Bathed in Moonlight

Songs of the Amaranthine #7

by Forthright .

Some courtships follow all the rules. Some courtships bend them.
As the Seven Score Moons cycle through their phases, the appointed time for the Queen’s Festival draws near. Wolves from all over will gather at a site that the packs count as sacred, to sing for the Moon and her maidens. Rinloo is part of an allotment of dexes sent to guard the Circle, which has long been anchored by an Amaranthine tree. There he encounters a girl-child spirited to safety by imps and an unhappy maid from the Luminous Court.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Magic, Ebooks

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2021

About the author

a teller of tales with a fondness for unlikely friendships, wary alliances, unexpected upshots, hard-won trust, diverse cultures, found family, local legends, and folksome things. Author of the Immortal Holmes series, paranormal mysteries with a steampunk aesthetic set in an alternate history & the romantically-inclined Amaranthine Saga, with all of its attendant short stories & serials.



As a reader, this account is where I rate and review manga.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't my favorite. On one hand it's technically well written. On the other hand, I don't love BL/GL stories, and I especially don't appreciate the way it worked for Char, who didn't like wolves and only wanted to find his sister. It seems like he gives up everything to descend without actually getting much that he wanted. And considering there were 2 other female characters in the story, one of which was a child when the courtship started, it just didn't feel right in the end. I love the adult relationships in this series typically. Particularly the male/female ones that are built up as complimentary. But the same sex relationships seem to all be about the reaver/human being paired with an Amantharine of some sort just to live longer, and usually hinged on, if they don't accept the relationship, they will die long before their family/friends. I really hope this isn't going to be the permanent trend.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this book, with the two storylines, it's so good, and I loved reading it again!

*First Read September 6th, 2022*
This was a really great read, I loved what we learned from it, I just wish we could've gotten more of the ladies' story!

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 stories intertwined:
Sweet story of a churlish Moonbeam and his wolf. "I'm not sad, I am TRAGIC" - great line from the sulky dude. Did he ever find Seela?
And the Moon and her love and courting of a young woman. "Morsel" was a heartbreak moment.

Its short on specifics but long on the traditions the Amaranthine follow for courtship. I knew some more same sex books were headed our way and these are handled very well.

Language and words are used skillfully, tenderly, humorously in all these stories. Love the intimacy it invokes.

[Andrea Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bathed in Moonlight 
4 Stars 


I enjoyed these two entwining stories. We get to learn more about the sky people, for lack of a better term, and continue to learn about the Amaranthine people and how each animal's costumes are charming. Char made an interesting character with his constantly grumpy mood. 


Bathed in Moonlight is well written with two different storylines. I love the complex layers of world building and continue to read for lasting friendships.I love all the wonderful feelings this author's work always brings to the table.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This chapter of the Songs of the Amaranthine was somewhat confusing for me. In the other tales of this sub-series, I could quickly pick out the male and the female who were courting.

This story, however, starts out about guarding a site but then losing short term memory for no apparent reason.

I had to start over and read it twice before it made a whole lot of sense for me.

But I felt it had a strong ending, so that was good.

[Leslie Sexton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet!

This was so much fun and very nicely told. Unexpected rescues and romances. More hints and bits of legends. No spoilers here. I don’t want to let on for anyone. This continues the Amaranthine stories and backs up a little from the books. There was so much rich imagery. I always look forward to and enjoy these short stories.

[Alexis Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so good :)

These stories have captured and delighted me. I've become a huge fan of this world. I've read all the books now and am excited for more. Thank you to the amazing author for opening the door to this new world.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am uncomfortable with courting relationships between adults and children. This was a miss for me.

[Melissa Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite by far of the novellas. I loved Char and his maybes. I also loved his wolf. I hope he can find his sister soon.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the Amaranthine series. A bit confusing and cringy with pushing age boundaries even tho was mostly innocent when character was younger.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moonbeam maidens and wolves, plus a daring rescue and a squirrel who loves to bake.

Why I started this book: Huge fan of the whole Amaranthine universe and stories.

Why I finished it: This book skirted some issues with me... if a love story is predicated on soul attraction how young is too young to be attracted? Turns out, that this book hit that mark for me. No romance happened until later... BUT... (Your mileage may vary.) Still love the world and I'll just go reread my favorites.

[KB *cursed with a freaking salmon patronus* · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 50% made me real uncomfy. Its going the route of adults "imprinting" on adolescents. or something. idk. cant do it.

LOVE the lore of personifying moonbeams and stars. Imagining moonbeams dancing on water is such a beautiful little gem that I'll carry with me in life.