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The Lunar Order Chronicles #1

The Last Lunar Witch

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A witch without magic is a fate worse than death.

My power has always been broken—wild and unpredictable. So I buried it. If the witches find out what I’m hiding, they’ll strip it from me. And I’ll lose the one thing I’ve fought to keep: my alchemy.

I have one year to prove I’m in control and open my potion shop. Fail, and I’ll be dragged home to forfeit my magic.

But when my suppressed power erupts and shatters the veil between realms, I witness the destruction with my own eyes—and sense something new awakening in my veins.

Now the demonspawn I unleashed stalk the streets, and the authorities are hunting me. I didn’t mean to become the city’s biggest threat. But I might be the only one who can stop what’s coming.

And if I can’t master this magic, I’ll be the reason the city burns.

***

For fans who love the epic urban fantasy worlds of Crescent City and House of Devils, then dive into S.F. Henne's series that will keep you on the edge of your seats.

Buy The Last Lunar Witch today and prepare for a gripping adventure filled with hope, found family, and high-stakes action.

395 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2024

29 people are currently reading
239 people want to read

About the author

S.F. Henne

6 books26 followers
Fantasy author who loves all things fantasy and sci-fi. Born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia, Sarah swapped beaches for the ski slopes of Whistler, B.C and started her adventure. Now residing in Washington State with her husband, daughter and lab Luna, she embarked on the next part of her story: telling the tales that have been rattling around her head for years. With a love for strong female characters and found family, she always strives to create stories filled with hope and empowerment.

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5 stars
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46 (38%)
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16 (13%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
Profile Image for Jamedi.
857 reviews149 followers
August 11, 2024
Review originally on JamReads

The Last Lunar Witch is an urban fantasy novel, which starts the Lunar Order Chronicles, written by the Aussie author S.F. Henne, part of the SPFBOX contest. A different approach to the genre, giving a cozier touch to the story, and going for a secondary world instead of the Earth, following a struggling with her powers witch, Nyssa.

Nyssa, a witch with broken magic, moved to the city with the hope of starting an alchemy business and fix her powers before the coven discovers it; desperate to solve it, she drinks a mysterious potion to harness her powers. All becomes much more complicated when cornered by thugs, she unleashes a new type of magic, tearing the veil between the world and the demonic realm; her new discovered powers resist to be controlled, and the outburst puts her in the focus of the authorities and demonic forces by equal. If she doesn't manage to control her powers with the help of her new familiar, she will be forced to forfeit them.

Henne uses a first person narration to put us in the shoes of Nyssa; a young witch which is struggling, but that is slowly prospering in the big city. Her powers are part of her, and she's suffering because she's unable to control them, taking desperate measures to solve it; but when she has the outburst, she has to fight to solve the situation that appears after.
The secondary cast plays nicely along with Nyssa, creating a found family for that girl that has come to the big city, and especially, adding a cozy touch to this kind of fast-paced urban fantasy.

The setting is quite interesting, as Henne's choice of using a secondary world opens the door to a better world-building, integrating magical elements into everyday life. The pacing is quite fast, as you could expect from the genre, but letting space to develop the characters.

The Last Lunar Witch is a solid debut, a great urban fantasy proposal that is perfect for Lindsay Buroker fans; there's much potential in the series, so I can't wait to see how Henne continues developing The Lunar Order Records.
Profile Image for Laurie.
454 reviews10 followers
May 1, 2024
The Last Lunar Witch
I enjoyed this novel about Nyssa the Witch who hasn't quite mastered her powers yet. She moves away from home, to a new city, find a job in a bakery so she can pay rent until she gets enough clients who want to buy her potions. She learns who she can and can't trust along the way. She tries to stay under the radar so her powers that she hasn't mastered control over don't get taken away for good.
I liked the characters and the setting for this novel, it was easy to read, easy to follow for someone who doesn't read a lot of magic/sorcery books. It's more of a cozy read, not action packed. She learns to trust other people and herself through the novel, I found she was always beating herself up though, I would have like to see her find the positive in herself earlier in the novel
Overall a good read and I would recommend
Profile Image for Tabitha  Tomala.
883 reviews120 followers
March 20, 2025
This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: The Last Lunar Witch

Thank you to BBNYA for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

All her life, Nyssa has struggled to control her magic. And if the inquisitors ever catch wind of her power, they will not hesitate to take away her abilities. Taking the chance to study Alchemy in Arkirith may be her only chance of discovering a cure. Yet as she begins to delve into her search, she will unknowingly discover more about herself.

