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Full Moon #1
Under the Light of a Full Moon
Meet Clara. An ordinary girl with an extraordinary secret…
Clara doesn’t think she’s special, until she starts having terrifying nightmares and hearing voices in the night. Then her great aunt, Selina, tells Clara something incredible. Clara’s a shape-shifter. But with this extraordinary, inherited gift comes a dangerous curse.
Clara thinks Selina’s crazy and dismisses her great aunt’s warnings but, no matter how hard she tries, the curse cannot be escaped.
Will Clara accept her fate and learn to control her new powers? Will she conquer the threats triggered by the curse - to her friendships, her sanity and, ultimately, her life?
‘Under the Light of a Full Moon’ is D.A. McGrath’s first book in the ‘Full Moon’ series. Introducing a captivating new hero in a thrilling fantasy adventure.
Clara doesn’t think she’s special, until she starts having terrifying nightmares and hearing voices in the night. Then her great aunt, Selina, tells Clara something incredible. Clara’s a shape-shifter. But with this extraordinary, inherited gift comes a dangerous curse.
Clara thinks Selina’s crazy and dismisses her great aunt’s warnings but, no matter how hard she tries, the curse cannot be escaped.
Will Clara accept her fate and learn to control her new powers? Will she conquer the threats triggered by the curse - to her friendships, her sanity and, ultimately, her life?
‘Under the Light of a Full Moon’ is D.A. McGrath’s first book in the ‘Full Moon’ series. Introducing a captivating new hero in a thrilling fantasy adventure.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2019
227 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
D.A. McGrath
10 books21 followersD.A. McGrath was born in Chester, England. She became hooked on reading and writing after winning a ‘Winnie the Pooh’ book in a school competition at the age of seven.
Now an Amazon bestselling author, and winner of multiple ‘Litpick Top Choice’ awards, D.A. has published six titles in the ‘Full Moon’ series, and is now working on the first book in a new series, which is scheduled to be published in the summer of 2021.
When not writing, D.A. enjoys going on adventures to new places and learning new things about the Earth’s past, present and future. On those rare occasions when the UK skies are clear, she especially enjoys peering through her telescope at planets, stars and galaxies, imagining the day that humans can go beyond our solar system and into the unknown!
Find out more about D.A. McGrath and the Full Moon series at: www.damcgrathauthor.com or follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/damcgrathauthor and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damcgrathau...
Want a FREE 'Full Moon' series e-novella? Go to the following link and claim your copy: http://damcgrathauthor.com/free-book/
Now an Amazon bestselling author, and winner of multiple ‘Litpick Top Choice’ awards, D.A. has published six titles in the ‘Full Moon’ series, and is now working on the first book in a new series, which is scheduled to be published in the summer of 2021.
When not writing, D.A. enjoys going on adventures to new places and learning new things about the Earth’s past, present and future. On those rare occasions when the UK skies are clear, she especially enjoys peering through her telescope at planets, stars and galaxies, imagining the day that humans can go beyond our solar system and into the unknown!
Find out more about D.A. McGrath and the Full Moon series at: www.damcgrathauthor.com or follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/damcgrathauthor and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damcgrathau...
Want a FREE 'Full Moon' series e-novella? Go to the following link and claim your copy: http://damcgrathauthor.com/free-book/
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Want to read
March 20, 2021Free on Kindle US 3/20/2021 I’m collecting Middle Grade books on my kindle for my oldest
November 30, 2021
Taking a look at the Goodreads page when I was updating my reading progress I spotted the ‘Amazon best-selling author’ and thought: what on earth was a publisher thinking of, letting this one through when there are so many better ones in his or her slush pile. Taking another look just now, and I realise it is self-published. And as a first book, I should be kind, since my first ones needed a lot of improvement too.
The premise is a good one: Clara turns 13 and discovers she’s shape-shifter, and not only that, but the most powerful one in the family for generations. The author does an excellent job on the shape-shifting elements: both the ‘how to do it’ and the experience once one is in animal form. Making ‘getting back’ difficult is an excellent tweak. This part of the story is gripping, enticing, and makes you really empathise with Clara, especially as a swan or horse.
Two things spoil it for me: the writing of everything else, and particularly the home life, is stilted and clunky. Too much detail; too much irrelevant (or repetitive) minutiae about the family and friend.
