In Isabel Ibañez’s alternate universe, heroes can weave tapestries with moonlight and read the wisdom in the stars. Exiled and persecuted by a false king, a hidden queen and her decoy, protagonist Ximena, attempt to lead their people in the fictional land of Inkasisa to peace and power. Ximena’s talent for magical weaving, and her hidden identity, give her both a force to put to use and a secret to protect. Blending references to Bolivian politics and history with Latin-American mythology, Woven in Moonlight is a rich tale of fierce independence, loyalty and friendship—and the lessons we learn when we are forced out of our comfort zones. In Ibañez’s debut novel, every detail is rich with meaning and nuance. The novel showcases a fantasy world that transcends traditional Western tropes and underscores the value of complex female characters. —Raisa Bruner

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