The Last Lunar Witch is such a wonderful representation of a found family theme. Nyssa has no friends and is afraid to grow close to anyone because of her powers. Yet in her quest to find answers, she discovers so much more. While awkward at first,. And Nyssa’s first time social awkwardness is both endearing and realistic. She develops relationships with various characters and through their connections and encouragement becomes a more confident person.

And while the characters are a delight to read about, the premise of the story is equally engrossing. Through Nyssa’s own exploration, she uncovers nefarious magic users and must come to terms with her own expectations of herself in order to overcome many challenges. This allows a fast-paced, urban fantasy story that will keep readers engaged.

The alchemical piece of this story is fascinating. Learning about how magic and alchemy mix to create various potions is a highlight of the plot. It is never far from use and does not fade into the background. Being an alchemist is core to Nyssa’s character. There is also a wonderful cozy vibe when she infuses magic into baked goods. But make no mistake, there are still loads of magic slinging action and close calls. The Last Lunar Witch is for fans of urban fantasy!
Profile Image for Larae Perry.
145 reviews21 followers
April 28, 2024
"The Last Lunar Witch" is a spellbinding tale of magic, mystery, and mayhem that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! Nyssa Thornheart is a compelling protagonist whose journey from struggling witch to powerful force is both captivating and inspiring.

The author expertly weaves together elements of urban fantasy and supernatural suspense, creating a richly detailed world filled with danger and intrigue. Nyssa's quest to control her magic while evading both demonic entities and human authorities makes for a thrilling and unpredictable adventure.

The pacing is perfect, with plenty of action-packed scenes balanced by moments of quiet introspection and character development. The supporting cast is diverse and well-rounded, adding depth and complexity to Nyssa's story.

Overall, "The Last Lunar Witch" is a must-read for fans of the genre. I couldn't put it down, and I can't wait to see where Nyssa's journey takes her next! Bravo to the author for crafting such an engaging and immersive tale.
Profile Image for Mettesknit .
1,165 reviews6 followers
April 9, 2024
Entertaining, but not great.

So much happened that you didn't get to know the characters.
Therefore, the story lacked depth and warmth, and you don't feel nothing for the characters.
Profile Image for Cassidy Chivers.
412 reviews4,470 followers
October 24, 2024
This is cozy fantasy but still has stakes. The atmosphere felt so cozy and welcoming. I fell in love with the characters but also had such an engaging plot that left me on the edge of my seat.
Profile Image for M. Wiselln.
Author 5 books67 followers
February 26, 2025
"The Last Lunar Witch" is a fun read from top to bottom. There were some fantastic details about this universe that really drew me in: witches being a race as opposed to a practice, the way different spells and runes worked, and the whimsical charm of Divine, the sentient coffeeshop.


S. F. Henne's tone is light and engaging, able to make a passage about baking cookies an entertaining read. She's also able to impart a sense of epic doom as the book's antagonist fights to unleash a horrible threat.


There were a lot of characters to keep track of and at times it got a bit confusing, but nothing that diminished my enjoyment of the book. I can't wait to return to this universe for more adventures. The rest of the Lunar Order Chronicles are going on my TBR tonight.
Profile Image for Penny.
3,141 reviews85 followers
May 6, 2024
The blurb and the cover drew me in, so I requested this forthcoming book. The characters were quite interesting, and I really got to enjoy them. The plot of the last lunar witch is engaging and a little different. While the first part of the book is a little bit wobbly and wordy, by the middle of the book I was definitely hooked. I am eager to read the second book in the series to see what’s coming next for poor Nyssa, Beylin, Zola, Kaelan, and anyone else I’m missing. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
1,317 reviews4 followers
July 9, 2024
This is a great book, following Nyssa, an insecure witch who has problems with her magic. Getting low on funds she takes a job at a magical coffee shop where she meets and makes new friends.
This book has a fair amount of action, a mystery, interesting characters, great character interactions, multiple species and a lot of magic.
Great first book by the author and I am looking forward to the next installment.
Definitely worth the read.
Profile Image for Eve Reads.
269 reviews200 followers
October 20, 2024
An average read. The writing lacked that special spark, and it fell into the common trap I’ve seen in a lot of urban fantasy: staying on the surface. Without warmth or depth, I found it hard to connect with the characters.

