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After they cause a terrible accident at their old high school, twin witches Mardi and Molly Overbrook are sent to live with their “aunt” Ingrid Beauchamp in North Hampton, on Long Island’s mist-shrouded East End. Because the twins cannot control their powers, their father begs Ingrid to tame them over the summer, before the White Council exiles the girls to Limbo.

Trouble continues to bubble and boil when the girls meet the younger Gardiner boys, who are just as handsome and sexy as their older kin. But all is not as it seems. As Ingrid helps the girls learn to control their magical impulses, Mardi and Molly have just this summer to figure out how to grow up, how to love, and how to be a family.

368 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2015

84 people are currently reading
3830 people want to read

About the author

Melissa de la Cruz

187 books15.8k followers
Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and the tongue-in-chic handbooks How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less and The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-inch heels and Faux-Pas.

She has worked as a fashion and beauty editor and has written for many publications including The New York Times, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Allure, The San Francisco Chronicle, McSweeney’s, Teen Vogue, CosmoGirl! and Seventeen. She has also appeared as an expert on fashion, trends and fame for CNN, E! and FoxNews.

Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to San Francisco with her family, where she graduated high school salutatorian from The Convent of the Sacred Heart. She majored in art history and English at Columbia University (and minored in nightclubs and shopping!).

She now divides her time between New York and Los Angeles, where she lives in the Hollywood Hills with her husband and daughter.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
Profile Image for Fafa's Book Corner.
515 reviews347 followers
January 14, 2016
Fafa's Book Corner (Wordpress)
Fafa's Book Corner (Blogger)

Beware spoilers ahead!

When I first heard about this book I was hesitant. It didn't sound like my kind of witch read. I have heard of Melissa de la Cruz . Click on her name to access her GR profile. She is extremely well known for writing Blue Bloods. When I went through the reviews I found positive ones. So I decided to try it. I am happy to say that I liked it!

This book is written in third person in Mardi and Molly's point of views. It also has chapter titles such as: I Knew You Were Trouble Part One, Red Red Wine, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and other song titles. They were pretty funny! Hence why I put this in comedy.

The books begins with a prologue. Mardi and Molly are attending Bret Farley's party. Bret happens to be fairly popular so the twins decided to go. During the party Bret flirts with Mardi and Molly. This is the first time the twins have been attracted to the same guy. And they are extremely jealous. The last thing the twins remember was Bret flirting with them. After that it is a blur. They arise the next morning extremely drained and tired. They don't even fight over the breakfast like they usually do. They then receive word that Sam and Parker they're classmates were pushed on the train tracks and run over by a train.

Mardi and Molly are not at all happy that they have to spend their summer at East End learning how to control their magic. She and Molly are spoiled brats, so they assumed that their summer would be in New York hanging out with friends and shopping. They also think that because they are Thor's daughters therefore Goddesses they are better than anyone else. But after they are the prime suspects in murdering Parker and Sam their father enlisted the help of Ingrid and her family.

It's not very surprising that they are the suspects as they usually pull horrible pranks on their teachers and peers. For example Mardi is getting a speeding ticket. To avoid this she makes him talk super fast making it seem like harassment. She then shuts his mouth and walks away without getting a ticket.

Despite not remembering the events of the party they know for sure that they did not kill Parker and Sam. They use their magic for pranks, manipulation, and revenge. Not for murdering anyone. Unless they get their magic under control The White Counsel is threatening to have the girls sent to the Underworld.

Whilst arriving they are introduced to Ingrid, her husband Matt, and their two children Joanna and Henry. Some time after they meet Freya who is Ingrid's sister and the Gardiner's. Their father wants them to take care of Jo and Henry on occasions as well as get summer jobs. To top it all off they are starting to investigate the murders of Parker and Sam. Someone else was behind the murders but wants to let Molly and Mardi take the blame...

This book was a breath of fresh air! I really liked the writing style and how well the author did in shaping Molly and Mardi. I do love a well written brat. Jo and Henry were so sweet! I loved them! Freya and Ingrid were awesome and treated the twins with such warmth and when necessary put their foots down. Matt was a good father and husband.

The writing style was good! I liked how the author brought out the expensive taste the twins had and how they were absolutely spoiled. It was interesting to read about how Norse mythology was linked the their magic. Very unique! The plot was good as well. It was nice to read about the twins getting along and their growth.

I had a few problems with this. When I got this book from the library and I started reading it, I was curious as to where the plot would head. I skimmed a bit and while I didn't understand what I read I was content with the book. As I started reading I got very curious about a certain thing. And in the process of skimming the book to find this certain thing I ended up figuring out the whole plot. I feel that this kind of ruined it for me. Not too much though. I probably would've have seen some of it coming and rated it 3 stars.

I really did not like the romance. Molly's character while she grows she spends a majority of the book with two guys. I felt that it was a waste of her character although I understand why it was necessary for the plot. I felt really bad for her! She went through quite a lot of ordeal. Mardi's romance was not that much better. I didn't dislike Trent but nor did I like him. I guess I didn't really care for his character. The romance between them was fast and I didn't understand how they were in love.

There were multiple times in this book with Molly and Mardi talking about if the guys they were with were different they would totally hex them. Specially when they made physical contact. Basically if someone they went to school with tried say touching their back or flirting with them they would use their magic on said males to shut them up. But because the guys they were with were different they didn't do any of that. Instead they kept on repeating what they would've done had they been different people. It was frustrating.

The book also mentions that the twins have been fighting more often. I didn't really feel this. It just felt like normal bickering. Yes they were keeping each others boyfriends' a secret but that didn't seem all that weird. They just didn't want the other to know how they were with. Sure it was a bit strange but I still didn't understand how that amounted to them bickering more.

There wasn't a lot of training with Ingrid. There was a Jean who kept on coming to check on their memories of the night Parker and Sam were killed. But aside from that there wasn't anything else. There was a larger focus on the romance than anything else. The case of course was still a focus but not as large as the romance. There were some parts of the book that were confusing. I feel that this author tried to pull off to much in this book. While it didn't completely fail it wasn't fantastic. Simply entertaining.

