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The Star and the Strange Moon
From the author of A Witch in Time comes a haunting tale of ambition, obsession, and the eternal mystery and magic of film.
1968: Actress Gemma Turner once dreamed of stardom. Unfortunately, she’s on the cusp of slipping into obscurity. When she’s offered the lead in a radical new horror film, Gemma believes her luck has finally changed. But L’Etrange Lune’s set is not what she expected. The director is eccentric, and the script doesn’t make sense.
Gemma is determined to make this work. It’s her last chance to achieve her dream—but that dream is about to derail her life. One night, between the shadows of an alleyway, Gemma disappears on set and is never seen again. Yet, Gemma is still alive. She’s been transported into the film and the script—and the monsters within it—are coming to life. She must play her role perfectly if she hopes to survive.
2015: Gemma Turner’s disappearance is one of film history’s greatest mysteries—one that’s haunted film student Christopher Kent ever since he saw his first screening of L’Etrange Lune. The screenings only happen once a decade and each time there is new, impossible footage of Gemma long after she vanished. Desperate to discover the truth, Christopher risks losing himself. He’ll have to outrun the cursed legacy of the film—or become trapped by it forever.
1968: Actress Gemma Turner once dreamed of stardom. Unfortunately, she’s on the cusp of slipping into obscurity. When she’s offered the lead in a radical new horror film, Gemma believes her luck has finally changed. But L’Etrange Lune’s set is not what she expected. The director is eccentric, and the script doesn’t make sense.
Gemma is determined to make this work. It’s her last chance to achieve her dream—but that dream is about to derail her life. One night, between the shadows of an alleyway, Gemma disappears on set and is never seen again. Yet, Gemma is still alive. She’s been transported into the film and the script—and the monsters within it—are coming to life. She must play her role perfectly if she hopes to survive.
2015: Gemma Turner’s disappearance is one of film history’s greatest mysteries—one that’s haunted film student Christopher Kent ever since he saw his first screening of L’Etrange Lune. The screenings only happen once a decade and each time there is new, impossible footage of Gemma long after she vanished. Desperate to discover the truth, Christopher risks losing himself. He’ll have to outrun the cursed legacy of the film—or become trapped by it forever.
480 pages, Paperback
First published November 14, 2023
133 people are currently reading
16357 people want to read
About the author
Constance Sayers
5 books965 followersConstance Sayers is the author of the Amazon best-selling novel, A Witch in Time (2020 Redhook/Hachette) as well as The Ladies of the Secret Circus (2021 Redhook/Hachette) that received a starred review from both Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Her books have been translated into six languages.
A finalist for Alternating Current’s 2016 Luminaire Award for Best Prose, her short stories have appeared in Souvenir and Amazing Graces: Yet Another Collection of Fiction by Washington Area Women as well as The Sky is a Free Country. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net.
She received her master of arts in English from George Mason University and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She attended The Bread Loaf Writers Conference where she studied with Charles Baxter and Lauren Groff. A media executive, she’s twice been named one of the “Top 100 Media People in America” by Folio and included in their list of “Top Women in Media.”
She lives in Washington DC. Like her character in The Ladies of the Secret Circus, she was the host of a radio show from midnight to six.
A finalist for Alternating Current’s 2016 Luminaire Award for Best Prose, her short stories have appeared in Souvenir and Amazing Graces: Yet Another Collection of Fiction by Washington Area Women as well as The Sky is a Free Country. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net.
She received her master of arts in English from George Mason University and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She attended The Bread Loaf Writers Conference where she studied with Charles Baxter and Lauren Groff. A media executive, she’s twice been named one of the “Top 100 Media People in America” by Folio and included in their list of “Top Women in Media.”
She lives in Washington DC. Like her character in The Ladies of the Secret Circus, she was the host of a radio show from midnight to six.
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December 17, 2024
Not good, not good, not good!
I don’t have much to say about The Star and the Strange Moon, the latest release from Constance Sayers. Not much that’s positive, at least.
The novel is tagged as horror on Goodreads, but it’s not, despite the vampires. It’s instead more of a historical fantasy and mystery – and a sappy, predictable, and way-too-long one at that. It’s slow to start, too.
Granted, I listened to the audiobook and did not read the review copy sent to me by the publisher, so some of the annoying melodrama may be due to the performance of the dual narrators. Both Imani Jade Powers and Josh Hurley overplay the characters of Gemma and Christopher, the actress who’s pulled into a 1968 vampire film and the film student who then sets out to save her in 2007. They try way too hard, which makes me wonder if it’s a desperate effort to make up for the subpar reading material.
Sayers also stretches the book out by breaking Gemma’s arc into three small acts, akin to a movie trilogy, but none of the mini stories are developed. And there’s an odd romance tacked on at the very end that feels icky.
No … the book isn’t good. I should’ve stopped writing my review after my first sentence and left it at that.
My sincerest appreciation to Constance Sayers, Redhook Books, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
I don’t have much to say about The Star and the Strange Moon, the latest release from Constance Sayers. Not much that’s positive, at least.
The novel is tagged as horror on Goodreads, but it’s not, despite the vampires. It’s instead more of a historical fantasy and mystery – and a sappy, predictable, and way-too-long one at that. It’s slow to start, too.
Granted, I listened to the audiobook and did not read the review copy sent to me by the publisher, so some of the annoying melodrama may be due to the performance of the dual narrators. Both Imani Jade Powers and Josh Hurley overplay the characters of Gemma and Christopher, the actress who’s pulled into a 1968 vampire film and the film student who then sets out to save her in 2007. They try way too hard, which makes me wonder if it’s a desperate effort to make up for the subpar reading material.
Sayers also stretches the book out by breaking Gemma’s arc into three small acts, akin to a movie trilogy, but none of the mini stories are developed. And there’s an odd romance tacked on at the very end that feels icky.
No … the book isn’t good. I should’ve stopped writing my review after my first sentence and left it at that.
My sincerest appreciation to Constance Sayers, Redhook Books, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
November 17, 2023
The Star and the Strange Moon is a story about hunger, greed, obsession, the power of movies to make magic and, surprisingly, the power of magic to make movies.
This timeslip story has two beginnings, as timeslip stories often do. At first, neither the reader nor the characters have any clue what one will have to do with the other – which is what fuels the obsession and powers the whole journey, both magical and mundane.
In 1986, a woman sees a photograph on a wall and pretty much loses her damn mind. Not that she hasn’t been heading that direction for quite some time, after nearly two decades of brief fortune, lost fame, failed hopes, and entirely too much sex and drugs and, as it turns out, not nearly enough rock and roll.
Her son, all of ten years old, has been the adult in their nomadic existence for seemingly all of his life, taking care of his mother as she drives them from one brief, often catastrophic singing gig to another, making sure she doesn’t kill herself with booze or drugs and talking her down from whatever figurative ledge she’s climbed up to this time.
But something about that photograph on the wall rips away his mother’s last grasp on sanity or reality or normalcy or all of the above in a way that both changes and makes Christopher Kent’s young life – even if, at age ten – he has no idea what who the woman in that photograph was or what any of it means.
The perspective then switches to the woman in the photograph, Gemma Turner, back in 1968, when she was a formerly up and coming actress and the current ‘old lady’ for a rock singer on the cusp of either greatness or being thrown out of his own band. Gemma wants out and away, so she takes the only acting job offered, to star in a horror movie for a French New Wave director who may be a genius director but has no clue about the conventions of the horror genre he plans to both break and break into.
One night, in the middle of filming L’Etrange Lune in a tiny French village, Gemma Turner disappears in the middle of a shoot – literally in the middle of a shot while the camera is recording it all. She wakes up in what appears to be a real-life version of the set of the movie, complete with its ‘strange moon’, in what seems to be 1878, in the person of the character she was portraying.
A character who is soon to be drained to death by a vampire. Unless, somehow, she can change the script.
Meanwhile, back in the so-called real world, her disappearance turns into a mystery that swallows the life of everyone the movie or the woman ever touched. Including, eventually and inevitably, the life of one Christopher Kent, who has no idea who Gemma Turner was or what she might possibly have ever done to his mother.
It will become Christopher’s obsession – and his life’s journey – to find the answer to ALL the mysteries that have grown up around Gemma Turner’s disappearance. It’s a discovery that will break him, make him, and enthrall him to the very end.
And the reader right along with him.
Escape Rating A-: I picked this up because I adored the author’s earlier book, The Ladies of the Secret Circus, with its blend of history, mystery and magic, and The Star and the Strange Moon looked like it was in the same vein.
Which turned out to be true a bit more literally than I imagined, adding to the mystery of the story and my compulsion to finish it because there were bits that started to sound just a bit more familiar than I expected.
They are not the same story, although they do have similarities in their blending of forgotten history, secret realities, hidden magic and family obsessions. Nor do you need to read one to enjoy the other.
But both stories have the same origin. Or at least the same originator, the demon prince Althacazur and his endless and frequently appalling attempts to keep his eternity from being boring. Althacazur turns out to be the ‘man’ behind the curtain, rather like the Wizard of Oz, only Althacazur is a real magical being with all too real and horrific powers.
I want to say he’s not important – and he’s not important to what makes this story compulsively readable and so much fun. So even though the events are all his fault, he’s not all that important in the grand scheme of things, as contradictory as that seems.
What makes this story work is its combination of Christopher’s obsession to learn what the mysteriously missing Gemma Turner has to do with the sad progress of his mother’s life, set against Gemma’s story of taking control of her own destiny in a way that would not have been possible in the time and place to which she was born.
Christopher’s story is a story about hunting down clues, investigating theories, and giving over his own life in the present to solve a mystery in the past. Gemma’s story is about learning to make lemons out of lemonade and accepting that even if she can’t go home again, she can make a home where she is.
That Christopher’s solution to the mystery takes him down a road that runs more than a bit parallel to Outlander isn’t exactly a surprise by the time he gets there. But it does make for a fitting and delightful end to a lovely twisty turny story.
Which now has me more than a bit curious about the author’s first book, A Witch in Time, and whether Althacazur has been entertaining himself with humans even more than we’ve seen in The Ladies of the Secret Circus and The Star and the Strange Moon. I’ll have to find out while I wait for the author’s next book to magically – or demonically – appear!
Originally published at Reading Reality
This timeslip story has two beginnings, as timeslip stories often do. At first, neither the reader nor the characters have any clue what one will have to do with the other – which is what fuels the obsession and powers the whole journey, both magical and mundane.
In 1986, a woman sees a photograph on a wall and pretty much loses her damn mind. Not that she hasn’t been heading that direction for quite some time, after nearly two decades of brief fortune, lost fame, failed hopes, and entirely too much sex and drugs and, as it turns out, not nearly enough rock and roll.
Her son, all of ten years old, has been the adult in their nomadic existence for seemingly all of his life, taking care of his mother as she drives them from one brief, often catastrophic singing gig to another, making sure she doesn’t kill herself with booze or drugs and talking her down from whatever figurative ledge she’s climbed up to this time.
But something about that photograph on the wall rips away his mother’s last grasp on sanity or reality or normalcy or all of the above in a way that both changes and makes Christopher Kent’s young life – even if, at age ten – he has no idea what who the woman in that photograph was or what any of it means.
The perspective then switches to the woman in the photograph, Gemma Turner, back in 1968, when she was a formerly up and coming actress and the current ‘old lady’ for a rock singer on the cusp of either greatness or being thrown out of his own band. Gemma wants out and away, so she takes the only acting job offered, to star in a horror movie for a French New Wave director who may be a genius director but has no clue about the conventions of the horror genre he plans to both break and break into.
One night, in the middle of filming L’Etrange Lune in a tiny French village, Gemma Turner disappears in the middle of a shoot – literally in the middle of a shot while the camera is recording it all. She wakes up in what appears to be a real-life version of the set of the movie, complete with its ‘strange moon’, in what seems to be 1878, in the person of the character she was portraying.
A character who is soon to be drained to death by a vampire. Unless, somehow, she can change the script.
Meanwhile, back in the so-called real world, her disappearance turns into a mystery that swallows the life of everyone the movie or the woman ever touched. Including, eventually and inevitably, the life of one Christopher Kent, who has no idea who Gemma Turner was or what she might possibly have ever done to his mother.
It will become Christopher’s obsession – and his life’s journey – to find the answer to ALL the mysteries that have grown up around Gemma Turner’s disappearance. It’s a discovery that will break him, make him, and enthrall him to the very end.
And the reader right along with him.
Escape Rating A-: I picked this up because I adored the author’s earlier book, The Ladies of the Secret Circus, with its blend of history, mystery and magic, and The Star and the Strange Moon looked like it was in the same vein.
Which turned out to be true a bit more literally than I imagined, adding to the mystery of the story and my compulsion to finish it because there were bits that started to sound just a bit more familiar than I expected.
They are not the same story, although they do have similarities in their blending of forgotten history, secret realities, hidden magic and family obsessions. Nor do you need to read one to enjoy the other.
But both stories have the same origin. Or at least the same originator, the demon prince Althacazur and his endless and frequently appalling attempts to keep his eternity from being boring. Althacazur turns out to be the ‘man’ behind the curtain, rather like the Wizard of Oz, only Althacazur is a real magical being with all too real and horrific powers.
I want to say he’s not important – and he’s not important to what makes this story compulsively readable and so much fun. So even though the events are all his fault, he’s not all that important in the grand scheme of things, as contradictory as that seems.
What makes this story work is its combination of Christopher’s obsession to learn what the mysteriously missing Gemma Turner has to do with the sad progress of his mother’s life, set against Gemma’s story of taking control of her own destiny in a way that would not have been possible in the time and place to which she was born.
Christopher’s story is a story about hunting down clues, investigating theories, and giving over his own life in the present to solve a mystery in the past. Gemma’s story is about learning to make lemons out of lemonade and accepting that even if she can’t go home again, she can make a home where she is.
That Christopher’s solution to the mystery takes him down a road that runs more than a bit parallel to Outlander isn’t exactly a surprise by the time he gets there. But it does make for a fitting and delightful end to a lovely twisty turny story.
Which now has me more than a bit curious about the author’s first book, A Witch in Time, and whether Althacazur has been entertaining himself with humans even more than we’ve seen in The Ladies of the Secret Circus and The Star and the Strange Moon. I’ll have to find out while I wait for the author’s next book to magically – or demonically – appear!
Originally published at Reading Reality
September 6, 2023
This is possibly one of the strangest books I've ever read. It is a horror/thriller/mystery all wrapped up in one package.
The first 40% has a lot of world building and character development. But it definitely picks up speed as the mystery unfolds.
We spend time with Christopher, a child whose mother is spiraling with mental issues. A photograph of an actress named Gemma Turner becomes a breaking point for him and his mother. We follow his journey as he grows into an adult and his experience as a child turns into an obsession with Gemma Turner.
Gemma Turner was an American actress who hit a rough patch in the Hollywood film industry. She goes to France and becomes the star of a French horror film, however, everything goes terribly wrong.
The rest you need to read, as I can't tell it better than the author herself!
This book was peculiar, and thrilling. There are definitely horror elements and as the mystery unravels, more horror unfolds.
Solid 4 star read and if I know anyone looking for a thriller I will recommend.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The first 40% has a lot of world building and character development. But it definitely picks up speed as the mystery unfolds.
We spend time with Christopher, a child whose mother is spiraling with mental issues. A photograph of an actress named Gemma Turner becomes a breaking point for him and his mother. We follow his journey as he grows into an adult and his experience as a child turns into an obsession with Gemma Turner.
Gemma Turner was an American actress who hit a rough patch in the Hollywood film industry. She goes to France and becomes the star of a French horror film, however, everything goes terribly wrong.
The rest you need to read, as I can't tell it better than the author herself!
This book was peculiar, and thrilling. There are definitely horror elements and as the mystery unravels, more horror unfolds.
Solid 4 star read and if I know anyone looking for a thriller I will recommend.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
November 20, 2023
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/11/16/...
I love Constance Sayers, as she is wonderfully consistent. When it comes to haunting and evocative historicals, no one else can deliver stories quite like hers. The Star and the Strange Moon is no exception. Much like her previous books A Witch in Time and The Ladies of the Secret Circus, it is a captivating tale of sorrow and ambition, mystery and allure.
It also features a dual timeline structure. In the opening pages, readers meet Christopher Kent whose childhood with a troubled mother meant an unstable and nomadic existence living out of cheap motel rooms. Eventually, she had a breakdown which led to their separation, and Christopher came under the care of his aunt. While he never lived with his mother again, he would never forget what triggered her mental collapse—a photo of Gemma Turner, a 1960s starlet who famously vanished without a trace while on the set of a radical vampire-themed movie being filmed in France.
It is a memory that will shape our protagonist’s destiny. Fast forward to 2015, an adult Christopher has become obsessed with the actress and her potential link to his mother. His quest for the truth leads him to try and hunt down a copy of L’Etrange Lune, the notorious film Gemma had been working on when she disappeared. Though it was completed, it was never released, thought to be lost to time. However, Christopher’s investigation leads him to discover a clandestine group that receives a private screening of the movie every ten years. It is also rumored that each time it is shown, the footage is altered, sometimes even featuring new scenes with Gemma Turner, long presumed dead.
Then, in a 1968 timeline, we follow Gemma herself as she makes a final bid for stardom, traveling to France to audition for a part she so desperately needs. When she is offered the lead role of L’Etrange Lune, she can’t believe her luck. But the production is plagued with problems from the start, including behind-the-scenes animosities and a director who doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing. Then one day, while shooting a scene in an alleyway, Gemma unexpectedly finds herself transported to a different time—one mirroring the world of L’Etrange Lune, where its monsters also come to life.
Sayers skillfully weaves a tale filled with secrets spanning decades and generations, incorporating timeless themes in both the past and present narratives. While not strictly horror, the novel does utilize some of the genre’s elements to enhance the mysterious atmosphere which has become a hallmark of the author’s work. Case in point, the concept of an actress being transported into the very world depicted in her film can be a ridiculous one on the surface. Written in another tone or style, the story could have gone in a very different direction, yet Sayers manages to nail the mood down perfectly.
That said, if forced to choose, I probably prefer her previous two books to this one. Despite its brilliance, The Star and the Strange Moon runs up against several hurdles, notably towards the end. The phenomenal potential in the novel’s first half begins to fizzle as we move into the sections that provide the explanations and big reveals. In other words, as the mystique faded, so too did the momentum. The remainder wasn’t quite enough to keep up the strong pacing through to the final chapters, and the late addition of a romantic element also felt unconvincing and shoehorned in.
Still, a glitchy conclusion notwithstanding, The Star and the Strange Moon remains a compelling read, showcasing Constance Sayers’ talents for character development and storytelling. It’s perfect for readers seeking a delightful blend of historical fiction with just a touch of the unexplained.
I love Constance Sayers, as she is wonderfully consistent. When it comes to haunting and evocative historicals, no one else can deliver stories quite like hers. The Star and the Strange Moon is no exception. Much like her previous books A Witch in Time and The Ladies of the Secret Circus, it is a captivating tale of sorrow and ambition, mystery and allure.
It also features a dual timeline structure. In the opening pages, readers meet Christopher Kent whose childhood with a troubled mother meant an unstable and nomadic existence living out of cheap motel rooms. Eventually, she had a breakdown which led to their separation, and Christopher came under the care of his aunt. While he never lived with his mother again, he would never forget what triggered her mental collapse—a photo of Gemma Turner, a 1960s starlet who famously vanished without a trace while on the set of a radical vampire-themed movie being filmed in France.
It is a memory that will shape our protagonist’s destiny. Fast forward to 2015, an adult Christopher has become obsessed with the actress and her potential link to his mother. His quest for the truth leads him to try and hunt down a copy of L’Etrange Lune, the notorious film Gemma had been working on when she disappeared. Though it was completed, it was never released, thought to be lost to time. However, Christopher’s investigation leads him to discover a clandestine group that receives a private screening of the movie every ten years. It is also rumored that each time it is shown, the footage is altered, sometimes even featuring new scenes with Gemma Turner, long presumed dead.