That said, the concept of a sentient café was a unique and fun idea. The main character, who is full of self-doubt, might resonate with readers who enjoy watching personal growth, as she learns to challenge her insecurities and believe in herself.

Profile Image for Sammie Wyatt.
36 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2025
Length: 393 Pages
Genre: Fantasy
Age Category: New Adult
Date Published: September 25, 2023
Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/irGtF9y (Canada) https://a.co/d/6WMPCtL (USA)
https://amzn.eu/d/3QXi8wM (UK)
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Story Graph Link:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/3...

My Review
I have loved reading this magical book of a witch struggling to control her own power. She moves to the city in search of independence and a way to 'fix'her magic.
While trying to find her feet in the city she has rent to pay and finds herself a cute job at a magical bakery. It's a nice easy read, that's cozy.
She doesnt want any handouts and wants to do it all herself so it's nice to see as the book goes along her trusting people and finally stops being so negative towards herself.
I would absolutely recommend this book
Author 3 books15 followers
January 4, 2024
This was an unexpected one for me. I want to preface this review quick by saying I'm not a fan of urban fantasy or first person, however, multiple people told me so many good things about this book and the author did an amazing job marketing it on TT that I had to give it a try (and the author is also an amazing person!)

So... I may start reading urban fantasy more often 😅

I think my favourite thing about this book was the fact that it was not what I've read before in this genre and what turned me off from it. The main character, Nyssa, was very easy to connect with and the first person POV made it so much stronger to better learn her motivations. Add to that a truly interesting world that is not your typical city streets and a world history that drew me in, some political groups that made me scratch my brain, and epic side-characters, and we have a win!

I will definitely be reading the following books in this series. SF Henne did an amazing job at closing off this story without the feeling of forcing readers to get into the second one (as is so common with series), but she also left just enough nuggets of information and loose ends to get me curious enough to bug the author for the next book!

If you're a fan of urban fantasy but are looking for something a little different, a magical society with factions and history and a system that is new enough to draw you in - this is for you!
Profile Image for Theresse (Tess) Gregory.
408 reviews11 followers
December 27, 2024
Stars: 4.5/5 (Rounded Up)
Spice: 0/5

Nyssa’s unwavering determination to preserve her magic in the face of the council's judgment is both inspiring and captivating. Her journey is made all the more compelling by her deepening bond with Danika, her familiar, whose quiet yet steadfast support evokes the heartwarming connection we share with our own emotional support animals. The growing friendship between Nyssa, Indra, and Rynac is another standout, as they all find solidarity in their shared experiences of exclusion, forming a trio that feels both authentic and necessary to the narrative. The intrigue surrounding the Nephilim and the shadowy Lunar Order weaves an engaging layer of suspense that keeps readers hooked without overshadowing the central emotional stakes. I appreciated that the book resisted diving into a romance, instead hinting at a potential love interest without rushing into anything. My only real frustration was the Nephilim’s initial treatment of Nyssa, which felt inconsistent given their supposed abilities to sense things about others—this left me questioning their motivations at times; hopefully, the next book will help bring some clarity to their logic. Still, The Last Lunar Witch offers a richly layered world with characters that resonate long after the final page.

Tropes Include:
- Found Family
- Self Discovery X Hidden Magic
- Sentient Coffee Shop
- Magical Familiar
- Variety of Magical Races
Profile Image for M..
Author 3 books28 followers
October 26, 2023
I really loved this book! Nyssa is a great character whose struggles and triumphs are easy to cheer for--this is urban fantasy with heart and fast-paced action.

I loved how fleshed out and developed this world is; it feels very lived-in and has a sense of character in its own right. A thing a lot of writers and readers forget about urban fantasy is that in its oldest usage it was specifically meant to refer to the city as its own sense of character, and I think this book does that excellently.
Profile Image for J.E. Hannaford.
Author 8 books53 followers
May 15, 2024
I enjoyed this, it’s fast paced and well written.
I loved Divine, and the group that worked there, the friendships and found family vibes were a strongly written aspect of the book.
There is a great companion creature, found family and plenty of action. Witches, demon spawn and dark magic, as well as cookies.
While there is a faint cosy vibe in some scenes, this is no romantic cosy witch book.
I like to try and guess ahead- to search out what might be foreshadowing, and I always appreciate it when an author surprises me, so far, so good!
The sequel will go on my TBR list for sure.
Profile Image for Michelle Penkoski.
98 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2024
Oh my goodness!!!