I still did enjoy this book despite it's flaws. It had a nice ending and the twins were able to resolve the murders, avoid The White Counsel, and return home to their school.

Overall this was a good book! I kind of hope that the author will continue Molly and Mardi's story. It would be nice to see where they are at in the future. I will definitely read some more books by this author. If anyone is looking for a fast, fairly well done fantasy, then I would recommend this. Also if anyone has ever tried to imagine what Blair Waldorf would be like with magic, you should for sure read this.
Profile Image for Maria.
648 reviews107 followers
November 19, 2015
I bought Triple Moon by Melissa de la Cruz because of the special bonus content. I honestly considered reading just that, the short story finale to Witches of East End, but it somehow didn't feel fair. I ended up reading the whole thing...

It just wasn't my cup of tea, I guess. The plot had its moments, but the writing style... it just didn't work for me. I found it to be rather distracting, slightly boring at times and even annoying. Still, there was one line that made the whole thing worth reading...
"Oh, my goodness, don't be sorry. It's a gift you have, a wonderful gift. If we all felt the weight of the world in every single moment, we would be in a very sorry state. Please, keep laughing."

I guess I would call it entertaining, even if I spent a lot of time rolling my eyes.

About the finale, even if a bit rushed, I quite liked what Melissa de la Cruz came up with. Someone should definitely consider perhaps turning it into a film or something? That would be lovely. .
Profile Image for ♡Julalicious Book Paradise♡.
1,068 reviews68 followers
December 31, 2015
Rating: 3.75/5

Read from: November 8 to November 16, 2015 / December 28 to December 29, 2015

Original review on Julalicious Book Paradise

It took me a while to finish it. I gave up on it a while ago and started about a month and half later. I hated to do that to a book written by Melissa, but it just didn’t work for me. The first part that I read just kept going on and on about two girls whining about their lives and it just got on my nerves, but when I picked up again, it seemed like I had stopped at the moment it was getting better.

A lot more happen in the second half I started this book and I got hooked. When the truth was starting to come out and bad events kept occurring around town, things were getting more and more interesting. You just want to know what is actually going on. Some stuff that I connected together before the end, but there were still a few loose ends that I didn’t discover before the end of the book.

Molly was the twin that got most of my nerves and I don’t know why. Her and her sister were both equally whining about their lives, but there was just something that that bugged me about her. Maybe because she was a lot more princess than her sister in this book and I just couldn’t stand it, but she redeemed herself throughout the book.

Mardi, I liked a lot. Yes, she was whining like her sister, but she seemed way more laid back and she seemed to adjust to being there faster than Molly. Her attitude and the way she seemed to be made me like her faster than her twin.

Some romance does occur in this book, but it didn’t really make me swoon. I wouldn’t mind though a new book about them to lose myself in the romance, but for now, it just didn’t make me hooked on it. But I heard a rumor that there might be more books to follow so hopefully, I will get hooked more on them if it does happen :)

Finding Ingrid and Freya and that made me happy to see what was going on with them, but I feel like the magic the sisters usually bought to books wasn’t there as much, but I guess it’s because they weren’t the focus of the book.

I will admit that this book is my least favourite books from Melissa, but I still enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Sian Lile-Pastore.
1,456 reviews179 followers
December 29, 2015
Uh, magic sisters who love fashion (one of them wears cher's old jumpsuit), handsome 17 year old boys living on boats, a baddy who has a louise bourgeois sculpture in his house, I'm totally behind all of this nonsense. Five stars! Five stars I tell you!
(Although seems to be a bit of drinking and driving going on. Not cool melissa, not cool)
Profile Image for Stephanie (Reading is Better With Cupcakes).
675 reviews244 followers
November 11, 2015
I was so excited when I saw that this book was coming out. I have read most of the Witches of East End series and have really enjoyed them, so I was very excited that a "teen" version continuation of this world was going to exist. Though, I was also a little worried too. I wanted the feel of this one to match that of the others. I went in with high hopes, and when that happens it is so easily to be disappointed. Thankfully, that wasn't what happened.

Triple Moon is the story about sisters, twins to be exact: Molly and Mardi. The twins are no ordinary girls. In fact, they are both goddesses. Their father is Thor, the Norse God of lightning. Molly is the polished, sophisticated one. She loves clothes and dressing up in expensive pretty things. Mardi prefers torn jeans, has tattoos, and a tongue piercing. The two can't be more different from each other and it shows in their interactions. They can barely manage to get along for longer than a couple minutes at a time.

The two girls love to use their magic to pull pranks on those in the world that are normal. They can't help themselves. From messing with the color of someones hair to making people physically ill, they find it hilarious and fun. Needless to say, they are a bit spoiled and don't really understand that their actions have consequences that go beyond them.

In this story, the girls are sent off to East End to spend the summer baby sitting for their fathers friend Ingrid. This is meant to be punishment. They had a wild time at a party where two mortals ended up dead and all signs are pointing to them. While the twins deny any involvement, there is a small problem. Almost the entire night is blacked out and they can't remember what happened no matter how hard they try. So for the duration of the summer they are sentenced to spend it in quiet East End babysitting, working, and trying to figure out what exactly happened that fateful night.


So...I totally ended up devouring this book. I just couldn't get myself to put it down unless I absolutely had to. It.was.that.good. I was not disappointed at all. I got to see my favorite characters from the Witches of East End series (Ingrid was my favorite and we get a lot of Ingrid!). We get to meet more characters. And we get to learn more about this fantastic world.

From very quick research, it appears that Melissa de la Cruz took some liberties with Norse mythology, but that should only bother huge mythology buffs. She changed a couple of genders here and there etc. So just be warned that if you know your mythology you may find yourself a little irked with the freedoms that were taken, but please don't let that ruin the story for you.

