Moonborn

The Soulstar Saga #1

by Annaïa Rowan

Some dreams are memories. Some loves span lifetimes. And some truths require the courage to shatter everything you thought you knew about yourself.

I am property. For ten years, that's all I've been allowed to be. Chained. Worthless. Powerless. Invisible.

In Bronich, darkness reigns, and even the barest whisper of magic is punishable by death. So, I've learned to stay quiet. To expect nothing. Survive. Until I saw something I wasn't supposed to see. A murder that forced me to flee. Right into the forgotten world of Reā.

Here, I thought I'd be free. Instead, I find every truth I know to be a lie; my soul is tethered; my dreams are not my own. At night, I live through the eyes of a woman I've never seen, love with a heart that isn't mine, and awaken with the phantom touch of hands that know my body better than I know myself.

Everyone I meet seems determined to keep me from learning why. But I'm done being powerless. Done being invisible. I will reclaim what was stolen from me.

Moonborn is a spellbinding fantasy romance of stolen souls, found family, and discovering that the greatest freedom lies in choosing your own destiny.

For lovers of From Blood and Ash, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Quicksilver.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Slow Burn, Fantasy Romance, Epic Fantasy

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

About the author

Annaïa Rowan is a fantasy romance author who creates epic adventures in the new adult genre.

Annaïa holds a Msc in business and marketing, but after seven years of business studies and a short career in banking, she decided to follow her passion and create a slower life with more time to read, write, create and and cherish moments with her little ones.

When she's not weaving stories, Annaïa is also a yoga teacher, and has been teaching yoga and leading circles, workshops and retreats for over a decade. She has a strong passion for astrology, witchcraft, and spiritual and emotional energy healing, and in addition to being certified with over 1000 hours within yoga, she holds degrees from The Four Winds (Andean shamanism), Sacred Mist (Wicca) and OBOD (Druidry).​

Annaïa's writing is influenced by two distinct traditions: the epic fantasy mastery of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, whose complex world-building and magic systems inspire her own fantastical realms, and the romantic fantasy brilliance of Carissa Broadbents and Callie Hart, who craft unforgettable love stories within high-stakes magical adventures. This combination of intricate world-building and epic romance defines the Moonborn series.

Reviews

[Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has excellent pacing, lovable characters that grow on you , a very high fantasy feel with excellent world building and a romance sub plot. It explores some deep and interesting themes, religion, slavery, tyranny, dark vs light, the good of one vs many. I thoroughly enjoyed this and the story is as beautiful as the book itself is (seriously it’s gorgeous you’re gonna want a physical copy of this!) thank you so much to Annaia for the arc 💜

[Carly K · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
Went in to this without really knowing what the story was about, expecting a generic romantasy, and was pleasantly surprised by a HIGH fantasy romance. 👏🏼😳

Quite honestly, the ‘romance’ felt like it took a major back seat to everything else happening, and I’m not mad about that because I was getting lost in the world of Rēa and the unique magic system.

I appreciate a book that doesn’t tell me everything right away, and instead pulls back layers as the story progresses. It never felt like momentum died off. The found family in this story is so like-able, and I felt myself getting attached to each of these characters. And the way depression, and depressive thoughts, was explored felt healing - it was handled with care but also rawness 🥺.

There were a couple parts that felt a little clunky, but I didn’t feel like they took away from the story. In my opinion, this was a really well done debut, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this story unravels! I have a feeling that Annaïa Brown is going to write some incredible fantasy novels in the coming years.

Thank you to The NerdFam for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! 💕

[Kassaayyee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need the next book 🫠
I didn't want to put this down. I fell in love with the characters, the world, the journey, and the growth. I struggled a little with absorbing the story in the beginning, but I got the hang of it fairly quickly. I can't wait to see what happens in the next one.

side note: such a stunning cover 😍

[Stephanie Keijzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I learned a long time ago that the only one looking out for me is me."

Laïna has been property for over ten years of her life. Her master is a cruel man, but she has to follow his wishes, do to a brace that constricts her life. They live in Bronich a dark, sinister town with strict rules to follow and were anything light or fun is banned. One day she escapes town with help from a friend. They travel to Rea a magical place were she can be free. Or so she thinks...

