Voodoo Moon
My Rating: five-stars
Published by: Crimson Tree Publishing on February 10th 2015
Genres: Romance, Paranormal, New Adult
ISBN: 9781634220224
Series: Paranorm World #1
Also in this series: Immortal Moon: A Moon Sisters Novel
Also by this author: Immortal Moon: A Moon Sisters Novel
Disclosure: I was invited by the author to read this title in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I received no monetary compensation, and all comments are subjective and mine alone.
A sinister magic is sweeping across Nash City…
To Fiona Moon, it’s just another day at work. And some days, well, they’re a helluva lot worse than others. As a member of the elite Black Blade Guard, Fiona is tasked with hunting down the most-dangerous Paranorm criminals. To find out who is kidnapping mages and sucking the life energy from their bodies, she has to work with the one man that embodies everything she despises.
Master Necromancer Ian Barroes, a rich professor of Necromantic Studies, wants only one thing in this world… Fiona.
They each hold secrets that could destroy them, but could also be the key to destroying the evil Voodoo priest, Bokor. They must learn to trust each other and track down Bokor before more innocent lives are lost. When Fiona becomes a target of the evil madman, she is lured into his trap. Now, she and Ian have to fight for survival… and their very souls.
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Okay, so I’m supposed to write a review on “Voodoo Moon” by June Stevens—who happens to be DJ Westerfield, whom I really, really like.
That puts me in a BAD situation.
Why? Because I love DJ. She is SO sweet, but I’ve never read her work. What if I don’t like her book? Um, whoa. Not sure what to do about that. Tell everyone I liked it because I don’t want to hurt a friend’s feelings? Or tell the truth and risk losing a friend?
So, I’m up shit creek without a paddle. Why do I agree to do reviews on friends’ books? I shouldn’t, shouldn’t shouldn’t, for this very reason.
Luckily…I needn’t have worried. “Voodoo Moon” was, in my very honest opinion, a great book! I loved the world building, especially! And there were a few genres running around in the pages.
First, there’s the “Cataclysm.” This gave a post-apocalyptic spin to the story and I. Freakin’. Loved. It. If any of you have read my debut young adult novel (that’s one big hint, by the way. Ha!), you know it was a post-apocalyptic, so I have a close affinity to them. They are some of my favorite to read…and, no, it doesn’t have anything to do with Hunger Games or Divergent…although, let’s face it, Theo James (Four in the Divergent movie) makes an apocalyptic war almost appealing. Okay, moving on.
Next, magic. There were all sorts of freaky things in the book…but they meshed together so well. It wasn’t discombobulated or forced, everything: person/werewolf/vampire/ETC had a place and fit there so well. Add to that, they all had their own set of abilities. Like, Ian. Oh, Ian. He’s one smexy necromancer. And there are more like him. The book overflows with ooey-gooey magical beings…and I mean that in the best possible way. Like the Toll House, melty chocolate chip cookie way. (Yeah, now I want chocolate…and Ian.)
Then (Yes! There’s more!) there is the actual world the characters live and function in. It’s a magical world. Yeah, I know I said that already, but that’s not where I’m going with this. It’s an actual world that accepts magic as “normal” and it’s embraced as a way of life. Way cool. I’d never read a world constructed quite like the one in June/DJ’s book. I loved the aspect that magic was legit in the everyday lives of people in Nash. And I loved how there were “time-frames” or “times of day/night” for each type of magical being…yeah, that is probably a little confusing, but you know I’m not going to tell you any more. You HAVE to read the book!
Okay, so that’s all you’re getting about the actual story…which, admittedly, isn’t much. But you know my feeling on reviews. They are not meant to regurgitate the story back to the review readers. They are just supposed to give you all a little taste and make you want more. So…want more. ‘Cuz it’s too good to pass up.
As for DJ/June’s writing—nearly flawless. The characters are vibrant and colorful. Fiona is a kick-ass Black Blade Guard. And Ian, like I said, is smexy. It doesn’t really matter what he is or does…he’s just lip lickin’ good all by himself. Yeah.
The plot is unique, and like I mentioned above, the world building is incredible. Pacing is great and kept my attention throughout (no doing my taxes while I was reading). It started with Millie—a great scene—and kept racing until the end. It was a totally page flippin’ read.
Oh, and the secondary characters were done well. I loved Fiona’s sisters and I really liked the story behind how her “family” came to exist.
Bottom line: Voodoo Moon is absolutely a book any paranormal fan needs to read. The world building alone was enough to pull me into the story, but the plot and characters kept me turning pages. I’m looking forward to reading more of DJ/June’s work—I already have her book on my Kindle waiting!
Clear your schedules and enjoy Voodoo Moon…don’t worry, you won’t have to tie up too many days. You’ll be so hooked, you’ll read it in a day. Almost guaranteed.
About June Stevens Westerfield
June Stevens is the pen name of DJ Westerfield.
DJ is a geek girl, fat chick, and unrepentant romantic. She writes full time and is both independently and traditionally published. She also works part-time running her greeting card company, Once More With Feelings, and is co-owner of the Pop Lit Divas Radio Show.
When not working, DJ can be found making jewelry, reading, cooking, or watching geeky movies with her husband and snuggling with her 6…YES 6, furbabies. Notice cleaning wasn’t listed…
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