What do you think?
Rate this book
The Moon Raven
Disaris jin Gheza's rare gift for code-breaking means she must flee a conquering army and a fanatical cult, or become their prisoner and pawn. To evade capture, she will cross perilous territories and sorcerous borders, her aim, rescue her sister from captivity and stop a goddess bent on remaking the world through destruction and bloodshed.
But she won't be facing danger alone. The battle mage known as the Moon Raven travels by her side. Once Disaris's best friend and lover, Bron is now an uneasy ally with a death bounty on his head for desertion.
Bound together by memories and a bond that they both believed broken, the two fugitives must outrun a deadly tracker, save a kingdom, and crush a savage deity - all without dying in the effort.
A tale of loyalty and longing.
But she won't be facing danger alone. The battle mage known as the Moon Raven travels by her side. Once Disaris's best friend and lover, Bron is now an uneasy ally with a death bounty on his head for desertion.
Bound together by memories and a bond that they both believed broken, the two fugitives must outrun a deadly tracker, save a kingdom, and crush a savage deity - all without dying in the effort.
A tale of loyalty and longing.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2026
About the author
Grace Draven
54 books7,761 followersI'm an author and Louisiana native living in Texas with my husband, three smalls and a big doofus dog. I have lived in Spain, hiked the Teton Mountains, honeymooned in Scotland, ridden in competition rodeo and am the great great granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. I also hate doing laundry and refuse to iron anything.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 10, 2026
Usually I only rate soemthing 1-2 stars if it like, offends me. And this offended me because Grace Draven books are supposed to be my easy 4/5 star reads. But this was really not great and it was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I WILL say Grace accidentally uploaded an unfinished/ advanced copy to Amazon so I read a slightly non polished version. There were some grammar mistakes and words missing that I caught… but I’m not sure if the large narrative issues that I found fault with are what would be corrected in the final proof… a girl can dream.
Do you want a loose summary before I rant? Disaris is trying to flee a fanatical cult that has leverage over her in the form of her sister being held hostage. Brom is her childhood friend turned lover turned stranger. He is now a battle mage for an army that opposes the fanatics amongst other things. Disaris ditched his ass for reasons that are Dumb and could have very easily been communicated at any point (more on this later). But Brom is still 100% down bad for her and so helps her escape AND then also becomes a deserter (and thus a fugitive on the run) to help save her sister.
The nice:
- This probably would have been a 3 star if it weren’t for one of the sloppiest most rushed endings I’ve ever read.
- Draven has a way of making her worlds feel very lived in without a ton of world dumping. They’re never the most insane high fantasy world you’ve ever read, but there’s something grounded and tangible about her settings.
- Both main characters are likable and I buy that they love one another. The quiet way they are intimate and comfortable with each other was also just lovely.
The frustrating:
Something we talked about in the ~Romance class I took, is that for a romance to work, or maybe, for a romance to not be 20 pages long, there’s has to be a compelling reason for Character A and Character B to not immediately get together like two fated magnets. It can be internal or external! But what keeps them apart? Is it because they’re strangers who need to get to know each other? Is one of them currently dating their friend? Is he her professor? Is she a vampire who thirsts for his blood and has to stay away? ANYTHING!! It can even be the often (and sometimes unfairly) dreaded miscommunication/ lack of communication trope.
The Moon Raven uses that trope in a way that literally makes no sense. Everything that we know about these two characters, points us to the truth that they need only have one conversation about one thing that happened and everything would be forgiven. All would be straight between them. They even talk about having this single conversation throughout the entire book. There’s no logical reason why they shouldn’t have the conversation. THEY DONT HAVE IT. At one point the male love interest just infers what the female love interest wasn’t telling him. So when they make up it feels like a sad deflated balloon that should never have had any air in it in the first place. I’m ANNOYED.
In general with the romance, there wasn’t really much tension in it at all. It’s the easiest sweetest most natural thing that grows between them. They never really fight it. Even when reunited years later. Easy love is nice I guess... but it’s also maybe kinda boring here?
Moving on
I thought I really liked Draven’s prose. Cheesy sometimes sure, but I previously thought she had quite romantic and pretty writing. In The Moon Raven, the prose felt incredibly wordy and over written?? Some examples:
“Bron,” she said, his name a reverent orison on her lips. His snowy eyebrows rose, and a flicker of surprise passed through his ice-blue eyes before they widened.”
Or even “the wind howled a maniacal greeting as it rushed inside to savage the hearth fire into nothing more than sputtering ash.”
Also, we use the word “folds” which sometimes I can overlook. But here I was like come on Grace you can do better I know you can.
The ending I obviously can’t say much about. But what do you mean the whole story builds towards saving the sister and stopping the bad guys just for us to get what we got? Also what’s with the guy chasing Brom and Disaris? That made no sense either? Where were the conversations? Where was the pay off? Where was the satisfying emotional conclusion? Was this a pacing thing? Is this what ppl are talking about when they say a book has bad pacing? I was so confused by the whole ending. Maybe the real finished copy fixes all of this !!!!! ok thanks bye I’m so sad I didn’t like this
Do you want a loose summary before I rant? Disaris is trying to flee a fanatical cult that has leverage over her in the form of her sister being held hostage. Brom is her childhood friend turned lover turned stranger. He is now a battle mage for an army that opposes the fanatics amongst other things. Disaris ditched his ass for reasons that are Dumb and could have very easily been communicated at any point (more on this later). But Brom is still 100% down bad for her and so helps her escape AND then also becomes a deserter (and thus a fugitive on the run) to help save her sister.
The nice:
- This probably would have been a 3 star if it weren’t for one of the sloppiest most rushed endings I’ve ever read.
- Draven has a way of making her worlds feel very lived in without a ton of world dumping. They’re never the most insane high fantasy world you’ve ever read, but there’s something grounded and tangible about her settings.
- Both main characters are likable and I buy that they love one another. The quiet way they are intimate and comfortable with each other was also just lovely.
The frustrating:
Something we talked about in the ~Romance class I took, is that for a romance to work, or maybe, for a romance to not be 20 pages long, there’s has to be a compelling reason for Character A and Character B to not immediately get together like two fated magnets. It can be internal or external! But what keeps them apart? Is it because they’re strangers who need to get to know each other? Is one of them currently dating their friend? Is he her professor? Is she a vampire who thirsts for his blood and has to stay away? ANYTHING!! It can even be the often (and sometimes unfairly) dreaded miscommunication/ lack of communication trope.
The Moon Raven uses that trope in a way that literally makes no sense. Everything that we know about these two characters, points us to the truth that they need only have one conversation about one thing that happened and everything would be forgiven. All would be straight between them. They even talk about having this single conversation throughout the entire book. There’s no logical reason why they shouldn’t have the conversation. THEY DONT HAVE IT. At one point the male love interest just infers what the female love interest wasn’t telling him. So when they make up it feels like a sad deflated balloon that should never have had any air in it in the first place. I’m ANNOYED.
In general with the romance, there wasn’t really much tension in it at all. It’s the easiest sweetest most natural thing that grows between them. They never really fight it. Even when reunited years later. Easy love is nice I guess... but it’s also maybe kinda boring here?
Moving on
I thought I really liked Draven’s prose. Cheesy sometimes sure, but I previously thought she had quite romantic and pretty writing. In The Moon Raven, the prose felt incredibly wordy and over written?? Some examples:
“Bron,” she said, his name a reverent orison on her lips. His snowy eyebrows rose, and a flicker of surprise passed through his ice-blue eyes before they widened.”
Or even “the wind howled a maniacal greeting as it rushed inside to savage the hearth fire into nothing more than sputtering ash.”
Also, we use the word “folds” which sometimes I can overlook. But here I was like come on Grace you can do better I know you can.
The ending I obviously can’t say much about. But what do you mean the whole story builds towards saving the sister and stopping the bad guys just for us to get what we got? Also what’s with the guy chasing Brom and Disaris? That made no sense either? Where were the conversations? Where was the pay off? Where was the satisfying emotional conclusion? Was this a pacing thing? Is this what ppl are talking about when they say a book has bad pacing? I was so confused by the whole ending. Maybe the real finished copy fixes all of this !!!!! ok thanks bye I’m so sad I didn’t like this
February 1, 2026
Grace Draven could write the instructions for a universal remote control and I would froth at the mouth and rate it 5 stars.
Apparently, I read a finished draft but not the final draft (because I could not wait until Amazon distributed the right file. This was my fault. Grace can do no wrong), and let me tell you, it is still 5 stars. A few typos won't ruin a book for me... for fuck's sake I'm an ELA high school teacher, typos are my life at this point.
This was shorter than I expected, I was stressing the fuck out because I was at 86% and shit was about to hit the fan and I had no fucking clue whether this draft had the ending... but it did and it ended in Grace Draven fashion. That je ne sais quoi that makes her books fucking magical.
The Moon Raven is the prequel to a new trilogy she's writing, hopefully a trio of stand alones like her Fallen Empire trilogy. I want her to finish the Wraith Kings, but after her cancer and her writing hiatus I'll take anything she writes and thank her for it.
So, okay, the book... so we're introduced to a world at war between two nations and a religious fanatical murderous/suicidal cult playing both sides. Our fmc is Disaris and she's an itzuli, a mage of code breaking and our mmc is Bron, her childhood friend and first love and also a battle mage for Daes (one of the nations at war). The book switches between third person limited pov for both of them and also includes flashbacks to their younger years. It is very well done and not as confusing as it really sounds. (Again, this is Grace Draven and she cannot do wrong.)
Given it is short, it is very fast paced and I feel tamer in the spice than other of her books. The spice is not spice but like cinnamon roll sweetish spice. I am a smut addict and not having the words cock or moist folds in this book felt like a prize I did not deserve.
I cannot fucking wait to read The Blade Maiden (Book 1 of this series) hopefully at the end of 2026 if the world still stands.
Apparently, I read a finished draft but not the final draft (because I could not wait until Amazon distributed the right file. This was my fault. Grace can do no wrong), and let me tell you, it is still 5 stars. A few typos won't ruin a book for me... for fuck's sake I'm an ELA high school teacher, typos are my life at this point.
This was shorter than I expected, I was stressing the fuck out because I was at 86% and shit was about to hit the fan and I had no fucking clue whether this draft had the ending... but it did and it ended in Grace Draven fashion. That je ne sais quoi that makes her books fucking magical.
The Moon Raven is the prequel to a new trilogy she's writing, hopefully a trio of stand alones like her Fallen Empire trilogy. I want her to finish the Wraith Kings, but after her cancer and her writing hiatus I'll take anything she writes and thank her for it.
So, okay, the book... so we're introduced to a world at war between two nations and a religious fanatical murderous/suicidal cult playing both sides. Our fmc is Disaris and she's an itzuli, a mage of code breaking and our mmc is Bron, her childhood friend and first love and also a battle mage for Daes (one of the nations at war). The book switches between third person limited pov for both of them and also includes flashbacks to their younger years. It is very well done and not as confusing as it really sounds. (Again, this is Grace Draven and she cannot do wrong.)
Given it is short, it is very fast paced and I feel tamer in the spice than other of her books. The spice is not spice but like cinnamon roll sweetish spice. I am a smut addict and not having the words cock or moist folds in this book felt like a prize I did not deserve.
I cannot fucking wait to read The Blade Maiden (Book 1 of this series) hopefully at the end of 2026 if the world still stands.
February 4, 2026
I’m surprised to be giving this 3 stars, as Draven’s books are typically 4–5 star reads for me, but this one left me with mixed feelings.
SPOILERS AHEAD
The Moon Raven is a second-chance romance, which isn’t usually my thing, but if anyone can sell me on that premise it’s Grace Draven. The plot centers around Disaris, an itzuli (a coveted codebreaker/translator) serving a cult against her will, who is captured (or rescued, really) by her ex-lover, Bron. They’ve been estranged for years after she married his friend, Ceybold, and coldly abandoned their relationship. What Bron doesn’t know is that she was coerced into the marriage in order to protect her sister, who is still being held prisoner by the cult.
All things considered, this is a solid plot with high emotional stakes. Draven’s prose, as always, is beautiful and inviting, and I was never bored while reading. The worldbuilding is immersive, and I appreciate that Draven doesn’t over-explain, instead trusting the reader to infer details as they go.
The pacing, however, is a little all over the place. It starts fast, then slows considerably for the majority of the book, while the ending feels like it happens in about thirty seconds. There are several flashbacks, which makes sense given the context, but a number of them didn’t feel relevant to the plot and left me wishing more time had been spent in the present. Conversely, there were a few things referenced in the present timeline that felt like they should have been flashback scenes, but were never explored.
Bron and Disaris are both likable MCs who, despite being exes, are able to communicate and come back to each other in a healthy way. I was also very intrigued by Cimejen, the Sun Crow! We don’t get much time with him, but he’s clever and has badass fire powers. I wouldn't mind reading a book about him...
Ceybold, our villain, isn’t developed much beyond being pathetic and evil. I think the story would have been more compelling if Disaris had possessed some genuine affection for him at some point, but she doesn’t. Like ever. Even in their childhood, she disliked and mistrusted him. Which makes it somewhat unbelievable that she would accept his protection in the first place. It also means the fracture between Bron and Disaris is rooted in a lack of communication rather than betrayal, which is…meh. Miscommunication tropes aren't for me.
The ending is rather abrupt and leaves the reader with more questions than answers. I’m assuming this is intended to be the start of a series, so hopefully we’ll get more development in this world going forward.
Overall, this wasn’t bad by any means, but it wasn’t a favorite Draven read for me. However, if you enjoy second-chance romances, you’ll probably like this one!
SPOILERS AHEAD
The Moon Raven is a second-chance romance, which isn’t usually my thing, but if anyone can sell me on that premise it’s Grace Draven. The plot centers around Disaris, an itzuli (a coveted codebreaker/translator) serving a cult against her will, who is captured (or rescued, really) by her ex-lover, Bron. They’ve been estranged for years after she married his friend, Ceybold, and coldly abandoned their relationship. What Bron doesn’t know is that she was coerced into the marriage in order to protect her sister, who is still being held prisoner by the cult.
All things considered, this is a solid plot with high emotional stakes. Draven’s prose, as always, is beautiful and inviting, and I was never bored while reading. The worldbuilding is immersive, and I appreciate that Draven doesn’t over-explain, instead trusting the reader to infer details as they go.
The pacing, however, is a little all over the place. It starts fast, then slows considerably for the majority of the book, while the ending feels like it happens in about thirty seconds. There are several flashbacks, which makes sense given the context, but a number of them didn’t feel relevant to the plot and left me wishing more time had been spent in the present. Conversely, there were a few things referenced in the present timeline that felt like they should have been flashback scenes, but were never explored.
Bron and Disaris are both likable MCs who, despite being exes, are able to communicate and come back to each other in a healthy way. I was also very intrigued by Cimejen, the Sun Crow! We don’t get much time with him, but he’s clever and has badass fire powers. I wouldn't mind reading a book about him...
Ceybold, our villain, isn’t developed much beyond being pathetic and evil. I think the story would have been more compelling if Disaris had possessed some genuine affection for him at some point, but she doesn’t. Like ever. Even in their childhood, she disliked and mistrusted him. Which makes it somewhat unbelievable that she would accept his protection in the first place. It also means the fracture between Bron and Disaris is rooted in a lack of communication rather than betrayal, which is…meh. Miscommunication tropes aren't for me.
The ending is rather abrupt and leaves the reader with more questions than answers. I’m assuming this is intended to be the start of a series, so hopefully we’ll get more development in this world going forward.
Overall, this wasn’t bad by any means, but it wasn’t a favorite Draven read for me. However, if you enjoy second-chance romances, you’ll probably like this one!
February 1, 2026
Grace Draven never disappoints
Originality on ideas & storyline kept me glued to the book.
I am ever excited to await for another book from Grace Draven.
Originality on ideas & storyline kept me glued to the book.
I am ever excited to await for another book from Grace Draven.
February 15, 2026
somehow i went into this thinking it was the story that was teased at the end of black hellebore so i had to adjust my expectations when i realized that but i still had a good time as usual my goat doesn't write a bad book 🙏🏻
i will say there were more punctuation errors than i would expect but it wasn't too egregious so i could ignore them for the most part
wouldn't mind reading a sequel with the sun crow tbh he seems interesting
for now i will await the blade maiden as it's a release of hers i am most excited for
EDIT: looks like there was an issue with the arc file being used instead of the final copy so that explains the punctuation issues, so disregard that 🙏🏻
i will say there were more punctuation errors than i would expect but it wasn't too egregious so i could ignore them for the most part
wouldn't mind reading a sequel with the sun crow tbh he seems interesting
for now i will await the blade maiden as it's a release of hers i am most excited for
EDIT: looks like there was an issue with the arc file being used instead of the final copy so that explains the punctuation issues, so disregard that 🙏🏻
April 3, 2026
Radiance made Grace Draven an auto-buy author for me — like, no questions asked, take my money, I trust you completely 😄 That book is chef’s kiss perfection and honestly one of the best “arranged marriage” romances out there. The standard was set HIGH.
Which is why The Moon Raven ended up being such a disappointment for me.
The biggest issue? The structure. The story starts somewhere in the middle and then keeps jumping back with flashbacks, trying to fill in the past as it goes. And instead of making things more intriguing, it kind of… deflates the whole experience 😬 We already know key things that happened, so the tension and emotional payoff just don’t hit the way they should. It felt like being told the punchline first and then asked to laugh later.
I kept thinking how much stronger this would’ve been if it had been told in a straightforward, chronological way. Let me feel the build-up, let me experience the moments as they happen instead of piecing them together after the fact.
It’s not a terrible book by any means — the writing is still solid, and you can see glimpses of what could have been great — but overall it just felt… mediocre. And coming from an author I know can deliver something amazing, that stings a little more 😅
Rating: 3 stars ⭐
TL;DR: Messy timeline killed the tension and made the story feel less impactful than it should have been.
Which is why The Moon Raven ended up being such a disappointment for me.
The biggest issue? The structure. The story starts somewhere in the middle and then keeps jumping back with flashbacks, trying to fill in the past as it goes. And instead of making things more intriguing, it kind of… deflates the whole experience 😬 We already know key things that happened, so the tension and emotional payoff just don’t hit the way they should. It felt like being told the punchline first and then asked to laugh later.
I kept thinking how much stronger this would’ve been if it had been told in a straightforward, chronological way. Let me feel the build-up, let me experience the moments as they happen instead of piecing them together after the fact.
It’s not a terrible book by any means — the writing is still solid, and you can see glimpses of what could have been great — but overall it just felt… mediocre. And coming from an author I know can deliver something amazing, that stings a little more 😅
Rating: 3 stars ⭐
TL;DR: Messy timeline killed the tension and made the story feel less impactful than it should have been.
January 31, 2026
I'm so glad Grace Draven is (hopefully on the mend) writing and publishing again. Boy, did I miss her! This was a great introductory read for anyone new to Grace Draven. Finished the book in one sitting, up to 2:43 am--yes, it's that kind of book.
February 1, 2026
Absolutely Captivating!
I've been in a horrible slump. I mean
took 3 months to finish the last book I tried, kinda slump. It hurt.
The Moon Raven.
Twice in 48 hours.
What a beautifully written book!!!
I'm currently waiting for Grace Draven to put her grocery list up for pre-order. I'll happily read that next!
Cannot wait for THIS series to continue!
I've been in a horrible slump. I mean
took 3 months to finish the last book I tried, kinda slump. It hurt.
The Moon Raven.
Twice in 48 hours.
What a beautifully written book!!!
I'm currently waiting for Grace Draven to put her grocery list up for pre-order. I'll happily read that next!
Cannot wait for THIS series to continue!
February 4, 2026
4.25 ⭐️
February 7, 2026
I enjoyed the story so much. It's a little bit longer than novela length. It has depth of character, great world building and such an amazing romance! My goodness these two. If anybody knows an author like Grace Draven send her my way. The only ones I can think of is Sharon shin and her mystic in the Rider series and Amy Harmon and her bird in the sword series to compare.
This is an adult read. It has a couple of sex scenes and a little bit of swearing. There is violence but it's not too detailed. there is a cult that does unspeakable things to humans but it's not detailed.
This is an adult read. It has a couple of sex scenes and a little bit of swearing. There is violence but it's not too detailed. there is a cult that does unspeakable things to humans but it's not detailed.
February 5, 2026
⭐ Fangirl alert. Proceed accordingly. ⭐
The Moon Raven by Grace Draven is exactly why she remains an auto-buy, drop-everything, cancel-my-plans author for me.
Draven does world-building, emotional ache, layered history and quiet longing better than almost anyone in the genre — and this novella is no exception. 🖤✨
This story centres on Disaris, a brilliant codebreaker (and therefore a very inconveniently valuable human being), and Bron, a battlemage she once loved. They grew up together, became everything to each other… and then were torn apart. When they cross paths again three years later, it isn’t a shiny reunion — it’s bruised, wary, complicated and utterly loaded. 💔🔥
What really elevates this is the way their past is woven straight into the present. Through tender, aching flashbacks, we see their childhood friendship and slow-burn first love — and every single conversation in the present is shaped by that shared history. Nothing feels casual. Everything has weight.
Watching them learn how to trust each other again — while trying to rescue Disaris’s sister and survive a much larger political mess — is quietly devastating in the best way. 🗝️🌙
Yes, this is a prequel to a forthcoming series — and honestly, it does its job perfectly. I am already seated.
If you’ve loved Draven’s work before — especially Radiance (from the Wraith Kings series) or Master of Crows — this will slide straight onto your comfort-read shelf.
Short? Yes.
Emotionally dense? Absolutely.
Slow burn spicy? Also yes. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Five stars. Obviously. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read in one sitting. No regrets. Now give me the rest of the series, please and thank you. 😌📚
The Moon Raven by Grace Draven is exactly why she remains an auto-buy, drop-everything, cancel-my-plans author for me.
Draven does world-building, emotional ache, layered history and quiet longing better than almost anyone in the genre — and this novella is no exception. 🖤✨
This story centres on Disaris, a brilliant codebreaker (and therefore a very inconveniently valuable human being), and Bron, a battlemage she once loved. They grew up together, became everything to each other… and then were torn apart. When they cross paths again three years later, it isn’t a shiny reunion — it’s bruised, wary, complicated and utterly loaded. 💔🔥
What really elevates this is the way their past is woven straight into the present. Through tender, aching flashbacks, we see their childhood friendship and slow-burn first love — and every single conversation in the present is shaped by that shared history. Nothing feels casual. Everything has weight.
Watching them learn how to trust each other again — while trying to rescue Disaris’s sister and survive a much larger political mess — is quietly devastating in the best way. 🗝️🌙
Yes, this is a prequel to a forthcoming series — and honestly, it does its job perfectly. I am already seated.
If you’ve loved Draven’s work before — especially Radiance (from the Wraith Kings series) or Master of Crows — this will slide straight onto your comfort-read shelf.
Short? Yes.
Emotionally dense? Absolutely.
