Daughter of the Cursed Moon

by A.D Dalley

I am shadow-blessed. I do not fear the light nor her wrath.

Syra Lunatici, a Luanthian blessed with shadow magic, learned early in life that her very existence was dangerous within the Solerian-ruled Kingdom of Tavari. Since the night of The Cleansing, she has been forced to hide her identity, her silver hair, and the shadows that writhe in her blood. She has worked for years to achieve her dreams of becoming a Potion Master to better care for the fellow Luanthians in the Old Quarter, but a chance encounter with a wounded man changes the course of her fate.

Thrust into a world of prophecy and adventure to find a cure for an illness that has plagued Tavari for a century, Syra must venture across unforgiving deserts and snowy forests with a group that includes the Solerian Prince Kairen and his loyal Captain of the KingsGuard, Roan Delmar. Born Luanthian, now a Solerian Convert, Roan Delmar is dangerous and keen to uncover the hidden past that could be Syra’s undoing. Will she be able to keep her true identity hidden in shadows and deceit or will the cleansing fire of the stake be Syra’s fate?

Kindle Edition

Expected publication May 31, 2026

Reviews

[Maria P · Rating 5 out of 5]

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓛;𝓓𝓡 ✧˖°
A stunning romantasy debut perfect for readers looking for a romance that builds with top-tier yearning and tension, an adventurous quest full of surprises, and an ending that'll have you begging for the sequel!

° ˖✧ 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
4.5 ⭐
1 🌶️

° ˖✧ 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
"Goddess, you're feral."

"It seems as though they fear you more than me, Captain."
"A miscalculation on their parts, surely."

"The only Goddess I wish to be in the presence of already has her body pressed to mine."

"You promise?"
"In every universe."
"Until we are but stars in the sky."

° ˖✧ 𝓢𝔂𝓷𝓸𝓹𝓼𝓲𝓼 𝓢𝓾𝓶𝓶𝓪𝓻𝔂 ✧˖°
Potions Master Syra must keep her shadow magic hidden to continue to provide care for the people of Tavari. But when a strange illness sweeps the nation, Syra must team up with Captain of the Kings Guard Roan to find a cure.

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
👤 Hidden Identity
🫶 Found Family
🔥 Elemental Magic
💘 Reluctant Allies to Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Slow Burn
🗡️ Training Together
🛏️ One Bed/One Horse
👑 Royal Quest
🧐 Political Intrigue
🌙 Gods & Goddesses

° ˖✧ 𝓣𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 ✧˖°
🪦 Familial Death/Grief
🩸 Violence
🗣️ Discrimination

° ˖✧ 𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
+ Addictive and Engaging Story
+ Top-Tier Yearning and Tension
+ Wholesome Cast of Characters
+ Trials/Training/Quest Arcs
+ Feral FMC and Devoted MMC
+ Variety of Interesting Settings
+ Anything on the Ship!!

° ˖✧ 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮𝓼 ✧˖°
- Some Predictability (still satisfying)
- Some Repetitive Phrasing
- Lore Slowed Pacing at times

° ˖✧ 𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ✧˖°
I physically couldn't put this book down. The story is easy to digest but meandered in a way that kept me unsure what would happen next, and Syra and Roan dancing around each other had me turning page after page for their undeniable yearning.

At the start we're immediately in the action as Syra's mother forces her to leave ahead of a Cleansing. Syra agrees to hide her moon‑blessed powers and runs to an apothecary that had always been kind to them. She's taken in by Merle, the potion's master, and her boy Bran. It takes a while, but Syra opens up to their family unit and begins to live her life again, taking in all Merle's potions acumen she can.

I loved the various trials Syra was set to complete to become a potion's master like Merle, and the many characters throughout are full of life. The introduction of Prince Kai and Captain of the Kings Guard Roan had me eagerly anticipating the group dynamic for their quest. Found Family is such a strong trope of mine that I immediately knew I would love the bunch of them together, including sweet healer Rena.

The tension between Syra and Roan was always palpable, and the author fed us so many amazing moments. Training, dancing, hurt/comfort, she heals him, he protects her - every moment furthered their relationship in a way that wasn't forced but inspired incredible yearning and desire. Also, top tier book boyfriend material! He's a man that worships his woman and isn't afraid to show it!

I also can't say enough about the quest itself. Normally something like that can feel predictable and repetitive, but not this book. There were many different biomes of exploration, and the various characters met along the way kept the story fresh and moving forward. There were horrific enemies and great moments of respect and care, all without the author spending too long between scenes - the pacing was steady throughout.

There were a couple of parts with an element of predictability, including something big toward the end I'd seen a mile away. However, the way this action occurred was still a surprise, so I don't feel it pulls away from the story much. There were also some repetitive terms of phrase such as "kernel of truth" which caught my eye and occasionally pulled me out, but overall the writing was quality.

The only other area that had me uneasy was the sheer amount of lore. There's a rich history of gods and goddesses that dictate culture, often portrayed through characters speaking like a fable or reading myths in books. This slowed pacing at times, but because the context wasn't overly confusing or unnecessary, I'm not too mad at it.

As such, I highly recommend this book to fans of romantasy - it's an incredible debut and I can't wait to see what happens with the sequel. (I refuse for there not to be a sequel because that ending has me gagged and desperate for more!)

Thank you to A.D. Dalley and Iris Influencer Society for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Diamanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello, people!
Sometimes words are poor. That's how I feel here too.
The characters are very well developed and have depth. The plot is full of magic, adventure and action and the world building is fantastic.
Every turn of the page is a revelation.
Furthermore, the book is a breathless read and this is a strong card in the hands of the author.
Finally, her writing is enchanting, unique, enjoyable and direct.

Thank you very much to the author for the eARC!

This is my honest review!

[Couby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced reader copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, a 6 star read for me!
This was a beautifully crafted romantasy that will take you into the most immersive quest of your life. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel! I mean, the prologue alone broke me 😭💔. Fans of D&D would love this!

We follow Syra, a Luanthian that’s shadow-blessed, on her journey as she quests with her companions to find a cure for The Fever. In a world where Luthians are labelled as traitors and burned at the stake, Syra has hidden her identity for 14 years, ever since her mother was dragged away to be burned. Through this quest, we learn of the brutality of the Solerian king, the horrors Luanthians are subjected to due to the Moon goddess’ supposed betrayal, and how not everything may be as it seems.

The writing in this was top tier. Dalley was able to immerse you into this story as if you were one of the people on the quest. I felt every emotion, the simmering heat of the desert, the biting cold of the north, and even the nausea they felt while on the rolling seas. Have I ever been to a desert? No, but that’s beside the point. There was also so much political turmoil in this with the Solerian vs Luanthian conflicts. It almost leans into dystopia a little because all this hatred is based on a warped history, repeated to the point that it has become the truth.

I absolutely loved how the romance was written and built. As a lover of slow burn, this definitely hit the spot. The TENSION?? It’s elite. My heart literally stuttered every time Roan’s green and silver eyes were mentioned to be locked onto Syra, or every time he whispered in her ear. I felt like such a third wheel ahahaha (I told you, Dalley really does fully immerse you into this book.) Tension filled training sessions? Check. Unnecessary closeness when they taunt each other? Check. Cute nicknames that are lowkey mean? Also check.

Syra is such a badass FMC. Like starts a brawl in a pub and won’t hesitate to hold a dagger to your throat if you cross her kind of badass. I mean, you know it’s gonna be great when one of the tropes is “she’s stabby” 😂. Syra is a trained potion maker and as a huge fan of The apothecary diaries, that just made me love her instantly. She’s so level-headed during a fight/crisis situation (but not before because she starts most of the fights lololol) and so good at her craft. She literally prevents her party from succumbing to their environments with her potions (again, this does give D&D vibes with different classes of people going on a quest together). I also love how her shadows/powers represent her mental state. Her shadows constantly speak to her, taunting her to kill Solerians, but she always pushes them aside and does her best to help anyone in need. But as she continues to hide her identity and her lies start eating away at her, the shadows also get more restless and aggressive.

Roan is also a Luanthian and is one of the last Luanthians allowed to work for the king. He is the captain of the kings guard and has killed so many Luanthians to prove his loyalty to the king, that he’s known as the Kinslayer. Roan is such a flirt but also broody and cold at the same time. Honestly, I’m not sure how that’s possible, but Dalley made it happen. If you want a MMC that falls first AND harder, may I present to you Roan. He literally is such a sap around Syra and KNEELS in front of her as he vows to always find her in every universe 🥹. Where are the men like this in real life??

We also have a wonderful cast of side characters that help enrich this story so much. Kairen is a Solerian prince and is the one who recruits Syra on this quest. He’s also Roan’s best friend. As Solerian royalty, he has such sympathy for Luanthians and honestly, gives me so much hope for a better future (unfortunately he isn’t next in line for the throne.. but alas, one could dream). His character perfectly showed how despite generations of hatred and segregation, there are still kind people out there. Bran is Syra’s “cousin” and is literally the cutest man ever. He is the only one that knows of Syra’s past and secret and is such a huge support system for her. He literally joined her on this quest because she asked him to and he didn’t even question it. Then, we have Rena, Kairen’s cousin. She’s also such a badass, being both a warrior AND a healer. She’s the typical FMC’s best friend who is super outgoing and I’m totally here for it. Everyone needs a best friend like that in their life!

If you’re a fan of vividly written characters, immersive writing, TENSION, and quests, I definitely recommend this as your next read! I really hope there is a book 2 in the works because I really badly need to know what happens next.

[halli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you IRIS Influencer Society and AD Dalley for providing this eARC in return for my honest review!

5⭐️ This book was phenomenal! The characters were so well written and I absolutely adore Syra and Roan, the FMC and MMC. The yearning here is top tier and I am forever a fan of having to cuddle to stay warm (because body heat of course). The plot had my interest from the very beginning and nothing beats a prophecy and forbidden magic. The lore and backstory of the world was really well done and the overall world building was so enjoyable to read. The love and care that Syra has for her family and people is beautiful. The division between the Solaria and Luanthian was so vast and Syra's drive to care for the Luanthians/Solerian-converts despite the social implications made me love her even more. She's also not afraid to get her hands dirty and gets in many fights to protect those who are mistreated.

Her relationship with Merle and Bran is so wholesome and I love how protective Syra and Bran are of one another. They have the typical sibling relationship where they tease each other but are also the go to person for the other when hard times come. The mystery of the Fever was such a driving factor behind the quest that the characters go on and I am really curious to see how it all ends because that cliffhanger was emotionally devastating. The difference in character relationships between the beginning of the quest and the end of the book was drastic and I hated how certain relationships struggled but I loved the growth between Syra and Roan. Those 2 have so much pressure placed upon them and for them to see themselves in the other was beautiful. Syra has to suppress her magic because it is forbidden and Roan is literally called the Kinslayer so to be able to find someone to love for them was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I also just love a good quest because that's where we get to see some of the biggest character growth. The side characters really aren't even side characters because the author writes everyone so well and makes them all such a key part of the story.

Seriously though, the emotional damage that this book has done is crazy because I just have to know what happens next.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have one word for Daughter of the Cursed Moon: brutal.

From beginning to end, this book emotionally destroyed me. And listen, it takes a lot for a book to get me teary-eyed. I have a cold black heart and dry eyes that usually survive even the most heartbreaking fantasy books untouched. But this one? This one cracked through all of that.

I do not want book two. I wanted a 1000+ page book so I do not have to sit with the emotional devastation this story unleashed into the world.

Now, onto the actual review.

The world-building is fabulously dark and incredibly immersive. A.D. Dalley created a world that feels harsh, dangerous, and heavy with pain, but there are still threads of hope and light woven throughout it that keep it from feeling hopeless. That balance made the world feel real instead of just dark for the sake of being dark.

And the characters. My gods, the characters.

Sy and Roan are both so broken in different ways, but they keep surviving anyway. Their chemistry was incredible. This is slow-burn enemies-to-lovers done RIGHT. The banter, the fighting, the tension simmering beneath every interaction, all of it was so well done.

And the side characters deserve just as much praise. There are no throwaway characters here. No one feels flat or two-dimensional. Every character feels important and fully realized, which made the emotional moments hit even harder.

The plot itself was also incredibly well thought out. I am purposely staying vague because I refuse to spoil anything, but trust me when I say this story keeps pulling you deeper and deeper until you are fully trapped in its chaos and heartbreak.

And then there’s the ending.

The book starts brutal and somehow ends equally brutal. I genuinely just stared into space afterward wondering why authors enjoy emotionally assaulting their readers like this.

