Bull Moon Rising

"I LOVE any Ruby Dixon book! This was knot an exception either! (wink wink) It reminded me of Fairy Tail + Minecraft + Ruby Dixon. The story was interesting, the kingdom does not allow people to use magic (like magic magic) due to past wars, but covet the relics that essentially hold and harness magic. The relics are only allowed to be owned by certain ppl who have permission from the king or the guild. The nobility are called Holders that control the reclaimed/inherited relics and pay the guilds to dig for relics into these tunnels that go into a collapsed city. The FMC wants to join the guild to saved her Holder family from collapse, but she has to do it in secret since holders can’t join guilds... The MMC is knot very nice at first but she suggested that he be her chaperone so she can train to join the guild, she would marry him & “help” him during a very HARD time in his life! LOL! It’s VERY SPICY! The story was really good, I loved the world building! "

""Bull Moon Rising" certainly catches the eye. The hardcover edition is gorgeous, making it a beautiful addition to any bookshelf. However, the beauty is somewhat skin-deep, as the story itself didn't quite live up to the visual appeal. This was my toe-dip into Ruby Dixon's work, and while it wasn't a complete miss, it didn't entirely win me over either. <br/><br/>The plot felt a bit sluggish at times, meandering its way through the narrative. And then there's the romance with the Minotaur... let's just say it raised some anatomical questions that the book didn't fully answer. The prosthetic hand situation added another layer of... complexity that left me more confused than captivated. I'm not opposed to monster romances, but the logistics here felt a bit muddled for those who may have little or no experience with monster (?) romances. That being said, I didn't hate "Bull Moon Rising." <br/><br/>There were moments of genuine connection, and the world-building had potential. The Royal Artifactual Guild is a unique concept and the magic system was complex but not confusing. Hawk somehow landed in my 'cinnamon roll' MMC list with his dynamic characterization. It just seems like this might not be Dixon's strongest work.. <br/><br/><br/>I'm willing to give her another shot, and I've heard great things about her Ice Planet Barbarians series, so I'm cautiously optimistic that it will be worth reading. For now, "Bull Moon Rising" gets a middling 3 out of 5 stars."

"<b>3.5 Stars</b><br/><br/>Look, I came here for minotaur romance, and Bull Moon Rising technically delivers—but let’s be honest, it’s a bit more ancient artifacts and guild bureaucracy than steam. Aspeth Honori is a noblewoman-turned-apprentice trying to escape her father’s financial mess and ends up in a marriage of convenience with a huge, broody minotaur named Hawk (because of course his name is Hawk). The world-building is actually solid—think magic academia meets monster fantasy—and Aspeth is easy to root for. She’s passionate, stubborn, and just nerdy enough to throw herself into ancient history like her life depends on it. (“Artifacts don’t betray,” she says. “People do.” Girl, same.) There’s a whole adventure plot with cursed objects, shady politics, and a tight-knit band of misfits that’s genuinely fun to follow.<br/><br/>But the romance? Eh. For a marriage between a massive horned beast-man and a bold heroine, it’s surprisingly… chill? Most of their emotional bonding is summarized off-page (“We stayed up all night talking”), which left me wondering if I accidentally skipped chapters. The eventual “rutting” scene (yes, that’s the word used) reads more like checking off a box than the culmination of slow-burn tension. Don’t get me wrong—it’s still enjoyable, especially if you like your fantasy with a side of political drama and badass women. Just go in expecting more magical scavenger hunts than spicy minotaur moments, and you’ll have a good time."