The second thing is: well, imagine reading Harry Potter and book 1 ends after he’s been sorted into Gryffindor. Or perhaps learned to ride a broomstick? I don’t think it quite gets as far as the first Quidditch match.
Basically, very little happens, and if it was more exciting, it would be a cliffhanger. As it is, it ends. More to come. Thanks, but no thanks. Sorry. You could try using a professional editor and cutting the dross to combine the first three books, if there’s a story arc in them. But not a cliff-hanger.
This series, Full Moon, has such promise. It’s a shame I won’t be reading any more.
The premise is a good one: Clara turns 13 and discovers she’s shape-shifter, and not only that, but the most powerful one in the family for generations. The author does an excellent job on the shape-shifting elements: both the ‘how to do it’ and the experience once one is in animal form. Making ‘getting back’ difficult is an excellent tweak. This part of the story is gripping, enticing, and makes you really empathise with Clara, especially as a swan or horse.
Two things spoil it for me: the writing of everything else, and particularly the home life, is stilted and clunky. Too much detail; too much irrelevant (or repetitive) minutiae about the family and friend.
The second thing is: well, imagine reading Harry Potter and book 1 ends after he’s been sorted into Gryffindor. Or perhaps learned to ride a broomstick? I don’t think it quite gets as far as the first Quidditch match.
Basically, very little happens, and if it was more exciting, it would be a cliffhanger. As it is, it ends. More to come. Thanks, but no thanks. Sorry. You could try using a professional editor and cutting the dross to combine the first three books, if there’s a story arc in them. But not a cliff-hanger.
This series, Full Moon, has such promise. It’s a shame I won’t be reading any more.
November 28, 2017
Clara’s aunt has a secret, one that could change Clara’s life forever. One person from each generation of Clara’s family is able to shapeshift, and Clara has been chosen. Sadly, her ancestor was cursed by a gypsy that prevented her from changing into animals at will. Now the only time the chosen can shapeshift is during the full moon, the time the magic is strongest. The shapeshifters are forced to live secluded lives so they will not be questioned about their strange behavior during the full moon. Clara’s great-aunt is the one to teach her the art of shapeshifting, but soon Clara discovers more than even her aunt dreamed of learning.
Opinion:
Under the Light of a Full Moon is a captivating book that explores the wondrous unknown. It will draw you into Clara’s life through its descriptive language such as, “As the warmth made Clara drowsy, and the teacher's voice droned on monotonously, her thoughts drifted away into wishing she was outside enjoying the sunshine, instead of stuck in this tedious lesson.”
This book is a great book for ages 12+ because of the complex plot and vocabulary. In this stunning novel by D. A. McGrath, a young girl learns that sometimes life is not what it seems.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age: 11
Opinion:
Under the Light of a Full Moon is a captivating book that explores the wondrous unknown. It will draw you into Clara’s life through its descriptive language such as, “As the warmth made Clara drowsy, and the teacher's voice droned on monotonously, her thoughts drifted away into wishing she was outside enjoying the sunshine, instead of stuck in this tedious lesson.”
This book is a great book for ages 12+ because of the complex plot and vocabulary. In this stunning novel by D. A. McGrath, a young girl learns that sometimes life is not what it seems.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age: 11
March 6, 2020
The story is unique and interesting. Clara's age in the book isn't realistic for her thoughts and experiences. Would be more believable if Clara was a freshman in college, not a little girl of 11 years old. Ending was a bit abrupt. Gentler endings leave the reader with more satisfaction. Would have been better to have another chapter with Clara explaining her injuries to her parents so the reader can experience closure with the story. Liked the author's creativity.
March 29, 2023
Could Have Been Better
Interesting plot, but it could have been better. There were too many details that distracted from any action. The point of view must be universal so the reader gets what all characters are thinking. That can be confusing. The characters could have more flushing out to make them real.
Interesting plot, but it could have been better. There were too many details that distracted from any action. The point of view must be universal so the reader gets what all characters are thinking. That can be confusing. The characters could have more flushing out to make them real.
September 17, 2019
This sort of reading is kind of beyond me. But it was fascinating. In my 90 years I've many timed wished I could transform, or at least communicate with other animals. I kept wondering where it would go, but I guess I'll have to get hold of the next several books to find out. Might be worth it.
