Title: Shadows On The Moon
Author: Zoe Marriott
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Buy Link: Buy Shadows On The Moon Here!
Rating: 
You Gotta Read
Reviewed By: Lupa
Blurb:
A powerful tale of magic, love, and revenge set in fairy-tale Japan.
Trained in the magical art of shadow-weaving, sixteen-year-old Suzume is able to re-create herself in any form — a fabulous gift for a girl desperate to escape her past. But who is she really? Is she a girl of noble birth living under the tyranny of her mother’s new husband, Lord Terayama? Or a lowly drudge scraping a living in the ashes of Terayama’s kitchens? Or is she Yue, the most beautiful courtesan in the Moonlit Lands? Whatever her true identity, Suzume is destined to use her skills to steal the heart of a prince in a revenge plot to destroy Terayama. And nothing will stop her, not even the one true aspect of her life- her love for a fellow shadow-weaver.
Review:
Shadows on the moon is a fantastic Asian fantasy tale filled with endearing characters, vivid scenes and an awesome story that will keep you reading into the wee hours.
Shadows On The Moon is the story of a young woman’s life and lessons as well as her mastery of her special abilities. (Irritatingly vague isn’t it! ) The girls name at the beginning of the story is Suzume, then in the middle of the story she is Rin, then for the last of the story she is Yue. I have to say I really like Yue. (And though she is the same girl she changes a lot through the times when she carries those names.) Of her three names and lives my favorite is Yue. She has grown and learned and is now able to attain her goal. Then all heck breaks losse and she has to come to grips with some things.
I really loved this story. Yue is awesome, but my favorite character in the book is actually Akira, the woman who takes Rin in and teaches her everything she needs to know to get what she wants. Akira is a strong woman who was the consort of the late prince. She has an incredible secret that is great. I also really liked Otieno, his strength and perseverance is sweet and endearing.
Technically, Shadows on the moon is a delight to read, it flows well and has very few errors that caught my attention. The story is great and keeps moving along at a good pace. And the hook wow. That was one heck of a hook. The entire last chapter of the book was excellently written and grabbed me so I couldn’t put it down until the last page.
If you are looking for an original and interesting asian themed fantasy story then Shadows on the Moon is one You Gotta Read.
