Moonshadow’s Guardian by Dianna Gunn
Title: Moonshadow’s Guardian
Author: Dianna Gunn
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
Available: Amazon
About the Book
All Riana has ever wanted is freedom. Unfortunately, that’s the one thing her kind cannot have.
Bound by the curse in her demonic blood for millennia, Riana has tried several times to bend the rules and live out her life in the mortal realm. Now her consistent rule breaking has drawn the attention of Loki, God of Mischief, the main tormentor of Riana’s kind. But instead of punishing her, he offers her the escape she has always desired. All she has to do to is save the kingdom of Moonshadow from a mysterious magical plague.
Armed only with the inherent power of her own blood and Loki’s pet dragon, Riana is determined to fight for the right to create her own destiny.
However, when her mission forces her to destroy the last remnants of an ancient culture, Riana must ask – what is freedom really worth?
Moonshadow’s Guardian is a dark fantasy novel about the meaning of belonging, and the struggle to create a future not defined by your past.
Trigger Warnings: PTSD, depression, torture, gore, death.
Review
Moonshadow’s Guardian is fantasy novel and the first of two in the story. Taking place in an alternate world, the story follows Riana, a demon bound to the gods who wishes to be free. She seems to get that chance when her patron Loki gives her a contract to fulfill: find the source of a plague sweeping across the kingdom of Moonshadow and end it. Having worked contracts in Moonshadow before, Riana is familiar with the kingdom, although much has changed since she was last there. Arriving in Moonshadow with her dragon Rolf, Riana must navigate the politics of the royal Vonstone family, headed by King Jacob VIII, whose own wife and son have been infected. The king’s undead ancestors comprise many of his advisors, including Riana’s old friend Jacob II. Riana must contend with her own memories while searching for the source of the plague, hoping to redeem herself for a previous failed mission.
Moonshadow’s Guardian is an engaging tale filled with magic and adventure. Riana has a rebellious streak and a great dislike of Loki, but works tirelessly to fulfill her contract. Her past is both mysterious and tragic, revealed through flashbacks that shape her motives. Rolf is an enigma: a fearsome-looking dragon with an innocent personality. Jacob VIII is desperate to save his kingdom, but comes off as unreasonable in his preferred methods, leading to many arguments with Riana on how to proceed. All the characters involved are unique and well-portrayed with their own desires and motives.
Overall, Moonshadow’s Guardian is an entertaining and well-written story. It is a dark tale, but not so dark as to turn away those who enjoy the lighter side of fantasy. Dark Fantasy fans will be sure to enjoy this book. Everyone who reads it will certainly be looking forward to the next installment.
About the Author
Dianna Gunn is an SEO writer and digital marketing specialist by day and an author of fantasy and science fiction with strong horror elements by night. Her first full-length novel, Moonshadow’s Guardian, was released in 2018, with the sequel set to arrive in fall 2022.
She also runs the Weeknight Writers Group, a social enterprise dedicated to creating accessible educational and community supports for writers, including the #WeeknightWriters Twitter chat on Thursdays at 7PM EST.