If you are a glutton for punishment and love dark fantasy with emotional damage, slow-burn tension, and beautifully broken characters, I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book.

Just make sure you have tissues and comfort food nearby. Personally, I recommend chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

[Aleksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much A. D. Dalley for sending me this ARC!

Daughter of the Cursed Moon is the first book in a Romantic Fantasy series and I loved this beautiful story so much!

Syra is a Luanthian, one of the people worshipping the Moon Goddess who are oppressed and often killed by those who worship the Sun Goddess. She spent most of her life hiding her identity and magic and practising to become a Potion Master to help her people, but when she agrees for one of her trials to search for a cure to the deadly Fever, she embarks on a quest with the Solerian prince and the infuriating KingsGuard, Roan, who are not at all like she expected but getting close to Roan means risking her life if anyone uncovers her secrets.

This book sounded so good when I first heard about it and I was really excited to read it and I must say it was even better than I expected, the author created such a fascinating world with interesting magic, politics, complex characters and slow burn romance filled with so much yearning it was palpable. Syra was amazing as the FMC, she didn’t have an easy life and my heart broke for her in the beginning of this book, but she was really strong and I loved her character development, she went through so much and came out even stronger and I already can’t wait to see her again. Roan was the mysterious, tortured MMC I love in romantasy books, I wish we got his POV because I would have loved to get to see inside his head, I loved his banter with Syra and teasing and all the smirks. These two were incredible together, their relationship was a true slow burn and the way they went from dislike to reluctant allies to kind of friends to something more with them slowly opening up and beginning to trust each other was beautiful to watch and I loved all their scenes together, they were so perfect for each other and I already miss them. I also loved Kai, Rena and Bran, they made an amazing found family and I can’t wait to see all the characters again. After that ending I need the next book ASAP!

Daughter of the Cursed Moon is an amazing romantasy book, I loved it and already can’t wait for the next book.

[AGirlReadsandWrites · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I even say about this book? I loved the world. I loved the characters, the story was really well done. There is tension and yearning and so much “he falls first”, forbidden love, that you just crave the next chapter and have a hard time putting the book down.
This story follows Syra, a woman hiding her true identity and nature in the world that would see her burned at the stake for who she is and the magic she has, and Roan, the nefarious captain of the kings guard. She wants to live a simple life, but that is not what fate has in store for her. When strangers appear and ask her to join their quest to find a cure for the fever ravaging their country, she must become ready for a quest with friends and enemies, where the stakes couldn’t possibly be higher. Through political upheaval, adventure, and uncovering truths, she and Roan must navigate their growing love for each other and what the consequences of that will be.

This book is very low spice at this point, but so full of yearning! Overall, this was an absolutely fantastic read and I am so happy I got to be an ARC reader for it!

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Violence: 🗡️🗡️🗡️
Cliffhanger: 🏔️🏔️🏔️🏔️

Quotes:

"You're like a storm…Terrifying and beautiful all at once. As if I'm caught in the eye of it, a peace and stillness that I could lose myself in, while everything l've known around me is ripped to shreds."

“Promise me that you'll always reach for my hand. That you'll stay."
"In every universe, little menace. Until we are but stars in the sky.”

“My soul is already destined for the Nine Hells when this life is over, never will I rest in the Kingdom of the Goddesses. I’ve done so many things I could never repent for, but when I’m with you? I feel as if I’ve already found my salvation...”

“In every universe.”
“Until we are but stars in the sky,” I murmured back.

[Taylor Krasinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Debut !!

⭐️4.85
🌶️0.5

I really loved this book and everything it brought to the table.

🌙Daughter of the Cursed Moon🌙 follows Syra, a shadow-blessed woman hiding in plain sight with forbidden Moon blessed magic in a kingdom of Sun blessed where people like her are hunted. While training as a potion maker under the care of her adoptive mother and trying to survive quietly with her found family, Syra’s life is thrown into chaos after she accepts a life altering request from an interesting stranger. While trying to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a true Potion Master, Syra becomes entangled within dangerous secrets, political unrest, a daring quest, and an unfolding prophecy tied to her hidden past/ powers.

🕯️One of my favorite things was how much time we got to spend with Syra before the main storyline fully unfolded. We truly get to know her upbringing, her adoptive family, her work with potions, and the compassion that drives so many of her choices. It made her feel incredibly real and grounded as an FMC.

