Isabel Ibañez

An adventerous South American Tomb Raider! This hotly anticipated companion to Woven in Moonlight follows an outcast Condesa, as she braves the jungle to forge an alliance with the lost city of gold. If the jungle wants you, it will have you... Catalina Quiroga is a Condesa without a country. She’s lost the Inkasisa throne, the loyalty of her people, and her best friend. Banished to the perilous Yanu Jungle, Catalina knows her chances of survival are slim, but that won’t stop her from trying to escape. Her duty is to rule. While running for her life, Catalina is rescued by Manuel, the son of her former general who has spent years searching for allies. With his help, Catalina could find the city of gold that’s home to the fierce Illari people and strike a deal with them for an army to retake her throne. But the elusive Illari are fighting a battle of their own—a mysterious blight is corrupting the jungle, laying waste to everything they hold dear. As a seer, Catalina should be able to help, but her ability to read the future in the stars is as feeble as her survival instincts. While searching for the Illari, Catalina must reckon with her duty and her heart to find her true calling, which is key to stopping the corruption before it destroys the jungle completely.

Woven in Moonlight #2

Written in Starlight

If the jungle wants you, it will have you. Catalina Quiroga is a condesa without a country. She’s lost the Inkasisa throne, the loyalty of her people, and her best friend. Banished to the perilous Yanu Jungle, Catalina knows her chances of survival are slim, but that won’t stop her from trying to escape. Her duty is to rule. While running for her life, Catalina is rescued by Manuel, the son of her former general, who has spent years searching for allies. With his help, Catalina could find the city of gold that’s home to the fierce Illari people and strike a deal with them for an army to retake her throne. But the elusive Illari are fighting a battle of their own—a mysterious blight is corrupting the jungle, laying waste to everything they hold dear. As a seer, Catalina should be able to help, but her ability to read the future in the stars is as feeble as her survival instincts. While on her journey, Catalina must reckon with her duty and her heart to find her true calling, which is key to stopping the corruption before it destroys the jungle completely.

Shareca

Written in Starlight 🐛
Isabel Ibañez ⚡️
BR — @snacksreads 🍃
★★★ + 🌶 + 🔪🔪🔪🔪

The first 'buddy read' book series I started with @snacksreads on bookstagra has concluded, as has 'Written in Starlight.' A chance, "This book would be great for you, do you want to read it with me?" turned into a friendship of a lifetime, and I could not appreciate 'Woven/Written' more. 🥰

🏜 Woven ★★★★
🦒 Written ★★★

Although ‘Written’ is meant to be a standalone novel, I said before I would read it as a sequel because there was so much lore from the first that I could not ignore. There are ties that Catalina has, which would have to be incorporated, or else it would not work. Since having completed the novel, the background information was more important than ever. The three spoiler storylines all involve Ximena and she is heavily associated with Catalina. Without 'Woven,' Catalina's transformation into who she is has been lost, which is why the end of their friendship was such a profound loss for her.

💓
In some ways, Manuel and Catalina's romance was sensual, in others, it was forced; I admired their union, however. The tale was quite tedious, though, due to the addition of the other love interests, so while Manuel and Catalina do seem to be wonderful together, I would have preferred if they were just wonderful together instead of going back and forth.

🦔
As mesmerizing as it is frightening, the jungle atmosphere was captivating. I was blown away by the use of Spanish/Spanglish as well as the extensive descriptions of wildlife, sounds, and trepidations.

🧗🏼‍♀️
We saw Catalina grow in a way we didn't see in 'Woven.' Among the things this book did was make me like a character who I didn't enjoy much. A forgotten character became a memorable one, which is an impressive achievement. By the end of the novel, Catalina is a well-rounded seer without a country — and that is just fine. 👑

A sequel — especially a standalone novel — is a feat, and this one exceeded my expectations. 🕊

Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia

Woven in Moonlight was my first five-star read of the year. I enjoyed Ximena and Rumi, the story and the atmosphere and you can find my review in the book’s page. When I found the eARC of its sequel available on NetGalley, I couldn’t resist. I hit request faster than you can say sabotage, and the publisher graciously accepted.

Isabel Ibañez had a challenge for Written in Starlight: make me like Catalina. I wasn’t entirely impressed with her in the first book, and I was greatly annoyed with her at the beginning of this one because of it. The author, however, was incredible at showing Catalina’s vulnerability, her anger, her fears and also her very witty, fun character. It was impossible not to grow fond of her. 

It took me a while for me to warm up to Manuel as well, especially since he spends a lot of the first 50% of the book trying to keep himself emotionally distanced from Catalina for the sake of propriety. Still, theirs was a friend-to-lovers romance I really enjoyed, and once the two were honest with their feelings, their relationship gained so much. 

While the pacing of the book was good, I enjoyed the first half less than I did the second, because I had to warm up to the characters and because there’s not much happening besides Catalina and Manuel surviving the jungle. There’s a lot of action, but personal preferences led me to enjoy the second half of the book more. We get to see other characters, a new society, and new royals. There’s more drama, and the mystery surrounding the plague that befell the jungle thickens. I was intrigued.

Hannah Wall

Written in Starlight review:
This review is about my thoughts and feelings while I read the story.

This book is also starting out cute. I’m trying to remember everything that happened in the first books so that’s messing up my enjoyment of this book. I didn’t like Catalina in Written in Moonlight, so I’m interested in seeing how this turns out. I love how there is non-traditional danger. For Catalina there is no mysterious person trying to take her throne, it’s the caimán who might eat her and Manuel. I really enjoy the rush of fear about what might happen. I don’t love that she is so bent on reclaiming the throne. But her and Manuel are cute together! 
I love the detail to how beautiful and deadly the jungle is. Isabel Ibańez writhing is magical in it of itself. Ohhhh this is soooo cute!!!! Ok I’m starting to like her now. And Manuel is the best man I’ve ever met. I love Sonco and Chaska. 
I also adore how even the goddess has her own family. And the ending with Ximena and her finding her path and home in the jungle is so amazing and I just and so happy with how it all turned out.

Leah | @LeahsLittlePleasures

I love this world so much 😍 Isabel created another wonderfully done fantasy adventure with a beautiful slow-burn romance. ⁣
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The writing is enchanting, playful, and oh-so-smooth. It's honestly pure magic. The world is rich, majestic, and vast and full of dark ethereal and celestial magic, chilling and cunning creatures, and gods and spirits.⁣
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After Catalina is betrayed and exiled to the jungle, she finds herself on a journey to redemption and continued liberation of her people. Stranded in the jungle, she stumbles upon Manuel, a personal guard thought lost forever from the Illustrian Keep, who saves her and begins teaching her about the terrors of the jungle. Together, they plan to track down the legendary and mysterious Illari, a tribe of gifted peoples & warriors, who Catalina hopes can help finally win back her throne from the Llacsan’s rule once and for all. But there’s something mysterious haunting the jungle. ⁣
⁣
I never thought I would love a pairing as much as Ximena and Rumi in this world, but I do! It’s Manuel and Catalina 😍 I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in the jungle with them and learning more about Catalina. I loved that her transformation felt so incredibly relatable and I was honestly rooting for her the whole time. An amazing addition to the Woven In Moonlight world and series. I'm really hoping for a book 3!
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Thank you, Isabel and Page Street Publishing for my ARC copy! Written In Starlight is set to release on January 26th, 2021.

Alli King

I loved this companion to Woven in Moonlight. It follows Catalina, the banished condesa of the Illustrians, as the is forced to enter the perilous jungle. 
Isabel Ibañez is an expert world builder (it’s all about those food descriptions!), and this didn’t disappoint. After the first novel, you’re not exactly set up to like Catalina. However, Ibañez did well in presenting C’s thought process, and I was able to fairly quickly understand and relate. Just when I thought I knew exactly how it would end, I was definitely thrown for a loop- an audible gasp may have occurred- which is always great fun. I definitely recommend.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Written in Starlight

Author: Isabel Ibanez

Book Series: Woven in Moonlight Book 2

Rating: 1/5

Diversity: Indigenous Bolivian culture and people, but racist views and statements and misconceptions about the culture and religious aspects 

Recommended For...: fantasy readers, ya readers

Publication Date: January 26, 2021

Genre: YA Fantasy

Recommended Age: can’t recommend, dnf-ed

Publisher: Page Street Kids

Pages: 368

Synopsis: If the jungle wants you, it will have you...

Catalina Quiroga is a Condesa without a country. She’s lost the Inkasisa throne, the loyalty of her people, and her best friend. Banished to the perilous Yanu Jungle, Catalina knows her chances of survival are slim, but that won’t stop her from trying to escape. It’s her duty to reclaim the throne.

When Manuel, the son of her former general, rescues Catalina from a jaguar, a plan forms. Deep in the jungle, the city of gold is hidden, home to the fierce Illari people, who she could strike an alliance with.

But the elusive Illari are fighting a battle of their own—a mysterious blight is corrupting the jungle, laying waste to everything they hold dear. As a seer, Catalina should be able to help, but her ability to read the future in the stars is as feeble as her survival instincts. While searching for the Illari, Catalina must reckon with her duty and her heart to find her true calling, which could be the key to stopping the corruption before it destroys the jungle completely.

Review: I'm DNFing this book at 1%. I'm disturbed by the reports I've heard and evidence I've seen about how the indigenous culture and people are mistreated and how the book has a white savior complex. I can't, in good faith, read this book right now. I might come back to it in the future, but right now there’s too much not being taken seriously about the valid concerns of people who are hurt by this book.

Verdict: I’m unsteady about this series from the concerns I read and what I remember from reading it myself. I’m also very concerned about the lack of a statement from the author and the amount of people who have attacked those who voiced their valid concerns about the book. The author isn’t doing anything to help the matter by remaining silent and letting people continue to attack those who voiced concerns and letting them continue to make racist remarks about the people and culture the books are based on.

K.J. Haakenson

Isabel Ibañez is an amazing storyteller. I was whisked away into Written in Starlight and never wanted to leave. Although I expected the plot to go different ways than it did, I still adored this adventure as well as Catalina and Manuel’s swoony relationship <3 If you like dangerous jungles, moon magic, and man-eating butterflies, this ones for you ;) (Also for those who are wondering, this /is/ a companion novel but you will need to read Woven in Moonlight first - they are very connected)

Liz Griffin

Rarely have I encountered a protagonist with such a believable and poignant growth arc. Catalina developed from downright annoying and selfish to a wise and humble leader, who knew when to step aside. Aside from some pacing sections and literal Deus ex Machina at the end, I greatly enjoyed this one.

Written in Starlight Woven in Moonlight #2

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