Moonflower: The Script of Serun

The Script of Serun #1

by Shaina Anastasi

Saya's Origin Story is a vampire novella coming Early 2026

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Vampires, Romantasy, Dark Fantasy, Dystopia, Dark Romance

278 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2026

About the author

Shaina Anastasi is a romantic fantasy author who loves delving into magic, blending elements of science fiction and horror into her work.

She loves pushing boundaries and crafting stories that stem from an overflowing mind filled with chaotic imagination.

Lately, she’s been dabbling in horromance and enjoying all things spooky and dark.

When she's not writing through the late hours of the night–keeping the ghosts company–Shaina creates Emergency Evacuation Diagrams for her day job and is also a full-time carer and cat enthusiast.

Your cat pics won't go unnoticed!

Reviews

[rosie (jason todd's version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

╰› (⭐4.5)

⋆｡°✩ 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍

thank you so so unbelievably much to the author of this delight, shaina anastasi, not only for sending me the e-ARC, but also for having such a beautiful brain to be able to come up with this 💗

oh my goodness this was SPECTACULAR! i’ve been following the author on instagram for a while now, after being sucked in by the PHENOMENAL character art (like hello?? i need them as posters?? 🤭) and i am ecstatic to say that moonflower DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!

and the author being a fellow australian… i feel so seen by the localised text 🥹🤍 like YEEEESSS THE RANDOM ‘U’ IN COLOUR MADE ME SO HAPPY!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

⋆｡°✩ 𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒕

i immediately fell in love with the mystery and the dystopian-esque setting. the little quotes from serun’s law added an intriguing layer of lore that kept me HOOKED. i finished this book in under 24 hours, and that’s INCLUDING a whole day of school. yeah. i was so locked in that i was devouring this during my study period. 🥹🤍

the book was only around 230 pages, but the plot was masterfully developed, and i absolutely cannot wait for vervain, book 2 in this series!

i loved the entire fast-paced plot structure, with the beginning that hooked me, the middle that reeled me in, and the explosive ending that blew my mind. who knew so much destruction could come from an event called ‘hellsgate’? 🙂‍↕️💗

⋆｡°✩ 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔

𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘢 ⭑.ᐟ 🪷

SAYAAAA MY QUEEN!! i absolutely adored our FMC. she’s such a sweetheart, i’d do anything for her (she’s capable of violent atrocities beyond my comprehension).

i loved her so much that it’s hard to even explain why. my poor girl has been through so much. she better be treated well in book 2 or i’ll have some hands to throw with whoever hurts her… 😤😤😤

her always giving blood for cole… ugh i need her to be completely happy forever and ever.


𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘯 ⭑.ᐟ 🌘

yes, this man did some pretty heinous stuff, and yes, almost every word he spoke was a lie, but i STILL WANT HIM!! (is that masochistic of me…?)

serun, my beloved. please bite me however much you want. i volunteer ✋🙂‍↕️

okay but like when my man is a horrifying shadow creature with claws that could and would sever my arteries… 😛😛😛


𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘦 ⭑.ᐟ 💉

my baby!! 😭 i feel so maternal towards this sweet child. ugh. i don’t think i’m ready to talk more about this.


𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪 & 𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 ⭑.ᐟ 🩸

is it just me or does manni give off the most ethereally gorgeous vibes. like i am imagining her as some benevolent goddess. bless me with your beauty manni 🙏

emily is such a cutie pie! her backstory was so gut-wrenching, i just wanna give her a huge hug 🥹🫶🏻

𝘫𝘢𝘹 ⭑.ᐟ 🗡️

this fiend gave me a horrible feeling from the start. ugh. i can’t talk about him more or i’ll burst a blood vessel.


⋆｡°✩ 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈

i was FLOORED for the writing style. i read the first page and immediately knew that moonflower was gonna eat. when i tell you i had the BIGGEST GRIN on my face on page 1, i am speaking nothing but the truth 🙂‍↕️

ms shaina hooked me with her tremendous writing skill and KEPT ME DEVOURING IT. i don’t know what kind of crack she laced between each letter, but call me an addict cuz i need some MORE!! ✋


⋆｡°✩ 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔

my only regret is that i finished this so fast. watch me reread this book at least 3 more times before the second one comes out 🤭

Moonflower comes out on the 22nd February, 2026! thank you again to the author for the e-ARC 🥹💗

· · ─ ·✶· ─ · ·

[Gabriela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I finished my first sci-if/dystopian leaning horrantasy and I must say this story left me intrigued, curious to know more. While I could feel the spirit of each genre in the whole amalgamation, the blend did lessen the distinctness of each while at the same time creating something unique and slightly chaotic. This is an observation, not a criticism, since I’m not sure how else to blend so many genres. I’m also not opposed to some chaos.

The story: in a world where nightwalkers (vampires) prey on humans, Saya and her brother are confined in a feeding ground where they give blood daily in exchange for basic necessities. Saya agrees to an attempted escape with her “not” lover Jax on the condition that her brother and friends are included. However, she is stalked by a mysterious stranger who questions the beliefs she holds about herself and her world.

My favorite theme in this story is one of finding a path to self acceptance in a world where you can’t be defined by any single category. Saya is half nightwalker, a secret she keeps even from her brother by disguising her appearance with glamour magic from her human half. She constantly grapples with the battle of suppressing her own dark side, of questioning whether letting it free, whether being her whole self would truly make her a monster.

I felt like the dystopian and horror genres stood out the most in this series opener. The strict schedules, rationed food, requirement of giving blood all establish a bleak atmosphere where the lowest level of humans are at the mercy of a system that claims to protect them from becoming slaves or dark lifeless monsters. But there is this nagging suspicion that the whole truth is not being shared.

The parts that I struggled with include the character development and repetition of scenes that blended together. Personally I felt like these two were linked. There are several short scenes where the characters engage in the same activities, leaving little time to flesh them out. Personally I connect more with a story when I become invested in the characters, and I think longer scenes might have provided more depth. I acknowledge this is a personal preference. I just didn’t become glued to the story before the 50% mark.

Overall I feel like this is one of those first books that seems like it is leading to a much larger, complex world. Like this was filled with breadcrumbs that are branching out in several different directions. The included map is gorgeous, and it’s evident that we only experienced a small part of it. While I had a difficult time completely connecting with the story, I’m curious to see where it’s going.

A big thank you to the author for the eARC. I really appreciate that there was no deadline for reading this 🙏🏼 All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️’s

——————————————————————————————
Trying a new subgenre, horrantasy, in a dystopian setting (apparently I can't get enough dystopian this year).

[Berry ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ (Updating Reviews!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Shaina Anastasi and Bookfunnel for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! Moonflower releases on February 22nd!

3.75 / 5 ⭐️ rounded up
1 / 5 🌶

To start this review off, I want to just say that I have been following Shaina Anastasi for months in anticipation for Moonflower to come out, and I am so happy it's here for everyone to enjoy now! the artwork and marketing for this book is what drew me in, then I read the blurb and I knew I needed to read this.

That being said, I am pleasantly surprised with Moonflower. I did think the first 40-50% of the book dragged quite a bit, but once Serun was fully introduced, I couldn't put it down.

Our FMC, Saya, is an enigma to everyone around her. Nobody knows who or what she truly is. And all she's doing is trying to keep her brother safe.

Once Serun was integrated into the plotline, this book had my full attention!
He was dark, mysterious, and his reveal was my favorite part. I loved all the chapter annotations regarding Serun's Law as well! Also, his character design is sooooo good 👀

All in all, I think Moonflower definitely has potential! There were quite a lot of questions unanswered in this first book, so I am eager to see where Saya and Serun's story leads.

♡ pre-read ♡


I SQUEALED when I got this email! This book's marketing has been amazing and on my Instagram feed for MONTHS. I cannot wait to finally read this!

[neurotic.bookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

THAT ENDING 😳 what the helllllllllllll !!!!!?

Thank you to the author for making me one of your ARC readers ♥️

FTC!

[Tani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had really high hopes for this book and after 50% of the same repetitive crap, I am dnf'ing. Also, consent in a horror/fantasy novel about vampires is weird and unnecessary. They are vampires. It goes against the very nature of a vampire and you can reword all of that in a subtle way where it's not so much like word vomit. This is supposed to be horror. I don't want or need to read about a fictional creature asking for consent when that goes completely against their nature. That immediately broke my immersion and I had a hard time even doing that. I honestly think it's funny that this book has 4 and 5 stars, even 3, because it's so difficult to read. Extremely disappointed. I'm so glad I was able to cancel my preorder, that being the only good thing to come out of this book. 🤮

[Leah Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this felt very refreshing in a world of a lot of similar plots! The setting is very dystopian but with a horror and fantasy story and an intriguing love interest. Saya has been stuck in a place called the Feeding Ground for 10 years along with her little brother Cole. The Feeding Ground is advertised as a safe place to live in exchange for blood to send to the underworld. They are told they can leave at anytime, but it appears they can only leave if they are murdered by a nightwalker. Saya has a very big secret, that if got out, she would lose her life over.

This book has been on my radar for about a month now. The artwork alone had me so interested in this story. I did feel the beginning was a little slow, but I understand backstory and current plot needed to be laid prior to moving forward. I still read 70% in one sitting. And once Serun was introduced, I did not want to put this down. Definitely excited to see where the story goes in book 2 and what happens with Saya and Serun! Don’t get me started on Jax, that man is the definition of fragile masculinity and toxic af. I kept hoping a nightwalker would get him. This story was a great thing to binge read on Friday the 13th!

[Miryam Drakon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

This had an interesting premise, and honestly, I’m pretty sure I applied for the ARC because of the character art alone. I really wish I could say it delivered, but for me it felt a bit bland until about halfway through, once we finally met the main character, that’s when the story started picking up.

That said, even after that, a lot of the events felt predictable, and I wish it had offered something a little more original.

Still, despite not enjoying it as much as I expected, I would recommend this to horrantasy fans. It blends horror and romance in a fantasy-dystopian setting, and I think readers who enjoy morally grey characters will have a much better time with it than I did.

[day · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ - from a holistic standpoint, I really enjoyed this! I thought the concept of Feeding Grounds as blood banks for vampires to regularly feed from to be very unique, and I also thought the relationships and banter between the characters were realistic and enjoyable.

However, despite there being a 2nd book coming out soon, I felt this one could definitely be much longer. The worldbuilding is touched upon but not explained very well, and the characters spend the whole novel plotting to escape without anything happening in between. Like the whole book was them just waiting for things to happen to them. I did like that that allowed for relationships to form, but other supporting characters remained quite flat.

I was also going to rate 4 stars but the ending really threw me 😭 😭 it was so rushed and suddenly a ton of worldbuilding was thrown in. The scenes felt like they were disorganised?? And for the life of me I didn't know what was going on. Also SPOILERS [how did saya know serun was serun??? There's only a slight mention that she thinks he's working for serun, but suddenly she starts referring to him as serun before the reader even knows she knows?? And then she goes back to refer to him as the nightwalker - so DOES SHE KNOW???] END SPOILERS

This was a very short read and honestly the middle section had me so hooked, I think I read like 50% of it in an hour or two. I enjoy the relationships between the characters, but I do think that the worldbuilding and side characters need to be developed more.


Thank you to the author for the arc!

[Nouf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author


☆3.5☆

This is my first dystopia book and at first it was so heavy to read maybe because this is a new genre for me but 15% in I started to really enjoy it.

Honestly I skipped the smut scenes but I did pay attention to the dialogue in those parts in case they said anything important for the story.

I really didn't like Jaxton he was so annoying and how he kept pushing her to call him boyfriend or even saying stuff like “Ours” and to her brother “I am his brother-in-law” !! I don't blame Manni for not trusting him.

I really had a fun time reading this story. but I wish we knew more about the world-building and the magic system. I feel like even the characters don't know anything about their world.

I really HATE JAXTON for what he did to Manni !!!!!!! And how it's okay for him to lie all the time but when others do it to him he gets angry!

I loved the plot with Serun. I didn't expect that.

I was so sad about her brother and shocked by what happened next.

I wasn't shocked when he told her she was his wife. I kinda guessed that because he kept asking her to drink his blood. I thought either they're gonna be married or mates.

Part of the story in this book kinda reminded me of "The Coven" by Harper L.Wodds.

I can't wait for book 2 !!

[Cristina M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received the ARC for this book just few days ago, and I remember that I’ve applied just because of the art work!
Completely blind, didn’t want to read anything aside from knowing he’s a shadow daddy and she’s stunning.

Do I regret not knowing the blurb? Absolutely not.

Sold, and excuse me Shaina, how long do I need to wait for book 2? 100% recommended!

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Shaina Anastasi ARC in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶.5
🔥🔥🔥

Saya was just trying to keep her brother safe while they were both trapped in a Feeder’s cage. That was all that mattered to her. But if anyone ever found out who she really was, she wouldn’t just be in danger, she’d be hunted.

I really liked Saya as the FMC. She’s practical and not naïve about the world, so she doesn’t just take everything at face value. That’s what saves her over and over again. She knows which battles are worth fighting. She’s genuinely a strong FMC.

Then we have Serun as the MMC, but also Jax. Both of them want Saya, and she’s stuck between the two. I could say more, but without spoilers, neither of them can really be trusted. Serun is a complete mystery in this book. He’s elusive, especially about who Saya really is to him.

I have a love hate relationship with Jax. You can clearly see he’s madly in love with Saya, but it’s not the healthiest kind of love. It’s more of the “I have to have you at any cost” type. And not in the cute way the dark romance girlies usually eat up. Still, I can’t help but admire him a little. There’s something about the craziness of his devotion that’s compelling.

Serun, on the other hand, is much more hands off. He’s interested, and he sees Saya for who she really is. He never tries to make her into something else. We love an MMC for that. But he definitely has his own motives, and his agenda feels way more convoluted than Jax’s very obvious obsession. Saya isn’t stupid though. She knows the kind of trouble she’d be in with either of them. She doesn’t plan on being anyone’s anything. All she wants is to keep her brother safe and away from the nightwalkers.

The only thing I wish there had been more of was the world building. It’s a dystopian style world where vampires kind of rule. I’m not even totally sure how deep that control goes. Humans are basically at the bottom as Feeders. I’m hoping the second book dives more into that world. It definitely feels like it’s setting that up. I’m excited to see how Saya and Serun’s relationship grows from here.

⟣Tropes⟢
✅ Shadow Daddy
✅ 🩶 Morally Grey MMC 🩶
✅ Single POV (first person)
✅ Captor/Captive
✅ No OW drama
✅ OM drama
✅ FMC not Virgin
✅ Virgin MMC (never has kissed, tbd on virgin)
✅ Found Family
✅ Vampire
✅ Dystopian
✅ Cliff

***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.***


‼️‼️‼️Trigger Warning‼️‼️‼️
I don’t have any specific triggers and was okay reading it without any warnings, but always take care of your mental health before diving in, since this book definitely has some triggers.

[Ahana M Rao (Heart’s Content) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find this review of Moonflower on my blog, Heart's Content!

A big shout out and thank you to the author for providing me with a complimentary copy of Moonflower in exchange for an honest review!

The first aspect of Moonflower that caught my eye was, of course, the art. There was something about that particular scene that the author had the artist capture, that was so … captivating.