April 26, 2025
Interesting
First time reading this author, at first I struggled to get into it, think for me it was slow in telling but I found the storyline original and supernatural being my favourite read is hard to come across new (when you read A lot like I do) first time for me when the main lead is 13. (Oh ok Harry potter, Percy Jackson, Narnia,maybe not first time, but this series do not focused at school, so feels more older shifter reads)
I think she needed a best friend to take the journey with or a new friend, it's just her and her aunt selina (parents are alive, but got to keep the shifting a secret) so I found it slow, would be better if she was a little older 16.
Saying that I found when the book ended I wanted to get the next to find out if she finds a friend in a gypsy who she really needs help from.
A interesting read, different.
First time reading this author, at first I struggled to get into it, think for me it was slow in telling but I found the storyline original and supernatural being my favourite read is hard to come across new (when you read A lot like I do) first time for me when the main lead is 13. (Oh ok Harry potter, Percy Jackson, Narnia,maybe not first time, but this series do not focused at school, so feels more older shifter reads)
I think she needed a best friend to take the journey with or a new friend, it's just her and her aunt selina (parents are alive, but got to keep the shifting a secret) so I found it slow, would be better if she was a little older 16.
Saying that I found when the book ended I wanted to get the next to find out if she finds a friend in a gypsy who she really needs help from.
A interesting read, different.
August 16, 2021
This is the type of book that I would've loved when I was younger. The idea of turning into an animal and communicating with them always fascinated me, but I couldn't find any books that were captivating that centered on the concept. It's a book that I'll definitely keep on my Kindle in case I ever have kids of my own, but I doubt I'll reread it.
I'm not the target audience for this book because I didn't realize it was middle grade until I started reading it; I just liked the cover. There wasn't really anything wrong with the writing other than it not being meant for my age group. After a while, I started losing interest in the story, so I doubt I'll continue the series.
I'm not the target audience for this book because I didn't realize it was middle grade until I started reading it; I just liked the cover. There wasn't really anything wrong with the writing other than it not being meant for my age group. After a while, I started losing interest in the story, so I doubt I'll continue the series.
January 20, 2022
This was definitely written for a young teenager. But I don't think my tween would understand. Some of this was a bit simplistic. Mixed feelings about tween defying those who were trying to keep her safe. I don't feel like a lesson was learned from many outcomes. And stealing... wasn't good by me.
September 20, 2019
Not sure about this.
Just the three stars, not sure if i want to read the next. Would it be too similar? Would it answer the questions i have? Yes this book is escapism but not convinced the rest of the books are worth it
Just the three stars, not sure if i want to read the next. Would it be too similar? Would it answer the questions i have? Yes this book is escapism but not convinced the rest of the books are worth it
September 25, 2021
I did not realise that it was for a younger age group than my demographic. However this is an engrossing story of a young girl learning how to shapeshift, and wouldn't it be fabulous to understand animal talk?
February 24, 2024
I really enjoyed the plot line and character development. I am so excited to read the 2nd in the series! The plot twists were crazy and the cliffhanger definitely made me want to read more! Spoiler alert! I have my theories and suspicions about the diary and getting shot as a bird was crazy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2025
I was good with this until the odd statement all full moons start of Thursday. Really?
Then discouragement of shifting into too small of animals but a cat is easily okay, followed by reluctantly allowing a shift into a swan. Size?? Just too disconcerting.
Then discouragement of shifting into too small of animals but a cat is easily okay, followed by reluctantly allowing a shift into a swan. Size?? Just too disconcerting.
August 19, 2019
DNF - stopped after 30% as I was finding it a little tedious. Too many minutiae of everything that she did.
October 25, 2019
Amateur writing.
December 10, 2019
Very good.
November 19, 2020
A great idea but the writing style is very naive. There are a lot of inconsequential things mentioned .
November 15, 2021
Young Adult. The interesting perplexity involved with the training and development of a cursed animal shapeshifter. Kindle book was free on Amazon.
dnf
January 29, 2022DNFed at 11%: the writing style (what I thought leaned towards a lower middle grade audience) wasn’t keeping my attention and I’d rather move on and find a new story to read!
May 27, 2025
What a way to write out Clara's only friend in order to further the main plot 😂
May 13, 2025
This was an amazing book! It took me 3-4 days to complete it (mainly bc I kept losing the attention - little brothers lol) but it was definitely worth the read. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews