Name: Luna (The Dark Between Series Book 1) By Rae Else
Item: Luna (The Dark Between Series Book 1)
Author: Trenzle Review

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Jess, a foster child, has experienced anger blackouts on and off throughout her childhood. She experiences something, becomes enraged, escalates the situation, and then loses all memory of what happened. She has spent her entire life moving from foster family to foster home as a result of her terrible anger management.

The cycle continues until one evening when a terrible incident occurs, but this time Jess is put on lockdown. Not even in a jail, at least not one she would recognise, nor in a mental health facility. Jess is imprisoned in a “para pen,” a facility for people with paranormal abilities who have committed crimes.

Jess is charged with being a shifter—a shapeshifter—who killed a person, but she has no idea what a “shifter” even is. She just has one piece of experience, which is that she can never trust anyone. But in this new world of shifters, fairies, vampires, and witches, the worth of her prior experience is difficult to assess, and Jess must find allies when not only her independence but also her safety are threatened.

While there were elements of Luna that reminded readers of works by other authors (Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga comes to mind because of the werewolf/vampire combination and the forest setting), there were also enough distinctive elements (foster child, emphasis on nature, Italian setting) to distinguish it as a stand-alone story.

The colour scheme of Else’s characters really caught my attention. Her characters are distinctive and well-developed, with quirks and foibles that aren’t present in every book, every time. The distinctions between good and evil are realistically hazy, and there is an equal gender distribution (at least, they are blurred enough to keep things interesting).

This book, like many YA books, has fitting in as a major topic. Jess struggled in her foster homes and finds it difficult to fit in here, too. She does, however, succeed in forming friendships, as evidenced by this early scene in which Jess and a fae named Astra were getting to know one another.

Astra grimaced as she rolled her shoulder forward. I’m sorry, I have to spread my wings. She got to her feet, took a small step between the big sofa and the one by the window, and then spread her wings. Astra was nearly five feet tall, and their span was at least twice that. The small girl suddenly appeared much more menacing with her wings spread. Jess was in awe of her black feathers’ beautiful sheen under the artificial strip lights.

I do wish that Else would have taken her time with some of the series-specific jargon at times or offered a glossary. I frequently found myself flipping back and forth to make sure I knew what was meant by words like “the Between” or “sluagh,” (and others), and I’m still not entirely sure I understand the specifics of what one of the supernatural monsters did to the main character. Having said that, the series’ overall flow was strong, and fans of the genre will be eager to see where it goes.

I would suggest Luna: Dark Between Series to fans of modern paranormal fantasy in general as well as fans of Italian history or mythology who will enjoy seeing some of their forgotten long-dead friends (Romulus & Remus, the sidhe) come to life in this work. Overall, this is a strong beginning work deserving of four stars, strongly recommended in the genre.

About The Book

When Romulus killed Remus, the wolf clans swore enmity to one another ever after.

Seventeen-year-old Jess has survived an upbringing in care. Diagnosed with rage blackouts, people look at her with pity and fear. The solution? Brutal workouts, Art—oh—and staying the hell away from others. Easily done in backwater Maine.

Yet one night, she wakes to find herself by a lake, her clothes covered in blood, with no memory of what happened. Soon the water is aflame and a portal opens. Transported to the Triodia Penitentiary, she discovers she’s a shifter, a type of para. She’s also accused of murder and locked up.

Desperate to find a way out, she turns to her fellow inmates for help. Yet as they mount an escape, the enemies circling her increase. Will Jess survive unlocking the dangerous Heights and Depths of the para world and those within herself?

The Review