Edit 1/4/21: In light of what own voice reviewers have stated, I will be lowering my review of this book, adding it to the problematic list, and reviewing the second book with a better idea of what I need to pay attention to. I admit that I did not see much into the issues at hand (they perpetuate racist stereotypes and misconceptions about Bolivia and it's indigenous people, they center on white colonizers and fall into the white savior trope, real life Indigenous beliefs are horribly misconstrued and misrepresented, and it's sold as Bolivian Fantasy when it's rewritten to help make the colonizers look better). All of these talking points are from iamrainbou, but others have also voiced their valid opinions about the book. I am sorry for promoting a book that I should have researched into more and should have read more into.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Woven in Moonlight

Author: Isabel Ibanez

Book Series: Woven in Moonlight Book 1

Diversity: YA Fantasy

Rating: 5/5

Publication Date: January 7, 2020

Publisher: Page Street

Recommended Age: 15+ (some violence, some gore, little romance, domestic violence TW)

Synopsis: Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.

When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.

She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.

Review: Holy cow this book was so magical and amazing! I loved the lore used. I had never read a book with Bolvarian lore and it was an amazing tale. I loved that the main was fierce and a fighter, but her main strength was in her weaving. A lot of people don't realize that in the times of our ancestors, people used many things to smuggle secret messages especially during times of war, tapestries being one of the most popular. The message about equality and peace in the time of war was present, as well as an arms race style of fantasy. This book spoke to so many volumes and themes that are becoming more and more realistic in this decade and I loved how the author went with a message of peace rather than all out war as a solution. You very rarely see that in books and even though there was a fight in the book, because there will always be people who think fighting is the only way, it was still a very insightful and inspiring book. The characters were well developed, the world building was astounding, and the magic system was fantastic!

While I loved the book, in fairness I have to say a downside, and I think it will be how neat the ending was? Like it obviously leaves room for a book 2 but the ending didn't leave the reader with a cliffhanger, a need to read book 2. I want to read book 2 because I'm interested in the next city and I don't mind how the book ended (one of the best endings I've read in awhile) but I can see how it wouldn't suit for some readers.

Verdict: I HIGHLY recommend this one!