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Moon Witch #2
Moon Magic
Return to the enchanting world of witches...
Eva returns to Seera to escape the mundanity of her old life. There, she finds new purpose—restoring the House of Grim Star to its former glory. Her initial success at gathering support gives her a surge of confidence that catapults her into catastrophic failure, forcing her to reckon with the self-doubt that led her back here in the first place.
And then there's Orion; mysterious, charming, helpful as he is vexing, but despite the lingering looks and domestic bliss, he's yet to make a move. Does she have to take matters into her own hands?
To realize her full potential and reinstate her House, Eva must prove her worth to new friends and make allies out of old enemies while confronting her greatest fear yet—being a disappointment to herself.
Set in a lush, gaslamp-era world, Moon Magic is the second book in the Moon Witch Trilogy, and an immersive romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber and Olivia Atwater.
Eva returns to Seera to escape the mundanity of her old life. There, she finds new purpose—restoring the House of Grim Star to its former glory. Her initial success at gathering support gives her a surge of confidence that catapults her into catastrophic failure, forcing her to reckon with the self-doubt that led her back here in the first place.
And then there's Orion; mysterious, charming, helpful as he is vexing, but despite the lingering looks and domestic bliss, he's yet to make a move. Does she have to take matters into her own hands?
To realize her full potential and reinstate her House, Eva must prove her worth to new friends and make allies out of old enemies while confronting her greatest fear yet—being a disappointment to herself.
Set in a lush, gaslamp-era world, Moon Magic is the second book in the Moon Witch Trilogy, and an immersive romantic fantasy perfect for fans of Stephanie Garber and Olivia Atwater.
338 pages, Hardcover
Published May 16, 2026
About the author
Grace Zhu
3 books6 followersGrace is a Chinese-Canadian author of fantasy, romance, and anything on the spectrum between the two, based in Montreal, Canada. While not writing, she spends her days pushing pixels on AAA games you've likely heard of, as well as illustrating book covers and creating other bookish artwork for various authors, book boxes, and publishers.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 31, 2026
Thank you to BookFunnel for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I don't know where to start, so let's go with this: the cover is just as beautiful as the one we got for the first book and I'm still completely charmed by it. Grace Zhu, your talent is insane, I swear.
I enjoyed Moon Magic more than I did with Moon Witch, that I'm sure of. The main problem that I had with the previous book wasn't the case anymore. Unfortunately, another thing took the spotlight, and not in the good way: pacing.
Almost everything felt rushed and any sense of danger, anticipation or delicate mystery vanished almost instantly, as we usually sorted it out in two chapters. It was very noticable during for example. Same thing happened when . Both moments should have some kind of influence on the reader, but you couldn't really get into them since they finished nearly as soon as it all started. Moreover it felt like neither of those situations impacted Evangeline in any meaningful way, no emotional baggage/aftermath to situations that should have left consequences to her psyche (if you get what I mean).
I definitely enjoyed all the scenes between Orion and Eva, as we got a lot more of them compared to the first book and the slow burn is finally paying off. I hope that we will get even more scenes with them (hopefully longer too) in the third book since I'm craving to see how their relationship will develop... especially after that ending.
Overall, even if I liked it a bit more than I did with the first one, the pacing was too fast and it lacked build-up that could make any impact on me. I can't wait for the conclusion (despite everything I'm very curious to how everything will sort out) to the trilogy.
I don't know where to start, so let's go with this: the cover is just as beautiful as the one we got for the first book and I'm still completely charmed by it. Grace Zhu, your talent is insane, I swear.
I enjoyed Moon Magic more than I did with Moon Witch, that I'm sure of. The main problem that I had with the previous book wasn't the case anymore. Unfortunately, another thing took the spotlight, and not in the good way: pacing.
Almost everything felt rushed and any sense of danger, anticipation or delicate mystery vanished almost instantly, as we usually sorted it out in two chapters. It was very noticable during for example. Same thing happened when . Both moments should have some kind of influence on the reader, but you couldn't really get into them since they finished nearly as soon as it all started. Moreover it felt like neither of those situations impacted Evangeline in any meaningful way, no emotional baggage/aftermath to situations that should have left consequences to her psyche (if you get what I mean).
