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The Blood Circus #2
Ice Moon
Return to the untamed wilderness where survival demands sacrifice in the gripping sequel to the dark, seductive world of Blood Circus.
Ava may have survived the deadly Blood Race at Circo, but on human soil, she is a fugitive, hiding her true identity for fear of being hunted. If she can't complete the Klujn Blood Race--the real one, in the wild--before the Ice Moon rises, she faces permanent exile.
On the run, she learns that Grouse, the ruthless autocrat, holds her adoptive mother captive. Ava's only chance at true freedom and to save those she loves is to bring Grouse the heart of Warwick, Circo's king--the same mad king who enslaved her and who has terrorized humanity for decades.
Aided only by the intimidating but ailing Diablo, Ava embarks on an epic journey into the frozen wilds, where danger lies around every corner--and in her own mind. For survival is only the beginning. Ava must also impress the gods, because they are everywhere, and they are watching.
Dazzling and grotesque, horrifying and hopeful, Ice Moon pulls readers deeper into a world of primal rituals, sentient plants, earth magic, and savage beauty. Ava's fight for home, belonging, and love becomes a powerful journey of healing--one that shows us we cannot heal the earth until we first heal ourselves.
Ava may have survived the deadly Blood Race at Circo, but on human soil, she is a fugitive, hiding her true identity for fear of being hunted. If she can't complete the Klujn Blood Race--the real one, in the wild--before the Ice Moon rises, she faces permanent exile.
On the run, she learns that Grouse, the ruthless autocrat, holds her adoptive mother captive. Ava's only chance at true freedom and to save those she loves is to bring Grouse the heart of Warwick, Circo's king--the same mad king who enslaved her and who has terrorized humanity for decades.
Aided only by the intimidating but ailing Diablo, Ava embarks on an epic journey into the frozen wilds, where danger lies around every corner--and in her own mind. For survival is only the beginning. Ava must also impress the gods, because they are everywhere, and they are watching.
Dazzling and grotesque, horrifying and hopeful, Ice Moon pulls readers deeper into a world of primal rituals, sentient plants, earth magic, and savage beauty. Ava's fight for home, belonging, and love becomes a powerful journey of healing--one that shows us we cannot heal the earth until we first heal ourselves.
382 pages, Hardcover
Published September 23, 2025
9 people are currently reading
7755 people want to read
About the author
Camila Victoire
2 books108 followersCamila Victoire is a French Canadian / Australian novelist and screenwriter currently based in Montreal. She toured for four years with a circus before going to study writing for film and TV at the Vancouver Film School, from which she graduated in 2015. The daughter of two performance artists, she is a born nomad. Her stories are nourished by her adventures, from exploring the haunted forests of Transylvania to venturing deep into the jungles of Peru. Blood Circus is her first novel.
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March 18, 2025HELLO ??? eek tysm camilla for blessing me with another blood circus 🧎♀️🧎♀️
July 21, 2025
Edit: Upon further thinking, and reading other books I rated two stars, I'm lowering this to one star.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of this book.
Blood Circus: Ice Moon picks up a few months after Blood Circus ends, but it takes me about 2 pages to realize that I should have read a recap of Blood Circus, and not just my previous review, before jumping into this one. While I remember the main gist of Blood Circus, I do not remember a lot of details, and Ice Moon does you no favors and holds no hands when it begins. Essentially, I was a little lost from the get-go, and relied on the narrative jogging my memory as I read. And for the most part it did! There are still some details of Blood Circus that are fuzzy, but I remembered enough to follow along for Ice Moon...and the absolute s*** show it was.
First, I cannot tell you what happened. It's not that it was incoherent, it's that so much was shoved into this book that it would take me too long to cover everything, and I feel like after about 5 minutes I would realize how absolutely insane it sounds and just trail off and stop telling you about it. Also, the plot is a lot of "and this happened and this happened, and then this happened." While there are conflicts, they are mostly hand-waved or solved because of "Klujn magic."
Leading me to the top 3 things that made me rate this book so low. I was so close to rating this 1 star, but I reserve that for books that are legitimately problematic and offensive. This is borderline. See below.
1. The tone of this book is "if you just work hard enough you can overcome any obstacle and succeed." I understand this is YA and may be considered a decent message, but in this current political and economic environment, it's tone deaf. It's giving "bootstraps" and that's not how the world works.
