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Bad Moon Rising
In Gravesend, Brooklyn, sixteen-year-old Elodia is an outcast at school, at odds with her father, and longing for her mysteriously absent mother. Lonely and isolated, Elodia knows that something unspeakably terrible has happened to her—she just can't remember what.
Miles away in upstate New York, a young man named Gabriel occupies his time by killing sparrows and searching for his birth parents. Gabriel wants to show them what a good son he can be, well-behaved and helpful and no trouble at all—until a savage betrayal plants an ever-growing seed of revenge within him.
Desperate for the promise of their past lives and future dreams, both Elodia and Gabriel are broken and scarred, their lives shattered. Their wounds run deep—and that kind of damage is irrevocable. Unchangeable. Irreversible.
... Isn't it?
Miles away in upstate New York, a young man named Gabriel occupies his time by killing sparrows and searching for his birth parents. Gabriel wants to show them what a good son he can be, well-behaved and helpful and no trouble at all—until a savage betrayal plants an ever-growing seed of revenge within him.
Desperate for the promise of their past lives and future dreams, both Elodia and Gabriel are broken and scarred, their lives shattered. Their wounds run deep—and that kind of damage is irrevocable. Unchangeable. Irreversible.
... Isn't it?
156 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2023
3 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Luisa Colón
2 books8 followersLuisa Colón is a born-and-raised New Yorker, writer, artist, and sometime actress. Her work has appeared in numerous print and online publications; two of her murals are currently on display at the World Trade Center; and she starred in the 2006 award-winning independent feature film Day Night Day Night. Her first novel, BAD MOON RISING, was published by Cemetery Dance Publications in 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 3, 2023
This was fraught with tension and unease and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, I couldn't put it down, the impending sense of doom is so well written, the atmosphere is gloomy and for a shorter book this really made an impact and made me feel extremely melancholy afterwards, I can't say much without giving away spoilers but in my opinion this was a fantastic creepy read, I would love to read more by this author!
August 14, 2023
What a (positively) weird little novella. I liked it but overall I am a little confused about some parts.
The writing and the storyline were compelling even as I preferred reading about Elodia. Her mysteries were really interesting - I wanted to know why she isn't talking anymore and why nobody gets frustrated with her. I wanted to know what her mother did and I could understand why she was attracted by the one person who showed her warmth. But the desasterous feeling of grooming felt quite unsettling.
About 45 % in I got a feeling how Elodia and Gabriel could be connected and it turned out to be true. That isn't something I feel a grudge about but I didn't really like the storyline of Gabriel after he "was killed" by his father. I love a good represantation of queer themes in my books but it felt not well done how the relationship to Elliot was portrayed. It felt like unnecessary queer misia and I would love more queer joy in my books.
The end felt a little bit rushed and elongated at the same time: I would have loved to get Gabriels backstory more interwoven with Elodias story. It felt after the date at the Botanic Garden like getting to the climax of the story just to be told something different and important for about 40 pages as an interlude before the storm really got going. And in the end I don't really understand the connection of the Hurricane card with Elodia. On a level I get it but it felt unprepared as a solution.
I think I will be looking out for more books by Luisa Colon in the future to see how they develop!
The writing and the storyline were compelling even as I preferred reading about Elodia. Her mysteries were really interesting - I wanted to know why she isn't talking anymore and why nobody gets frustrated with her. I wanted to know what her mother did and I could understand why she was attracted by the one person who showed her warmth. But the desasterous feeling of grooming felt quite unsettling.
About 45 % in I got a feeling how Elodia and Gabriel could be connected and it turned out to be true. That isn't something I feel a grudge about but I didn't really like the storyline of Gabriel after he "was killed" by his father. I love a good represantation of queer themes in my books but it felt not well done how the relationship to Elliot was portrayed. It felt like unnecessary queer misia and I would love more queer joy in my books.
The end felt a little bit rushed and elongated at the same time: I would have loved to get Gabriels backstory more interwoven with Elodias story. It felt after the date at the Botanic Garden like getting to the climax of the story just to be told something different and important for about 40 pages as an interlude before the storm really got going. And in the end I don't really understand the connection of the Hurricane card with Elodia. On a level I get it but it felt unprepared as a solution.
I think I will be looking out for more books by Luisa Colon in the future to see how they develop!
July 7, 2023
Elodia is a high school girl who has suffered a terrible trauma that we are not privy to at the start of this story. We know that she used to have friends though her father didn't want her to and now she seems to have nobody. She doesn't speak; her life is school, home, memories, and bad dreams. Until one day a new teacher takes an interest in her.
Gabriel is a troubled boy who enjoys killing birds for some unknown reason and is desperate to find his birth parents and belong to a real family. These two storylines seem to have nothing to do with each other at first glance but hints are dropped like tiny breadcrumbs until suddenly they converge.
I didn't always understand why Elodia's father treated her the way he did. He was a strange combination of over protective yet emotionally and verbally abusive. When the two storylines came together, parts of it made more sense but others raised even more questions. I can't tell you why, without a spoiler but I am honestly not clear on whether the ending was meant to be a happy one. The supernatural or magical powers given to some characters seemed almost to be an afterthought. There was no rhyme or reason or explanation for them. It seemed like they were just included as a way to force the ending.
I received a complimentary copy
Gabriel is a troubled boy who enjoys killing birds for some unknown reason and is desperate to find his birth parents and belong to a real family. These two storylines seem to have nothing to do with each other at first glance but hints are dropped like tiny breadcrumbs until suddenly they converge.
I didn't always understand why Elodia's father treated her the way he did. He was a strange combination of over protective yet emotionally and verbally abusive. When the two storylines came together, parts of it made more sense but others raised even more questions. I can't tell you why, without a spoiler but I am honestly not clear on whether the ending was meant to be a happy one. The supernatural or magical powers given to some characters seemed almost to be an afterthought. There was no rhyme or reason or explanation for them. It seemed like they were just included as a way to force the ending.
I received a complimentary copy
May 4, 2023
This is the kind of book you finish tear-eyed. The writing is impeccable, the narration sometimes frantic, always intriguing, and a couple of times truly horrifying. Full of atmosphere and emotion, there's a nostalgic quality to it, though I have no clear idea what the nostalgia is for; it's just there, pervading the background, along with the twists and turns of the story. The book is not too long, and the author clearly understands how to capture the reader's attention and keep them reading. Technically, it combines a first person narrative (the sixteen-year-old Elodia's) with a third person story (Gabriel's). It's all mysterious in the beginning, as you try to piece together what's the awful thing that has happened. I felt in my bones the story slowly acquiring more depth, the characters, flawed as they are, appearing bit by bit and developing into real persons; and, especially after the middle, the story gets some real oomph and never looks back. What a fantastic debut novel from Luisa Colon. Highly recommended.
May 16, 2023
You Know that meme of Daniel Craig in Knives Out, “It makes no damn sense. Compels me, though”. That meme is this book summed up for me.
We have Gabriel, a murderer of birds and generally a bit odd, and Elodia, mute and living with an abusive father. The two stories are being told alongside each other with no foreseeable connection.
While Elodia was the main narrative, it was Gabriel’s that drew me in more, not that either made any sense to me, but Gabriel had me hooked and confused instead of just confused. Some somethings can’t be explained, without spoilers, like Elodia’s teacher (IYKYK), but suffice it to say I didn’t understand these choices, nor did I see the need for them; again, the teacher and bits of Gabriel’s past.
I found the writing style quite sombre, and Colón managed to give the book a sense of unease, but I was so dang confused through the whole thing that I didn’t even realise it had ended!
So, the tone was there, and I think the characters would have made more sense with more time spent expanding on them and not just the plot, but I equally see why this wasn’t done, so as to save the reveals until late in the book. I think it just needs some reworking/revisions.
We have Gabriel, a murderer of birds and generally a bit odd, and Elodia, mute and living with an abusive father. The two stories are being told alongside each other with no foreseeable connection.
While Elodia was the main narrative, it was Gabriel’s that drew me in more, not that either made any sense to me, but Gabriel had me hooked and confused instead of just confused. Some somethings can’t be explained, without spoilers, like Elodia’s teacher (IYKYK), but suffice it to say I didn’t understand these choices, nor did I see the need for them; again, the teacher and bits of Gabriel’s past.
I found the writing style quite sombre, and Colón managed to give the book a sense of unease, but I was so dang confused through the whole thing that I didn’t even realise it had ended!
So, the tone was there, and I think the characters would have made more sense with more time spent expanding on them and not just the plot, but I equally see why this wasn’t done, so as to save the reveals until late in the book. I think it just needs some reworking/revisions.
January 28, 2024
*2.5 stars
Let me start out by saying that this book is by no means bad. I enjoyed reading about Elodia and definitely preferred her storyline. I didn’t understand the point of Gabriel until the end; most of his storyline was rather confusing. Once everything comes together, it makes a bit more sense. However, there is much that remains unexplained. I wish the characters and ending would’ve been fleshed out more, because I honestly couldn’t really tell you much about either. The writing was pretty good, but the structure had a hand in the confusing-ness of the story. Overall, I did enjoy it; there is just a lot of room for improvement that would’ve allowed me to enjoy it more.
I’d also like to add that I absolutely adore the cover art and I’m interested to see what else this author writes in the future.
Thank you to the author, Luisa Colón, for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Let me start out by saying that this book is by no means bad. I enjoyed reading about Elodia and definitely preferred her storyline. I didn’t understand the point of Gabriel until the end; most of his storyline was rather confusing. Once everything comes together, it makes a bit more sense. However, there is much that remains unexplained. I wish the characters and ending would’ve been fleshed out more, because I honestly couldn’t really tell you much about either. The writing was pretty good, but the structure had a hand in the confusing-ness of the story. Overall, I did enjoy it; there is just a lot of room for improvement that would’ve allowed me to enjoy it more.
I’d also like to add that I absolutely adore the cover art and I’m interested to see what else this author writes in the future.
Thank you to the author, Luisa Colón, for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2023
(NetGalley eARC)
This book just confused me so much. As far as writing style it wasn’t necessarily actively bad, but it wasn’t good either. But the plot. I don’t understand it at all. I can’t really explain my issues with it without going into spoilers, so spoilers below.
Spoilers end.
So in conclusion, it’s not that there isn’t potential here, but this book needed some serious revisions and much more character development to make it into anything solid.
This book just confused me so much. As far as writing style it wasn’t necessarily actively bad, but it wasn’t good either. But the plot. I don’t understand it at all. I can’t really explain my issues with it without going into spoilers, so spoilers below.
Spoilers end.
So in conclusion, it’s not that there isn’t potential here, but this book needed some serious revisions and much more character development to make it into anything solid.
July 15, 2023
This is a book where you have to dig deeper beneath the words a little to find the heart of the story. There are gems hidden throughout this story, and characters that will both intrigue and perplex. But I think there are moments when it is too sparse, where the author could have fleshed ideas out more. Given us something more about a character here and there.
I think of this as a modern horror with influence from folklore and, possibly, urban myth. There are elements rooted deep in mythology and symbolism, woven through a tale told in modern day. The horror is all about atmosphere, an impending sense of dread. It's psychological horror and tension.
I found myself drawn to Elodia. There's something undefinable about her. I'm not sure if you would call it grace, but the author has written her in a particular way, and she carries herself through the book with a certain poise. It shines through at times and, even when her mind is restless, it's in the background. You can just sense it's there. There is something special about that character.
The other main character is Gabriel, and he is harder to pin down. Comparing the two characters, I think Gabriel feels less polished. There's something patchwork about his character. I wonder if the author tried too hard to make him mysterious or ominous.
Still, the story itself is told with confidence, and in some sense it feels like you're reading Ottessa Moshfegh. It has that feel of a story where the author is willing to delve into places others may not, regardless of what a reader will think. It makes me wonder what this author will write in the future.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a copy of this story for an honest review. All comments are my own.
I think of this as a modern horror with influence from folklore and, possibly, urban myth. There are elements rooted deep in mythology and symbolism, woven through a tale told in modern day. The horror is all about atmosphere, an impending sense of dread. It's psychological horror and tension.
I found myself drawn to Elodia. There's something undefinable about her. I'm not sure if you would call it grace, but the author has written her in a particular way, and she carries herself through the book with a certain poise. It shines through at times and, even when her mind is restless, it's in the background. You can just sense it's there. There is something special about that character.
The other main character is Gabriel, and he is harder to pin down. Comparing the two characters, I think Gabriel feels less polished. There's something patchwork about his character. I wonder if the author tried too hard to make him mysterious or ominous.
Still, the story itself is told with confidence, and in some sense it feels like you're reading Ottessa Moshfegh. It has that feel of a story where the author is willing to delve into places others may not, regardless of what a reader will think. It makes me wonder what this author will write in the future.
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a copy of this story for an honest review. All comments are my own.
August 27, 2023
4.5
Bad Moon Rising is a beautifully written horror story. Dark, magical, gritty, wet, and Brooklyn.
The story unfolds from two different POVs: Elodia, a 16yo from Gravesend, BK. She doesn't speak and something bad has happened to her but we don't know what yet. And Gabriel, in upstate NY. We are introduced to him killing birds. In the beginning, the reader doesn't know how the two stories are connected, but I trusted the mystery the writer was building and that she'd lead us to a satisfying conclusion.
Elodia's story most intrigued me. I wondered what happened to her, what happened to her mother, why their mirror was covered, and what was up with her dad who alternates between being abusive and overprotective. There's a lot of mystery and intrigue. I'm going to digress for a bit but Elodia reminded me of a scene from my favorite movie Labyrinth where Sarah but the poisoned peach and forgets everything. Elodia has experienced some kind of trauma that made her forget why her mother is gone and what happened to her.
It is kind of a slow burn page turner: I wasn't sure of everything going on in the beginning but as the two stories begin to connect the pace and tension pick up really fast.
As this book is horror, it includes subject matter that's not for the faint of heart, including physical and sexual assault, grooming, and animal harm. It is psychological, physical, and emotional horror. While there were parts that were supposed to make the reader cringe and be uncomfortable, it made sense for the characters.
I wanted more info/backstory on Elodia's mother and father in the story to help explain more (can't say more or I'll spoil it) about what happened but otherwise I was really into this.
Bad Moon Rising is a beautifully written horror story. Dark, magical, gritty, wet, and Brooklyn.
The story unfolds from two different POVs: Elodia, a 16yo from Gravesend, BK. She doesn't speak and something bad has happened to her but we don't know what yet. And Gabriel, in upstate NY. We are introduced to him killing birds. In the beginning, the reader doesn't know how the two stories are connected, but I trusted the mystery the writer was building and that she'd lead us to a satisfying conclusion.
Elodia's story most intrigued me. I wondered what happened to her, what happened to her mother, why their mirror was covered, and what was up with her dad who alternates between being abusive and overprotective. There's a lot of mystery and intrigue. I'm going to digress for a bit but Elodia reminded me of a scene from my favorite movie Labyrinth where Sarah but the poisoned peach and forgets everything. Elodia has experienced some kind of trauma that made her forget why her mother is gone and what happened to her.
It is kind of a slow burn page turner: I wasn't sure of everything going on in the beginning but as the two stories begin to connect the pace and tension pick up really fast.
As this book is horror, it includes subject matter that's not for the faint of heart, including physical and sexual assault, grooming, and animal harm. It is psychological, physical, and emotional horror. While there were parts that were supposed to make the reader cringe and be uncomfortable, it made sense for the characters.
I wanted more info/backstory on Elodia's mother and father in the story to help explain more (can't say more or I'll spoil it) about what happened but otherwise I was really into this.
June 6, 2023
Two lives entangled by years of resentment and chaos, Bad Moon Rising explores the stories of Elodia and Gabriel as they seek answers to their troubled past.
A student living with her father, Elodia is withdrawn and can’t pinpoint what happened in her childhood that has left a mark on her. Gabriel, on the other hand, is adamant about finding his birth parents and learning why he was abandoned.
This book wasn’t for me.
No matter how much I tried I couldn’t bring myself to be invested in Elodia and Gabriel’s storylines. Perhaps because what we see of them in the first few chapters wasn’t compelling enough for me.
The moment you begin reading the book, you get the sense that it’s not going to be a cheery tale.
The writing has a dark and desolate tone just like the events that transpire in the main characters’ lives, plunging them into an abyss of loneliness.
I liked the fact that the author incorporates themes of toxic home environment and trauma well through these storylines. But it would have had a better impact if Elodia and Gabriel’s characters had more depth to them.
With two stories running parallel to each other, you begin to wonder what the connection is. I couldn’t digest that revelation – it’s disturbing and honestly, highly unnecessary.
I also wasn’t convinced by the ending. But maybe some other readers thought it made sense?
On the whole, I was intrigued by the premise of Bad Moon Rising but the execution of the story missed the mark, in my opinion.
Note – I received an e-book copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A student living with her father, Elodia is withdrawn and can’t pinpoint what happened in her childhood that has left a mark on her. Gabriel, on the other hand, is adamant about finding his birth parents and learning why he was abandoned.
This book wasn’t for me.
No matter how much I tried I couldn’t bring myself to be invested in Elodia and Gabriel’s storylines. Perhaps because what we see of them in the first few chapters wasn’t compelling enough for me.
The moment you begin reading the book, you get the sense that it’s not going to be a cheery tale.
The writing has a dark and desolate tone just like the events that transpire in the main characters’ lives, plunging them into an abyss of loneliness.
I liked the fact that the author incorporates themes of toxic home environment and trauma well through these storylines. But it would have had a better impact if Elodia and Gabriel’s characters had more depth to them.
With two stories running parallel to each other, you begin to wonder what the connection is. I couldn’t digest that revelation – it’s disturbing and honestly, highly unnecessary.
I also wasn’t convinced by the ending. But maybe some other readers thought it made sense?
On the whole, I was intrigued by the premise of Bad Moon Rising but the execution of the story missed the mark, in my opinion.
Note – I received an e-book copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2023
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Luisa Colon for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Bad Moon Rising coming out August 11, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
In Gravesend, Brooklyn, sixteen-year-old Elodia is known by her peers as an outcast. She keeps to herself. She doesn’t always get along with her father, and longs for her mother who disappeared. Lonely and isolated, Elodia knows that something horrible has happened to her in the past, but she has no memory of it.
Miles away in upstate New York, a troubled young man named Gabriel spends his time by killing sparrows and looking for his birth parents. Gabriel wants to show them what a good son he is now, well-behaved and kind. That is until a betrayal makes him turn to revenge.
Desperate for the promise of their past lives and future dreams, both Elodia and Gabriel are broken and scarred, their lives shattered. Their wounds run deep—and that kind of damage is irrevocable.
I really loved the first half of this book! I thought it was suspenseful and mysterious. I wanted to know what happened to Elodia. I thought her part of the story was stronger than Gabriel’s story. I love all types of horror books, especially Spanish. But I have no idea what happened in the last part of the book. It didn’t work for me. I didn’t like the reveal or the ending. I definitely didn’t think it would be headed in that direction. But I’ll check out other books by this author.
In Gravesend, Brooklyn, sixteen-year-old Elodia is known by her peers as an outcast. She keeps to herself. She doesn’t always get along with her father, and longs for her mother who disappeared. Lonely and isolated, Elodia knows that something horrible has happened to her in the past, but she has no memory of it.
Miles away in upstate New York, a troubled young man named Gabriel spends his time by killing sparrows and looking for his birth parents. Gabriel wants to show them what a good son he is now, well-behaved and kind. That is until a betrayal makes him turn to revenge.
Desperate for the promise of their past lives and future dreams, both Elodia and Gabriel are broken and scarred, their lives shattered. Their wounds run deep—and that kind of damage is irrevocable.
I really loved the first half of this book! I thought it was suspenseful and mysterious. I wanted to know what happened to Elodia. I thought her part of the story was stronger than Gabriel’s story. I love all types of horror books, especially Spanish. But I have no idea what happened in the last part of the book. It didn’t work for me. I didn’t like the reveal or the ending. I definitely didn’t think it would be headed in that direction. But I’ll check out other books by this author.
August 26, 2023
I should've known this book wouldn't be for me as soon as I read the words "Gabriel liked to kill sparrows", but somehow I just couldn't stop reading! Bad Moon Rising follows Gabriel, the aforementioned sparrow killer, and Elodia, a mute sixteen year old who lives with her abusive father. It doesn't sound like a particularly happy book, does it?
The two narratives, Gabriel's and Elodia's, seem to have no connection for a lot of the book, and it definitely kept me interested as I tried to figure out how they were going to come together, if at all. I found, however, that when the connection was revealed it just left me with more questions than answers and I found the ending to be pretty unsatisfying.
A bunch of the elements of this story seemed to be added in as an afterthought or for shock value (hello, unnecessary incest plotline) and I think the book could've benefitted from a few revisions or a slightly higher word count to allow for more explanations.
Overall, the writing was compelling and the author definitely managed to create the creepy mood that goes hand in hand with the horror genre, however, I can't say that I enjoyed this book. It just wasn't for me.
I recieved a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publishers in return for an honest review. All of the opinions above are my own.
The two narratives, Gabriel's and Elodia's, seem to have no connection for a lot of the book, and it definitely kept me interested as I tried to figure out how they were going to come together, if at all. I found, however, that when the connection was revealed it just left me with more questions than answers and I found the ending to be pretty unsatisfying.
A bunch of the elements of this story seemed to be added in as an afterthought or for shock value (hello, unnecessary incest plotline) and I think the book could've benefitted from a few revisions or a slightly higher word count to allow for more explanations.
Overall, the writing was compelling and the author definitely managed to create the creepy mood that goes hand in hand with the horror genre, however, I can't say that I enjoyed this book. It just wasn't for me.
I recieved a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publishers in return for an honest review. All of the opinions above are my own.
July 21, 2023
Bad Moon Rising is the debut novel of Luisa Colón, and it does not disappoint. It leans towards a more YA mystery with horror elements than true horror. The story is told in a non-linear timeline between the differing perspectives of Elodia and Gabriel. Elodia is a social outcast at her high school. It is apparent that something traumatic has happened to her, but what exactly is hidden from the reader. Gabriel is a young teen looking to find his birth family. As their timelines slowly collide, their futures hang in the balance.
I was immediately sucked into Elodia and Gabriel's world. The characters are well fleshed out while still keeping their secrets. The tension is expertly crafted. I felt the need to keep reading to discover what secrets were lurking within the pages. Something was coming, the only question was what that something is. Like an artist flipping the cover off their masterpiece, the final reveal was breathtaking.
I read this book in one day and greatly enjoyed the ride Luisa Colón took me on. I look forward to reading more from her in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publications for the opportunity to read this ARC. This review was left voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.
I was immediately sucked into Elodia and Gabriel's world. The characters are well fleshed out while still keeping their secrets. The tension is expertly crafted. I felt the need to keep reading to discover what secrets were lurking within the pages. Something was coming, the only question was what that something is. Like an artist flipping the cover off their masterpiece, the final reveal was breathtaking.
I read this book in one day and greatly enjoyed the ride Luisa Colón took me on. I look forward to reading more from her in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley and Cemetery Dance Publications for the opportunity to read this ARC. This review was left voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.
October 5, 2023
This short novella has an interesting premise, some rich cultural history to draw on and some fairly decent writing to back it up. Where it lacks is weaving that all together in a cohesive manner.
The changes in timeline are jarring and in one instance took pages for me to realise that we were reading about the past and not the present.
Other reviews have talked about some of the graphic content in this book. I was expecting more from the book given how vehemently people have complained about it. I was a bit underwhelmed.
I think the idea of being drip fed information throughout the book to arrive at this ultimate conclusion works in theory, but in practice left quite a bit to be desired. There’s a lot of unanswered questions, and plenty of times where I was confused as to what was happening because vague descriptions were used to be ‘poetic’ or ‘artsy’. This left me feeling frustrated.
For everything that happened in this book, the story really was about small people. I disliked most of the characters, their decisions and the outcome.
*Note: I received an electronic copy of this book via Netgalley.*
The changes in timeline are jarring and in one instance took pages for me to realise that we were reading about the past and not the present.
Other reviews have talked about some of the graphic content in this book. I was expecting more from the book given how vehemently people have complained about it. I was a bit underwhelmed.
I think the idea of being drip fed information throughout the book to arrive at this ultimate conclusion works in theory, but in practice left quite a bit to be desired. There’s a lot of unanswered questions, and plenty of times where I was confused as to what was happening because vague descriptions were used to be ‘poetic’ or ‘artsy’. This left me feeling frustrated.
For everything that happened in this book, the story really was about small people. I disliked most of the characters, their decisions and the outcome.
*Note: I received an electronic copy of this book via Netgalley.*
July 23, 2023
Bad Moon Rising by Luise Colon
Release date: August 1, 2023.
Elodia is a social outcast with a traumatic history.
Gabriel is somewhat of a problem child who is looking for his birth parents.
For me I couldn’t connect to the characters. Both characters' POVs were pretty sporadic. There were some things that happened in the book that I thought were no reason for.
The story started out pretty slow for me. Maybe it was because I didn’t know what had happened to the characters or what was going on in the beginning. The story could have been a little bit more flushed. It was confusing but it really picked up about halfway through the book, and afterwards it was over all too soon. The book was only 156 pages so it was extremely short. The cover is what caught my attention. The writing style was good and I’m glad I gave it a chance. I’m looking forward to more from Luise Colon.
Thank you to Cemetery Dance Publications and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: August 1, 2023.
Elodia is a social outcast with a traumatic history.
Gabriel is somewhat of a problem child who is looking for his birth parents.
For me I couldn’t connect to the characters. Both characters' POVs were pretty sporadic. There were some things that happened in the book that I thought were no reason for.
The story started out pretty slow for me. Maybe it was because I didn’t know what had happened to the characters or what was going on in the beginning. The story could have been a little bit more flushed. It was confusing but it really picked up about halfway through the book, and afterwards it was over all too soon. The book was only 156 pages so it was extremely short. The cover is what caught my attention. The writing style was good and I’m glad I gave it a chance. I’m looking forward to more from Luise Colon.
Thank you to Cemetery Dance Publications and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2023
In Gravesend, Brooklyn, sixteen-year-old Elodia is an outcast at school, at odds with her father, and longing for her mysteriously absent mother. Lonely and isolated, Elodia knows that something unspeakably terrible has happened to her—she just can't remember what.
Miles away in upstate New York, a young man named Gabriel occupies his time by killing sparrows and searching for his birth parents. Gabriel wants to show them what a good son he can be, well-behaved and helpful and no trouble at all—until a savage betrayal plants an ever-growing seed of revenge within him.
Desperate for the promise of their past lives and future dreams, both Elodia and Gabriel are broken and scarred, their lives shattered. Their wounds run deep—and that kind of damage is irrevocable. Unchangeable. Irreversible. Isn't it? "
Great read, fast paced, first time author, would love to read more from them.
Thanks to Cemetery Dance Publications, netgalley, and the author in exchange for an honest review.
Published Aug 11, 2023.
Miles away in upstate New York, a young man named Gabriel occupies his time by killing sparrows and searching for his birth parents. Gabriel wants to show them what a good son he can be, well-behaved and helpful and no trouble at all—until a savage betrayal plants an ever-growing seed of revenge within him.
Desperate for the promise of their past lives and future dreams, both Elodia and Gabriel are broken and scarred, their lives shattered. Their wounds run deep—and that kind of damage is irrevocable. Unchangeable. Irreversible. Isn't it? "
Great read, fast paced, first time author, would love to read more from them.
Thanks to Cemetery Dance Publications, netgalley, and the author in exchange for an honest review.
Published Aug 11, 2023.
September 3, 2023
If I could rate this higher than 5 out of 5, I would in a heartbeat. To say this is easily one of my favorite reads of 2023 would be an understatement. The imagery alone is mind blowing. The way Colón manages to evoke not just the scenes but the feeling of those scenes, the vibe they carry with them, is a rare talent. This is a novella, so while we don't get the same character development I'd expect with a novel, we still get a very real idea of who the characters are, even the more transient ones that play more minor roles. I won't spoil anything, and while I had suspicions of how the two storylines would eventually intertwine, I didn't predict the way the story ended up playing out, and I adore that. If you're looking for a fresh, new, quick horror read (I read this in one sitting over the course of a few hours, it's just so hard to walk away, even for a moment), you need to grab this.
June 2, 2023
ARC in exchange for review.
This book is so underrated, the writing style and world building were impeccable and deserving of four stars alone. It was full of emotion and atmosphere, Elodia was a great fleshed out character who was relatable and flawed. This author is extremely talented I’m beyond impressed with this debut and I hope to read more from her. The ‘twist’ was completely unexpected and I actually was going to mark the book negatively on the inclusion of the second characters storyline as I didn’t see why it was relevant, but it was a great. After about page 85 I started to lose interest unfortunately it got quite confusing and very wordy seeming to try and fit in tons of information at once and wrap the story up.
With slight edits this book would be truly fantastic. 3.5 Stars
This book is so underrated, the writing style and world building were impeccable and deserving of four stars alone. It was full of emotion and atmosphere, Elodia was a great fleshed out character who was relatable and flawed. This author is extremely talented I’m beyond impressed with this debut and I hope to read more from her. The ‘twist’ was completely unexpected and I actually was going to mark the book negatively on the inclusion of the second characters storyline as I didn’t see why it was relevant, but it was a great. After about page 85 I started to lose interest unfortunately it got quite confusing and very wordy seeming to try and fit in tons of information at once and wrap the story up.
With slight edits this book would be truly fantastic. 3.5 Stars
August 11, 2023
Bad Moon Rising by Luisa Colon this is the first book I’ve read by this author. When I read the blurb I knew I had to read the book. However, I found myself struggling a bit with the story and the characters. A prime example is Gabriel, his storyline confused me, I wish he was given more explanation. I will say I did like Elodie and the vibe she was bringing. I enjoyed the sprinkles of folklore that was spread throughout the book. This book wasn’t bad in the least, it had a unique storyline that you sometimes had to look more beyond what was written. My personal opinion is that maybe more things could have been described in greater detail. But the writing was intriguing and I will be looking forward to more books by the author. But the cover of the book is amazing.
Final review:
3 out of 5 stars
Final review:
3 out of 5 stars
September 2, 2023
Full disclosure: I know the author, and this isn't my usual fare, but I think I can still be fair in analyzing it ...
A very strong effort from a first-time author.
It's hard to say too much without giving away plot. I recommend it to people who like the suspense, horror, twisty plot out of a Hitchcock movie drama. You'll get the most out of it.
The character development is strong, the descriptive nature of the writing is both creative and compact. And the ending will give you chills.
It's 150 pages and a pretty quick read ... I don't think of it as a short book though. If the typesetting had been done different, it would have been 200ish. Still shouldn't take you too long to read unless you get scared off within the last 50 pages :)
A very strong effort from a first-time author.
