Book Info:
The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publishing Date: May 30, 2023
Synopsis:
When Emile’s aunt declares he must marry or be disowned for being gay—he runs away to hide as a servant in Count Montoni’s mansion. In their service, Emile tends to the family who all suffer a strange affliction on the full moon. And after overhearing suspicious family arguments, he finds a body on the estate, drawing the attention of a handsome doctor as well as the count’s charismatic nephew, Henri.
Before Emile can sort out his affections or unravel the growing Montoni family mystery, his identity is revealed and his aunt comes to collect him.
When she arrives, Count Montoni forces everyone to depart to the remote Udolpho Castle—where there are no witnesses and no chance for escape. There, Emile realizes that he will have to risk his life to find the love he deserves—and survive the Montoni family.
Content Warning: Mentions of dead bodies, homophobia
Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61963206
About the Author:
David Ferraro grew up in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where he was raised on a steady diet of comic books, horror movies and YA novels. He graduated with a B.A. in English and creative writing from St. Cloud State University, and currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his boyfriend and a very spoiled tortoise. He is represented by Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary. His debut “The Alchemy of Moonlight” is set to be published from Page Street Kids in Spring 2023.
Author Links:
Website: https://davidferraroauthor.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dave_Ferraro
Tour Schedule:
Well what can I say about The Alchemy of Moonlight it started slow the setting in the French Chateau gave me an inclination of what is about to come and it was just enough to keep me reading. But then when the story moves to the castle in Italy David throws in so much action it actually made me say a naughty word not once but a couple of times. I even stayed up into the early hours when I was coming to the end as I did not want to go to sleep until I finished it.
I did love the characters of Emile and Bram but Henri at first kind of annoyed me but eventually he made me change my mind and that is thanks to David's writing.
Finally I just have to mention trigger warnings as I would hate for someone to start reading and be triggered. There is Homophobia and Dead Bodies. Wait did I not mention the Dead Bodies earlier all I can say oops my bad.
For all the above reasons Alchemy of moonlight gets 4 stars and I can't wait to see what David comes out with next.