Then, in a 1968 timeline, we follow Gemma herself as she makes a final bid for stardom, traveling to France to audition for a part she so desperately needs. When she is offered the lead role of L’Etrange Lune, she can’t believe her luck. But the production is plagued with problems from the start, including behind-the-scenes animosities and a director who doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing. Then one day, while shooting a scene in an alleyway, Gemma unexpectedly finds herself transported to a different time—one mirroring the world of L’Etrange Lune, where its monsters also come to life.
Sayers skillfully weaves a tale filled with secrets spanning decades and generations, incorporating timeless themes in both the past and present narratives. While not strictly horror, the novel does utilize some of the genre’s elements to enhance the mysterious atmosphere which has become a hallmark of the author’s work. Case in point, the concept of an actress being transported into the very world depicted in her film can be a ridiculous one on the surface. Written in another tone or style, the story could have gone in a very different direction, yet Sayers manages to nail the mood down perfectly.
That said, if forced to choose, I probably prefer her previous two books to this one. Despite its brilliance, The Star and the Strange Moon runs up against several hurdles, notably towards the end. The phenomenal potential in the novel’s first half begins to fizzle as we move into the sections that provide the explanations and big reveals. In other words, as the mystique faded, so too did the momentum. The remainder wasn’t quite enough to keep up the strong pacing through to the final chapters, and the late addition of a romantic element also felt unconvincing and shoehorned in.
Still, a glitchy conclusion notwithstanding, The Star and the Strange Moon remains a compelling read, showcasing Constance Sayers’ talents for character development and storytelling. It’s perfect for readers seeking a delightful blend of historical fiction with just a touch of the unexplained.
March 27, 2024
Sometimes books beg me to be read. I had not heard about this book before I saw it on Netgalley, but the moment I read the synopsis, I knew I had to have it, one way or another. I was of course insanely happy that Piatkus granted my request for a review copy. I'm, however, especially now that I finished this book, insanely glad that I had also pre-ordered the book and that it will be shipped to me soon. This book belongs on my shelves.
Sometimes it happens. I don't really cry while reading the novel, but the moment I finish, the moment I close the book, the moment the story ends, the tears come. It happened with this book. In a way I was really sad that this book was over, that I had to leave these characters, their world, their magic and their story behind. In a way I also really enjoyed their emotions, the mystery, the magic and the way this story ended.
This story starts relatively slow. We're getting to know the two leads of this story. We meet Gemma when she's finally landing a new film role, we see how she breaks up with her boyfriend, how she dreams about being a script writer and how eventually everything changes. We also meet Christopher, born years and years later. We see how he loses his mother in a gruesome way and how from that day on his entire life revolves around that one picture and that one actress.
Slowly the story becomes more and more sinister. Something magical is taking place and yet we don't exactly know what. We only learn all the secrets of these characters and this story slowly and yet I was never bored. I loved the atmosphere, the characters, all the different plot lines. I of course most of all loved how everything came together quite nicely in the end. I've already ordered the previous two books by this author and I can't wait to read them.
Sometimes it happens. I don't really cry while reading the novel, but the moment I finish, the moment I close the book, the moment the story ends, the tears come. It happened with this book. In a way I was really sad that this book was over, that I had to leave these characters, their world, their magic and their story behind. In a way I also really enjoyed their emotions, the mystery, the magic and the way this story ended.
This story starts relatively slow. We're getting to know the two leads of this story. We meet Gemma when she's finally landing a new film role, we see how she breaks up with her boyfriend, how she dreams about being a script writer and how eventually everything changes. We also meet Christopher, born years and years later. We see how he loses his mother in a gruesome way and how from that day on his entire life revolves around that one picture and that one actress.
Slowly the story becomes more and more sinister. Something magical is taking place and yet we don't exactly know what. We only learn all the secrets of these characters and this story slowly and yet I was never bored. I loved the atmosphere, the characters, all the different plot lines. I of course most of all loved how everything came together quite nicely in the end. I've already ordered the previous two books by this author and I can't wait to read them.
October 24, 2023
There are no words that can encapsulate how much I loved this book, this story. Wow! I know this book will have my heart for a long time and it will join the ranks of books that I “think about constantly after reading them”
The author does an incredible job at blending both timelines together so seamlessly, the “world building” in both times is just incredible. I’m so surprised it’s a historical fiction because i feel like it’s more fantasy than anything else. Do not be discouraged by the “horror” rating which I’m also confused about, i guess the movie in the book is horror but it definitely doesn’t make THIS book horror. I’m glad i gave it a chance because i don’t ever read anything that has horror in it.
The way I was at the edge of my seat the entire time, this was incredible. The suspense, the mystery, the plot twists, everything was blended so well that i never saw it coming in such a good way.
This would be such an interesting real life movie!! One can only hope ☺️
Please read this book! It is such an incredible story 🧡
The author does an incredible job at blending both timelines together so seamlessly, the “world building” in both times is just incredible. I’m so surprised it’s a historical fiction because i feel like it’s more fantasy than anything else. Do not be discouraged by the “horror” rating which I’m also confused about, i guess the movie in the book is horror but it definitely doesn’t make THIS book horror. I’m glad i gave it a chance because i don’t ever read anything that has horror in it.
The way I was at the edge of my seat the entire time, this was incredible. The suspense, the mystery, the plot twists, everything was blended so well that i never saw it coming in such a good way.
This would be such an interesting real life movie!! One can only hope ☺️
Please read this book! It is such an incredible story 🧡
November 14, 2023
At once a sweeping tale of dark magic, artistic obsession, and a love unbound from the limits of time, The Star and the Strange Moon captivates with lush prose and moments of poignant, heartbreaking beauty. A soaring celebration of female agency and the power of free will. This is Constance Sayers at her finest!
That’s the blurb, but you all…this book. Put it on your TBR. It’s like smashing together Daisy Jones and the Six, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and an obscure and surreal Cocteau film all at once—in the very best way possible. Absolutely phenomenal. Five whole stars, as bright as they can shine!
That’s the blurb, but you all…this book. Put it on your TBR. It’s like smashing together Daisy Jones and the Six, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and an obscure and surreal Cocteau film all at once—in the very best way possible. Absolutely phenomenal. Five whole stars, as bright as they can shine!
December 30, 2023
Rec. by: Mogsy, and the movies
Rec. for: French film fans, perhaps
My Goodreads friend Mogsy liked Constance Sayers' novel The Star and the Strange Moon a lot—rather more than I did, in fact, but I was still pretty happy with this supernatural tale of an actress who gets more caught up in her role than she bargained for.
The Star of Sayers' novel is Gemma Turner, an actress who is perilously close to being a has-been at twenty-two years old. That's how Hollywood works in 1968, especially for a former beach bunny who is trying to switch to more serious roles. And Gemma's career isn't being helped at all by her boyfriend. Charlie Hicks takes his role as guitarist and songwriter for the almost-great Prince Charmings very seriously, immersing himself in the sex and drugs and massive property damage that just... automatically follow, whenever a band is as huge as the Prince Charmings want to be.
That's why, when Nouvelle Vague director Thierry Valdon (another almost-great) invites Gemma to star in his new vampire movie, L'Étrange Lune (The Strange Moon), she jumps at the chance—even though it means a break with Charlie; even though it means being sequestered at Château Verenson, Valdon's remote estate in rural France; and even though Valdon has never directed a horror movie before (and seems entirely uninterested in the genre—the shooting script he shows Gemma is absolutely terrible).
Gemma has some ideas about how to fix that. She's even brought her typewriter.
The thing is, though, that we already know Gemma didn't get to finish Valdon's film. We already know, because The Star and the Strange Moon has two protagonists, not just one, and alternates between two distinct time frames. Christopher Kent hadn't even been born when Gemma Turner vanished mysteriously—between one frame and the next—from the town of Amboise in 1968. Christopher found out about Gemma in 1986, when his mom took an odd turn in the hallway of a hotel in Philadelphia where a photograph of Turner happened to be. And he's been obsessed with her ever since.
Christopher is right to be obsessed with Gemma, though... because even though she never finished L'Étrange Lune, Valdon kept working on the film until his own death in 1972, and a single print of The Strange Moon still exists. It gets shown once every ten years, to a select few... and every time the film surfaces, it gets a little longer. New footage gets added—from somewhere.
The film keeps changing...
*
That's probably enough about the plot of The Star and the Strange Moon. The pieces are in motion. What remains is to see how Sayers manages to make them mesh. And she does... despite rather workaday prose (Sayers has a tendency to spell things out, to tell rather than show), it's easy to like Gemma Turner, to believe in her struggles (Sayers' Acknowledgements reveal that Gemma was modeled after a real actress, by the way: Françoise Dorléac, whose life was cut short by a road accident in 1967), and it's easy to feel for Christopher Kent too, as he searches for the traces of Turner's existence.
The Star and the Strange Moon is easily read, a page-turning gothic fantasy with a heart of gold—and sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
Rec. for: French film fans, perhaps
My Goodreads friend Mogsy liked Constance Sayers' novel The Star and the Strange Moon a lot—rather more than I did, in fact, but I was still pretty happy with this supernatural tale of an actress who gets more caught up in her role than she bargained for.
The Star of Sayers' novel is Gemma Turner, an actress who is perilously close to being a has-been at twenty-two years old. That's how Hollywood works in 1968, especially for a former beach bunny who is trying to switch to more serious roles. And Gemma's career isn't being helped at all by her boyfriend. Charlie Hicks takes his role as guitarist and songwriter for the almost-great Prince Charmings very seriously, immersing himself in the sex and drugs and massive property damage that just... automatically follow, whenever a band is as huge as the Prince Charmings want to be.
That's why, when Nouvelle Vague director Thierry Valdon (another almost-great) invites Gemma to star in his new vampire movie, L'Étrange Lune (The Strange Moon), she jumps at the chance—even though it means a break with Charlie; even though it means being sequestered at Château Verenson, Valdon's remote estate in rural France; and even though Valdon has never directed a horror movie before (and seems entirely uninterested in the genre—the shooting script he shows Gemma is absolutely terrible).
