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Moon Shadows #1
Under Witch Moon
Adriel should have known that with a werewolf, it never stopped with just one body. She would have gone to the police after witnessing Dolores' death, but she wasn't certain the killer she saw was responsible for the other murders. Besides, the police didn't believe in werewolves, and they weren't going to believe she was a witch either so what could she tell them? She kept her eyes and ears open while she tried to help her latest client escape the clutches of a voodoo witch, but things went from bad to worse when more bodies turned up. She was greatly relieved when she met White Feather, an undercover cop. Unfortunately, he wasn't convinced she was innocent of all wrong-doing. It was going to take every spell she knew and a few she hadn't tried to solve the murders and stay alive.A blend of magic, romance and spells gone wrong--perfect for fans of K.M. Shea, Layla Lawlor and Lindsay Buroker.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2010
28 people are currently reading
1258 people want to read
About the author
Maria E. Schneider
36 books161 followersIf you were a character from a book, who would you be??
I'd be a dream catcher, the mystic woven spheres of the American Indian, catching the bad dreams and letting through only the good.
I'd be a dream weaver, she who tells stories woven from bits of dust and starlight.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 22, 2018
This is a fast-paced paranormal story set in Santa Fe, featuring Adriel, a modern-day witch who seems to be equal parts spell caster and de facto paranormal investigator. In the first few pages, I wasn't too sure how this story would work for me, but as the action kicked in, and more characters of both the supernatural and mundane varieties showed up, the story carried me along. I loved that Adriel was not super powerful, freaked out when she met super powerful beings, and made some hilarious mistakes. This is a fun read (with a few dead bodies), fast paced and nicely twisty, with a couple of surprises even I didn't expect.
June 26, 2012
A totally captivating, non-stop adventure into a new perspective on contemporary society, in which witches, vampires, and shifters live right along with “normals,” even though in many cases normals choose to figuratively close their minds and remain in denial, “Under Witch’s Moon” had me speedily turning pages and not realizing the passage of time. A lovely escalating buildup of tension keeps the reader on the edge, constantly hovering between “Oh no!” and “All right!” as our heroine battles evil (yes, literally) while simultaneously striving to maintain balance in her own chosen life, as a scientifically-based witch who avoids black magic at all costs.
Not all witches are that morally upright, though, and Adriel finds herself drawn into a web cast by one who scares even vampires. Budding romance, magical surprises everywhere she turns, friendships, sibling rivalry, and much much more make this intriguing tale of a Santa Fe not so far removed from our consensus reality endearing and a re-read.
Not all witches are that morally upright, though, and Adriel finds herself drawn into a web cast by one who scares even vampires. Budding romance, magical surprises everywhere she turns, friendships, sibling rivalry, and much much more make this intriguing tale of a Santa Fe not so far removed from our consensus reality endearing and a re-read.
July 13, 2013
http://openbooksociety.com/article/un...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Sammy
What an awesome read! Witches , shifters, warlocks oh my. It starts out with the author letting us see a different light to Witches. It was so refreshing to let us know how dirty making spells was, which when you think about it made perfect sense. Not the glamours witch crafty things we usually read about. This is a very well written complete story! There are also two more books in the series.
I Loved Lynx and how Ariel tried to protect him, even when justifying the use of his skills when it was necessary. I hope they have a continued relationship in the next book. One other thing I thought was an interesting twist was how truly scared Ariel was of Vampires, even though she had some mad witch skills. Not just great Witchy skills she had tons of common sense and thought things through in a logical way. Which I love reading about because there’s so little of it around at times. But I have to say there is no love for Vampires in this book.
There is a well thought out suspenseful mystery, that keeps you reading to figure out what is going on. I would have liked a little more information about Harold and how or if he recovers, but not enough to make the 5 star rating go down on this spectacular story. This is a series and I am looking forward to reading the next book.
There’s so many great qualities in this story, mystery, horror, humor, suspense, interesting relationships, and a tiny bit of romance. I highly recommend this story for anyone who enjoys a great mystery, urban fantasy and excellent writing, with a dash of romance. If you enjoyed C. E. Murphy’s The Walker Papers series, Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series or Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series then this is a must read and will add a distinctly unique flavor in this genre for you to savor . I loved this book.
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Sammy
What an awesome read! Witches , shifters, warlocks oh my. It starts out with the author letting us see a different light to Witches. It was so refreshing to let us know how dirty making spells was, which when you think about it made perfect sense. Not the glamours witch crafty things we usually read about. This is a very well written complete story! There are also two more books in the series.
I Loved Lynx and how Ariel tried to protect him, even when justifying the use of his skills when it was necessary. I hope they have a continued relationship in the next book. One other thing I thought was an interesting twist was how truly scared Ariel was of Vampires, even though she had some mad witch skills. Not just great Witchy skills she had tons of common sense and thought things through in a logical way. Which I love reading about because there’s so little of it around at times. But I have to say there is no love for Vampires in this book.
There is a well thought out suspenseful mystery, that keeps you reading to figure out what is going on. I would have liked a little more information about Harold and how or if he recovers, but not enough to make the 5 star rating go down on this spectacular story. This is a series and I am looking forward to reading the next book.
There’s so many great qualities in this story, mystery, horror, humor, suspense, interesting relationships, and a tiny bit of romance. I highly recommend this story for anyone who enjoys a great mystery, urban fantasy and excellent writing, with a dash of romance. If you enjoyed C. E. Murphy’s The Walker Papers series, Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series or Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series then this is a must read and will add a distinctly unique flavor in this genre for you to savor . I loved this book.
October 21, 2011
This was a very fast paced story, the main character is a witch who is trying to covertly help the police solve some murders (she is unwittingly involved in one of them) as well as help her client free her husband from a very bad evil witch. In the midst of this chaos she must deal with a homeless teenage shifter (you can just feel the mothering she wants to do for him), vampires and the occasional snark from her sister.
I really liked the world building here. The characters are also interesting. I liked the fact that Adriel, the MC, was not all powerful and new all the answers. She studied, worked and showed a healthy amount of common sense. This is not something see to often in recent UF (there are some exceptions to this, but not many).
As I said before the pacing is very fast. Adriel goes from one thing to another, usually half dead on her feet from exhaustion. The fast pace works here because the timeline of events is very short, about a week to week and a half (At lest that was the impression I got) but the fast pace never really let you breath or relax from the last big event or confrontation. The dialog was good and the 1st person perspective of Adriel's voice was interesting and engaging.
The characters were so interesting that I hope the author one day revisits either Adriel and her friends (and enemies) as she has created a solid foundation for a series with this book. Even if she doesn't it is a great urban fantasy with plenty of action, magic and a slight bit of romance.
Note: I tend not to give a summary of the plot in my reviews. That is why there are book descriptions either under the title on the goodreads page or on the back of the book cover. I will tell you what I think of the style, the characters or anything else that appealed to me about the book.
I really liked the world building here. The characters are also interesting. I liked the fact that Adriel, the MC, was not all powerful and new all the answers. She studied, worked and showed a healthy amount of common sense. This is not something see to often in recent UF (there are some exceptions to this, but not many).
As I said before the pacing is very fast. Adriel goes from one thing to another, usually half dead on her feet from exhaustion. The fast pace works here because the timeline of events is very short, about a week to week and a half (At lest that was the impression I got) but the fast pace never really let you breath or relax from the last big event or confrontation. The dialog was good and the 1st person perspective of Adriel's voice was interesting and engaging.
The characters were so interesting that I hope the author one day revisits either Adriel and her friends (and enemies) as she has created a solid foundation for a series with this book. Even if she doesn't it is a great urban fantasy with plenty of action, magic and a slight bit of romance.
Note: I tend not to give a summary of the plot in my reviews. That is why there are book descriptions either under the title on the goodreads page or on the back of the book cover. I will tell you what I think of the style, the characters or anything else that appealed to me about the book.
January 3, 2011
Really liked this!
This was so much fun to read and get 'involved' in...the characters were easy to like (or hate....wait till you get goose bumps off of Ms. Sheila!) the action was fast and furious and there was honestly not a boring moment in the story for me.
Maria's attentions to detail was awesome and really made me anxious for what comes next for Adriel and her 'stray' she's determined to mother (even if she would probably never admit to that).
I loved all of the description that was given to the way her magic works and the ties to nature and how it all ties together. And as a life long (up until recently) New Mexican....LOVED that Santa Fe and the surrounding was were this all took place.
Really, really great book.
Definately looking forward to book #2!
This was so much fun to read and get 'involved' in...the characters were easy to like (or hate....wait till you get goose bumps off of Ms. Sheila!) the action was fast and furious and there was honestly not a boring moment in the story for me.
Maria's attentions to detail was awesome and really made me anxious for what comes next for Adriel and her 'stray' she's determined to mother (even if she would probably never admit to that).
I loved all of the description that was given to the way her magic works and the ties to nature and how it all ties together. And as a life long (up until recently) New Mexican....LOVED that Santa Fe and the surrounding was were this all took place.
Really, really great book.
Definately looking forward to book #2!
June 25, 2011
I was completely taken with her characters and her originality in the magic genre.
March 24, 2011
When a giggly, nervous woman comes to Adriel asking for protection from a werewolf, Adriel thinks nothing of it. After all, she makes her living selling spells to the public. Sewing silver protection into a blouse isn't such a difficult job. But Adriel realizes it may not be so simple after all when that woman ends up dead, ripped apart by the very werewolf now staring straight at Adriel. Even worse, it turns out this isn't the first woman to have played with a werewolf and lost. As she tries to uncover the secret of these deaths, Adriel quickly realizes she may be playing with much more powerful magic than she ever imagined. She may be good at spells, but is she good enough to stop an evil witch with an evil plan and friends in high places?
A first installment in the Moon Shadow series by Maria E. Schneider, this paranormal mystery is an engaging, quick read. Wonderfully lighthearted, but solid in its structure, this story contains an interesting cast of characters. Adriel herself is a fun character- she's got some good skills and ideas, but needs a little boost sometimes to make them work. That boost comes in the form of Lynx and White Feather. Lynx, a young shapeshifter, is Adriel's link to new customers, and to information that helps Adriel do her job. White Feather is a mysterious connection who uses Adriel for information, but he's got a few secrets of his own. The main characters in this story have some nice characterization, but in the length of the novel, it could have gone a few steps further to help flesh out some of these characters. White Feather, in particular, could have used some additional meat to his story. He seems to have such a fascinating history and some more secrets to share. I really wanted to get to know him a bit more. Lynx and Adriel have some nice development, but I hope to find out more about their backstories as well in the next installment.
One of the things I loved about this novel was the explanation of all things "witchy." This world of spells has clear rules and structure, and the author does a delightful job of weaving that information into the storyline. The story flows along pretty well, with very few bumps along the way. There were a few times I took a quick look back to confirm an action or a character, or reread a passage to be sure I could visualize what just happened, but that was the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, the story flows along smoothly. I only noticed a few typos (two come to mind immediately: the first being a word that didn't quite make sense--"train" when I thought maybe "gain" would be more fitting, and the second was an apostrophe on a plural).
Overall, a fun read and a great start to a new series!
@ MotherLode blog
A first installment in the Moon Shadow series by Maria E. Schneider, this paranormal mystery is an engaging, quick read. Wonderfully lighthearted, but solid in its structure, this story contains an interesting cast of characters. Adriel herself is a fun character- she's got some good skills and ideas, but needs a little boost sometimes to make them work. That boost comes in the form of Lynx and White Feather. Lynx, a young shapeshifter, is Adriel's link to new customers, and to information that helps Adriel do her job. White Feather is a mysterious connection who uses Adriel for information, but he's got a few secrets of his own. The main characters in this story have some nice characterization, but in the length of the novel, it could have gone a few steps further to help flesh out some of these characters. White Feather, in particular, could have used some additional meat to his story. He seems to have such a fascinating history and some more secrets to share. I really wanted to get to know him a bit more. Lynx and Adriel have some nice development, but I hope to find out more about their backstories as well in the next installment.
One of the things I loved about this novel was the explanation of all things "witchy." This world of spells has clear rules and structure, and the author does a delightful job of weaving that information into the storyline. The story flows along pretty well, with very few bumps along the way. There were a few times I took a quick look back to confirm an action or a character, or reread a passage to be sure I could visualize what just happened, but that was the exception rather than the rule. For the most part, the story flows along smoothly. I only noticed a few typos (two come to mind immediately: the first being a word that didn't quite make sense--"train" when I thought maybe "gain" would be more fitting, and the second was an apostrophe on a plural).
Overall, a fun read and a great start to a new series!
@ MotherLode blog
November 5, 2010
Adriel is a witch for hire. Doing odd jobs here and there, she mainly provides healing aromatherapy, potions, and the occasional protection spell. Life is just fine until one of her clients, Delores, uses a protection spell not as defense against a were-wolf, but as a way to trap him. When her client turns up dead, things really start to get weird.
Adriel world gets turned upside-down in short order. First, she finds out Delores' murder wasn't just a fluke, but was instead part of a series of killings. Just in case that wasn't enough, a handsome police detective, White Feather, wants to question her, a vampire is looking for her, and an evil witch is trying to kill her. To top things off her friend, Lynx, just turned up missing. Life just keeps getting better and better.
Adriel is a great heroine. She's spunky, she's got a code of honor, and she's got a heart of gold. The supporting cast is equally well done. Adriel's friend, Lynx, is a smart-mouthed, street-tough kid and White Feather, Adriel's contact with law enforcement, is sexy and mysterious.
Ms. Schneider's world of magic is very realistic feeling. She takes you through the process of Adriel's spell-crafting in a way that lets you know what it is possible for her to do, and also explains why she doesn't just wave a wand and "zap" the bad guy. Another reason it felt realistic is because it dove-tails pretty well with how actual pagans work magic. The method is realistic, even though the results are fantasy. It's laid out in such a way that it doesn't become boring but is, instead, pretty fascinating.
The story is exciting, with a fast-paced plot and plenty of villains. The only problem I really had with the book is that in a couple of places the dialog got a bit stilted, but overall it was a tightly woven tale with lots of action. A hint of future romance with White Feather also added to the appeal. I think fans of Mercy Thompson and Kate Daniels will enjoy this newcomer on the the Urban Fantasy scene.
Reviewed for TheRomanceReviews.com
Adriel world gets turned upside-down in short order. First, she finds out Delores' murder wasn't just a fluke, but was instead part of a series of killings. Just in case that wasn't enough, a handsome police detective, White Feather, wants to question her, a vampire is looking for her, and an evil witch is trying to kill her. To top things off her friend, Lynx, just turned up missing. Life just keeps getting better and better.
Adriel is a great heroine. She's spunky, she's got a code of honor, and she's got a heart of gold. The supporting cast is equally well done. Adriel's friend, Lynx, is a smart-mouthed, street-tough kid and White Feather, Adriel's contact with law enforcement, is sexy and mysterious.
Ms. Schneider's world of magic is very realistic feeling. She takes you through the process of Adriel's spell-crafting in a way that lets you know what it is possible for her to do, and also explains why she doesn't just wave a wand and "zap" the bad guy. Another reason it felt realistic is because it dove-tails pretty well with how actual pagans work magic. The method is realistic, even though the results are fantasy. It's laid out in such a way that it doesn't become boring but is, instead, pretty fascinating.
The story is exciting, with a fast-paced plot and plenty of villains. The only problem I really had with the book is that in a couple of places the dialog got a bit stilted, but overall it was a tightly woven tale with lots of action. A hint of future romance with White Feather also added to the appeal. I think fans of Mercy Thompson and Kate Daniels will enjoy this newcomer on the the Urban Fantasy scene.
Reviewed for TheRomanceReviews.com
July 1, 2014
What starts off as a small protection spell for a misdirected customer quickly mushrooms into a devious scheme involving an evil witch with much farther reaching implications than can be imagined. As the plot grows and the tendrils of the scheme are exposed, Adreil struggles to keep her head above water and her clients safe.
The storyline in this novel is much darker and complicated than I expected. Ms. Schneider has taken great care to make her plot believable and as logical as it can be to draw us into the conspiracy that makes up her story as well as the magic that Adreil spells to insure the best possible outcome. Her characters were all well developed. Lynx was a great character, it was easy to buy into his situation and Adreil’s affection for him. I also really liked White Feather and enjoyed watching his and Adreil’s relationship and respect for each other develop. I even enjoyed the Vampire and his role in the whole scheme of things. Sheila, the evil voodoo witch, was scary as hell! *shudders* She was the epitome of nightmares.
All in all this is a unique captivating story that will make you shudder and have you cheering for witches and warlocks.
Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant issues with editing or formatting.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** June 24, 2014
The storyline in this novel is much darker and complicated than I expected. Ms. Schneider has taken great care to make her plot believable and as logical as it can be to draw us into the conspiracy that makes up her story as well as the magic that Adreil spells to insure the best possible outcome. Her characters were all well developed. Lynx was a great character, it was easy to buy into his situation and Adreil’s affection for him. I also really liked White Feather and enjoyed watching his and Adreil’s relationship and respect for each other develop. I even enjoyed the Vampire and his role in the whole scheme of things. Sheila, the evil voodoo witch, was scary as hell! *shudders* She was the epitome of nightmares.
All in all this is a unique captivating story that will make you shudder and have you cheering for witches and warlocks.
Format/Typo Issues: I found no significant issues with editing or formatting.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy.** June 24, 2014
November 11, 2010
Adriel is a witch providing different types of spells to anyone who needs them. She provides one of her clients with a spell to protect her from a werewolf, but what Adriel doesn’t know is her customer intends to use it to trap the werewolf. When the woman is found dead, the first person the authorities turn to is Adriel.
Adriel quickly learns that her customer isn’t the only woman to be killed. The local police detective, White Feather, insists upon questioning her. This isn’t a hardship since he’s quite a sexy man.
With the help of her teenage assistant, Lynx, they set off to find who is responsible for the murders and to clear any suspicion from Adriel.
This story has it all – witches, warlocks, shape shifters, werewolves and vampires. They are all mixed into one exciting story with some explosive scenes to captivate readers. This is the beginning of a new series “Moon Shadow Series” and it’s an excellent beginning. We meet all the characters and immediately fall in love with Adriel, White Feather and Linx – not to mention the rest of this crazy cast. It’s a fast-paced book you won’t want to put down.
I haven’t been into the paranormal genre has much has I used to be and this one has re-hooked me and now I want more!
Adriel quickly learns that her customer isn’t the only woman to be killed. The local police detective, White Feather, insists upon questioning her. This isn’t a hardship since he’s quite a sexy man.
With the help of her teenage assistant, Lynx, they set off to find who is responsible for the murders and to clear any suspicion from Adriel.
This story has it all – witches, warlocks, shape shifters, werewolves and vampires. They are all mixed into one exciting story with some explosive scenes to captivate readers. This is the beginning of a new series “Moon Shadow Series” and it’s an excellent beginning. We meet all the characters and immediately fall in love with Adriel, White Feather and Linx – not to mention the rest of this crazy cast. It’s a fast-paced book you won’t want to put down.
I haven’t been into the paranormal genre has much has I used to be and this one has re-hooked me and now I want more!
May 29, 2012
Adriel is a witch in New Mexico, making a living from her craft whilst attempting to remain discreet so as not to upset the "norms". Her life becomes very complicated when two mysteries lead to three, only one of which she is getting paid for!
Ms Schneider has turned witchcraft into science and her detailed explainations really make sense! Adriel is a witch with limitations to her power, and she works with what she's got. There are werewolves and vampires (this is NOT a book for vampire lovers...) but the focus is upon earth magic and quick thinking!
It took me a while to get into this book. I found the narrative hard going and naive. I did consider putting this Kindle purchase aside, but am so glad I didn't.
The description of the spells and how they are put together seem so realistic and workable at times, that I was sometimes half convinced they would work! If I had the courage to try a spot of witchcraft.....
Not sure about the character's affection for the Catholic church - judging by the Bible's opinion on witches, and the actions of the Inquisition, I would prefer to be a bit more on the wary side if I was a witch....
nevertheless, worth giving this book a go and I will definately get the second in the series.
Ms Schneider has turned witchcraft into science and her detailed explainations really make sense! Adriel is a witch with limitations to her power, and she works with what she's got. There are werewolves and vampires (this is NOT a book for vampire lovers...) but the focus is upon earth magic and quick thinking!
It took me a while to get into this book. I found the narrative hard going and naive. I did consider putting this Kindle purchase aside, but am so glad I didn't.
The description of the spells and how they are put together seem so realistic and workable at times, that I was sometimes half convinced they would work! If I had the courage to try a spot of witchcraft.....
Not sure about the character's affection for the Catholic church - judging by the Bible's opinion on witches, and the actions of the Inquisition, I would prefer to be a bit more on the wary side if I was a witch....
nevertheless, worth giving this book a go and I will definately get the second in the series.
January 5, 2011
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed this one. It was a short, quick read, and it flowed very well. The main character is very likable - strong, capable, but not foolhardy. She has power of her own, but isn't out searching for trouble. She is definitely not a Mary Sue, nor is she a warrior woman.
I liked the scientific method that was used to approach magic. Everything has a consequence, and to do anything (like fly/levitate) there are many things that need to be in balance. The villain is very bad. I wouldn't want to meet her. I also liked how the different threads tied together. It was a satisfying ending that left room for more.
And that is what I wanted: more. My favorite part of books is the relationships between characters. Adriel starts out as a loner, so it takes a little while to get there. I did really like the supporting characters, especially Lynx. The first book always sets the stage, so I'm hoping that the next book can more fully explore these characters and how they work together.
Disclaimer: I met the author on the forums and was given a review copy, but I can truthfully say that I would have been a satisfied customer if I had bought it.
I enjoyed this one. It was a short, quick read, and it flowed very well. The main character is very likable - strong, capable, but not foolhardy. She has power of her own, but isn't out searching for trouble. She is definitely not a Mary Sue, nor is she a warrior woman.
I liked the scientific method that was used to approach magic. Everything has a consequence, and to do anything (like fly/levitate) there are many things that need to be in balance. The villain is very bad. I wouldn't want to meet her. I also liked how the different threads tied together. It was a satisfying ending that left room for more.
And that is what I wanted: more. My favorite part of books is the relationships between characters. Adriel starts out as a loner, so it takes a little while to get there. I did really like the supporting characters, especially Lynx. The first book always sets the stage, so I'm hoping that the next book can more fully explore these characters and how they work together.
Disclaimer: I met the author on the forums and was given a review copy, but I can truthfully say that I would have been a satisfied customer if I had bought it.
October 16, 2012
I enjoyed UNDER WITCH MOON which is the first in a series. It is a quick and quick read with a cast of interesting characters. The main character, Adriel, is a very likable woman – brave but not foolhardy. She has magical powers but isn't out searching for trouble, even though it seems to find her. Her two main sidekicks are Lynx, a young shapeshifter who lives on the streets and dabbles in petty crimes, and the love interest, White Feather, who has a few secrets of his own. The villain is truly bad, a nasty piece of work and not someone I would like to meet!!! The first book in a series is designed to set the stage, UNDER WITCH MOON has introduced me to Adriel, Lynx and White Feather but left enough of their past hidden to allow the author to expand on this and reveal more as the characters grow in the subsequent books
January 4, 2015
3.75 stars. This was definitely an enjoyable read for me. The series has a lot of promise, and I'm curious to see where it goes.
The middle of the book seemed to lag a bit and I was a bit confused at times during the magic descriptions, but the big bad was very, very evil (in a good way if that makes sense), which made me want to keep reading. The romance was okay - not too overt but a bit "instant" for my tastes. Fortunately, it wasn't the focus of the story.
I'm interested to see what happens next, so I'll definitely check out
.
The middle of the book seemed to lag a bit and I was a bit confused at times during the magic descriptions, but the big bad was very, very evil (in a good way if that makes sense), which made me want to keep reading. The romance was okay - not too overt but a bit "instant" for my tastes. Fortunately, it wasn't the focus of the story.
I'm interested to see what happens next, so I'll definitely check out
.
March 28, 2011
As a series, I think it has good potential. It took a little longer to set up the background of the story than I thought it should but that seems to be the problem with most first books in a series. I didn't feel like the story took off until about 55% to 60% into it. I still enjoyed it and will definitely read the next one.
August 26, 2011
I really liked this book! I love the way the author makes the magic come alive in the story. The caracters are easy to like and the story moves a a good pace. Looking forward to the next one.
January 21, 2014
Oh my, thus was windrfful, and I can't wait to get the rest!
July 6, 2013
Great story, interesting characters, well written. Highly recommend. With a different flavor of Witches, Vampires and shifters that was very enjoyable. Really nice mystery and a tiny bit of romance.
March 29, 2012
Loved loved loved
A cool treat!
It's reminiscent of Kim Harrison's hollow series!
A cool treat!
It's reminiscent of Kim Harrison's hollow series!
January 2, 2019
Nice read
This was a good simple read. It drew me in and kept me interested. I didn't feel like the plot was rushed at all and all the threads come together nicely at the end. My only complaint would be that I didn't feel like I really knew what the characters or scenes looked like, since there wasn't much in the way of description regarding these things.
This was a good simple read. It drew me in and kept me interested. I didn't feel like the plot was rushed at all and all the threads come together nicely at the end. My only complaint would be that I didn't feel like I really knew what the characters or scenes looked like, since there wasn't much in the way of description regarding these things.
June 30, 2018
I was looking for fiction set in Santa Fe. This is urban fantasy, with witches, werewolves, etc. fun read.
May 12, 2011
Picture
Storyline: Under Witch Moon by Maria Schneider is just plain entertaining (and somewhat informational too!). It has a bit of magic, a dash of romance, a dollop of mystery and an extra helping of action.
Adriel is a witch for hire, helping those who can’t help themselves (by conventional means, anyway) and when one of her latest clients ends up murdered, she must pull it together and figure out how to stop her killer. But, it isn’t as cut and dry as she first thought and things get even more complicated when some vampires, shape shifters and a voodoo witch get involved.
Grammar/Spelling: I noticed very few issues with spelling or grammar. I think another good read-through by a beta reader and the story would make the story perfecto!
Character Development: It takes all kinds of folks to make the world go ‘round and even more when the occult is brought into play and Adriel is up to her witchy ears in just about every occult player there is.
Adriel is a “good” witch and she’s a good witch – probably one of the best in the Phoenix area. She’s young, but not lacking in wisdom and experience. Adriel is smart, resourceful and even pretty witty and very likeable. She shows that being a witch isn’t just about riding on broomsticks and twitching your nose – it’s all about hard work and follow-through. (Much like life in general, I suppose.)
Lynx, her link to the underground, is really something else. He’s a young street urchin and is her eyes and ears around town. Like Adriel, the reader is never really sure what it is that Lynx is until the end. He’s an opportunist, yet still very loyal. Lynx keeps Adriel grounded as much as she keeps him fed.
Writing Style: Under Witch Moon is written from Adriel’s quirky perspective on the world. (Of course, it’s only “quirky” because she’s a witch, y’all!) The reader is given somewhat of a crash course on all things of witchery and supernatural. Ms. Schneider is both very detailed and technical with the descriptions of the various potions, spells and general magickery (Is that even a word?!) without it feeling like a how-to manual on the world of the mysterious occult.
The only issue, if it can be considered an issue, was the dialogue at the very beginning between Adriel and Delores. It seems a bit old fashioned and doesn’t really fit into the typical contemporary style of speaking. Though, after the first chapter (really, the first bit of dialogue at all) this problem disappears and the remaining characters’ interactions are realistic, believable and true to our modern day world.
Continuity: I noticed no issues with continuity.
Overall Rating: 4
I’ve got to be honest, while I reading Under Witch Moon, I was worried that Ms. Schneider wasn’t going to be able to bring all of the different elements, creatures and characters together for a cohesive resolution. Boy! Was I wrong! I shouldn’t have worried about it in the least. This book has it all: magic, love, action, drama, suspense, comedy and all of it set in the beautiful desert of Arizona! I would encourage anyone to read this and nearly anyone can read this as it doesn’t have too many adult situations or graphic scenes.
Ms. Schneider did an excellent job and I hope she’ll allow me to review her next book!
Storyline: Under Witch Moon by Maria Schneider is just plain entertaining (and somewhat informational too!). It has a bit of magic, a dash of romance, a dollop of mystery and an extra helping of action.
Adriel is a witch for hire, helping those who can’t help themselves (by conventional means, anyway) and when one of her latest clients ends up murdered, she must pull it together and figure out how to stop her killer. But, it isn’t as cut and dry as she first thought and things get even more complicated when some vampires, shape shifters and a voodoo witch get involved.
Grammar/Spelling: I noticed very few issues with spelling or grammar. I think another good read-through by a beta reader and the story would make the story perfecto!
Character Development: It takes all kinds of folks to make the world go ‘round and even more when the occult is brought into play and Adriel is up to her witchy ears in just about every occult player there is.
Adriel is a “good” witch and she’s a good witch – probably one of the best in the Phoenix area. She’s young, but not lacking in wisdom and experience. Adriel is smart, resourceful and even pretty witty and very likeable. She shows that being a witch isn’t just about riding on broomsticks and twitching your nose – it’s all about hard work and follow-through. (Much like life in general, I suppose.)
Lynx, her link to the underground, is really something else. He’s a young street urchin and is her eyes and ears around town. Like Adriel, the reader is never really sure what it is that Lynx is until the end. He’s an opportunist, yet still very loyal. Lynx keeps Adriel grounded as much as she keeps him fed.
Writing Style: Under Witch Moon is written from Adriel’s quirky perspective on the world. (Of course, it’s only “quirky” because she’s a witch, y’all!) The reader is given somewhat of a crash course on all things of witchery and supernatural. Ms. Schneider is both very detailed and technical with the descriptions of the various potions, spells and general magickery (Is that even a word?!) without it feeling like a how-to manual on the world of the mysterious occult.
The only issue, if it can be considered an issue, was the dialogue at the very beginning between Adriel and Delores. It seems a bit old fashioned and doesn’t really fit into the typical contemporary style of speaking. Though, after the first chapter (really, the first bit of dialogue at all) this problem disappears and the remaining characters’ interactions are realistic, believable and true to our modern day world.