This book was so wonderful, if you haven't read it you MUST!!!! This storyline and characters were perfect. I'm not the type of person to give spoilers, because I want you to read this book! It is perfect in every way! Bravo to the author. I'm totally looking forward true next book because this book is so awesome!!!

If you enjoy a great storyline with lots of twists and the characters make you want more then this is the book for you! This author knew just what a reader enjoys. Thank you so much for writing this book! I love love it!
Profile Image for Bookdragon733.
18 reviews11 followers
July 25, 2024
This is an amazing urban fantasy about a young witch who is also an alchemist. We follow her on her journey to find herself and her calling in life. The Last Lunar Witch has wonderful cozy vibes and lots of action and adventure. S.F. Henne does a great job with the world building and it draws you in from the beginning. I love the variety of characters you meet throughout the story, making for the perfect found family trope! If witchy fantasy is your vibe, this book is a must-read!
Profile Image for Ella Graff.
96 reviews6 followers
June 1, 2024
fantastic read

This book takes you on a fantastical journey with Nyssa and her new friends as she tries to control her powers. She meets so many wonderful characters that you fall in love with most of them right away and others later on. I was sucked into the story from the beginning and can’t wait to start reading the next.
44 reviews1 follower
July 5, 2024
A perseverance tale

Keep trying! These are the words we hear from those around us as we grow up. When we continue to fail despite our efforts a new approach is called for. This is usually a terrifying and often frustrating experience. There is the essence of this book with lots of feel good scenes thrown in. Lots of fun.
Profile Image for Chasity.
111 reviews16 followers
May 1, 2024
This was an interesting story that was outside my usual reads. The FMC's familiar is such a cute character to me. I enjoyed watching her growth and coming into her own self-acceptance.
Profile Image for Vixen.
84 reviews10 followers
June 8, 2024
This story was fantastic. I love the magic system and the characters! I hope to read more in this series very soon.
680 reviews13 followers
November 2, 2024
Great world building and well developed characters. Cobalt vulpine, sentient ovens (yes, that’s right), a sentient coffee shop, snd more. I really enjoyed this adventure.
Profile Image for Susie.
97 reviews
December 1, 2024
I received this book as an ARC read, and this review is all of my own opinion.
Overall: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance: 🚫 zero
Action: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved the magical coffee shop ☕️❤️, and all the different magical supernatural beings in this book. But I don’t think I’ve read a fantasy book with no romance..at all. Oh wait 99% in, there’s a spark.

The storyline was interesting and I liked it. I did feel like certain parts of the story could have used more attention, and other parts of the story less. I wished the magical coffee shop, and the different variety of supernatural races, had gotten more time. Instead of the detailed pages of spells and potions and learning meditation. That part was well written, but my eyes glazed over after a while. I found myself thinking of the other characters more. There’s a lot of action, but I felt that came too quickly into the story. I didn’t feel a huge connection to, and between, the characters either. I did love the Nephilim characters!! They were so fun, for the few minutes of time they had in the story.


What happened to the library job, or did I read that wrong? Maybe it wasn’t a job and she was just there visiting?

There’s more books to the series, so there’s lots to unravel and discover!!. I need more magical coffee shop and Nephilim guys though lol
Profile Image for Nickole.
1,487 reviews9 followers
January 2, 2026
Rcvd an ARC from Booksprout.

We meet witch Nyssa, who has moved to the big city to try to make it as a alchemist. Her witch magic has always been volitile and she breaks into a restricted area of a library to seek the knowledge to help her with her magic. She got more than what she bargained for. a fox now follows her and helped her one day when a demonspawn tried to attack her. What is going on? needing another job besides her one with teh Guild, Nyssa sees a poster looking for a baker. Why not! She meets 2 enforcers Rynac and Indra, who have become her friends and when they are attacked by demonspawn, she aids in their help. Demonspawn and thralls have been turning up all over the city and when Rynac and Nyssa are cornered, Nyssas non-existant magic comes to life to save them, but the nephleim dont believe her. A warlock is out there making thralls and releasing demonspawn and it has smtg to do with her but she isnt sure why. Drama, truths uncovered, friendships and wanting to learn who she is makes this a good read.
Profile Image for GheridenTheBookBard .
212 reviews28 followers
November 16, 2025
I love urban fantasy, and the atmosphere on this one hit right away. It blends mystery, old magic, and a soft sense of destiny into a world that feels both expansive and lived in. I liked how the story leans into the weight of forgotten power while still giving us a very human journey at its center.

