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The Everlands Trilogy #2
Moonfall
Not yet published
Expected 2 Jun 26The thrilling sequel to Lightfall, a fantasy epic of revolution set in a world of vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers, for fans of Jay Kristoff’s Empire of the Vampire and Cassandra Clare’s Swordcatcher.
The revolution is here… but in the Everlands, nothing comes easy.
In the last vampire city of First Light, the rebels know the truth about the Grays. But nothing has changed. Sam has a plan to bring the whole rotten city down - a plan of peace, not violence. But in this city, the best laid plans have a way of falling apart, and she’ll need the help of the city’s ex ruler and former enemy if she’s to avoid a bloodbath.
Meanwhile, in the Wolflands, Jacob, Sage, and Raven must seek help from the wolves. But when a murder is committed, the land threatens to descend into war, and unless the culprit is found, they might not escape with their lives. But with a long list of suspects and a long set of claws out for them, the odds don't look good.
And then there’s Neuras Sinassion. History’s most dangerous sorcerer has decided it’s finally time to tell his secrets and the truth about the humans. But the truth will come at a price.
When the dust has settled and the bodies are counted, only one thing is certain—the Everlands will never be the same again.
The revolution is here… but in the Everlands, nothing comes easy.
In the last vampire city of First Light, the rebels know the truth about the Grays. But nothing has changed. Sam has a plan to bring the whole rotten city down - a plan of peace, not violence. But in this city, the best laid plans have a way of falling apart, and she’ll need the help of the city’s ex ruler and former enemy if she’s to avoid a bloodbath.
Meanwhile, in the Wolflands, Jacob, Sage, and Raven must seek help from the wolves. But when a murder is committed, the land threatens to descend into war, and unless the culprit is found, they might not escape with their lives. But with a long list of suspects and a long set of claws out for them, the odds don't look good.
And then there’s Neuras Sinassion. History’s most dangerous sorcerer has decided it’s finally time to tell his secrets and the truth about the humans. But the truth will come at a price.
When the dust has settled and the bodies are counted, only one thing is certain—the Everlands will never be the same again.
400 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
About the author
Ed Crocker
4 books282 followersEd was born in Manchester, UK and has managed to stay there ever since.
By day he edits books—his clients include Sunday Times Bestselling authors, award-winning indie authors, and acclaimed small presses.
By night, or sometimes also by day (freelancer rules), he reviews SFF and horror books and interviews authors for FanFiAddict.com, watches horror films, and plays video games. My god, what a nerd.
He is the author of the epic fantasy trilogy The Everlands - featuring vampires, werewolves and sorcerers but no humans - Book 1 Lightfall hitting shelves in January 2025.
You can find him on most socials as @edcrockerbooks and at ed-crocker.com.
By day he edits books—his clients include Sunday Times Bestselling authors, award-winning indie authors, and acclaimed small presses.
By night, or sometimes also by day (freelancer rules), he reviews SFF and horror books and interviews authors for FanFiAddict.com, watches horror films, and plays video games. My god, what a nerd.
He is the author of the epic fantasy trilogy The Everlands - featuring vampires, werewolves and sorcerers but no humans - Book 1 Lightfall hitting shelves in January 2025.
You can find him on most socials as @edcrockerbooks and at ed-crocker.com.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 18, 2026
I LOVE the world Crocker created! I love all the characters except for Sam but that’s a pretty big carve out because she’s arguably out MFC. I like the plot well enough, sometimes it gets a bit messy and not in the good way. First half was not my favorite but the second half finishes strong!
I was really hoping with book 2 Crocker might have solved some of Lightfalls issues. Instead the entire first half focuses on Sam with a messy story arc, it was like pulling teeth to get through it!
When I circled back around a couple months later I saw all the reviews saying part two was GREAT and I agree! We spend it with my three favorite characters Jacob, Sage & Raven. There were some real surprises & we got to meet the wolves!!!
If you liked the first one you’ll like Moonfall. If like me you can’t stand Sam, you could skim through or skip the first 25%. Not much there you can’t figure out from the rest of her section!
I was really hoping with book 2 Crocker might have solved some of Lightfalls issues. Instead the entire first half focuses on Sam with a messy story arc, it was like pulling teeth to get through it!
When I circled back around a couple months later I saw all the reviews saying part two was GREAT and I agree! We spend it with my three favorite characters Jacob, Sage & Raven. There were some real surprises & we got to meet the wolves!!!
If you liked the first one you’ll like Moonfall. If like me you can’t stand Sam, you could skim through or skip the first 25%. Not much there you can’t figure out from the rest of her section!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
my rating 4.5
I'm not going to recap book 1...Ed's done that for us at the start of Moonfall (way to go Ed!)
We do pick up relatively soonish after Lightfall and Sam has made some decisions on her future.
The entire first half of the book is Vampires, we don't see or hear from the Wolves until part 2. This gives us a very deep dive into the resistance and what they get up to. And they get up to a lot!
Sam's best quality is how clever she is and she surrounds herself with a cast of characters that look to her leadership. I love our side characters...Alanna, Hands, Daphnee, and the leeches among others.
The darker characters are so very well written, one in particular is vile and unredeemable. They all contribute to the story and push the narrative forward.
Emotion is not lacking...I cried and I sat at the edge of my seat with my hand over my mouth in angst. Punches are not pulled and not everyone will make it to the end.
Often in the chapters, there are scenes that are breathtaking in the emotional impact they bring. In particular there is a thread that runs through most of the book that is based in trauma that Sam experiences in Lightfall. Every time it's mentioned, I got tears in my eyes. I was back in that scene with her and feeling all the feels. It's so well done.
Meanwhile, Jacob, Raven and the wolves are having their own bad time. Raven is my hero, she's a total badass but one not without morals and emotions. But let's focus on the badassery! Things are dark and mysterious in the woods. A murder, some anarchy and a lot of wolves making a play for power. Raven and Jacob in the center trying to survive and save those they love.
There are a LOT of shocking events that happen which kept me enraptured in the story. I was really pleased with how everything ends up and I'm SO ready for book 3.
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press and Ed Crocker for the opportunity to read and review. These thoughts are my own.
I'm not going to recap book 1...Ed's done that for us at the start of Moonfall (way to go Ed!)
We do pick up relatively soonish after Lightfall and Sam has made some decisions on her future.
The entire first half of the book is Vampires, we don't see or hear from the Wolves until part 2. This gives us a very deep dive into the resistance and what they get up to. And they get up to a lot!
Sam's best quality is how clever she is and she surrounds herself with a cast of characters that look to her leadership. I love our side characters...Alanna, Hands, Daphnee, and the leeches among others.
The darker characters are so very well written, one in particular is vile and unredeemable. They all contribute to the story and push the narrative forward.
Emotion is not lacking...I cried and I sat at the edge of my seat with my hand over my mouth in angst. Punches are not pulled and not everyone will make it to the end.
Often in the chapters, there are scenes that are breathtaking in the emotional impact they bring. In particular there is a thread that runs through most of the book that is based in trauma that Sam experiences in Lightfall. Every time it's mentioned, I got tears in my eyes. I was back in that scene with her and feeling all the feels. It's so well done.
Meanwhile, Jacob, Raven and the wolves are having their own bad time. Raven is my hero, she's a total badass but one not without morals and emotions. But let's focus on the badassery! Things are dark and mysterious in the woods. A murder, some anarchy and a lot of wolves making a play for power. Raven and Jacob in the center trying to survive and save those they love.
There are a LOT of shocking events that happen which kept me enraptured in the story. I was really pleased with how everything ends up and I'm SO ready for book 3.
Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press and Ed Crocker for the opportunity to read and review. These thoughts are my own.
February 4, 2026
(4.25 rounded up)
This was the continuation I hoped it would be, and more. We start with Sam and the vampires in the first half of the book, but the second half is all about the wolves, Raven, and Jacob, which felt easier to digest as opposed to waffling back and forth between the story lines. I actually appreciated the changes in first person perspective, as it gave us even more insight into each characters mindset. The first half is a little bit of a slower start but we are very much rewarded in the second half with a werewolf murder mystery and more of the delightful character banter that I loved so much in the first novel. I’m so excited to continue the story and follow these characters into the third act, as Ed has given them so much more depth in this continuation.
