Woven in Moonlight

by Isabel Ibañez

Overview

One of Time magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time!

A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.

“A vibrant feast of a book.” – Margaret Rogerson, NYT bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens
“Pure magic.” – Shelby Mahurin, NYT bestselling author of Serpent & Dove
“A wholly unique book for the YA shelf.” – Adrienne Young, NYT bestselling author of Sky in the Deep
“A spellbinding, vivid debut.” – Rebecca Ross, author of Queen's Rising

Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.

When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.

She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princesa, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781624148019
Publisher:	Page Street Publishing
Publication date:	01/07/2020
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	388,194
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Isabel Ibañez was born in Boca Raton, Florida and is the proud daughter of two Bolivian immigrants. A true word nerd, she received her degree in creative writing and has been a Pitch Wars mentor for three years. Isabel is an avid movie goer and loves hosting family and friends around the dinner table. She currently lives in Winter Park, Florida with her husband, their adorable dog, and a serious collection of books. Say hi on social media at @IsabelWriter09.

Editorial Reviews

08/05/2019

Ximena, an Illustrian, weaves magical tapestries with moonlight. She has lived most of her life as the Condesa’s double in order to protect the Illustrian throne from the Llacsans, who are always on the verge of waging war. In an effort to maintain peace, Ximena, as the Condesa’s decoy, reluctantly accepts a marriage offer from the cruel Llacsan king. After arriving at his palace, she becomes the flash point between fiery, conflicting political factions. Debut author Ibañez creates a complex story, pairing an intriguing, subtle layer of magic with the deftly handled political intricacies. Ximena’s development as a strong, justice-oriented young woman is compelling, especially as she shifts from being Condesa’s decoy to becoming a leader with revolutionary ideas. Packed with action, this engrossing novel encircles its protagonist with an array of secondary characters, each with the potential to be both friend and foe, creating tension, momentum, and a dash of potential romance. Readers will root for Ximena as she comes into her own in every aspect of her life. Ages 14–up. (Jul.)

Publishers Weekly

"In Ibañez’s debut novel, every detail is rich with meaning and nuance. [Woven in Moonlight] showcases a fantasy world that transcends traditional Western tropes and underscores the value of complex female characters." — TIME, "The 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time"

"Woven in Moonlight — appropriately — weaves a beautiful spell that takes culturally specific details and spins them into an engaging fantasy world." – NPR

* “Woven in Moonlight is a nuanced and empathetic fantasy... Touching on ideas of restorative justice in a unique and vivid setting, Isabel Ibañez delivers a confident, subtle and inspiring debut about what it takes to move a divided society forward.” – BookPage, starred review

* “Isabel Ibañez's gorgeously written YA debut builds a world that feels true to life with a distinctive magic system at its core. The revolt and the politics between the Illustrians and Llacsans are nuanced and the characters from both groups are fully fleshed individuals with their own motives... Woven in Moonight spins a satisfying tale of adventure, romance and magic.” – Shelf Awareness, starred review

"A refreshing, page-turning debut." – Kirkus Reviews

"Debut author Ibañez creates a complex story, pairing an intriguing, subtle layer of magic with the deftly handled political intricacies." – Publishers Weekly

"With sword fights, damsels, vigilantes, magic, and betrayal, this thoughtful novel should have broad appeal." – Booklist

"[Woven in Moonlight] brings much to the table, from mouth-watering depictions of food to juicy politics to an intricate magic system involving weaving moonlight into tapestries, but where it really shines is in its insistence that people should question their inherent beliefs." – BCCB


“A lush, vibrant feast of a book, set in a world as colorful and inventive as the fierce heroine’s magical tapestries. I could have remained lost in its pages forever.” – Margaret Rogerson, New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens

“Isabel Ibañez brings a modern story to an ancient world—with immersive prose, original magic, and characters as rich as the Bolivian culture that constructs the story. A wholly unique book for the YA shelf.” – Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep

“A story that glitters as bright as Ximena’s moondust. With its slow burn romance and simmering intrigue, Woven in Moonlight kept me reading long into the night. Isabel Ibañez writes pure magic.” – Shelby Mahurin, New York Times bestselling author of Serpent & Dove

“A spellbinding, vivid debut. Plot twists abound, the magic is uniquely drawn, and intrigue illuminates the pages. The world of Inkasisa is so beautifully rendered I never wanted to leave it.” – Rebecca Ross, author of Queen’s Rising

From the Publisher

2019-09-29
A rollicking political fantasy inspired by Bolivian history and filled with irrepressible heroines, opulent settings, twisty court intrigue, bloody revolutions, and mouthwatering feasts.

Ximena Rojas has been the decoy for the Illustrian Condesa of Inkasisa ever since the Llacsan King Atoc overtook La Ciudad Blanca by unleashing murderous earthquakes and ghosts. Ximena's own parents died in the siege, so when Atoc demands to marry the condesa, Ximena, a trained assassin with weaving powers given to her by the moon goddess, takes her place. At court, she finds unlikely allies and joins forces with a roguishly handsome Robin Hood figure, but she also begins to question whether her people should rightfully rule over the denizens of Inkasisa, who are brown-skinned and indigenous to the land they're all fighting for. Action-filled scenes and steamy encounters push the narrative forward. Readers will never be sure whom to trust or which side to be on, especially as Ximena questions what she's always learned about her lighter-skinned race. Themes of imperialism, genocide, and citizenship are punctuated by Spanish words and descriptions of delectable food and lavish clothing. Atoc doesn't hesitate to torture or kill his enemies, which can make some scenes hard to stomach. Secondary characters get short shrift, but readers won't think twice as they immerse themselves in the story.

A refreshing, page-turning debut. (map, glossary) (Fantasy. 14-adult)

Kirkus Reviews