However, for others (like myself) the writing is too formal and long. I can see why some people love the writing style, you really need to be interested in it to actually enjoy it though. Somehow, I managed to finish this one but I fell asleep at least ten times along the way. If I wanted to sleep I would ask my mom to tell me about school when she was growing up. Teenagers want action! Betrayal! and unfortunately sometimes, romance! We don't want to read something that will almost instantly put us to sleep. Slim, very slim are the chances that teenagers want to read a boring story that's lyrically enchanting than anything else.

Honestly, let's put aside the fact that many adults read young adult novels and stick to the fact that this book is for young people. Many of you have probably finished this book.A Creature of Moonlight is 2% dialogue, 3% interesting stories about the woods, and 95% boredom which is just Marni talking to herself using beautiful prose and similes. I definitely hope so I’ll be happy to have the excuse to return to the title. With the smaller pool of candidates, I wonder if Hahn’s strong characterization and detailed world building will stand out. We’ve written before about the differences between Printz reading and Morris reading. What I will be wondering about: A Creature of Moonlight‘s chances as a Morris finalist. But time is limited, and we have a mission here! This is the kind of decision RealCommittee members have to make pretty often - when to give up on a good but not entirely Printzly read. The number of readers I’ll be handing this book to is pretty impressive, too there’s certainly appeal within the pages. So don’t get me wrong I’ll be sad to put it aside. Her time at court is clearly wrapping up, and I’m looking forward to lots of upcoming stuff (getting more answers, meeting the dragon, watching Marni navigate the path forward - which will probably involve less revenge than I’m hoping for).

It’s also a very slow-paced story Marni’s only just started on knitting her vengeance and hasn’t even taken off for the forest to explore the woodland magic. It’s written in a distinctive first person voice, it’s got a detailed fantasy setting, the passages describing the lure of magic are strong, and it provides a thoughtful exploration of what it means to be different - it’s competent and sometimes compelling, but it doesn’t feel fresh or particularly groundbreaking. I have a second confession: if I were on RealCommittee, I’m not sure I’d finish A Creature of Moonlight. (Sometimes, reading in short bursts on the subway is not my friend, even though it makes for nice visuals.) Somehow, though, even though my review is due, I have to confess that I’m only about half way through. I love fantasy, I love courtly politics, I love dragons and willful ladies.

This is a book that, I’m pretty sure, was written just for me.

A creature of moonlight by rebecca hahn