What stood out most was how easy it was to connect with Nyssa, our main character. Her voice feels real and steady, and her courage grows in a way that feels believable. She carries secrets she never asked for, yet she still pushes forward with curiosity and heart. The supporting cast adds a lot too. Several characters have their own quiet wounds and complicated loyalties, and those layers create a nice tension through the entire story.

The pacing is quick, which makes the book very easy to fall into. Things move from one moment to the next without losing energy. Still, there were times I wanted the story to slow down a touch. A few scenes with big emotions or important reveals could have used more space to breathe. It never lost me, but I would have loved a little more room to take in what was happening.

The worldbuilding grows in layers rather than all at once. You get pieces of the Order, pieces of its rules, pieces of the lunar magic, and before long it starts to feel like a living system with its own rhythm. I liked the way traditions and beliefs shape how the characters behave and how every answer raises new questions. It is not a loud or flashy kind of worldbuilding. It has a slow burn quality that makes the setting feel lived in.

The final chapters bring everything together with a good mix of emotion and clarity. The story leaves you with the sense that bigger forces are in motion, but it also gives you enough resolution to feel satisfied.

The Last Lunar Witch delivers an engaging mix of magic, mystery, and character driven tension. It feels like the first step into a much larger world, and I am curious to see how the series grows from here.
Profile Image for Carlene Trujillo.
110 reviews10 followers
December 6, 2024
Rating 3.5 ⭐️ I received this book as an ARC and my opinions are my own.

The last lunar witch was an interesting and easy pace read. The story focuses on Nyssa who is a witch struggling with her uncontrollable magic and lacks in self confidence in her abilities. Throughout the book she is learning how to gain control on her magic while also practicing on her alchemy. I loved the idea of the divine coffee shop she works at being enchanted and love her familiar Danika. I do wish there was a little more romance but towards the end could sense some of that possibility to come in the next book. Excited to continue reading about Nyssa’s journey in the second book!
11 reviews
November 28, 2025
A modern fantasy with fast paced action, a magical coffee shop with every supernatural creature I can think of, and a show down of good and evil. This is quickly becoming one of my top series this year with the magical world created and battles fought. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel of this series. Hands down this book was adorable with a talking familiar, a found family, and a grumpy old building. Side note love that the nephilim were included they are my favorite group of supernaturals.
Profile Image for MG.
133 reviews
December 2, 2024
ok this book is nice and i like it a lot

i rly love the sprinkles of humor slipped between the pages, n while the way everything played out may be quite predictable with some awkward parts, i cant deny that this book is overall rly enjoyable–also, the chapter header and scene breaks designs are prettyyyy

theres so many things id love to know more ab the world and the characters and so i'll be off to read the second book, bye byee
Profile Image for Megan Gahan.
3 reviews
November 17, 2025
I throughly enjoyed this book! Once I started I could not put it down. The book moves at such a good pace, without being too much too quickly. I did initially struggle with the negative self talk of the main character, Nyssa, it seemed to be that every time she attempted literally anything she put herself down which I found really frustrating but as I progressed through the book I did understand the point of that as something she has to overcome. I’m hoping that she has more self confidence in the next book!

The friendships Nyssa made and the loyalty and love they had for each-other was one of my favourite parts of the book, I felt you could genuinely feel the stress and pressure Nyssa was feeling when they were in trouble, it had me sitting up straighter and genuinely worrying about the fate of them while I was reading. I was genuinely invested in all these characters lives throughout the whole book.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series to see these friendships develop further (and excited to see where things are going with Kaelan)!

Overall I really enjoyed and would recommend this book to anyone!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mike.
67 reviews20 followers
April 28, 2025
I saw this was a finalist in BBNYA 2024 and decided to read it for the blog tour that followed.

Nysa Thornheart (awesome name by the way) is a witch who struggles to come to terms with and understand her magical powers. And Henne weaves a really spellbinding tale where we follow her on her journey. The book had a lot of fun and unique ideas, like the magical coffee shop, and I found the way the author built the relationships between Nysa and the supporting cast quite engaging and cozy to read.

But what I enjoyed most really was just following Nysa as she made friends. The magical backdrop and what not was solid but nothing particularly new. It was just the characterisation that I found most enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews

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