Gemma has some ideas about how to fix that. She's even brought her typewriter.
The thing is, though, that we already know Gemma didn't get to finish Valdon's film. We already know, because The Star and the Strange Moon has two protagonists, not just one, and alternates between two distinct time frames. Christopher Kent hadn't even been born when Gemma Turner vanished mysteriously—between one frame and the next—from the town of Amboise in 1968. Christopher found out about Gemma in 1986, when his mom took an odd turn in the hallway of a hotel in Philadelphia where a photograph of Turner happened to be. And he's been obsessed with her ever since.
Christopher is right to be obsessed with Gemma, though... because even though she never finished L'Étrange Lune, Valdon kept working on the film until his own death in 1972, and a single print of The Strange Moon still exists. It gets shown once every ten years, to a select few... and every time the film surfaces, it gets a little longer. New footage gets added—from somewhere.
The film keeps changing...
*
That's probably enough about the plot of The Star and the Strange Moon. The pieces are in motion. What remains is to see how Sayers manages to make them mesh. And she does... despite rather workaday prose (Sayers has a tendency to spell things out, to tell rather than show), it's easy to like Gemma Turner, to believe in her struggles (Sayers' Acknowledgements reveal that Gemma was modeled after a real actress, by the way: Françoise Dorléac, whose life was cut short by a road accident in 1967), and it's easy to feel for Christopher Kent too, as he searches for the traces of Turner's existence.
The Star and the Strange Moon is easily read, a page-turning gothic fantasy with a heart of gold—and sometimes, that's exactly what you need.
November 4, 2023
1.5/5 Stars
TL;DR - A long, meandering mess of a book that frustrated me at every turn. A super intriguing premise with a terrible execution. This book didn’t know what it wanted to be, and in the end, it wound up being nothing much at all.
Big thanks to Redhook and NetGalley for providing the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review!
***Trigger warnings for: mentions of alcoholism and drug use by a parent, child neglect, emotional abuse, threats of suicide, sexism, riot violence, institutionalization of a parent, death of a parent, mentions of miscarriage, unwanted sexual advances, mentions of suicide, gore, mentions of drug use, and violence.***
‘The Star and the Strange Moon’ by Constance Sayers is…a book. It sure is. It’s more historical fiction than the fantasy it was shelved under on NetGalley, and why yes, I am salty about it. It’s told in two POVs, one beginning in 1968 from Gemma Turner, a struggling American actress who accepts a role in a French horror film, only to disappear on set, and one that begins in 1986 from Christopher Kent, a boy and then man who spends his life obsessed with finding out the truth of what really happened to Gemma. We follow them both as they play out a series of events neither can escape, but just might be able to change.
Hey, wow, I hated this. I want to write a long-winded rant review, but I just don’t have it in me after slogging to the finish line. I’ll try to be brief. (Future Jess chiming in to say that, no, I was not brief.)
First, as mentioned in the TL;DR, this book is all over the place, and not in a good way. This is not a genre-bending story, this is approximately seven thousand conflicting ideas stuffed inside a trench coat pretending to be a cohesive story. It’s not horror, it’s not true historical fiction, it’s barely magical realism. If I tried really hard to pin it down, it’s a mystery with some vague fantastical nonsense tacked on here and there. There are so many things happening that, on their own or in a combination of two or three, could have been a really unique and compelling story, but as it stands, it’s too much and simultaneously not enough, and it was not fun at all.
The writing is uninspired and amateurish. Maybe this is a fluke, a rare miss for the author, but I don’t understand how her work has won awards. I would have guessed this was a self-published debut if I hadn’t looked up the author during the course of reading.
(I counted two rewordings of “she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding” just in the first 7%, literally stop it, ma’am.)
Every little detail about the setting is laboriously over-explained to the point that I had to start skimming through descriptions for my own sanity. Let me preface this gripe with the fact that, in conversations, I don’t like small talk - it’s boring filler that makes me lose interest. In books, superfluous over-description is small talk, and it turns me off to what I’m reading. I want enough information to establish a setting, and to move on and focus on the meat of the story, which is the plot and characters. This book has so much small talk, food and furniture and movie trivia and clothing, that I personally don’t give a single hoot about. If you like being told every detail of every little thing, you’ll probably love this, but it was overwhelming and simultaneously boring to me. This could have been, conservatively, 50+ pages shorter if the author would just shut up about things that don’t matter to the narrative.
(This could have been 150+ pages shorter if the author had picked a genre and a single storyline to follow, but hey, here we are at nearly 480 pages according to Goodreads. Yeesh.)
There are instances where characters just know things, or get “feelings” that give them information they would have no logical way of knowing, and it’s beyond annoying. Like, “this is the moment my life changes” or “these two unconnected things are absolutely connected based on absolutely nothing”, just for the sake of, I don't know, faux tension? The text repeatedly relies on trite little sayings like, “she had a premonition of sorts that this film was going to be the undoing of her”, or “he had a feeling none of it was a coincidence”, and the majority of chapters end with Gemma and Christopher “having a feeling” about events to come, and I by that I mean, it’s at least every other chapter, if not more. I capital-H Hate this - unless you’re writing a book about people who can literally see the future (which this book is not), just shut up and let events unfold! One of my biggest pet peeves in fiction that did this book no favors.
(In that vein, I present this line that I had to read with my own eyes: “[…] Christopher was surer than ever that the only way to have a crack at solving Gemma Turner’s disappearance was talking about it, gathering information from people who didn’t even know they knew something”. Congrats, you just figured out how any crime gets solved, ever. What in the graceless, on the nose, telling-not-showing is this??)
And that’s another main thing I took issue with, that is the basis of my claim of amateurish writing (aside from the meandering plot). The book is very surface-level and relies on flat-out telling the reader things instead of doing the work to show it. Characters’ introspection and thought processes are relatively shallow, and I never felt like I was experiencing the story alongside the characters, just that the author is non-stop telling both of us how we should feel and what to think instead of letting it happen naturally. Everything is shouted through a megaphone at us, with little to no narrative evidence or authorial work to back up these claims.
(Ma’am. Ma'am. Don’t tell me a villain is, verbatim, “a worthy adversary” when all his “nefarious plans” are middle school level “evil plots” and he’s )
(Actually, all of the “villains” are Lazy writing, tsk tsk.)
I will concede, after all this, that Gemma is a halfway decent character. She has agency and fire, she’s smart and determined…to a point. No one in this book feels good or entirely well-written, but I was a hundred times more interested in Gemma’s chapters than I ever was about Christopher’s. I wish the entire book had been about her, and that we’d gotten to know her on a deeper level. The only reason this is 1.5 stars instead of a straight 1 is because I liked Gemma, but she was woefully underutilized.
Christopher, on the other hand, is a cardboard cutout with a part-and-parcel sad backstory. I felt for him in his childhood and the things he endured, but as soon as he was like 20, I stopped caring. No personality, no compelling character traits, no redeeming qualities. Just the token MMC here to tick a box that, in my humble opinion, the story didn’t even need. But hey, not my book, not my monkeys.
(And yes, by all means, please do let a character who many times refuses to play a tropey damsel-in-distress ultimately Neat, perfect, no notes.)
Plot-wise, all over the place. Tension, very little. Structure, also very little. The way I see it, the story doesn’t really start until 75% through. I wish all of the long, overdrawn fluff had been cut from the beginning and that the meat of the story had focused on everything that happened past the 75% mark. Overall the entire book is a muddy mess that can’t decide what it wants to be or how best to do it.
And then. AND THEN.
There’s a last-minute romance plot that It’s all presented as this whole “star-crossed lovers, connected by mysterious forces” (the cover literally says, “a mystery only love can unravel”, barf), but it’s just Not my idea of a love story, no thanks, I hate it.
The “twist” psuedo-villain is plain as day, the actual villain is nonsensical and barely relevant, the MacGuffin could have been cool but didn’t show up until the end of the book and was barely relevant, and yes, the climax boils down to “the power of love”. Utterly ridiculous, the lot of it, the kind of stuff I’d have eaten up in middle school as “deep” and “cool”, but as an adult, it’s laughably juvenile.
Final Thoughts:
So much wasted potential. Had this been a story solely about Gemma, with a firm grasp on genre, and the intellectual maturity of the whole story was notched up another 15-20 years, it could have been a masterpiece. As it stands, it’s entirely forgettable, and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing as soon as the migraine dissipates. No hard copy, no backwards glance, no thank you.
TL;DR - A long, meandering mess of a book that frustrated me at every turn. A super intriguing premise with a terrible execution. This book didn’t know what it wanted to be, and in the end, it wound up being nothing much at all.
Big thanks to Redhook and NetGalley for providing the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review!
***Trigger warnings for: mentions of alcoholism and drug use by a parent, child neglect, emotional abuse, threats of suicide, sexism, riot violence, institutionalization of a parent, death of a parent, mentions of miscarriage, unwanted sexual advances, mentions of suicide, gore, mentions of drug use, and violence.***
‘The Star and the Strange Moon’ by Constance Sayers is…a book. It sure is. It’s more historical fiction than the fantasy it was shelved under on NetGalley, and why yes, I am salty about it. It’s told in two POVs, one beginning in 1968 from Gemma Turner, a struggling American actress who accepts a role in a French horror film, only to disappear on set, and one that begins in 1986 from Christopher Kent, a boy and then man who spends his life obsessed with finding out the truth of what really happened to Gemma. We follow them both as they play out a series of events neither can escape, but just might be able to change.
Hey, wow, I hated this. I want to write a long-winded rant review, but I just don’t have it in me after slogging to the finish line. I’ll try to be brief. (Future Jess chiming in to say that, no, I was not brief.)
First, as mentioned in the TL;DR, this book is all over the place, and not in a good way. This is not a genre-bending story, this is approximately seven thousand conflicting ideas stuffed inside a trench coat pretending to be a cohesive story. It’s not horror, it’s not true historical fiction, it’s barely magical realism. If I tried really hard to pin it down, it’s a mystery with some vague fantastical nonsense tacked on here and there. There are so many things happening that, on their own or in a combination of two or three, could have been a really unique and compelling story, but as it stands, it’s too much and simultaneously not enough, and it was not fun at all.
