Rating:4⭐️
I enjoyed Black Moon Rising, the first in the Riley Blackthorne urban fantasy series by J. L. Brannick. Brannick’s another new urban fantasy author for me so I was excited about this book.
The character of Riley Blackthorne doesn’t disappoint here. She’s 24 I believe, trying to finish her degree in college while staying under the “radar “ of law enforcement agencies of all kinds due to her as yet unregistered powers.
That’s about to end.
Werewolf children are missing and the Alpha needs her help with the investigation. He won’t take no for an answer.
I absolutely love Riley. Life has been tough for her, she’s been raised by her uncle. Her background is filled in more in the second novel than the bits the author allows here. But it’s tantalizing hints that give depth to Riley and strengthens her character. She’s independent, intelligent and with the ability to make decisions for herself.
She’s absolutely the best thing about the book.
Now to the most problematic. That would be the Alpha. And their dynamic. Conall Segerson is the overbearing Alpha here. I’m sure in the trope he’s the powerful dominating male. But let’s be real.
In any other context, he’s toxic. He doesn’t let her make her own decisions. He withholds key information “because it’s for her own good “. He isolates her because it’s for “her own welfare “. And continues to ignore real issues within his pack that put her life at risk.
And when things go south, as they do.
It’s all about what his “wolf” wants and what he wants. Not exactly what is good for her.
Hint: This aspect of the series and the characters relationship is going to be even worse in book 2.
So for every character, Ash, or the hellhounds, that I found engaging, there was Conall sapping the joy right out of the narrative because I found his so offensive.
Yes to her. Yes to the plot minus any aspect of the story about Conall.
It ends on a cliffhanger. Which you know won’t end well for her.
The other books are out. Read it for a terrific woman character, and an interesting plot. The author has spent some time defining her different types of Cognizant traits. Check out the beginning of this book. Too bad she didn’t start with DARVO.
Cover designer Maggie G. Jackson
Riley Blackthorne series:
Black Moon Rising #1
Cold Moon Burning #2
Crimson Moon Falling #3
Buy link
Book 1 of 3: Riley Blackthorne Series
Blurb
The federal agents waiting outside my ecology classroom are here for me.
One of them is an enraged Alpha.
I’ve been dodging the agents for days, and Conall Segerson seethes with impatience. His Pack children are disappearing, but the wolf shifter has few clues and no leads.
He doesn’t care about exposing an unregistered, no-name Cognizant like me if it will help him find his missing cubs.
As we race to recover the children, I become an invaluable tool in his arsenal.
His wolf’s obsession.
And a target.
Conall pledges to protect my secrets, but enemies are closing in. And the most vicious betrayals are those we never see coming.
*The first book in the thriller urban fantasy romance series where a deadly investigation leads to seduction and betrayal.
Black Moon Rising is book one in the Riley Blackthorne Series. For fans of smart, STEM FMC’s and urban fantasy romance. This book ends on a cliffhanger and contains power imbalances, a slow-burn romance, spice, and violence.
Smart Mouth Publishing LLC
Publication date
February 12, 2026
Language
English
Print length
346 pages
Book 1 of 3
