In the land of Inkasisa you can hear the distinct sound of a loom at work. The threads are laced in a practiced manner as they strive to convey the story of the land. Before long, we have an image of a young, steadfast woman named Ximena. As the stand in for the last Illustrian royal, a condesa, Ximena believes herself to be a pale imitation of a sun that orbits around her people. The panel shifts over to a new scene where Ximena is taken to La Ciudad at the hands of the false King Atoc who seeks to enslave his people to his command and will dispose of any who rival against him.
After being taken to La Ciudad, expert hands now show how, despite the darkness that Atoc invites, Ximena's strength becomes a powerful brilliance that stems from her conviction and yearning to obtain justice for her people. No longer afraid to be in the shadow of her duality, Ximena embraces her true identity through the strength of the moon and, with her Illustrian magic, comes to find that her ability to create creatures of moonlight may just hold the key to save her people....and the enemies she never expected to become dear to her heart.
The loom now stops. The tapestry is complete.
Once mounted on the wall, you see the color and actions of life depicted in vibrant hues and moonlight animals full of valiance shimmer with a pulsing heart. Most of all, you see the edges of the tapestry filled with the words to Ximena's valiant heart and how unlikely allies, such as El Lobo, unexpectedly weave into our story.
You can trace these images over and over in your mind's eye and run your fingers along the tapestry corners and never tire of its vibrant nature and how it paints such an illustrious tale that captures you until the last thread.
This was a story Woven in Moonlight where our weaver, Isabel Ibañez, took the corners of the night and filled them with her fantastic imagination. In all honesty, it is rare that I have immediate connections to stories, or characters, since it is my practice to observe the story from beginning to end. Yet, I was so compelled by the first few pages by Ibañez's spirited passages where Ximena struggled with her two selves as Ximena and as the figure of the people's condesa. The circumstances for Ximena and her people were bleak and yet, instead of succumbing to circumstances, Ximena quells her fears and continues striving onward, always having the fate of her people at heart.
In this debut work, author Isabel Ibañez elegantly showed her capability to channel Bolivian history, politics, and pure moonlight into an absolutely singular reading experience. As you turn the first page, be prepared to seize the night. Carpe Noctem.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Woven in Moonlight
by Isabel Ibañez Publisher: Page Street Books Release Date: January 7th 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Synopsis:
A lush tapestry of magic, romance, and revolución, drawing inspiration from Bolivian politics and history.
Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena’s motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight.
When Atoc demands the real Condesa’s hand in marriage, it’s Ximena’s duty to go in her stead. She relishes the chance, as Illustrian spies have reported that Atoc’s no longer carrying his deadly relic. If Ximena can find it, she can return the true aristócrata to their rightful place.
She hunts for the relic, using her weaving ability to hide messages in tapestries for the resistance. But when a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge—and her Condesa.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isabel Ibañez was born in Boca Raton, Florida, and is the proud daughter of two Bolivian
immigrants. A true word nerd, she received her degree in creative writing and has been a
Pitch Wars mentor for three years. Isabel is an avid movie goer and loves hosting family and
friends around the dinner table. She currently lives in Winter Park, Florida, with her
husband, their adorable dog, and a serious collection of books. Say hi on social media at
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TOUR SCHEDULE
PRIZE:
Win a copy of
WOVEN IN MOONLIGHT
by Isabel Ibañez
(US/CAN Only)
STARTS: 20th January 2020
ENDS: 3rd February 2020
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