This fantasy book with a romance side plot was amazing. The world building was phenomenal. It was so well written. I imagined everything vividly. I loved the world, the magic system and the powers. The story is a mix between fast paced and medium paced.

"What's the point in fighting to survive when I don't have a single thing worth living for?"

Laïna was a great FMC. She had enormous growth throughout the book. She learns to think for herself, begins to heal all her trauma and learns to let people in. She finally begins to see she is worth living her life.

The MMC is a little absent throughout the book but what we get to see.. My oh my! He says the quote; "Who did this to you?" Do I need to say more? We only want more.

Another big highlight of the story was the found family with her new friends. Vilder and Seniia. They also have a story to tell and are so fierce and loyal from the start. They are exactly the friends Laïna needs. Cant wait to see more of them.

"Want to be brave?" she says. "Be vulnerable. There’s no courage without vulnerability. Most importantly, you don't have to carry it all by yourself, Laïna. You are not alone."

The story takes you on a journey with mystery, betrayal, friendship, fated mates, grief, trauma, loss, magic, funny side characters and divine fate.

This is the first book in probably a three book series. Go grab your copy and enjoy!

[Darth C · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Fearful people are easy to control.”

This book wastes zero time being gentle. The opening is brutal, unsettling, and immediately tells you this world is ruled by fear, control, and religious rot (sounds familiar huh? 🤔) and it only gets darker from there. The prose is lush and deliberate, the atmosphere thick with dread, and the themes are heavy as hell.

It’s a slow, intentional burn that leans hard into oppression, secrecy, and survival, with worldbuilding that feels cruelly lived-in rather than decorative. Not an easy read, not a cozy one… but a compelling one. If you like your fantasy dark, morally messy, and emotionally sharp (check the trigger warnings), Moonborn will absolutely sink its teeth into you 🌙

[Paige Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a good book and so different from what I anticipated, such a beautifully and whimsically written book with a high fantasy plot which i absolutely loved. It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy novel with a sub-plot of romance and it was so refreshing. I’m also happy to say I think this beauty has pulled me from my current reading slump as I’m honestly dying for the next book and scouring the internet for similar stories!

The found family and characters in this story were so good and each so lovable in their own unique ways, I can’t wait to continue with each person’s journey. The heavier topics in this story were also done so well and handled with so much care. All in I really enjoyed this story and will definitely be jumping in again for the next one!!

I had a few things that threw me off just a tinch, but nothing that deterred my enjoyment of the overall story. I can’t wait to see what comes behind the next GORGEOUS cover!!

Thank you to The NerdFam for an e-Arc of this story!! 🩵

[Kate Haydar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Annaïa Rowan and The Nerd Fam for this ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars)

Moonborn by Annaïa Rowan is the debut first installment of a planned trilogy. It is a dark, slow-burn, quest-style romantasy with serious depth and some of the most intricate worldbuilding I’ve read in a while. If you loved Fairydale, When the Moon Hatched, or even the early atmospheric tension of ACOTAR, this one will absolutely scratch that itch.

Let me say this upfront: if you’re confused in the beginning, let it cook. You’re supposed to feel unsettled, disoriented, and unsure. The payoff is worth it. Also—please check the trigger warnings before going in. Seriously.

The first part of the book is dark, oppressive, and deeply unsettling in the best way. We follow Laïna, an orphaned servant who’s been trapped in servitude since she was ten. Now twenty, she survives by secretly working as a freelance spy—because information is currency, and freedom has a price. She’s bound by a brutal brace that forces truth, prevents her from wielding weapons, blocks magic, tracks her movements, and can compel her to act. Servants are veiled, silent, and forbidden from making eye contact. Magic is outlawed. Moonborn are forbidden. Religion reigns. The Minister rules. And the Umbra—an inhuman shadow with pale yellow skin, red eyes, and the ability to erase memories—is nightmare fuel.

It’s very much culty, Handmaid’s Tale–adjacent, and Laïna questioning the system feels dangerous in a way that kept me on edge. When the betrayal hits and she runs? That’s when the story truly opens.

The second half shifts into a completely different world—one full of magic, shifters, bonded animals, meddling gods, and morally gray truths. The contrast is intentional and effective. Watching Laïna deprogram herself after escaping a cult was one of the most compelling parts of the book. The themes of autonomy, belief, and identity run deep here. There’s also mental health rep, layered political tension, and a slow unspooling of secrets that kept me turning pages.