2. In Blood Circus, the Klujns were essentially a cross between druids, elves, and rangers, to simplify. They were a nature magic race that if anything could be called uninspired. In Ice Moon, I don't know what happened but all of a sudden they are VERY magical, like stupidly magical, especially Ava. They don't really need to sleep, or eat, they can breath underwater kind of, whether doesn't bother them, they can call upon Gods, speak to flora and fauna, find food anywhere. And all you have to do is just, believe. Just believe you can and like, your Klujn instincts will take over! They are THAT in tune with nature. It got so bad that at several points, the Klujn sounded like those terrible fake fitness Instagram influencers. I have a passage highlighted on my Kindle where Diablo is explaining the truth about water to Ava, about how water in a tap is dead and running water is alive and dead water is bad for you. I have it highlighted with a little note that just says "what?". There are other examples of this that I highlighted throughout the book. One that almost made me throw my Kindle was about tampons being poison. Get the eff out of here.
3. A complaint I had from the first novel was about the age difference between Diablo and Ava. He's roughly 25 (I think?) and she's 17. Now, others must have given the author similar feedback because it is mentioned AT LEAST THREE TIMES explicitly that Klujn age and human age is "different." It is never explained how it's different, just that it's different so age gaps like this are "no big deal." There's another passage I highlighted where Salta is explaining how she met her husband. He was 14 and she was 20-something. She explicitly says that in the human world THIS WOULD BE ILLEGAL, but here it's not because "Klujn age." Ew.
So overall, I thought this one was problematic compared to the first one, as well as still being predictable.
Now with that said....I don't know why but I'll absolutely read the third one. They're so quick to read and I need to see where this legit circus ends up.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy of this book.
Blood Circus: Ice Moon picks up a few months after Blood Circus ends, but it takes me about 2 pages to realize that I should have read a recap of Blood Circus, and not just my previous review, before jumping into this one. While I remember the main gist of Blood Circus, I do not remember a lot of details, and Ice Moon does you no favors and holds no hands when it begins. Essentially, I was a little lost from the get-go, and relied on the narrative jogging my memory as I read. And for the most part it did! There are still some details of Blood Circus that are fuzzy, but I remembered enough to follow along for Ice Moon...and the absolute s*** show it was.
First, I cannot tell you what happened. It's not that it was incoherent, it's that so much was shoved into this book that it would take me too long to cover everything, and I feel like after about 5 minutes I would realize how absolutely insane it sounds and just trail off and stop telling you about it. Also, the plot is a lot of "and this happened and this happened, and then this happened." While there are conflicts, they are mostly hand-waved or solved because of "Klujn magic."
Leading me to the top 3 things that made me rate this book so low. I was so close to rating this 1 star, but I reserve that for books that are legitimately problematic and offensive. This is borderline. See below.
1. The tone of this book is "if you just work hard enough you can overcome any obstacle and succeed." I understand this is YA and may be considered a decent message, but in this current political and economic environment, it's tone deaf. It's giving "bootstraps" and that's not how the world works.
2. In Blood Circus, the Klujns were essentially a cross between druids, elves, and rangers, to simplify. They were a nature magic race that if anything could be called uninspired. In Ice Moon, I don't know what happened but all of a sudden they are VERY magical, like stupidly magical, especially Ava. They don't really need to sleep, or eat, they can breath underwater kind of, whether doesn't bother them, they can call upon Gods, speak to flora and fauna, find food anywhere. And all you have to do is just, believe. Just believe you can and like, your Klujn instincts will take over! They are THAT in tune with nature. It got so bad that at several points, the Klujn sounded like those terrible fake fitness Instagram influencers. I have a passage highlighted on my Kindle where Diablo is explaining the truth about water to Ava, about how water in a tap is dead and running water is alive and dead water is bad for you. I have it highlighted with a little note that just says "what?". There are other examples of this that I highlighted throughout the book. One that almost made me throw my Kindle was about tampons being poison. Get the eff out of here.
3. A complaint I had from the first novel was about the age difference between Diablo and Ava. He's roughly 25 (I think?) and she's 17. Now, others must have given the author similar feedback because it is mentioned AT LEAST THREE TIMES explicitly that Klujn age and human age is "different." It is never explained how it's different, just that it's different so age gaps like this are "no big deal." There's another passage I highlighted where Salta is explaining how she met her husband. He was 14 and she was 20-something. She explicitly says that in the human world THIS WOULD BE ILLEGAL, but here it's not because "Klujn age." Ew.
So overall, I thought this one was problematic compared to the first one, as well as still being predictable.
Now with that said....I don't know why but I'll absolutely read the third one. They're so quick to read and I need to see where this legit circus ends up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2025
***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.
"Ice Moon," the incredibly well done sequel to Blood Circus, and is a fantastic continuation of Ava’s journey. After witnessing her fierce determination in Blood Circus, I couldn’t wait to dive into the next chapter of her adventure, and Camila Victorie delivers a satisfying and compelling story.