The writing is uninspired and amateurish. Maybe this is a fluke, a rare miss for the author, but I don’t understand how her work has won awards. I would have guessed this was a self-published debut if I hadn’t looked up the author during the course of reading.
(I counted two rewordings of “she let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding” just in the first 7%, literally stop it, ma’am.)
Every little detail about the setting is laboriously over-explained to the point that I had to start skimming through descriptions for my own sanity. Let me preface this gripe with the fact that, in conversations, I don’t like small talk - it’s boring filler that makes me lose interest. In books, superfluous over-description is small talk, and it turns me off to what I’m reading. I want enough information to establish a setting, and to move on and focus on the meat of the story, which is the plot and characters. This book has so much small talk, food and furniture and movie trivia and clothing, that I personally don’t give a single hoot about. If you like being told every detail of every little thing, you’ll probably love this, but it was overwhelming and simultaneously boring to me. This could have been, conservatively, 50+ pages shorter if the author would just shut up about things that don’t matter to the narrative.
(This could have been 150+ pages shorter if the author had picked a genre and a single storyline to follow, but hey, here we are at nearly 480 pages according to Goodreads. Yeesh.)
There are instances where characters just know things, or get “feelings” that give them information they would have no logical way of knowing, and it’s beyond annoying. Like, “this is the moment my life changes” or “these two unconnected things are absolutely connected based on absolutely nothing”, just for the sake of, I don't know, faux tension? The text repeatedly relies on trite little sayings like, “she had a premonition of sorts that this film was going to be the undoing of her”, or “he had a feeling none of it was a coincidence”, and the majority of chapters end with Gemma and Christopher “having a feeling” about events to come, and I by that I mean, it’s at least every other chapter, if not more. I capital-H Hate this - unless you’re writing a book about people who can literally see the future (which this book is not), just shut up and let events unfold! One of my biggest pet peeves in fiction that did this book no favors.
(In that vein, I present this line that I had to read with my own eyes: “[…] Christopher was surer than ever that the only way to have a crack at solving Gemma Turner’s disappearance was talking about it, gathering information from people who didn’t even know they knew something”. Congrats, you just figured out how any crime gets solved, ever. What in the graceless, on the nose, telling-not-showing is this??)
And that’s another main thing I took issue with, that is the basis of my claim of amateurish writing (aside from the meandering plot). The book is very surface-level and relies on flat-out telling the reader things instead of doing the work to show it. Characters’ introspection and thought processes are relatively shallow, and I never felt like I was experiencing the story alongside the characters, just that the author is non-stop telling both of us how we should feel and what to think instead of letting it happen naturally. Everything is shouted through a megaphone at us, with little to no narrative evidence or authorial work to back up these claims.
(Ma’am. Ma'am. Don’t tell me a villain is, verbatim, “a worthy adversary” when all his “nefarious plans” are middle school level “evil plots” and he’s )
(Actually, all of the “villains” are Lazy writing, tsk tsk.)
I will concede, after all this, that Gemma is a halfway decent character. She has agency and fire, she’s smart and determined…to a point. No one in this book feels good or entirely well-written, but I was a hundred times more interested in Gemma’s chapters than I ever was about Christopher’s. I wish the entire book had been about her, and that we’d gotten to know her on a deeper level. The only reason this is 1.5 stars instead of a straight 1 is because I liked Gemma, but she was woefully underutilized.
Christopher, on the other hand, is a cardboard cutout with a part-and-parcel sad backstory. I felt for him in his childhood and the things he endured, but as soon as he was like 20, I stopped caring. No personality, no compelling character traits, no redeeming qualities. Just the token MMC here to tick a box that, in my humble opinion, the story didn’t even need. But hey, not my book, not my monkeys.
(And yes, by all means, please do let a character who many times refuses to play a tropey damsel-in-distress ultimately Neat, perfect, no notes.)
Plot-wise, all over the place. Tension, very little. Structure, also very little. The way I see it, the story doesn’t really start until 75% through. I wish all of the long, overdrawn fluff had been cut from the beginning and that the meat of the story had focused on everything that happened past the 75% mark. Overall the entire book is a muddy mess that can’t decide what it wants to be or how best to do it.
And then. AND THEN.
There’s a last-minute romance plot that It’s all presented as this whole “star-crossed lovers, connected by mysterious forces” (the cover literally says, “a mystery only love can unravel”, barf), but it’s just Not my idea of a love story, no thanks, I hate it.
The “twist” psuedo-villain is plain as day, the actual villain is nonsensical and barely relevant, the MacGuffin could have been cool but didn’t show up until the end of the book and was barely relevant, and yes, the climax boils down to “the power of love”. Utterly ridiculous, the lot of it, the kind of stuff I’d have eaten up in middle school as “deep” and “cool”, but as an adult, it’s laughably juvenile.
Final Thoughts:
So much wasted potential. Had this been a story solely about Gemma, with a firm grasp on genre, and the intellectual maturity of the whole story was notched up another 15-20 years, it could have been a masterpiece. As it stands, it’s entirely forgettable, and that’s exactly what I’ll be doing as soon as the migraine dissipates. No hard copy, no backwards glance, no thank you.
November 17, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! The beginning is a bit slow but when it picks up in the second act, oh boy does it take you on a roller coaster. Such a creative fun book, the atmosphere and setting were well worth the build-up.
May 5, 2024
This is one of the eeriest books I have ever read, and I enjoyed it immensely.
Christopher Kent is determined to find out what happened to Gemma Turner, a 1960s actress who disappeared while filming a french nouveau movie. It becomes almost an obsession, the seed planted when his unstable mother became even more unwell upon glimpsing a photo of the actress, at a motel that they were staying at, when he was young.
‘The Strange Moon’, the film that Gemma was filming when she vanished, has never been shown publicly - however, every ten years a select few are invited to a secret showing. The film leaves people with a deep melancholia - and if you’re invited again a decade later, you’ll realise that the movie changes, as if somehow the movie is still being filmed and edited, despite its star going missing during its filming and it’s director being long dead. With talk of the film simply being a conspiracy, others claiming it’s haunted, and others saying it seems to come straight from hell itself….what is the truth? And why did his mother react so violently when she saw Gemma’s picture all this years ago? Christopher is determined to find out.
Split between both Gemma and Christopher’s POVs, we watch how the twisted tale takes shape, and the mysteries that arise as the decades pass.
The Star and the Strange Moon is a glittering, horror tinged, tale that fully whisked me away into its complex mysteries, and I throughly enjoyed my time with it. It’s about fame, greed, and a curiosity that just will not let you go, despite how dark the road ahead looks.
I loved trying to piece it all together, and its nods towards classic French films of the time, and early vampire horror vibes with the original film script. It could be a bit slow at times, but it really helped set the scene for when things riled up to an even higher degree, and I found the ending to be extremely well executed.
Highly recommend if you’re after a creepy mystery, that has a streak of darkness, vibrant characters, and a story that will linger on in your head after turning that last page.
Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.
Christopher Kent is determined to find out what happened to Gemma Turner, a 1960s actress who disappeared while filming a french nouveau movie. It becomes almost an obsession, the seed planted when his unstable mother became even more unwell upon glimpsing a photo of the actress, at a motel that they were staying at, when he was young.
‘The Strange Moon’, the film that Gemma was filming when she vanished, has never been shown publicly - however, every ten years a select few are invited to a secret showing. The film leaves people with a deep melancholia - and if you’re invited again a decade later, you’ll realise that the movie changes, as if somehow the movie is still being filmed and edited, despite its star going missing during its filming and it’s director being long dead. With talk of the film simply being a conspiracy, others claiming it’s haunted, and others saying it seems to come straight from hell itself….what is the truth? And why did his mother react so violently when she saw Gemma’s picture all this years ago? Christopher is determined to find out.
Split between both Gemma and Christopher’s POVs, we watch how the twisted tale takes shape, and the mysteries that arise as the decades pass.
The Star and the Strange Moon is a glittering, horror tinged, tale that fully whisked me away into its complex mysteries, and I throughly enjoyed my time with it. It’s about fame, greed, and a curiosity that just will not let you go, despite how dark the road ahead looks.
I loved trying to piece it all together, and its nods towards classic French films of the time, and early vampire horror vibes with the original film script. It could be a bit slow at times, but it really helped set the scene for when things riled up to an even higher degree, and I found the ending to be extremely well executed.
Highly recommend if you’re after a creepy mystery, that has a streak of darkness, vibrant characters, and a story that will linger on in your head after turning that last page.
Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.
November 14, 2023
Thank you to Orbit books for the ARC.
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ONE.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I finally finished this and it was not what I was expecting. This weird combination of curses, demons, vampires, historical, movie stars, romance, and more. I wanted it to all work together and it just…didn’t.
For the initial 40-50% I felt pretty invested. I was rolling with the slow nature and curious how things were going to start connecting. And when they did is when this book lost me. It gave me the sense of things being added to solve the plot that’s been created rather than a natural movement through the story. The random romance did not fit and for a horror book I never once found myself creeped out.
Neither of the main characters were remarkably memorable. Everything was okay. That’s the best way I could describe it unfortunately. The ending worked out well enough (though I still have some questions??). This was my first book by the author and I was really excited for it and now I’m honestly not sure what to think.
Overall audience notes:
- Horror/Historical/Paranormal
- Language: a little strong
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: substance abuse, mentions of suicide, loss of a parent, multiple deaths
I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THIS ONE.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I finally finished this and it was not what I was expecting. This weird combination of curses, demons, vampires, historical, movie stars, romance, and more. I wanted it to all work together and it just…didn’t.
For the initial 40-50% I felt pretty invested. I was rolling with the slow nature and curious how things were going to start connecting. And when they did is when this book lost me. It gave me the sense of things being added to solve the plot that’s been created rather than a natural movement through the story. The random romance did not fit and for a horror book I never once found myself creeped out.
