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The Alchemy of Moonlight

By David Ferraro
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Emile flees his aunt's ultimatum to marry or be disowned for being gay, taking a servant's position at Count Montoni's mansion. There, under the eerie influence of the full moon, the family endures a strange malady. Emile uncovers dark family secrets after finding a body, attracting the interest of both a dashing doctor and the count's nephew, Henri. When Emile's identity is exposed and his aunt demands his return, the Montoni family relocates everyone to the isolated Udolpho Castle. In this shadowy fortress, Emile must fight for his life and fight for the love he deserves amidst danger and deception.
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Format: Hardback
$3799
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This young adult novel is ideal for readers who enjoy LGBTQ+ focused stories, Gothic mystery, and suspenseful romance with supernatural elements.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

When Emile's aunt declares he must marry or be disowned for being gay, he runs away to hide as a servant in Count Montoni's mansion. In their service, Emile tends to the family who all suffer a strange affliction on the full moon. After overhearing suspicious family arguments, he finds a body on the estate, drawing the attention of a handsome doctor as well as the count's charismatic nephew, Henri.

Before Emile can sort out his affections or unravel the growing Montoni family mystery, his identity is revealed and his aunt comes to collect him.

When she arrives, Count Montoni forces everyone to depart to the remote Udolpho Castle, where there are no witnesses and no chance for escape. There, Emile realizes that he will have to risk his life to find the love he deserves—and survive the Montoni family.

The Alchemy of Moonlight by David Ferraro invites readers into a captivating mystery filled with intrigue, romance, and the supernatural.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Booklist praises the novel as "packed with compulsively readable, nonstop action" and an affectionate update to the Gothic classic The Mysteries of Udolpho, enhanced by a compelling queer love story. Publishers Weekly highlights Ferraro's skillful depiction of complex power dynamics and emotionally raw queer relationships. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books notes the evocative Gothic atmosphere, while author Amelinda Berube commends the blend of horror, mystery, and queer themes in a distinctly modern take on the Gothic tradition.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781645679721

Publisher: Page Street Publishing Co.

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 30 May 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Page Street Kids

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 35.0mm

Width: 149.0mm

Height: 219.0mm

Weight: 509g

Pages: 384

Collections

Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational David Ferraro Fiction Young Adult

About the Author

David Ferraro won Library Journal's SELF-e Award for Best Fantasy in 2015. He currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Alchemy of Moonlight is his debut novel.

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