Malice Moon

The Faded Lands #1

by Sue Wilder

"All of us are lost and needing to find someone. What matters is who we must become on that journey."
And so there lived a girl who spoke to dragons without realizing it.
Hunted by a man who would punish her for the crime.

Senaria Wraithion is the king's interrogator. Kion Abaddon is more than a common prisoner. They are enemies, rivals, lovers...this girl with the pure heart and the man who cannot love.

But what they don't realize is how fate changed the day they met...and the storm they're about to unleash will be more devastating than the looming Malice Moon.
"What are you?"
"The Draakon. More monster than man."

Malice Moon is the first book in The Faded Lands series, an epic fantasy romantic adventure filled with dragons, dueling kingdoms, magical rivalries, swords and sorcery, and a forbidden love forged in dragon fire. Some darker elements, violence, language, sensual moments. For readers 18 and older.

Genres: Dragons, Fantasy, Witches, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance

458 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2025

About the author

Sue Wilder first discovered the power of story as a child living in California, when she was caught starting a grapefruit war in a neighboring orchard. She managed to absolve all her cohorts from guilt and has since moderated her behavior. She now writes New Adult romance and Paranormal Fantasy romance with hunky heroes, independent women, and twists, suspense, spice, and HEAs.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a yellow lab named Maxine.

Reviews

[Zehra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars

started off rly good but then got boring around the 75% mark and finally got interesting again the last 5%. the pacing was too inconsistent to be a thoroughly good read.

[Amber Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written and it had so much emotional depth. This is a book that slowly builds characters in a way that makes you feel for the villain and the savior in each. It is not a basic every day book of tropes. The plot and the character depth was seamless. There were times I was bored with the plot but I also got the character growth in those times. I cried several times throughout this book and my heart was wrenched so deeply by the strong and resilient FMC who made poor choices while used by others but had a truly good heart and showed strength in her ability to take responsibility for her actions and action to make things right. Her courage and belief in hope and the good of others never wavered. True enemies to lovers with two people who are broken and chained to duty and the shackles of righting the wrongs of the past. Their story was so touching and so soul deep. This is a slow burn for sure but it was worth it and believable. The dragons are just an added bonus and not done in a cheesy expected way. I feel for the FMC and trying to fight against all who just want to use her as a weapon. The only problem I saw was the name “BOGO” and explanation for the name did not fit the time period at all.

[shereads_theworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fantastic read with a gripping plot, vivid world-building, and characters that felt fully realized. The author’s writing style pulled me in right away and kept me hooked until the end. If there had been a second book available, I would’ve picked it up immediately. It's an excellent fantasy read, and I highly recommend it!

[Eric Scott Ledford · Rating 3 out of 5]

a unique surprise

This book came up as a recommendation on my Kindle unlimited. And it was a distraction, but it was a beautiful and unique distraction. The very slow burn of the MMC and the FMC was intoxicating. The unique world of magic and dragons I have to admit was captivating. Though I had wanted a little bit more in the area of dramatics and deeper story lines. I will definitely continue on learning more about the malice moon.

[Karen G · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Interesting to read some reviews. But I loved this book. It is not one that you tear through. You take your time read it all so you understand all the details.
I literally laughed out loud.
‘A thousand pardons, oh righteous almost king’ was the first one. There were others but not going to spoil anything.
I loved the passion of their personalities. The ying and yang.
It kept me on my toes. I can’t wait for the next book. ❤️

[Carriebooksandart · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She is more than what she can do.” This one sentence… represents the strength that is Senaria. A young woman who is saved by a king. Offered protection for her and her brother.. but at what cost? People fear her. Fear what she is capable of. Everyone except him. He truly knows who she is.. even though she has yet to learn the secrets of her life. He is her prisoner. She is his. Mixing two worlds together. With the veil gone, she can finally see. The myths are true. Her little bat-like friend so much more. She will learn what magic filters through her veins. She will learn the true history of her family. They came to her when she was in need. They speak to her… but why? She’ll sacrifice everything for them… He will not let her go.. his heart finally feeling something.. something it never should have. This story ripped apart my heart but in a good way. The rawness of hopelessness was so alive throughout these pages. The pain, the hate, the fear, the love, the need to make everything right. This story kept me needing more. Wanting to know the truth. Wishing for a happy ending.. Malice Moon is definitely one of my top reads of 2025, and I cannot wait to continue on with these characters when Book 2 is created.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a struggle for me to write a review - particularly one for a book that is really, really good. I can't seem to find the right words to do it justice. I run out of superlatives... Malice Moon is one of these...

It is extremely well written - intelligent and vivid. Fascinating, complex world building. The different Kingdoms are well drawn - I can see them and feel them and be there...

Ah, the main characters... I am so invested in them. The MMC is mysterious and powerful. The FMC has unique, dangerous and much sought after magic that leaves her isolated and lonely in a brutal and deceitful world. Initially, she is used and abused by the King in her original Kingdom. That begins to change when she finds herself in a situation she never could have imagined and is hit with a whole new Universe of challenges...

The plot is complex, evocative and suspenseful... so many components to weave together... I look forward to experiencing the evolution of their relationship and the challenges they both face...

Good stuff!!

[Nikki McMinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay—I have a lot of thoughts about this novel, and honestly, they’re all over the place. On one hand, I absolutely LOVED this story. It has everything I crave in an epic fantasy. That said, it felt so heavily inspired by The Witcher that parts of it read almost like fanfiction. As a full-blown Witcher nerd, I won’t call that a bad thing—but it’s definitely worth mentioning. The parallels were impossible to ignore.

I also felt the plot jumped around a bit quickly, and there were moments where I wasn’t sure if I’d missed something or if the information just wasn’t there.

BUT. Despite those things, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was fully invested in the story and characters, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweeping fantasy, good world building, but the writing and conversation just is overly dramatized. It's as if the author wants us to think that the charter the world are soooo deep because they can't really say what's on their minds.

[Savannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book jumped around more than a 5 year old on a pogo stick. Things happened really fast, then happened slow. There were so many words, but then I still felt lost at times.

I’m invested in the characters and the plot, but not sure if I’ll pick up the second book.

[itsmekaylalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! NA Fantasy Romance with dragons, magic, hidden identity, spice, and more!

[RebeccaFern]

Feels way too similar to Rachel Gillig's The Knight and the Moth

[Amelia Boring · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this! Excited to see where the series goes.
I also need more Bogo!

[Julie Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book!

I can’t wait for the next one! Lots of intrigue and interesting characters. I’m looking forward to more dragon adventures!

[Kristy Maitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was okay read.

[Jess]

witcher vibes

[Dawn Cavenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this story was interesting, I don’t think I will be continuing this series. I like dragons. I enjoyed the characters. Maybe it is war, deceit and fighting that are swaying my decision. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Louise Meadows · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't see how this received so many stars. it was difficult to read. disappointed and will not read the next one

[Holly Myers · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was really hard to get into.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book cover captures your attention right away! The Malice Moon happens every seven years and Senaria has been involved with the magic of it for years, she just doesn't know it.

The word building and pace keep you reading and wanting more! Senaria and Kion have great chemistry, even if he starts off as her prisoner. Both have secrets. I enjoyed the twists and turns and being surprised when secrets were revealed!

I adored Bogo! He would be so much fun! He is a special wild creature for Senaria, but he ends up being so much more. I love how he seeks her out when she is lonely, sad, or hungry.

The book is rich with dragons, curses, secrets, secret identities and twists and turns! "Change is always a struggle." It leaves on a cliffhanger, so I can't wait for book 2!