It's hard to say too much without giving away plot. I recommend it to people who like the suspense, horror, twisty plot out of a Hitchcock movie drama. You'll get the most out of it.
The character development is strong, the descriptive nature of the writing is both creative and compact. And the ending will give you chills.
It's 150 pages and a pretty quick read ... I don't think of it as a short book though. If the typesetting had been done different, it would have been 200ish. Still shouldn't take you too long to read unless you get scared off within the last 50 pages :)
May 9, 2023
I don't usually say "I wish this book had been longer," but Bad Moon Rising made me want to spend more time with the characters - they are so relatable, flawed, and dynamic. And it's their relatability that really helps build the sense of dread as you feel them getting drawn more and more into the consequences of the choices made by characters across the board, across the years. And I really appreciate Colon's ability to plant a lot of pieces that pay off more and more as everything falls into place. It's a moving, creepy, scary, poignant read - definitely looking forward to her next book!
July 18, 2023
What a gem. Luisa's debut novel is poignant, spooky, atmospheric, and absolutely gorgeous. Elodia and Gabriel are incredibly compelling, perfectly flawed characters, and I got a little teary at the end of the book when all the puzzle pieces came together to reveal the scope of what they’d been through. Bad Moon Rising will stay with me for a long time. It’s the perfect Halloween prefunk, and Luisa is a name you’re going to want to remember. Thank you to Cemetery Dance and the author for the advance copy of this beautiful book!
May 21, 2023
Despite me being more of a character driven stories lover, the writing itself along with the world building in this book are admittedly so amazing they alone deserve 4 stars.
There is not much one can say about such a short book in fear of spoiling it,however this was THE PERFECT atmospheric read. So melancholically written, spooky and overall perfect. I'd definitely save this for Halloween if I were you :)
One star less for it being so short but overall really enjoyable.
There is not much one can say about such a short book in fear of spoiling it,however this was THE PERFECT atmospheric read. So melancholically written, spooky and overall perfect. I'd definitely save this for Halloween if I were you :)
One star less for it being so short but overall really enjoyable.
June 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I got to a point where I couldn't put it down. I was left in the dark most of the book and it drew me in so fast. I needed to know the answers to my questions I hadn't even asked and I wanted to know how it would end. I loved the subtle and creeping horror elements. The ending was a big build up with a very sad and shocking end. It wasn't what I was expecting, but it will most definitely stay with me for a long time to come.
July 3, 2023
Thank you to Cemetery Dance and NetGalley for providing a review copy.
While this book is beautifully written and engaging, I found myself vaguely confused almost the entire time I was reading it. I wish the story had been fleshed out a bit more, especially the ending. I understood the ending, but there were a lot of things that were never explained or expanded on in this short novel. I am interested in more by the author based on the quality of the writing alone. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
While this book is beautifully written and engaging, I found myself vaguely confused almost the entire time I was reading it. I wish the story had been fleshed out a bit more, especially the ending. I understood the ending, but there were a lot of things that were never explained or expanded on in this short novel. I am interested in more by the author based on the quality of the writing alone. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
July 30, 2023
This book just didn't work for me unfortunately. I found the narrative structure a bit confusing and the nature of the relationships in the book were really uncomfortable. The final part of the book was more cohesive and did bring things together quite well, but it didn't override the confusion of the main portion, which really impacted my enjoyment.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 28, 2023
I had to really think on this before writing a review. There was so much promise in the story, but I feel it wasn’t given justice in the telling - very confusing and unsound. The tone had perfect tension & darkness though, and the pacing was good. I just feel it could’ve been so much better if the parallel storylines had some cohesion from the start. Loved the cover art
December 6, 2023
easily the WORST book I have ever read. WHAT THE FREAK IS THIS. First we get a weird HIGHSCHOOL TEACHER X STUDENT trope in which he is secretly (AND KNOWINGLY) her BROTHER. YES U HEARD ME BROTHER. This was marked as fantasy and it was like the magic aspect was thrown in at the very end during an editing process. So much happened but there was no damn plot. THIS SUCKED.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2025
I almost gave up on this novella. It was weird but compelling enough for me to push through to completion. The intimate relationship between that teacher and student was discomforting which was made worse when their true relationship was revealed. The writing was a little disjointed which is where the story lost stars for me. Thank you for the ARC, NetGalley.
August 6, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book
Honestly, I had to DNF this one. It wasn't a good fit for me and I found it a bit too immature for my taste so I decided to put it down and move on.
Honestly, I had to DNF this one. It wasn't a good fit for me and I found it a bit too immature for my taste so I decided to put it down and move on.
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