There is also a bit of romance. It can get a little intense at times, but it never really crosses the line where it becomes totally inappropriate for teen to read. It does get a little steamy, but it is actually just a bunch of making out.

I really enjoyed visiting the old characters. Quite a few make an appearance, but most notable are Ingrid and Freya. They are background characters, so don't expect too much from them if you are already a fan of them from the previous books. But you do get to see them, so yay!

Also, this book takes place approximately 10 years after the last book in The Witches of East End series. It does actually refer back to things that have happened in those books. Nothing too big, but there are some spoilers for those if you start out with this one. I personally enjoyed reading it, but I did get some spoilers myself since I haven't read the last book of the other series yet. I think I will be okay though.

I have to say that I loved this book. It let me go back to East End and see the magic that is that special place in the world. The world felt true to itself and didn't disappoint me at all.

This review is based on an uncorrected ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Find more of my reviews here:
http://readingwithcupcakes.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for Vava.
165 reviews
November 19, 2015
I have to admit, this is the first book by Melissa de la Cruz that I’ve read; I also haven’t watched a single episode of the Witches of East End series. Not that I’m not interested, but because I wasn’t aware that such a book and TV series existed, until recently. Hence, I read this book without any expectations aside from the fact that I hoped I enjoyed it. Although I found the pacing slow, overall I enjoyed reading it and I like the author’s writing style.

Molly and Mardi Overbrook are twin goddesses/witches. Although they are identical, their fashion sense and personalities are vastly different. Molly is self-centered and liked elegance, Mardi is rebellious and preferred vintage. The twins are accused of a serious crime in New York, of which they have no recollection committing. Hoping that they will stay out of trouble and will learn how to responsibly use their powers, their father sent them to North Hampton for the summer. There they meet Ingrid, her husband Matt and their kids who the twins will babysit. They also meet Freya, Ingrid’s sister who works as a bartender. Aside from babysitting, the twins also need to find jobs. Molly lands a job at the Cheesemonger where she meets a shy boy named Marshall, while Mardi starts working at the docks. Eventually Molly meets handsome Tris Gardiner, while Mardi meets the equally attractive Trent Gardiner.

What the twins thought of will be a boring summer turns out otherwise as a slew of mysterious and troubling events start happening in North Hampton. Soon the twins find themselves in the center of it all as they try to recall the tragic events they left behind in New York, the secret of the ring they share and the truth behind the boys they are having a summer romance with.

The book is divided into 3 parts and I found the whole backstory of how the gods and goddesses ended on Earth fascinating (i.e. Troy, the twins father, is actually Thor). I also think readers will appreciate the inclusion of characters they read about in the previous books (i.e. Ingrid and Freya). Although Molly and Mardi did get on my nerves, they also have endearing qualities and you can’t help but root for them.

The book also includes a short story which serves as the Witches of East End TV series finale.

All in all I enjoyed this book and give it 4 stars. I received an advance copy of this book through Penguin's First to Read program. The book comes out on November 10, 2015.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
1,366 reviews
August 17, 2024
I like really super enjoyed this book!! Since the second one is in a bind up, I’ll be starting it soon! This just kept me engaged from the start. It was so fun and gave me 2010 vibes.
Profile Image for meghann.
1,062 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2018
So this book has been sitting on my shelf for 2.5 years just waiting to be read. I LOVED the Witches of East End tv show and was devastated when it was cancelled. I bought this book right when it came out as it included a short story to wrap up the show where it left off. I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to read it, but here we are.

This is spin-off of the original Witches of East End book series, but several of the main characters from that are featured heavily in this. I loved seeing what Ingrid and Freya were up to, but I definitely missed me some Killian.

I really could not stand Molly right from the start. Being in her head every other chapter was not a pleasant experience. Mardi, however, was great. She definitely grew up and learned from her mistakes over the course of the book. Molly will probably remain an idiot and need constant rescuing her entire life. Oh well.

Trent and the other characters were great. I would continue the series because of them (and despite Molly). I would love to see more of the original characters pop up in this series too. I miss them.

As for the bonus short story. I am glad it was included to handle the series finale cliffhangers. I do think it would have been better if it had not devoted so much time to trying to tie in the books and the show and explain all the differences between the two, right down to changes in hair color. The show was quite different from the books. It was of course rushed, as an entire season would have gone into everything that was explained in a few pages here. I am satisfied with how it was wrapped up, but I still would have loved the tv series to continue.
Profile Image for Nasty Lady MJ.
1,098 reviews16 followers
May 15, 2016
To see full review with adorable corgi picture click here.

Ah, Triple Moon it has been on my shelf dearest blog readers for months just sitting there staring at me to read it. Obviously, I put it off for awhile—it was published in fall 2015 and I only now have gotten to read it. But to be fair, I have been pretty busy and when I did have time to read I really didn’t want to take a chance with a Melissa de la Cruz book because I have been burned.

Burned so many times by this author.

To be fair though, I think a lot of my recent disgust for de la Cruz’s latest work might have been because my taste has evolved as a reader and the quality of YA books has—believe it or not—gotten better. When the Blue Bloods series was first published way back in 2007, the YA selection wasn’t near as large as it is today. And there was something so innovative about the mixture of mythology that Melissa used. Of course, that series didn’t quite turn out the way I wanted it too—way too many continuity issues—and its subsequent spinoffs were a little less than ideal for the most part.

Triple Moon is essentially a spinoff of a spinoff. Its parent series is The Witches of East End which was used to base a slightly cringe worthy Lifetime show that I sporadically did reviews for during its two year run. I actually like the TV series better than the books—even though TV Ingrid deserved to be hit by a bus, but if you want to hear me rant about that read those reviews—but I never finished it so that might tell you my distaste for the TV series AND book series.

So, why read Triple Moon the first book in the Summer of East End series, nostalgia maybe. That and I was hoping that maybe I could relive my glory days with de la Cruz’s books. Needless to say, I didn’t BUT, BUT Triple Moon was far from being the worst de la Cruz book I ever read.