I especially loved how intelligent and quick-thinking she was with her potion knowledge, and how she continued to show kindness and empathy even when it could get her into trouble. Every character — no matter how small their role seemed — added depth and significance to the story, which made the world feel layered and lived in.

There was a slight lull for me around the 65% mark during the quest, but it didn’t last long and honestly didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all. Overall, this was such a strong series debut with immersive worldbuilding, emotional depth, and a storyline that kept expanding in all the right ways. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to read this ARC before release!

[Kegan Herrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel goddess blessed to have received an early copy of Daughter of the Cursed Moon! A.D’s writing is beautiful like the full moon shining bright next to the twinkling stars or the sun’s golden rays peaking through a window while savoring the first sip of coffee in the morning.

A group is formed from a prophecy to find a cure to a horrible illness affecting the Solerian (the sun goddess)-ruled Kingdom of Tavari. The Fever is thought to come from the goddess of the moon as an act of betrayal, leaving the Luanthians subjected to horrible treatment.

I’m obsessed with Syra, the fmc, and her shadows! She hides a dangerous secret that lurks under her skin, bones and soul. One of my favorite things is her shadow’s inner dialogue. Sy is fiery and stabby but with a kind heart and wishes to help those cast aside by the king because they are Luanthian.

And let me tell you about the mmc, Roan! Born Luanthian, now a Solerian convert, captain of the KingsGuard also knows as Kinslayer, with a reputation of being feared and ruthless, but has a soft spot for Syra. Their chemistry, pull and banter is everything and when they say —
“Promise me that you'll always reach for my hand. That you'll stay."
“In every universe, little menace. Until we are but stars in the sky.”
*cue the squealing and flutters*

The found family is phenomenal! Syra and her cousin, Bran, gave me Chilling Adventures of Sabrina vibes between Sabrina and Ambrose.

The ending?! I’m left needing more immediately! There are some emotional damaging lines and my goodness, my heart is still shattered.

Thank you so much to A.D for a gifted ARC! This story is so well written and holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait for more!

[Miranda Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I refuse to believe this is a debut novel.. I REFUSE because excuse me!

This book grabbed me by the throat from page one and did not let go. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” like a liar, knowing full well I was about to read five more. Productivity? Ruined. Sleep schedule? Absolutely demolished.
It’s marketed as a romantasy, but this is giving full-on epic fantasy energy and I am obsessed. The FMC gets pulled into something so much bigger than herself, and watching it unfold felt like peeling back layers of chaos, secrets, and “oh...oh no” realizations.

The journey?? Elite. The friendships?? Top tier. The found family?? Say less, I’m emotionally attached.
And the mystery, because there is SO much of it. Prophecies, unanswered questions, things that feel important but you can’t quite piece together yet. It keeps you guessing the entire time, and I loved every second of it.

But also.... the emotional hits?? RUDE. There were moments that genuinely caught me off guard, and just when I thought I might recover, boom. More tension, more stakes, more pain. Then it throws in the tiniest thread of romance like “here, suffer but make it cute.”
I don’t know when book two is coming, but I need it immediately. Yesterday, actually.

If you’re into high-stakes quests, chaotic energy, and stories that slowly unravel while emotionally wrecking you, yeah, go ahead and add this to your TBR.

[KaleidoscopeLaiReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review - Out May 31, 2026 🌙

Daughter of the Cursed Moon takes readers on such an immersive journey of self-discovery, magic, politics, and survival. We follow Syra after losing her mother at a very young age due to persecution for being blessed by the Moon Goddess. All while a cruel war rages, and those who are seen 'lesser' are oppressed by the King. And honestly? I was hooked.

The world building was incredibly well done and I had such a fun time learning the ins and outs of the political system, the lore, and the dynamics between everyone involved. It felt layered without becoming overwhelming.

Now let’s talk about the romance because WOW. This is genuinely one of the slowest slow burns I’ve read in a long time and it WORKED. The buildup, the tension, the yearning?? Absolutely delicious. The romance was written so beautifully that when things finally started happening, I swear I felt every second of it too. Their chemistry was EVERYTHING. And that man can charm even the coldest of hearts, that much I will tell you.