And yes—there’s romance. Slow burn. Tension-heavy. Complicated by visions, fate, and very suspicious dreams about someone she definitely doesn’t know… until she does. 👀

By the end, the transformation is wild. You look back at page one and think, cult who? The scope of the story grows massively, and the groundwork laid early on pays off beautifully.

My only real gripe is that the friendship between Laïna, Vilder, and Seniia doesn’t feel as organic as I wanted—it’s meaningful, but the emotional bond feels slightly rushed compared to everything else that’s so carefully built.

Still, if you love:
• Dark romantasy
• Cult escape & deprogramming arcs
• Intricate worldbuilding
• Slow-burn tension
• Morally complex magic systems
• “Who did this to you?” energy

…this one is absolutely worth your time.

I’m very much seated for what comes next.

[Micronova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonborn by Annaïa Rowan, book one in the Soulstar Saga
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.5 stars (rounded up.)

I was pretty excited to read this book. The synopsis snagged my attention with “Some dreams are memories. Some loves span lifetimes. And some truths require the courage to shatter everything you thought you knew about yourself.”

Laïna has essentially been a slave (they are called properties here,) since she was ten years old. At 20 years old, she dreams of freedom and escaping Bronich (the deeply oppressive and cult-like town she lives in.) She’s been sneaking away at night to spy and sells information for funds to eventually leave with. Laïna ends up seeing something that could end her life if discovered by the Minister.

The first chapter is brutal. Like, kick you in the gut brutal. I wasn’t expecting that and it set the tone for what I thought was going to be a gnarly (yes!!) book. But after the first chapter I felt like the pacing at the beginning of the book was off and the way information was relayed to the reader was confusing. I had a hard time really connecting with any of the characters.

At first I had a hard time with Laïna. Even though I understood WHY she behaved the way she did. But still, her naivety irked me. There were also many moments where I wanted Laïna to just shut up and listen. When Laïna finds an unexpected ally in Lyrr, the pace and tone definitely change. At this time things pick up and progress fairly smoothly. We start to see a different side of Laïna. She grows up a little and has to dig deep to make it to her destination.

Along her journey she meets Seniia and Vilder who pretty much adopt her. They join her in travel as they are all going to the same city. They embrace her and offer guidance in learning and experiencing things she never dreamed she’d be doing.

I appreciated the attempt at the found family trope and while I enjoyed their circle of friendship, their complete support/devotion in having her back was hard to believe. It just seemed like the depth of their connection went from newb to ride or die rather quickly.

This story is full of magic. A lot of things are bound to the soul. There are spirit animals and shape shifters. There are dark Umbra’s and morally gray characters. There are politics and dark religious tones. But there is also hope in this story. There is mystery. There is immense growth in the FMC. There is a found family vibe. And for you Romantasy lovers out there, there is even a (albeit vague,) slow burn, thick tension romance.

While I didn’t necessarily find Moonborn a spectacular and exciting read, the last few chapters of the book are strong and almost made up for the start of the book. Secrets and necessary information are finally revealed. Things make a little more sense and the way the book left me hanging has convinced me to continue and at least read the next novel in the series.

Thank you to the author and NerdFAm for the digital advanced reader copy.

Edited to add: The cover is beautiful!!


Expected publish date: February 2nd.

[Elesia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moonborn by Annaïa Rowan has a lot of compelling ideas, and I really appreciated the strength and complexity of the main character Laïna—she was easily the highlight of the story for me. She felt capable, interesting, and emotionally grounded, which kept me invested even when I struggled with other elements in the story.

That said, the romance didn’t quite land for me. The emotional progression between characters felt a bit hard to follow, it was somehow both slow burn and insta love all at once. On top of that, the frequent jumps between dreams and real life pulled me out of the story more than once, making it difficult to stay oriented and fully immersed.

Moonborn has a strong foundation and an engaging protagonist, but the execution—just particularly with the romance, structure, and pacing—made it a more mixed reading experience for me.

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC.

[Heidizzle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I had a pretty good time with it, even though it definitely has some flaws. The story kept me interested, and I liked the main character, but sometimes her choices didn't really line up with what she said. She talks a lot about not trusting people, but then ends up trusting her two friends really quickly, which felt a bit inconsistent.

There were also some plot holes that pulled me out of the story. The scene with Reu especially annoyed me. The whole book makes it clear he's a terrible person, so when she suddenly decides to trust him, it didn't make ANY SENSE, and of course he betrays her, which was VERY predictable. Honestly, all of the twists were easy to see coming.

I've never seen romance handled quite like that before, with the dreams and reincarnation, so it was different at least. Overall, it was entertaining and had some creative ideas.

[Ashleigh Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. I couldn’t put this book down, beautifully written and very gripping throughout. I went into it completely oblivious to the plot so I was excited to see what was going to happen. The journey presented was interesting and different but I found a few things towards the end anticlimactic as well as the ending itself. I was waiting for a magnificent ending and it didn’t come. I still thought it was beautiful and the way the author describes everything is amazing and immersive. I will look forward to reading the next one eventually to see if the first book is just a build up to a much bigger plot.

[nooked_ina_book · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars) I enjoyed diving further into the layers of this story the deeper I got into it, the writing held a fantastic balance of foreshadowing and subtlety that cultivated my intrigue.

I loved the character development, I found the emotional struggles very relatable. The world is so rich, detailed, and magical. I especially loved unwavering loyalty of the friendship.

The lore of the back story was one of the most interesting things and had me plotting and annotating the whole book and when it came into play for the ending, my mind was blown! Perfect book for fantasy lovers.

[Pamela Ennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 - 4.5 ⭐️
1 🌶️

This was an amazing debut!

Moonborn began with a very dark & sinister start, and slowly transformed into something magical. The world building was beautifully done, and the magic system was very complex while still being easy to follow (loved the focus on the moons). Our main character was so endearing as she acclimated to her new surroundings, and the misunderstandings had me giggling once or twice. While this is an intentional slow burn (we don’t see much of a love interest until later in the book), I was living for the bits of tension & banter. I can’t wait to get more of Astēr in the next book (as well as Vilder & Seniia!).

There were times in the middle where I wished the pacing would quicken just a touch, but even so, this entire book was SO well written & intricately thought out.

Very excited to get more of this series! Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for this copy!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic, immersive, enthralling story!! The magic system was so unique and some of the worlds were beautiful while some were dark. I could vividly see the surroundings in my head and feel the vibe of each place. I loved the strong determined FMC. I really enjoyed this one!

[Blaire · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book definitely gives more of a fantasy feel than fantasy romance. The romance is minimal here although it’s definitely building up for the next book. What this book does do well is the character arc of our FMC. I wasn’t sure how I felt in the beginning because it was giving young and naive, almost YA vibes, but the FMC quickly found her resolve to change her circumstances. Even though she’s sheltered she realizes that she deserves more from life than the hand she’s been dealt.

What ensues is an epic journey out of the human world and into the land of the fae. Mysteries abound here. We have wolves. We have mysterious help from strangers out of the blue. The found family aspect is also done really well.

For the most part the plot isn’t earth shattering. Most will see the plot twists unfold before they actually do. But I do think you’ll fall for our FMC and look forward to the potential of this overall story.

What’s inside:
- orphaned human FMC
- hidden identities
- found family
- fated mates
- sexy dreams
- epic journeys

[Belinda Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into Moonborn with genuinely high hopes 💫. The premise immediately hooked me—a girl reduced to property, chained and powerless in a brutal world where magic meant death, forced to flee after witnessing a murder, only to stumble into another realm that promised freedom but delivered even more questions 😔. Ten years of survival in darkness, dreams that weren’t her own, a soul tethered to another life, and memories that felt like echoes of past loves across lifetimes… it all sounded like exactly my kind of story 🖤✨.

Unfortunately, while the ideas were compelling, the execution left me feeling confused and emotionally disconnected for much of the book 😕. The story was written in present tense and told strictly from the protagonist’s POV, which didn’t fully work for me. Because she had such limited understanding of the world, rarely questioned what was happening, and had very few reliable allies, the worldbuilding felt thin when I desperately wanted depth 🌍💭. When characters appeared who weren’t openly hostile, I kept waiting for more context—rules, history, motives—but those answers came far too slowly.

