Gwyn's Kingdom: The Electric Moon by Brian Holshouser is a riveting young adult coming-of-age novel following a spirited young archer on her journey to discover the truth about her parents' disappearance. Gwyn lives with her grandparents in a small stone cottage. She loves to explore places and shoot her bow while wearing her favorite green cloak. One night, when she sees the majestic Electric Moon shining brightly in the sky, she feels an instant connection to it. Gwyn is excited to spend a whole summer living with her aunt and uncle, along with her best friends, and learn to play the harp. She hopes to find out what happened to her parents. Shortly after, she learns that she comes from a powerful and early-generation wizard family and that her aunt and uncle decided to take her to their sanctuary. And that's when her journey begins into a world full of magic, mystery, lore, mystical places, magical items, dangerous creatures, and dark, ancient powers threatening her realm.

Gwyn's Kingdom: The Electric Moon is a fascinating and unique tale of self-discovery, destiny, magic, mystery, courage, and adventure. Brian Holshouser's elegant writing, the gorgeous, impressive illustrations, and the world with all the right genre elements make this coming-of-age story feel entirely immersive, impactful, and satisfying. Anyone interested in a complex yet highly imaginative fantasy tale with strong characters, magical lore, plenty of action, wizard battles, thrilling quests, friendship, and heroism should pick this book. Young fans of fantasy will find much to enjoy and savor in this first book in the series.

Gwyn’s Kingdom: The Electric Moon by Brian Holshouser is a lush, imaginative coming-of-age fantasy. We’re with young Gwyn as she is swept from her simple life in Pantheon into a realm of ancient magic, shadowy threats, and wondrous allies. With her loyal friends Jack and Chele, Gwyn journeys through mystical lands, faces swirling smoke beasts, and steps into a destiny bigger than she ever imagined. Told with lyrical flair and a rich sense of world-building, this is a powerful story about courage, belonging, and the electric spark of transformation.

Author Brian Holshouser has a knack for immersive description, and his enchanting world-building makes this a perfect read for fans of fantasy worlds that you want to just dive into and swim around in forever. He plays with a lot of the typical fantasy tropes, but everything has its own spin and original ways of bringing fantastic beasts and fascinating magical lore to life. Amidst all this wonder, the character development shines, and Gwyn is a brave, endearing heroine whose growth from the challenges of the plot is sure to inspire readers to root for her and want to help her in her battles. There are certainly plenty of battles to face, too, whether they’re emotional, physical, or magical, and the story follows a classic quest narrative, but with some fresh, magical new twists that I genuinely didn’t see coming. The themes of friendship, fate, and identity are sure to resonate deeply with young readers, but everything is emotionally sophisticated enough for older fans to enjoy in the story, too. Overall, Gwyn’s Kingdom: The Electric Moon is a highly recommended read for fans of YA fantasy and the young at heart alike, and I can’t wait to see more from this lively, warm, and effective writer.

Brian Holshouser brings us a coming-of-age fantasy in Gwyn’s Kingdom: The Electric Moon. Gwyn lives with her grandparents on the outskirts of Pantheon, next to the Rusted Forest. She has only known joy and contentment. Gwyn began practicing with a bow at the age of ten. By twelve, she could shoot an arrow more accurately than most who had practiced longer. At thirteen, Gwyn and her two friends, Jack and Chele, visit her uncle and aunt for the holidays. Old secrets kept from Gwyn are revealed, along with her birthright and the fact that magic flows through her veins. And then there is the moon--the purple one that comes around every other day. This is a journey of self-discovery that can only be accomplished with the right people by her side.

In the first book of this series, author Brian Holshouser establishes a foundation for an epic adventure. The scenery bursts with vibrant colors and intoxicating scents. Written in the third-person narrative and primarily focusing on the main character, it provides the reader with a wealth of information to process, resulting in impressive character development. This book brims with magic and adventure, featuring goblins, sprites, and an army of the undead. The pacing is steady, drawing you in from start to finish with elements that keep you captivated. What I loved most was how Gwyn navigated overwhelming emotions and sensory overload. Gwyn’s Kingdom: The Electric Moon is perfect for younger readers aged twelve and up. Despite its darker elements, it will spark your inner curiosity, prompting more questions.

Gwyn's Kingdom: The Electric Moon by Brian Holshouser is a coming-of-age, young adult story of Gwyn. Set in a medieval-like land under a strange and powerful Electric Moon, the story follows Gwyn, a spirited young girl whose peaceful rural life is upended when the danger around her awakens the inactive magic within her. Joined by her loyal friends Jack and Chele, Gwyn sets off on an adventure that leads her through enchanted forests, ancient ruins, and mystical realms where her very existence threatens the balance of a magical political order. Along the way, she encounters noble wizards, undead beings, goblins, and strange creatures that all want something from her. Gwyn must understand the legacy of her magic before the dark forces hiding beyond the veil close in.

Author Brian Holshouser creates a perfect fantasy world where magic, supernatural, and strange creatures exist most believably. The worldbuilding is incredible, the descriptions are outstanding, and the way everything is introduced has maximum impact on readers. I enjoyed how the characters developed, how each twist and turn created new excitement in the story, and how each chapter unveiled something new. I loved Gwyn and her reactions. She is a relatable and compelling protagonist whose bravery and curiosity guide the reader through a world filled with magic and danger. I also enjoyed how she interacted with Chele and Jack. They humbled her, brought her down to earth, and grounded her in reality when things got rough. All in all, this is a great start to a series, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!