I also really appreciated how diverse the cast was, and surprisingly, I genuinely enjoyed all of the characters. Everyone brought something to the story and nobody felt unnecessary.

If you love:
Slow burn romance
Political fantasy
Shadow magic
Self-discovery journeys
Tension-filled chemistry
Warring factions & goddesses

…then definitely keep this one on your radar.

[Anastasia Richards-Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words cannot describe the masterpiece that is this book… I genuinely need to sit in silence. It was phenomenal, a masterpiece. The world building, the characters, the plot. I mean there is nothing in this book I would change. Hell I JUST finished it and I’m ready for a reread. I wish I didn’t read it because waiting for book two will be my downfall. Roan. GODDESS ABOVE PLEASE. This MANS. Nothing could have prepared me for this MMC. The YEARNING is imbedded into my soul. I can’t WAIT for ya’ll to see some of these lines WHEW. Syra, my beautifully fierce and feisty FMC, who doesn’t love a woman who can be her own hero. She is strong, funny, witty, caring, and beyond brilliant. She was written so wonderfully, you fell into her life and completely absorb all she feels and the trauma she has endured. The way I could write this review for days, I mean I can talk and talk but I refuse to be the cause of any spoilers. Please pre-order this, purchase it the day it comes out, give yourself this gift! It is worth every dime and every word read, truly outstanding work!

[Bessy Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't worry, little menace,
I won't let you fall."

Love me, use me, ruin me.
I don’t care as long as you have me.

This book has me OBSESSED!!

We follow Syra who from the very beginning has it tough after losing her mother in an early age. She is a moon worshipper hiding her powers from the Sun Goddess rulers since then. She gets paired with this broody, dangerous moon worshipper. Together, they embark on a dangerous quest to stop a deadly illness and fulfill an ancient prophecy 🥀

The author did an incredible job with the world building. It was so immersive, the suspense never let up, and the twists completely wrecked me in the best way…

I could not stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen next. This story has magic, romance, secrets, tension, and found family all mixed into one. But everyone is hiding something.

Beware, you will definitely want Book 2 ASAP!! Can't wait 😜

Thank you A.D Dalley for allowing me to be part of your ARC team 🖤

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌙 ARC REVIEW 🪐

Wow… 🤩 this was great! It also is the DEBUT novel for A.D. Dalley! 🤯😍 The writing was beautiful and wonderful world building. 💫

The story has ALL that you want…
- a FMC who is strong, smart, & snarky. Complete BA 💁🏻‍♀️💪🏼
**As a nurse, I really loved how the FMC is a pharmacist, nurse, social worker all wrapped up into one 🧪
-found family 🫶🏼
-elemental magic ✨
-political intrigue 🩶

🌙 this should absolutely be added to your TBR 📚

🌑A few of my favorite quotes… (hard to narrow it down!)

💥 “I made it out to myself once… that I would never again allow another to make me feel powerless. Never again feel weak or helpless.” “…what you believe to be a weakness is your power”

💜 “I believe that it’s a duty to help those who others have easily overlooked.” “…but I had to try. I had to do something.”

⚡️ “Let’s dance then, little menace.”

⛈️ “You’re like a storm, terrifying and beautiful all at once…”

🌌”In every universe, little menace. Until we are but stars in the sky.”

[Stephanie Chiocchi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75✨ Thank you to A.D. Dalley for this eARC!

This is a nice, easy standard Romantasy for a debut author. It has your usual plot line and tropes, a quest, and secrets.
A potion master hiding her shadow curse. A broody knight who is supposed to destroy anyone with shadows. Obviously she’s keeping that a secret.
A quest to find a cure. A prince who is obviously kidding something, a best friend that wants to protect, a healer who honestly I thought would be more important, and prophecies galore.
I did struggle with this for a while, it felt too easy, the world building was missing something, most of it was just prophecies and stories from the past.
I’m a sucker for found family which is why I stuck around but even that wasn’t too deep. Roan and Sy’s relationship moved quickly and as beautiful as Roan’s declarations were, again, just happened all too quickly.
Then we have the ending where everything went to shit, naturally. I’ll keep an eye out for book two.

[Unnamednonsense · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book feels like your basic romantasy with all the usual tropes. If you're looking for something that gives you that classic romantasy feel, this is absolutely a book you should check out.

Overall though, I just didn't feel the stakes. Everything seemed a little too I guess I'll say perfect. It was all just a little too easy, a little too straightforward.

The romance was my favorite part. Sure, it was a little obvious about where it was going and what was going to happen, but I still enjoyed watching them fall in love.

I think my review is a little skewed because I didn't realize this was young adult when I signed up to read it. I didn't go in with the right expectations because of this, and it ultimately negatively impacted my experience.

Thank you very much to A.D. Dalley for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own and are not influenced by the manner in which I received it.

[Randi Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this as an ARC read!

WOW…. Just wow. This book had me turning page after page to the point I stayed up all night reading. The author did a fantastic job with world building and keeping your attention. The twists and turns had be gasping and sobbing. We follow Syra a worshipper of the moon goddess who has to hide her power from the Sun goddess rulers, least she be burned at the stake. She is taken in by an amazing potion maker and learns the craft. She goes to take her trial to become a potion master and is tasked with joining a broody moon worshiper who kills his own kind and son of the king who caused her great suffering on a quest to end an illness and fulfill a prophecy. I can’t recommend this enough this is right up there at the top as one of my favorite reads so far. Go ahead and buy this you won’t regret it!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GODDDDUUHHHHH GUYS. this book is absolutely insane. Its genuinely so good and so well written i felt completely immersed in the story like I was there. The author paints such a good clear picture of everything happening yet the amount of twists and turns kept me guessing in the best way possible. I went through every emotion im sure possible and im a little scared on what book 2 is going to do to me. Definitely one of my favorite books I've ever read! I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could

[Melissa Vlaskalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of an advanced reader copy from the author.

I've just finished Daughter of the Cursed Moon by AD Dalley and it was amazing from start to finish. The creative world and character development really help you place yourself in the story with each character. This romantasy kept me invested in the characters and turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. This is a must read for anyone who loves strong female lead characters, fast paced plot advancement and a relatable love story. I can't wait for book 2!

[Tanya Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has me! I definitely need book 2!! Syra has it hard from the start. She loses her mother a the burning stake and has to hide her true identity. She and a group a pulled together. The quest is to find a cure that is taking people fast. It seems everyone on this quest has their own secrets they don't want out. This book had me doing nothing because I had to know what was next. There is magic, love, secrets, and found family but can it all hold on the quest.

[Brittney Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how the MMC was written in this. The story was familiar, though knowing theyre going on a quest isn't something you really see anymore. I would have liked a little more information surrounding that I think. There were a couple of things I wasnt expecting there around the end and I will be interested to see how the characters react.
I received this ARC from the author and I am incredibly thankful! These are my thoughts :)

[Jacquelyne Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I finish this insanely entertaining and addictive book I can’t help but yearn for more. There BETTER be a next one lol. I’m genuinely so intrigued by this story that it’s arguably my favorite read of the year. This book is genuinely SO good for it being this authors debut romantasy. The tension, yearning, plot twists, and friendships have me in a chokehold. I will never not recommend this book and will 100% be purchasing as soon as it’s out May 31st!

[Vanessasbooksta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe this is a debut indie Romantasy!

Loved the mix of high stakes adventure and romantic tension (the we need to cuddle to stay warm - swoon!!)

This was a mix of dark academia vibes, magical quests, and incredible tension!!!

🌙 FMC: forbidden shadow magic is lethal and fierce.
☠️ Touch her and die
🔥 Slow.burn.
🧪 Potion master
☀️ Reluctant allies to lovers
🏔️ Prophecy and travel adventures
💨 Elemental magic
🏠 Found family

[Fifi O’Reilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Gosh. This book was AMAZING! i loved every minute of it and wished it could never end. i hope there will be a sequel because the storytelling was amazing — rich and vibrant — but it will tear your heart out. thank you for such an amazing book. i can’t wait to see what’s in store! this book deserves more than 5 stars btw. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/10!

[Jacqui Stockwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy forking shirtballs batman! I haven't craved and devoured a book like that in a minute. I'm not sure what the author put in this book, but its like crack. I never wanted to put it down or it to end! 10 out of 10, no notes!

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpha read place holder—this book is already INCREDIBLE! I can’t wait to reread the final production 😍

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A full review to come, but this book was AMAZING!! I am ruined.

[Sirena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will write a better review once I wrap my head around the amazing story I just read.