I think the book, too, can be described similarly. Anastasi’s writing draws you in, in a way that’s hard to describe. The world is grim, the setting is tense, the situation is hopeless and dangerously dark in ways that can confuse the mind and shatter one’s spirit. It was extremely interesting watching how the author penned her story, her characters and her thoughts to life; because to balance this darkness, the author has written into the book, these … surprising moments of warmth and hints of hope in the form of an almost unimaginable future.

The author has done an absolutely wonderful job bringing these multiple aspects to life in her book and I found myself thinking about the book through all the moments I was not reading it. It would run in the back of my mind, as I pictured some of the events I had read about and wondered about the future of the world Anastasi had created.

The world-building is much more paced out, and for a book that’s not huge, there was surprisingly a lot of time and space for the world building to expand and reveal itself. The characters in the book speak about the world in straightforward terms, without diving into too much detail about them—which is the natural way most people discuss themes they’ve lived around all their life. In time, the gaps between the characters’ understanding of their world and our understanding of it, slowly begins to bridge and then expands at the perfect moment. There’s a good mix of some familiar themes in the world but Anastasi soon spins it into something new and intriguing.

The pace is both even and swift and lets you sink into the tense and dangerous world of Moonflower at your own time. There’s a lot this book makes you think about and despite how swiftly it feels like the book finishes… it leaves an impression. A lasting one.

The plot of this story was slow to reveal its true form and I have to say I did not see one of the two major plot twists coming and I was so pleased about that! That being said, this book is just the beginning. There’s a lot coming and we’ve just scratched the surface of what this series has the potential to expand into.

The characters in this book are all introduced a bit swiftly, and almost altogether. Just like the world building, in time you’ll understand who’s who and their personalities and roles in the story. You can’t not, when they all come with their own little stories, secrets and identities.

The rest, I’ll let you find out about all on your own.

As I was reading the book, I had unconsciously compared it in my mind to another psychological-horror-fantasy novel and I was extremely pleased to find that the author had categorised the book as a horrorantasy and I think that was the perfect description! As a warning to all readers, please do check trigger warnings before entering because the book is dark in ways that you might not expect.

So, happy reading! Five stars! Moonflower has already released and is available for free for all KU subscribers!

[Rin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moonflower: The Script of Serun

Oh. My. GODDESS! Soooo good. Genuinely. The issue is not having difficulty expressing how I feel after reading Shaina's otherworldly book Moonflower, but that I have too many words to do so.

~ Slight Spoilers Ahead ~
Saya, the woman that you are. Gosh, I cannot wait to get more of you in the second book Vervain, Serun included. The allure and pull of both Saya and Serun was a happily lived experience that you truly feel drunk on. I knew the ending was coming and still felt woefully unprepared. Also, how do you end it like that Shaina?! The birdcage after she just transformed and we finally got the kiss of a lifetime followed by the magical "betrayal" of the two??? Literally on the edge of my seat, waiting for what comes next. As for the rest of Moonflower... wow. So exquisitely written. The haunting imagery, gory details, and wildly introspective depth provided within each chapter whisk you away immediately into the Feeding Ground of Darkovish. I was pleasantly surprised by the horror attributes of the story as someone that generally does not gravitate to horror, but still appreciates the tension and suspense of thriller or horror. I was able to truly appreciate the beauty of this world that was created and felt that the harshness of the genuinely terrifying elements woven throughout. Lastly, I really enjoyed the format of Moonflower, specifically how it is written pretty much as the first act (aka Act 1) of The Script of Serun series. I am absolutely in love with this writing and greatly look forward to what is to come, even if that means getting more pieces of my heart ripped out. Because whyyyyy Shaina?! Just when I get attached to Emily and Manni, they get literally shredded right in front of me 😭 And, f*cking Jaxton... but I still willfully sign up for more!

Shaina Anastasi

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️3.5/5
🌶1/5

This is a fast-paced, short novel filled with fantasy, horror, and a sliver of spice. I loved Saya and her devotion to her brother and friends. Shaina sets Saya up perfectly for the next book. Jax pissed me off from the start, lol. I just didn't trust him, but he is written very well

The story was gory, and many people died. I don't read a lot of horror and wanted to branch out, and this was such a cool little story to sink my teeth into.


Thank you so much, Shania, for allowing me to ARC read, Moonflower.💕

[Emily Azevedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

uhhh @shainaanastasi.author I’m going to need book 2 please.

agh I loved Saya & Serun so much. Jax….not so much.
I don’t want to post spoilers so I’m just going to HIGHLY suggest y’all read this book if some gore is tolerable to you!

this book is going to be stuck in my brain for a while….

[salma · Rating 2 out of 5]

thanks to the author for the ARC. i’m genuinely grateful for the chance to read it early.

i actually really liked the idea behind the story and the base it was built on, it has a lot of potential and some parts were genuinely interesting, but overall, it just didn’t quite work for me. the writing itself felt quite awkward, especially when it came to the dialogue, which often came across as unnatural. and the language also felt a bit too simplistic, kind of plain at times. the pacing was a little weird, some parts felt slightly rushed. i also struggled with the flow a bit, both the writing and the dialogue felt kinda clunky to me. as much as i hate to say it, a lot of the metaphors didn’t land for me and sometimes felt a bit forced. it was also somewhat predictable at times. i did finish the book, but overall it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

[Stasia Roze · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars out of 5

I did enjoy this book. it's very fast-paced and is easy to read. I read it all within one day. The premise is really exciting and had me hooked instantly, but I did struggle with a few elements around characters.

mild spoilers ahead!

Cole - I feel like we never really understood his part in the book. He didn't do anything, nor did I feel he added anything. He was unable to produce blood, and the bleeders were fine with it, but the one day Saya couldn't, she got taken to the private room? I know that she was bleeding extra for her brother, but they didn't even let her friends offer more blood she was just taken out immediately. This just felt like a huge inconsistency and was only used to extend the plot rather than serve the plot. Unfortunately, it bugged me the entire time, and that's why I'm writing about it in the review and have given it 3.5 stars. But that is not a reflection of the author. Reading is subjective, and just because something twigged in my head doesn't mean it'll also be the same for another reader. So please do give this book a try, regardless of this point!

That being said, I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series. I am completely invested in Saya's story, and I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Gabriela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ciencia ficción, magia, un poco de horror y mucho de caos literario

English review at the bottom

Puntuación: 2.5 ⭐ (redondeado por exceso)

Gracias a la autora y BookFunnel por permitirme leer una copia adelantada de este libro. Las opiniones que leerán son mías y solo mías.

Este libro es un claro ejemplo de lo que sucede cuando el marketing en redes sociales genera expectativas equivocadas. Como persona que no suele leer las sinopsis si ya tengo un contexto de lo que va a tratar el libro (craso error en este caso), las ilustraciones que la autora comparte no se adaptan al 99% del libro. Eso sin contar con que yo las considero directamente spoilers.

El inicio no está mal, porque describe la vida en los Campos de Alimentación y las relaciones de la protagonista con los personajes secundarios. Sin embargo, llega un punto en el que se vuelve un tanto repetitivo y la historia parece no arrancar.

Una vez sobrepasada la mitad, se empieza a introducir, poco a poco, lo que la autora anunciaba en sus redes. El Nightwalker entra en acción y la protagonista comienza a tener una perspectiva diferente sobre muchas de sus opiniones. Es justo después de la mitad cuando parece que la historia despega, pero luego se vuelve caótica.

En mi opinión, uno de los mayores fallos de la trama son las incoherencias o la falta de información para comprender ciertas cosas. Se mencionan conceptos como Blessed o Praised de los que se habla lo básico, pero que generan preguntas que no son respondidas a medida que avanza la trama. Además, hay detalles que siento que no fueron bien presentados y que, si se hubiesen manejado mejor, podrían haber sido momentos de sorpresa o foreshadowing. En este punto tengo que decir, porque si no exploto, que la revelación de Serun fue pésima. A pesar de que ya sabíamos quién era desde el inicio (gracias, marketing mal encauzado), el momento en que la protagonista se da cuenta de quién es realmente su acosador pasa sin penas ni gloria.

Creo que hay fallas en la caracterización de los personajes, sobre todo al final, donde en lugar de tener interacciones orgánicas, los personajes comienzan a actuar de formas que no están acordes con la personalidad que habíamos visto hasta el momento. Un claro ejemplo es el Epílogo. Creo que la intención de la autora fue expandir las motivaciones de Serun, pero en realidad logra que, una vez más, se vea un lado de este personaje que no encaja con ninguna de las versiones previas de su personalidad.

El estilo de la autora es bastante juvenil y, sumado a que los capítulos son cortos, te permite leer el libro en nada.

No estoy segura de si voy a continuar con la serie. En mi opinión, tuvo muchos fallos que la hacen parecer más una obra inacabada que un libro listo para su publicación.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science fiction, magic, a little horror, and a lot of literary chaos

Rating: 2.5 ⭐ (rounded up)

Thanks to the author and BookFunnel for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book. The opinions you will read are mine and mine alone.

This book is a clear example of what happens when social media marketing creates false expectations. As someone who doesn't usually read synopses if I already have an idea of what the book is about (a big mistake in this case), the illustrations the author shares don't fit with 99% of the book. Not to mention that I consider them to be spoilers.

The beginning isn't bad, because it describes life in the Feeding Grounds and the protagonist's relationships with the secondary characters. However, there comes a point where it becomes somewhat repetitive and the story seems to stall.

Once past the halfway point, what the author announced on her social media begins to be introduced, little by little. The Nightwalker enters the scene and the protagonist begins to see many of her opinions in a different light. It's just after the halfway point that the story seems to take off, but then it becomes chaotic.

In my opinion, one of the biggest flaws in the plot is the inconsistencies or lack of information needed to understand certain things. Concepts such as Blessed or Praised are mentioned and the basics are discussed, but they raise questions that are not answered as the plot progresses. In addition, there are details that I feel were not well presented and that, if they had been handled better, could have been moments of surprise or foreshadowing. At this point, I have to say, because otherwise I'll explode, that Serun's revelation was terrible. Even though we already knew who he was from the beginning (thanks, misguided marketing), the moment when the protagonist realizes who her stalker really is passes without fanfare.

I think there are flaws in the characterization, especially at the end, where instead of having organic interactions, the characters begin to act in ways that are not consistent with the personalities we had seen up to that point. A clear example is the Epilogue. I think the author's intention was to expand on Serun's motivations, but in reality, she once again shows a side of this character that doesn't fit with any of the previous versions of his personality.

The author's style is quite youthful, and combined with the short chapters, it allows you to read the book in no time.

I'm not sure if I'm going to continue with the series. In my opinion, it had many flaws that make it seem more like an unfinished work than a book ready for publication.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Shaina for the eArc! 💕

Saya and her little brother Cole are trapped in a vampire feeding ground. But unlike her, Cole’s never known life outside and believes they’re safer with the monsters they know.
When Saya is punished for protecting Cole, it seems like a death sentence. What she didn’t expect was to be saved by the very shadow that’s been stalking her. And for the stranger to offer her protection, freedom even! But she’d have to leave Cole behind...
To Saya, even as hell breaks loose, freedom means nothing if the ones she cares about aren’t there to enjoy it with her.

I'm not typically a horror reader and while I clearly recognized the horror elements, they didn't bother me because they're connected with fantasy. 😮‍💨
For a rather short story, this is A LOT to unwrap. Bear with me while I try to sort through my thoughts.

The dystopian setting had me hooked from the start. Humans are trapped in a vampire feeding ground, which according to law, they should be at voluntarily, but at this particular site they're held against their will. Saya and her friends want to escape, a plan headed by Jax (Saya's situationship), who's relying on a friend on the outside to get them out.

Cole (Saya's younger brother) is such a genuine kid. He's never seen the outside world and truly believes they're safer within the feeding ground, trapped by the monsters they know - simply because (in theory) they're bound by law to protect them. Saya really went above and beyond sheltering him, because the feeding grounds are brutal and he is blissfully ignorant. 😅
Nothing is more important to Saya than Cole, and as an older sister myself, I felt this in my bones!

Jax is... kind of obsessed with Saya. It's cute at first but gets intrusive quickly. She makes sure to repeatedly remind him that they're not a couple, even if they have a mutually beneficial thing going on, but uses his infatuation against him (we love our FMCs a bit morally grey) and makes him promise to save Cole first and foremost - this part of the plot had my attention until the very end, as I wasn't sure if he'd keep his promise or not! 😨

When push comes to shove, and with two men being obsessed with her, Saya chooses herself and her brother over either of them, and I love all the more for it! 👏

The exact politics are a little hazy between Slayers/humans/vegodians/nightwalkers, except (obviously) humans being the weakest party. The way I understand the story, Slayers are basically vigilante at this point? My guess is that the prologue showed that humans tried countering the vegodians' powers by creating slayers, but while trying to maximize their potential they accidentally created the first nightwalker (Serun?). I hope book two tells us more about how the nightwalkers established themselves as the ruling fraction!

That ending was crazy! 🤯 I can't wait to find out what happens to Jax&Cole??? and how Saya will deal with the hand fate dealt her.

Overall this was a great read, but there are three reasons this didn't quite reach five stars for me:
- in some crucial moments we were told things instead of shown, and that kind of took away some of the momentum
- I was actually confused about Saya's identitfy for a bit? It's marketed as light x dark vampire, but the blurb doesn't say anything about Saya being one, so I kind of expected she'd turn into one at some point during the story. However, in chapter 1 we learn that she's simply hiding the truth - and while I understand that she can't tell her friends, I still don't understand why the nightwalkers can't know? (but her stalker knows right away anyway?)
- what could/should have been a major plot twist (his identity) was delivered without any fanfare, very anticlimactic 😪

[Laney Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC of Moonflower!

I had high hopes for this book. It sounded promising and interesting and different. So, I was curious and wanted to read it. I wanted to see how horror was blended into romantasy. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed.

I got whiplash immediately. This book felt far more like sci-fi/dystopian than romantasy and this was not something I was expecting because the way the book was promoted on social media did not really indicate this. In general, I spent the majority of this book being confused. All of the information I was given about the world or the situation felt half finished and not in a building tension or suspense kind of way, more so in a the characters didn't know and it would never be further explained kind of way. The religion of the world makes no sense. The humans(?) running the feeding compound worship the vampires like gods? Is this common in the world? But there was once a goddess and now she's disappeared? Was she widely worshiped. All the people trapped in the compound seem to sort of believe in her. Do the people running the compound also worship her? I don't know. Very confusing. Clearly, a lot of world building was done for this book, but there's just not enough book to actually explain or feel grounded in the world.

