By Lizzy Ford
Paperback, 320 pages
Published November 9th 2014
A reader gets sucked into the book she’s reading and is trapped, unless she convinces the hero of the story to send her home. Just her luck - the book is unfinished, and its sexy hero is far more alpha male than she’s prepared to handle.
What Naia doesn’t know: the story – and its hero – have been expecting her for quite some time, even though she has no idea what she’s doing there.
Naia must learn quickly how to navigate the dangerous, magical world of Black Moon Draw and find a way to woo the unlikely, uncooperative hero of the story, who holds the key to returning her home.
What Naia doesn’t know: the story – and its hero – have been expecting her for quite some time, even though she has no idea what she’s doing there.
Naia must learn quickly how to navigate the dangerous, magical world of Black Moon Draw and find a way to woo the unlikely, uncooperative hero of the story, who holds the key to returning her home.
Twenty-three-year-old Naia is nursing a broken heart with fiction. Unlucky in love, and life in general, this disenchanted librarian is looking for something more. When the novel opens, that ‘something more’ is the next great work of fiction. While scouring the blogiverse, Naia stumbles upon a fantasy saga written by elusive author “LF.” The piece, centered in the fictitious lands of Black Moon Draw, features the fearsome Shadow Knight a “most violent, mysterious, and relentless badass.” Naia is magnetically attracted to the tale and is beyond frustrated when the author delays her real-time plot posts.
After a marathon night of wine-fuelled 80s fantasy film binge watching, Naia is magically transported to the world of Black Moon Draw and its sexy ruler the Shadow Knight. Once there, Naia must reach deep to find the inner strength and be the fierce “battle witch” the characters around her believe her to be.
Black Moon Draw is a story within a story. Its reflexive nature allows the author to explore, exploit, and criticize the regular conventions of the paranormal romance genre; you expect the, well, expected. Naia lacks confidence, the Shadow Knight lacks finesse, but neither lacks a nearly-combustible attraction for the other. The characters are likeable and the story line compelling. The Shadow Knight isn’t the hardest hearted alpha I’ve come across, and Naia isn’t the most self-loathing female lead I’ve encountered. Ford’s careful description of this fantasy realm is lovely and creative. I was invested in the plot line and genuinely entertained.
At times the fact that this story is aware that it’s a story sours the reading experience. The constant reminders of plot conventions and allusion to other works felt forced and awkward. There were no fewer than five open references to Fifty Shades of Grey. While I appreciated Fifty at the time I read it, I’m very much over it. I felt Black Moon Draw was well-written, expertly edited, and, quite frankly, better crafted than a text it kept deferring to.
Finally, I have only one major complaint about this text. I must first preface my complaint by admitting that I enjoy sexy literature. I like my fictitious sex fairly descriptive. I don’t think I need to join a support group or anything, but I like what I like. Sexual tension is a highly effective technique to hook and string your readership. Ford does this well. The tension builds steadily and there are real, reasonable reasons the characters don’t give into their primal urges. Naia’s unabashed inner dialogue about Shadow’s physical attributes are so very sensual. However, without giving too much away, I felt unsatisfied. I expected more from a man who wears both leather and a kilt. Just sayin’.
Rating: Three Sheep
Black Moon Draw is a story within a story. Its reflexive nature allows the author to explore, exploit, and criticize the regular conventions of the paranormal romance genre; you expect the, well, expected. Naia lacks confidence, the Shadow Knight lacks finesse, but neither lacks a nearly-combustible attraction for the other. The characters are likeable and the story line compelling. The Shadow Knight isn’t the hardest hearted alpha I’ve come across, and Naia isn’t the most self-loathing female lead I’ve encountered. Ford’s careful description of this fantasy realm is lovely and creative. I was invested in the plot line and genuinely entertained.
At times the fact that this story is aware that it’s a story sours the reading experience. The constant reminders of plot conventions and allusion to other works felt forced and awkward. There were no fewer than five open references to Fifty Shades of Grey. While I appreciated Fifty at the time I read it, I’m very much over it. I felt Black Moon Draw was well-written, expertly edited, and, quite frankly, better crafted than a text it kept deferring to.
Finally, I have only one major complaint about this text. I must first preface my complaint by admitting that I enjoy sexy literature. I like my fictitious sex fairly descriptive. I don’t think I need to join a support group or anything, but I like what I like. Sexual tension is a highly effective technique to hook and string your readership. Ford does this well. The tension builds steadily and there are real, reasonable reasons the characters don’t give into their primal urges. Naia’s unabashed inner dialogue about Shadow’s physical attributes are so very sensual. However, without giving too much away, I felt unsatisfied. I expected more from a man who wears both leather and a kilt. Just sayin’.
Rating: Three Sheep
Bianca Greenwood
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Lizzy Ford is the author of over seventeen novels written for young adult and adult paranormal romance readers, to include the internationally bestselling Rhyn Trilogy, Witchling Trilogy and the War of Gods series. Considered a freak of nature by her peers for the ability to write and release a commercial quality novel in under a month, Lizzy has focused on keeping her readers happy by producing brilliant, gritty romances that remind people why true love is a trial worth enduring.
Lizzy’s books can be found on every major ereader library, to include: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Sony and Smashwords. She lives in southern Arizona with her husband, three dogs and a cat.
I love Lizzy Ford. (Hate 50 shades) :D . I have this one on my kindle and even though you gave it 3 stars I'm still going to read it soon. Thanks for the reminder it was on there.
ReplyDeleteI have it on my kindle too. We have reviewed a few of her books, but I have yet to get a chance. Probably need to move them up in my cue :)
DeleteAs a general rule, I enjoy sexual tension more than the act itself, although admittedly, if the couple doesn't get there eventually then I can't help but feel cheated. With so many Fifty Shades references, I would have expected more steam too.
ReplyDeleteCarmel @ Rabid Reads
Being an urban fantasy fan I'm use to long drawn out sexual tension and not satisfaction till the second or sometimes third book!
DeleteAgreed with the other comments thus far. And if you did need a support group for your addiction....sign me up too! :p I've read a few of Lizzy Ford's stories to date and I get what you're saying about her writing. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteWait...there's a support group for reading steamy sexy goodness?!
ReplyDeleteThere should be! Can you imagine what would go on at one of those?
Delete