Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard

February 20th, 2014 Kimberly Review 78 Comments

20th Feb
Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard
Moth and Spark
by Anne Leonard
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

A prince with a quest. A commoner with mysterious powers. And dragons that demand to be freed—at any cost. Prince Corin has been chosen to free the dragons from their bondage to the Empire, but dragons aren’t big on directions. They have given him some of their power, but none of their knowledge. No one, not the dragons nor their riders, is even sure what keeps the dragons in the Empire’s control. Tam, sensible daughter of a well-respected doctor, had no idea before she arrived in the capital that she is a Seer, gifted with visions. When the two run into each other (quite literally) in the library, sparks fly and Corin impulsively asks Tam to dinner. But it’s not all happily ever after. Never mind that the prince isn’t allowed to marry a commoner: war is coming to Caithen. Torn between Corin’s quest to free the dragons and his duty to his country, the lovers must both figure out how to master their powers in order to save Caithen. With a little help from a village of secret wizards and a rogue dragonrider, they just might pull it off

Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard was a delightful romantic fantasy with Dragons, Kings, and Wizards.  Leonard gave us the details one expects in high fantasy, without the three hundred characters. This was mid to light fantasy that I didn’t want to end. The author’s writing has been influenced by Austen, and I felt it humming through her prose and attention to detail. Mini-review: Dragons, lore, romance, magic, and wizards this tale held me captive from page one.

Tam, the daughter of a well-respected doctor attends Summer Court at Caithenor where she will soon discover she is a Seer. Prince Corin has been tasked with freeing the Dragons. He is torn between protecting his family and country as tensions heat up and war awaits on the horizon. When these two collide outside the library, the sparks fly. A forbidden romance, evil, dragons, wizards, plots, and betrayal all await them and the tale that unfolded held me spellbound.

Leonard told the tale using dual POV’s, and it was brilliantly done. Unlike, high fantasy, the secondary characters were kept to a minimum. Some were fleshed out and others just enough for us to understand their role in the story that unfolds. Tam and Corin were wonderful as our hero and heroine. Both are young but share a love of knowledge and logic. They played off each other’s strengths and trusted in each other. All of this made their friendship and romance feel genuine. Their relationship developed quickly, but since she is a commoner and he a Prince both go into the relationship aware of its limitations. War, dragons, and quests kept the flames burning but Leonard allowed them to develop a relationship beyond attraction and lust. The King and Queen were wonderful both as leaders and parents. Those attending the Summer Court added interest, conflict, and humor to the tale. Corin’s security team and the wizard community added substance without pulling us away from our couple.

I love fantasy, and forbidden or impossible romances and Moth and Spark delivered. The countryside, dragons, court, and castle, came to life in panoramic detail without slowing the pace. While there is a war, alliances, magic, and quests our couple remains at the center of the plot. I adored both Tam and Corin as they worked together. They reminded me of Claire and Jamie from Outlander. Leonard’s description of the Dragons and their riders left me breathless. Communication between beast and man was beautiful, and I shall forever dream of flying. The world-building regarding the quest and war was well done and kept the tale light. The front of the book contains a map which further helped me see the fields, mountains, and forests. For me, this was the type of novel that I didn’t want to end, EVER. I was disappointed that this doesn’t appear to be a series or trilogy. The climax and ending were beautifully rendered, and threads tied up but, and this is a minor but; I felt it was a tad rushed. For me at least this book could have handled another two hundred pages.

Fans of Austen, Outlander, and romantic fantasy will find the magic within the pages of Moth and Spark. Oh, and there are Dragons!  I want more, plain and simple and look forward to Anne Leonard’s next novel.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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78 Responses to “Moth and Spark by Anne Leonard”

  1. Jess

    I have always wanted to fly- so the fact that this book will have me dreaming of flying drew me in right away. Plus, I love fantasy- and this has many elements I enjoy in a book. This sounds awesome. So glad to hear you liked it. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I wish there was more time with the Dragons..but the romance was strong and I adored the characters..enjoy Jess. You are right this has many elements and they were well done.

  4. Michelle

    You had me at dragons! I really want to read this one, I love that it has high fantasy elements without taking it all the way. You can still get a taste for the depth but not have to commit to a monster sized book. Great review Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Exactly and the details were wonderful with a couple I adored.

  5. DannyBookworm

    Oh why haven’t I seen this book before? I absolutely looove the sound of this one and Fantasy with romance is one of my favorite genres and right now I’m craving them more and more! Thanks for this recommendation:)

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This is adult and maybe that is why..but clean and so wonderful Danny.

  6. Candace

    Mid to light fantasy sounds good to me. I’ve been reading more YA fantasy because the heavy adult stuff has just been too hard for me. I don’t have the patience. I think I’d really enjoy this one!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This is adult, and some said the beginning was a tad slow with the details but honestly I loved every minute of this. Once the couple meet everyone fell in love with the tale.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Me too..this was wonderful and every time someone comments and I think about the book I just get this huge, sloppy grin on my face. LOL

  9. Lindy

    Kim,
    This book sounds great! I love fantasy, dragons, Prince’s, and a wonderful love story. Look forward to this. I too like trilogies when it comes to lengthening the storyline. Thanks for the thoughtful review.

