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Moonwater
Do you believe in demons? Sierra Davidson doesn't. At mid-life, she barely believes in anything, and she's tired of keeping a smile on her face to fake it. When a coworker suggests she steep water in the light of the full moon to harness its power, Sierra does so tongue-in-cheek. But soon, she suspects that the moonwater ceremony invited mystical power. Dark power that sets into motion a chain reaction no longer under her control. It begins with whispers, a shattered mirror, a child drawn to the river by a voice no one can hear... Seduction, then destruction. This house holds more than memories. Is it real, or is Sierra losing her mind? Can Sierra escape the literal and figurative demons that plague her?
Moonwater depicts the emotional journey of wife, mother, and public-school therapist Sierra Davidson, from newlywed to empty nester in rural Appalachia. In addition to Moonwater's supernatural backdrop, Sierra's story is an authentic and touching exploration of marriage, aging, disillusion, and, ultimately, reawakening. Blending psychological tension with creeping supernatural dread, Moonwater is a haunting tale of family, memory, and the unseen forces that linger where tragedy once took root.
Moonwater depicts the emotional journey of wife, mother, and public-school therapist Sierra Davidson, from newlywed to empty nester in rural Appalachia. In addition to Moonwater's supernatural backdrop, Sierra's story is an authentic and touching exploration of marriage, aging, disillusion, and, ultimately, reawakening. Blending psychological tension with creeping supernatural dread, Moonwater is a haunting tale of family, memory, and the unseen forces that linger where tragedy once took root.
287 pages, Paperback
Published October 23, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 19, 2026
this book is easily a five star read. it has everything from humor, to suspense, relatable womanly rage, love, and everything you need to never want to put it down!
February 8, 2026
Moonwater is a slow-burning work of supernatural horror that reveals itself with patience and precision. What begins as an intimate, character-driven story gradually darkens into something deeply unsettling, pulling the reader into the same confusion and dread experienced by its protagonist, Sierra.
Laura Whittington excels at restraint. The novel allows small, seemingly harmless choices to accumulate weight, and everyday rituals to take on an ominous significance. As Sierra’s sense of self begins to shift, the reader is left questioning what is happening, why it’s happening, and whether it can be stopped.
Rather than relying on overt explanations, Moonwater builds its horror from within—through disorientation, vulnerability, and the quiet terror of realizing something is deeply wrong but unnamed. The result is a story that feels intimate, invasive, and emotionally devastating.
This is not a fast-paced horror novel, but a deliberate and haunting one—best suited for readers who appreciate psychological tension, supernatural ambiguity, and stories that trust the reader to sit with discomfort. Moonwater lingers, both in its atmosphere and in its implications, long after the final page.
Laura Whittington excels at restraint. The novel allows small, seemingly harmless choices to accumulate weight, and everyday rituals to take on an ominous significance. As Sierra’s sense of self begins to shift, the reader is left questioning what is happening, why it’s happening, and whether it can be stopped.
Rather than relying on overt explanations, Moonwater builds its horror from within—through disorientation, vulnerability, and the quiet terror of realizing something is deeply wrong but unnamed. The result is a story that feels intimate, invasive, and emotionally devastating.
This is not a fast-paced horror novel, but a deliberate and haunting one—best suited for readers who appreciate psychological tension, supernatural ambiguity, and stories that trust the reader to sit with discomfort. Moonwater lingers, both in its atmosphere and in its implications, long after the final page.
January 22, 2026
The author’s debut novel is filled with poetic prose and relatable real life. The main character is a wife, mother, friend, and public school employee navigating midlife and empty nesting. Her everyday life made me laugh, cry, roll my eyes and curse while examining my own life through artful descriptions of the surrounding world. Through it all, an otherworldly demon lurks, providing edge of your seat plot twists and cliffhangers. The read is casual yet thought provoking, reverent yet spicy, and playful yet poignant. I appreciated the nods toward Appalachian scene, setting, and folklore, as well as the more contemporary themes. Now that you know about Moonwater, think twice before you drink it. But go ahead and dive into a good read that is destined to have a successful prequel coming.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews