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Cain's Song #1
The Moon and Its Eyes
Accused of murdering the emperor, stealing a forbidden magic from the moon, and releasing a death god, Aarith Anasahara has been exiled to a realm beyond the Shoreless Seas. With his life hanging in the balance, he is forced to recount the earlier years of his life by his captors—including his trials through Mirradalia’s most prestigious school of alchemy, the mystery around the death of his parents more than a decade ago, and his journey to becoming the world’s most infamous alchemist.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2020
26 people are currently reading
1885 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 16, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
The man accused of assassinating the emperor is captured, and on the way to his doom, recounts his story. There was this girl...
It's fine, but nothing special.
The man accused of assassinating the emperor is captured, and on the way to his doom, recounts his story. There was this girl...
It's fine, but nothing special.
December 20, 2020
Mehrins style of writing is very refreshing and takes me back to how I felt reading Harry Potter as a teenager. The world building and character development between Aarith and friends is truly something the reader will be invested in and I look forward to reading more from him.
July 28, 2021
First, I'd like to thank the publisher for this free e-book giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I was very interested in this story because the world and the setting seemed to set itself apart from fantasy stories I've read before. I thought it has an interesting premise, as well as having probably one of the best opening sequences I've read in a while. I may check out the rest of this series in the future.
I was very interested in this story because the world and the setting seemed to set itself apart from fantasy stories I've read before. I thought it has an interesting premise, as well as having probably one of the best opening sequences I've read in a while. I may check out the rest of this series in the future.
February 26, 2021
This work was a super fascinating fantasy read. The worldbuilding was well-done and detailed without being too detailed; same goes for the way magic works in this world. The characters were interesting and relatable, though Elsa seemed over-the-top with the amount of backstabbing she did. I really enjoyed the way the work was framed as well, and the title is just perfect. I can't wait to read the sequel!
August 13, 2021
Factoring out spelling and other typos (missing words), this book feels like it cannot decide it’s identity. It presents as a magical fantasy, moving into something akin to Harry Potter, except there are no actual lessons. The fantasy world is not really developed, and character growth for the main character is not a gradual buildup, but is sudden and jarring. Honestly, there is only one character that I can say changed during the course of the book, and they were a secondary character.
The plot is based on some war and gods within a fantasy land. No real details are given about the war or the pantheon. Very little information is given about the magical system and the importance surrounding elemental affinities, though there seems to be some based on altercations that occur. As a result, when they are mentioned, the reader feels lost. The book could have been broken in half plot-wise to fill these holes and create a world where the reader can immerse themselves. Failing this, the story becomes a slog.
The plot is based on some war and gods within a fantasy land. No real details are given about the war or the pantheon. Very little information is given about the magical system and the importance surrounding elemental affinities, though there seems to be some based on altercations that occur. As a result, when they are mentioned, the reader feels lost. The book could have been broken in half plot-wise to fill these holes and create a world where the reader can immerse themselves. Failing this, the story becomes a slog.
July 25, 2025
Aarith Anasahara has been captured by Hal Speight for crimes against the realm and whilst on their journey, Aarith captivates Hal and his crew with the story of his youth. A story that began when he was just fourteen years old, on the day he was to confess his love to a village girl and sign his life away to the guilds.
Instead, Aarith is confronted with a creature of his past, a harbinger that he is convinced is the beginning a horrible assault upon the village. The likes of which that overran what was once his home and slaughterd his mother years before. So, with voices in his head and the urgings of a leopard, Aarith, who has never shown a speck of magic in his life, thrusts himself into Dhrakar's trials.
The story holds enough action while the trials are simple enough. Fetch a flower. Survive the night. Battle the demon. In the end though, I wasn’t sure what was real, what was only imagined, or who won, or what was lost.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
Instead, Aarith is confronted with a creature of his past, a harbinger that he is convinced is the beginning a horrible assault upon the village. The likes of which that overran what was once his home and slaughterd his mother years before. So, with voices in his head and the urgings of a leopard, Aarith, who has never shown a speck of magic in his life, thrusts himself into Dhrakar's trials.
The story holds enough action while the trials are simple enough. Fetch a flower. Survive the night. Battle the demon. In the end though, I wasn’t sure what was real, what was only imagined, or who won, or what was lost.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
May 25, 2021
I really am not sure about this read. Although I enjoyed the action, fantasy & magical aspect of this story I found the word building to be confusing and unclear at times. I really tried to connect with the story but it wasn’t happening and I could not relate to the characters. This is kinda a good vs Evil read. Great Plot line though and a very Cool title. I loved the front cover.
I won this book in a good reads Giveaway and although I’m under no obligation to leave a review I do find the authors appreciate a readers honest opinion whether it’s good or bad. But still give this book a try because maybe it was just the mood I was in whilst reading it. Occasionally I put the read that I’m not into a whole lot down for a few hours or even a few days and it can change my views on the story but I wanted to get the review out ASAP.
I won this book in a good reads Giveaway and although I’m under no obligation to leave a review I do find the authors appreciate a readers honest opinion whether it’s good or bad. But still give this book a try because maybe it was just the mood I was in whilst reading it. Occasionally I put the read that I’m not into a whole lot down for a few hours or even a few days and it can change my views on the story but I wanted to get the review out ASAP.
July 7, 2021
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and I really enjoyed it! A YA fantasy following Aarith Anasahara who has been accused of murdering the emperor, among other crimes. Now that he's been captured, he is telling the story of how things came to be, including his journeys at school. I really loved the worldbuilding in this book and the different types of alchemy, and I'm very much looking forward to book two!
March 23, 2021
Wow ok I really liked this! There's refreshing writing and a really cool, magical plot. This is an indie book that goes to show just how nice an original voice and writing can be in any genre, especially more fantastical ones. Really, really glad I read this.
April 1, 2021
Not my cup of tea
I read the book, it took me longer than normal to read. Which doesn’t necessarily mean the book wasn’t good. It just wasn’t for me. I thought the action scenes were well written and very vivid.
I read the book, it took me longer than normal to read. Which doesn’t necessarily mean the book wasn’t good. It just wasn’t for me. I thought the action scenes were well written and very vivid.
April 27, 2021
This is a fantasy book with a well defined storyline. You have relatable characters with a magical plot going that is well written. You have world building. Not sure how I feel about Elsa. Will see how part two goes to see how the characters may change.
July 25, 2021
Interesting
Students studying to be alchemists, who also have magic. They come to the end of their classes and must face 3 trials. The end of this novel didn't make much sense, but it is the first book in a series, which might explain that issue,.
Students studying to be alchemists, who also have magic. They come to the end of their classes and must face 3 trials. The end of this novel didn't make much sense, but it is the first book in a series, which might explain that issue,.
September 22, 2021
I received an e-copy of The Moon and Its Eyes through a Goodreads giveaway. This story is captivating, full of mystery and keeps you guessing. The characters are believable, even in a world of magic. I highly recommend reading this one. Can't wait to read the next!
July 16, 2022
Excellent tale
Excellent tale of magic and people fighting demons. I really enjoyed this tale even though it took me awhile to get through it.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway.
Excellent tale of magic and people fighting demons. I really enjoyed this tale even though it took me awhile to get through it.
I won this book thru a goodreads.com giveaway.
January 1, 2024
I won this through goodreads. Very hard to keep track of all the characters and situations. Mid-evil theme with more creatures, spells, swamps. A band of young apprenticeships going through trails to discover their powers and purpose.
March 6, 2021
a magical time & a good place to start if you’re just getting into YA fantasy, in my opinion! Loved it
April 23, 2021
Goodreads giveaway
Full of adventure and magic. The main character is full of doubt and fear until the final battle or is it all an illusion?
Full of adventure and magic. The main character is full of doubt and fear until the final battle or is it all an illusion?
May 12, 2021
Loved the choices of action in this story. Not my usual read but will read the next in the series. Thanks
February 22, 2021
Magical!
February 24, 2021
I Received a copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway.
This was exactly the kind of fantasy book I love reading. I enjoyed the world building, the mystery of a story already told being re-told by those who lived it. The 'not-quite-understood' references to features and characteristics of the world and its inhabitants that they take for granted but haven't been explained to the read. That is a hard thing to do in an enjoyable way, too many and the reader feels lost, but too few and they can think they just skipped something, in this case the author manages it nicely.
The split timeline is engaging as we know from the title "Cain's Song" that there is in fact, a very famous song written by Cain. So the whole time he's talking about his song its that little 'I know something you don't know!' feeling. We also know the end result for many of the main characters from the past story from comments in the current story. So as we meet new characters or they express their goals or desires we already know how it will end.
The whole alchemy training process felt like a cross between Harry Potter and Hunger Games. And I really liked it. The camaraderie between the main characters feels authentic and engaging. You feel their rivalries with other students and teachers. You feel their successes and their struggles.
The only reason I gave this a 4 and not a 5 is while it was enjoyable and fun, it did not blow me away. This is a good read and I would certainly recommend it!
This was exactly the kind of fantasy book I love reading. I enjoyed the world building, the mystery of a story already told being re-told by those who lived it. The 'not-quite-understood' references to features and characteristics of the world and its inhabitants that they take for granted but haven't been explained to the read. That is a hard thing to do in an enjoyable way, too many and the reader feels lost, but too few and they can think they just skipped something, in this case the author manages it nicely.
The split timeline is engaging as we know from the title "Cain's Song" that there is in fact, a very famous song written by Cain. So the whole time he's talking about his song its that little 'I know something you don't know!' feeling. We also know the end result for many of the main characters from the past story from comments in the current story. So as we meet new characters or they express their goals or desires we already know how it will end.
The whole alchemy training process felt like a cross between Harry Potter and Hunger Games. And I really liked it. The camaraderie between the main characters feels authentic and engaging. You feel their rivalries with other students and teachers. You feel their successes and their struggles.
The only reason I gave this a 4 and not a 5 is while it was enjoyable and fun, it did not blow me away. This is a good read and I would certainly recommend it!
May 22, 2021
I won a Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway
I don't generally enjoy YA fantasy, but The Moon and Its Eyes was pretty good. The character development was good enough that I was interested in what would happen to the characters, and the story was paced well. Some of the tropes - such as bullying and the nature of evil - were a bit trite, but overall I would recommend The Moon and Its Eyes to fans of YA fantasy.
I don't generally enjoy YA fantasy, but The Moon and Its Eyes was pretty good. The character development was good enough that I was interested in what would happen to the characters, and the story was paced well. Some of the tropes - such as bullying and the nature of evil - were a bit trite, but overall I would recommend The Moon and Its Eyes to fans of YA fantasy.
August 19, 2021
This book is really good definitely not a favorite but it was really good
March 16, 2021
I am ver5much looking forward to the part 2 of the series. It would be very interesting to know how the characters evolve and develop during this series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews