If I thought Susan Dennard's The Luminaries was exciting and ended with a shock, I was wrong. That's because I hadn't read The Hunting Moon. In this sequel, Ms. Dennard continues with a story that continues to amaze and delight. I loved every minute and finished reading it only to mourn the fact that I have to wait once again to read more about Winnie and Jay. 

While Winnie's story is about her investigation of the Luminaries and uncovering the mystery behind her father's disappearance, the heart of the story is Winnie and Jay's relationship. It is so satisfying watching them circle each other. Every scene between them is fraught with tension and untold secrets. We finally learn some of those secrets, and it does not disappoint. Plus, the scenes with the nose boops are the cutest thing ever!

In The Hunting Moon, Ms. Dennard balances Winnie's hand-wringing and sleuthing. Actually, Winnie does not wallow so much as she wrests control of her all-consuming anger. Her anger is organic and understandable. In fact, Winnie's roiling emotions are natural reactions to everything that happened and is happening to her. The pressures she is under to protect her family and remain its savior while trying to fit back into Luminary society and keep her secrets are tremendous. If anyone deserves to be fueled by rage, despair, confusion, and trepidation, it's Winnie Wednesday.

The Hunting Moon was one of my most anticipated books for this fall, and it will go down as one of my favorite books of the year. Winnie not only uncovers some secrets and obtains some answers, but she grows personally and makes some uncomfortable discoveries about herself. Her relationship with Jay is achingly sweet and makes for one of the best slow-burn romances. Meanwhile, we discover that there may be an unsavory side to being a Luminary. It adds up to a story you cannot put down, late-night reading sessions, and a book hangover. Now, the interminably long wait for book three.