Thursday, March 26, 2020

SciFi/Fantasy Book Review: Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez




Woven in Moonlight is a Young Adult fantasy novel from Bolivian-American author Isabel Ibañez.  It's a not that long novel, featuring a world based in some part upon the history of Spanish conquering of the Incas, and featuring solid themes of oppression and discovering one's identity.  It's not a particularly unique novel in terms of how things go and the themes discussed, but with a very good main character and a setting that isn't your typical European or United States-based world, it's certainly a young adult novel worth a shot for a reader in the age group.


-------------------------------------------------Plot Summary------------------------------------------------------
Since she was discovered as a little girl on the street, Ximena has served as the decoy for her friend, the Condesa (ruler) of the Illustrian people.  But then the false king Atoc and his Llacsan people drove the Illustrians out of their capital of La Ciudad using a magical superweapon, the Estrella, and everything changed.  Now Ximena has been forced full time into her role and her people remain besieged in a fortress with limited food remaining, protected only by a magic wielded by the captain of the Condesa's guards.  The only comfort Ximena still has is her magic - the ability to use a loom to weave moonlight messages into her threads, for whatever good that does her.

But when Atoc demands the Condesa's hand in marriage, Ximena finds herself going straight into the territory of her enemies, with the hope of using a long engagement period to steal the Estrella for her own people to take back the country.  But what Ximena finds in La Ciudad is not what she expects - while Atoc is indeed as corrupt as she thought, the Llacsan people around the king seem more human and sympathetic than she thought, especially in light of what the Illustrians had once done to them themselves.

But when Ximena comes in contact with the masked bandit known as El Lobo, who fights against Atoc's rule, she is finally given the agency to try to do what she came for - to find the Estrella and use it to fight back for her people.  But at what cost would such a thing be possible, and who is Ximena to make that decision - a decision that will change both the Illustrian and Llacsan people forever.....
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Woven in Moonlight isn't particularly unusual in its plot structure - the idea of the person from a society privileged at the expense of others having her perceptions change when the oppressed rise up is a pretty classic tale, especially right now, as the impacts of colonization/imperialism are more realized and written about than perhaps ever before.  You know fairly quickly into this book how things are going to go to some extent - Ximena is going to discover that the Llacsans in general aren't bad people but people who her own countrymen oppressed, and that while Atoc is evil, things can't and shouldn't go back to the way they were even if Ximena obtains the power to do manage that.  There's also a romantic subplot in here as well - although it's a little halfbaked honestly, which any reader will see coming a mile away.

But while all of these plot elements are somewhat predictable, they're executed particularly well, in ways that make this a very solid and successful book that is hard to put down.  The Bolivian/Latin flavored world is very vivid and real, with the two cultures' different ways each being explored satisfactorily, and the magic involved is very creative, especially as Ximena's magic expands in power.  Ximena is a really strong character even for a classic archetype, and her decisions and actions always ring true, and so it's very easy to sympathize with her even at the times you know she's in the wrong.  And while her more personal dilemma of identity - when everyone thinks she's really someone else, who is she? - is a little underdone, it's done just well enough to be an excellent side issue for the character for her to deal with.

And the plot does take a few swerves that a reader might not expect, such as the truth behind El Lobo, which takes a surprising twist when finally revealed, so it's not like everything is utterly predictable.  And it all does serve to illustrate the issues of imperialism, colonization and oppression, as Ximena realizes what her own people once did and how they rationalized it, and how with ease the chain of oppression could continue if a different path is not taken.  The only real issues with the story really is that it's final act is awfully abrupt, as a revelation made during it is given too little time to actually have an impact and is promptly forgiven by all involved.  Still, it generally works, and the ending works in a way that is both satisfying and provides sequel hooks for additional stories if the author wants to go in that direction.

In short, Woven in Moonlight is solid YA Fantasy with a good examination of some serious themes, even if it never really does too much original and unique to make it that much of a must-read for anyone older than is targeted audiences.
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