The narrative picks up two months after the events of Blood Circus, where Ava, now back among humans, feels lost and adrift. Her escape with Diablo begins their quest to return to Circo before the Ice Moon, presenting both familiar trials and new challenges. What really stood out to me was Diablo’s character development—despite initially planning to leave Ava behind, he stays with her, determined to help her get as far as he can. Over time, he becomes more patient and empathetic towards her, and their bond grows beautifully. Romance isn’t a central theme in this series, but the love and yearning between them feel deeply rooted, adding an emotional layer to their journey. The pacing of their journey kept me hooked as they navigate unexpected obstacles, and their evolving relationship adds a rich, heartfelt dimension to the story.
A particularly strong aspect of this book is Diablo’s expanded backstory, which adds depth to his character. The emphasis on earth magic and the spiritual elements of the world enhances the story, creating a setting that feels grounded and fully realized. Victorie excels at maintaining the richness and believability of the world she’s created, making it a seamless extension of what readers experienced in Blood Circus.
In Blood Circus, certain outcomes felt somewhat predictable based on the setup, but Ice Moon introduces surprising twists that kept the story fresh. I especially appreciated the ending, where Ava, despite the changes she’s gone through, decides to forgo the next Queen trials and return to the world she knew. It’s a bold choice, leaving me excited to see where her journey will go next.
Overall, Ice Moon is a brilliant sequel that deepens the character arcs, expands on the world-building, and keeps readers invested in Ava’s journey. Fans of Blood Circus will be pleased, and anyone who enjoys strong, complex characters and immersive world-building should definitely check out this series.
"Ice Moon," the incredibly well done sequel to Blood Circus, and is a fantastic continuation of Ava’s journey. After witnessing her fierce determination in Blood Circus, I couldn’t wait to dive into the next chapter of her adventure, and Camila Victorie delivers a satisfying and compelling story.
The narrative picks up two months after the events of Blood Circus, where Ava, now back among humans, feels lost and adrift. Her escape with Diablo begins their quest to return to Circo before the Ice Moon, presenting both familiar trials and new challenges. What really stood out to me was Diablo’s character development—despite initially planning to leave Ava behind, he stays with her, determined to help her get as far as he can. Over time, he becomes more patient and empathetic towards her, and their bond grows beautifully. Romance isn’t a central theme in this series, but the love and yearning between them feel deeply rooted, adding an emotional layer to their journey. The pacing of their journey kept me hooked as they navigate unexpected obstacles, and their evolving relationship adds a rich, heartfelt dimension to the story.
A particularly strong aspect of this book is Diablo’s expanded backstory, which adds depth to his character. The emphasis on earth magic and the spiritual elements of the world enhances the story, creating a setting that feels grounded and fully realized. Victorie excels at maintaining the richness and believability of the world she’s created, making it a seamless extension of what readers experienced in Blood Circus.
In Blood Circus, certain outcomes felt somewhat predictable based on the setup, but Ice Moon introduces surprising twists that kept the story fresh. I especially appreciated the ending, where Ava, despite the changes she’s gone through, decides to forgo the next Queen trials and return to the world she knew. It’s a bold choice, leaving me excited to see where her journey will go next.
Overall, Ice Moon is a brilliant sequel that deepens the character arcs, expands on the world-building, and keeps readers invested in Ava’s journey. Fans of Blood Circus will be pleased, and anyone who enjoys strong, complex characters and immersive world-building should definitely check out this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2025
The striking sequel to Camila Victoire’s genre-blending Blood Circus packs an emotional punch, expands the magical world and takes the protagonist on a journey of self-acceptance.
It follows Ava, who has recently discovered she’s half human, half Klujn (a species evolved to correct mankind’s mistakes against nature). No longer at home in human society, she must fight for Klujn acceptance by proving herself in the Blood Race. This is a treacherous journey through jungles, ice plains and caves, and the stakes are perpetually high. Klujns are hunted by human poachers, poisonous plants and insects abound, and disasters like flash floods risk the life of any young Klujn who can’t harness her magic. As she faces each trial, with her grumpy but handsome guide at her side, Ava must confront her deepest scars and learn that only by believing in herself can she reach the home - and the peace - she craves.
I love the way this author writes! The plot is clever and full of suspense, horror, challenges, twists and turns, but the real stars of the show are the character development and the deep appreciation for nature. Through beautiful metaphors and magic realism, this story exposes the way humans mistreat and misunderstand the environment and our own bodies, and the sense of belonging we feel when we connect with the plants, animals and natural systems around us. You’ll finish the tale wanting to hug a tree, and then your friends and family.
I have grown to love these characters. They’re all morally grey but fighting for a better world in their own (sometimes pure, sometimes twisted) ways. The budding romance is sweet and slow and filled with longing, and the early-stage friendships and rivalries are vulnerable and honest and complex and fierce.
I can’t wait for the next instalment in this series, and I highly recommend the first two books to anyone who loves the trials and challenges trope, as well as brave heroines who come into their own.