Slow burn spicy? Also yes. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Five stars. Obviously. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read in one sitting. No regrets. Now give me the rest of the series, please and thank you. 😌📚
February 12, 2026
I preordered this without knowing anything about it because it's Grace Draven. Had it been anyone else, I probably would have waited a good long while because this turned out to be a second chance romance with flashbacks. And while I believe this would have been better without the flashbacks, I still enjoyed seeing Disa and Bron come back together. That said, the ending was super rushed, especially after all the buildup about the Daggermen religious cult. It also seems to set things up for a romance between Luda and Cimejen, the Sun Crow. I'm intrigued!
Characters: Disaris is a codebreaker and prisoner of war. Bron the Moon Raven is a battle mage (and possibly albino.) They became friends when Disa was 6 and Bron was 8.
Content notes: intimate partner violence (FMC's husband tries to kill her), child physical and verbal abuse (secondary character), physically abusive teacher, alcoholic parent (secondary character), past suicides (enemy soldiers), FMC and her sister are held captive by religious cult, past forced marriage , battle and casualties, murder, attempted murder, soldier abuse, physical assault, drug assault (secondary character), lacerations, puncture wound, near drowning, stitches, starvation, fainting, facial scar, misogyny, perceived death of FMC's husband (crushed by collapsed ceiling ), past death of parents (casualties of war), bullying, blizzard, sex worker secondary characters, eunuch secondary character, MCs pretend to be infertile as part of a cover story, birth control tea and seeds (for both MCs), on page sex, alcohol, pipe (secondary character), gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
Characters: Disaris is a codebreaker and prisoner of war. Bron the Moon Raven is a battle mage (and possibly albino.) They became friends when Disa was 6 and Bron was 8.
Content notes: intimate partner violence (FMC's husband tries to kill her), child physical and verbal abuse (secondary character), physically abusive teacher, alcoholic parent (secondary character), past suicides (enemy soldiers), FMC and her sister are held captive by religious cult, past forced marriage , battle and casualties, murder, attempted murder, soldier abuse, physical assault, drug assault (secondary character), lacerations, puncture wound, near drowning, stitches, starvation, fainting, facial scar, misogyny, perceived death of FMC's husband (crushed by collapsed ceiling ), past death of parents (casualties of war), bullying, blizzard, sex worker secondary characters, eunuch secondary character, MCs pretend to be infertile as part of a cover story, birth control tea and seeds (for both MCs), on page sex, alcohol, pipe (secondary character), gendered pejoratives, gender essentialist language, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
February 8, 2026
Grace Draven books feel like magic. They are magic. The way she writes and tells stories does something to me and I'm always better after reading her books. This story was so endearing with the childhood flashbacks, the yearning, and the flinch of hurt and twinges of jealousy as Bron & Disa find their way back.
February 1, 2026
Second chance romance. The flashbacks to their childhood were lovely. But the ending was extremely rushed and condensed into 5 pages. A bit of an anti-climax.
March 30, 2026
Get that pale dick sis, but also, learn to communicate ffs
January 30, 2026
Fabulous as always xx hope to read Luda’s (and the Sun Crow’s … ?) book next!
March 24, 2026
2,5⭐️
Welp, for a Grace Draven book, this was a disappointment. Felt rushed, flimsy and full of plot holes. There’s almost no world building at all. Still, it’s a Grace Draven book, and I had decently good time with it.
Welp, for a Grace Draven book, this was a disappointment. Felt rushed, flimsy and full of plot holes. There’s almost no world building at all. Still, it’s a Grace Draven book, and I had decently good time with it.
February 2, 2026
3 stars
I really liked the story, but I did feel there was so much un-tapped potential. I wasn't a fan of how the shifts in time occurred out of order and at random times.
My biggest pet peeve though....all the typos. I truly cannot even remember reading an e-book with this many typos. It kept ripping me out of the story.
I also didn't 100% love the pacing. So in a nut-shell, usually love Grace Draven, but this book needed more editing and left a lot to be desired.
The child-hood best friends to lovers was chefs kiss, and save the book for me. I'm a sucker for yearing. Happy reading.
I really liked the story, but I did feel there was so much un-tapped potential. I wasn't a fan of how the shifts in time occurred out of order and at random times.
My biggest pet peeve though....all the typos. I truly cannot even remember reading an e-book with this many typos. It kept ripping me out of the story.
I also didn't 100% love the pacing. So in a nut-shell, usually love Grace Draven, but this book needed more editing and left a lot to be desired.
The child-hood best friends to lovers was chefs kiss, and save the book for me. I'm a sucker for yearing. Happy reading.
February 5, 2026
Excellent world building, as usual, with well-portrayed characters. The climax seemed abrupt, which isn't typical of Draven. But it was definitely worth reading, and I'll be looking forward to the next one.
February 11, 2026
I missed Grace Draven
This is fantasy romance at its finest. The world, the magic, the friends to lovers with two time lines. Perfection
This is fantasy romance at its finest. The world, the magic, the friends to lovers with two time lines. Perfection
February 4, 2026
When it comes to fantasy romance as some call it romantasy some readers delve into the “It” books over and over obsessing over them. The hot “It” books get talked about over and over on #booktok sometimes to the detriment of other books and authors. If a reader only goes where the “It” book readers congregate, they are bound to miss great reads in the romantasy genre. So please gentle readers continue to love those “It” books but give new ones a chance. One of the newest reads is Grace Draven’s Moon Raven. I’ve been reading Draven’s book for over a decade with the book cover Radiance pulling me into the worlds Draven creates. I then devoured her earlier works. What I found was a writer who immerses the reader into the world she creates. That immersion continues with Moon Raven, where like all great story tellers Draven lets the reader unravel the world of the Moon Raven page by page. The book centers on two people Disa and Bron and their story unfolds in both the present of their lives and the past that shaped them into who they are when they reconnect after years apart. The book kept me in its grip as my bottom sat in a chair and we ordered take away, because I wasn’t leaving this story. Bron and Disa run for their lives from two armies, while attempting to save a loved one. The book had me on the edge of my seat, I could not put it down, nor did I want to. Honestly I wish it would have been longer as I didn’t want to leave Bron or Disa behind. Bron because he was everything a hero should be in a book. He was a character of pure heart and integrity. Disa was a whirlwind as a young girl and scrappy as a young woman, loyal and true, but life wasn’t kind to her in their war torn world, but she survived. Disa is what everyone needs in their life a ride or die friend, and that is how she first connects with Bron. It’s a romantasy so that friendship grows into sparks then an inferno, but tragedy muddles up their lives. Please for the love of good books read this one, you’ll be surprised by it and will then want to read the rest of Draven’s books. Plus you can #booktok about something that should be an “It” book.
