Today, I’m excited to review this beautiful young adult fantasy. Written In Starlight, written by Isabel Ibañez, is the second installment in the Woven In Moonlight series. This amazing story is set to be released on January 26, 2021. Mark your calendar because this is one you’ll want to read.
Thank you so much, NetGalley and Page Street Kids, for the e-copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Synopsis – Written In Starlight by Isabel Ibañez
An adventerous South American Tomb Raider! This hotly anticipated companion to Woven in Moonlight follows an outcast Condesa, as she braves the jungle to forge an alliance with the lost city of gold.
If the jungle wants you, it will have you…
Catalina Quiroga is a Condesa without a country. She’s lost the Inkasisa throne, the loyalty of her people, and her best friend. Banished to the perilous Yanu Jungle, Catalina knows her chances of survival are slim, but that won’t stop her from trying to escape. Her duty is to rule.
While running for her life, Catalina is rescued by Manuel, the son of her former general who has spent years searching for allies. With his help, Catalina could find the city of gold that’s home to the fierce Illari people and strike a deal with them for an army to retake her throne.
But the elusive Illari are fighting a battle of their own—a mysterious blight is corrupting the jungle, laying waste to everything they hold dear. As a seer, Catalina should be able to help, but her ability to read the future in the stars is as feeble as her survival instincts. While searching for the Illari, Catalina must reckon with her duty and her heart to find her true calling, which is key to stopping the corruption before it destroys the jungle completely.
Book Review
Written In Starlight was such a wonderful read. This story is not about Ximena, Catalina’s decoy, but Catalina herself, and is different from the first book. The story keeps this lyrical and mystical feel that I love with an ever-present Bolivian-inspired culture. Truly beautiful!
From the very first pages, the story grabbed my attention. The world-building is well crafted and very inspired. This fast-paced story kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. Between the turns and twists, how dangerous Catalina’s environment is, and her mission, I couldn’t put this book down.
Catalina embarks on a journey that will challenge her physically, mentally, and spiritually. Her character grows and her path towards finding herself and healing is both beautiful and brutal. As for Manuel, he is a wonderful character with a strong sense of loyalty and duty. I loved this romance, which is somehow a slow burn but not quite. I don’t want to say too much, but it is beautiful.
The ending is simply spectacular and I hope there will be another book. I highly recommend this book.
Sources for material and content: Goodreads and Amazon
I had no idea this was a book series. The cover is stunning. I’m going to need to look into the first one. It does sound different from books I pick up. Great review!
They’re great books. I do hope you enjoy it! 😊