting during intercourse. Is a big no for me... The cringe dirty talk I can endure but I draw the line at "he shouted his release" and "he came with a shout" and more like this. (ESPECIALLY SO when they're fucking in a motel, please don't shout anything in such a public space, respect the other patrons okay? no one wants to know that you're having an orgasm sir, not even I, the reader).
The cliffhanger in the end did nothing to entice me into reading book 2. Sorry, the author sounded like a very nice person in her intro and trigger warning page but I still think this book is badly written.
Even now I can't think of anything positive other than the premise of ritualistic murders in a paranormal setting being very interesting.
The execution, characters, dialogue and the rest of the writing was just bad. The two stars go to the setting and the author respectively, since everything else was not to my liking.
January 25, 2024
I loved Nelson. I loved Nelson's POV chapters, and loved the insight we got from Nox about Nelson in his POV chapters, even though I didn't like Nox as much. Several things prevented me from enjoying the book more.
First, although I'm casually interested in the occult, I do think that the way Nox is portrayed suggests that the ideal reader for this book is also kind of witchy, which I am not. I expect people who practice or are more specifically interested in Celtic/druidic traditions will enjoy the book more.
Second, Nox just isn't my vibe. I think it was smart to pair dour "I literally dream about working" Nelson with fun Nox, but Nox is also the character I have more trouble relating to.
Third, the epilogue. I mostly enjoy epilogues that tie things up or offer a glimpse of happily ever after. This epilogue teased no problems. A well-written novel can tease the problems to be encountered in subsequent works without the need of an epilogue.
Fourth, Nelson is implied to be asexual and aromantic before meeting Nox. (I say implied because Nelson doesn't seem to have put much though in labels/identities for himself.) This is fine with me, since Nox's POV checks the "is this story gay" box for me. That said, although I would hesitate to claim that the book is explicitly acephobic, do I think it's suspicious and potentially problematic that Nelson is aro/ace until he meets Nox.
First, although I'm casually interested in the occult, I do think that the way Nox is portrayed suggests that the ideal reader for this book is also kind of witchy, which I am not. I expect people who practice or are more specifically interested in Celtic/druidic traditions will enjoy the book more.
Second, Nox just isn't my vibe. I think it was smart to pair dour "I literally dream about working" Nelson with fun Nox, but Nox is also the character I have more trouble relating to.
Third, the epilogue. I mostly enjoy epilogues that tie things up or offer a glimpse of happily ever after. This epilogue teased no problems. A well-written novel can tease the problems to be encountered in subsequent works without the need of an epilogue.
Fourth, Nelson is implied to be asexual and aromantic before meeting Nox. (I say implied because Nelson doesn't seem to have put much though in labels/identities for himself.) This is fine with me, since Nox's POV checks the "is this story gay" box for me. That said, although I would hesitate to claim that the book is explicitly acephobic, do I think it's suspicious and potentially problematic that Nelson is aro/ace until he meets Nox.
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