Thank you to @camivictoire, @blackstonepublishing and @netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
It follows Ava, who has recently discovered she’s half human, half Klujn (a species evolved to correct mankind’s mistakes against nature). No longer at home in human society, she must fight for Klujn acceptance by proving herself in the Blood Race. This is a treacherous journey through jungles, ice plains and caves, and the stakes are perpetually high. Klujns are hunted by human poachers, poisonous plants and insects abound, and disasters like flash floods risk the life of any young Klujn who can’t harness her magic. As she faces each trial, with her grumpy but handsome guide at her side, Ava must confront her deepest scars and learn that only by believing in herself can she reach the home - and the peace - she craves.
I love the way this author writes! The plot is clever and full of suspense, horror, challenges, twists and turns, but the real stars of the show are the character development and the deep appreciation for nature. Through beautiful metaphors and magic realism, this story exposes the way humans mistreat and misunderstand the environment and our own bodies, and the sense of belonging we feel when we connect with the plants, animals and natural systems around us. You’ll finish the tale wanting to hug a tree, and then your friends and family.
I have grown to love these characters. They’re all morally grey but fighting for a better world in their own (sometimes pure, sometimes twisted) ways. The budding romance is sweet and slow and filled with longing, and the early-stage friendships and rivalries are vulnerable and honest and complex and fierce.
I can’t wait for the next instalment in this series, and I highly recommend the first two books to anyone who loves the trials and challenges trope, as well as brave heroines who come into their own.
Thank you to @camivictoire, @blackstonepublishing and @netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2025
Thank you to Camila Victoire, NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I first heard The Blood Circus on audiobook by random chance, aka it was available for immediate borrowing on Libby and I was in need of an interesting listen. I was surprised to see Ice Moon on NetGalley and put in my request right away.
This picked up where Book One left off, which wasn't helpful for me because I forgot how the original ended and had to refamiliarize myself with the world, which has a lot happening with the Klujn species. Once I understood it all, I was hooked back in. The world was built up well and the plot moved into the action pretty quickly. I liked all of the magic aspects along with the relationship with nature.
For a second there, the beginning of this book was similar to the first and to be completely honest, this book had a very similar layout to the last. Like how you had the Hunger Games then the Quarter Quell.
I enjoyed Ava's character development. Originally I thought she had it too easy with Diablo as her tour guide, but once she started taking those lessons out on her own, I liked her character and watching her growth.
The only thing that bothered me was how easily the Klujns could do whatever they wanted. Find food, make clothing, build fire, talk to plants, strong internal compass, can run forever, cold doesn't affect them, nor heat if they don't want it too. I would have liked to see a bit of magic held back or only accessible to certain stands.
Overall, the author did a great job tying in her human vs nature conflict that mirrors the real world without seeming too pushy and I enjoyed it. I am excited to see what happens in Book 3 because we were set up for something big.
I first heard The Blood Circus on audiobook by random chance, aka it was available for immediate borrowing on Libby and I was in need of an interesting listen. I was surprised to see Ice Moon on NetGalley and put in my request right away.
This picked up where Book One left off, which wasn't helpful for me because I forgot how the original ended and had to refamiliarize myself with the world, which has a lot happening with the Klujn species. Once I understood it all, I was hooked back in. The world was built up well and the plot moved into the action pretty quickly. I liked all of the magic aspects along with the relationship with nature.
For a second there, the beginning of this book was similar to the first and to be completely honest, this book had a very similar layout to the last. Like how you had the Hunger Games then the Quarter Quell.
I enjoyed Ava's character development. Originally I thought she had it too easy with Diablo as her tour guide, but once she started taking those lessons out on her own, I liked her character and watching her growth.
The only thing that bothered me was how easily the Klujns could do whatever they wanted. Find food, make clothing, build fire, talk to plants, strong internal compass, can run forever, cold doesn't affect them, nor heat if they don't want it too. I would have liked to see a bit of magic held back or only accessible to certain stands.
Overall, the author did a great job tying in her human vs nature conflict that mirrors the real world without seeming too pushy and I enjoyed it. I am excited to see what happens in Book 3 because we were set up for something big.
June 16, 2025
3..25 Stars
This book had so many things I usually eat up — deadly rituals, found family, slow-burn enemies-to-maybe lovers, and a world teeming with raw, dangerous magic. But while the bones were good, the execution didn’t fully land for me.
Ava and Diablo’s dynamic is where the story shines. There's this almost feral intensity between them that could have set the page on fire — but it never quite got there. It felt like we were always on the verge of something deliciously dark, but the moment kept getting snatched away.
The worldbuilding? Stunning and brutal — earthy, icy, strange in all the right ways. Think sentient plants, primal trials, and a constant sense of danger. But also… a lot. Like, I needed a glossary and a nap. The pacing dragged in parts and some of the info-dumping early on had me rereading pages just to catch up. I get what it was trying to do, but it made the emotional payoff harder to feel. The location changes where confusing at parts as well and took me a minute to catch up on where about we where in the story.
That said — the twisty moments hit, the ending gave just enough of a hook to tempt me into the next book, and I did care about where Ava was going. I just wanted to feel it all a bit deeper, sharper, and hotter.
Would I recommend it? If you’re into slow builds, primal energy, and morally grey magic-drenched vibes, this might be for you. Just know it’s more ice than fire — at least for now.
This book had so many things I usually eat up — deadly rituals, found family, slow-burn enemies-to-maybe lovers, and a world teeming with raw, dangerous magic. But while the bones were good, the execution didn’t fully land for me.
Ava and Diablo’s dynamic is where the story shines. There's this almost feral intensity between them that could have set the page on fire — but it never quite got there. It felt like we were always on the verge of something deliciously dark, but the moment kept getting snatched away.
The worldbuilding? Stunning and brutal — earthy, icy, strange in all the right ways. Think sentient plants, primal trials, and a constant sense of danger. But also… a lot. Like, I needed a glossary and a nap. The pacing dragged in parts and some of the info-dumping early on had me rereading pages just to catch up. I get what it was trying to do, but it made the emotional payoff harder to feel. The location changes where confusing at parts as well and took me a minute to catch up on where about we where in the story.
That said — the twisty moments hit, the ending gave just enough of a hook to tempt me into the next book, and I did care about where Ava was going. I just wanted to feel it all a bit deeper, sharper, and hotter.
Would I recommend it? If you’re into slow builds, primal energy, and morally grey magic-drenched vibes, this might be for you. Just know it’s more ice than fire — at least for now.
September 18, 2025
4/5 stars
Quick summary: Ava returns to the wilds to compete in the Blood Race.
Wow, I am impressed with this book. The author did such a good job of pulling me back into this world. I love how this book is centered on connecting humanity vs. nature, and how there is always a delicate balance, and what it looks like when the balance is off. This book was so descriptive in some places that it was so heartbreaking what I was reading (check TW as there is some animal abuse).
Ava has some major character development in this book, and I am LIVING for it. I loved her internal battles and how she continues to work towards them to be who she wants to be. I loved how she continues to grow and be immersed in the nature around her while also talking about the conflict she has with being part human. Her character development, along with the relationship she develops with Diablo, makes me so excited for the next book. The author did such a great job with the side characters that they continue to enhance the worldbuilding and left me questioning what their motivations are and what is going to happen.
Overall, this book was enjoyable and includes tropes such as coming of age story, found family, enemies to friends to lovers, and having a heavy connection with nature. I definitely recommend if you are looking for a unique fantasy story.
Thank you to Netgalley, Camila Victoire, and Blackstone Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait for the next one!
Quick summary: Ava returns to the wilds to compete in the Blood Race.
Wow, I am impressed with this book. The author did such a good job of pulling me back into this world. I love how this book is centered on connecting humanity vs. nature, and how there is always a delicate balance, and what it looks like when the balance is off. This book was so descriptive in some places that it was so heartbreaking what I was reading (check TW as there is some animal abuse).
Ava has some major character development in this book, and I am LIVING for it. I loved her internal battles and how she continues to work towards them to be who she wants to be. I loved how she continues to grow and be immersed in the nature around her while also talking about the conflict she has with being part human. Her character development, along with the relationship she develops with Diablo, makes me so excited for the next book. The author did such a great job with the side characters that they continue to enhance the worldbuilding and left me questioning what their motivations are and what is going to happen.
Overall, this book was enjoyable and includes tropes such as coming of age story, found family, enemies to friends to lovers, and having a heavy connection with nature. I definitely recommend if you are looking for a unique fantasy story.
Thank you to Netgalley, Camila Victoire, and Blackstone Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I can't wait for the next one!
April 23, 2025
The book's cover and title of this drew me in. The synopsis of the book is way more informative than reading even the first 10% of the book.
Unfortunately the start is pretty rough, especially if you haven't read the first book. There are a TON of names, place, terms, etc thrown at you. It takes a while to even learn the narrator/MC's name. She also really feels like an unreliable narrator. For a while it sounded like she was being kept in a windowless room for the past 6 years...but then she goes to school? Conveniently Ava, the MC, gets a lecture on Klujns and their developmental milestones, mating habits, etc. I'm quite disappointed that some things are overly detailed and spoon-fed to readers, while some other huge elements are left dangling.