I also struggled with the protagonist herself 💔. Her characterization felt inconsistent: at times she trusted certain characters without hesitation while doubting others for no clear reason 🤨. Some moments suggested she was a skilled liar, while others made it seem like everyone could read her thoughts and intentions, which muddled the dynamics and made relationships feel less believable. Since the story relied so heavily on her perspective, this inconsistency made it harder for me to fully connect with her journey.

Romance-wise 💕, readers expecting a fantasy romance at the forefront might feel underwhelmed. The romantic elements were very limited, with minimal interaction between the protagonist and her love interest. There was potential—especially with the shared dreams, phantom touches, and soul-deep connections—but it mostly felt like groundwork for future books rather than something fully explored here 🌙💭.

That said, the final chapters did change the tone of the story significantly 🔥. The world expanded, truths were revealed, and suddenly the pieces began to click into place. I finally understood the weight of the soul-binding, the lies surrounding her past, and what had truly been stolen from her. Sadly, this clarity arrived too late to completely reshape my reading experience—but it did make me more curious about where the series could go next 📖✨.

✨ Tropes & vibes you’ll find here:
🔗 Stolen soul / soul-bound destiny
🌙 Shared dreams & past-life echoes
🖤 Oppressive worlds & forbidden magic
🏃‍♀️ On-the-run heroine
🤫 Secrets, lies, and withheld truths
🌱 Found family (slow-burn setup)
👑 Reclaiming power & identity

While Moonborn didn’t fully land for me, I appreciated the ambition behind the story and the themes of reclaiming agency, identity, and choice 🖤. Thank you to the author and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity—I’m genuinely interested to see how Annaia Rowan’s writing and this world continue to develop in future books 💌📚.

[KMart Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

We follow a young woman raised inside a rigid religious system and slowly watch her realize just how much of her life has been shaped by lies. I always love that kind of narrative, and this one really worked for me on a mystery level. There are multiple layers limiting what she understands about herself and the world, and unraveling that over time was genuinely compelling. I enjoyed the slow burn of discovery.

The found family aspect was wonderful and those relationships gave the story emotional stability when the plot was heavy with secrets and uncertainty. The worldbuilding is creative and distinct.

This one reminded me a bit of Between Life and Death by Jaclyn Kot.

That said, the emotional connection to the characters didn’t fully land for me. I liked them, but I didn’t feel them as deeply as I wanted to. The story leans very heavily into setup, which means the pacing can feel slow, and the romance stays way, way in the background. There’s some potential in the dream-sharing and soul-tethered concept, but it reads more like groundwork for future books than an active romantic arc. If you go in expecting a romance-forward story, this probably won’t hit that mark. Yet.

And while I enjoyed the mystery of who Laïna is and what she can become, it does echo a trope I’ve seen a lot lately: the sheltered girl who turns out to be the key to the conflict. I hope this one changes things up so things don't feel so familiar.

Overall, this felt like a strong start to a series built more on atmosphere and long-term character growth than immediate payoff. The world is interesting, the premise is solid, and the friendships carried a lot of the heart in this for me, even if the characters didn’t fully emotionally click yet. I had a good time with it and I’m definitely curious to see how these characters will grow now that the curtain has finally been pulled back.

Thanks so much to The Nerd Fam and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonborn

Choice.

“A range of possibilities from which one or more may be selected.”

Something we do every single day, from a small child through death. Choices and consequences.

Now imagine a world without choices.

Welcome to Reā.

I was so excited to receive an ARC of Moonborn. The premise of the story, the tropes, everything screamed ‘you need to read this immediately!’ It did not disappoint me. I am a huge sucker of found family and that is exactly what our FMC Llaïna finds along her journey. Her journey is emotional and guttural and transpiring and truly had me clutching my kindle so hard I’m surprised it didn’t snap under the pressure of me trying to will myself to read faster, yet saver every single moment.

As an avid fantasy (and Romantasy) reader, I will say the world building is stunning, but may be intense for some; it is an EPIC journey after all. The journey itself is truly a work of art with a twist I don’t think you’ll expect along the way. There’s slow burn, the political intricacies, a magic system that was honestly out of this world, found family (my favorite), fated mates, trauma, healing and self discovery. I cannot begin to recommend this book enough for lovers of fantasy/Romantasy or someone who just wants to go on an epic adventure.