Continuity: I noticed no issues with continuity.
Overall Rating: 4
I’ve got to be honest, while I reading Under Witch Moon, I was worried that Ms. Schneider wasn’t going to be able to bring all of the different elements, creatures and characters together for a cohesive resolution. Boy! Was I wrong! I shouldn’t have worried about it in the least. This book has it all: magic, love, action, drama, suspense, comedy and all of it set in the beautiful desert of Arizona! I would encourage anyone to read this and nearly anyone can read this as it doesn’t have too many adult situations or graphic scenes.
Ms. Schneider did an excellent job and I hope she’ll allow me to review her next book!
November 23, 2015
Under Witch Moon
Maria E. Schneider
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Adriel should have known that with a werewolf, it never stopped with just one body. She would have gone to the police after witnessing Dolores' death, but she wasn't certain the killer she saw was responsible for the other murders. Besides, the police didn't believe in werewolves, and they weren't going to believe she was a witch either so what could she tell them?
She kept her eyes and ears open whil e she tried to help her latest client escape the clutches of a voodoo witch, but things went from bad to worse when more bodies turned up. She was greatly relieved when she met White Feather, an undercover cop. Unfortunately, he wasn't convinced she was innocent of all wrong-doing.
It was going to take every spell she knew and a few she hadn't tried to solve the murders and stay alive. (Goodreads)
Review:
This book offers so much to the reader. There is humor, suspense, mystery, tension and a bit of romance all woven together to create a great read.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Adriel is one feisty witch who is also very smart. She has a lot of knowledge in spell making and I never realized how much hard it is to be a witch. She never takes a job until she has done her homework and research and she does not like to take unnecessary chances. She also has to feel that there is a honest need for her services and she she does not like to use her powers to hurt others. She has a special place in her heart for Lynx, a young boy (and I use that term lightly) that she stumbled across one day. She feels protective of him and worries about him all the time even as she uses his services for information. I really enjoyed reading about their relationship.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is witty and clever (attributes that Adriel shares) and there are many humorous parts in the book. I laughed out loud when Adriel was learning to fly. The author is very talented in her descriptive and detailed writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching the action and hearing the dialogue myself. This is the sign of a great author, in my opinion.
There is a lot of suspense and tension throughout the book. There are many twists and turns that made it difficult to figure out the mystery. I felt that the mystery was expertly plotted and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted paranormal urban fantasy read. I have read this author’s cozy mystery series but this is the first book of hers that I have read in her Moon Shadow Series books. But it will not be the last book I read by this author.
Maria E. Schneider
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Adriel should have known that with a werewolf, it never stopped with just one body. She would have gone to the police after witnessing Dolores' death, but she wasn't certain the killer she saw was responsible for the other murders. Besides, the police didn't believe in werewolves, and they weren't going to believe she was a witch either so what could she tell them?
She kept her eyes and ears open whil e she tried to help her latest client escape the clutches of a voodoo witch, but things went from bad to worse when more bodies turned up. She was greatly relieved when she met White Feather, an undercover cop. Unfortunately, he wasn't convinced she was innocent of all wrong-doing.
It was going to take every spell she knew and a few she hadn't tried to solve the murders and stay alive. (Goodreads)
Review:
This book offers so much to the reader. There is humor, suspense, mystery, tension and a bit of romance all woven together to create a great read.
The characters are well developed, well rounded and three dimensional. Adriel is one feisty witch who is also very smart. She has a lot of knowledge in spell making and I never realized how much hard it is to be a witch. She never takes a job until she has done her homework and research and she does not like to take unnecessary chances. She also has to feel that there is a honest need for her services and she she does not like to use her powers to hurt others. She has a special place in her heart for Lynx, a young boy (and I use that term lightly) that she stumbled across one day. She feels protective of him and worries about him all the time even as she uses his services for information. I really enjoyed reading about their relationship.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is witty and clever (attributes that Adriel shares) and there are many humorous parts in the book. I laughed out loud when Adriel was learning to fly. The author is very talented in her descriptive and detailed writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching the action and hearing the dialogue myself. This is the sign of a great author, in my opinion.
There is a lot of suspense and tension throughout the book. There are many twists and turns that made it difficult to figure out the mystery. I felt that the mystery was expertly plotted and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted paranormal urban fantasy read. I have read this author’s cozy mystery series but this is the first book of hers that I have read in her Moon Shadow Series books. But it will not be the last book I read by this author.
February 24, 2012
With "Under Witch Moon," author Maria Schneider has written another winner. As much as I enjoyed Ms. Schneider's two Sedona O'Hala novels and her two paranormal stories ("Sage" and "Tracking Magic"), "Under Witch Moon" is my favorite. The author has created an original contemporary world in which creatures such as witches and warlocks, vampires, and shapeshifters live among normal people and blend into society. Sometimes, however, they don't blend in so well, and that's when the young witch Adriel uses her witchcraft to earn a living.
In "Under Witch Moon," young girls are practicing very unsafe sex by dating werewolves for the extra thrill. They get more than they bargained for, as several of the girls are ripped to shreds by their werewolf dates. One of the girls was a client of Adriel's. Another client wants her husband back from the witch who has him under a spell for her own unknown purpose. As Adriel investigates, it begins to appear that the two cases may be related. With a mysterious warlock named White Feather, Adriel puts her life in danger to solve the mysteries.
The action is set in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I enjoyed following the characters' movements with online satellite maps. The use of real places, including streets, churches, trails, and other landmarks was a very nice touch that added to the enjoyment of the story.
"Under Witch Moon" has a host of colorful paranormal characters, including Adriel's young shapeshifter friend Lynx; Matilda, the magic shop owner; and the vampire Tino, who owns several shady bars in Santa Fe.
Adriel and White Feather's investigations lead to some startling revelations and a bang-up climax with Adriel and White Feather pitting their earth magic against the much more powerful villainous witch Sheila. It's a real nail-biter.
The "Moon Shadow Series" subtitle suggests that "Under Witch Moon" is the first book in a series. I hope that's so, because this storyline has a lot of promise. I read a good bit of paranormal fiction, and this is the best start of a series that I've read since Kim Harrison's "The Hollows" series began several years ago, and that's high praise.
