Under A Lavender Moon by Christina Mai Fong

February 09, 2021

Under A Lavender Moon by Christina Mai Fong

review

She was thought from a young age to keep her voice and her magic hidden because it could draw attention. When the scouts come to the village, to find beautiful and talented girls for the emperor, it's especially vital that she stayed hidden. And then she saves an animal in the remote part, sure no one can hear her, and by the worst of luck, one of them does.

She is soon found and forced to join, or her family will be hurt. When the girls arrive they have to prepare and train, to impress the emperor. The more they do, the better their status is.

She needs to stay low and hide, but there is the side of her, that can't stay low and can't stand still when people she cares about are in trouble. :)

It's a very complex story, set in a very interesting fantasy world. The world-building is great, the pieces of the world, and who it works are revealed through the story, just enough to make you want more. :) And the storyline is well thought out, with many unexpected twists and turn.

I didn't like Rilla at first, but towards the middle of the story, she seems to get a backbone and got a whole lot more interesting. :) I love that she has a dark side. :)

What I didn't like at all is the prince. I'm still not sure if he is all bad, or just sometimes bad, but there is something about him, that irks me.

There are many characters, some more, some less important, but all very well thought out.

As I read the story, it jumped from the pages, I felt like I was there in the middle of the story with them.

The story stayed in my mind for a long time. Can't wait to read what happens next. :)

Highly recommend it!

rating

💜💜💜💜
cover
💙💙💙💙💙
giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

received from Xpresso Book Tours
follow the tour here

series
Nightingale Songs #1
published
February 11th, 2021 by Acorn Publishing
genre
fantasy, ya

synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Rilla Marseas believes she has a calling to become a healer. Her soul yearns to help people and save lives. Why else would Heaven grant her a singing voice that can heal any ailment? But if the palace discovers her power, she’ll be selected for the annual Showcase, where the most beautiful and magically gifted girls in Seracedar Kingdom compete for the chance to enter the emperor’s harem. That’s the last thing Rilla wants. To avoid such a fate, she hides her power. No matter how the other villagers ridicule her for being worthless and talentless, she suppresses the urge to reveal her powerful voice and prove them wrong. When a palace scout poisons Rilla’s auntie and coerces her into revealing her power, she’s thrown into the competition. The scout threatens to harm her family if she doesn’t win. But Rilla learns there really is no winning. The emperor and empress keep girls with magical powers as pets. In cages. With some help from a handsome, but brooding prince and his mysterious bodyguard, Rilla must outsmart the palace and escape. If she fails, she’ll spend the rest of her life as the royal couple’s puppet, using her voice to grant them eternal youth.

Goodreads || Amazon

happy reading,
anie