What do you think?
Rate this book
Moonrise Volume 1: BLACK & WHITE EDITION [BOOKS 1-5]
MOONRISE VOLUME 1: Black and White Edition Books 1-5 of the Moonrise SagaBlack and white illustrationsA comprehensive glossaryMultiple full-page mapsTul Volume 1: A lore deep-dive by Sisk LeshenkoENTER THE WORLD OF MOONRISE
A thousand years ago, magic left the world. Nations fell, castles burned, and a new world order was established by the Guilds. The Crows, Bears, Wolves, and Lions came together to redraw maps and craft new languages. But as mysteriously as they arrived, they all but vanished, their remnants now left pushed to the margins in secret hideouts.
But the world is changing yet again. Rumors of sorcerers and demons have rattled the world, while kingdoms and empires seek to capitalize on magic's apparent return. Will the guilds rise again to steer the world back toward peace? Or is it already too late?
In Moonrise Volume 1, a cast of characters from across the globe find themselves swept into a collision course, each of them in orbit of a resurgent Wolves Guild. They must survive battles, attend masked balls, and venture through the wild unknown to find each other in a sweeping, vibrant epic filled with adventure, romance, and intrigue.
Moonrise features numerous full-page illustrations by the author, showing off this colorful, bright fantasy world. It also includes a portfolio of hand-drawn maps of the world and various regions so you can follow along with the characters as they traverse this vast land of mysteries.
A thousand years ago, magic left the world. Nations fell, castles burned, and a new world order was established by the Guilds. The Crows, Bears, Wolves, and Lions came together to redraw maps and craft new languages. But as mysteriously as they arrived, they all but vanished, their remnants now left pushed to the margins in secret hideouts.
But the world is changing yet again. Rumors of sorcerers and demons have rattled the world, while kingdoms and empires seek to capitalize on magic's apparent return. Will the guilds rise again to steer the world back toward peace? Or is it already too late?
In Moonrise Volume 1, a cast of characters from across the globe find themselves swept into a collision course, each of them in orbit of a resurgent Wolves Guild. They must survive battles, attend masked balls, and venture through the wild unknown to find each other in a sweeping, vibrant epic filled with adventure, romance, and intrigue.
Moonrise features numerous full-page illustrations by the author, showing off this colorful, bright fantasy world. It also includes a portfolio of hand-drawn maps of the world and various regions so you can follow along with the characters as they traverse this vast land of mysteries.
829 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2025
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 22, 2025
I received an ARC of this book, which does not affect my review. Thank you to the author and Booksirens for the chance to read this book.
5 books bound into 1 made for a riveting ride. In addition, there is beautiful art in this book based on the covers of each individual book. The story is packed with adventure, mystery, and highly interesting characters.
I rarely come across series compiled together in one book, but when I do, I’ll treat it like one long story comprised of parts. For this reason, my feel for the flow, pacing, and length of the story might be different than someone who read each book individually. Since it was natural to go from one book to another, everything felt connected and eventually resolved. The story is set in a world post an event called the Reckoning, a dystopian-like event that plunged the world into chaos and left people fending for themselves. Each book or part is not too long, but since there are five stories together, you get plenty of time following Brendon and the others. In addition each part reads quickly enough to satisfy younger and older readers alike.
I loved the original fantasy of the world in addition to the history of it. Especially in the beginning, the characters also felt well realized. As the story went on, there were some moments where the depth that I felt characterized the first two books faded away bit, and I wish it had stayed fully consistent throughout. But that is not to say there still were not questioned answers, and that the plot is not exciting to follow. This series would be perfect for beginning fantasy readers who want something full of adventure, especially since each book is enough for a bite-sized amount and you can read them separately or together, like I did. The atmosphere is strong and fantastical, and there is a blend of both cozy and epic fantasy that doesn’t feel at odds with each other but instead enhances the magic of the world. Best of all, there are maps, glossaries, and illustrations at the back of the book that add to the world and felt like they were made for me as an epic fantasy fan.