I definitely enjoyed all the scenes between Orion and Eva, as we got a lot more of them compared to the first book and the slow burn is finally paying off. I hope that we will get even more scenes with them (hopefully longer too) in the third book since I'm craving to see how their relationship will develop... especially after that ending.
Overall, even if I liked it a bit more than I did with the first one, the pacing was too fast and it lacked build-up that could make any impact on me. I can't wait for the conclusion (despite everything I'm very curious to how everything will sort out) to the trilogy.
June 20, 2026
I enjoyed this one more than the first. Evangeline has grown a little since book one and watching her struggle to learn her magic while rebuilding her house gave her more depth. Her relationship with Orion is enjoyable, though I would have loved more of his POV mixed in since he's the grump to her sunshine.
This reads like the typical new adult book; it's got a little spice, but it still reads as quite young. The humor, the characters, the dialogue all seem to trend younger. I also think all of the characters are quite flat without a ton of complexity. And the character growth does not quite match the circumstances surrounding them. Evangeline doesn't really seem to be phased by anything that happens. Most of the secondary characters are just caricatures.
There's also a twist at the end involving a secret that gets revealed out of the blue that made me roll my eyes. There was no setup for it earlier in the story, so it landed more like an attempt at last-minute drama than something that had been building.
Still, it's fun and an easy read. I had a good time with it overall.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This reads like the typical new adult book; it's got a little spice, but it still reads as quite young. The humor, the characters, the dialogue all seem to trend younger. I also think all of the characters are quite flat without a ton of complexity. And the character growth does not quite match the circumstances surrounding them. Evangeline doesn't really seem to be phased by anything that happens. Most of the secondary characters are just caricatures.
There's also a twist at the end involving a secret that gets revealed out of the blue that made me roll my eyes. There was no setup for it earlier in the story, so it landed more like an attempt at last-minute drama than something that had been building.
Still, it's fun and an easy read. I had a good time with it overall.
Thank you to the author for the complimentary pre-released copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
April 23, 2026
Moon Magic continues the atmospheric, witchy world introduced in Moon Witch, and this sequel leans even further into its gothic romance, portal fantasy, and magical intrigue. From the moment I stepped back into this lush gaslamp-inspired realm, I was drawn in by the dreamy setting and eerie beauty that Grace Zhu does so well.
The worldbuilding remains the strongest element for me — the haunted manor vibes, witchcraft politics, and fairy-tale darkness all create a setting that feels both enchanting and slightly dangerous. There’s a softness to the magic, but also an undercurrent of something far more unstable and unpredictable.
Character-wise, I enjoyed seeing more development, especially as relationships become more complicated and the emotional stakes rise. The romance continues its slow-burn, tension-filled path, though at times I did wish for a bit more depth and clarity in certain emotional beats. Still, the dynamic between characters kept me invested, especially when secrets and motivations began to unravel.
The pacing is a little uneven — some sections absolutely fly with intrigue and magic, while others slow down more than necessary — but the atmosphere more than carries it through. Zhu’s writing shines most in its visual, almost cinematic descriptions, making it easy to picture every glowing spell and shadowed corridor.
Overall, Moon Magic is a beautifully atmospheric sequel that expands the world in interesting ways, even if it doesn’t always fully land its emotional or pacing choices. I finished it feeling satisfied, intrigued for what comes next, and still very much enchanted by the series’ aesthetic and tone.
A solid four-star read for its immersive world, magical vibe, and gothic romantasy feel. 🌙🖤
The worldbuilding remains the strongest element for me — the haunted manor vibes, witchcraft politics, and fairy-tale darkness all create a setting that feels both enchanting and slightly dangerous. There’s a softness to the magic, but also an undercurrent of something far more unstable and unpredictable.
Character-wise, I enjoyed seeing more development, especially as relationships become more complicated and the emotional stakes rise. The romance continues its slow-burn, tension-filled path, though at times I did wish for a bit more depth and clarity in certain emotional beats. Still, the dynamic between characters kept me invested, especially when secrets and motivations began to unravel.
The pacing is a little uneven — some sections absolutely fly with intrigue and magic, while others slow down more than necessary — but the atmosphere more than carries it through. Zhu’s writing shines most in its visual, almost cinematic descriptions, making it easy to picture every glowing spell and shadowed corridor.
Overall, Moon Magic is a beautifully atmospheric sequel that expands the world in interesting ways, even if it doesn’t always fully land its emotional or pacing choices. I finished it feeling satisfied, intrigued for what comes next, and still very much enchanted by the series’ aesthetic and tone.
A solid four-star read for its immersive world, magical vibe, and gothic romantasy feel. 🌙🖤
April 3, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
First of all thank you so so much Grace Zhu for the E ARC I deeply am so so grateful!🫶🏻🫶🏻
Okay so I’m actually unwell now.
First of all the FRIENDSHIP??? I’m not okay. It feels so real and soft but also complicated in a way that just HURTS a little. Like they care about each other so much but it’s not all perfect and pretty, and that’s what makes it hit 10x harder. The quiet moments?? The way they just get each other without saying everything out loud?? I was staring at the page like hello??? who gave you the right???
AND THE BANTER.
THE BANTER.
I’m sorry but this was ELITE. It’s so natural and funny and lowkey flirty?? like you can feel the tension in every single conversation. The timing, the comebacks, the little pauses..
I was giggling and then immediately kicking my feet
and then immediately suffering.
AND DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE TENSION???
LIKE WHAT DO YOU MEAN JUST LOOKING AT EACH OTHER LIKE THAT???
It’s all slow burn and “almost” and “what are you doing to me right now” energy and I was LOSING MY MIND. The kind of tension where you have to put the book down and just stare at the wall for a second because it’s too much.
I LOVED IT SO MUCHCCHHH!! The last book cannot come fast enough!
First of all thank you so so much Grace Zhu for the E ARC I deeply am so so grateful!🫶🏻🫶🏻
Okay so I’m actually unwell now.
First of all the FRIENDSHIP??? I’m not okay. It feels so real and soft but also complicated in a way that just HURTS a little. Like they care about each other so much but it’s not all perfect and pretty, and that’s what makes it hit 10x harder. The quiet moments?? The way they just get each other without saying everything out loud?? I was staring at the page like hello??? who gave you the right???
AND THE BANTER.
THE BANTER.
I’m sorry but this was ELITE. It’s so natural and funny and lowkey flirty?? like you can feel the tension in every single conversation. The timing, the comebacks, the little pauses..
I was giggling and then immediately kicking my feet
and then immediately suffering.
AND DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE TENSION???
LIKE WHAT DO YOU MEAN JUST LOOKING AT EACH OTHER LIKE THAT???
It’s all slow burn and “almost” and “what are you doing to me right now” energy and I was LOSING MY MIND. The kind of tension where you have to put the book down and just stare at the wall for a second because it’s too much.
I LOVED IT SO MUCHCCHHH!! The last book cannot come fast enough!
May 6, 2026
Thank you so much to Grace Zhu for providing me with the ARC! I truly appreciated the chance to continue the series early.
I enjoyed Moon Magic more than Moon Witch. The second book feels more refined overall: the writing is stronger, and approaching it with cosy, whimsical expectations rather than the gothic tone I initially assumed made the whole reading experience land much better.
Things I really appreciated in this book:
* The whimsical, cosy, fairytale like atmosphere. It’s easy to read and comforting, not trying to mimic darker, high-stakes adventure fantasy, and that’s part of its charm. It’s a feel good fantasy with just enough mystery to keep you engaged.
* The tension between Eva and Orion. Even though this is marketed as adult romantasy, their dynamic feels naturally paced rather than rushed, which suits the book’s softer, more magical tone.
* The endings of both books. There’s genuine suspense and clear setup for the next instalment, yet each book still offers a rounded, satisfying close. For a lighter fantasy, that balance feels perfect. Intriguing without being stressful.
Overall, Moon Magic was a delightful and engaging step up from the first book, and I’m genuinely looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
I want to thank Grace Zhu for this lovely ARC read. <3
From start to finish, this book was such a good read. The beginning I feel may have started out a little slow, but once you get into the depths of it, it became such an easy read. I'm glad that the ending wasn't as I predicted and caught me by surprise, even if it shouldn't have. I found my heart racing with anxiety on a resolution to her conflict and enjoyed being with the MC the entire way. I did really enjoy the friendships formed and curious how those will develop in the third one as we get further into her story. Plus her and Orion development! I don't know if some of her naive decisions will have consequences in the next book, but I'm eager to find out and can't wait for the last book of the series.
Wanted to rate this a 4.5/5 stars, an amazing read and I can't wait for the next one.
From start to finish, this book was such a good read. The beginning I feel may have started out a little slow, but once you get into the depths of it, it became such an easy read. I'm glad that the ending wasn't as I predicted and caught me by surprise, even if it shouldn't have. I found my heart racing with anxiety on a resolution to her conflict and enjoyed being with the MC the entire way. I did really enjoy the friendships formed and curious how those will develop in the third one as we get further into her story. Plus her and Orion development! I don't know if some of her naive decisions will have consequences in the next book, but I'm eager to find out and can't wait for the last book of the series.
Wanted to rate this a 4.5/5 stars, an amazing read and I can't wait for the next one.
June 1, 2026
Moon Magic follows Eva as she navigates her new role as the fourth Moon Witch. Not only does she have to try to learn how to wield her power, but she needs to convince the heads of all the other houses that she is worthy of being the head of her own house. Luckily she has her friends to help her figure out the ins and outs, as well as some new allies she finds along the way! With new alliances forming the possibilities are endless and I think Eva has the potential to shape a brighter future for all.
I also want to say that I have been thinking about Eva and Orion and all of the yearning since book one so I am giddy that we got a lot more of Orion in book two!
We were left on a pretty dramatic cliffhanger, and I am eager to see where book three will take us.
I also want to say that I have been thinking about Eva and Orion and all of the yearning since book one so I am giddy that we got a lot more of Orion in book two!
We were left on a pretty dramatic cliffhanger, and I am eager to see where book three will take us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2026
The first book in this series was great, but this one was so much better! It was amazing to be able to see a greater scope of this new world that Eva had to navigate and explore. Along with seeing her resolve to help people that she didn’t even know. She’s a strong and caring character, who has been able to prove herself time and time again. I enjoyed seeing how different some of the houses were from each other, and although I am glad about some of the progress that happened in this book, I was not expecting it to end like that. I can’t wait for Eva’s story to progress more and see what happens next.
I appreciate having had the opportunity to read this ARC and being able to give it my honest review.
I appreciate having had the opportunity to read this ARC and being able to give it my honest review.
June 6, 2026
The second book from the moon Witch trilogy. I loved and enjoyed this one so much more than the first, I may have finished it within a day. Right from the start it has you hooked, where Evangeline and her friend portal back into the magical witchy world. This one builds on Evangeline learning to use her powers and trying to make a purposeful life in a new world, where she's the moon Witch. I love how she wants to do everything right and help others. I love the MMC Orion so much! He seems like the perfect guy for Evangeline. There's also an unsuspecting villain who kidnaps Evangeline. The ending has a real cliffhanger this time and makes me want the next book asap.
August 2, 2026
Moon Magic is a wonderfully written fantasy adventure with a dash of political intrigue and slow burn romance in a magical setting.
Magic System: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Character Relationships: 4/5
While the pacing was a bit slow at times, we really got to know all of the different houses in detail. I wanted to see more magic actually being used, but when it was, it was described very vividly. What really stood out to me was the great flow of the writing - the dialogue was fantastic, and all of the characters were recognizable by their ways of speaking.
While I love slow burn romance, the progression of the romantic relationship between the MC and love interest in this book was almost too slow, to the point where I was shocked when the relationship actually progressed.
Thank you, Grace Zhu, for a review ARC of this book!
Magic System: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Character Relationships: 4/5
While the pacing was a bit slow at times, we really got to know all of the different houses in detail. I wanted to see more magic actually being used, but when it was, it was described very vividly. What really stood out to me was the great flow of the writing - the dialogue was fantastic, and all of the characters were recognizable by their ways of speaking.
While I love slow burn romance, the progression of the romantic relationship between the MC and love interest in this book was almost too slow, to the point where I was shocked when the relationship actually progressed.
Thank you, Grace Zhu, for a review ARC of this book!
April 5, 2026
Thank you to the lovely author, Grace Zhu, for this ARC.
I had the pleasure of ARC reading the first book in the trilogy and I enjoyed this one just as much!
I’m SO happy that we finally got some romantic tension between Eva and Orion and that their relationship progressed🥹 I’d been hoping for that since finishing book 1!
It was interesting to see some previous characters come back as well but portrayed in a new light. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading the conclusion to the trilogy!
I had the pleasure of ARC reading the first book in the trilogy and I enjoyed this one just as much!
I’m SO happy that we finally got some romantic tension between Eva and Orion and that their relationship progressed🥹 I’d been hoping for that since finishing book 1!
It was interesting to see some previous characters come back as well but portrayed in a new light. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading the conclusion to the trilogy!
June 5, 2026
3.5/5
Ok cover still stunning. Thats a given and the story is much better. The characters definitely were an improvement and I enjoyed Eva's pov. The only real issue i have, which is super frustrating, is the pacing. It did ruin the book for me quite a bit even though I was loving the characters. But because of how much the writing itself with the characters improved, im rating this a bit higher than I normally would. With the continued improvements of the story, I definitely will read book 3.
Ok cover still stunning. Thats a given and the story is much better. The characters definitely were an improvement and I enjoyed Eva's pov. The only real issue i have, which is super frustrating, is the pacing. It did ruin the book for me quite a bit even though I was loving the characters. But because of how much the writing itself with the characters improved, im rating this a bit higher than I normally would. With the continued improvements of the story, I definitely will read book 3.
May 30, 2026
Loved this so much - from the story to the characters and to the writing style - soooo good!
That ending? Even more intriguing - cannot wait for the next tale.
That ending? Even more intriguing - cannot wait for the next tale.
May 31, 2026
This takes place a few months after the previous book. Eva returns to try and restore her house, but to do that, she needs to learn her magic and to get people on her side to help her restore her house. Easier said than done. And then there’s her longstanding crush on Orion that she doesn’t know if it will ever turn into something more.
I liked this a bit more than the first book, although the ending wasn’t my favorite. I liked leaning about Eva’s magic and the different Houses and the characters.
Orion is the only character I truly like. He’s so intriguing and I love how he keeps Eva on her toes about her feelings and his feelings. This was definitely a slow burn, with a lot of push and pull, which made the result explosive. I really liked them and the romance until the end.
I have a hard time with secrets being kept that should be told before things get intimate between characters, and well, apparently there was a secret that I found odd since there was never any hint that this could be. It felt like a last minute addition to add unnecessary drama and also to have another book in the series. It didn’t feel twisty for a plot.
I don’t know if I’ll read the next book mainly because that ending just seemed unnecessary and I’m not in the mood to read drama. I will say the romance was worth it up till the end.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I liked this a bit more than the first book, although the ending wasn’t my favorite. I liked leaning about Eva’s magic and the different Houses and the characters.
Orion is the only character I truly like. He’s so intriguing and I love how he keeps Eva on her toes about her feelings and his feelings. This was definitely a slow burn, with a lot of push and pull, which made the result explosive. I really liked them and the romance until the end.
I have a hard time with secrets being kept that should be told before things get intimate between characters, and well, apparently there was a secret that I found odd since there was never any hint that this could be. It felt like a last minute addition to add unnecessary drama and also to have another book in the series. It didn’t feel twisty for a plot.
I don’t know if I’ll read the next book mainly because that ending just seemed unnecessary and I’m not in the mood to read drama. I will say the romance was worth it up till the end.
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews