Review: Moonset

Author: Scott Tracey 

Format: eARC

Print Length: 408

Publisher: Flux

Published: April 8, 2013 

Justin Daggett, his trouble-making sister, and their three orphan-witch friends have gotten themselves kicked out of high school. Again. Now they’ve ended up in Carrow Mills, New York, the town where their parents—members of the terrorist witch organization known as Moonset—began their evil experiments with the dark arts one generation ago.

When the siblings are accused of unleashing black magic on the town, Justin fights to prove their innocence. But tracking down the true culprit leads him to a terrifying discovery about Moonset’s past . . . and its deadly future. 

My Thoughts 

The government takes care of five orphans known as the Moonset children- Justin, Jenna, Malcolm, Bailey and Cole. Providing for their every need and even cleaning up of their magical messes. Speaking of magical messes, Jenna- Justin’s sister- causes yet another one which makes “Congress” get involved. The “Congress” rules over the magical world that normal humans know nothing about. Although many members of “Congress” are actual government employees. Their main goal is to keep normal humans unaware, which was hard when the Moonset children were little because well, their parents coven went dark and caused a magical war. This is why the government covers up their messes and provides for all they need- they are afraid that the children will follow in their parents footsteps. 

So when Jenna causes a riot at school, the Congress steps in and moves the Moonset children to another town. Ironically, they are sent to the town their parents coven started in, Carrow Mills. Strange things start to happen and soon Justin realizes that not all is being told to them. At the riot a wraith attacked them, had it not been for Quinn (a witcher, think Navy Seals of the magical world) they would have all been killed. With so many questions left unanswered, the Moonset children are going to have to trust only themselves if they want to survive. 

The Moonset children, over the years developed a sort of quessa family- with Justin and Malcolm the parents. Malcolm as default, he is the oldest and Justin because he is the peacemaker. Jeanna is the trouble maker. Cole and Bailey bringing up the rear as they younger children. 

Justin is the storyteller in this novel, which is surprisingly refreshing. I like how he notices things and is not afraid to question authority. I felt bad for him at times because his sister well, she kinda is a hard person to love. Keeping his coven together and protected also is a lot for him to deal with. So when a love interest pops up, Ash I was excited for him. Finally, he gets to be a teenager for a while. She is quirky and fun and well bubbly. I should have known better. 

My favorite grown-up character is Quinn, cannot wait to see more of him in the next book. He totally should be hated by Moonset and me. You see his grandparents were the witchers involved in taking out Moonset’s parents. But to be honest, Quinn kinda bucks the system. He seems to understand the children more than anyone else and wants to help them. He gets anger on their behalf, which most grown-ups are too afraid of them to care about them. 

My Rating 5 stars out of 5 stars 

Favorite Quote “Adults lie. Adults held grudges, they held you back and treated you like garbage, and taught other people to treat you like garbage.” 

Other Characters 

Malcolm- Oldest Moonset, known as the pretty boy jock 

Bailey- youngest Moonset, so sensitive and sweet 

Cole- almost youngest Moonset- Perky and talkative 

Virago- female witcher- I hated her, wanted her to kill over 

Illana- Quinn’s grandma, I don’t hate her, but I cannot like her either