Neither of the main characters were remarkably memorable. Everything was okay. That’s the best way I could describe it unfortunately. The ending worked out well enough (though I still have some questions??). This was my first book by the author and I was really excited for it and now I’m honestly not sure what to think.
Overall audience notes:
- Horror/Historical/Paranormal
- Language: a little strong
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: substance abuse, mentions of suicide, loss of a parent, multiple deaths
January 6, 2024
FINALLY! a book that scratches the itch Night Film left me all those years ago.
this fell off a tinyyyy bit at the very end but otherwise it was bonkers and compulsive in all the best ways
rtc!!!
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wow, finally reading the early arc i received wayyy after the actual publication date already passed 😐
why am i like this?
------------
just received the arc of this book (one of my most anticipated of the year) today so happy birthday to ME!!!
this fell off a tinyyyy bit at the very end but otherwise it was bonkers and compulsive in all the best ways
rtc!!!
------------
wow, finally reading the early arc i received wayyy after the actual publication date already passed 😐
why am i like this?
------------
just received the arc of this book (one of my most anticipated of the year) today so happy birthday to ME!!!
December 27, 2023
A magical, strange, sad, and emotional read. A fantasy horror book about a haunted film or maybe a film from hell.
When the film's lead Gemma Turner disappears right in the midst of filming something strange happens to the film that she disappeared in. And the fact that she may have disappeared right into the film.
I loved the weirdness of this book, how it sat on the edge of horror with the wings of a fantasy. It flips between two different timelines that of the past and then in the book what is considered current day. And the whole story revolves around will anyone actually find out what happened to Gemma Turner or will she be eternally trapped inside this haunted film forever...
When the film's lead Gemma Turner disappears right in the midst of filming something strange happens to the film that she disappeared in. And the fact that she may have disappeared right into the film.
I loved the weirdness of this book, how it sat on the edge of horror with the wings of a fantasy. It flips between two different timelines that of the past and then in the book what is considered current day. And the whole story revolves around will anyone actually find out what happened to Gemma Turner or will she be eternally trapped inside this haunted film forever...
October 16, 2024
Wow I really enjoyed this story. It was such a great blend of historical fiction, mystery/thriller and gothic all in one.
The two timelines were both interesting and most of the story kept me guessing.
4⭐️
The two timelines were both interesting and most of the story kept me guessing.
4⭐️
November 29, 2023
Constance Sayers does it again. She manages to combine history, magic, and intrigue with powerful human emotion. I loved her previous novels, so this was one of my most anticipated novels this year. It did not disappoint.
Constance transports us to another world through the power of film, mystery, longing, and love. There is an element of dark magic as there was in her previous novels, and it is delicious. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be caught inside of a movie instead of just watching it from the outside, you will love this novel.
Constance transports us to another world through the power of film, mystery, longing, and love. There is an element of dark magic as there was in her previous novels, and it is delicious. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to be caught inside of a movie instead of just watching it from the outside, you will love this novel.
November 20, 2023
4.5 stars
The nitty-gritty: Constance Sayers’ latest is a beautifully written, complex story about movies, curses, monsters and fame.
“You would be wise to not run around asking about the film. It prefers to live in the shadows.”
Like Constance Sayers’ other books, The Star and the Strange Moon is a complex, character-driven story that moves back and forth in time. In fact, I was surprised to recognize at least one character in this book from A Witch In Time, the first book of Sayers’ that I read, and I suspect the author deliberately included this character as an Easter Egg for her readers. This time she tackles the “cursed movie” trope and succeeds brilliantly, bringing fresh ideas to one of the year’s most popular literary trends.
Christopher Kent is ten years old in 1986 when his life is forever changed by a strange scene involving his mother and a framed photo. In a hotel, Pamela Kent spots this photo on the wall and becomes enraged. Christopher doesn’t understand her behavior, nor does he (yet) understand the connection between his mother and the woman in the photo, who turns out to be a young actress named Gemma Turner. But the experience haunts him, and Christopher will spend the next fifteen years trying to uncover that connection.
We then jump back to 1968 and meet Gemma, a “washed up” twenty-two year old actress whose career hinges on whether or not she can impress Thierry Valdon, an avant-garde director who is famous for his New Wave style of movie making. Thierry is making a horror movie called L’Étrange Lune, or The Strange Moon, and he wants Gemma to be the star. Gemma agrees to Valdon’s terms—leaving her troublemaker musician boyfriend Charlie Hicks behind—and flies to France to begin filming. But after only a handful of days shooting, something odd happens on set. Gemma is filming a scene where she’s running down an alley, but suddenly she disappears. Despite the crew’s frantic searching, no one can find her, and she’s eventually proclaimed dead.
But Gemma isn’t dead. She’s been magically transported into the film L’Étrange Lune. Set in 1878, Gemma finds herself in a world of period costumes, and each person she meets is playing a part in the movie she was filming. Everyone is calling her “Gisele,” her character’s name in the movie, and she’s surrounded not by the actors she was working with, but by the characters themselves. How did she get her? And more importantly, how can she get back home?
Back in the “real” world, Christopher has never given up his obsession with tracking down information about Gemma and her ill-fated movie, L’Étrange Lune. And that persistence is about to pay off, as Christopher gets closer and closer to the truth of what really happened to Gemma.
The Star and the Strange Moon is a slow-build, enthralling mystery with surprises on just about every page. Constance Sayers loves to play with connections between her characters, and I loved the way these connections appear throughout the book. For example, the photographer who took the photo of Gemma that made Pamela Kent so angry is a character in Gemma’s 1968 timeline, a man named Rick Nash who took that photo during a party. Gemma’s agent Mick Fontaine turns out to be related to Christopher’s girlfriend Ivy. And those are just two examples in a story brimming with all sorts of fascinating connections. What’s even more impressive is that these connections cross time periods and locations, and you can tell the author put a lot of thought and time into figuring out her complicated relationships.
The dual timeline worked very well, and I enjoyed both Christopher’s search for Gemma in the present, and Gemma’s experience in the past, trapped in the movie she was filming when she disappeared. A big chunk of the story revolves around the mysterious, unfinished film L’Étrange Lune and the secret cult following it’s attracted. Christopher eventually turns up clues about the movie, but rather than have his questions answered, the mystery only deepens.
This isn’t a fast read by any means, but I enjoyed taking my time, lingering over all the different characters and their connections to Gemma. My only complaint is that the story did feel a little long in places. Some events didn’t feel important to the overall story and probably could have been left out. And while I loved the explanation for what happened to Gemma, there is a romantic element at the end that felt tacked on (although I will admit the story is building up to this romance from page one).
But aside from that, Constance Sayers has another winner on her hands. This isn't my favorite of her books (that distinction goes to The Ladies of the Secret Circus), but you really can't go wrong with any of them.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
The nitty-gritty: Constance Sayers’ latest is a beautifully written, complex story about movies, curses, monsters and fame.
“You would be wise to not run around asking about the film. It prefers to live in the shadows.”
Like Constance Sayers’ other books, The Star and the Strange Moon is a complex, character-driven story that moves back and forth in time. In fact, I was surprised to recognize at least one character in this book from A Witch In Time, the first book of Sayers’ that I read, and I suspect the author deliberately included this character as an Easter Egg for her readers. This time she tackles the “cursed movie” trope and succeeds brilliantly, bringing fresh ideas to one of the year’s most popular literary trends.
Christopher Kent is ten years old in 1986 when his life is forever changed by a strange scene involving his mother and a framed photo. In a hotel, Pamela Kent spots this photo on the wall and becomes enraged. Christopher doesn’t understand her behavior, nor does he (yet) understand the connection between his mother and the woman in the photo, who turns out to be a young actress named Gemma Turner. But the experience haunts him, and Christopher will spend the next fifteen years trying to uncover that connection.
We then jump back to 1968 and meet Gemma, a “washed up” twenty-two year old actress whose career hinges on whether or not she can impress Thierry Valdon, an avant-garde director who is famous for his New Wave style of movie making. Thierry is making a horror movie called L’Étrange Lune, or The Strange Moon, and he wants Gemma to be the star. Gemma agrees to Valdon’s terms—leaving her troublemaker musician boyfriend Charlie Hicks behind—and flies to France to begin filming. But after only a handful of days shooting, something odd happens on set. Gemma is filming a scene where she’s running down an alley, but suddenly she disappears. Despite the crew’s frantic searching, no one can find her, and she’s eventually proclaimed dead.
But Gemma isn’t dead. She’s been magically transported into the film L’Étrange Lune. Set in 1878, Gemma finds herself in a world of period costumes, and each person she meets is playing a part in the movie she was filming. Everyone is calling her “Gisele,” her character’s name in the movie, and she’s surrounded not by the actors she was working with, but by the characters themselves. How did she get her? And more importantly, how can she get back home?
Back in the “real” world, Christopher has never given up his obsession with tracking down information about Gemma and her ill-fated movie, L’Étrange Lune. And that persistence is about to pay off, as Christopher gets closer and closer to the truth of what really happened to Gemma.
The Star and the Strange Moon is a slow-build, enthralling mystery with surprises on just about every page. Constance Sayers loves to play with connections between her characters, and I loved the way these connections appear throughout the book. For example, the photographer who took the photo of Gemma that made Pamela Kent so angry is a character in Gemma’s 1968 timeline, a man named Rick Nash who took that photo during a party. Gemma’s agent Mick Fontaine turns out to be related to Christopher’s girlfriend Ivy. And those are just two examples in a story brimming with all sorts of fascinating connections. What’s even more impressive is that these connections cross time periods and locations, and you can tell the author put a lot of thought and time into figuring out her complicated relationships.
The dual timeline worked very well, and I enjoyed both Christopher’s search for Gemma in the present, and Gemma’s experience in the past, trapped in the movie she was filming when she disappeared. A big chunk of the story revolves around the mysterious, unfinished film L’Étrange Lune and the secret cult following it’s attracted. Christopher eventually turns up clues about the movie, but rather than have his questions answered, the mystery only deepens.