Five stars and a must-read for paranormal fans or anyone who just enjoys a good story.
In "Under Witch Moon," young girls are practicing very unsafe sex by dating werewolves for the extra thrill. They get more than they bargained for, as several of the girls are ripped to shreds by their werewolf dates. One of the girls was a client of Adriel's. Another client wants her husband back from the witch who has him under a spell for her own unknown purpose. As Adriel investigates, it begins to appear that the two cases may be related. With a mysterious warlock named White Feather, Adriel puts her life in danger to solve the mysteries.
The action is set in and around Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I enjoyed following the characters' movements with online satellite maps. The use of real places, including streets, churches, trails, and other landmarks was a very nice touch that added to the enjoyment of the story.
"Under Witch Moon" has a host of colorful paranormal characters, including Adriel's young shapeshifter friend Lynx; Matilda, the magic shop owner; and the vampire Tino, who owns several shady bars in Santa Fe.
Adriel and White Feather's investigations lead to some startling revelations and a bang-up climax with Adriel and White Feather pitting their earth magic against the much more powerful villainous witch Sheila. It's a real nail-biter.
The "Moon Shadow Series" subtitle suggests that "Under Witch Moon" is the first book in a series. I hope that's so, because this storyline has a lot of promise. I read a good bit of paranormal fiction, and this is the best start of a series that I've read since Kim Harrison's "The Hollows" series began several years ago, and that's high praise.
Five stars and a must-read for paranormal fans or anyone who just enjoys a good story.
July 25, 2013
Under Witch Moon by Maria E. Schneider
Sometimes a book comes along that simply charms. In more than one way, as charms are a big part of the story in Under Witch Moon. Adriel is a witch, and the thing I truly loved about the book? Adriel is a real witch! Not some frou-frou witch, like some overgrown Tinkerbell, but a working witch, doing things the hard way. The job is messy, smelly, and sometimes dangerous. But hey, it’s a job, right? Adriel does it the hard way, clarifying and containing, working with metals, stone and earth. Nothing like having to burn down the whole house when a spell goes wrong . . .
Now, Adriel has another problem. Vampires and werewolves and black witches, oh my! What is a good witch to do? Especially when the good dead you try to do winds up getting someone killed. So, now it is time to fix the problem and what it’s going to take may be the death of her.
This is a wonderful Urban Fantasy, with a realistic take on witches, non-sparkly vampires, and some truly messed-up werewolves. There is a romantic slant to the book, but what Maria truly does well is allowing the relationship to take it’s time instead of doing the “I met you one day and will love you forever as of the day after”. There is one, sweet kiss in this volume, and that is it. So, if you are looking for something sexier, you aren’t going to find it right now. Way cool. I look for the relationship to grow, slowly, over the next books. Wonderful story development! Great character development and world building. Just a truly lovely book, the first of a series that I am greatly looking forward to enjoying.
The series is on my “Must-Read” list now, and should you enjoy really good UF with a realistic bent on witchcraft, this is a wonderful series to add to your shelves!
Highly recommended.
Sometimes a book comes along that simply charms. In more than one way, as charms are a big part of the story in Under Witch Moon. Adriel is a witch, and the thing I truly loved about the book? Adriel is a real witch! Not some frou-frou witch, like some overgrown Tinkerbell, but a working witch, doing things the hard way. The job is messy, smelly, and sometimes dangerous. But hey, it’s a job, right? Adriel does it the hard way, clarifying and containing, working with metals, stone and earth. Nothing like having to burn down the whole house when a spell goes wrong . . .
Now, Adriel has another problem. Vampires and werewolves and black witches, oh my! What is a good witch to do? Especially when the good dead you try to do winds up getting someone killed. So, now it is time to fix the problem and what it’s going to take may be the death of her.
This is a wonderful Urban Fantasy, with a realistic take on witches, non-sparkly vampires, and some truly messed-up werewolves. There is a romantic slant to the book, but what Maria truly does well is allowing the relationship to take it’s time instead of doing the “I met you one day and will love you forever as of the day after”. There is one, sweet kiss in this volume, and that is it. So, if you are looking for something sexier, you aren’t going to find it right now. Way cool. I look for the relationship to grow, slowly, over the next books. Wonderful story development! Great character development and world building. Just a truly lovely book, the first of a series that I am greatly looking forward to enjoying.
The series is on my “Must-Read” list now, and should you enjoy really good UF with a realistic bent on witchcraft, this is a wonderful series to add to your shelves!
Highly recommended.
September 30, 2012
I enjoyed this book tremendously. There was a lot of humour, fast-paced action, likeable characters, interesting paranormals and even a touch of romance.
Adriel was a funny, intelligent, clever and good witch, who found herself thrust into a murder mystery involving werewolf killers and pimps and a villanious, powerful witch, who was conducting brutal and depraved experiments. She had to use all the magical spells and resources at her fingertips to solve the mystery and prevent the bad witch from gaining any more control. The magic was explained in a realistic, intriguing manner, making it seem so logical and commonplace that one could forget this was a paranormal fantasy novel.
Adriel's interactions with Lynx, the young, shapeshifting street urchin, were funny and heartwarming. Lynx, despite being cocky, self-serving and greedy, nevertheless was a likeable character with a touching vulnerability that he would never admit to in a million years. Adriel seemed to sense this quality about him and responded to it with a maternal compassion that she would never admit to in a million years, either.
White Feather was the source of the touch of romance--a ruggedly-handsome, strong warlock, who was attracted to Adriel and helped her to fight against Sheila, the evil witch. I loved the relationship between him and Adriel and hope it continues to develop in the future books.
This was a refreshing change from the usual books about vampires, werewolves and other paranormals. I liked that it was from a witch's perspective and will definitely read more novels from this author.
Adriel was a funny, intelligent, clever and good witch, who found herself thrust into a murder mystery involving werewolf killers and pimps and a villanious, powerful witch, who was conducting brutal and depraved experiments. She had to use all the magical spells and resources at her fingertips to solve the mystery and prevent the bad witch from gaining any more control. The magic was explained in a realistic, intriguing manner, making it seem so logical and commonplace that one could forget this was a paranormal fantasy novel.
Adriel's interactions with Lynx, the young, shapeshifting street urchin, were funny and heartwarming. Lynx, despite being cocky, self-serving and greedy, nevertheless was a likeable character with a touching vulnerability that he would never admit to in a million years. Adriel seemed to sense this quality about him and responded to it with a maternal compassion that she would never admit to in a million years, either.
White Feather was the source of the touch of romance--a ruggedly-handsome, strong warlock, who was attracted to Adriel and helped her to fight against Sheila, the evil witch. I loved the relationship between him and Adriel and hope it continues to develop in the future books.
This was a refreshing change from the usual books about vampires, werewolves and other paranormals. I liked that it was from a witch's perspective and will definitely read more novels from this author.
August 19, 2016
This book have been on my wishlist for a long time. And after finally buying, I kicking myself for waiting so long. But the upside is that book 3 is out soon.
The version of Santa Fe that the author created felt believable to me. The supernatural elements felt seamlessly integrated into the non magic society. I liked how Adriel’s magic worked, and how she created potions that might or might not work like she thought they would.
I also liked how the other supernatural elements was explained, and how not everyones magic worked exactly the same way, but it depended on what gift you had.
I liked Adriel. She was down to earth, and happy laying low, not attracting attention to herself. I felt for her when her life suddenly turned upside down. I also liked the other characters we met, from the streetwise Lynx to the vivacious Matilda. And Whitefeather. dreamy sigh
The plot was fast paced, and I enjoyed following Adriel as she struggled to defeat the villain, and save her client. I loved how the stakes slowly rose through the plot, as Adriel and her friends gradually discovered who was behind it. One aspect that I especially liked was how several separate plot threads turned out to be connected in the end. Which lead to some unexpected plot twists.
The biggest problem I had with this book, was that one tiny detail in the beginning of the book pissed off the biologist in me, and it took awhile for me to calm down, and appreciate the story. But otherwise, it was a well written Urban Fantasy.
The version of Santa Fe that the author created felt believable to me. The supernatural elements felt seamlessly integrated into the non magic society. I liked how Adriel’s magic worked, and how she created potions that might or might not work like she thought they would.
I also liked how the other supernatural elements was explained, and how not everyones magic worked exactly the same way, but it depended on what gift you had.
I liked Adriel. She was down to earth, and happy laying low, not attracting attention to herself. I felt for her when her life suddenly turned upside down. I also liked the other characters we met, from the streetwise Lynx to the vivacious Matilda. And Whitefeather. dreamy sigh
The plot was fast paced, and I enjoyed following Adriel as she struggled to defeat the villain, and save her client. I loved how the stakes slowly rose through the plot, as Adriel and her friends gradually discovered who was behind it. One aspect that I especially liked was how several separate plot threads turned out to be connected in the end. Which lead to some unexpected plot twists.
The biggest problem I had with this book, was that one tiny detail in the beginning of the book pissed off the biologist in me, and it took awhile for me to calm down, and appreciate the story. But otherwise, it was a well written Urban Fantasy.
January 29, 2015
Adriel Pacheco is a witch. For those who believe in witches, and don’t want to burn them at the stake, she is the source of spells and incantations – often asked to do the impossible. When Dolores Garcia asks her to prepare a protection spell against a werewolf, Adriel thinks it’s a routine job, until she finds out that Dolores wants the spell to bind the human side of the werewolf to her. Despite Adriel’s warning, she goes ahead, and ends up ripped to death by her intended paramour – it seems werewolves don’t like efforts to magically bind them.
Things get dicey for Adriel when her Indian policeman ‘friend,’ White Feather, informs her that Dolores is not the first victim of a vicious werewolf attack.
Under Witch Moon by Maria E. Schneider is an entertaining look at witchcraft, at turns chilling and funny. One can’t help but feel attracted to Adriel, in the same way White Feather is attracted to his ‘Merlin,’ which is the name he knows her by until things get intimate.
I received a free copy of Under Witch Moon, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Things get dicey for Adriel when her Indian policeman ‘friend,’ White Feather, informs her that Dolores is not the first victim of a vicious werewolf attack.
Under Witch Moon by Maria E. Schneider is an entertaining look at witchcraft, at turns chilling and funny. One can’t help but feel attracted to Adriel, in the same way White Feather is attracted to his ‘Merlin,’ which is the name he knows her by until things get intimate.
I received a free copy of Under Witch Moon, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 16, 2012
This was probably the best first book in a paranormal series I've read in a long time. I really enjoyed everything about it. The character Adriel is very likeable, she's not full of herself and is probably even a little modest. I also like the fact that she's independent and strong willed without having to shout it out to everyone she meets. I also loved the setting, even though I have never been to that part of the US, I felt like I knew it after reading the books. The bits of Native/Mexican western elements that were thrown in were also pretty unique for this genre. I've noticed most paranormal series take place in large cities in the north or areas in the south, both landscapes I'm very familiar with. I loved the fact that this one was outside of the norm, and in a place so steeped with history and legends. I feel like the setting alone could lead to some interesting adventures.
August 20, 2012
I had so much fun with this book, for possibly irrelevant reasons. I've never been to Santa Fe, but I did grow up in Tucson, so the desert was familiar and all the Southwestern/Mexican food brought back the few good memories I have of the place. I've also worked at a national lab, so the bits about Los Alamos and the scientists who work there made me grin.
Maria Schneider uses her location to the hilt, and it's wonderful. She drags the reader all over the place, from touristy plazas to loud nightclubs and dangerous, dusty deserts, all the while spinning a world inhabited by vampires, shifters, and witches, along with the normal folk we usually see.
What I liked best? The main character, Adriel, is a witch who knows her science. Every spell is based on the real earth around us, and put into place by someone who takes nothing for granted. This is good reading.
Maria Schneider uses her location to the hilt, and it's wonderful. She drags the reader all over the place, from touristy plazas to loud nightclubs and dangerous, dusty deserts, all the while spinning a world inhabited by vampires, shifters, and witches, along with the normal folk we usually see.
What I liked best? The main character, Adriel, is a witch who knows her science. Every spell is based on the real earth around us, and put into place by someone who takes nothing for granted. This is good reading.
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