by Kelly Barnhill, a witch named Xan rescues a baby abandoned each year by the fearful citizens of the Protectorate and accidentally feeds her moonlight instead of starlight, giving the child extraordinary powers. The novel follows Luna as she grows up in the forest with Xan, the wise Swamp Monster Glerk, and the small but boastful dragon Fyrian. Meanwhile, a young man named Antain begins to question his town’s dark tradition of sacrifice. Through this layered fantasy, Barnhill explores how fear and misinformation can control an entire community and how courage can break destructive cycles.

From my reading perspective, the book earns a strong 8/10 rating. The storytelling is imaginative and detailed, drawing readers into a magical yet emotionally grounded world. Character development stands out as one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Antain’s growth from a loyal follower to a brave truth-seeker is especially compelling. Luna’s journey toward understanding her powers is heartfelt, while Fyrian, Glerk, and Xan each add humor, wisdom, and emotional depth.

Although the novel is fairly lengthy, that length allows readers to remain immersed in the story for an extended period of time, making it an enjoyable and meaningful reading experience.