Thank you so much to Ed Crocker himself for gifting me this ARC! It was an honor to be an early reader for both of these novels, as well as your first ever video review. Cheers!
This was the continuation I hoped it would be, and more. We start with Sam and the vampires in the first half of the book, but the second half is all about the wolves, Raven, and Jacob, which felt easier to digest as opposed to waffling back and forth between the story lines. I actually appreciated the changes in first person perspective, as it gave us even more insight into each characters mindset. The first half is a little bit of a slower start but we are very much rewarded in the second half with a werewolf murder mystery and more of the delightful character banter that I loved so much in the first novel. I’m so excited to continue the story and follow these characters into the third act, as Ed has given them so much more depth in this continuation.
Thank you so much to Ed Crocker himself for gifting me this ARC! It was an honor to be an early reader for both of these novels, as well as your first ever video review. Cheers!
May 9, 2026
Ed Crocker's Moonfall expands on the world of Lightfall (book one of The Everlands Trilogy) in ways that feel ambitious and also emotionally intimate, transforming what began as sharp, entertaining fantasy into something even more layered and resonant. The novel retains its propulsive action and gothic atmosphere of vampires, werewolves, and revolutionary unrest, and its greatest strength is how deeply it interrogates power. Who controls it and what it truly costs to dismantle a corrupt system. Moonfall is particularly compelling in that Crocker does not frame revolution as clean or some triumph. Sam's plans are brilliantly conceived (keeping this as spoiler-free as possible). The manipulation of markets and systems that be mirror real-world struggles of inequality, giving this novel a thematic weight beneath its dark fantasy exterior. Crocker displays how revolutions are not built solely on ideals, but on desperation, grief, compromise, and impossible choices. Moonfall also excels in its character work. Sam's growth from a servant to where she is now feels fiercely earned, shaped by trauma without reducing her to a victim of it. Her evolving relationships with Daphnee and Alanna bring emotional tenderness to a narrative otherwise steeped in bloodshed and politics. Meanwhile, Jacob and Raven's storyline introduces something engaging that broadens the scope of the world while deepening its tensions. What elevates Crocker's series is balance accessibility and depth. Beneath the spectacles of supernatural warfare lies a story profoundly steeped in classes, loyalties, and the eternal, fragile hope of systemic change. Thank you Ed for the review copy. You can pick this up June 02, 2026 wherever you buy your books!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Determined to not let the momentum go from her actions a few weeks ago Sam has pledged herself to the revolution. Working with Lady Daphnee, Alanna, the previous first lord himself, Molly the head of the blood smuggling ring, and finally Hands Parker the not quite sane leader of a Worn gang she hatches a truly ingenious plan to take over Lightfall with little bloodshed.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to anyone Sage has returned to the city, to work on some secret plot with Sinassion. One that once Sam does discover he is back he refuses to speak of to anyone, even her.
Finally, Jacob and Raven are in the lands of the Ansbach Wolves preparing to tell Ashen, the leader of all of the Wolves (but not according to Raven) of the Vampire's betrayal. However, Jacob learns quickly that not everything is as straightforward with the Wolves as he has believed and some are willing to foment discord in order to the Wolves in all out war against the Vampires, Nobles and Worn alike.
Alright guys bear with me because there is a lot to unpack in this one. There is so much more going on than in the first book and it's really three separate threads that lead to one overall story. I am going to try to break it down in that manner as well. Hopefully I won't get to fangirly with it because omg I absolutely loved this!
First things first; Sam's Big Plan is absolutely genius. It's been awhile since I read book one so I am not sure how much (if any) it goes into Invisibles trading, but essentially the Invisibles is like a stock market for blood and Sam's idea, is to crash the market causing mayhem which will allow the rebels to easily come in and take over. Sounds simple right? Wrong. I mean there are just so many pieces to something like this, that even if you know very little about the stock market you can already see how this could go wrong. Inflating the market on purpose just to crash it is quite honestly the greatest con in the history of cons, but it's also a brilliant absolutely blindingly brilliant way to bring on a revolution in a city already primed for it. To be fair I think this almost defines what it means when we call someone a Con Man or it's longer version Confidence Man, the belief that you the person trying to sell this to others has it in it's effectiveness has to be unshakeable and honestly Sam, with the help of Daphnee, Alanna, and Vermillion pull it of beautifully. This brilliant plan alone is reason enough to recommend this series. However, there is more, because of course there is more.
Character growth is a big thing I push in all of my reviews because quite frankly it's freaking important. Using Sam as my first example here you can't just be a maid who sets off a revolution and witnesses the death of her best friend and have her be the same person she was in book one. You just freaking can't. So, to see her grew so much in this book not just in terms of her confidence in her own abilities as a self-taught human...err vamps taking on the elite, but as a vamp who now has allies. Not just allies though, people that love her, I would say unconditionally. The relationship between her Lady Daphnee, Alanna, and Vermillion grew to be far more than just allies but a family. Two parents although not together that have lost children who see a spark of their own children in Sam and Sam who simply hasn't had this kind of unconditional love and support. It was genuinely beautiful to see and there is a scene with Sam and Vermillion that I bawled at. Not because I was had any particular attachment to their own grief, but it was such a parental moment between them that as a parent it would have been difficult not too. The Sam of book one would have never been able to have this moment, and I am so glad she was able to in this one. And yes for those wondering as I was there is some movement on the Daphnee and the Alanna front and Sage is stupid. Beyond stupid he is an absolute idiot. I said what I said.
Moving on to Wolf Territory.
As much I loved being back with Sam and seeing her scheme with the best (and worst) of Lightfall Raven and Jacob's story was everything! Also, it contains the thing that I now know that I love about Crockers writing and I am definitely tackling first.
For me in Lightfall the thing that stood out most was how much I mourned never getting to meet Red (Vermillion's son who is murdered before book 1 and basically sets all of this in motion). Through the eyes of other characters in Lightfall and through Vermillion's grief in Moonfall the possibility of him, of what he could have become creates a feeling of loss that was completely unexpected for me. He represented just goodness in a place where there was not much good to be found. I didn't really think it was possible to do that a second time but when Ashen is murdered almost as soon as we meet him, that same feeling although not as great stood out. I think it became even worse once we found out why he had to die, as it was so utterly pointless in the grand scheme of things. He is really this huge over the top character and after his first meeting with Jacob and Raven it is extremely clear that whatever choices he made with the information they brought him would have been well thought out, even if I didn't necessarily agree with the decision he came to. While to an extent I almost think that the death makes it slightly easier for Jacob and Raven to do what they end up doing it's still sad to know that it may have been easier because of the loss.
That all being said and way off track a bit, part two ends up being a bit of a murder mystery with Jacob trying to figure out who killed Ashen and not a lot of Wolves that want to cooperate with him. The ride on this one was a ton of fun since it was a locked room mystery (one of my favs!) and I loved how he figured out the who and what. The answer was right in front of him to the whole time too and I am a sucker for that type of locked room story. There is nothing better than the simple and overlooked.
Yes, Jacob is still favorite character. He is extremely relatable and hilarious. I am completely devastated that there was no movement between him and Raven. Okay not as much as I would have liked. They are adorably perfect for each other.
Finally, we have Sage's part in all of this and some reveals (okay just one big reveal) about the Mortals, that confirmed much of where I thought this was going on but on a grander scale than I could have imagined. I also think that after we get to the specific reveal that I am referring to the theory that Jacob discusses with Ashen when they first meet makes a ton of sense and I don't care if Sage doesn't agree because as I said Sage is an idiot. Okay he's not an idiot obviously but he sure does like to annoy me with all of his horrible decisions and sneaking around and what not.