Oh one more thing, yes there is SPICE 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Oh one more thing, yes there is SPICE 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
February 17, 2026
Full review can also be found on *Milky Way of Books*
It has been a while since I enjoyed a good Grace Draven book. Not for her lack of trying, but mostly because I love all her books, I can not simply choose one. After the author's health issues, this book felt like a comeback to her trademark writing; beautifully crafted worlds feeling fleshed out even for a stand-alone book, romance that develops sweetly and has its trials, and characters both with strengths and weaknesses making them lovable.
Disaris is a prisoner, and the tower she is in is about to collapse from the siege, which has been going for almost two years. By a stroke of luck she is saved by none other than Bron the Moon Raven, warrior and magician of the enemy whoc also used to be her first love and best friend. As the story progresses and Disaris and Bron must unravel their own feelings, war closes in. Disaris has the magic gift of translating everything and anything with a glance, and that is not easy when everyone either wants to use her or simply kill her.
And Bron has to contest both her rejection a few years back and his own feelings, as he never stopped loving her.
The book strikes a delicate balance between storytelling and character development. It goes back and forth between past and present, showing how Bron and Disaris met as children and grew up together.
It does not feel stifling, yet at the same time gives room for more development, as for example we see through Draven's descriptions the everyday life of the village our characters live in. Or how magic manifests without having to memorize a whole glossary of terms seen in other fantasy books.
There is spice, and trust me, they both deserve it after everything they have been through, but it is not the main focus of the book; it just complements the story as a whole.
Overall, this was a great book by one of my top authors, and I surely wish I could have a sequel about a specific sister and another magician.
It has been a while since I enjoyed a good Grace Draven book. Not for her lack of trying, but mostly because I love all her books, I can not simply choose one. After the author's health issues, this book felt like a comeback to her trademark writing; beautifully crafted worlds feeling fleshed out even for a stand-alone book, romance that develops sweetly and has its trials, and characters both with strengths and weaknesses making them lovable.
Disaris is a prisoner, and the tower she is in is about to collapse from the siege, which has been going for almost two years. By a stroke of luck she is saved by none other than Bron the Moon Raven, warrior and magician of the enemy whoc also used to be her first love and best friend. As the story progresses and Disaris and Bron must unravel their own feelings, war closes in. Disaris has the magic gift of translating everything and anything with a glance, and that is not easy when everyone either wants to use her or simply kill her.
And Bron has to contest both her rejection a few years back and his own feelings, as he never stopped loving her.
The book strikes a delicate balance between storytelling and character development. It goes back and forth between past and present, showing how Bron and Disaris met as children and grew up together.
It does not feel stifling, yet at the same time gives room for more development, as for example we see through Draven's descriptions the everyday life of the village our characters live in. Or how magic manifests without having to memorize a whole glossary of terms seen in other fantasy books.
There is spice, and trust me, they both deserve it after everything they have been through, but it is not the main focus of the book; it just complements the story as a whole.
Overall, this was a great book by one of my top authors, and I surely wish I could have a sequel about a specific sister and another magician.
February 8, 2026
The Moon Raven an astonishing tale
I'm coerced to review this book although I'm not into reviewing too much. Ever since the first of 2026 I've read almost 14 books and all of them left me starving, lacking. An okay read most of them but nothing special nothing memorable that stands out until now until Grace Draven's Moon Raven.
Oh the undiluted joy of reading thanks to her. I fell in love with her writing when I came across Entreat me and then with the Master of crows and she still amazes me. Her words flow like the rain in a scorched dessert from the sun, seeking its balm. That phrase alone " the moon rises and a star awaits " was everything. It engulfs the bond between Disa and Bron from chilhood till adulthood. The yearning the love the betrayal the hurt the fury the confusion the sadness the mourning the anger everything.
It makes you want to dive in this world and stay there until everything is resolute.
I'm told that romantasy and romance isn't real literature it doesn't stimulate the brain it is shallow, oh but how wrong they are. When you read this story your brain doesn't sit back and observe it builds a living mental world the world of Bron and Disaris. You actually live in this story. When I hit the end i felt empty still running the story not able to move out. That is for me a really good book and that is the doing of Grace Draven always my favorite author.
I'm coerced to review this book although I'm not into reviewing too much. Ever since the first of 2026 I've read almost 14 books and all of them left me starving, lacking. An okay read most of them but nothing special nothing memorable that stands out until now until Grace Draven's Moon Raven.
Oh the undiluted joy of reading thanks to her. I fell in love with her writing when I came across Entreat me and then with the Master of crows and she still amazes me. Her words flow like the rain in a scorched dessert from the sun, seeking its balm. That phrase alone " the moon rises and a star awaits " was everything. It engulfs the bond between Disa and Bron from chilhood till adulthood. The yearning the love the betrayal the hurt the fury the confusion the sadness the mourning the anger everything.
It makes you want to dive in this world and stay there until everything is resolute.
I'm told that romantasy and romance isn't real literature it doesn't stimulate the brain it is shallow, oh but how wrong they are. When you read this story your brain doesn't sit back and observe it builds a living mental world the world of Bron and Disaris. You actually live in this story. When I hit the end i felt empty still running the story not able to move out. That is for me a really good book and that is the doing of Grace Draven always my favorite author.