This was an exciting and innovative book for young adults, and it felt like a good close to my arcs this year. I expect to return in January after taking time off for the holidays and I am pleased to have paused after this series.
5 books bound into 1 made for a riveting ride. In addition, there is beautiful art in this book based on the covers of each individual book. The story is packed with adventure, mystery, and highly interesting characters.
I rarely come across series compiled together in one book, but when I do, I’ll treat it like one long story comprised of parts. For this reason, my feel for the flow, pacing, and length of the story might be different than someone who read each book individually. Since it was natural to go from one book to another, everything felt connected and eventually resolved. The story is set in a world post an event called the Reckoning, a dystopian-like event that plunged the world into chaos and left people fending for themselves. Each book or part is not too long, but since there are five stories together, you get plenty of time following Brendon and the others. In addition each part reads quickly enough to satisfy younger and older readers alike.
I loved the original fantasy of the world in addition to the history of it. Especially in the beginning, the characters also felt well realized. As the story went on, there were some moments where the depth that I felt characterized the first two books faded away bit, and I wish it had stayed fully consistent throughout. But that is not to say there still were not questioned answers, and that the plot is not exciting to follow. This series would be perfect for beginning fantasy readers who want something full of adventure, especially since each book is enough for a bite-sized amount and you can read them separately or together, like I did. The atmosphere is strong and fantastical, and there is a blend of both cozy and epic fantasy that doesn’t feel at odds with each other but instead enhances the magic of the world. Best of all, there are maps, glossaries, and illustrations at the back of the book that add to the world and felt like they were made for me as an epic fantasy fan.
This was an exciting and innovative book for young adults, and it felt like a good close to my arcs this year. I expect to return in January after taking time off for the holidays and I am pleased to have paused after this series.
December 2, 2025
I wrote individual reviews for each of the books, but since I read this beautiful edition, which contains a bunch of extras including five short stories, maps, and a history of the land, I am going to write another review here. See my past reviews for any specifics about each book!
This series follows six POVs in the main books and five more in the short stories as we are dropped into a world which faced a “reckoning” 15 years prior. Rather than focus on a titular hero, each POV brings a new journey, culture, and background to the expansive world of Tul.
The first two books are a little bit slower and overly drawn out compared to the rest of the series, though this omnibus blurs the lines between books in a way that purchasing each book individually would not. The art in this edition is also fantastic. It was all created by the author, which is such a cool touch! It really brings certain moments to life. The maps also helped me keep all of the different locations straight. The history section…I admit I kind of skimmed. I much rather find out lore through the book itself. From the parts I did skim, I think it serves as more of a reminder of facts we learned from reading the book with slight expansions in places. There are some plot spoilers in there, so would only read after finishing the five books.
The short stories are a fantastic addition. Each short story corresponds with one of the five books. In each one, Dovidans introduces a new POV character who is tangential to the main plot. They are all incredibly well-written, and expand upon each of the books (there is one for each book). Some feel like they could end up as main characters in future books, while others told complete, beautiful, and sometimes tragic stories that were clearly stand alone. I read them all after finishing the series thus far, but I think it would be kind of fun to reach them in-between each book.
All in all, I recommend this book. It’s clear the author put so much love and care into formulating Tul, and his writing is improving with each book. I will be purchasing the sixth as soon as it comes out!
I received this book from BookSirens for free in exchange for my honest review.
This series follows six POVs in the main books and five more in the short stories as we are dropped into a world which faced a “reckoning” 15 years prior. Rather than focus on a titular hero, each POV brings a new journey, culture, and background to the expansive world of Tul.
The first two books are a little bit slower and overly drawn out compared to the rest of the series, though this omnibus blurs the lines between books in a way that purchasing each book individually would not. The art in this edition is also fantastic. It was all created by the author, which is such a cool touch! It really brings certain moments to life. The maps also helped me keep all of the different locations straight. The history section…I admit I kind of skimmed. I much rather find out lore through the book itself. From the parts I did skim, I think it serves as more of a reminder of facts we learned from reading the book with slight expansions in places. There are some plot spoilers in there, so would only read after finishing the five books.