Now, the big thing. When I read this first book it was good, it pretty much immediately threw Crocker on my list of auto buy authors, especially since I almost didn't finish Lightfall. But this was on a purely, okay this is fun scale. Not anything to do with him writing some story about class wars and what not. Sure yeah it was there, but let's be honest class wars are a dime a dozen. This book definitely changed that to being one that is up there as a damn good one on class wars, and oddly enough reading The New Story of the Stone helped change that opinion immensely. One of the things that I loved about The New Story of the Stone is that Wu had clearly written it to be accessible to all people, not just a select few, whether on purpose or not I feel that Crocker has done the same thing here. This becomes vital in this book. The whole revolution is started, by a self-taught made who has had it up to her eyeballs, to make this a more complicated tale or to throw out a bunch of big words would be almost a betrayal to his own character. Yes, Sam is intelligent, ridiculously intelligent but she is first and foremost a Worn who has seen her entire world destroyed by those who feel that they are above her. That she never leaves that portion of her personality, never sees herself as smarter or better than anyone else was important for me. That the story is written in such a manner that conveys that is as well. So in terms of a book series that reflects what is going on right now between the haves and the haves not I would recommend this series probably before many others, because I know that I can recommend it to virtually anyone I know and the ideals in it will be understandable.
And on that note I obviously recommend this series, its been such a fun ride that has somehow mixed in a little of virtually every genre I love but never losing sight of what it is.
As always thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eArc!
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to anyone Sage has returned to the city, to work on some secret plot with Sinassion. One that once Sam does discover he is back he refuses to speak of to anyone, even her.
Finally, Jacob and Raven are in the lands of the Ansbach Wolves preparing to tell Ashen, the leader of all of the Wolves (but not according to Raven) of the Vampire's betrayal. However, Jacob learns quickly that not everything is as straightforward with the Wolves as he has believed and some are willing to foment discord in order to the Wolves in all out war against the Vampires, Nobles and Worn alike.
Alright guys bear with me because there is a lot to unpack in this one. There is so much more going on than in the first book and it's really three separate threads that lead to one overall story. I am going to try to break it down in that manner as well. Hopefully I won't get to fangirly with it because omg I absolutely loved this!
First things first; Sam's Big Plan is absolutely genius. It's been awhile since I read book one so I am not sure how much (if any) it goes into Invisibles trading, but essentially the Invisibles is like a stock market for blood and Sam's idea, is to crash the market causing mayhem which will allow the rebels to easily come in and take over. Sounds simple right? Wrong. I mean there are just so many pieces to something like this, that even if you know very little about the stock market you can already see how this could go wrong. Inflating the market on purpose just to crash it is quite honestly the greatest con in the history of cons, but it's also a brilliant absolutely blindingly brilliant way to bring on a revolution in a city already primed for it. To be fair I think this almost defines what it means when we call someone a Con Man or it's longer version Confidence Man, the belief that you the person trying to sell this to others has it in it's effectiveness has to be unshakeable and honestly Sam, with the help of Daphnee, Alanna, and Vermillion pull it of beautifully. This brilliant plan alone is reason enough to recommend this series. However, there is more, because of course there is more.
Character growth is a big thing I push in all of my reviews because quite frankly it's freaking important. Using Sam as my first example here you can't just be a maid who sets off a revolution and witnesses the death of her best friend and have her be the same person she was in book one. You just freaking can't. So, to see her grew so much in this book not just in terms of her confidence in her own abilities as a self-taught human...err vamps taking on the elite, but as a vamp who now has allies. Not just allies though, people that love her, I would say unconditionally. The relationship between her Lady Daphnee, Alanna, and Vermillion grew to be far more than just allies but a family. Two parents although not together that have lost children who see a spark of their own children in Sam and Sam who simply hasn't had this kind of unconditional love and support. It was genuinely beautiful to see and there is a scene with Sam and Vermillion that I bawled at. Not because I was had any particular attachment to their own grief, but it was such a parental moment between them that as a parent it would have been difficult not too. The Sam of book one would have never been able to have this moment, and I am so glad she was able to in this one. And yes for those wondering as I was there is some movement on the Daphnee and the Alanna front and Sage is stupid. Beyond stupid he is an absolute idiot. I said what I said.
Moving on to Wolf Territory.
As much I loved being back with Sam and seeing her scheme with the best (and worst) of Lightfall Raven and Jacob's story was everything! Also, it contains the thing that I now know that I love about Crockers writing and I am definitely tackling first.
For me in Lightfall the thing that stood out most was how much I mourned never getting to meet Red (Vermillion's son who is murdered before book 1 and basically sets all of this in motion). Through the eyes of other characters in Lightfall and through Vermillion's grief in Moonfall the possibility of him, of what he could have become creates a feeling of loss that was completely unexpected for me. He represented just goodness in a place where there was not much good to be found. I didn't really think it was possible to do that a second time but when Ashen is murdered almost as soon as we meet him, that same feeling although not as great stood out. I think it became even worse once we found out why he had to die, as it was so utterly pointless in the grand scheme of things. He is really this huge over the top character and after his first meeting with Jacob and Raven it is extremely clear that whatever choices he made with the information they brought him would have been well thought out, even if I didn't necessarily agree with the decision he came to. While to an extent I almost think that the death makes it slightly easier for Jacob and Raven to do what they end up doing it's still sad to know that it may have been easier because of the loss.
That all being said and way off track a bit, part two ends up being a bit of a murder mystery with Jacob trying to figure out who killed Ashen and not a lot of Wolves that want to cooperate with him. The ride on this one was a ton of fun since it was a locked room mystery (one of my favs!) and I loved how he figured out the who and what. The answer was right in front of him to the whole time too and I am a sucker for that type of locked room story. There is nothing better than the simple and overlooked.
Yes, Jacob is still favorite character. He is extremely relatable and hilarious. I am completely devastated that there was no movement between him and Raven. Okay not as much as I would have liked. They are adorably perfect for each other.
Finally, we have Sage's part in all of this and some reveals (okay just one big reveal) about the Mortals, that confirmed much of where I thought this was going on but on a grander scale than I could have imagined. I also think that after we get to the specific reveal that I am referring to the theory that Jacob discusses with Ashen when they first meet makes a ton of sense and I don't care if Sage doesn't agree because as I said Sage is an idiot. Okay he's not an idiot obviously but he sure does like to annoy me with all of his horrible decisions and sneaking around and what not.
Now, the big thing. When I read this first book it was good, it pretty much immediately threw Crocker on my list of auto buy authors, especially since I almost didn't finish Lightfall. But this was on a purely, okay this is fun scale. Not anything to do with him writing some story about class wars and what not. Sure yeah it was there, but let's be honest class wars are a dime a dozen. This book definitely changed that to being one that is up there as a damn good one on class wars, and oddly enough reading The New Story of the Stone helped change that opinion immensely. One of the things that I loved about The New Story of the Stone is that Wu had clearly written it to be accessible to all people, not just a select few, whether on purpose or not I feel that Crocker has done the same thing here. This becomes vital in this book. The whole revolution is started, by a self-taught made who has had it up to her eyeballs, to make this a more complicated tale or to throw out a bunch of big words would be almost a betrayal to his own character. Yes, Sam is intelligent, ridiculously intelligent but she is first and foremost a Worn who has seen her entire world destroyed by those who feel that they are above her. That she never leaves that portion of her personality, never sees herself as smarter or better than anyone else was important for me. That the story is written in such a manner that conveys that is as well. So in terms of a book series that reflects what is going on right now between the haves and the haves not I would recommend this series probably before many others, because I know that I can recommend it to virtually anyone I know and the ideals in it will be understandable.
And on that note I obviously recommend this series, its been such a fun ride that has somehow mixed in a little of virtually every genre I love but never losing sight of what it is.
As always thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eArc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This review was originally published on Grimdark Magazine
Okay, I am just going to admit upfront that I have absolutely no idea how coherent this review is going to be because Ed Crocker genuinely scrambled my brain in the best possible way with Moonfall, and I fear I will never be able to do it justice without sounding completely unhinged. I mean, I don’t know if I find it more rude or disgustingly brilliant how this book full of inexplicably loveable immortal bastards feels like it was written with the sole intent of killing me, but I love it all the more for it.
“War. Revolution. It’s all the same. We dance to the fiddle and we get fucked by the piper.”
First of all, bless this man for opening the book with an actual recap of what happened in Lightfall, because my goldfish memory appreciated it. Although by the time I got deeper into the story, I almost did not even need it because these characters feel so alive that all the events from the first book still cling to them like bloodstains they cannot scrub off. Like, one of my biggest frustrations with sequels is when horrific life-altering events happen in book one and then everybody just moves on emotionally like they had a mildly annoying Tuesday, but the opposite could not be more true here. Moonfall is a book of consequences and grief and guilt and emotional reckoning, and I loved how every painful thing that happened before still matters. The trauma has roots, the relationships have scars, every conversation feels heavy with history and regret and longing, and it all just hurts so damn good!!!
“A few dress-ups and blackmails and suddenly I’m whiplashing the powerful. Did I always have this in me, or is this a mask I wear, barely covering the real me?”
And somehow Crocker decided that was not ambitious enough, so he split Moonfall into two massive narrative halves that almost feel like separate stories entirely that deliver double the character- and relationship development, and also double the trauma. See, part one is this tense, chaotic Age of Madness-style revolution story in First Light with Sam, Daphnee, Azurri, and Sage trying desperately to stop everything from collapsing into absolute carnage, while part two turns into this deliciously messy Agatha Christie-style closed circle murder mystery in the Wolflands with Jacob and Raven stumbling through political tension, suspicion, and claws-out hostility. And I genuinely do not understand how Crocker pulled this off because these halves feel so different tonally, but they still weave together perfectly and I was just sitting there in utter awe as it all built towards something massive and mind-blowing.
“We laugh then, like we’re not both caught in plans beyond our control, running headlong into events that may kill us both. We laugh like we trust each other, though the secrets are growing, if anything. We laugh like this is nice. Because it is.”
And the best (or worst?) part is that I cannot even say I preferred one section over the other because the feels were feeling in both of them, and we all know that is exactly what I am here for. Sam and Lord Azzuri’s storyline absolutely destroyed me with how raw and vulnerable it was because their grief feels so ugly and exhausting and real, but there is still this fragile thread of healing running through it that made my chest ache in the best way. Meanwhile Alanna and her Daffers gave me some of the softest and most tender moments in the entire book and I was eating up the sapphic tension like my life depended on it. Then I also simply loved Raven’s return to the Wolflands and getting a deeper look into their culture and political tension, and seeing Jacob stumbling around there trying to solve a murder while slowly realising he might actually be more than just Sage’s sidekick and a magicless mage had me so emotional. He is such a disaster, I adore him.
“I’m not enjoying being hunted by a wolf. It’s not meant to be an enjoyable experience, I realize, but even so it’s worth emphasizing just how shading annoying this is.”
Needless to say, the character- and relationship development in Moonfall is honestly unreal, the multi-POV first person storytelling felt even stronger and flowed even better than in the first book for me. There’s just this almost conversational stream of consciousness vibe to the whole story that just tickled my brain in the best way (as you can maybe tell from the ridiculous number of quotes in this review, sorry not sorry), and I loved how Crocker’s witty yet weighty authorial voice made every scene feel so layered and complicated and painfully human despite the fact we are dealing with immortal vampires, wolves, and powerful mages. Like, I was crying tears of laughter one moment because the banter is genuinely hilarious, and then the next moment would casually stab me through the ribs emotionally and I was crying from pure heartbreak. Love that emotional rollercoaster for me.
“Oh, no. Kindness. Next we’ll have pity. And I know pity well. When your whole family has been killed, you get to know it very well and hate it all the same.”
And the really wild thing is that even with all my screaming about the characters, none of that overshadows the lore and worldbuilding. The mystery surrounding this post-apocalyptic world where mortals no longer exist already had me hooked in the first book, but Moonfall takes that intrigue and cranks it up to unbearable levels. Ancient secrets start unraveling, the truth behind the world gets darker and stranger, and I loved how every diabolical reveal actually matters because it is woven so brilliantly into the characters and their emotional journeys. Especially Sage’s connection to big bad guy (?) Sinassion had me internally screaming, and the little hints about Alanna’s backstory made my mind spin in the best way.
“The mortals, Sage. They still exist; they have always been here, and I know how to get to them. We will never be free until we end them, and that is what I wanted. A continent united, united against the real enemy.”
So yeah, Moonfall exceeded any and all expectations I had and has instantly become one of my favourite sequels ever, which is impressive considering I was convinced this book was going to kill me before I even finished it. I guess that says enough about my sanity and emotional wellbeing. The set-up for the finale to The Everlands Trilogy has me beyond excited, and I desperately need more people to read this series so we can all collectively spiral and cry together when the grand conclusion arrives. What a bloody fucking brilliant book.
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Moonfall is scheduled for release on 2 June 2026.
Okay, I am just going to admit upfront that I have absolutely no idea how coherent this review is going to be because Ed Crocker genuinely scrambled my brain in the best possible way with Moonfall, and I fear I will never be able to do it justice without sounding completely unhinged. I mean, I don’t know if I find it more rude or disgustingly brilliant how this book full of inexplicably loveable immortal bastards feels like it was written with the sole intent of killing me, but I love it all the more for it.
“War. Revolution. It’s all the same. We dance to the fiddle and we get fucked by the piper.”
First of all, bless this man for opening the book with an actual recap of what happened in Lightfall, because my goldfish memory appreciated it. Although by the time I got deeper into the story, I almost did not even need it because these characters feel so alive that all the events from the first book still cling to them like bloodstains they cannot scrub off. Like, one of my biggest frustrations with sequels is when horrific life-altering events happen in book one and then everybody just moves on emotionally like they had a mildly annoying Tuesday, but the opposite could not be more true here. Moonfall is a book of consequences and grief and guilt and emotional reckoning, and I loved how every painful thing that happened before still matters. The trauma has roots, the relationships have scars, every conversation feels heavy with history and regret and longing, and it all just hurts so damn good!!!
“A few dress-ups and blackmails and suddenly I’m whiplashing the powerful. Did I always have this in me, or is this a mask I wear, barely covering the real me?”
And somehow Crocker decided that was not ambitious enough, so he split Moonfall into two massive narrative halves that almost feel like separate stories entirely that deliver double the character- and relationship development, and also double the trauma. See, part one is this tense, chaotic Age of Madness-style revolution story in First Light with Sam, Daphnee, Azurri, and Sage trying desperately to stop everything from collapsing into absolute carnage, while part two turns into this deliciously messy Agatha Christie-style closed circle murder mystery in the Wolflands with Jacob and Raven stumbling through political tension, suspicion, and claws-out hostility. And I genuinely do not understand how Crocker pulled this off because these halves feel so different tonally, but they still weave together perfectly and I was just sitting there in utter awe as it all built towards something massive and mind-blowing.
“We laugh then, like we’re not both caught in plans beyond our control, running headlong into events that may kill us both. We laugh like we trust each other, though the secrets are growing, if anything. We laugh like this is nice. Because it is.”
And the best (or worst?) part is that I cannot even say I preferred one section over the other because the feels were feeling in both of them, and we all know that is exactly what I am here for. Sam and Lord Azzuri’s storyline absolutely destroyed me with how raw and vulnerable it was because their grief feels so ugly and exhausting and real, but there is still this fragile thread of healing running through it that made my chest ache in the best way. Meanwhile Alanna and her Daffers gave me some of the softest and most tender moments in the entire book and I was eating up the sapphic tension like my life depended on it. Then I also simply loved Raven’s return to the Wolflands and getting a deeper look into their culture and political tension, and seeing Jacob stumbling around there trying to solve a murder while slowly realising he might actually be more than just Sage’s sidekick and a magicless mage had me so emotional. He is such a disaster, I adore him.
