The Moonlight Lies

by Aengie Scevity

FAKE IT ‘TIL FATE FITS

Fourteen-year-old Cassiopeia Brown has never belonged. Ridiculed, detested, and powerless, she’s an outcast even among her own kind — a goblin cursed with fiery red hair.
So when the prophesied hero refuses to face the coming Moonfall — a magical cataclysm that will destroy the world — Cassie decides she’ll stop it herself, even if it means stealing his identity. Even if it kills her.
With the eccentric elder Gaffer at her side, Cassie’s unlikely party grows to include Roland, a stone giant next in line for a crown he doesn’t want, and Elidi, a salamander girl hiding a secret of her own. Believing they’re aiding the child of the prophecy, the group hunts down five legendary moonlight artefacts.
However, as the stakes rise, so too do the lies — and the resentful Cassie begins to fear the disaster might be her doing. With those fears, secrets long buried by the centuries surface, and a far darker truth becomes clear: not everyone wants the world to be saved.

A heartfelt, high-stakes adventure perfect for fans of Nevermoor and The Last Airbender, The Moonlight Lies is a found-family fantasy about power, choice, and rewriting your own story — even when the stars and moons say you can’t.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Queer

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moonlight Lies is such a great and well written story. I received it as an ARC, and I must say I was a bit confused and it took me a while to understand all the moons and powers that appear but it was very interesting and it kept me hooked!

I loved the characters, the world building and the found family trope a lot. I also liked how it represents the racism, xenophobia and the prejudices people from this book have against the main character. I really hope this story gets a second part because I NEED it after that ending… I highly recommend this if you like fantasy and adventure!

[Kianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm giving this a 3.5 star rating rounded up to 4 stars.

Cassiopeia, or Cassie for most of the book, is a goblin with no power of her own and red hair, a bad omen amongst her people. She is traveling with a companion to find the prophesied hero that will save their civilization from a moonfall event, but after he says no, she decides to take on this monumental task herself somehow. The story features her wistfully taking on this false role while gathering the pieces of magic needed to complete the task at risk of her own peril.

This was quite an interesting story! At first, I didn't really like the book and I suspect it was mainly due to Cassie having a rather brutal personality. However, as she warmed up and as I learned more about the story, I began to really enjoy this book and became far more invested in the story. There were some minor typos and wording choices that were a tad off but the story itself made up for it with some wonderful cozy moments and a lovely found family theme. Overall, I really enjoyed this read!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kealey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thankyou to the author for me ARC :)

This book really appealed to me as I love fantasy. I did find the first couple of chapters to be slow to pull me in however I have really enjoyed this book! I’d love to know more about the moon lore and races of people they were really interesting concepts to me. I really enjoyed the family themes, especially how Cassie and Gaffer navigate those complicated feelings. I found the ending was quite abrupt so I’m hoping for a follow up book! Would definitely recommend!

[Peta Kiellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You are not defined by the worldview of others”

The first few chapters of Cassie’s story didn’t immediately pull me in…
The depth of the world building and laying the foundations for those worlds (and their characters as well as the magic of those worlds) took me a moment to grasp. But once I grasped it (which didn’t actually take *that* long - I’m just impatient) I was ALL IN.

I was searching tarot cards on the web so I could play Harmony.

I was batting for the sapphic love to bubble to the surface for both characters…

What stood out for me?
The found family theme of this book… The underlying currents of xenophobia, racism, being discarded by your family for something you had no control over…
The way that as she gains strength, Cassiopeia learns to love herself (and others) is beautifully written.

This can’t be the end for Cassie and her friends? There has to be more after that last chapter, right? Please Aengie?

I received this book as an ARC.

[Kristi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Happy Book Launch Day to The Moonlight Lies! ✨

🌙 ARC Reader Review – The Moonlight Lies by Aengie Scevity 🌙

If you love fantasy with heart, humor, and a heroine who does not wait to be chosen—add this to your list immediately.