Note, when your competition is Frozen that’s a pretty low bar, but there were some things that I liked about this book.

The beachy setting for one, is always fun to read about. I think the East End is supposed to be a set in for the Hamptons, where only people who are in the 1% seem to live. And yes, while it does get old reading about rich people, I think de la Cruz can really capture the setting whether it be Manhattan or the Hamptons. Yes, the cynical part of my brain is rolling my eyes throughout the entire read as teenagers drive around in Ferraris and wear clothes that cost as much as small animal surgery, but if you like those sort of settings de la Cruz nails it. And admittedly, it’s the sort of setting you want to read on a nice hot spring day.

Though, I think she could’ve tried a little bit on the fashion realism since most teens aren’t likely to wear a bikini top when they’re driving through the Lincoln Tunnel to get to the Hamptons in their Ferrari. Especially if their plans don’t concern going to the beach or on a boat-which FYI Mardi planned to go to neither at the time. If it was South Beach, I maybe could see it, or if they were going to the beach—again, maybe. But for a traveling outfit: um, no.

It’s just like I don’t expect someone to wear a studded dog collar as part of their daily wardrobe like Mardi does.

Why am I mentioning these ridiculous outfits rather than focusing on principle issues of criticism that we’re going to eventually get to in this (probably) long, long, review? Because they were so jarring they had to be mentioned. At this point, I feel like Mel’s editor should know to look for two things to put the little red pen on 1) stupid fashion ensembles that only a drunk clown would love, and 2) Continuity issues.

And yes, there’s continuity issues here (again). If you need a recap of some past continuity fails where I use quote by quote comparisons check out my review of Gates of Paradise.

Sad that’s it’s not surprising at this point and that I reading this principally for leisure and to review because that’s what I do, could find them by only paying half attention to the book while looking at the cute pictures that my sister posted of my mom’s new Corgi puppy—Elsie Clementine—that we picked out for her for Mother’s Day.


But I noticed some major continuity issues right off the bat. Like Freya’s appearance, for example, has evolved to match that of TV Freya’s. AND there was more than one major plot hold that had me hitting my head throughout the book.

Whatever.

One though affected the climax of the book, and I really, really, had to wonder how the editor’s missed it.

The characters were a bit blah as well. And were more or less. Mardi is more or less a rich version of Schuyler (from Blue Bloods) who was mentioned in passing to be bisexual. Other than her saying this and having a bit of a girl crush on Freya, her sexuality is never mentioned again in the book. More or less it’s used as tokenism in the book.

Then there’s Molly. Oh, poor, dear Molly who dresses like Mimi Force and practically de la Cruz’s character to bash and to belittle throughout the entire book. The villain we’re kept told is a misogynist, but his misogyny is not what I saw so much through the book but where I saw real misogyny was the way this character was handled.

How Mardi and everyone else frowns on her, calls her stupid, and how she learns a big lesson at the end of the book about not being so trusting it made me want to roll my eyes out. Does that mean the character wasn’t a selfish brat-no. But I felt for the way they handled the character. Truly terrible.

The love interests are equally bland in this book-do not expect a Kingsley Martin, and Oliver Hazard-Perry or even a Jack Force. All of them are forgettable. And if you think there might be resolution to the Freya love triangle plot in the original triangle….

Well, you’re getting punk-ed again.

I know I am complaining a lot, but again not the worst de la Cruz book ever. If you like light frothy beachy reads, and can forget some major plotting and character faux pas you might enjoy this.
Profile Image for Leah.
1,976 reviews
January 17, 2018
Overall, I enjoyed this story. I like that the characters got better as the book went along. Also, I liked the mystery. The way things happened that night was a surprise. The combination mythology and magic was interesting, but I was disappointed by the twins lack of training. I thought that was going to be a bigger part of the story, but romance was the main focus of this story. I didn't enjoy that part of the story.
Profile Image for Celeste_pewter.
593 reviews171 followers
October 25, 2015
I loved, loved loved the original Witches of East End trilogy, so when I realized that Melissa de la Cruz was writing a YA spin-off, I immediately began to do whatever I could do to get my hands on the book.

Cruz brings us back to East End, vis-a-vis Mardi and Molly Overbrook. They're the twin daughters of hte gord Thor - who is now a real estate developer in New York City - and they've been sent to live with Ingrid Beauchamp for the summer, in the hopes of rectifying their history of causing havoc and misusing magic.

But as both twins settle in for what they think will be an uneventful summer, they quickly learn that it's going to be anything but...

If you're a fan of the first three East End books, you'll quickly recognize (and appreciate!) the plot set-up of Triple Moon. There's the requisite fish-out-of-water scenarios, as the rebellious Mardi and the fashion-obsessed Molly settle into life in Ingrid Beauchamp's household. Much like Ingrid and Freya in the earlier books, Mardi and Molly are also frequently at loggerheads over boys, magic and even their love for each other.

But like the previous two books, Cruz also manages to nicely balance a steady sense of fun and frivolity as the twins adjust to moving to a small town where every exploit can't be instantly recapped on social media, while also exploring their sibling relationship and the darker side of their magical heritage.

The twins quickly begin to learn that their magic isn't something that is passed back and forth between them, or used to cater to their every emotional whim. There's a price to be paid for Mardi and Molly's actions, especially as Ingrid and Freya help the twins come to terms with lost memories from a mysterious party in the months before.

Cruz is especially adept at showing how Mardi and Molly's magical-inspired hijinks are really emotional cruches for past emotional trauma, and their gradual recognition of this fact - coupled with their willingness to work through it - helps them conquer magical foes, and also help restore their relationship to each other. Add in the cute boys and the undeniable sensual dreaminess of the town, and this is book sure to be appreciated by YA and older readers alike.

***

Final verdict:

​While the overall mystery in Triple Moon won't necessarily come as a surprise to readers - particularly fans of the first two books - Cruz proves that she's more than able to continue building and bringing new life, into her intricately plotted world.