“I’m not enjoying being hunted by a wolf. It’s not meant to be an enjoyable experience, I realize, but even so it’s worth emphasizing just how shading annoying this is.”
Needless to say, the character- and relationship development in Moonfall is honestly unreal, the multi-POV first person storytelling felt even stronger and flowed even better than in the first book for me. There’s just this almost conversational stream of consciousness vibe to the whole story that just tickled my brain in the best way (as you can maybe tell from the ridiculous number of quotes in this review, sorry not sorry), and I loved how Crocker’s witty yet weighty authorial voice made every scene feel so layered and complicated and painfully human despite the fact we are dealing with immortal vampires, wolves, and powerful mages. Like, I was crying tears of laughter one moment because the banter is genuinely hilarious, and then the next moment would casually stab me through the ribs emotionally and I was crying from pure heartbreak. Love that emotional rollercoaster for me.
“Oh, no. Kindness. Next we’ll have pity. And I know pity well. When your whole family has been killed, you get to know it very well and hate it all the same.”
And the really wild thing is that even with all my screaming about the characters, none of that overshadows the lore and worldbuilding. The mystery surrounding this post-apocalyptic world where mortals no longer exist already had me hooked in the first book, but Moonfall takes that intrigue and cranks it up to unbearable levels. Ancient secrets start unraveling, the truth behind the world gets darker and stranger, and I loved how every diabolical reveal actually matters because it is woven so brilliantly into the characters and their emotional journeys. Especially Sage’s connection to big bad guy (?) Sinassion had me internally screaming, and the little hints about Alanna’s backstory made my mind spin in the best way.
“The mortals, Sage. They still exist; they have always been here, and I know how to get to them. We will never be free until we end them, and that is what I wanted. A continent united, united against the real enemy.”
So yeah, Moonfall exceeded any and all expectations I had and has instantly become one of my favourite sequels ever, which is impressive considering I was convinced this book was going to kill me before I even finished it. I guess that says enough about my sanity and emotional wellbeing. The set-up for the finale to The Everlands Trilogy has me beyond excited, and I desperately need more people to read this series so we can all collectively spiral and cry together when the grand conclusion arrives. What a bloody fucking brilliant book.
Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Moonfall is scheduled for release on 2 June 2026.
December 22, 2025
I went into this with a relatively neutral sort of mindset, as the first book was really "just ok" for me when I first read it.
And in some form, Moonfall is also "just ok" for me. I was hoping that to some degree it would be better or would somehow boost Lightfall up a little bit more in my eyes... but sadly this wasn't the case. There is still plenty of potential in these pages, and the story is well-written for the most part... however a lot of the issues that were presented in book one are still quite prevalent ... the characters still feel rather flat, there is still the issue of major (and unnecessary) infodumps and the POV is still somewhat of an oddball and could be better off told in a different POV.
I have a bit of a personal issue as well to the way that this book is formatted... the lack of chapters and the fact that there are no distinct page breaks between point of views... not to mention some of this does go on for REALLY long paragraphs... made it a tiny bit hard for me to actually focus while having to decipher that much info all at once.
However, while there are quite a few issues that made me still not enjoy this book as much I normally would for something of this genre... allow me to brag again about the world that Ed Crocker has set up. THIS is perhaps the strongest bragging point about this series as a whole, because the lore... and the history of this world from the hints that are giving just make me want to know more about the universe and how things came to be... I want to know what led up to how this world is right now, and why humans have just seemed to completely vanish....and I also want to know just how the government works and runs.
Was this the story for me? Perhaps not in the state that it stands. I'm sure that it has a crowd that is ready to shower it in adoration and undying love. Would I read the next one? Probably, if anything to just know more about the fascinating world that lies within these pages... but this is nothing impressive to me. This was 3 stars but gets a bump to 4 stars purely because of how much I adored the world and the amazing amount of detail that has been poured into it.
Special thanks go to Sara La Cotti at St. Martin's Press for sending me an invitation to read this in advanced.
Thank you as well to St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for this copy in advanced. I am voluntarily leaving a review. The rest of my reviews may be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
And in some form, Moonfall is also "just ok" for me. I was hoping that to some degree it would be better or would somehow boost Lightfall up a little bit more in my eyes... but sadly this wasn't the case. There is still plenty of potential in these pages, and the story is well-written for the most part... however a lot of the issues that were presented in book one are still quite prevalent ... the characters still feel rather flat, there is still the issue of major (and unnecessary) infodumps and the POV is still somewhat of an oddball and could be better off told in a different POV.
I have a bit of a personal issue as well to the way that this book is formatted... the lack of chapters and the fact that there are no distinct page breaks between point of views... not to mention some of this does go on for REALLY long paragraphs... made it a tiny bit hard for me to actually focus while having to decipher that much info all at once.
However, while there are quite a few issues that made me still not enjoy this book as much I normally would for something of this genre... allow me to brag again about the world that Ed Crocker has set up. THIS is perhaps the strongest bragging point about this series as a whole, because the lore... and the history of this world from the hints that are giving just make me want to know more about the universe and how things came to be... I want to know what led up to how this world is right now, and why humans have just seemed to completely vanish....and I also want to know just how the government works and runs.
Was this the story for me? Perhaps not in the state that it stands. I'm sure that it has a crowd that is ready to shower it in adoration and undying love. Would I read the next one? Probably, if anything to just know more about the fascinating world that lies within these pages... but this is nothing impressive to me. This was 3 stars but gets a bump to 4 stars purely because of how much I adored the world and the amazing amount of detail that has been poured into it.
Special thanks go to Sara La Cotti at St. Martin's Press for sending me an invitation to read this in advanced.
Thank you as well to St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for this copy in advanced. I am voluntarily leaving a review. The rest of my reviews may be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....
March 4, 2026
** This book was provided to me by St. Martin’s Press in exchange for a fair and honest review **
When I got the opportunity to read Lightfall after reading the very intriguing synopsis, I was pretty happy. What I didn’t know was what a whirlwind adventure Mr. Crocker was going to be taking me on. It was one of my top reads of 2024, and it didn’t even release until January 2025.
Well, here we are, one year later, and I, once again got to revel in the shenanigans of Sam, Sage, Raven, Jacob, Daphnée, Alanna, and, now, a whole lot more.
The thing I loved most about Moonfall is that it is not formulaic. While being the second book of a trilogy, it stands alone on it’s merits of political intrigue, mystery, and sheer chaos. The madcap scheming and sleuthing really put me in a mind of the Six of Crows duology from Leigh Bardugo. There is a lot of plot work going on, but that is used to sacrifice true character development and a fair amount of world building. Mr. Crocker’s style of writing sections of chapters from various character perspectives, and clearly labeling that, makes this novel a dream to sweep through without the slightest bit of confusion. Having extra lore and literature to start each chapter acts as a gilded accessory that really was a fun bonus to read.
OK, now to get into the story. If you haven’t read Lightfall stop right here if you don’t want spoilers.
Sam and her rebels have figured out the secret of the Grays, and now Sam wants to burn it all down. In the meantime, Sage, Jacob, and Raven have set out into the Wolflands to find help, but there are more than a few sinister things going on all around.
Let’s just say there is a lot going on, and a lot of questions that need to be answered.
I was so excited to get this novel, that I knew I had to find the right time to fully invest myself in it. Once I did, I devoured it: to the detriment of my productivity. The triumphs and surprises were absolutely amazing, and the heartache devastating. Moonfall is already in my Top Ten of 2026, and, as previously, I am waiting in anticipation for book three.
This review originally appears at 23rdlegion.com.
When I got the opportunity to read Lightfall after reading the very intriguing synopsis, I was pretty happy. What I didn’t know was what a whirlwind adventure Mr. Crocker was going to be taking me on. It was one of my top reads of 2024, and it didn’t even release until January 2025.
Well, here we are, one year later, and I, once again got to revel in the shenanigans of Sam, Sage, Raven, Jacob, Daphnée, Alanna, and, now, a whole lot more.
