Reviews

Waiting on a Bright Moon by Neon Yang

book_benagachi's review against another edition

tense fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Murder, Death, Gore, and Violence

ceruleanstreet's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

3.75

i love its pov so much like i really am the mc BUT THE ENDING MAKES ME FEEL INSANE !!!!!!!! all in all, a really good short read 🤩

kierli's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

notamy's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

gayathiri_rajendran's review against another edition

adventurous challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

drewett's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

theduchess93's review

3.0

This was a very moving story, but it lacked some of the depth it could have had by being rushed and far too short. I'm sure part of this is just my need for exposition/backstory/explanations, which make it hard for me to enjoy most short stories, but this one had so much potential and the author's voice is so melodic that I wish it had been expanded. As it stands, it feels like a trailer for a fantastic film, but not the finished film itself.

darya_dash's review

emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

roadtripreader's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

My only question is whhhhyyy - why is it so short?

There is a big bad patriarchal empire that uses a matriarchal mage clans to do the important business of opening portals. But the empire is always punishing women. At the height of its merciless cruelty, women's flesh is to be flayed. It's upsetting. Its enraging. It's a damn good story.

The subtle love story in the backdrop of all of this had me worrying like a mother hen. Like are you ladies even going to survive to anything beyond dinner and a kiss?

Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Names are so important in this story and their erasure and replacement with something not belonging has this effect on the psyche. A "traitor" becomes known only as traitor as is her entire family - that is frightful. Imagine a child going to class and they have to answer to the name Traitor. No peace for the ones left behind after the execution.

Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
Beautifully, tragically crafted. At the height of authority, The main character starmage has no power and is the same as ll the other women on worlds dominated by the Empire. Just a body whose power is to be used and replaced in the mist vicious way.

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene: 

That horrifying execution

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “Hatred turns to pity, turns to exhaustion. No one has the energy to fight forever” (Profound. And true.)
🖤 “You realize you can choose to be happy, and accept the love you have been given; or you can remain in despair forever” (Choosing is the hardest part)
🖤 “Slaughter a chicken, to warn the monkeys” (Broadscasted Executions tend to have that effect.)

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts :
■ Ansible Training is basically Conversion Therapy for lesbian mages. Or like a mage nunery.
■Song-Sisters: Twinning Song
■ Starmage
■Magebright

StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025

craftygiant's review

3.0

An interesting short story that left me wanting to read more about the world and the characters. I feel that I might get more out of the story if I knew more about south east asia and the cultures there but it's enjoyable even with what little context I have.
I think that if it had been a longer story I would have enjoyed it even more, I find it hard to get into short stories, but I know that's just my preference. It stands alone well, I would definitely read more by this author in the future.