​Twins Mardi and Molly Overbook are welcome additions to the powerful females of the Beauchamp family, and have proven that female empowerment comes in many different forms. I can't wait to see whether they return to the East End, and look forward to (hopefully) more adventures with them.

This book is ridiculously fun, and you'd be silly to miss out on reading it. Highly recommend, especially as we're counting down to Halloween!
Profile Image for Barb (Boxermommyreads).
930 reviews
October 13, 2015
I have read the first Witches of East End book and really enjoyed it. I planned on continuing with the remainder of the series, but time passed and I never got around to it. However, I did catch the 2 years Lifetime carried the series and thought it was a pretty good adaptation. Needless to say, I was sorry it was abruptly canceled. When I saw Cruz was releasing a young adult book in the same world, I jumped at the chance to read it. I was afraid that it would be a difficult transition, but it really wasn't and this book made me realize how much I missed the atmosphere and the witches who inhabit the quaint little town of East End.

Mardi and Mandy Overbrook are the twin daughters of Thor. They attend private school in New York and use their witchy powers to play tricks and wreck all kinds of havoc. When two classmates end up dead, Mardi and Molly are suspected and are sent away to East End for the summer in the hopes that the White Council will not decide to shut down all witch activities around the world due to their actions. While on East End, the twins stay with Ingrid and Freya Beauchamp, family friends of Thor.

I really liked the mystery elements of this novel and felt it was very well written. The characters are well developed and it was nice to see some familiar faces. As always, the small town is pertinent to the things which take place in the book and Cruz has a way of making you remember what you didn't realize you were missing, While this was a young adult book, I believe it could easily be enjoyed by adults as well as the plot and interaction was complex and captivating. I will have to admit that at times I felt Mardi and Molly were quite annoying, especially Molly. Although both quite different, they had a severe sense of entitlement and I really can't describe Molly in any other terms other than
"bratty." Luckily, the book alternated between Mardi and Molly's perspectives which made the book easier for me to read and like. Also, Freya and Ingrid played the voices of reason from time to time, and anyone who knows anything about Freya, knows how shocking that sentence alone is.

If you have ever visited the town if East End, whether it be in books or on TV, this book is a good transition back into that world. As a bonus, there is a short story at the end which wraps up neatly the huge cliffhangers left by the TV series. I was not aware of this going in, but was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon it at the end. Witches are one of my favorite supernatural creatures and this book did not disappoint.

Thanks to Penguin First to Read for my ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
4 reviews
November 13, 2016
If you are a fan of Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl, you are going to love this twin sisters. Beautiful Bitchy Witches with fabulous wardrobes, hot love interests, funny quotes (seriously, this book is full of awesome bitchy quotes), a great story that combines the modern days with the old norse mythology. Unlike the other books (Witches of East End, Serpent's Kiss, and Winds of Salem) in this one the witches can now use their powers in full potential and for fun (they cast spells on police officers, make boyfriends to blackout, and use magic on internet to create living emojis, is really cool).

I liked this book more than the others, probably because i'm 17 and the original books were for adults. I liked how is despicted East End (North Hampton) through the eyes of young people. It was also really great to come back to this universe. I love the books and I loved the show, I Want More of This Books. #Hopingforasequel
Profile Image for Johnna.
89 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2015
This is the first book by this author that I have read, and honestly it will be the last. I'm sure that she has a target audience, and I am not it. I do enjoy YA lit, there are some wonderful books out there, but this is just not one. If she had spent more time on plot, or character, and less words on describing the brand names and designers of clothing, the over-abundant details that are best left to the imagination rather than tediously spelled out in every single sentence. There is no subtlety here, this is really more a sad description of over-privileged teens who have been allowed to run uncontrolled, add in some special magical abilities. I'm sure I missed all of the good things about this story, but I was swimming in an over-detailed swamp and just tried to get through it. Good luck with this one.
Profile Image for Nixreadsbooks.
163 reviews138 followers
January 23, 2019
I am DNF-ing this book at page 62, beginning of a chapter titles "YOU BETTER WORK, B*ITCH". Yup, that is the title.

I bought this book because it contains the written ending for The Witches of East End and wanted to give the whole book a chance.
Unfortunately the writing and characters are just nor for me, too childish and pre-teen.

I LOVED the tv show but I might just be too mature for this particular book. I think it's targeted towards early teens. (I doubt that I would have enjoyed this at 13 though)
I wish I liked it more!
Profile Image for Greer.
441 reviews9 followers
January 23, 2019
I love this witchy, goddess series. I read them out of order but it worked fine with me, each story is its own story and holds up well. Identical twins Molly and Mardi are the daughters of Thor and nieces to Freyja. If these names seem familiar you are correct this is the Norse God family tree. Asgard has been closed and these gods and goddess are stuck here in Midgard (Earth). Mischief runs amok in these books.
13 reviews1 follower
November 15, 2015
Loved it! Very Entertaining!

It was very good, a few things were ambiguous, like who their mom is. But I think it makes the book more interesting. Huge fan of all of her books! I hope there is a sequel! Now all I need to figure out is if I want to begin to re-read Blue Bloods or Witches of East End! Decisions Decisions!
Profile Image for kristinsbooks.
54 reviews4 followers
July 11, 2017
Mardi and Molly are twin witches living in NYC and they are spoiled!!! They cause havoc at their local high school but only with small pranks nothing super drastic. And then they are about to be charged for murder and they can't even remember the night or if they did it.

I am going to capitalize SPOILER if there is going to be one in the lower paragraph do you can scroll past it!!!!

Mardi is cool, she's more laid back and down to earth. She had a hipster style and is more punk rock than molly who is high maintenance thinks she is the queen of everything and is a basic prep girl. They do not get along at all which was a twist because most twins in books are super close!

They get in trouble and end up going to live with their dads old friend who is Ingrid (witches of east end) and her sister freya. Ingrid doesn't use magic anymore because she married a mortal and the twins have to live with her to learn to control their magic and so on and so forth. But they were never taught control. They just got part Time jobs and hung out with cute boys. Trent and tris. Meanwhile a dark force is working against them taking their memories creating a wicked storm In town and a ring the girls share keeps going missing.


