The Moonlit Dance

The Alehem Witches Duology #2

by Zoe Abrams

Bound together by fate and magic… The wayward knight. The stolen prince. The broody captain. The fiery soldier. The promised king. Just when I found my coven, they’re fractured again by forces of unrelenting evil determined to take my power for their own. My coven–bound together by a gift from fate itself–has found itself in the middle of a war. Secrets and wards protect me, but when those secrets threaten my very existence, I must make a terrible decision. My life, or theirs?

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magic, Romantasy, Polyamorous, Found Family

227 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2023

About the author

Zoe Abrams resides in the sometimes warm but mostly cold region of Michigan. She is happily married to a human man and has produced two offspring, which she is immensely proud of. Zoe writes all kinds of romance books, but they mostly tend to be on the sweeter side.

She enjoys reading, of course, journaling, knitting, cooking, and all things witchy. You'll most likely find her curled up with her heated blanket, a cup of tea, and a good book in the best lighting in her house. For aesthetic purposes.

Reviews

[✩ Yaz ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I’d wanted her for so long, but I could be a patient man. I’d take my time with the sweet little witchling. She deserved that much.

The Moonlit Dance is the conclusion of the Alehem Witches duology, which draws its inspiration from Howl's Moving Castle but not only do you have the Wizard but also the wayward knight, the stolen prince, the broody captain, the fiery soldier, and the promised king.

I devoured this book in one sitting and it was lovely to return to these charming characters.

The magic and the sizzling romance hooked me from book 1. It was an enjoyable read to me still but you know me, I always want MORE.

• I wish some of the romances were more fleshed out. I adore all of them but it felt some of it escalated too quickly.

• Not much happened in the first half.

However, this duology is perfect if you're looking for a light fantasy romance read with witches, spice, and magic.

It's the author's debut in the fantasy romance genre so I definitely look forward to her future projects.

[brii | brii (three months behind...) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I could have liked this book. The plot was kind of there, but it just didn't pull me in. Every time I put this book down, I really struggled to pick it back up. It felt like a book I should have enjoyed more, but I just don't think any of it had enough depth.

We barely got to know the characters more than a quick mention about their pasts. Everything happened so quickly that there really wasn't much development.

Mostly, I was bored. I just couldn't get invested.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For every part of this I enjoyed I had some nit picks. I didn't hate it by any means, but in some ways I think this is a book that may have shined as one completed book versus being split into two.

Still a solid conclusion to the story.

[Jillsbooknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 -⭐⭐⭐⭐

"If you don't tell me to stop, I'm going to lose this last thread of control I have. You'd like that, wouldn't you, little bird?"

The Moonlit Dance is the final book in the New Adult Why Choose Fantasy Romance duology, the Alehem Witches, which focuses on the character Briar as she is propelled into a world of magic, court intrigue, and rebellion when it is discovered she contains magic the likes that no one has seen.

This book immediately takes up after the events of the first book so it is necessarily to read The Crescent Spell first - I also recommend refreshing yourself before diving into this book to ensure you know what's going on. In this case Briar has escaped captivity and is hiding alongside Jonas and Ian. As she grapples with understanding her powers and the role she has to play to help the witches of Alehem she also develops attracting towards both men she struggles to deny. Meanwhile her lovers Cal and Avan are trapped in prison and the demand on the Queen's consort. Cal and Avan are quickly learning something more insidious is going on within the walls and are seeking answers of their own...and finding allies where they least expect it.

I found the characters in this series are easily likeable and fun. Briar grows into her own this book. We see a more cognizant side to Avan and Cal takes on more assertiveness after the events and secrets of the first book. Jonas, Ian, and Evin are characters newer to me that I appreciated learning about throughout this novel. I would say some of the character relationships move quite quickly but there is no jealousy between the men and Briar and there is no fear about being a coven. The freedom to fall in love was sweet here.

This book is spicy - I would say 5 spicy peppers our of 5 spicy peppers because there are group scenes (2-3 people per scene) and a great deal of foreplay. This is a fast burn style romance and the main characters is an established relationship in the first book...that relationship grows to include more people. The spice was well written and fun.

"I-I have these feelings towards you, like my heart exists outside of my body. When you enter the room, my breath catches in my chest at your beauty...I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

In terms of world and story I would say there isn't a lot of world building (though we have a fascinating magic system and snippets of bigger things) but the story does an excellent job to carry you along. The first half of the book is a bit more of a slow burn for plot but you do get time to settle with the new characters and reveal some important plot pieces that will push the characters' journeys along. In the second half we get this fun court intrigue plot line involving secret machination around the crown and I really enjoyed it. This book is an easy book to consume and I devoured it in a single evening...into the early morning.

If you are looking a spicy why choose fantasy series that is quick to fall into with light but engaging court plot intermixed, this series is such a fun option. I am really enjoying Zoe's style and can't wait to see what more to does!

Available on KU!

[Blake Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't remember the exact dates, I read the duology back to back. This sequel is also pretty fast paced, but I think it is better at making situations seem more dire or feel like more is at stake. I don't fully understand the antagonist's intentions and most of the main characters seem relatively flawless, but the spicy scenes are better. I can't take the story too seriously because the main character will have sex with these sexy men with reckless abandon, even while her sister is just a few rooms down the hall. The overall relationships are just too perfect with trivial complications. Despite this the story is enjoyable and feel-good and does have some sexy moments between the men. It is a relaxing read and worth the time in my opinion.

[Viola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of the duology. I really liked the first one, but this one was ok. It could have been better if the relationships between her and the men were better developed. Some of them seemed like an afterthought and supporting characters in the harem and some were developed well.

I felt the ending and conflict resolution was a little rushed as well, which is sad. It could have easily been a 5 ⭐️ read like book one but with ok the issues it’s only a 3-3.5

Stars: 3.5
POV: multiple
HEA?: yes
OW/OM Drama: no
Cheating: no
Cliffhanger?: no
Stand-alone? No
Tropes: magic, retelling, why choose, MM, MMF

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this duology! Zoe Abrams has created a seamless magical system that will leave you holding your breath and rooting for Briar and her men of princes and wizards.

The Coven is on a journey to replenish the magic that has been stolen, kept secret from those who don't even know they have magic. It's not always easy since Briar has magic that hasn't been seen in centuries, if ever. I love Cal, Jonas, Ivan, Evin and Avan.

The spice really hits halfway through the book that will melt your Kindle and/or tablet.

Filled with secrets and deception, The Moonlit Dance is the epically wonderful conclusion to The Alehem Witches Duology.

[Libby Charlotte Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 stars.

Meh? Good premise, thought it could have been executed better. Lots of focus on the smutty connections (which I enjoyed and what pushed it up to this rating) but it all just felt a tiny bit flat.

I think I would have preferred this as a longer duology. I still can't really picture the world or the characters, besides Briar.

It was an easy, enjoyable read so this isn't a negative review by any means but I wanted MORE. From it all.

Sorry!

[Suella.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

PHENOMENAL ending to the duet!!

I LOVED this book! Zoe did SUCH a good job with the story, and I absolutely loved seeing all the relationships with everyone grow! Also the spice in this one was SO DANG 🔥🔥🔥 !! Highly recommend this why choose fantasy!! This one is definitely going in as one of my top reads of the year!

[Johanna Marriott · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should have been a day long read - easy. Once I put it down I wasn’t really compelled to pick it back up. I sort of finished it for the sake of moving on.
The plot to spice ratio was all over the place. The story felt underdeveloped with aggressively complicated situations resolving wayyy too smoothly. I ended up skimming a significant portion of the end of the book.

[Cie Cie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a hold on me I can’t stop waiting for the what next! I don’t want to spoil it for anyone but dark romance and some fun if you love hot and heavy then this is the one!

[Tabularasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well it is moderately well written harem porn fantasy🤔. I mean - fantasy bit is only a filler, cause the main focus is on the hot stuff happening between five (?) men😆 fast read, nothing mind blowing

[Skyla Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

[V · Rating 2 out of 5]

No