I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Moontangled is a direct sequel to the previous Harwood Spellbook story, Thornbound. There will be spoilers for the previous books of the series!
Cassandra Harwood managed to achieve the unthinkable: a school for magic that welcomes women. In Angland, the noble career for a woman is in politics – ladies are diplomats and state leaders, gentlemen dabble in magic, as suited to their temperament. The Harwood family challenged this status quo, but while they led the way towards change, it didn’t happen in a vacuum.
I liked how Stephanie Burgis stepped out of the Harwood family circle here, focusing instead on other characters – on how the events of the previous books impacted them. We also get to see how the family is perceived from the point of view of outsiders, and it’s amusing how Cassandra is seen as this legendary, intimidating figure when we as readers know all about her self-doubt and past mistakes.
Juliana is a talented student at the Thornfell College of Magic, under Cassandra Harwood’s tutelage. Her secret fiancée, Caroline, was a rising star in the Boudiccate, but when her aunt and mentor got embroiled in a scandal, her own reputation took a hit. Caroline doesn’t want to do more jeopardise Juliana’s promising path in a field that’s already filled with hurdles.
Caroline is distant, Juliana is hurt, and a fancy party at Thornfell is the moment for them to sort things out, in a background of fae shenanigans.
Self-sacrifice instead of healthy communication seems like a common trait for the Harwood Spellbook characters. Juliana and Caroline, due to their upbriging, are all too ready to sacrifice themselves before having an honest, open conversation about their respective needs and worries about the future.
It’s a sweet and romantic story about making things work even when it’s difficult – especially when it’s difficult – and fighting for the future you want instead of giving up out of a misplaced, but understandable, sense of noble self-abnegation. Thematically, it echoes the previous books of the series.
I very much enjoy how the books since Snowspelled (excluding the prequel novella, of course) deal with the rippling consequences of Cassandra’s decision and actions. This a new angle – as I said, with “outsider” characters, but also because it challenges the heteronormativity of a world where roles are gender-assigned and marriages of convenience to strengthen one’s position in society are a normal occurrence.
I’m looking forward to more from Stephanie Burgis in this world. Moontangled was a magical little story, in every sense of the word. It releases on February 3rd, 2020.