Read
April 23, 2026She loves him. She does. But she married another man and broke her lovers heart.
This story is set in a world where war has been fought for many years and a violent religious fanatical leader has garnered support and followers that are willing to murder innocent people.
With dual timelines we learn about the two main characters who are childhood friends. Desaris and Bron grow up as best friends and fall in love as young adults but war tears them apart.
After her village is destroyed by the enemies and her parents are killed Desaris must do whatever she can to keep her younger sister safe. Sacrificing her happiness she marries her childhood adversary expecting that he will help them while Bron is away fighting in the army.
I really liked these characters and the dual timelines. At the beginning of the book the reader doesn’t know the circumstances that lead to their estrangement but eventually the explanation is revealed and we understand why.
Too often books published today are too long and the story is stretched thinly across multiple books. It’s refreshing to read a stand alone fantasy that doesn’t have “filler”.
I was hoping for a sequel but the story was presented and wrapped up nicely within 270 pages.
I recommend this book to readers who like a good love story and characters that are memorable.
This story is set in a world where war has been fought for many years and a violent religious fanatical leader has garnered support and followers that are willing to murder innocent people.
With dual timelines we learn about the two main characters who are childhood friends. Desaris and Bron grow up as best friends and fall in love as young adults but war tears them apart.
After her village is destroyed by the enemies and her parents are killed Desaris must do whatever she can to keep her younger sister safe. Sacrificing her happiness she marries her childhood adversary expecting that he will help them while Bron is away fighting in the army.
I really liked these characters and the dual timelines. At the beginning of the book the reader doesn’t know the circumstances that lead to their estrangement but eventually the explanation is revealed and we understand why.
Too often books published today are too long and the story is stretched thinly across multiple books. It’s refreshing to read a stand alone fantasy that doesn’t have “filler”.
I was hoping for a sequel but the story was presented and wrapped up nicely within 270 pages.
I recommend this book to readers who like a good love story and characters that are memorable.
April 19, 2026
"The moon rises." "And a star waits."
This book has my whole heart. Such a sweet, gentle love story set against the backdrop of an absolutely horrific war.
I adored the way the story was told, moving between past and present. It's rare for me to enjoy both timelines equally in a story, but here they felt perfectly balanced, with each one deepening the emotional impact of the other.
Getting to see their past and watch their friendship - and then romance - blossom as they grow up together, while knowing from the present day timeline that they'll soon be forced apart, was simultaneously beautiful and absolutely heart-rending.
And in the present, Bron being so clearly not over Disa the entire time was the most precious thing, and Disa trying not to blow up his life while so obviously wanting to trust him again…ughhh. The longing, the restraint, the history between them. It all felt so real.
Also, ending it on a dick joke?! I might just be really immature, but that sealed the 5 stars for me.
This book has my whole heart. Such a sweet, gentle love story set against the backdrop of an absolutely horrific war.
I adored the way the story was told, moving between past and present. It's rare for me to enjoy both timelines equally in a story, but here they felt perfectly balanced, with each one deepening the emotional impact of the other.
Getting to see their past and watch their friendship - and then romance - blossom as they grow up together, while knowing from the present day timeline that they'll soon be forced apart, was simultaneously beautiful and absolutely heart-rending.
And in the present, Bron being so clearly not over Disa the entire time was the most precious thing, and Disa trying not to blow up his life while so obviously wanting to trust him again…ughhh. The longing, the restraint, the history between them. It all felt so real.
Also, ending it on a dick joke?! I might just be really immature, but that sealed the 5 stars for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2026
Review originally posted at https://smexybooks.com/2026/02/mini-r...
I discovered Grace Draven years ago when reading Entreat Me and have been a huge fan ever since. The Moon Raven is a new story with new characters, and as far as I can tell isn’t connected to any of her other worlds or series. I could be wrong though, so don’t quote me. I think I read somewhere that this is a prequel to a new trilogy she’s writing, but I can’t remember where– so don’t quote me on that either.
This is essentially a childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance that takes place in a world where war is being waged by two nations and there is also this fanatical religious group called the Daggermen, who are trying to bring their goddess back. Disaris jin Gheza and Bron jin Hazarin are our main protagonists, and they’ve been best friends since childhood, as well as each other’s first loves. Bron, the Moon Raven, is a battle mage in the Daesin army. Disaris is an Itzuli, which is essentially a codebreaker, a mage who can read any language or code and decipher though magic. They are now people on opposite sides of the conflict and haven’t spoken in many years. They are brought back together when Bron and his army lay siege to a Daggermen stronghold, looking to capture the Itzuli behind its walls. Bron has no idea the identity of the codebreaker until he comes upon an injured Disaris laying among the ruins.
This book is on the shorter side page wise, therefore the pacing is swift. As always, I’m beyond impressed by this author’s ability to weave such a compelling and complex story. Each chapter starts with the current timeline and then ends with the events of the main protagonists’ childhood relationship. I was engrossed. And enchanted if I’m being honest, I adore the way Grace Draven writes her romances, giving each character agency and competency, while also crafting a beautiful balance between the two.
I am absolutely intrigued by one of the secondary characters, the Sun Crow. Here’s to hoping the rumor I heard is true and this is the start of an all-new series.
I discovered Grace Draven years ago when reading Entreat Me and have been a huge fan ever since. The Moon Raven is a new story with new characters, and as far as I can tell isn’t connected to any of her other worlds or series. I could be wrong though, so don’t quote me. I think I read somewhere that this is a prequel to a new trilogy she’s writing, but I can’t remember where– so don’t quote me on that either.