The short stories are a fantastic addition. Each short story corresponds with one of the five books. In each one, Dovidans introduces a new POV character who is tangential to the main plot. They are all incredibly well-written, and expand upon each of the books (there is one for each book). Some feel like they could end up as main characters in future books, while others told complete, beautiful, and sometimes tragic stories that were clearly stand alone. I read them all after finishing the series thus far, but I think it would be kind of fun to reach them in-between each book.
All in all, I recommend this book. It’s clear the author put so much love and care into formulating Tul, and his writing is improving with each book. I will be purchasing the sixth as soon as it comes out!
I received this book from BookSirens for free in exchange for my honest review.
December 7, 2025
I've been a fan of this series for years now and seeing it reformatted like this brought a wonder and excitement I didn't expect. The story is interesting and exciting, defying tropes and that norm to create a new fantasy experience that, personally, I feel is more realistic and believable.
December 9, 2025
Moonrise Volume 1 is a cumulation of all 5 of the wonderful books that Dovidāns has already put out. Each book stands alone well while also being part of a bigger overarching plot that is easy to see and understand with all five books put together. The characters are wonderfully written and feel so very real. The additional short stories and history of the world that Dovidāns has put into this bigger volume helps give even more depth to the main characters and the world as a whole. It might be a monster tome to tackle but it is well worth the read. I look forward to the rest of the series to see how each character grows, the plot thickens, and the world is changed by the characters' actions and reactions.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2025
I’ll keep the review short and sweet. If you’re the type of reader who has a movie going through their head while reading then this the book for you. The plot is exciting especially in the first 2 books.
Thank you for giving me the ARC to read. It’s very hard for people outside the US and Europe to get an ARC to read.
Thank you for giving me the ARC to read. It’s very hard for people outside the US and Europe to get an ARC to read.
December 7, 2025
It’s impossible to read this series and not be immersed fully in the universe. You will find yourself rooting for every character for different reasons, cheering for them like your own friends. Highly recommend this series!
December 6, 2025
2.5 ⭐
Moonrise opens with a strong premise. Book 1 sets up Brendon, Kumori, and Leara as three characters with the potential for deeply interwoven journeys, and the world promises hidden history, magic, and large-scale conflict. It genuinely feels like the start of an expansive fantasy saga. But as the series continues, that early promise becomes increasingly uneven.
A major issue throughout Books 2–5 is the inconsistent narrative focus. The multiple POV structure introduced in Book 1 disappears entirely in Book 2, which follows only Brendon. Later books add new POV characters while barely developing original ones. Leara who begins as one of the most compelling figures is almost forgotten in Books 2 and 4, returning only sporadically without meaningful progression. Augustus and other characters are treated similarly, drifting in and out of the story depending on when the narrative “remembers” them.
This inconsistency ties into the second major issue: the characters themselves feel underdeveloped. Even those presented as experienced or wise often behave immaturely, making their decisions and dialogue feel disconnected from who they’re supposed to be. Emotional depth and growth are hinted at but rarely explored. Instead of evolving as the stakes rise, many characters stay static, which weakens their arcs and makes it harder to feel invested in their journeys.
The pacing also struggles across the saga. Large portions of Books 2–4 feel like filler long stretches of daily routines, training sessions, and camp life while the major plot developments happen only in the last few chapters of each book. This creates a pattern where the story drags for most of the installment and then abruptly ramps up at the end, leaving the middle feeling stagnant rather than purposeful.
Worldbuilding suffers as well. The magic, lore, and deeper mythology are mentioned only briefly and usually at the very end of each book. Important events often occur with overly convenient timing, which breaks immersion and makes the world feel less organic. For a fantasy series, the world never becomes as rich or tangible as it could be.