This isn’t a fast read by any means, but I enjoyed taking my time, lingering over all the different characters and their connections to Gemma. My only complaint is that the story did feel a little long in places. Some events didn’t feel important to the overall story and probably could have been left out. And while I loved the explanation for what happened to Gemma, there is a romantic element at the end that felt tacked on (although I will admit the story is building up to this romance from page one).
But aside from that, Constance Sayers has another winner on her hands. This isn't my favorite of her books (that distinction goes to The Ladies of the Secret Circus), but you really can't go wrong with any of them.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
January 11, 2024
"The Star and the Strange Moon" by Constance Sayers presents a story that transcends genres, weaving together elements of horror, historical fiction, gothic, thriller, romance, old Hollywood charm, and the paranormal. Sayers crafts a story that immerses readers in the haunting tale of ambition, obsession, and the eternal magic of film.
The novel has two POVs. The first is actress Gemma Turner, who once dreamed of stardom and finds herself on the verge of slipping into obscurity. Her chance for a comeback appears when she's offered the lead in a radical new French horror film, L’Etrange Lune. However, the movie proves to be unconventional, with an eccentric director and a perplexing script. As Gemma attempts to make her last shot at stardom work, she mysteriously disappears on set, transported into the film itself.
Gemma Turner's vanishing act becomes one of film history's greatest mysteries. Film student Christopher Kent, captivated by the enigma, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth. The screenings of L’Etrange Lune, occurring once a decade, reveal new and impossible footage of Gemma long after her disappearance. Christopher becomes entangled in the cursed legacy of the film
Sayers masterfully builds tension throughout the narrative, slowly unraveling the plot and keeping me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed, each contributing to the complexity of the story. The novel not only explores the intrigue of the film industry but delves into other themes of obsession and identity
The author's ability to blend various genres seamlessly creates a unique reading experience. The historical backdrop, the allure of old Hollywood, and the supernatural elements contribute to the richness of the narrative. "The Star and the Strange Moon" stands out as an exceptional book, offering a spellbinding and immersive journey into the mysterious and magical realms of film.
Thanks to R&R Booktours for the review copy. This is an honest review.
The novel has two POVs. The first is actress Gemma Turner, who once dreamed of stardom and finds herself on the verge of slipping into obscurity. Her chance for a comeback appears when she's offered the lead in a radical new French horror film, L’Etrange Lune. However, the movie proves to be unconventional, with an eccentric director and a perplexing script. As Gemma attempts to make her last shot at stardom work, she mysteriously disappears on set, transported into the film itself.
Gemma Turner's vanishing act becomes one of film history's greatest mysteries. Film student Christopher Kent, captivated by the enigma, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth. The screenings of L’Etrange Lune, occurring once a decade, reveal new and impossible footage of Gemma long after her disappearance. Christopher becomes entangled in the cursed legacy of the film
Sayers masterfully builds tension throughout the narrative, slowly unraveling the plot and keeping me on the edge of my seat. The characters are well-developed, each contributing to the complexity of the story. The novel not only explores the intrigue of the film industry but delves into other themes of obsession and identity
The author's ability to blend various genres seamlessly creates a unique reading experience. The historical backdrop, the allure of old Hollywood, and the supernatural elements contribute to the richness of the narrative. "The Star and the Strange Moon" stands out as an exceptional book, offering a spellbinding and immersive journey into the mysterious and magical realms of film.
Thanks to R&R Booktours for the review copy. This is an honest review.
October 12, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ Wow, what a feast this book turned out to be - totally enchanting from the turn of the first page.
This book had everything that makes a book great; historical fiction, fantasy, time travel, a bit of horror, and a dash of Hollywood glamour. I was totally absorbed.
Yes, it was completely and utterly weird and wacky, and became even more so as the ending neared, but the carefully crafted plot, with its crazy twists and turns, was a delight.
I received this novel in my first Happily Ever After book subscription box, and would have likely never stumbled upon it otherwise… and thank goodness I did.
This is your reminder to steer away from the popular books wherever you can, and take a chance on the lesser known works; you might just find something magical ✨
This book had everything that makes a book great; historical fiction, fantasy, time travel, a bit of horror, and a dash of Hollywood glamour. I was totally absorbed.
Yes, it was completely and utterly weird and wacky, and became even more so as the ending neared, but the carefully crafted plot, with its crazy twists and turns, was a delight.
I received this novel in my first Happily Ever After book subscription box, and would have likely never stumbled upon it otherwise… and thank goodness I did.
This is your reminder to steer away from the popular books wherever you can, and take a chance on the lesser known works; you might just find something magical ✨
October 16, 2023
I’m still not sure how I would classify this book, I just know that I devoured it. It is a thriller and a bit spooky and a bit of a mystery all rolled into one. There is even a bit of spice at the end (heads up for those not expecting it!) I felt a lot of emotions while reading it, bouncing around the spectrum. It is a dual timeline novel, one in the 60’s following Gemma and the second following Christopher throughout his life. There was a lot of world building, so it was a bit of a slow burn, but my outrage at certain circumstances carried me through the slow burn quickly 😅 overall, a great novel!
In 1968, starlet Gemma disappeared while making a movie in Paris. In present day, Christopher caught the film in its one every decade showing in Paris and immediately becomes intrigued. But intrigue quickly dissolves in to spookiness and Christopher has to figure out what is going on before he disappears himself.
Thank you to Redbook and Book Sparks for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
In 1968, starlet Gemma disappeared while making a movie in Paris. In present day, Christopher caught the film in its one every decade showing in Paris and immediately becomes intrigued. But intrigue quickly dissolves in to spookiness and Christopher has to figure out what is going on before he disappears himself.
Thank you to Redbook and Book Sparks for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
December 6, 2023
This book was difficult to engage with in the beginning almost dnf but— as the book’s structure evolved I gained more interest. Quite creepy, a little horror filled but interesting. I recommend it.
December 4, 2023
A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Redhook Books for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
An in-depth historical fiction gothic horror that I would find perfect for fans of Laura Purcell.
When 1960’s movie starlet Gemma Turner disappears during the filming of her last movie - a horror titled L’Etrange Lune/The Strange Moon - it remains as one of film’s greatest mysteries. Years later, a photo of Gemma makes 10 year old Christopher Kent’s mother become absolutely catatonic in their hotel room, forcing him to live with his aunt and uncle. This event is the catalyst for Christopher’s interest in Gemma Turner, as he is convinced that solving the mystery of the missing starlet will provide him answers about his late mother.
Things are not as simple as they appear, however, as we can see the mysterious events unfolding both in Gemma’s time, as well as Christopher’s, and how they interconnect. Gemma, in 1968, is hoping this movie will reignite her dying movie career, and she is drawn in with the promise of having a writing role on the film, in addition to simply acting. However, when she arrives, the director suddenly is acting extremely differently than before, and the house she must live in seems to be haunted. Wishing for a way out, but forced to stay, her life suddenly changes when suddenly she vanishes from the movie set - and winds up inside the film as the lead starlet. She has to find a way to survive - and thrive - this horror movie, and try to hopefully find her way home.
In the current timeline, Christopher has been studying filmmaking since his pivotal moment with his mother and the photo of Gemma Turner. He receives an invitation to watch a secret showing of L’Etrange Lune, where no one other than a mysterious select group of people, have ever seen. However, strange things seem to be happening with the movie - each showing every 10 years seemingly adds scenes to the film, scenes that were never filmed before Gemma’s disappearance. And when trying to solve the mystery of how this is possible - seeming to investigate too closely causes dangers all around.
Christopher needs to figure out the secret behind L’Etrange Lune, and the missing Gemma Turner, before it is too late for the both of them.
I loved this book, as it was a perfect blend between the fantastical and the “realistic,” and you could really feel the growing tension as both the stakes and the body count are rising. If you love historical fiction, thrillers, and gothic horror, then don’t hesitate to pick up this book! Believe me, you will NOT be disappointed.
An in-depth historical fiction gothic horror that I would find perfect for fans of Laura Purcell.
When 1960’s movie starlet Gemma Turner disappears during the filming of her last movie - a horror titled L’Etrange Lune/The Strange Moon - it remains as one of film’s greatest mysteries. Years later, a photo of Gemma makes 10 year old Christopher Kent’s mother become absolutely catatonic in their hotel room, forcing him to live with his aunt and uncle. This event is the catalyst for Christopher’s interest in Gemma Turner, as he is convinced that solving the mystery of the missing starlet will provide him answers about his late mother.
Things are not as simple as they appear, however, as we can see the mysterious events unfolding both in Gemma’s time, as well as Christopher’s, and how they interconnect. Gemma, in 1968, is hoping this movie will reignite her dying movie career, and she is drawn in with the promise of having a writing role on the film, in addition to simply acting. However, when she arrives, the director suddenly is acting extremely differently than before, and the house she must live in seems to be haunted. Wishing for a way out, but forced to stay, her life suddenly changes when suddenly she vanishes from the movie set - and winds up inside the film as the lead starlet. She has to find a way to survive - and thrive - this horror movie, and try to hopefully find her way home.
In the current timeline, Christopher has been studying filmmaking since his pivotal moment with his mother and the photo of Gemma Turner. He receives an invitation to watch a secret showing of L’Etrange Lune, where no one other than a mysterious select group of people, have ever seen. However, strange things seem to be happening with the movie - each showing every 10 years seemingly adds scenes to the film, scenes that were never filmed before Gemma’s disappearance. And when trying to solve the mystery of how this is possible - seeming to investigate too closely causes dangers all around.
Christopher needs to figure out the secret behind L’Etrange Lune, and the missing Gemma Turner, before it is too late for the both of them.
I loved this book, as it was a perfect blend between the fantastical and the “realistic,” and you could really feel the growing tension as both the stakes and the body count are rising. If you love historical fiction, thrillers, and gothic horror, then don’t hesitate to pick up this book! Believe me, you will NOT be disappointed.
January 17, 2024
There’s been many a time when I sat down to read a book and didn’t look up until I finished it. Even ones as long as this one at almost 500 pages. I did have to stop reading it at one point to run an errand and quickly picked it back up when I returned. I was hooked. So hooked.
