Book Review: SilverMoonLight

SilverMoonLight (SilverMoonSaga book 1) 

Author: Marah Woolf 

Published By: Marah Woolf 

Publication Date: January 1, 2014 

Page Count: 225 

Buy it at Amazon or Barnes & Noble 

Source: eBook sent from author 

Audience: Young Adult – Urban Fantasy, Paranormal 

 When I read the synopsis for this book, I was more than just a little interested. I am a recent transplant to Scotland from the US and this book is set on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. I also love to read about fairy tale and fantasy creatures. SilverMoonLight did not let my interests down. 

The book starts out with the main character, Emma, losing her mom. With no family in the US, she moves to Scotland, to live with her uncle, aunt, and cousins. She settles into her new life in the small town of Portree on the Isle of Skye, missing her mother, but falling in love with her new family.

She soon meets Calum, a very handsome young man, a year ahead of her in school. She is instantly attracted to him, but he is a mystery to her, one day seeming interested in her and the next completely ignoring her or glaring angrily. Soon however, even Calum can't ignore the chemistry between Emma and himself, the magnetic pull that keeps dragging them together. They become involved, though Emma can tell Calum is keeping secrets from her. Then as suddenly as it begins, the relationship is halted by Emma's uncle banning her from spending time with Calum. 

Confused, Emma looks to Calum for an explanation and he finally tells her his secret, who he really is. Even with all the obstacles facing them, Calum and Emma can't stay away from each other and soon it's a race against time and Emma's and Calum's families so that they can be together.

I really enjoyed reading this story and am looking forward to the second. I love the passion between Emma and Calum, not just the romance, but you see how much they care and in some ways that passion is what keeps Calum from going to Emma even though he can barely stand being away from her. To protect her, he must stay away and the author makes the reader feel that struggle. 

Marah Woolf does an incredible job at creating characters you want to get to know better; Emma's new family and the friends she makes all have their own personalities that really make them shine on the page.

There are a few issues with some of the wording in the story. You can definitely tell the book is a translation into English. The author is German, but she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Some of the words translated don't seem to fit quite right into the sentences being used. I also question some of the language she has an American teenage girl saying. Nothing bad, like cursing, but maybe not quite the right vernacular. 

Overall however, I loved reading about these characters and definitely will be reading the continuing story of Calum and Emma. I have yet to visit the Isle of Skye, but Marah Woolf paints a gorgeous picture with her descriptions of the town and the sea and the cliffs and mountains. She definitely makes me want to visit and see it for myself. 

One Last Thought: The book ends rather abruptly during a very big scene. I needed at least a partial conclusion to the first part of the story. In a way, it can be a good tactic because it leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next, then they have to wait in anticipation for the next one to come out. But a little bit of a conclusion can also be nice to end a story, even though the reader knows there is far more to it. 

Favorite Thing About This Book: I love how brave Emma is in the face of everything; her mom dying, moving to a foreign land, finding out the truth about the love of her life and all the dangers that throws her way. Also, SilverMoonLight just barely brushes the surface of mythical creatures and I am hoping we get to see much more of them in the second story.

First Sentence: The water all around me seems to be getting darker and darker. 

Favorite Character: Emma 

Least Favorite Character: Elin 

Synopsis 

Not even Emma’s worst nightmares could have prepared her for the dramatic change that takes place in her life. After the sudden death of her mother, she has no choice but to go and live with her Uncle and his family on the sleepy town of Portree on the Scottish Isle of Skye.  The last thing she expects is to fall in love there. From the very first moment she meets Calum, his mysterious aura captivates her. He casts a spell on her, and even his seeming disinterest does little to change this. His contradictory behaviour only adds to his allure. But before long this façade begins to crumble, and eventually even he gives in to his feelings.  When he reveals his true identity to her one day, she flees from him. But it’s too late, for she has already fallen head over heels...  A fantastical, mythical book for all fans of Twilight and Co -- without vampires and werewolves, but with many other fascinating creatures that anyone would love to encounter. Immerse yourself in the story of Emma and Calum.