All of this leaves Moonrise feeling like a saga with an exciting foundation, but one that struggles to build on it. The ideas are strong, but the execution particularly in character development, POV structure, and pacing — holds the series back. I found myself wishing for tighter plotting, more emotional depth, and clearer follow-through on the storylines raised in Book 1.
There is potential here, and there are moments that genuinely work. But overall, the series feels fragmented, uneven, and at times frustrating, especially when promising threads are dropped or left unexplored.
I received an ARC of this book, which does not affect my review.
Thank you to the author and Booksirens for the chance to read this book.
Moonrise opens with a strong premise. Book 1 sets up Brendon, Kumori, and Leara as three characters with the potential for deeply interwoven journeys, and the world promises hidden history, magic, and large-scale conflict. It genuinely feels like the start of an expansive fantasy saga. But as the series continues, that early promise becomes increasingly uneven.
A major issue throughout Books 2–5 is the inconsistent narrative focus. The multiple POV structure introduced in Book 1 disappears entirely in Book 2, which follows only Brendon. Later books add new POV characters while barely developing original ones. Leara who begins as one of the most compelling figures is almost forgotten in Books 2 and 4, returning only sporadically without meaningful progression. Augustus and other characters are treated similarly, drifting in and out of the story depending on when the narrative “remembers” them.
This inconsistency ties into the second major issue: the characters themselves feel underdeveloped. Even those presented as experienced or wise often behave immaturely, making their decisions and dialogue feel disconnected from who they’re supposed to be. Emotional depth and growth are hinted at but rarely explored. Instead of evolving as the stakes rise, many characters stay static, which weakens their arcs and makes it harder to feel invested in their journeys.
The pacing also struggles across the saga. Large portions of Books 2–4 feel like filler long stretches of daily routines, training sessions, and camp life while the major plot developments happen only in the last few chapters of each book. This creates a pattern where the story drags for most of the installment and then abruptly ramps up at the end, leaving the middle feeling stagnant rather than purposeful.
Worldbuilding suffers as well. The magic, lore, and deeper mythology are mentioned only briefly and usually at the very end of each book. Important events often occur with overly convenient timing, which breaks immersion and makes the world feel less organic. For a fantasy series, the world never becomes as rich or tangible as it could be.
All of this leaves Moonrise feeling like a saga with an exciting foundation, but one that struggles to build on it. The ideas are strong, but the execution particularly in character development, POV structure, and pacing — holds the series back. I found myself wishing for tighter plotting, more emotional depth, and clearer follow-through on the storylines raised in Book 1.
There is potential here, and there are moments that genuinely work. But overall, the series feels fragmented, uneven, and at times frustrating, especially when promising threads are dropped or left unexplored.
I received an ARC of this book, which does not affect my review.
Thank you to the author and Booksirens for the chance to read this book.
December 24, 2025
I am amazed to see this entire first volume finally get released! And with ALL the bonus content nonetheless. It's a cozy fantasy with Gothic vibes! I will not stop raving over the stunning art between the chapters of each book. It truly brings the story to life for me! Then the world-building, character development, and all the suspense had me locked in on each book. They all interconnect and set us up on adventures that reveal the underlying truth behind the way of their world. One of my favorite installments was Spectre in the night (Halloween edition), a bit more mysterious and spooky than the rest! I was a big fan of the courtship and espionage in that one. Must also appreciate the strong female characters in this whole saga, and just how wholesome it is in general.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 10, 2025
I have just finished book one inside volume one and cant wait to read the other 4 books! My favorite thing about this book is that it has dynamic characters that I find myself rooting for and wanting to grow with. I want to know whats happening with these characters! The pacing is fantastic, and the way the paths are weaved together is magnificent and fun to experience while also driving me a little crazy (in the best way). I also really liked the way the author created deep cultures and believable worlds. Falling into this story was easy and I cant wait to keep reading :).
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 7, 2025
I loooooove this series and getting to come back to it (after reading the individual ones) in a multi volume like this feels like getting a big hug. Honestly perfect timing with the cold weather to get to return to one of my fave fantasy lands 🐺🌳📖
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews