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Sugar Moon
Love is magic...
Elise sells magic, charms and dreams out the back door of her brightly painted wagon. A Witch and daughter of the Maja, she believes that everything happens for a reason, but she has never quite understood why there is a hollow feeling in the place where her heart should be.
One night, at the fabled Moon Market, she meets a beautiful stranger. The mysterious woman's name is Via, and Elise is drawn to her, body, heart and soul.
But Elise's past and Via's secret may tear the two women apart... Is true love possible, or is it only a fairy tale?
(Ed. Note: Sugar Moon: A Novella was originally published under the pen name “Sarah Diemer” in 2011. It was shortly unpublished thereafter. This is the new, reworked version.)
Elise sells magic, charms and dreams out the back door of her brightly painted wagon. A Witch and daughter of the Maja, she believes that everything happens for a reason, but she has never quite understood why there is a hollow feeling in the place where her heart should be.
One night, at the fabled Moon Market, she meets a beautiful stranger. The mysterious woman's name is Via, and Elise is drawn to her, body, heart and soul.
But Elise's past and Via's secret may tear the two women apart... Is true love possible, or is it only a fairy tale?
(Ed. Note: Sugar Moon: A Novella was originally published under the pen name “Sarah Diemer” in 2011. It was shortly unpublished thereafter. This is the new, reworked version.)
53 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2011
About the author
Sarah Diemer
27 books801 followersI write about heroic, magical girls who love girls. YA author of Golden Crown Award-winning THE DARK WIFE (the lesbian, YA retelling of the Persephone myth) and TWIXT and co-author, with my amazing wife, author Jennifer Diemer, of Project Unicorn: A Lesbian YA Extravaganza.
http://www.MuseRising.com
http://www.MuseRising.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 25, 2011
Sugar Moon by Sarah Diemer is one of those books that had every potential for me to fall in love with it. Magic! Witches! Magic markets! Supernatural creatures! Good and evil! As it is, this novella was really rather wonderful -- but I couldn't help the feeling that it was an idea that could have used with some more flesh and exposition.
The story follows a Maja (a witch who believes in a Goddess whose only command is to love) named Elise who lives a lonely life, traveling in her bandyloo (akin to a gypsy caravan) and bringing magic to other people's lives even as her own life seems devoid of it. The Moon Market, a gathering held among the Maja, is one of her only opportunities to socialize, and her brother Tom urges her to find a companion, as it is unnatural for any grown Maja to be alone.
But Elise has more concerns than just finding love, as sightings of the Fevered -- mysterious creatures who lurk almost as shadows blotting out the landscape -- remind her of the terrible past she thought had been laid to rest.
I'll be the first to admit that Sugar Moon offered me a very fascinating world, but the story didn't seem to rely on its unique elements -- the Moon Market, the various social groups/divisions within this world, even the true danger of the Fevered -- as much as it could have. Instead, the story is very much an internal account, the narrative drawn tightly around Elise and her own experiences.
The story in this first installment focuses on Elise meeting her love interest, Via, and then being sent on a journey to help banish the Fevered once and for all. However much I enjoyed the world within this novel, I can't say I enjoyed the romance -- one that's built on a mystic bond rather than companionship over a period of time -- as much as I should have. Though the nature of such a relationship fit into the world of this story, I'm not romantic enough to say I can ever back "insta-love" (made famous by many YA paranormal books), which to me never seems as true as love built from time and experience. Of course, other readers will likely find charm in such a pair twined together by fate, so take this reviewer's gripe with a grain of salt.
As always, Sarah Diemer's writing is just lovely. Though her stories thrive on characters rather than plot, she has such a way of weaving words that the reading experience is wonderful even without action-centric moments or plot twists and revelations within the narrative. It's easy to imagine your way into this world Diemer has crafted, and that in and of itself is a hard feat for any writer to manage.
However much I wished it would have been longer and deeper, Sugar Moon is a very solid fantasy novella built on whimsical moments, pretty prose, and vibrant emotions. Here's hoping that the sequel, Marrow Moon, will be just as engaging while also fleshing out even more of this magical world.
The story follows a Maja (a witch who believes in a Goddess whose only command is to love) named Elise who lives a lonely life, traveling in her bandyloo (akin to a gypsy caravan) and bringing magic to other people's lives even as her own life seems devoid of it. The Moon Market, a gathering held among the Maja, is one of her only opportunities to socialize, and her brother Tom urges her to find a companion, as it is unnatural for any grown Maja to be alone.
But Elise has more concerns than just finding love, as sightings of the Fevered -- mysterious creatures who lurk almost as shadows blotting out the landscape -- remind her of the terrible past she thought had been laid to rest.
I'll be the first to admit that Sugar Moon offered me a very fascinating world, but the story didn't seem to rely on its unique elements -- the Moon Market, the various social groups/divisions within this world, even the true danger of the Fevered -- as much as it could have. Instead, the story is very much an internal account, the narrative drawn tightly around Elise and her own experiences.
The story in this first installment focuses on Elise meeting her love interest, Via, and then being sent on a journey to help banish the Fevered once and for all. However much I enjoyed the world within this novel, I can't say I enjoyed the romance -- one that's built on a mystic bond rather than companionship over a period of time -- as much as I should have. Though the nature of such a relationship fit into the world of this story, I'm not romantic enough to say I can ever back "insta-love" (made famous by many YA paranormal books), which to me never seems as true as love built from time and experience. Of course, other readers will likely find charm in such a pair twined together by fate, so take this reviewer's gripe with a grain of salt.
As always, Sarah Diemer's writing is just lovely. Though her stories thrive on characters rather than plot, she has such a way of weaving words that the reading experience is wonderful even without action-centric moments or plot twists and revelations within the narrative. It's easy to imagine your way into this world Diemer has crafted, and that in and of itself is a hard feat for any writer to manage.
However much I wished it would have been longer and deeper, Sugar Moon is a very solid fantasy novella built on whimsical moments, pretty prose, and vibrant emotions. Here's hoping that the sequel, Marrow Moon, will be just as engaging while also fleshing out even more of this magical world.
December 19, 2019
4.5 stars
Oh, I did love this little f/f romance! It had a fairytale feeling, with beautiful narration and a compelling protagonist and a soft moonlit romance. The only problem I had with it was that the 'reveal' was set up too overtly so I realized it before I even got her name, and I would have loved to have some time to wonder at what her role was in the story before having it handed to me. Instead there was a bit of impatience waiting for Elise to also realize.
A rich world full of magic and witchery and the mysterious, I'd love to spend more time here, especially as it feels like the story has only just begun with this novella. I'll have to look up the rest of the Maja trilogy, and hopefully !
Oh, I did love this little f/f romance! It had a fairytale feeling, with beautiful narration and a compelling protagonist and a soft moonlit romance. The only problem I had with it was that the 'reveal' was set up too overtly so I realized it before I even got her name, and I would have loved to have some time to wonder at what her role was in the story before having it handed to me. Instead there was a bit of impatience waiting for Elise to also realize.
A rich world full of magic and witchery and the mysterious, I'd love to spend more time here, especially as it feels like the story has only just begun with this novella. I'll have to look up the rest of the Maja trilogy, and hopefully !
November 30, 2017
A group of travellers - wanderers who . . . um . . wander, are named the Maja. One of them, Elise, is heading towards the place where the Maja meet up with each other once every month.
Along the way she feels like she's being watched, flees, stops by a lake, strips naked and floats in cold lake water, is almost drowned by the ghost of her mother who whispers things about 'listen'; meets another woman who seems incapable of saying anything but 'listen' (okay, not really, but she also says it repeatedly) . . . and other stuff happen.
Also there are wolves and werewolves.
Rating: 3.88
November 22 2017
Along the way she feels like she's being watched, flees, stops by a lake, strips naked and floats in cold lake water, is almost drowned by the ghost of her mother who whispers things about 'listen'; meets another woman who seems incapable of saying anything but 'listen' (okay, not really, but she also says it repeatedly) . . . and other stuff happen.
Also there are wolves and werewolves.
Rating: 3.88
November 22 2017
July 2, 2012
I picked up Sugar Moon by Sarah Diemer because it sounded like something a lovely pagan, such as myself, should read. While I love witchy tales (including Harry Potter, The Hollows, and the Caster Chronicles), there is a distinct lack of witchy tales that are true to the Pagan religion. Most are about waving wands and reciting incantations. And don't get me wrong, I enjoy that, but it isn't what paganism is about. So, perhaps, I should call this pagan fiction. Not witchy fiction.
The main character, Elise, lives her life traveling in a bandyloo (to the right is a picture of what I imagined it looking like) which is pulled by her sweet pony, Matilda. Whenever she comes to a Keep she leaves offerings for her goddess. But the evil which killed her mother is back. The Fevered.
The Maja ask her to be their representative among a group of magical races to figure out how to defeat the Fevered once and for all. There are five other magical races: Virtue, Elemental, Austere, Shifter, and Hedgewic. They all come together at a Kindred House which are traditionally tended to by the Maja. But this one has long been abandoned and is in disrepair.
Elise is very independent, and she loves the open road, traveling further than most Maja. The idea of tending a Kindred House is something she can't fathom, but she agrees nonetheless. She's young and single and not really interested in love. Until she meets Via. She falls hard and fast, even knowing that she may only have one night with her. I loved this book, so much so, that I recently re-read it. I'm still looking forward to reading Marrow Moon, when it’s available, as well as some of Sarah Diemer’s other stuff.
The main character, Elise, lives her life traveling in a bandyloo (to the right is a picture of what I imagined it looking like) which is pulled by her sweet pony, Matilda. Whenever she comes to a Keep she leaves offerings for her goddess. But the evil which killed her mother is back. The Fevered.
The Maja ask her to be their representative among a group of magical races to figure out how to defeat the Fevered once and for all. There are five other magical races: Virtue, Elemental, Austere, Shifter, and Hedgewic. They all come together at a Kindred House which are traditionally tended to by the Maja. But this one has long been abandoned and is in disrepair.
Elise is very independent, and she loves the open road, traveling further than most Maja. The idea of tending a Kindred House is something she can't fathom, but she agrees nonetheless. She's young and single and not really interested in love. Until she meets Via. She falls hard and fast, even knowing that she may only have one night with her. I loved this book, so much so, that I recently re-read it. I'm still looking forward to reading Marrow Moon, when it’s available, as well as some of Sarah Diemer’s other stuff.
September 17, 2013
From my blog, http://wordvagabond.wordpress.com/ Reviews of independent and small press publications.
Sugar Moon is the engaging beginning to Sarah Diemer’s new Maja Trilogy, a thrilling mix of dark fantasy and romance. Diemer is an up-and-coming new independent author whose last work, The Dark Wife, was #2 on the Amazon LGBT Top Ten list. Her lush writing style and use of sensory imagery create an immersive sense of place. Within a few pages, the reader has a fairly good sense of the world, making it easy to be drawn into the story and commit to the characters.
The characters themselves are likeable and fun. My favourite so far is Bael, a Hedgewic who specialises in death magic. Sadly, she is introduced at the very end of this novella, but I hope to see more of her in future installments. The main character, Elise, is passionate and inspiring, but at times she seems a bit two-dimensional. Part of this is due to the pacing of a story, which is a little fast and could benefit from some “down time” to show aspects of the characters rather than simply tell the reader about them in passing. The other contributing factor is the romance side of the story, which I find also a little fast-paced and a bit heavy-handed. This is largely a matter of taste, except where it overwhelms the primary plot.
We get only a glimpse of that plot in this first book, but it promises to be a thrilling ride. All in all this is a quick, fun read by an author who is definitely one to follow! The next installment of The Maja Trilogy is due out in September.
Sugar Moon is the engaging beginning to Sarah Diemer’s new Maja Trilogy, a thrilling mix of dark fantasy and romance. Diemer is an up-and-coming new independent author whose last work, The Dark Wife, was #2 on the Amazon LGBT Top Ten list. Her lush writing style and use of sensory imagery create an immersive sense of place. Within a few pages, the reader has a fairly good sense of the world, making it easy to be drawn into the story and commit to the characters.
The characters themselves are likeable and fun. My favourite so far is Bael, a Hedgewic who specialises in death magic. Sadly, she is introduced at the very end of this novella, but I hope to see more of her in future installments. The main character, Elise, is passionate and inspiring, but at times she seems a bit two-dimensional. Part of this is due to the pacing of a story, which is a little fast and could benefit from some “down time” to show aspects of the characters rather than simply tell the reader about them in passing. The other contributing factor is the romance side of the story, which I find also a little fast-paced and a bit heavy-handed. This is largely a matter of taste, except where it overwhelms the primary plot.
We get only a glimpse of that plot in this first book, but it promises to be a thrilling ride. All in all this is a quick, fun read by an author who is definitely one to follow! The next installment of The Maja Trilogy is due out in September.
August 18, 2011
Sugar Moon is a novella. There's enough story and world-building here for a whole novel, so I'm very happy about the prospect of two more stories in this world (not least because the story ends without resolving the main plot line, of course). It's a light read -- it felt like it took no time at all to read -- but with plenty of room to expand.
The central relationship is ostensibly that of Elise and Via, but I didn't feel that as much as I felt the sibling relationship between Elise and her brother. I'm hoping to see more of him, though of course I want to see Elise and Via's relationship grow as well. The soulmate idea is nice, but it'd be good to see it backed up with further development in the next book. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the other characters and their magic and ways of life, too.
In conclusion: I liked it, but it definitely left me wanting.
The central relationship is ostensibly that of Elise and Via, but I didn't feel that as much as I felt the sibling relationship between Elise and her brother. I'm hoping to see more of him, though of course I want to see Elise and Via's relationship grow as well. The soulmate idea is nice, but it'd be good to see it backed up with further development in the next book. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the other characters and their magic and ways of life, too.
In conclusion: I liked it, but it definitely left me wanting.
May 24, 2019
Read as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2019, to fill 10) A book with "pop", "sugar", or "challenge" in the title.
This was cute. Not really my genre, and a bit flowery for my tastes, but it was fine.
This was cute. Not really my genre, and a bit flowery for my tastes, but it was fine.
October 29, 2012
Great start to a trilogy - now if only the author would put out the second book. :)
August 15, 2017
EDITED Review 08/15/17: Rounded up to 4. Let me start by saying there is no plot to this cute little story.
It doesn't even feel like the prologue to a story, ending right where the plot should pick up. It feels more like a portion of a novel, probably about 2/3's in was plucked out and set down on its own. As if there was portion of the story we should have seen, needed to have seen, and were expected to know in order to really have this story hit where it needed, as well as for the adventure about to start.
But we get none of that. It feels like a teaser.
And while I appreciate the author writing this story and continuing to write her works, I really would recommend she read a few books in order to polish her writing, since of the ones I've read all have the same weaknesses, like lack of real plot, 2-D villains, relationships that seem steeped more in physical attraction rather than a person's character of heart, etc. That sounds harsh, but isn't meant as such. I enjoy the author's works, but I see where she could really push them from casual reader enjoyment to something greater. I almost feel like the author holds back and doesn't push on the characters at all, and that alone bothers me when reading.
I did enjoy this short story, but as with THE DARK WIFE, I wish there were more, and I wish she had a beta reader or editor that had pointed these weaknesses out to her so that she could push her work farther.
It doesn't even feel like the prologue to a story, ending right where the plot should pick up. It feels more like a portion of a novel, probably about 2/3's in was plucked out and set down on its own. As if there was portion of the story we should have seen, needed to have seen, and were expected to know in order to really have this story hit where it needed, as well as for the adventure about to start.
But we get none of that. It feels like a teaser.
And while I appreciate the author writing this story and continuing to write her works, I really would recommend she read a few books in order to polish her writing, since of the ones I've read all have the same weaknesses, like lack of real plot, 2-D villains, relationships that seem steeped more in physical attraction rather than a person's character of heart, etc. That sounds harsh, but isn't meant as such. I enjoy the author's works, but I see where she could really push them from casual reader enjoyment to something greater. I almost feel like the author holds back and doesn't push on the characters at all, and that alone bothers me when reading.
I did enjoy this short story, but as with THE DARK WIFE, I wish there were more, and I wish she had a beta reader or editor that had pointed these weaknesses out to her so that she could push her work farther.
August 2, 2021
5 stars for original Sarah Diemer version, 3 stars for updated Bridget Essex version.
July 18, 2011
Dreamy, idyllic, with a hint of danger, 'Sugar Moon' introduces us to the world of Elise, a lone witch girl traveling the country in search of rare botanicals. With her rich and evocative language, Diemer ropes you into the story and holds you with seemingly simple characters, though that is deceptive. As the story unfolds, you're drawn down deeper into a beautiful story that only leaves you wanting more as you come up for air.
January 7, 2013
I love the world Sarah Diemer has crafted in this book. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next in the series. It's a short read (around 160 pgs on e-readers) but it's a great one. My only complaint would be that there could have been more developments to draw it out more. However, the details were still poignant and enrapturing. I'll definitely be reading more of Sarah's works in the future.
January 5, 2012
Another Sarah book! So soon after the next and the beginning of a trio of novella's. I can't wait to see where this book goes. And I love how inspired about Soul Mates (and bonds) Sarah's writing in her books (and about her own life) her writing always leaves me.
I love hearing all about the spiritual lives of the characters they've been working together. I can't wait until summer for part two
I love hearing all about the spiritual lives of the characters they've been working together. I can't wait until summer for part two
January 5, 2012
This is an interesting story. The main character is well developed, as is the world she's in. I guess this is a wimpy review because I am needing to move on to book two--what is going to happen with the ickie sickie that is killing everyone? And what of her brother? I don't want to put any spoilers out there. This book is well worth picking up!
Currently Reading
July 4, 2011I don't want this to end!
June 26, 2011
A beautiful and light-hearted beginning to the Maja trilogy.
February 21, 2012
A very sweet story, beautifully written. This book would go perfectly with a comfy couch and cup of tea.
September 22, 2011
Well written, though very short. Leaves more to want in the volume of text. Beautifully written in concept and great story set up.
June 20, 2012
I liked this, I really did, but it reads less as a novella in a trilogy as it does as the first third of a book. It feels like the moment it really gets going, it stops.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews