Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez is described as "A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history."  and to be honest, I have never come across such a perfect and accurate synopsis/description of a book. Everything is lush and gripping—from the writing style, to the characters, the immersive plot, and the incredible world-building. I absolutely loved it!

Great writing style

The writing style was great. I loved how the author narrated to the story from the littlest of details to the grander perspective. As a reader, I was shown a rich culture, a complex history of land and people, a harmful game of war and politics, a slow-burn romance, the process of learning to overcome judgment, and more. It was so good and I was hooked the moment I read the first page.

Remarkable characters

I loved the characters in this book! Ximena is a strong-willed character full of hope and heart, she's also intelligent and brave. I loved reading the story through her perspective. I also found her very interesting, especially her struggle to be her true self. She's a decoy, a stand-in, and as a result, she needs to act like the Condesa, think like the Condesa, not herself. I have to say, it was incredibly satisfying to see her finally show her true self.

Rumi is a charmer. He seems aloof at first, but we get to see more of him and know more of his agenda, is desires, and his loyalty as the story progresses.

The minor characters are memorable as well! There's Juan Carlos, Tamaya, El Lobo, Catalina, Suyana, the priest, and even the woolly animals! For me, they helped build the story and it really wouldn't be the same without them.

Immersive plot

Here's what I really like about the plot of Woven in Moonlight: it's entertaining, it's compelling, and best of all, it's cohesive—everything makes sense and the flow of the story was just smooth and well-written. There were some plot twists I didn't see (but loved), and there were some that were just obvious (but I still loved!).

I also love how the story provokes an inner battle in choosing between right or wrong and knowing the different shades of morality when it comes to war and politics.

As for the romance, I loved it! It was not rushed, which is something I really appreciate when it comes to romantic pairings in books. And although the romance affected the plot, it's not the main part of the story. It didn't steal the show, nor did it become something that will badly impact the characters or the story.

Incredible world-building

The world-building in Woven in Moonlight is nothing but incredible. From the food, to the language, to the culture, to the politics and history, the author really managed to show the readers the bad, the good, and the beautiful sides of a Bolivian-inspired world.

This book is one of a kind, indeed. Also, that cover is gorgeous! Did you know that the author herself designed it?! Anyways, 5 stars to this book!

(This book review was first published on Enthralled Bookworm as part of the Woven in Moonlight Blog Tour hosted by The Royal Polar Bear Reads.)