Overall I finished the book because it was a lot light than normal for me and it did keep me wondering and a guessing as to who set them up and who wanted to hurt them or frame them. Which I figured it out way before it showed itself.. it was a decent book but not amazing at all! Also the girls on the front don't match the description in the book and that bothered me


SPOILER
Now what got me to knock it down to three stars was how mardi and molly are actually the daughters of Thor, the god of thunder. They are part goddesses themselves. The goddess of rage and and strength. Mardi was rage and molly was strength and that is completely backwards!!! Molly let the little things get to her and then took her anger out with little pranks or small things and mardi was strong minded and was the one to figure everything out in the end. So that's a bummer. But to be goddesses NOTHING BIG ever happened.. really bummed me out. They never created storms or earthquakes or got super super super angry or strong. Just made some stuff shatter. Changed peoples hair color and even then they didn't use their magic a lot at all!! OH AND their father is damn THOR,
THOR!!! And what does he do??? Worry over his daughters like a not at all powerful dad and that's it. I mean he's Thor?!?!!?








Profile Image for Andrea.
994 reviews4 followers
January 23, 2019
Plot
Twin sisters Mardi and Molly are in trouble for pushing their two classmates into an oncoming train. Except, neither of them have any memory of this, and they're positive that they would never murder anyone, though they love wreaking havoc and toying with other people magically. They're sent to live with their father's friends, Ingrid and Freya, for the summer to babysit and learn manners. Both meet cute boys their first night there, Tris and Trent. The two sisters then spend the summer with their guys, bickering, working, drinking, exchanging their mother's ring back and forth, and learning from watching Ingrid’s interactions what it's like to love, be a family, and have a mother. As the summer progresses, some truly strange and violent things begin to happen, and most are directed toward women in the town. When the guys in their lives turn out to be hiding something, the girls turn against each other, and they have to learn to work together like sisters Ingrid and Freya.

Review
So many things I didn't like about this book…  but yet I would have enjoyed it in high school, which is the only reason it got 3 stars. It's based off of the opera The Ring Cycle, which is also what Lord of the Rings is based from. The author’s initial series seemed more like a YA/new adult series with more sex than most YA, so I'm glad this one is for YA.

Annoyances (though I cannot remember all, so this list is short):
First, the covers of the two books showcase two girls with dirty blonde hair, yet the book mentions MANY MANY times how dark their hair is. I blame the publisher and maybe cover designer.
The two characters are brats who come from money and love to torture everyone with their powers. They're not very likeable, which is okay since real people can be pretty crap.
Because this book is ten years after the Witches of East End series, every memory that is brought up, aside from what the twins deal with, happened exactly ten years.
And then there's the conclusion to the WoEE television conclusion… I loved the TV series which was how I found the book series. But the TV show changed things, so the book conclusion involves parallel universes as it tries to tie the book and TV series together. eyeroll

Appropriate for 9th+
Contains underage drinking, sensuality with many parts avoiding alluding to sex, swearing, misogyny.
From Bookcase.club
4 reviews
December 19, 2024
Brief Summary - Mardi and Molly, twin daughters of the god, Thor, have been accused of murder and are banished to North Hampton on Long Island’s East End, a place they describe as “the sleepiest town on the Eastern Seaboard” (9). While banished, their father and the White Council, a group of people who watch over mortals, work to figure out what happened the night of the murder as the girls have no memory of the night. While in North Hampton, the girls are encouraged to find jobs and try to fit in. When the girls discovered that there’s a shape-shifter among them, they must figure out who and stop them before someone makes a mistake that they can’t fix.

Characters - In the beginning, Molly and Mardi both love causing chaos for humans and don’t think of the consequences. As the story progresses, both Molly and Mardi are told to find jobs in North Hampton and not play pranks. Molly begrudgingly finds a job at the Cheesemonger, but eventually finds herself enjoying the tasks the job requires and talking to the polite customers. Mardi decides to work on a fish boat with Trent Gardiner, who finds her interesting. By the end of the book, Molly and Mardi go through experiences that help them realize that there are times they need to act mature.

Themes and Messages - Molly and Mardi show a theme of sister-hood and character growth, they progress through the book facing challenges, personally and together, learning that they’re stronger working together rather than working alone.

Personal Reflection - I particularly enjoyed this book because of the theme of Norse mythology, and the romance between Molly and her love interest and Mardi and her love interest. It’s a bit of a mystery themed book and I don’t read a lot of those, because I don’t enjoy them all that much, but this one is one of my favorites!

Recommendation - I’d recommend Triple Moon to young adults who enjoy reading Norse mythology themed books and have a bit of mystery. Although it’s more than mystery, Mardi and Molly spend a lot of their time growing closer with boys, so for those who enjoy mystery and romance, this is a must-read.

Real World Connection - This book shows that twins don’t always get along just because they’re siblings born at the same time, they’re their own person with their own personalities, likes and dislikes. Some people may think that twins always perfectly get along, but this book shows that is not entirely true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for jecama.
5 reviews6 followers
June 27, 2016
TRIPLE MOON
Melissa de la Cruz
Read: Feb 15-March 1
Rating: 2.5 / 5 stars, 5 / 10
Age Range: 13+
(Uncorrected Copy)

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

The Cover: Not a fan. Two girls, neither of which have the dark, black hair that is described in the book, posing rather ordinarily. The background, although mysterious and pretty, is a little too regular for a book about witchcraft. If you couldn’t tell from the magic shooting out of -who I’m assuming is- Molly’s hand, the scene practically screams witches.

