Natasha remembers little from her Russian childhood, other than the lingering nightmares of her mother's tragic death. So when someone close to her hands her a one-way ticket to Russia, along with the deed to her family farm, and then is brutally murdered, she has little confidence about what awaits her in that distant land.
With doubt and uncertainty, Natasha has no choice but to leave her life in America for an unknown future. Once overseas, the terrifying facts as to why she was really summoned home come to light.
Fact one: Monsters do exist.
Fact two: The only thing keeping those monsters out of the world is an ancient mural hidden below her family's farm.
Fact three: The mural that keeps the evil out of the world is falling apart.
The final fact: It's up to Natasha to restore it and save the world from a horror unlike anything seen before.
Luckily, Natasha isn't alone in her mission. Three Russian Knights are tasked with protecting her from the demons as she restores the mural. And leading the Knights is the handsome and strong Anatoly, who seems to be everything Natasha could hope for in a man. Unfortunately, there is one huge problem. Her Knights are forbidden from having relationships with the artists they protect, and Anatoly is a hardcore rule follower. But rules cannot stop the way she feels.
When a horrifying demon breaches the barrier and pulls Anatoly inside the mural, Natasha can’t help but charge, once again, into the unknown—this time to save the man she secretly loves. Now on the demons’ turf, she risks her own life to free the very one who is supposed to be protecting her. Little does she realize that if she should fail, it could mean the destruction of the very last barrier shielding mankind. Will Anatoly refuse Natasha’s help? Or will he finally realize, when love is at stake, the rules will be broken.
With doubt and uncertainty, Natasha has no choice but to leave her life in America for an unknown future. Once overseas, the terrifying facts as to why she was really summoned home come to light.
Fact one: Monsters do exist.
Fact two: The only thing keeping those monsters out of the world is an ancient mural hidden below her family's farm.
Fact three: The mural that keeps the evil out of the world is falling apart.
The final fact: It's up to Natasha to restore it and save the world from a horror unlike anything seen before.
Luckily, Natasha isn't alone in her mission. Three Russian Knights are tasked with protecting her from the demons as she restores the mural. And leading the Knights is the handsome and strong Anatoly, who seems to be everything Natasha could hope for in a man. Unfortunately, there is one huge problem. Her Knights are forbidden from having relationships with the artists they protect, and Anatoly is a hardcore rule follower. But rules cannot stop the way she feels.
When a horrifying demon breaches the barrier and pulls Anatoly inside the mural, Natasha can’t help but charge, once again, into the unknown—this time to save the man she secretly loves. Now on the demons’ turf, she risks her own life to free the very one who is supposed to be protecting her. Little does she realize that if she should fail, it could mean the destruction of the very last barrier shielding mankind. Will Anatoly refuse Natasha’s help? Or will he finally realize, when love is at stake, the rules will be broken.
Sara's Review
My to-be-read list is quite extensive, and due to the face I write reviews for a blog, that list is added to almost daily. I had known about Moonflower by Angela Townsend for a while now, and someone from the blog mentioned she had liked it when she had read it a few years ago. With other books filling in the spaces, I hadn't gotten around to reading it until now. I'm glad I finally did.
I think what drew me in from the outset was Natasha's background story, but she was a great character to read about in her own right. What also attracted me to her story was the Russian setting and the incorporation of Russian folklore and mythology. I'll also state that there were a few times I stopped my reading long enough to go look up some of these details and creatures because I'm curious about them. I love mythology anyway, but the fact that these were from Russia and not as well known as those of Greek and Norse mythology was something that I really enjoyed.
The fact Natasha is a painter was different as well, and I liked how that gift of hers was incorporated into the supernatural element of the story. I can't remember a book that I've read before that takes that approach, apart from The Golden Key by Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson and Kate Elliott. (I'll admit I haven't finished it yet, but I have started it several times.) Of course, there are some romantic elements of the story as well, and I liked Anatoly. Mila and Nickoli were great characters as well.
If I had to name my favorite books read in 2016, I think Moonflower by Angela Townsend would be on that list. My rating is 5/5 platypires.
I think what drew me in from the outset was Natasha's background story, but she was a great character to read about in her own right. What also attracted me to her story was the Russian setting and the incorporation of Russian folklore and mythology. I'll also state that there were a few times I stopped my reading long enough to go look up some of these details and creatures because I'm curious about them. I love mythology anyway, but the fact that these were from Russia and not as well known as those of Greek and Norse mythology was something that I really enjoyed.
The fact Natasha is a painter was different as well, and I liked how that gift of hers was incorporated into the supernatural element of the story. I can't remember a book that I've read before that takes that approach, apart from The Golden Key by Melanie Rawn, Jennifer Roberson and Kate Elliott. (I'll admit I haven't finished it yet, but I have started it several times.) Of course, there are some romantic elements of the story as well, and I liked Anatoly. Mila and Nickoli were great characters as well.
If I had to name my favorite books read in 2016, I think Moonflower by Angela Townsend would be on that list. My rating is 5/5 platypires.