The synopsis was so intriguing. An actress, Gemma Turner, vanished during the filming of a movie in 1968. Flash forward to 2007 and film student, Christopher Kent, obsessed with finding out what happened to her after the simple act of seeing her picture on a wall drove his mother over the edge to insanity. And a secret screening of Gemma’s last acting role in L’Etrange Lune that takes place once every 10 years. Yes, it intrigued me.
As you can guess, the story jumps back and forth in time. First I’d be immersed in Gemma’s life and then I’d be immersed in what happened when she vanished and then I’d be immersed in Christopher’s present life and then his past. That’s how this story was told and each time the story jumped to another character and time I’d be anxious to return. And that happened EVERY time with each era and character I was reading. And that’s why I couldn’t put it down. That and the fact the many character’s were so interesting, so genuine, flaws and all. Especially Gemma and Christopher. The author wrote her words and breathed life into them. I cared what happened. Felt their sorrow, their angst. How could I not.
In the hours I spent reading The Star And The Strange Moon I felt like I was transported into a fantasy world, a tragedy, a horror story…… a love story. What a fabulous feeling it was.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
The synopsis was so intriguing. An actress, Gemma Turner, vanished during the filming of a movie in 1968. Flash forward to 2007 and film student, Christopher Kent, obsessed with finding out what happened to her after the simple act of seeing her picture on a wall drove his mother over the edge to insanity. And a secret screening of Gemma’s last acting role in L’Etrange Lune that takes place once every 10 years. Yes, it intrigued me.
As you can guess, the story jumps back and forth in time. First I’d be immersed in Gemma’s life and then I’d be immersed in what happened when she vanished and then I’d be immersed in Christopher’s present life and then his past. That’s how this story was told and each time the story jumped to another character and time I’d be anxious to return. And that happened EVERY time with each era and character I was reading. And that’s why I couldn’t put it down. That and the fact the many character’s were so interesting, so genuine, flaws and all. Especially Gemma and Christopher. The author wrote her words and breathed life into them. I cared what happened. Felt their sorrow, their angst. How could I not.
In the hours I spent reading The Star And The Strange Moon I felt like I was transported into a fantasy world, a tragedy, a horror story…… a love story. What a fabulous feeling it was.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
December 28, 2023
Constance Sayers has delivered yet another hauntingly beautiful, yet captivating read in the Star and the Strange Moon. All of her books lately have taken place within the same world, but none of them are needed to read any other books. So if you want to jump right into this one, you most certainly can. The Star and the Strange Moon once again takes place in a dual timeline following two characters who paths somehow cross in a mysterious way. You follow Gemma Turner a movie star in the late 60s who gets cast in a movie that will hopefully save her dying career. However, one day on set she vanishes without a trace and presumed dead. Fast forward to Christopher Kent, he is our other main character and we follow about 30 years of his life as he becomes consumed by the mystery of Gemma Turner and the movie she filmed L'Etrange Lune. This specific movie, which was never finished due to the disappearance of Gemma, is mysteriously showcased to a group of people every ten years. There is a twist, the movie keeps adding new footage every ten years with Gemma as the star. The Star and the Strange Moon was fantastic in every aspect. Constance Sayers had so much love for this story and these characters. Sayers has also grown as a writer and I thought she delivered one of her best works yet. My only caveat for this book are too spoilery to talk about in this review, but that is why I cannot give this book the five stars I think it deserves.
December 22, 2024
3.5⭐️
I picked this book up on a whim from the works for my holiday and it didn’t disappoint- however it is definitely sold as a ‘horror’ book but despite it being set in a cursed horror film with vampires it is more like a historical fantasy mystery book. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this and it was so satisfying to see all the different ends of the story come together by the final chapter!
I love when books flip from person to person’s POV and this is exactly what this book does, which definitely keeps things interesting for me. Having said this, I did find the story was a bit all over the place at times and sometimes names were mentioned and i didn’t remember who the character was and had to flick back through the book for a refresh.
Love the hints at gothic horror in the ‘1878’ chapters! This book features loss, greed, obsession, demons, curses and hollywood stars all wrapped up in one strange, descriptive and super interesting book! I definitely want to read more books by Sayers now!
I picked this book up on a whim from the works for my holiday and it didn’t disappoint- however it is definitely sold as a ‘horror’ book but despite it being set in a cursed horror film with vampires it is more like a historical fantasy mystery book. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this and it was so satisfying to see all the different ends of the story come together by the final chapter!
I love when books flip from person to person’s POV and this is exactly what this book does, which definitely keeps things interesting for me. Having said this, I did find the story was a bit all over the place at times and sometimes names were mentioned and i didn’t remember who the character was and had to flick back through the book for a refresh.
Love the hints at gothic horror in the ‘1878’ chapters! This book features loss, greed, obsession, demons, curses and hollywood stars all wrapped up in one strange, descriptive and super interesting book! I definitely want to read more books by Sayers now!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2024
Title: The Star and the Strange Moon
Series: n/a
Author: Constance Sayers
Release date: November 14, 2023
Cliffhanger: no
Genre: gothic, fantasy
Arriving here, a hollowness had enveloped her. Perhaps a horror film was appropriate for her current state of mind, yet she had a premonition of sorts that this film was going to be the undoing of her.
Constance Sayers has just joined a very short list of authors that are so good I will auto-read their books no questions asked. The Star and the Strange Moon is the third book in a row of hers that I absolutely LOVED. Like the first two reads by Sayers, this story had a dark, foreboding edge that keeps you turning the pages with equal parts anxiety and wonder. I've never really been a big fan of the horror genre, but this novel leans towards the gothic sub-genre with the element of romance involved. The romance was not in the forefront of the story, which I didn't mind at all. The dual timelines and time travel feel (I would describe it as traveling to an alternate world/dimension rather than time travel) both added to the complexity of this thought-provoking story.
Christopher Kent's childhood was very unstable and chaotic. From a very early age, he had to learn how to deal with his mother's extreme mood swings, addictions, and unpredictable behavior. Constantly on the move to a new place and a new job, they lived a nomadic life out of hotels filled with uncertainty and dread. Christopher knew he wouldn't stay in any one place too long, so he wouldn't allow himself to make friends. While it wasn't an easy childhood, it was what he had become accustomed to in order to take care of his mother and keep them safe. Then his world came crashing down one day when his mother seemed to have a complete mental breakdown. The catalyst was (strangely enough) a poster of an old black and white movie star named Gemma Turner. It seemed to send his mother into an unhinged loss of control that became her final breaking point.
After Christopher couldn't hold the pieces of their life together any longer, and he was sent to live with his aunt and uncle. He never forgot Gemma Turner and the strange effect she seemed to have on his mother. It started a lifelong obsession-a quest to learn everything he could about the actress and her possible connection to his mother. It was a quest that would ultimately dig up dark secrets that were meant to stay hidden forever.
Christopher knew in his heart that his mother’s true tale had been hidden from him—from all of them. He just had to find it.
Gemma Turner's POV is ominous from page one. If you've read the synopsis, you know that she is doomed to disappear during her last movie. That movie, L’Etrange Lune, grew to have a cult-like following as well as the strange deaths of some people connected to it. Was there some sort of curse on the property they were filming at? The world had a macabre fascination with the unexplainable events. To Christopher, it was more than that. He felt uncontrollably drawn to the story. Obsessed. Gemma's fate meant something to him in a very personal way and he couldn't stop until he had closure. Her alternating chapters become hard to read because you're filled with dread for her. Knowing she has nothing but a living nightmare waiting for her in the near future, in a living story that alters with each decision she makes.
I can't say much more about the plot without spoiling the mystery of it all, but I will say that Christopher and Gemma's worlds eventually will collide. He must find a way to extract her or he may become entangled right along with her. What sacrifices is he willing to make in order to put this cursed movie to rest once and for all?
The book was a little slow going at first, partly due to my impatience to just get Gemma's entrance into the movie over with. Even though I was impatient, the attention to detail created a fine-tuned plot and three dimensional characters. Everything was brought to life in an exquisite, sinister package that kept me hooked until the very last page. I can't wait to see what this author has in store for us next!
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November 15, 2023
Thanks to Redhook Books, author Constance Sayers, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Star and the Strange Moon took me on many journeys. I felt like I read 3 different books by the end, but they also all fit together into one story. It’s mysterious, a little spooky gothic, a little romantic, and entirely gripping. There were twists I was able to predict with clues and twists that hit me out of left field AND twists that I kind of predicted but also surprised me. The story starts out slowly with tons of world-building and characters, but it’s well done and necessary to make everything make sense later on.
I think this book will impress readers of numerous genres. It was fun, weird, sad, and compelling!
The Star and the Strange Moon took me on many journeys. I felt like I read 3 different books by the end, but they also all fit together into one story. It’s mysterious, a little spooky gothic, a little romantic, and entirely gripping. There were twists I was able to predict with clues and twists that hit me out of left field AND twists that I kind of predicted but also surprised me. The story starts out slowly with tons of world-building and characters, but it’s well done and necessary to make everything make sense later on.
I think this book will impress readers of numerous genres. It was fun, weird, sad, and compelling!
January 18, 2025
I wish this book could have decided what it was. A campy vampire gothic horror? A time traveling thriller? A longing acceptance of grief? An artists obsession Faustian bargain tragedy? Fated lovers romance? It’s giving The Goldfinch but without the human connection. Other than the buildup of the main relationship neither main character seems to have meaningful relationships. They either push them away due to the obsession or can’t trust them because of “the story”. It’s almost Pygmalian but it honestly just leaves you feeling gross.
September 1, 2024
I really didn’t know what to expect with this book. A love that transcends 40 years. (Or maybe even more!) Christopher’s an obsessed film maker. Gemma is our movie star. I really enjoyed how the book turned out. I’ve rounded up to 5 from 4.5 stars. It was a nice read and an HEA bizarrely.
December 21, 2023
This one is really hard for me to rate. This is probably one of the weirdest, eeriest and most creative story I’ve read this year, and for the most part I still vibed with it. I’m not sure how I feel about that ending though.
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