I somewhat liked Saya. I liked that she tried to be defiant to Jax, I liked that she kept going back to Serun to get more information despite it making her look bad to her friends, I liked that she would do anything to help her brother even if it was to her detriment. My biggest gripe with Saya is that she never asked the right questions and she acted really clueless a lot of the time with little to no explanation as to why. It is sort of implied that she has lost her memory, but how or why is yet to be seen. I also wasn't really expecting her to be half vampire and it's not really explained how that happened or if it was common or not in the world for half vampires to exist. The synopsis of the book doesn't even imply that she's a vampire too. Anyway, still a point of confusion because even though she tried to question Serun about that side of herself she never really got answers or she asked the wrong question. Jax I hated from the get go. He was so icky to read about. He was arrogant and weirdly possessive (obsessive?). I didn't like how he was so pushy with Saya after she repeatedly told him she didn't want to be in an actual relationship with him and refused to tell him anything deeper about herself. I was pissed when he tried to drag her away from her dying brother. Who gave him the right? The other friends I found interesting and I wished we spent more time getting to know them. I also wasn't too sure how long any of them had been there except for Saya and Cole. When they died, I was really frustrated. I had hoped that a least one of them would have survived. It honestly felt cheap that they did. Saya's own friends are dead and gone and that potentially leaves her at the mercy of only having friends because her love interest was friends with them first, which is a sort of trope that I despise. I hate when a woman's relationships only revolve around the man she's with: her man, his friends, his family. I hope this doesn't end up being the case in the next books. I'm not sure how I feel about Serun. His motivations confuse me. I like that he had boundaries and respect boundaries, but I feel like that's the bare minimum. The ending was also confusing. He was supposed to kill her but now they're married?

I won't say I recommend people to read this book, but I will likely be reading the second because I have so many questions and I hope and pray I get some answers in the next book.

[☆ Allanah • Cosmic's Library ☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️ARC REVIEW✨️

"A black snake slithers between the blooms as the spin intricate design of beautiful fear."

Thankyou you so much Shaina Anastasi for the ARC. I am so greatful to have had the opportunity to read this freaking amazing book! 🫶🏻

YES! YES! YES! I could have happily stayed lost in these pages forever. Why did this book have to end? I am OBSESSED!!!! This book did NOT disappoint! ❤️‍🔥

The prologue had me hooked instantly, and from there the story just kept pulling me deeper. Things were building, coasting along nicely… and then BAM. 😵‍💫 Absolute chaos erupts. And the ending? THE ENDING?! What in the HELLYSGATE? 😱

Saya is a Queen. Full stop. 👑 She’s sweet, strong, self sacrificing and quietly lethal under the surface. I loved her so much she has officially taken up permanent residence in my heart and soul. 😍

Serun… the way I wanted to reach through the pages and slap him at the end. 😅 He has a lot of making up to do after that little stunt. But also… he is King. Like Please, Shadow Daddy, BITE ME. 🫦 I am VERY interested to see what he’s up to after that little meeting at the end.

The story was so well written it honestly caught me off guard. Everything fit together so seamlessly. 😌 You could feel the connections between the characters, and the world building was so easily pictured. It fed alot of information without ever feeling overwhelming, which I loved. 👏🏻

I genuinely cannot wait for the next book. Since finishing, this story has been living rent free in my head and consuming my daily thoughts. I have so many questions bubbling around in my head. 🤭 From what we’ve already been given, I know there is just so much to be revealed to us, and I am so excited! 🙌🏻

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy from the author!

Honestly I’d say more of a 2.5 if I’m being honest but I did really enjoy the first 70% of this book it was just the end that did it in for me.

Firstly I want to say thank you so much to Shaina for sending me an early copy!

This book had a really cool concept with a mix of dystopian and horror plus fantasy. The marketing and character art for this were so good I was so excited to read it. But unfortunately I feel like the book fell flat in many places.

I liked getting to see the daily life of a feeder and understanding the conditions and fear they live in I do think it spent a little too much time on it before introducing the love interest. I also was annoyed with how much time was spent with Jax. I think a lot of the characters fell a little flat and the dialogue could be a bit awkward. I did really like the love interest once he was introduced.

Something else that bothered me is that the author attempts to give background information through short flashbacks but none of them really offer any actual answers to what’s happening and only succeed in taking you out of the story at random times. This is one of the few books I will say I think it could’ve been about a hundred pages longer and actually answer a few of the questions it poses. I realize the author is trying to create mystery and anticipation for the second book but literally not one question was answered and some of the reveals really just leave you more confused.

All that being said though I would recommend giving this a read it’s a fresh take on a vampire world and despite my gripes with it I was thoroughly entertained and read it in a day. I was surprised about the amount of people that died and the gore was pretty well written. I’m confident that the second book will be more flushed out and answer a lot of questions this book poses.

[Anouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I wouldn't call it stalking if you happen to be in the same place I was lurking...But yes."

I heard vampires and dystopian horror x fantasy, and I immediately signed up - I'm an Edward girlie to my core 🦇

First of all, thank you to the author for sending me this ARC and trusting me with her work. Over the past few months, I've been closely following her instagram page, where she fed us little snippets and STUNNING fanart. So I was thrilled when I received my copy and could finally dive into Moonflower.

Horrantasy is new to me, and it was honestly refreshing to dip my toe into something a little different to what I usually read.
At first, I found myself slightly overwhelmed by the amount of character and place names introduced, but thanks to the fast pace, I adapted quickly. The setting, with its mysterious historical background, really intrigued me, and I soon got swept away by the story.

I especially liked the romance aspect - the slow burn between Saya and Serun had me giddy. Jax, to be frank, sucked. Serun on the other hand, seems cute, and I love how he treats Saya with care and respect. Consent is sexy!!

