"When the Moon Hatched" by Sarah A. Parker is a spellbinding fantasy romance that captivates readers with its rich world-building and compelling characters. Set in a vibrant realm where dragons once soared and now float like tombstones in the sky, the story follows Raeve, an assassin for the rebellion group Fíur du Ath. Her life takes a dramatic turn when a rival bounty hunter disrupts her mission, leading to her capture by the powerful fae Guild of Nobles, who use her as a pawn in their political games. Meanwhile, Kaan Vaegor, mourning the loss of his great love, embarks on a relentless quest for solace. His journey leads him to the high-security prison where Raeve is held, and their fates intertwine as they uncover shared echoes from their pasts. The novel masterfully combines action, romance, and a unique magic system, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience in a beautifully crafted narrative. Parker's lyrical prose and the undeniable chemistry between Raeve and Kaan create an unforgettable reading experience that resonates deeply, marking "When the Moon Hatched" as an instant classic in contemporary fantasy. This fast-paced tale invites readers to dive headfirst into a richly imagined world where the stakes are high, and the connection between the characters blazes through time and adversity.

4.5 ⭐️ What a great book! If I had the time, I would go back to page one and read again, but I will reread closer to when book 2 is released. This book is a gripping fusion of fantasy and romance, delivering an intricate tale of love, power, and rediscovery. Set in a richly imagined world teetering on the brink of war, the novel introduces readers to an assassin with a mysterious past and a king burdened by grief, weaving their stories together with magic, dragons, and slow-burning romance. —World Building and Magic System The world building was fantastic and it is coupled with a unique magic system tied to elemental gods, where characters “sing” to their elements. This magical framework feels fresh, and Parker’s detailed descriptions make it easy to immerse oneself in the world. The addition of a glossary at the start of the book is a thoughtful touch, guiding readers through the complex lore without interrupting the narrative flow. Although, I didn’t feel the need to flip to the glossary. The narrative gave enough context to submerse yourself into the richly built world of new beasts and language. —Characters Raeve, the fierce and emotionally scarred FMC is a highlight. Her evolution throughout the story, as she grapples with her past and rediscovers herself, is both poignant and empowering. She is a layered character—moody, sassy, deadly and deeply loyal to those in need—making her a compelling protagonist. Kaan, the brooding MMC, defies initial impressions as a ruthless ruler. Beneath his hardened exterior lies a fiercely protective and soft-hearted man whose devotion to Raeve shines through. Their dynamic is electric, balancing angst with moments of vulnerability and humor. The slow-burn romance between them is well done, with sizzling tension and heartfelt moments that make the payoff immensely satisfying. The multiple POV narrative allows for insights to the varied side characters as well. I particularly enjoyed Veya, sister to Kaan, with her sharp tongue and never ending courage. These insights gave depth to the overall story, and each of the POVs enriched the narrative without overshadowing the central duo. —Plot and Themes The plot is engaging, blending elements of rebellion, political intrigue, and personal redemption. Themes of love, grief, revenge, and self-discovery are explored with nuance, giving the story emotional weight. Despite the (🔥) romance, the plot stands strong on its own, ensuring that the fantasy elements never feel secondary. The balance between gritty, brutal moments and tender, emotional beats is well-executed, making this a story that lingers long after the final page. Tropes: * Slow Burn * Enemies to Lovers * Forbidden Love * Who Hurt You? * He Falls First * Star-Crossed Lovers * Found Family * Revenge —Final Thoughts When the Moon Hatched is a captivating and intense journey, blending excellent worldbuilding with a sizzling romance. While the pacing could use a tad bit of refinement, the richly drawn characters, unique magic system, and emotional depth more than compensate. This is a must-read for fans of gritty, romantic fantasy—and one that begs for a reread to catch all the subtle clues.

When I first started reading When the Moon Hatched, I found the pace a bit slow, as the world and its intricate magic system were carefully laid out. But once the story began to unfold, I was completely hooked. The true heart of this book lies in the intense, emotionally charged romance between Raeve, a skilled assassin and member of the Ath, and Kaan Vaegor, a king burdened by the loss of his loved one. Their relationship is fraught with strife and difficulty, as both characters are deeply scarred by their pasts and the circumstances that bring them together. Raeve’s life takes a dangerous turn when she becomes the target of a relentless bounty hunter employed by the crown, throwing her into a deadly game where survival is uncertain. Meanwhile, Kaan, driven by the unyielding pain of his loss, embarks on a quest for a moon shard in a desperate attempt to ease the never-ending ache in his heart. His journey leads him into Gore’s infamous prison, where he encounters Raeve, a fierce, shackled warrior who challenges everything he thought he knew. The romance between Raeve and Kaan is intense and layered with complexity. Their connection is both passionate and fraught with tension, as they navigate the dangers of their world and the personal demons that haunt them. The chemistry between them is palpable, filled with moments of raw emotion and witty banter that make their love story both compelling and deeply moving. Parker’s world-building is immersive, with dragons that become moons upon their death, a unique magical system, and the ever-present influence of the creators who never expected their dragons to fall. These elements add a layer of mystique and wonder to the story, making the stakes feel even higher as Raeve and Kaan navigate a world filled with danger and political intrigue. By the time I reached the climax, I was fully invested in the fates of these characters. The plot twists, emotional depth, and the intertwining of romance with fantasy kept me turning pages late into the night. This book is a fast-paced adventure that combines love, loss, mystery, and magic in a way that’s both engaging and deeply satisfying. When the Moon Hatched is perfect for fans of witty banter, strong, sassy protagonists, and complex worlds filled with magic and mystery. It’s a story that rewards readers with a thrilling ride and a romance that burns brightly against a backdrop of grief, danger, and political intrigue. I can’t wait for the sequel.

This was such an unexpected favorite. I picked this book up because I had started seeing it on Booktok and I am so glad I did. This story is winding and weaving and so well thought out and I am left with a sense of yearning for the next book. I am DYING to know what happens next after the epilogue. World Building We are introduced to a world with a very unique and interesting magic system. There are 5 gods Caelis God of Aether Bulder God of Ground Rayne Goddess of Water Clode Goddess of Air Ignos God of Fire The Fae in this world can harness their power if they are born with the ability to hear the song of a specific god. They can learn the language of that God and have power over their element. Some are born with no power wielding ability and some can harness multiple elements, however that is more rare. There is a caste system that revolves around this in the kingdoms, some kingdoms being much more harsh with the lower castes than others. It is also known that only one person can wield Aether at a time by wearing a crown that holds the Aether stone and this is a burden more than a gift as it drains the wearer of life. I need to re-read the first portion of this book to get a more intricate knowledge because the info that you have to take in right off the bat is really heavy to understand this world and I fully didn't absorb it all. The story is good enough for a re-read to understand it better. Characters I don't know how long this series is supposed to be but this book gave me a feeling that it will be relatively long OR quite an epic fantasy. We get the tip of what feels like an iceberg for every single character, there is so much that is intentionally not shared so that we are in the dark as much as some of the characters about major things and this is a fun reading experience. Raeve- This is our FMC. She is a lost person who doesn't remember her past at all. She just emerged a fully fledged warrior one day in her adulthood. She is what I would consider a gifted assassin, which is a trope that my simple self loves. She is FIERCE and so very confusing. Her backstory is so convoluted and broken and we don't get all of the puzzle pieces...at all....even as the book ends I still have so many questions about her. She has "The Other" living within her and we have no idea who or what this is. I have theories but that is all they are at this point. The other takes over her body and becomes another entity entirely. They share a body together. We also learn later on that she is the possible reincarnation (?) of the former Princess of the Shade. This character is so broken and so violent. She needs a lot of character development because in this book she is wild and angry and in denial of the truth that she knows she is purposefully mentally blocking. She refuses to heal and I need this to change at some point because if she continues like this I might lose interest. She is hard headed. I really like her wit and grit but I am ready for her evolution after 700 pages. Kaan- He is the King of The Burn and the MMC. He is a ferocious teddy bear who is so so mushy gushy gooey soft for the FMC. This poor man has been THROUGH it and he doesn't know so much of what happened to the FMC and watching him try to navigate their relationship and give her freedom through her memory loss is heart achingly touching. I love him. Dragons The dragons in this book are really cool. I was confused on and off for many chinks of this book because I had to flip back and forth to the glossary and definition section in the beginning but I really do love this world . The dragons were difficult to figure out at first. There are dragons from The Shade that are used to the colder winter temps. They can not thrive in other more arid and hot kingdoms. There are also breeds of dragon that are climatized to the hotter climates. They are all described differently with different character traits stratified by breed. If a person wants a dragon they can either steal and hatch an egg or they can try to woo an adult dragon. They seem to have bonds and communication with their rider and are a higher level than just a big beast. Overall Impressions All in all this book was a rollercoaster. I loved where it took me. Raeve is such a mystery and I really enjoyed following her through this unraveling. I also really love Kaan as a MMC. There is a revelation that is massive at the end of the book that is going to rock both of these characters to the core when they find out. It was a full mouth open omg to me too. There is a lot of loss and trauma in this book and I am hoping we get to feel more love and hope and see some healing in books to come because these characters are HURTING. I loved the emotional pull that the writer creates towards these characters and their situations. Nee. Thats a heart breaker right there.

Meu bom. Cada plot twist, quero o dois para já. Espero que não demore muito. Adorei essa história, muita coisa que nunca vi. Bem diferente.

Absolutely loved this book, so eloquently written The world building is fantastic, you really fall in love with the environment and characters. The story is complex, but worth the time to understand and imagine. Great plot that not only follows a romance, but has unique storylines that leave you wanting more. Would recommend

I haven’t felt so much for a book since Kingdom of Ash ❤️

Book was in excellent condition with no damages. Super satisfied.