It’s been one of the more unique stories I’ve had the pleasure of bringing my eyeballs to recently and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to do so and cannot WAIT for more of the soul star saga! This is definitely a book I need to have physically in my hands and have actively started saving for 😍 thank you to @annaiarowan for writing such a beautiful book and sharing it with the world 🫶

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #moonborn #thenerdfam @thenerdfam

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author and the Nerdfam for the eARC I’m really glad I picked this one up.

This is a richly imagined fantasy with a very intricate magic system and layered world building. There is clearly a lot of thought put into this world, its rules, and its history, and once I settled into it, I really appreciated the depth. If you’re someone who enjoys complex systems, mysterious lore, and slowly uncovering how everything fits together, there is a lot here to sink into.

That said, this is definitely not a lightweight read. The world building and magic are dense and sometimes complicated, which I personally enjoyed, but I can also see it being a little overwhelming or slowing the experience for some readers. The pacing felt a bit uneven to me there were stretches that moved very slowly as information was layered in, followed by moments where things seemed to happen quickly. For me, that made the reading experience less smooth, even though I remained interested.

Where the book really worked for me was in the atmosphere and the emotional undercurrent. There’s a strong sense of mystery surrounding identity, power, and freedom, and I liked the way the story explored what it means to reclaim yourself in a world determined to define you. The characters grew on me over time, and once I was invested, I genuinely wanted to see where their journeys would lead.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read for me. Not a perfect fit, but a thoughtful, imaginative fantasy with an ambitious scope and a lot of promise. I’m curious to see how the world, the magic, and the characters continue to develop in the rest of the series.

[Arie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered where you belong or had your trust broken by those you loved most? This one’s for you.

Enslaved, her soul in pieces, Laïna has lived a life built on choices she never got to make. As she unravels the lies society and the government taught her, she discovers the truth about the world, the magic around her, and who she truly is.

This is a story of stolen souls, found family, and unbreakable resilience. It’s about making impossible decisions after being hurt and learning to trust and hope again.

❤️‍🩹 Made me cry
🐺 Bonded wolves
⚡ Gorgeous and deadly gods
🏰 Political intrigue
🌙 Celestial and elemental magic
💞 Fated mates

I really felt connected to this FMC, especially in the current geopolitical climate. She felt so real. Her inner turmoil and thoughts resonated with me. It’s a great reminder that, although it’s hard, it’s never too late to examine our beliefs and biases and begin to connect with our higher selves. You can start rebuilding based on truth today.

“I’m worth saving too. Not because I’m special. Not because I’m powerful. But because I’m alive, and my life has value. They raised me to believe I was nothing but a property. But I am a person. I have thoughts, dreams, fears. I matter.”

Genuinely, thank you so much to the author and The Nerd Fam for this ARC.

[Kelsea Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonborn is a high fantasy novel with a romance subplot which explores themes of agency, trust, and friendship / belonging. I enjoyed the unique world building along with the host of side characters. At times I found myself frustrated with our FMC Laïna and some of her decision making skills, but I really enjoyed watching her character grow and find herself. I think the only ones shocked by the identity reveal at the end were Laïna and Seniia, but I still enjoyed it. The last line has me chomping at the bit to know wha happens next! There are some heavy themes and triggers - so check TWs before reading!

I received an eARC and am leaving feedback voluntarily - huge thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author!

[Marsha Graniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! Moonborn is a Romantasy with fated mates and unexpected truths. This is Laïna’s story filled with hope, found family and secrets. I love the world building and how each character came into Laïna’s life. Laïna has been living a hard life and slowly starts to get away from the void, a darkness that feeds on human emotions. She sets out for her freedom and is slowly becoming who she’s supposed to be. I love her interaction with her friendships, Seniia and Vilder, they protect her and help her understand the Reā and the powers. I also love the dream state she has with Astēr, and how protective he is with her. Laïna story is a path to find answers and to be free from those who want to kill her. That unexpected twist in the end really had me at the edge and needing to know what happens next. I really enjoyed their story and can’t wait for the next one.

I voluntarily leave an honest review of this gifted advance reader copy.

