Blood Moon
Evelyn M. Exley
Independently Published (2024)
ISBN: 978-1954448155
Reviewed by S. Mazher Rizvi for Reader Views (07/2026)
Beginning from the title, Blood Moon, to the very end, this amazing book by Evelyn M. Exley holds you captive and mesmerized. Narrated in the peaceful and tranquil setting of a little college town called Maplewood, the story revolves around clusters of close-knit families and their children. Despite a difference in social status, a common value amongst these families is love, protection, obedience, and compliance of their young adult children.
The story unfolds from a tragic accident involving five young, happy, and loving friends celebrating graduation. A fatal car accident on the night of the eclipsed moon left the friends bruised and battered, with permanent scars not only on their bodies but also within their hearts, after losing one of their most energetic friends. As the eclipse clears, the blood moon, a symbol of change and transformation, begins to illuminate the lives of this group of friends, exposing hidden realities and erasing fantasies. A journey of self-discovery, introspection, and a quest for identity begins as all those impacted recover from their wounds. Evelyn M. Exley’s Blood Moon is not just a romantic novel. It’s about discovery, change, and human compromise with destiny.
The story paves its way through a complex labyrinth of emotions, deprivations, misunderstandings, and mental anguish not only amongst friends but also their parents and loved ones. Not to be ignored were the bystanders, nosy neighbors, and finger-pointing crowd. The characters in this story, their emotional attire, the family influence, and the aftereffects of the accident are real and vivid.
Phases of evolution and change in the characters’ personalities are plausible and practical within the settings and environment of the small town of Maplewood. The story’s outcome might have been very different had it been set in a dynamic urban landscape rather than in its original setting rightfully chosen by the author. The tranquil small town background emerges as a focal point around which human behavior adapts and accepts change.
The story’s language is engaging, casual, and free from profanity. The book Blood Moon by Evelyn M. Exley is recommended for all genders & ages in reader segments that respect love, sacrifice, and family values.
At a Glance:
A nonfiction writing and publishing guide that walks aspiring authors from defining their purpose to launching and marketing a completed book. Covers planning, publishing options, branding, and promotion with a practical, step-by-step approach and realistic expectations.
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