Cassiopeia Brown might be one of my new favorite fantasy underdogs. She’s flawed, fiery (literally), and full of grit. The world-building in The Moonlight Lies gives Avatar: The Last Airbender vibes with a touch of whimsy and danger that fans of Nevermoor will appreciate. The cast of characters feels like a warm (and slightly chaotic) found-family hug. I especially loved how the book balances humor with deeper themes of identity, choice, and challenging fate.

It’s an easy read but not a simple one—perfect for younger fantasy lovers and adults who appreciate layered, heartfelt adventures.

The twists? 👀 Let’s just say, the moon doesn’t lie… but it definitely hides the truth.

Huge congratulations to Aengie Scevity on crafting a world I hope we get to return to. You’ve got a new fan over here 💫

#TheMoonlightLies #ARCReview #FantasyReads #FoundFamilyFantasy #BookLaunch #DebutFantasy #HappyBookBirthday

[Acantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whistle-stop, fantastic book that could have been a series in of itself.

This book grabs you and never lets go. You race through the story, through the world and the people. There are five moons in the sky, and six races - each moon gifts a race a power, such as foresight, control of stones, of water and so on. If you're born in certain conditions, then you might have other powers beyond your races. But then you have the sixth race. Called 'Goblins' this race doesn't have any innate power and its from this race that our heroine comes from.

Cass very much has a chip on her shoulder - not only is she a Goblin, but she has red hair, which among her people is considered an ill omen, to the extent that people ignore her, insult her, refuse to touch things she has touched. She is struggling against the world, so when the chance comes for her to prove herself, she grabs it.

What follows is a race across the world to gain artefacts from each race in order to stop the 'moonfall' and possible end of the world.

Along the way she makes friends, finds a family of her own and is forced to confront her own internal hate that has been created because of how people treat her. The reason behind her red hair being considered a curse, long forgotten, is brought to light and its a sucker punch.

The other characters are good, but because of its short length, not enough time is spent developing them. I meant it when I said this could have been a series, a trilogy, just covering this plot, because the world, the magic, the idea of the moons is such a cool, well developed one that we don't see nearly enough of.

That ending though! I want to have a nice chat with the author because I feel personally victimised by that ending. I really hope there is a second book, because I don't know how my heart would cope to think that was the final ending for these characters.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Sonderous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassiopeia Brown is a goblin with an unlucky shade of red hair. Moreover, she is a goblin born under no moon, meaning she is born without powers. And, in a world of five moons, to be powerless is to be no one. Such is her fate until the child of prophecy refuses his destiny, leaving her to take his place and prevent the Moonfall. With the future of the world hanging in the balance, Cassie must find the five moonlight artefacts before Meris falls. Will she find them all in time? Or is the Moonfall the end of her story?

When I first found Aengie Scevity’s ARC post about her novel “The Moonlight Lies”, I was absolutely intrigued and needed a copy. Every hero has a moment at the start of their journey where they are filled with so much doubt that they hesitate to take the first step. So, to see a character refusing his destiny and allowing another to suffer it, was something new. Rarely do we see such outright refusal that I needed to know what happened. Nothing could have prepared me for what I found.

Right off the bat, we have the prophesized hero telling Cassie and Gaffer, the man she aids, that he will not be the hero and just vanishes into the night. We don't even get to learn his name before he is gone. From there, Cassie chases down artefacts while working with a stone giant prince named Roland and a mysterious girl named Elidi. All the while, she has to maintain this secret identity that casts doubts on the relationships she is building with these possible friends. How can anything unshakable be built on a lie?

Cassie has lived her whole life shaped by other people’s perceived notions of who she is and can be. Despite it all, she is willing to do what it takes to save the world. Even if it means that she wouldn’t survive the event. If that’s not a hero, I don't know what is. By the end, I was crying. Especially at the end! Nothing on this earth could have prepared me for where we were going to end up. I’m hoping against hope there's to be a follow up novel. There is so much more I want to explore in this world that Scevity built.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moonlight Lies is not your typical fantasy story. The world is facing a grave threat, and a prophecy describes the Chosen One who can save it. Well, the Chosen One said no, and Cassie decided to take on the mantle for herself.

The book description describes it as perfect for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, and I have to agree. The world-building is very similar, with different nations having powers over elements or seeing the future. Those born under an eclipse from one of the different moons can also get extra powers. Cassie, however, is a goblin and has no powers at all.

In her quest to recover different artifacts from each nation and achieve all the powers, reaching the level of the fated Chosen One, those abilities don’t just fall from the skies. I really appreciate how, just in Avatar, she has to learn and practice and truly earn each of the artifacts.

Her companions on this journey, Roland, Elidi, and Gaffer, are very well-written and truly make you care for them. Every part of their personality serves to right Cassie’s misconceptions about herself and gets her closer to being worthy of being the child of prophecy.

While I loved the plot and the characters, I was a bit confused by some of the world-building. Each country and power has its own particular name, sharing the name with its moon. The race also has a nickname, which makes it a lot of fantasy names to remember. I am still somewhat confused on if Cassie is an actual goblin or if that is a nickname for her race.

This was a very well-written book, and on the my favorite fantasy book of late. It is a fun subversion of tropes, but not so much that it feels like cheap satire. I am not sure how to feel about the ending, but it is definitely a worthy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Aengie Scevity for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.

[Chelbie Lane · Rating 2 out of 5]

A story of a goblin, a powerless human, tasked with finding 7 artifacts containing power & stopping an immortal being.

This book had a lot of potential but sadly fell flat for me. There were aspects I liked but the overall story lacked what I needed to stay fully invested. I had a hard time connecting to the FMC, Cassie, from the very beginning. Although she was brave, intelligent & compassionate, I couldn’t get past her self loathing and the comments she made about herself throughout the story. She learned her demeaning thoughts and actions from a childhood of animosity towards her birth & physical appearance. Which, honestly, softened my heart for her a lot. But I found myself wishing it wasn’t such a big theme that far into the story. It lasted up until the last 20% of the book.

The side characters: Gaffer, Roland & Elidie made a slightly bigger impact on me than Cassie did. They were loyal and added a bit of “found family” and humor, which I liked.

Another thing I enjoyed was that the magic system was elemental based! That always ends up being my favorite realm of magic so it was fun reading the aspects of each elemental power.

However, the ending is what sealed the deal for me at rating this 2.5 stars. Upon reading the “battle” scene, I felt a little lost. I went back & reread it thinking I missed a key part that ended the fight. I’m still not sure what really happened. And then, the last line of the story left me hanging. I expected there to be another chapter or epilogue to tie it all up.. but there wasn’t anything else. It wasn’t a cliff hanger, it wasn’t a twist, it just kind of.. stopped. Which for me, gave an unfinished feel.

Overall, it was creative and had some shining moments but just didn’t leave much of an impact 😔

[Makenna Moffat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really dont like giving reviews that aren't 4 or 5 stars, but im also an honest reviewer. I think this story had great potential but just didn't quite hit is mark. For me it didnt get me invested in the characters or the storyline. It felt a bit flat. I think it could be nice if it was re-edited and had a few things added to it. For example, the FMC Cassie just wasnt enjoyable and to me that's a really big factor for if im getting hooked or not. I like that she had self-doubt and you could understand her internal struggle, but her constantly degrading herself throughout the entire book just really annoyed me. Everyone has thoughts like that but having it through the entire book just really killed it for me. There was no improvement. The banter and side characters were probably the best part of the book. I also wish that the ending was more elaborate. The big end battle scene was confusing and I had to reread it multiple times because I thought I had just missed or overlooked something crucial. The book also felt like it had an awkward stopping point. It felt like there should have been at least another chapter or two but instead it just stops dead on its tracks. There wasnt any kind of flow, it felt more like you walked face first into a wall. Like I mentioned before, I think this could be a good book if it gets a bit of a face-lift, but as of now it just didn't do it for me.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the eARC!

Cassie is an outcast, a magicless red-haired goblin. But a moon is about to fall to earth, and no one else seems to want to take on the responsibility of stopping it. This is a story about rewriting your destiny.

“My own humanity hit me like a draughthorse. Forget the labels of goblin and sylph and everything else - each and every one of the seven races were human at the core […]. Just as humans were flawed, so too were we capable of change and of making choices.”

By chapter 1, I was hooked. The idea that a prophesied hero immediately refuses his role was both funny and terrifying, leaving the FMC reeling with fear of the impeding catastrophe.

The world is interesting as well as the characters, that are also quite diverse. The found family that forms is strong, but imperfect. There were a lot of lovely discussions surrounding how we think of ourselves, and how we should treat ourselves the same as we treat others. Having compassion and finding confidence are such important themes in YA fiction.

Now, about the ending… it was so abrupt, I almost screamed out loud when I found out there wasn’t an epilogue! But it did make me think about it more. I went back to the first page, read certain passages again, and ended up reflecting on the story more than I typically would. Kudos to the author for this risky move that ended up working out fabulously!

The writing is quite direct and the story moves along at a fast pace. You won’t find any unnecessary fluff in this book. However, the glimpses we got of the different people, the lore, the scenery and the magic were so intriguing that I would have liked to know more. It felt like a tease for an epic fantasy reader such as myself, but maybe I’m just too greedy! It would make a great introduction to fantasy for readers new to the genre, or a nice quick adventure for someone looking for a break from their 800-page reads.

Overall, I had a great time and my only regret is that it was over too fast. I would love getting another story in this world, or with this moon-based magic system.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Goblin born under no moons with bright red hair, Cassiopeia Brown possesses no magic and very few friends. That is until she becomes the child of prophecy, largely by default. This book follows Cass and her mentor Gaffer as they search for magical artifacts and pick up extra help a long the way.

The stand out element of this book is the unique magic system. while the different moons and powers they are associated with took me a while to understand at first, the author does a great job of building the magic system along with the storyline. I also loved how the characters in this book interacted, providing a real found family element. The chapter titles and Cassiopeia's monologue were funny adding a humour to the book which made it really easy to keep reading.

Overall this book is really well written and perfect for YA audiences looking for a unique fantasy book with an underlying sapphic romance. I cant wait to see where the author takes this story next!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review,

[AElis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I received this book as an ARC

For some reason, I though this book was going to be grec mythologie with queers characters. Although the queer (sapphics) characters were here, the grec mythologie part was very light.

This book is a high fantasy book, with magic, a medieval-ish society and a big twist on the "choosen one" trope (more like "I am not the choosen one, but I'm doing it anyway")

The world bulding in this book is rather well done (though I was having some issue memorising the name of all the moons and their associated powers) but more importantly, the story grip you and I had a hard time leting go of this book to do other things (like go to bed)

This story talk about predjudice, xenophobia, racism and all kind of -ism and -phobe

If you like to read about magic, adventure and social issues in a world different than our won, this story is for you.

[Raquelio poop · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moonlight Lies is such a adventure. It's fun to read, I read in less than a day cause so much was happening and I had to know what was going to happen next and how it was going to end. I really hope this story gets a second book!

Cassie is a redheaded Goblin in a society that looks down on both of those things. When the boy that's supposed to be the chosen one and stop a moon from falling refuses, Cassie has no choice but to take his place and pretend she's the prophesized savior. Along the way she trains, opens her heart, and collects artefacts to help her harness powers to hopefully fulfill the task.


This was a awesome read, I highly recommend to anyone that loves a good fantasy adventure.

(Received this as a arc)

[FN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regardless the fact that it was a little challenging to connect it at first, i think that's the unique part of the story. The story is written in a 'character language' that you have to pay attention to the character rather than the description (i dunno if this makes sense 😂, but that's how i see it). I think this is a healing journey to believe in yourself against all odds and what others think of you. The found family is another highlight - endearing and represent supports that comes in various forms to help your build yourself up. Kudos to the author for making us readers engaged throughout the story. But the ending, though? 😅.

Thank you author for the ARC opportunity 🙌. Review and rating are my own.

[Bebo Saucier Carrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I adored 90% of this book. It reminded me of Avatar the last Airbender in the best possible way! The characters are well-developed, and I love the subversion of the chosen one trope. I genuinely laughed out loud at so many points in this novel because it was so funny and entertaining. The magic system was incredibly interesting, though I did have to make a little notecard to keep up with the various magics.

The last 10% of the book is where I struggled. The final battle was quite confusing and felt a little messy. And the book felt incomplete, like it needed one more chapter to wrap everything up nicely. I hope there is a sequel to address the ending!

[Vanessa Jacquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun adventure! I loved the characters and the world building. It did take me a while to read because there was so much information to take in at once but it was so worth it for the full experience. I will say I wish it was a bit longer but I might just be greedy! I also find myself wanting a continuation to this book because I felt iffy about the ending, but as of right now I’m unsure if it’s going to be a series.
Overall I highly recommend this one for a fun fantasy adventure!
Also side note: who wants to play harmony with me? Sounds so fun!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed getting to read this, it had that unique concept that I was wanting and enjoyed in the fantasy genre. I was engaged with Cassie and her journey. I thought it was unique about a goblin that is unique in the genre. I was glad it was so well done and had that feel that I was looking for, it worked overall in the fantasy adventure genre and was glad I read this. Aengie Scevity wrote this perfectly and I'm excited to read more from them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was truly a journey. Both literally and metaphorically. We follow the powerless FMC on her quest to find the artefacts of the moons, to stop one of them falling down. We watch as she learns to use them and battles her self doubt. I enjoyed that we picked up a couple of friends on the way, surprised by their arrival alongside the FMC. It truly felt like we were along for the ride, learning the secrets alongside her. Her betrayal felt shared and her indecision was understandable. Thank you to the author for an advanced copy, all views are my own.

[Alecia Hefner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassie, a goblin with unlucky red hair and no innate magic, partners with a traveling companion to find the legendary savior foretold to prevent a horrible moonfall. After the supposed hero denies the task, Cassie, fueled by resolve, steps up to the challenge. The story chronicles her reluctant adoption of this fabricated identity as she braves peril to gather the lost remnants of magic necessary for success.

Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read an eArc of #TheMoonlightLies by #AengieScevity in return for a fair and honest review.

[Madebymeliandco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be back to actually write my actual review. 5 freaking stars. I need to process everything I read. Amazing. Powerful. There are so many pieces to the puzzle of this tale. I'm blown away by the detail with which the world is fleshed out. Aengie is a skilled author and this book now has a place in my heart in my top 10 favorite books I've ever read. I'll need a bit of time to truly think of how I can write my review!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can get past the slow start you will find a world bursting with deep lore and world building. I loved the themes of found family, female rage, the self hate that often comes when facing racism.

Sadly I feel this book suffers from being too short. The ended was rather unsatisfying. It would make an amazing series I could easily get lost in!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jessica McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW-

I enjoyed this book! The beginning was a little slow. The moons and powers were a little hard to understand at first but as I was reading I was able to understand and get into the story. I loved the found family aspect in this book. I also loved that this book delved into racism and xenophobia. I hope to read more about this world!

[Lynda Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Moonlight Lies

I foynd that I struggled at the start of this book but when it found it's pace, I got swept up in the story. The lore around the moons was interesting and kept me intrigued.

Full of found family tropes and a grand adventure, it was an interesting read right up until the end.

It is a 4 star for me.

[Stefanie Verhelst · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Cassie is experiencing a roller coaster of emotions.

She sets off on a journey to bring good but a set of events, make her wonder if this is the path to follow.

A beautifully written adventure, with a lot of twists and turns and high stakes that are at risk!

A real page turner!! 🤩

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story flowed well with great characters that worked together to build the story.

[Queen Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was a bit dragged and boring for me but once I got towards the middle, it was really great and the plot twist was shocking…

[D.K. Hundt]

DNF - 12%