[Lauren Head · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laina has spent over a decade as property, bound to a cruel master by a life-controlling brace in Bronich, a dark town where joy is forbidden and obedience is law until a desperate escape carries her to the magical land of Rea, where freedom promises more than it delivers. This beautifully written fantasy blends rich world-building, a vivid magic system, and a slow-burn romantic thread as Laina grows from survival into self-worth, healing her trauma, finding her voice, and learning she’s worth living for. Though the MMC lingers in the shadows, his presence hits hard, and the fierce found family Vilder and Seniia bring loyalty, heart, and hope. With mystery, betrayal, grief, humor, fate, and magic woven throughout, this gripping first installment sets the stage for an unforgettable series.

[LiterallyLoriB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A FATED MATES FANTASY Romance
Moonborn
BY: ANNAIA ROWAN
PUB DATE: 2.02.26

Absolutely in love!!! All the things I need/want in a fantasy romance. Secrets, tension, magic, a unique world, found family, and a slow burn that has you coming undone!!! This is advertised as a Romantasy but I would say it’s Fantasy forward (which is my preference). The plot leads the way and writing had me chasing the high of a 5 Star Read!!!

Absolutely recommend! All the star!!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #moonborn #thenerdfam
and please tag @thenerdfam

It’s giving When The Moon Hatched Vibes…obvs so different…but something had me thinking it had similar vibes!

I see amazing things for this series…can’t wait to see what’s next!

[Gigi Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fantasy completely captured my heart from the very first chapter. After witnessing a brutal murder, the FMC is forced to flee the only home she’s ever known, plunging her into a dangerous world filled with magic, secrets, and uncertainty. What begins as a desperate escape quickly becomes a journey of self discovery as she uncovers buried truths and missing pieces of who she really is.
Along the way, she finds unexpected allies who challenge her to open up and believe in something more than survival. What I loved most about this story is the emotional depth, watching the FMC slowly learn to trust in a world that has only ever betrayed and abused her was powerful and deeply moving. Her growth felt raw, realistic, and incredibly earned. With rich world building, found family vibes, and a resilient heroine you can’t help but root for, this book is a must read for fantasy lovers who loved A Court of Thorns and Roses and Quicksilver.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is such a fascinating read. The story starts out in a dark, almost dystopian way. (In my opinion) and we see the character breaking out of that and finding herself. It’s very interesting how many twists and turns she experiences. One topic I really enjoyed was the main character learning to rely on friends and how they become family. Their relationship was one of my favorites. The story progression was great. There’s a good amount of world building but I feel like the transition from one location to another and/or one “quest” to another was great. I find the ending leaving me wanting for more, and I’m so excited for book 2!

[Girlzgottaread · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book put me through it emotionally 😅
Fear… anxiety… then straight into intrigue, curiosity, and full-on wonder.
The writing really fires up your imagination... the worldbuilding is vivid and colorful, and I had such a clear picture of the people, places, and magic. Everything felt lush and fantastical, like stepping into a dream you don’t want to wake up from.
We’re fed breadcrumbs the whole way through, slowly building toward the end of book one… and then BOOM. A mean cliffhanger. Consider this your warning, besties 😂
No clue what book two has in store, but I absolutely need it. Immediately.

[Raven Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can tell the amount of effort that Rowan put into her first book. From her captivating character development and world building to overall feel of the book she had me hooked from the start.
I especially loved all the different powers we were introduced to and especially loved the connection to wolves throughout as they're one of my favorite animals. I really can't wait to see where this series goes and cannot forgive the author for the cliffhanger (just kidding 😂). Thank you so much for sending me an eARC of your book and I can't wait to get a physical one.

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Onions have layers, but this book had more. While I started out quite confused and worried this was going to be a different kind of brutal story, over the length of the book the covers were slowly pulled back and by the end the pieces started to fall into place. The intrigue and mystery drew you in to keep reading.

I love the romantasy genre so was a little disappointed with the romance not being at the forefront of the story and it felt a bit underdeveloped. But hopefully it’s just building up for the rest of the books and we get more…

Thank you for the ARC.

[Ashley Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moonborn was a fantasy book unlike any others I’ve read. It was refreshing to read something that had a different concept. This follows Laina’s struggles as she escapes the only world she knows, and how she deals with finding out the beliefs she thought to be truths were really lies. She navigates betrayal from her best friend and the secrecy surrounding her existence and finding her true self. I knew that there was more to Laina, but would not have guessed how powerful she was or that she was under a glamor. I would 10/10 recommend this book if you enjoy high fantasy with romance.