The thing I loved most about Moonfall is that it is not formulaic. While being the second book of a trilogy, it stands alone on it’s merits of political intrigue, mystery, and sheer chaos. The madcap scheming and sleuthing really put me in a mind of the Six of Crows duology from Leigh Bardugo. There is a lot of plot work going on, but that is used to sacrifice true character development and a fair amount of world building. Mr. Crocker’s style of writing sections of chapters from various character perspectives, and clearly labeling that, makes this novel a dream to sweep through without the slightest bit of confusion. Having extra lore and literature to start each chapter acts as a gilded accessory that really was a fun bonus to read.
OK, now to get into the story. If you haven’t read Lightfall stop right here if you don’t want spoilers.
Sam and her rebels have figured out the secret of the Grays, and now Sam wants to burn it all down. In the meantime, Sage, Jacob, and Raven have set out into the Wolflands to find help, but there are more than a few sinister things going on all around.
Let’s just say there is a lot going on, and a lot of questions that need to be answered.
I was so excited to get this novel, that I knew I had to find the right time to fully invest myself in it. Once I did, I devoured it: to the detriment of my productivity. The triumphs and surprises were absolutely amazing, and the heartache devastating. Moonfall is already in my Top Ten of 2026, and, as previously, I am waiting in anticipation for book three.
This review originally appears at 23rdlegion.com.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC.
4.5/5
And I wonder if this moment, too, is a part of it, a prelude to the time when the fear of crowds over invisible things will start wars and change continents just as much as the old wars."
**Minor spoilers for Lightfall**
Ed really hits his stride with this second installment of the Everlands series. Lightfall set up this fascinating world with a vampire hierarchy, wolfkind being used for their superior blood, the mysterious threat of the Grays and finally relics from mortals and the possibility of their return. Moonfall starts right from where we left our hero Sam with her new group of rebels making plans for a major Worn rebellion. Meanwhile, Sage, Jacob and Raven return to the Wolflands to recruit them as allies if they are needed to overthrow Lightfall.
"More regrets, from a dead mage running."
I loved diving back into this world and now being familiar with all the different factions, and the nuances of how the bloods work really made it easy to sink right back in. The pacing of this book is excellent as you follow Sam and her unique crew of rebels in the planning and execution of this high-stakes rebellion. Of course there are twists, unexpected deaths and the will they, won't they with Sam and Sage. The growing found family and the compelling moments between characters where they really dive into their pasts makes this such a layered story. I so enjoyed Sage's relationship with Sinassion and can't wait to see the trouble they get into in the next book. The time spent in the Wolflands with Jacob and Raven was my favorite and I loved the back and forth between them and their growing relationship, this should be fun (hopefully) going forward!!
Woven throughout all of this is the mystery of the mortals, the cache of relics left behind and how it all relates the vampires and wolves, so I am totally pumped for the next book to see how it all shakes out. This was such a satisfying second entry to the series that kept me hooked the entire way, highly recommend!!!
4.5/5
And I wonder if this moment, too, is a part of it, a prelude to the time when the fear of crowds over invisible things will start wars and change continents just as much as the old wars."
**Minor spoilers for Lightfall**
Ed really hits his stride with this second installment of the Everlands series. Lightfall set up this fascinating world with a vampire hierarchy, wolfkind being used for their superior blood, the mysterious threat of the Grays and finally relics from mortals and the possibility of their return. Moonfall starts right from where we left our hero Sam with her new group of rebels making plans for a major Worn rebellion. Meanwhile, Sage, Jacob and Raven return to the Wolflands to recruit them as allies if they are needed to overthrow Lightfall.
"More regrets, from a dead mage running."
I loved diving back into this world and now being familiar with all the different factions, and the nuances of how the bloods work really made it easy to sink right back in. The pacing of this book is excellent as you follow Sam and her unique crew of rebels in the planning and execution of this high-stakes rebellion. Of course there are twists, unexpected deaths and the will they, won't they with Sam and Sage. The growing found family and the compelling moments between characters where they really dive into their pasts makes this such a layered story. I so enjoyed Sage's relationship with Sinassion and can't wait to see the trouble they get into in the next book. The time spent in the Wolflands with Jacob and Raven was my favorite and I loved the back and forth between them and their growing relationship, this should be fun (hopefully) going forward!!
Woven throughout all of this is the mystery of the mortals, the cache of relics left behind and how it all relates the vampires and wolves, so I am totally pumped for the next book to see how it all shakes out. This was such a satisfying second entry to the series that kept me hooked the entire way, highly recommend!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Welcome back to the Everlands, where vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers are the norm and mortals are the myth. This is the second book in the series, so spoilers ahead if you've not read the first. Can all authors have a recap at the start of subsequent books? I almost never have time to go back and reread the first book, and a two-page recap is the perfect refresher. Moonfall picks up in the immediate aftermath of the first book. We start the story with Sam and the vampires, then the second part of the book is Jacob and Raven.
I will say the first half of the book is a little dry for me; there is a whole plot line about The Invisibles market (like our futures market). The plot is very central to the downfall of the vampire lords, but it is very dry. Though I do now understand the stock market and futures market a little better. So, thanks for teaching me something! I get that Sam (our vampire rebellion leader) wants a bloodless revolution, but I felt like the vampire chapters were just a little too dense. Jacob and Raven are really where this book excels for me.
Raven is this centuries old sick of your shit werewolf and Jacob is a magicless sorcerer. At first, they're in the wolflands to tell the wolves about the vampire lords' betrayals. Of course, it evolves and they also have to solve a murder. Together Raven and Jacob balance really well. Jacob brings levity to Raven and Raven helps Jacob believe in himself. Plus, I liked all the times the wolves would make Jacob uncomfortable. It's not until the end of the book that our four main characters get back together. Though in this book Sage takes a little bit of a back seat. Also please stop doing mean things to Vermillion. I get that he sucked for a long time, but c'mon.
I'll also hold out for more Sage and Sam kisses. I have faith and I will definitely be reading the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.
I will say the first half of the book is a little dry for me; there is a whole plot line about The Invisibles market (like our futures market). The plot is very central to the downfall of the vampire lords, but it is very dry. Though I do now understand the stock market and futures market a little better. So, thanks for teaching me something! I get that Sam (our vampire rebellion leader) wants a bloodless revolution, but I felt like the vampire chapters were just a little too dense. Jacob and Raven are really where this book excels for me.
Raven is this centuries old sick of your shit werewolf and Jacob is a magicless sorcerer. At first, they're in the wolflands to tell the wolves about the vampire lords' betrayals. Of course, it evolves and they also have to solve a murder. Together Raven and Jacob balance really well. Jacob brings levity to Raven and Raven helps Jacob believe in himself. Plus, I liked all the times the wolves would make Jacob uncomfortable. It's not until the end of the book that our four main characters get back together. Though in this book Sage takes a little bit of a back seat. Also please stop doing mean things to Vermillion. I get that he sucked for a long time, but c'mon.
I'll also hold out for more Sage and Sam kisses. I have faith and I will definitely be reading the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the follow-up to last year’s sleeper hit Lightfall, Moonfall picks up shortly after the climactic events of Lightfall, seeing our intrepid band of misfits and malcontents adjusting to the new normal. In an excellent use of flashforward, or prolepsis for those of you playing at home, Crocker sets one of our characters up in a life-threatening situation with his signature dark comedy atmosphere. What unfolds is two (well, kind of three) concurrent stories that eventually come together in another highly enjoyable, incredibly crushable sequel in an excellent series. Crocker is excellent at witty banter and hilarious self-depracating inner thoughts that keep the characters grounded and lovable.
In addition to resolving more of the events of vampire society, we get a deep dive into wolf culture, proving to be equal parts interesting and intense. I really enjoyed getting more insights into the past, including the Twin War, as well as Raven’s backstory. This book again manages to elegantly weave lore, politics, and personal stories into an action-packed Guy Ritchie-esque humdrum. Fans of the Last Legacy (aka Silverblood Promise) will be right at home in this book, especially with more light being shed on our mysterious Mortals.
This is a great series to read as a slump buster, or if you want to break up a large, more investing epic fantasy series. Crocker expertly creates a fun but layered reading experience that leaves you wanting the next book that much more. I am super excited for the concluding third book in the series (which I am hoping will be called Shadowfall) next year. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC from Netgalley. Go enjoy this book and take a bite out of your TBR!
In addition to resolving more of the events of vampire society, we get a deep dive into wolf culture, proving to be equal parts interesting and intense. I really enjoyed getting more insights into the past, including the Twin War, as well as Raven’s backstory. This book again manages to elegantly weave lore, politics, and personal stories into an action-packed Guy Ritchie-esque humdrum. Fans of the Last Legacy (aka Silverblood Promise) will be right at home in this book, especially with more light being shed on our mysterious Mortals.
This is a great series to read as a slump buster, or if you want to break up a large, more investing epic fantasy series. Crocker expertly creates a fun but layered reading experience that leaves you wanting the next book that much more. I am super excited for the concluding third book in the series (which I am hoping will be called Shadowfall) next year. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the eARC from Netgalley. Go enjoy this book and take a bite out of your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sam has planted the seeds for revolution in First Light. She has become an inspiration for many and wants to unseat the corrupt Lords without bloodshed. Plotting and planning have become her new task as she dives more into the workings of her city. Simultaneously, things are changing for the wolves. Raven and Jacob are looking for support after discovering the corrupt nature of the vampire lords. But there is centuries long animosity that might just thwart the campaign to help not just the wolves, but all of the Everlands. The underlying threads of mortals and the mystery of them is a constant undercurrent in this changing immortal world.
This is a solid second book in the series and definitely has second book vibes. As expected, the author continues to expand the world building introduced in the first novel and really has set the stage for the third book in the trilogy. We follow Sam's journey in First Light and well as Jacob's in Ansbach castle. Their stories are key but I truly think the supporting characters in this novel make the book so much more with their motives, strengths, weaknesses and compassion. It creates so much more depth of character and that really makes the reader engage and care about our revolutionaries. I am looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy! 4 stars.
This is an honest review based on a digital Advanced Readers Copy provided by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This is a solid second book in the series and definitely has second book vibes. As expected, the author continues to expand the world building introduced in the first novel and really has set the stage for the third book in the trilogy. We follow Sam's journey in First Light and well as Jacob's in Ansbach castle. Their stories are key but I truly think the supporting characters in this novel make the book so much more with their motives, strengths, weaknesses and compassion. It creates so much more depth of character and that really makes the reader engage and care about our revolutionaries. I am looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy! 4 stars.
This is an honest review based on a digital Advanced Readers Copy provided by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating 3.50 rounded up
Revolution has begun! This is very much a middle book! Its thoughtful, heavy, and more concerned with setup than resolution. Readers looking for clear victories or clean answers may find it frustrating, but those who enjoy morally grey fantasy and political tension will find a lot to admire. Lightfall thrived on mystery and revelation but Moonfall is about aftermath. The thematic commitment is one of the novel’s greatest strengths, giving the story real weight and emotional credibility.
The scope widens considerably, moving beyond First Light and into the Wolflands, and the political complexity is compelling. Conflicts now exist on multiple fronts, political, cultural, and military. Crocker does a great job at making the shifting alliances feel volatile and believable. While the broadened cast and layered plotlines add scope, they occasionally slow the momentum and create uneven pacing.
Overall, Moonfall stands as a strong, thoughtful middle entry in The Everlands Trilogy. It shines in its moral complexity, immersive worldbuilding, and intense political tension, portraying the fallout of revolution in a gritty, believable manner. Its broader scope and deeply developed themes give the novel both ambition and emotional weight.
Revolution has begun! This is very much a middle book! Its thoughtful, heavy, and more concerned with setup than resolution. Readers looking for clear victories or clean answers may find it frustrating, but those who enjoy morally grey fantasy and political tension will find a lot to admire. Lightfall thrived on mystery and revelation but Moonfall is about aftermath. The thematic commitment is one of the novel’s greatest strengths, giving the story real weight and emotional credibility.
The scope widens considerably, moving beyond First Light and into the Wolflands, and the political complexity is compelling. Conflicts now exist on multiple fronts, political, cultural, and military. Crocker does a great job at making the shifting alliances feel volatile and believable. While the broadened cast and layered plotlines add scope, they occasionally slow the momentum and create uneven pacing.
Overall, Moonfall stands as a strong, thoughtful middle entry in The Everlands Trilogy. It shines in its moral complexity, immersive worldbuilding, and intense political tension, portraying the fallout of revolution in a gritty, believable manner. Its broader scope and deeply developed themes give the novel both ambition and emotional weight.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY
Moonfall was one heck of a reading experience! So much drama and forward momentum in the continuation of the story. This one focused on the same main characters; Sam, Alanna, Daphne, Sage, Jacob, Raven, and Vermillion. I loved the pacing of the story overall. The end half especially really picked up! We get to see more of the world also, especially in parts 2 and 3 with the werewolves. Their dynamic with each other is so interesting to experience.
And of course the story wouldn’t be complete without another murder to solve! Love those mysteries tucked in. The romances throughout the story are wonderful as well! There’s something for everyone. Ed has done an amazing job of balancing romance with mystery and war. It feels symmetrical and not too heavy in any one direction.
Sprinkling the big plot reveals the way he has definitely keeps the reader hooked and thinking of theories (a few of mine were right!) and I am dying for answers in the next book. I am hoping that a few minor setbacks in this book aren’t the actual way it’s going to go because I would be so sad if that was the case. Some things are meant to be, Ed!
I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens in the next installation! Wonderful read!
Moonfall was one heck of a reading experience! So much drama and forward momentum in the continuation of the story. This one focused on the same main characters; Sam, Alanna, Daphne, Sage, Jacob, Raven, and Vermillion. I loved the pacing of the story overall. The end half especially really picked up! We get to see more of the world also, especially in parts 2 and 3 with the werewolves. Their dynamic with each other is so interesting to experience.
And of course the story wouldn’t be complete without another murder to solve! Love those mysteries tucked in. The romances throughout the story are wonderful as well! There’s something for everyone. Ed has done an amazing job of balancing romance with mystery and war. It feels symmetrical and not too heavy in any one direction.
Sprinkling the big plot reveals the way he has definitely keeps the reader hooked and thinking of theories (a few of mine were right!) and I am dying for answers in the next book. I am hoping that a few minor setbacks in this book aren’t the actual way it’s going to go because I would be so sad if that was the case. Some things are meant to be, Ed!
I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens in the next installation! Wonderful read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Moonfall builds on the story that started in Lightfall with vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers sharing their immortal world. Power struggles and revolution are at the forefront of the Everlands and we delve deeper into plots and conspiracies. There is a mystery subplot and a few romances but at the forefront this remains a tale of political intrigues and very much a character driven story. This series continues to be an interesting urban fantasy. As in the first book of this trilogy, the story is told in first person with several narrators at the center of the tale, each adding their perspective to the complex dynamic. In line with most middle books of a trilogy, some issues are resolved while other doors are left open and after that epilogue, I'm ready for Last Light...
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
April 26, 2026
Moonfall was such an amazing book! The characters, the found family vibes, and the adventure were great! It was truly such a fun read. I love Ed’s writing because it manages to make me smile and laugh even though this is an epic fantasy novel. Sam, Sage, Jacob, and Raven easily have my heart and I can’t wait to read the final book!
This series features vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers set in such a unique world. We get chapters from multiple different characters which adds so much to the story! Also, I love that we got a recap of book 1 to kick off this book! Then, things practically pick up right where book 1 left off.
If you’re looking for a fun, epic fantasy novel, then you must pick up this series! Moonfall releases on June 2,me but Lightfall (book 1) is available now!
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy!
This series features vampires, werewolves, and sorcerers set in such a unique world. We get chapters from multiple different characters which adds so much to the story! Also, I love that we got a recap of book 1 to kick off this book! Then, things practically pick up right where book 1 left off.
If you’re looking for a fun, epic fantasy novel, then you must pick up this series! Moonfall releases on June 2,me but Lightfall (book 1) is available now!
Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy!
April 12, 2026
Thank you to Ed Crocker and St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy of this one!
We are back in the Everlands and our group of vampires, wolves and sorcerers are, well, back but not together. While Raven and Jacob are in the Wolflands looking for help, Sam, Alanna and team are in First Light devising a plan to upset the whole city now that they've learned the truth of the Grays.
What follows is a story of barely there alliances forged to bring about violent justice. Our group is a great example of the oppressed seeking to rise up and take control the powerful who seek to keep them controlled; proof that reading is political even in a fantasy novel of vampires, werewolves and sorcerers.
Ed does a great job of with the emotional impact in this one. In between continuing to get to know our characters and introduce new ones, there is a lot vulnerability, shocking violence, and a few moments where I almost rage DM'd Ed for things I cannot speak of (no spoilers!).
I also really enjoyed how this book was set up; the first half follows Sam and team in First Light, then we move to Raven and Jacob in the Wolflands. Rather than going back and forth in chapters, this clear division lent itself nicely to the story, with both paths converging at the end, and a great setup for book three.
PS: Shoutout to Ed for giving a brilliant recap of book one at the beginning of this one! I reread book one, but I cannot tell you how useful that recap will be for readers.
We are back in the Everlands and our group of vampires, wolves and sorcerers are, well, back but not together. While Raven and Jacob are in the Wolflands looking for help, Sam, Alanna and team are in First Light devising a plan to upset the whole city now that they've learned the truth of the Grays.
What follows is a story of barely there alliances forged to bring about violent justice. Our group is a great example of the oppressed seeking to rise up and take control the powerful who seek to keep them controlled; proof that reading is political even in a fantasy novel of vampires, werewolves and sorcerers.
Ed does a great job of with the emotional impact in this one. In between continuing to get to know our characters and introduce new ones, there is a lot vulnerability, shocking violence, and a few moments where I almost rage DM'd Ed for things I cannot speak of (no spoilers!).
I also really enjoyed how this book was set up; the first half follows Sam and team in First Light, then we move to Raven and Jacob in the Wolflands. Rather than going back and forth in chapters, this clear division lent itself nicely to the story, with both paths converging at the end, and a great setup for book three.
PS: Shoutout to Ed for giving a brilliant recap of book one at the beginning of this one! I reread book one, but I cannot tell you how useful that recap will be for readers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was provided for review by Netgalley and the publisher. Thank you!
Trigger Warning: fantasy type violence, blood, character death, use of alcohol
The Revolution has begun!
Though the truth about the Grays is now known, little has changed in the last vampire city of First Light. While Samantha has a plan, it will mean teaming up with some she once called enemy. Even then she will have to fight to make sure things go peacefully and as always there is no guarantee of success.
Meanwhile, many miles away, Raven has come to seek help from her fellow wolves. Like Sam, she has a plan but things do not go smoothly. When an important member is murdered, the various packs descend into near chaos. The culprit must be found and quickly before there are more deaths.
Picking up shortly after where Lightfall leaves off, Moonfall takes us on yet another roller coaster ride of emotion. Thankfully the events of the first book are summarized at the beginning of book two, so if it’s been a while since you’ve read the first book, it’s easy to catch up.
Much like the first book, Moonfall is told from a variety of viewpoints. We have Samantha the vampire, Raven the werewolf, and Jacob the sorcerer, among others. Each character is unique and their differences are shown not just in their mannerisms and speech but in how they interact with those around them. How one character handles a situation isn’t usually how another would. The fact that at times they do not see eye to eye makes the characters more believable and they become more than just words on a page.
Emotions run high through the majority of the book. One emotion that is threaded throughout the book is that of loss. Loss of friends, of family, of what used to be. This particular emotion is sometimes twined with fear and it permeates a goodly number of scenes. It is also handled incredibly well with characters acknowledging their losses and giving them appropriate grief. I admit I found myself tearing up several times alongside certain characters.
More information is given about the mysterious mortals, and one particular revelation made me gasp out loud. It was surprising and I am quite curious to see where it could lead.
Much like the first book, Lightfall, I quite enjoyed reading Moonfall. It is definitely the middle book of a trilogy – giving information and moving the story along without giving any real resolution. It might be irritating to some, but I found it informative and entertaining and leaving me wanting more. I can easily recommend this to my readers and I cannot wait to see how the series is resolved.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I had a good time with this book!
I enjoyed the development of Jacob and Raven a LOT. They're such different characters but work together really well and I loved learning about their backstories.
The first half of the book was definitely weaker than the second half. As much as I like Sam as a character, and as much as I like Lightfall's politics, it felt slow and I was ready to move on to the werewolves.
Once we DID get to the second half with the werewolves, I was back to being super invested in the story. I love the politics of their society and the murder mystery.
Looking forward to book 3!
I enjoyed the development of Jacob and Raven a LOT. They're such different characters but work together really well and I loved learning about their backstories.
The first half of the book was definitely weaker than the second half. As much as I like Sam as a character, and as much as I like Lightfall's politics, it felt slow and I was ready to move on to the werewolves.
Once we DID get to the second half with the werewolves, I was back to being super invested in the story. I love the politics of their society and the murder mystery.
Looking forward to book 3!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The book as a whole was superb, but what I enjoyed most about this book was the second half that was primarily told from Jacob's point of view after Sage abandoned him to the Wolflands with Raven. It was an absolute joy to see Jacob really start to shine on his own. As Raven and Jacob's "relationship" grows the politics and history of the wolves truly engages the reader. Jacob ends up having to investigate a murder and as he tries to live up to Sage's instruction, he finds himself capable of navigating the world on his own.
Meanwhile Sage finally finds out the truth from Sinassion that leaves you begging for the last installment of this fantastically developed world.
Meanwhile Sage finally finds out the truth from Sinassion that leaves you begging for the last installment of this fantastically developed world.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After reading the first book in the series, I had hopes that the author’s writing style would improve. Unfortunately it did not happen. the first quarter/one third of the book was really a slog to get through and he continues to jump between characters without much of a segue. Others have enjoyed both books, so I will leave it to you if you want to attempt them.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 🌟
Overall I found this to be an interesting and enjoyable read.
If you're a fan of political moves, rebellions, and the like this fits the bill. I generally enjoy the main topics, though the pacing was a bit slow moving at times.
I also appreciate the world being built here with both likable and unlikable characters. This very much so felt like a middle book for me. Theres all the setup, but not quite there yet.
Overall I found this to be an interesting and enjoyable read.
If you're a fan of political moves, rebellions, and the like this fits the bill. I generally enjoy the main topics, though the pacing was a bit slow moving at times.
I also appreciate the world being built here with both likable and unlikable characters. This very much so felt like a middle book for me. Theres all the setup, but not quite there yet.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was the first time I've read from this author, I did have to go to the first book to do some reading, but I finally caught on to the story. The world building was incredible. I loved having such a strong FMC and I loved how she was sobmany different things and all the differen kills she did. I will definitely continue to read his work
I want to thank the publisher and net gallery for the ebook to read and review
I want to thank the publisher and net gallery for the ebook to read and review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25 stars. I adore all the creatures we get in this series- vampires, sorcerers, and werewolves. The nuances of each groups struggles are so well fleshed out. The characters are extremely relatable. There was even a little mystery in this novel that I was not expecting. I absolutely cannot wait for book three.
March 28, 2026
Somewhat slow to start as I got back into the world but once I did, I couldn’t stop. If you’re looking for deep world building, characters that you can’t stop falling in love with, intriguing storylines, and lots of action - this is the book for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I feel like this series is what “the originals” the tv show should have been(and yes i still love that show). Basically immortal creatures and in a fantasy world and all the politics of living well coexisting without killing each other. Great read.
tbr
May 19, 2026Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
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