Overall, this book has potential but needs a lot of polishing. While it's a YA book but have a little faith in your readers... Mostly my criticisms are that it felt too confusing: seemingly contradictory elements, too many names, not enough history/world building to connect to anything.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately the start is pretty rough, especially if you haven't read the first book. There are a TON of names, place, terms, etc thrown at you. It takes a while to even learn the narrator/MC's name. She also really feels like an unreliable narrator. For a while it sounded like she was being kept in a windowless room for the past 6 years...but then she goes to school? Conveniently Ava, the MC, gets a lecture on Klujns and their developmental milestones, mating habits, etc. I'm quite disappointed that some things are overly detailed and spoon-fed to readers, while some other huge elements are left dangling.
Overall, this book has potential but needs a lot of polishing. While it's a YA book but have a little faith in your readers... Mostly my criticisms are that it felt too confusing: seemingly contradictory elements, too many names, not enough history/world building to connect to anything.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 7, 2026
So many things to looooove about this book. The storyline is captivating. The challenges are unique and heartfelt. The characters are evolving and you are shown new sides to each one throughout the book. (BTW I really want Diablo and Ava to have a HEA.. who wouldn’t?!!)
There are some points when the first book is referenced with not enough of a sense to bring you back and have you remember exactly what it is that happened. I read a few books in between the two so when she would graze over events from the first book with the tiniest of crumbs like the reader remembered exactly how a character died, or what small mark it left on Ava, I was lost. There were too many characters to remember small nuances of each one. The constant comparisons between what is happening and a circus is also pretty tiresome after a while. I understand it was the major influence, and it is a great storyline but to be able to make those distinctions ourselves eventually- instead of “like a circus” “reminds me of a circus” “similar to a circus” it got repetitive. I love this book more than most I’ve read in a long time! I’m invested and really hope to eventually see a third!
There are some points when the first book is referenced with not enough of a sense to bring you back and have you remember exactly what it is that happened. I read a few books in between the two so when she would graze over events from the first book with the tiniest of crumbs like the reader remembered exactly how a character died, or what small mark it left on Ava, I was lost. There were too many characters to remember small nuances of each one. The constant comparisons between what is happening and a circus is also pretty tiresome after a while. I understand it was the major influence, and it is a great storyline but to be able to make those distinctions ourselves eventually- instead of “like a circus” “reminds me of a circus” “similar to a circus” it got repetitive. I love this book more than most I’ve read in a long time! I’m invested and really hope to eventually see a third!
February 22, 2025
First off thank you NetGalley & Blackstone publishing for this opportunity to read this ARC. I am voluntarily leaving this review so all opinions are mine.
I feel a little guilty as I didn’t realize this was a series. With a never ending tbr, I decided to go in blind and boy was that wrong. Unfortunately had to dnf. The whole first part of the book is recapping what happened last so I was left confused and not connected to the characters.
Ice Moon is the sequel to Blood Circus, continuing the story of Ava, who must navigate the dangers of the wild to complete the Klujn Blood Race before the Ice Moon rises.
Mostly my criticisms are that it felt too confusing, too many names and characters with not enough history/world building to connect. Ava's journey is compelling and striking, but the supporting characters are lacking.
I am also not a big YA fan besides the Powerless trilogy so perhaps this would be better suited for the younger generation that hasn’t already read Hunger Games. Also who else thought there was going to be a circus element??
I feel a little guilty as I didn’t realize this was a series. With a never ending tbr, I decided to go in blind and boy was that wrong. Unfortunately had to dnf. The whole first part of the book is recapping what happened last so I was left confused and not connected to the characters.
Ice Moon is the sequel to Blood Circus, continuing the story of Ava, who must navigate the dangers of the wild to complete the Klujn Blood Race before the Ice Moon rises.
Mostly my criticisms are that it felt too confusing, too many names and characters with not enough history/world building to connect. Ava's journey is compelling and striking, but the supporting characters are lacking.
I am also not a big YA fan besides the Powerless trilogy so perhaps this would be better suited for the younger generation that hasn’t already read Hunger Games. Also who else thought there was going to be a circus element??
November 3, 2025
In Blood Circus, the first book of this series, Ava discovered that she wasn't human - that she was half human, half klujn, a humanoid species that lives in harmony with nature, in contrast to humanity, which has done its best to destroy nature in the name of progress. But her parentage is quite what she thinks it is, as she finds out on her attempt to survive the Blood Race, the only way to demonstrate that she is an adult klujn, worthy of the training and culture of an adult klujn. This is a journey of exploration of the self, during which Ava learns that there is far more to her story than she ever expected - and that various members of the klujn race are not the pacifistic, empathetic, and compassionate persons they are depicted to be.
This is a worthy sequel to the first book, although it didn't answer all the questions I had. Hopefully, there will be a book three that will answer those questions that remain.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a worthy sequel to the first book, although it didn't answer all the questions I had. Hopefully, there will be a book three that will answer those questions that remain.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 28, 2025
I’m really disappointed in this book. For it being slow, anticlimactic, but MOST of all, for bringing the real world pseudoscience of “gut microbiome” into a fantasy novel. I gave up at 47% because what IS this? (I don’t feel this quote gives any spoilers out of context, but read on at your own risk)
“Close. Our guts and our microbiome is like an ecosystem,” he says. “The choices we make determine whether that ecosystem is healthy or ill. When you feed your gut too much of the wrong things, it makes you depressed, disrupts your connection to spirit, and that leads to all sorts of diseases. If we feed it vibrant plant fiber, food grown from the earth that we were designed to eat, our internal ecosystems thrive, and we feel better and more connected.”
There are a lot of other problematic things in this book as well as just some pretty poor writing. So, yeah. A big no for me. :/
“Close. Our guts and our microbiome is like an ecosystem,” he says. “The choices we make determine whether that ecosystem is healthy or ill. When you feed your gut too much of the wrong things, it makes you depressed, disrupts your connection to spirit, and that leads to all sorts of diseases. If we feed it vibrant plant fiber, food grown from the earth that we were designed to eat, our internal ecosystems thrive, and we feel better and more connected.”
There are a lot of other problematic things in this book as well as just some pretty poor writing. So, yeah. A big no for me. :/
March 17, 2025
The Blood Circus series is tragic and dark but so full of important reflections about life and society. The way Camila Victoire examines the world is so powerful and interesting. In book 2, Ava continues on her journey to learn more about herself and achieve self-acceptance. It’s sometimes a slow journey, but highlights important small moments that will stay with you for a long time. In some of the plot points, I wish the emotion would’ve been cultivated a little more. Some really huge things are happening with Ava, but the emotion is limited in how we, the reader, experience these transformations. However, these books are powerful and fascinating and have very important ideas about life and our world.
April 23, 2025
It's a fine book, which is not really the emotion you want a reader to feel by the end of your book. The back half was /way/ more interesting and that really boosted it up.
In Ice Moon, Ava grows into her own as a Klujn and goes through the Blood Race. The emphasis on nature and the interconnectedness between all beings was very well done and I enjoyed the buildup of the relationship between Ava and Diablo. There were definitely moments were things felt off-pace, though. The beginning was very slow but changed locations so rapidly that I felt confused, while the second half was much more engaging but had sort of confusing lore drops (and a bit of a deus ex machina in the form of a truth potion). If you liked the first book though, you'll enjoy this one.
In Ice Moon, Ava grows into her own as a Klujn and goes through the Blood Race. The emphasis on nature and the interconnectedness between all beings was very well done and I enjoyed the buildup of the relationship between Ava and Diablo. There were definitely moments were things felt off-pace, though. The beginning was very slow but changed locations so rapidly that I felt confused, while the second half was much more engaging but had sort of confusing lore drops (and a bit of a deus ex machina in the form of a truth potion). If you liked the first book though, you'll enjoy this one.
February 26, 2025
This one took me a little longer to read as I had to go find the first one before I could but I’m so so glad I did as it made far more sense afterwords!
I loved the plot and all the twists and turns I did feel like some parts had a little bit of information overload but it’s good for keeping up.
Overall I really enjoyed this book (and the first) and think it would make for a good contender for your next read.
I loved the plot and all the twists and turns I did feel like some parts had a little bit of information overload but it’s good for keeping up.
Overall I really enjoyed this book (and the first) and think it would make for a good contender for your next read.
April 23, 2025
This was a great sequel to Blood Circus and Ava’s story! I loved Blood Circus and couldn’t wait to see what Camila Victorie did with this, and she did not disappoint. Not only did this book bring more trials and tribulations into Ava’s book, but it also allowed us to better understand Diablo’s character. Definitely recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
November 28, 2025
Wow, usually a sequel disappoints, not this one! This was absolutely incredible. I am so thankful I found the first one by chance on Libby. I decided to buy both the first and this one as a physical copy as it was just too wonderful. I loved continuing Ava’s story of her becoming her Klujn self. This book was absolutely wonderful. I loved following her and Diablo. I sincerely hope there will be a third to continue Ava’s adventures. So so so so so good!
February 24, 2025
The book has a lot of information which I personally believe should have been scrapped or shortened down and used as introduction. The story is good and the overall plot is interesting. The twist and turns are good. Battles and adventures are good. Overall this is a good book with ample plot, twist, story and a good evening read.
August 23, 2025
Ava’s journey through the dark forest learning all the lies and secrets, maturing and learning the ways of the kluhn people. Her blood race was a hard journey but in the end she came out on top! But her story is only beginning. With wolf by her side holding warwicks heart the path ahead will become more clear the farther she goes. I believe the story will continue on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2025
This is a climate fiction that continues to intrigue me. I continue to love the idea of these beings that are so in tuned with nature and trying to bring this climate ravaged world back to unity. It took me a second to get back into this one but once I did, I was locked in.
I loved getting just that much deeper into the Kluhn world in this sequel and am so excited for the next one!
I loved getting just that much deeper into the Kluhn world in this sequel and am so excited for the next one!
February 27, 2025
Received a free arc. All opinions are my own and freely given.
Was overly detailed. Felt like alot of it could have been removed and still bern understood. Story was interesting and I had a good time read it. Just wish it had moved a bit faster. This series is very promising for sure.
Was overly detailed. Felt like alot of it could have been removed and still bern understood. Story was interesting and I had a good time read it. Just wish it had moved a bit faster. This series is very promising for sure.
April 1, 2025
Amazing writing ! Just wants to keep going - can’t wait for book 3 !!
August 31, 2025
it was amazing. the author has a way with her stories that just keep you wanting more. I truly hope she writes a third book for this series. I would love to see how the story unfolds
September 11, 2025
A very large info dump. I did enjoy the first book better, interested to read the next book because there will probably be another. Happy to have won an advanced reading copy through Goodreads!
September 23, 2025
Such a good follow up to the first! Did not disappoint at all, though did find heartbreaking at times (in the best kind of way) <3 will there be a third one?!?!
September 29, 2025
Even though the first quarter of the book I was waiting for it to start. The story I fell in love with! I love the Klujns, magic, and story behind it all.
January 15, 2026
Everything interesting about this series was written in the first book. And everything interesting in the first book was not nearly interesting enough to warrant a second flat book.
September 19, 2025
“I need to trust life and have confidence in the future [… ] a world that’s worth fighting for, and a future that’s worth living.”
In this thrilling sequel to Blood Circus, a story set in a world where humanity has been forever changed by climate change and famine, Ava is now on the run and hiding her newly discovered identity for fear of being found out. In order to remain safe and avoid being persecuted and exiled for good, Ava must once again compete in the ruthless games. This time, she’s competing in the Klujn Blood Race, hosted by this humanoid species that prides itself on the race’s tradition of fighting to the death. As she journeys throughout the race, she uncovers many secrets that only raise the stakes and make her wonder if she will truly be able to survive and heal from the race—and the scars that come with it.
As a sequel, I have to remind myself that Blood Circus and Ice Moon are two separate entities. While I found Blood Circus satisfactory, I found it hard to dive into Ice Moon because I wasn’t really all that interested in continuing with the series, despite book one’s ending that would have most likely had me begging for an ARC of the sequel when I was younger. And, even though I continued onto Ice Moon immediately after finishing the first book to give it a fair chance, I was still disappointed. The writing, like in book one, felt simplistic to the point of detriment and a bit juvenile at times in ways that took me out of the world. The story being marketed as similar to The Hunger Games is pretty on the nose, but making comparisons like this can also go awry. Despite the surface-level similarities between the books, the comparison creates misleading expectations for readers. While I absolutely adore The Hunger Games and the political messaging behind those books, Ice Moon couldn’t really compare despite the Blood Race and somewhat interesting, discussion-rousing mentions of climate change. To me, unfortunately, Ice Moon fell flat and felt repetitive and unnecessarily long.
Ice Moon releases on September 23rd, 2025.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Camila Victoire and Blackstone Publishing for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
In this thrilling sequel to Blood Circus, a story set in a world where humanity has been forever changed by climate change and famine, Ava is now on the run and hiding her newly discovered identity for fear of being found out. In order to remain safe and avoid being persecuted and exiled for good, Ava must once again compete in the ruthless games. This time, she’s competing in the Klujn Blood Race, hosted by this humanoid species that prides itself on the race’s tradition of fighting to the death. As she journeys throughout the race, she uncovers many secrets that only raise the stakes and make her wonder if she will truly be able to survive and heal from the race—and the scars that come with it.
As a sequel, I have to remind myself that Blood Circus and Ice Moon are two separate entities. While I found Blood Circus satisfactory, I found it hard to dive into Ice Moon because I wasn’t really all that interested in continuing with the series, despite book one’s ending that would have most likely had me begging for an ARC of the sequel when I was younger. And, even though I continued onto Ice Moon immediately after finishing the first book to give it a fair chance, I was still disappointed. The writing, like in book one, felt simplistic to the point of detriment and a bit juvenile at times in ways that took me out of the world. The story being marketed as similar to The Hunger Games is pretty on the nose, but making comparisons like this can also go awry. Despite the surface-level similarities between the books, the comparison creates misleading expectations for readers. While I absolutely adore The Hunger Games and the political messaging behind those books, Ice Moon couldn’t really compare despite the Blood Race and somewhat interesting, discussion-rousing mentions of climate change. To me, unfortunately, Ice Moon fell flat and felt repetitive and unnecessarily long.
Ice Moon releases on September 23rd, 2025.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Camila Victoire and Blackstone Publishing for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
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