From page one, my very first impression is that Mardi and Molly Overbrook are nothing but elitist snobs. Melissa de la Cruz is very good at creating rich socialites; she did it with the trio who share the same name in The Ashleys, and with Mimi Force in Blue Bloods. But while Mimi later shows some substance and becomes a more notable character in the series, Mardi and Molly are just vapid, teenaged parrot stereotypes. They have an absent mother and some daddy issues because their father is a workaholic. His real identity is Thor, but in this lifetime, he is a real estate broker and a clueless father. And while they do learn to control their magic a little more, I was a little skeptical of their sudden changes of heart.
The girls are sent to stay with their ‘aunt’, Ingrid Beauchamp, who you might remember from Witches of East End. One thing I can say, is that I love it when authors do crossovers with their books.

Mardi is a wannabe hipster-feminist who is in a constant state of wanting to rebel against the horrors of society, while wallowing in her 1972 red convertible Daytona (a Ferrari), who would probably smoke just because she thought it was cool.

Mardi Quote Number 1:

“The pictures were of passed-out teens, teens staggering out into the daylight like disoriented moths, teens in various states of undress. She smiled down as they migrated across her phone screen. Her tribe.” (Page 7).

Nice “tribe” you have there, Mardi.

She also holds little regard for authority. Going over 90 on a 50 mph road and using her phone to boot, she is pulled over and basically uses her magic to humiliate the police officer and make him forget he ever pulled her over in the first place. She might be deprived of parental attention, but no way could I believe, goddess or otherwise, that she could think that was okay.

Mardi Quote Number 2:

“You don’t eat like a girl, do you? I’m sorry, was that sexist?” (Page 65).

Mardi finds her exact copy in Trent Gardiner, the younger brother of Killian and Bran Gardiner, at a party hosted on their island. He is a perfect match for Mardi; down to his “ripped jeans” and “beat-up leather jacket” and *gasp*, despite the fact that he is rich as hell and has a whole kitchen staff that are utterly devoted to him, he can cook. When Mardi snarks back to his comment about her eating habits, you start to feel that maybe, this novel could be about two girls who are total badasses and refuse to simply fall over their feet for the first hot guy who says hello. But this image is ruined when, seconds later, she starts to critique how other girls choose to eat. Nothing very feminist about looking down on someone just because they don’t meet your image of what a feminist should look and act like.

Molly is Mardi’s identical twin sister, but their personalities and styles couldn’t be more different. You learn that they can’t stand each other, that everything they do or say clashes in some dramatic way. Molly fits the stereotypical preppy rich kid. Lots of clothes, expensive toys, and boys. Apparently, she goes through boys like she goes through shoes. She even compares them to shoes.

Molly Quote Number 1:

“You might hold onto a guy like him for a while just because he was high quality. But, once the thrill of the conquest was gone, it was time to go shopping again. You’re never that psyched about a pair of scuffed shoes, now, are you?” (Page 16)

I can’t help but notice that if the roles were reversed and it was a guy comparing a girl to something, he would look like the jerk. I can see the aim that de la Cruz was trying to go for; a bored goddess who simply wants to have fun. It just came out a little too immaturely. Another clear example of this is when Molly goes to the Gardiner’s party. There she meets Tris, her male counterpart. When he goes off to get her a drink and doesn’t come back (I don’t blame him), Molly petulantly takes out her anger on the closest people she can, by making them all sick to their stomachs.

Molly Quote Number 2:

“Before she could stop herself, everyone dancing at the party -and there were at least a dozen of them- grabbed their stomachs and started to heave violently, turning the dancefloor into a slick of vomit.” (Page 53)

What fun it must be to revel in the fact that everyone is puking their guts out! And over a boy no less! Let’s forget the fact that the twins were sent to Ingrid because they are being accused of murdering two of their classmates; and if they are found guilty, they will be sent to the underworld for all eternity! Let’s forget that by using magic so openly, they are risking a recreation of the Salem witch trials! But who cares, as long as I can play cruel tricks on other people in the meantime, right?

Molly Quote Number 3:

Another example of her insensitivity, but this doesn’t need much explaining.

“You spilled raspberry fruit goo on my Alexander McQueen top! This was one of that last pieces he designed before he killed himself!” (Page 31)

Nothing really happens throughout the book either. It gets to a point where, to stimulate the twins’ desire to actually finish solving the mystery (if you can even call it that), de la Cruz has Trent reveal the magic behind everything. How does he even know? You have Ingrid and Freya who run around cluelessly, throwing fancy clothes at the twins left and right (because what’s the point in being sentenced to the Underworld if you can’t look hot doing it in the first place?) and a young boy figures out everything and conveniently doesn’t tell anyone until it is almost too late?

I will admit that I didn’t see who was really tricking the twins until near the end, but even after it happens, he is literally defeated after a measly punch. All the supposed power in his hands, nearly killing a child in a storm and he can’t even keep it. What a waste.

I think what really bothered me though, was when it turns out Thor had the solution to the problem right in his hands. Erase everyone's’ memory. Duh, why didn’t I think of that in the first place?

All in all, an okay read for younger teens, especially those who still believe that all teenagers act as if they were in Gossip Girl.

Cheers.
Profile Image for Jess Upon A Time.
204 reviews6 followers
September 17, 2017
This book takes place in the same setting as Witches of East End (which is one of my favorite tv shows)... however the Witches of East End books are VERY different than the tv show (the tv show is MUCH better!) anyways, because the tv show got cancelled (still mad about this!) I wanted to buy this book to get the extra story in the back that would supposedly tie up loose ends. first of all, the story the author wrote to "tie up loose ends" did so but in such a fast and quick way that it felt extremely rushed. Yes I'm glad I now know what happened to the characters but I'm just salty bc it would've played out better on tv.

I really hate young adult books but I'd figure i might as well read this since it's on my shelf. It's hard to completely hate it because Ingrid and Freya are characters in this book (and I love them... well I love TV Freya. Book Freya is ehhhh!!)

So anyways, the writing of this book is absolutely horrible. Then again her Witches of East End books are also written horribly so I may just not like this authors style! I wanted to throw this book at the wall so many times because it was just soooo dumb.