The final chapters were my favourite. There are a few loose ends, which only make me more excited for what's to come 👀

4 ⭐️ ARC Review

[Kimberly Therrien · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review - Thank you so much Shaina for this opportunity!!

3.75⭐ 1.25🌶️

I found the premise of Moonflower interesting. The author has a beautiful way of writing: descriptive, without being too simple or to the point of getting lost. However, I struggled with the pacing; I found it uneven. The first part of the book is slow; not much happens. It focuses more on the gradual establishment of relationships, the FMC's past and agenda and the world building. From the moment a certain character appeared, I was captivated. I was eager to read and I couldn't put the book down. Absolutely love a consent king 🙌🏻 For the last 25% of the book, so much has happened! I wish it had been a little longer, to really absorb everything that was going on because I felt a bit confused at some point.

Saya caught my attention with her self-sacrificial side and her feeling of not belonging anywhere. I can't wait to see her spread her wings and take control of her destiny.

With this ending, curiosity and anxiety are the emotions that linger. I'm excited to read how the story unfolds; to learn more about the magic system and what's to come for all the characters. I will definitely read the next book!

[Liz Coats · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book had a lot of potential to be really cool, but it just lacks in many areas.

First, the story is 230 pages long. Unfortunately, that’s just way too short if you’re wanting to write a detailed fantasy-horror book. I know there will be more books in this series, but it would’ve been nice to see book one be longer to allow the details to be given without a rush. The ending felt like it happened too fast, I wasn’t really sure what the conclusion was.

Second, the marketing didn’t really fit the actual book. This story is labeled as horror, but there wasn’t really heart racing moments. This story is about blood thirsty vampires, but the vampire lord was asking for consent to touch her? Idk, things weren’t lining up.

Third, the flow of the story and the writing wasn’t the best. It was hard to follow and jumped from one thing to the next without much explanation, especially toward the end.

Overall, is the story was longer where the author was able to expand on this cool idea of a series, it could’ve been really good! But it all felt rushed. ☹️

[Rima-Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

'His fingers twitch as he raises his hands and peels away my glamour, unveiling me. “I want to be your memory. Your present. Your future,”'


I genuinely enjoyed this!
It's a bit confusing at first as this book is the prelude/ beginning of the fantasy (horror) series and we get to see the first inklings and rules of its world.
But damn! What a world! I can't wait to learn more about it and the Undercity in the next book! 😍 I only wish the book would have been a bit longer 😍😍

And I definitely want to revisit the Hellsgate event! I hope this also plays a bigger role in the future! And I can't wait to see if my theory about Cole's future will come true.

If you love fantasy with romance, horror and dark vampires, you should definitely give this a go!

And the cover and art!😍 Simply stunning!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
was a lovely read enjoyed it but didn't grab attention until about 60% i had question that needed answering and my curiosity kepted me going and it got better towards the end where more questions where answer and unsolicited things happened
this is more of a built up type of book where they next one will be better

this book is set in a world where humans give blood daily exchange for minimal food clothing and a bed
fml is a half breed but glamour herself to appear human she has a situationship with ml 1 jax who has promised her a way out of trying and excape with the help of the slayer but he to take her friends and brother with them
ml2 is a night walker who shown interest in fml he's curious about her and wants her to accept her self both good and bad when the excape doesn't go to plan he rescue her and they end up in forced proximity

[⋆. 𐙚˚࿔ Eef 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✴* Moonflower *✴
5/5⭐️

I absolutely loved this book. It was fast-paced but still easy to follow, which made it such a fun and addictive read. The story starts off in a really compelling and exciting way that instantly pulls you in and makes you want to keep turning the pages.
The characters were all absolutely lovely… well, all except one — if you know, you know. Each of them had their own distinct personalities and ways of speaking that made their interactions, especially the bickering, so entertaining to read.
The last 25% of the book completely flew by. I just kept reading and reading, and before I knew it, I was at the ending… and wow. Let’s just say I cannot wait to read book two when it comes out 🙏

[Linsy Gusey · Rating 5 out of 5]

*ARC Review*

Wow! That was so unique! It's the dystopian horrantasy you didn't know you needed. It was refreshing to pick up something so different for once. I'm impressed by the how all of the elements were woven together to create this story.

Saya has had to hide who she is for so many years. She's loyal to her brother and her friends. They thought they would be safe, but as Feeders they have no freedom. Her brother, Cole, doesn't remember anything else. Her situationship, Jax, keeps trying to get them to all escape, but that hasn't ended well before. When Saya starts seeing things in the shadows, she starts to question what she's known as truth her whole life. They are not safe where they are at.

Even if you don't like a lot of horror in your books, this might still be a good book for you. I'm excited to see what happens with this story over the next 2 books.

[Shortaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐

Holy Mother!

The plot was plotting on this one.
Great start for this story. We can slowly meet the characters and the world behind it.
And what starts as a slowish pace turns into a edge-of-the-seat-what-the-hell-is-going-on pace.
Get ready, cause in the last 25% it gonna get spooky and you might not be able to put this down... I was watching a horror movie inside my head!🍿

And the ending is perfect to get the reader craving for the next book.
I have questions and I want answers. I am without a doubt going to be reading Vervain when its released!👌