This is essentially a childhood friends to lovers, second chance romance that takes place in a world where war is being waged by two nations and there is also this fanatical religious group called the Daggermen, who are trying to bring their goddess back. Disaris jin Gheza and Bron jin Hazarin are our main protagonists, and they’ve been best friends since childhood, as well as each other’s first loves. Bron, the Moon Raven, is a battle mage in the Daesin army. Disaris is an Itzuli, which is essentially a codebreaker, a mage who can read any language or code and decipher though magic. They are now people on opposite sides of the conflict and haven’t spoken in many years. They are brought back together when Bron and his army lay siege to a Daggermen stronghold, looking to capture the Itzuli behind its walls. Bron has no idea the identity of the codebreaker until he comes upon an injured Disaris laying among the ruins.
This book is on the shorter side page wise, therefore the pacing is swift. As always, I’m beyond impressed by this author’s ability to weave such a compelling and complex story. Each chapter starts with the current timeline and then ends with the events of the main protagonists’ childhood relationship. I was engrossed. And enchanted if I’m being honest, I adore the way Grace Draven writes her romances, giving each character agency and competency, while also crafting a beautiful balance between the two.
I am absolutely intrigued by one of the secondary characters, the Sun Crow. Here’s to hoping the rumor I heard is true and this is the start of an all-new series.
February 23, 2026
4✨
I love Grace Draven at this point - she is officially my 'get me out of this slump' author. I really appreciate how rounded her stories feel, even when they are shorter standalones.
Here, I wasn't the biggest fan of the miscommunication, especially since it dragged a bit. The reason Disa and Bron had to be apart didn't feel strong enough, and I really missed actually seeing the moment they split before the events of the book. It was referenced so many times, but without that scene and additional context, it was harder to fully understand why it was so unavoidable.
I did really enjoy the switches between past and present POVs though. That structure can be incredibly annoying when it doesn't work, but here it absolutely did and kept me glued to the pages.
Anyway. Thank you, Grace, for existing 😭
I love Grace Draven at this point - she is officially my 'get me out of this slump' author. I really appreciate how rounded her stories feel, even when they are shorter standalones.
Here, I wasn't the biggest fan of the miscommunication, especially since it dragged a bit. The reason Disa and Bron had to be apart didn't feel strong enough, and I really missed actually seeing the moment they split before the events of the book. It was referenced so many times, but without that scene and additional context, it was harder to fully understand why it was so unavoidable.
I did really enjoy the switches between past and present POVs though. That structure can be incredibly annoying when it doesn't work, but here it absolutely did and kept me glued to the pages.
Anyway. Thank you, Grace, for existing 😭
April 13, 2026
Прямо ну дуже добре! ^^ Вже думала перечитати у авторки любимі книги, а тут виявилось, що ось цю свіженьку я пропустила. Основна проблема з книгами Грейс Дрейвен - що потім складно знайти щось настільки ж круте, гарно написане і цікаве. Ще й головні персонажі-чоловіки у неї "грін флеги" без крінжі, що рідкість. Єдині, хто схожі на неї по якості і сталю романтичного фентезі - це C.L. Wilson, J.D. Evans і Кінгфішер. О, якби ж мені хтось підказав ще схожих книг і авторок.
Тим не менш, єдиний мінус Moon Raven - це занадто швидкий кінець, авторку ніби хтось підганяв у самому кінці (може, так і було) - історія закінчилась занадто миттєво, якшо порівнювати з тим, як вона розгорталась. А цей новий світ і систему магії можна було розкрити повніше, сподіваюсь, Грейс напише в ньому ще кілька історій, які закриють цю прогалину.
Тим не менш, єдиний мінус Moon Raven - це занадто швидкий кінець, авторку ніби хтось підганяв у самому кінці (може, так і було) - історія закінчилась занадто миттєво, якшо порівнювати з тим, як вона розгорталась. А цей новий світ і систему магії можна було розкрити повніше, сподіваюсь, Грейс напише в ньому ще кілька історій, які закриють цю прогалину.
May 3, 2026
3.5⭐️ Ugh this was probably too generous of a rating. I love Grace Draven’s writing. She is one of my favorite authors. The story was excellent. I loved that but…
⚠️⚠️⚠️
It felt like half the book was missing. Why is he called the moon Raven? Why is his hair white? How did his mom die? Who is his dad? How did her parents die? How were her and her sister captured? When and how did she realize she had powers? Were they together ever since they were 16 and only saw each other when he was on breaks? WHY DID SHE CUT HIM OFF THREE YEARS AGO. On the last page of the book, he gets shot with an arrow and his friend says “I’ll heal you” The End. What?? I have so many unanswered questions and that is so frustrating.
⚠️⚠️⚠️
It felt like half the book was missing. Why is he called the moon Raven? Why is his hair white? How did his mom die? Who is his dad? How did her parents die? How were her and her sister captured? When and how did she realize she had powers? Were they together ever since they were 16 and only saw each other when he was on breaks? WHY DID SHE CUT HIM OFF THREE YEARS AGO. On the last page of the book, he gets shot with an arrow and his friend says “I’ll heal you” The End. What?? I have so many unanswered questions and that is so frustrating.
February 6, 2026
Grace Draven is the best; I love her. Her MMCs are perfection and I adore how she crafts romance. After her illness, I’m delighted to see get back with this novella and looking forward to more from this world.
The story is told through a present day narration interspersed with flashbacks to how Bron and Disa met as children and gradually fell in love. The flashbacks are very sweet and create a beautiful sense of destiny to their love story.
I feel I must mention that there are quite a few spelling mistakes and typos in this. I didn’t love this, to be honest, but this is not fatal when a writer is this good. But please get a proofreader, Grace! I’m available!
The story is told through a present day narration interspersed with flashbacks to how Bron and Disa met as children and gradually fell in love. The flashbacks are very sweet and create a beautiful sense of destiny to their love story.
I feel I must mention that there are quite a few spelling mistakes and typos in this. I didn’t love this, to be honest, but this is not fatal when a writer is this good. But please get a proofreader, Grace! I’m available!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews