Review: Moon Burning by Lucy Monroe
February 23, 2011 
15 Comments
I was excited to read this book after I read the back cover summary. Ever since reading Julie Garwood as a teenager I have had a love affair with Highlanders. I also like paranormal romances so combining the two seemed like a win-win for me. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.
There was a line on the back cover summary, “Could this woman be his true mate?” that I thought was just an expression. Wrong! I guess I should have paid more attention to the italics because this book was a ‘fated mate’ story. I am not a fan of those, and this book just validated why exactly they tend to irritate me.
There was absolutely no connection set up to convince me that the heroine and hero had anything in common (other than being shifters) with each other than the fact they were “true mates.” Apparently true mates have this smell compulsion thing going on that makes them want to get it on with their mate as soon as possible. Mere hours after Barr rescues Sabrine they are having sex. This happens by page 80 and seems odd considering the fact that she’s recovering from an arrow wound and everyone believes she has some kind of head injury causing memory loss. Midway through the second day Sabrine thinks:
“In point of fact, she was well on her way to being irrevocably in love with him.”
This is day two still!
Sabrine started out interesting for me. I was intrigued by the possibility of watching the hero and heroine navigate their attraction amidst the tensions between their clans and I liked that she was on a mission for her people and that she was her clan’s protector. Of course, the fact that she wouldn’t lie and practically drew the truth out in crayon for her “enemy” made me lose respect for her. With a protector that good at her job I’m surprised they haven’t died off already.
This book was frustrating, but very readable. The author has a simple style that makes the pages turn easily, even when you’re not really enjoying it. There were some amusing exchanges between characters here and there and although it didn’t feel very historical to me, that isn’t something that always bothers me.
I think I would have liked this book more if I could have gotten into the writing style more. I finished the book and I still don’t feel like I knew any of the characters very well. There was no depth to any of them which amazes me because they were completely unsubtle people. Everything they thought seemed to route to their mouth with very little filtering. And then they would talk and talk and talk about their actions and motivations. I like dialogue driven stories, but the author was killing me with it here.
I think this will garner its fair share of fans. It’s not a horrible book or anything and people who enjoy the fated mate trope will probably like this more than I did. I personally don’t enjoy this lighter, sillier book style, but if you do you might want to check it out.
Favorite Quote:
He bowed his head toward Sorcha. “It was not my intention to offend.”
She stared between him and Verica with wide eyes very much like her daughter’s. “I’m not offended.”
He nodded and gave Verica his most patient look. “You see? I did not offend Sorcha.”
“You offended me.”
“I won’t win this argument, will I?”
“No.”
Moon Burning by Lucy Monroe
February 1st 2011 by Berkley
Historical PNR
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I had put this book in my TBR list after seeing only the cover and skimming the back cover, but I’m glad I read your review first. The ‘fated mates’ thing doesn’t work for me – it often comes across as a cop out for getting the characters together. Thanks for the review!
I actually like the fated mate troupe so I’m thinking this one might just work for me. I’m going to check out the first book in the series I think. Great review Catherine.
I loved the first two books of this series, especially the first one. But I had trouble getting into Moon Burning.
@Kara H: I’m glad I’m not the only one who missed the significance of the “true mate” thing on the back cover. I was feeling a bit dim about missing it.
@Sophia (FV): It’ll probably work much better for someone who likes this trope.
@Anna: What was different about it? I didn’t read the first two books, so I’m curious.
Silly and light sounds pretty good to me actually
So who knows
@blodeuedd: Definitely check it out then! You might just like it.
Catherine,
I guess it was connection with the characters or it could have just been my mood. I’m not telling anyone to not read it.. because I think a lot of readers are gonna love it. But this one just wasn’t for me.
I actually disagree about the fated mates thing. I think Monroe did a credible job of working it into the story while still giving the characters a choice over their feelings. They didn’t have to be together just because “fate” decided for them. They had to make a conscious choice to stay with each other.
Having said that, this is the weakest of the three in the series. The 2nd, Moon Craving, is my favorite. I highly recommend it.
The first, Moon Awakening, actually uses the “fated mates” trope as a crutch way more than this one did, IMO.
I kind of like the fated mate thing, but the other title I read by this author (not in this series) had the same problem for me with the characterization. Lots of dialogue, but I never felt I really got to know either of them.
I really enjoyed the first book in the series Moon Awakening (I think you’d enjoy it) but had so many issues with the second book in this series that I’ve been afraid to pick this one up. I think I’ll wait awhile before reading this one…
Wanted to add-I think it’s interesting that the first book in this series was written over 4 yrs ago and the last two in the series were released fairly close together. I wonder if that had something to do with the problems with the writing style.
Ugh good thing I read this I have issues with fated mates. It is nice when authors will take their time to let the love grow but I’m not a huge fan of them declaring love when they have only known each other a few days.
@Anna: It probably will. Sometimes you just can’t connect with a book. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the next one by her more.
@Holly: I agree that they didn’t have to stay together, but I don’t agree that they could have a full life without their mate.
***SPOILER??? MAYBE…***
They can only have kids with their true mate. Once they sleep with their true mate they are unable to sleep with someone else. Even though they could have just chosen not to sleep together it still felt like they were in a lame situation.
***END THE MAYBE SPOILER SECTION***
But the fated mate wasn’t the real issue. I don’t like the fated mate trope, true, but that’s just because it seems like authors use it as an excuse to not develop a believable attraction and relationship. That was my problem here.
Even though I tend to steer clear of the fated mate trope, I’ve actually seen it handled very well and ended up enjoying it. The World of the Lupi is one of the first to come to mind.
I have heard pretty good things about the first two books in this series as well. A couple of my GR friends read and enjoyed them.
@Linda S: That’s disappointing. What was the book you read?
@Colette @ A Buckeye Girl Reads: What were your issues with the second book? You’ve made me curious.
That is a very interesting observation. I can definitely believe that the author’s style would change significantly in 4 years.
@Alexa: I’m not a fan of that either. I need time to watch the love build and actually see them get to know each other beyond sex to believe in their feelings and longevity.