    Lindy

  10. Faye

    Dragons?! Did anyone say dragons?! those beautiful, fire-breathing beasts mythical beasts that soar the blue skies?! Count me in! Also helps that this is a well-written Fantasy! there are so many fantasy books these days that are way too dragging because of the efforts of the author to detail every single thing in such an exhaustive manner. This one sounds different than that, though, especially if the reader keeps wanting for it to be longer! 😛

    Awesome review, Kim!

  11. Tabitha the Pabkins

    I was actually pretty excited that it wasn’t setup as a trilogy or series. Personally I know we are disappointed by the end if we want more and there is no for sure about it being a series but in a way I’m EXCITED about that. Because if there is great but if there isn’t then hooray its a marvelous standalone and we got everything we needed.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed Mary..it was the perfect escape and I thoroughly enjoyed it 🙂

  13. Lauren

    I keep hearing wonderful things about this book and I can’t wait to read it! I can think of no great compliment than wanting another 200 pages. 🙂 Love that you compare it to Austen and Outlander. Lovely review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed when a reader wants more you know it will be a good tale 🙂

  14. Zoe

    This one sounds great! I have kind of a love/hate experience with fantasy, but I have a feeling this would definitely be something I’d enjoy! The characters sound amazing, and I love the sound of how original the plot is. And the dragons! YEAH!

    Thanks for sharing, and, as always, brilliant review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This is a light fantasy that will surely cross genre boundaries, I hope you give it a whirl Zoe 🙂

  16. Michelle

    I am so excited to you loved this book. Awesome review!
    I recently fell back in love with Fantasy and I am super excited now about this book!!!

  17. Lark

    Oh, this definitely sounds like my kind of book! Dragons and romance and fantasy, oh my! [runs off to add it to TBR list]

  18. Jessica

    Ooh nice review! Seeing this one around a bit lately and started to get intrigued! Definitely sounds like great fantasy! Might have to look for other reviews and then decide if I need to buy it myself! But I’ve definitely added a check in the positive category!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I hope other reviews you read agree, I quite enjoyed this one Jessica 🙂

  20. Heidi

    I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but when I do I like books that keep it simple and ones that don’t have a ton of characters to keep track of and foreign languages. I am seeing some good reviews on this one and I am tempted to pick it up. If only my review pile was smaller.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I feel you on the TBR pile, you can watch for a sale and snag this down the line since you know it’s a standalone

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes and you adore romance too..so this should be the perfect escape for you!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      You will love this couple, they a strong and play off it other well 🙂

  23. Jessica

    I really haven’t been paying attention. I’ve seen this book half a dozen times at least, and it just bounced right off my radar. Which is ridiculous b/c after reading your review, it’s obvious that this is exactly my kind of read. Thanks for waking me up. You’re a doll 😉

  24. Michelle

    Oh! How exciting! Dragons, Kings, and Wizards! Do you think this will be suitable for 12 year-old? I’m always on a lookout for good books for my cousin!

  25. Sam

    I love fantasy and forbidden romances too. This sounds completely like my sort of book! I usually don’t mind a large character cast, but it is a bit of a relief to get something lighter. Easier to keep track of everyone. 🙂 Awesome review, Kimba! I’ll definitely be checking this one out when I can.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes, the couples interaction and the setting gave me that Outlander vibe and I so enjoyed it. This isn’t nearly as detailed but wonderful all the same.

  28. Jenny

    I’m reading this one right now Kim! While I have to admit it started out a bit slow for me as the politics were being outlined and the war was being setup, once Corin and Tam met however things picked up for me. Romance always has a way of drawing me into a story, and I just love the two of them together. I can’t wait to see how everything ends!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am glad it picked up for you. I loved all of the deets in the beginning from the political dynamics to the castle’s inter-workings but yes when they meet the tale takes off!

  30. Carmel

    I’ve been reading more Fantasy lately, and seeing you classify this one as “light” makes it even more appealing. Plus, who doesn’t love dragons!? Ooh, that the fact that you compared it to Outlander—SOLD!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      It is romantic fantasy with dragons who could ask for anything more..LOL

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes, Austen influenced her writing and the setting and romance reminded me of Outlander 🙂

  32. Kristen

    I’m very excited about this one 🙂 I love the cover title and the fact that there are dragons! I hope to pick this one up sooner than later. So glad you enjoyed it so much

  35. Melliane

    Oh it’s nice, I really like the cover! I didn’t know this one but I like the sound of it. It’s been a while since I read a dragon novel. I confess I don’t have a lot so it’s interesting to find an interesting book with them in it. I’m also always anxious when we have multiple POVs but if it’s only a dual one it’s usually perfect for me. Thanks for the lovely review.

  36. kindlemom1

    I admit I am not a huge high fantasy fan or even dragon fan but to say this had an Austen feel (influence) to it so makes me want to pick it up and try it.

    Darn it Kim, knock it off, my TBR pile can’t take it.

  37. kim { Book Swoon }

    I love that the Moth and Spark you desribe Kimba, gives the readers a taste of high fantasy without all the terms and extra characters. Dragons, romance and intigue- yes please.

  38. Megan

    Wow, this totally sounds like my kind of book. Dragons make everything better! So glad you enjoyed it. I’ll have to keep my eye out for this one.