The whole ring thing switching between hands was weird af, the "bad guy" was so plainly obvious it made me mad that no one in the book knew it was him, and I absolutely hated how many times the author felt the need to write out the characters names out in full at the most random times. What kind of name is Mardi Overbrook? Molly Overbrook? Trystan/Tris? Mardi and Molly were ok, but Overbrook definitely really bugged me for some reason.

I really didn't like this book too much but I do feel it had the potential to be better. The story is OK, it's not too horrible. But the writing style is just horrendous. I think Melissa De Cruz's ideas would make for a better tv show than books.
Profile Image for Kristin Katsuye.
776 reviews2 followers
April 2, 2019
I read & watched the Witches of East End series & absolutely loved it so when I saw this on the shelf I was super excited there was a spin off to the story. Not a exact continuation as the story now follows twins, Mardi & Molly Overbrook. I of courses loved how the setting was still North Hampton as that's the town I grew to love from the other series also the reappearance of characters I grew to love as well, the Beauchamp sisters.

That's about as far as the love for this book goes though. This wasn't an awful book but not one of my favorites as the other series was. It has some typos in the text (even a name mix up between the twins!) which isn't a huge thing & not a reason I knocked off some stars, just noting it.

At first the story was just rich teenage mundane for me & I was afraid I wasn't going to like the main characters at all. They started to get a bit more likable while staying in North Hampton, Mardi being more favorited than Molly to me. While reading it I didn't even like any of the guys Molly was trying to fling with either. I couldn't really connect to Molly at all & Mardi not even that much. I do like Trent Gardiner but who doesn't like them Gardiner boys? Overall I felt the story had no action in it only not interesting rich kid problems & when the action finally started to roll it just ended so simply.

Truthfully I'm not even too excited to read the second one but I bought the paperback version that has both books in one plus I do like the author so I guess I'll read it.
Profile Image for Taylor Schwieger.
79 reviews5 followers
June 2, 2017
Once you get past the entitled girls from the city and they start becoming Molly and Mardi in East End, this book is a constant go go go. From bickering sisters, falling in love, irresistible Gardiner boys and trying to get their memory back to enjoying their time in dread East End, harnessing their powers and a plot to send them to hell, this story does not disappoint. The story doesn't stall and keeps you guessing as to what the problem could be and who to trust and not to trust until BOOM figure out the bad guy, punch them in the face and then all is solved.

Though De La Cruz creates characters that evolve and brings back favorite East End characters (Ingrid and Freya), she seems to rush through the end. I was enthralled by the story, the weaving lives of Molly and Mardi, trying to solve the mystery before they could and as we both started to figure it out, it was over in a rush, and wraps it up in a nice pretty bow.

A definite read if you enjoy East End! Can't wait for the next summer on East End.


PS. The additional chapter for the end of the TV series, unnecessary. De La Cruz weaves Ingrid and Freya from the book into the TV show, which doesn't seem to work. We who enjoy both the book and TV show understand they are different and I felt like I was reading a bullet point list of how the stories ended (or didn't). Though I was excited to get some closure, I am no more confused and unsettled than watching the finale of season 2. Just unnecessary.
Profile Image for Tawana : bibliodragon07.
300 reviews
June 11, 2019
It took me much longer than usual to read this. First I had never heard of this author or this series before now. I had no idea there was such a following.
Mardi and Molly annoy me.... A lot. They a re super spoiled little rich girls and they deserved worse punishment in my opinion. Regardless of them being innocent of the murder, they were horrible teenagers. They both used humiliation as a tool to get there way with others all the time and on a complete whim. There were really no redeeming qualities about them in the beginning.
As the story drug on... sorry if that hurts anyone. I had a really hard time staying into this book.
The sisters did genuinely care about each other. And they started to care about the little town they were stuck in. Eventually I connected with Mardi. I felt that she was not quite as bad as her sister. I ended up finishing this book 11 days after starting which is ridiculous. I am going to read the next book because I bought the bound version. Hopefully I will enjoy it more since the characters have "grown". One thing I will say. I did not guess the baddie before it was revealed. I did like that surprise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for DiAnne.
226 reviews11 followers
March 31, 2021
I usually really enjoy reading YA books. This one was okay but not outstanding. There were some cute uses of magic that Mardi and Molly used that was quite cute. I found it to be a bit repetitious in some of the descriptions of the characters. While it is an easy read, I found it to be a bit juvenile and drawn out in places. I just wanted a little more darkness I guess. Overall, it is a really good read for the YA group just not a great crossover for adult readers.

After they cause a terrible accident at their old high school, twin witches Mardi and Molly Overbrook are sent to live with their “Aunt” Ingrid Beauchamp in North Hampton, on Long Island’s mist-shrouded East End. Because the twins cannot control their powers, their father begs Ingrid to tame them over the summer, before the White Council exiles the girls to Limbo.

Trouble continues to bubble and boil when the girls meet the younger Gardiner boys, who are just as handsome and sexy as their older kin. But all is not as it seems. As Ingrid helps the girls learn to control their magical impulses, Mardi and Molly have just this summer to figure out how to grow up, how to love, and how to be a family
Profile Image for Hana Eka.
1,387 reviews5 followers
November 18, 2024
One of the novels that was hit by dnf last year. Now it's finished reading.

Triple Moon (Summer on East End, #1) is a teenage story of beautiful twins who love fashion and arrogant. They were raised by their father from Asgard who was busy in the human world. They realize that they are beautiful, manipulative and can get what they want.

The death of two teenagers led them to be "punished" for calming down in a small town near the sea. Then they met a handsome and sexy man from Gardiner. The story talks a lot about the clothes they wear, the breakfast they eat, their feelings for the small town and the love-hate between the twins.

The thing that makes this novel have 2 stars is that the main enemy is just passing by. Faced in a row of two paragraphs without clearly written combat action. Problem solving is only solved "beautifully" in the living room without a meaningful strategy.

Triple Moon (Summer on East End, #1) is only recommended for those who like light stories that are detailed about fashion and a little bit fantasy of sexy boys. So teens.
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