Language : English
Paperback : 352 pages
ISBN-10 : 183784013X
ISBN-13 : 978-1837840137
Book Blurb
In this heart-racing, jaw-dropping sequel to the New York Times instant bestseller The Luminaries, Winnie continues her fight against the monstrous nightmares of Hemlock Falls.
Winnie Wednesday has gotten everything she thought she wanted. She passed the deadly hunter trials, her family has been welcomed back into the Luminaries, and overnight, she has become a local celebrity.
The Girl Who Jumped. The Girl Who Got Bitten.
Unfortunately, it all feels wrong. For one, nobody will believe her about the new nightmare called the Whisperer that’s killing hunters each night. Everyone blames the werewolf, even though Winnie is certain the wolf is innocent.
On top of that, following her dad’s convoluted clues about the Dianas, their magic, and what happened in Hemlock Falls four years ago is leaving her with more questions than answers.
Then to complicate it all, there is still only one person who can help her: Jay Friday, the boy with plenty of problems all his own.
As bodies and secrets pile up around town, Winnie finds herself questioning what it means to be a true Wednesday and a true Luminary―and also where her fierce-hearted loyalties might ultimately have to lie.
My Review
Back in March 2023 I reviewed The Luminaries by Susan Dennard, and today I am reviewing the second book in this trilogy, The Hunting Moon/. This book follows on directly from the first and continues the story of Winnie Wednesday now that she has completed the tasks to make her a Hunter, and to restore her families standing in the community. Like the first book this is action packed as it follows Winnie navigate her new fame and her search for ‘The Whisperer’ a new monster.
The Hunting Moon is very much character led with Winnie being at the centre of all things. From the first book Winnie’s character has developed, the biggest change being that she has gone from persona non grata to the Hemlock Grove’s celebrity for her escapades and escaping a Werewolf. All of a sudden everyone wants to be her friend, she gets invited to parties and drinks named after her. I liked that Susan Dennard didn’t change Winnie’s character due to this, keeping her grounded, wanting to shun the limelight and those who only want to hang on her coat tails. The only person she trusts is Jay Friday, one of her old friends, and throughout the book there is a simmering sexual tension between them.
Susan Dennard has created a world of ‘Nightmares’, quite literally, that live in the forest; Banshees whose tears are poisonous, a Basilisk and a new Werewolf threatening the town. These creatures really play on your fears, and included in this book are a couple of drawings of these Nightmares which I thought was a brilliant additon to the book, and would like to see more in the final instalment. As well as the suspense and menace of the forest and its inhabitants there is also the clues from Winnie’s father, to prove that he wasn’t a traitor, leading her on a dangerous journey.
I thoroughtly enjoyed reading The Hunting Moon, and following up on Winnie’s life. Sometimes second books can feel like a fill in but this was a compelling and immersive read in it’s own right. The combination of suspense, mystery, thrills and a touch of romance work well with the different layers of this book, and balance the story out. I’m relieved as the third book is due out on 19 November as the ending left me reeling with questions unanswered.
