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Cover of Renaissance Moon

Renaissance Moon

Linda Nevins (1997)

SubgenreHigh Fantasy
Age groupAdult 18+
Content ratingR
Pages (Standard (250-400))
Setting
CSM age18+
Goodreads3.6

Content levels

ViolenceStrong
Sexual contentModerate
LanguageModerate

Positive tags

Not yet tagged

Synopsis

The strikingly glamorous Selene Catcher, an American scholar renowned for her books on Italian Renaissance art, is obsessed by a fierce devotion to the ancient Moon Goddess, Artemis. Selene's domineering father, who both worshiped and betrayed the Goddess, named his infant daughter for the Goddess's virgin form, setting the stage for the eventual disintegration of Selene's brilliant and tormented personality. This story is told by her friend Giovanni Corio, an Italian priest, who watches in disbelieving horror as Selene sinks deeper and deeper into her pagan faith. Her bloody rituals begin to affect her writing as she passes inexorably through the mythic phases of the Goddess: from Selene, the cold intellectual...to Artemis, the chaste and vengeful Huntress...to Hecate, the Sorceress - creator of nightmares and spells. But Selene's passion for the fascinating and mysterious Victor Bellacera threatens to overcome her devotion to Artemis. Fearing the Goddess's famous wrath, determined to appease Her by any means, Selene will stop at nothing to implore Her favor and forgiveness.

Renaissance Moon: content & age rating

Intended for adult readers (18+).

This adult literary fantasy contains bloody pagan rituals, psychological horror, and the protagonist's descent into madness driven by religious obsession. The narrative explores disturbing themes of mental disintegration and violent devotion.

What to know going in

This book has strong violence, moderate sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include self-harm, mental illness, and blood (see the full list above).

Who'll love this

Adult readers fascinated by dark explorations of faith, mythology, and the boundaries of sanity will find this compelling.

Tags

Psychological HorrorLiterary FantasyHistorical FantasyDark Fiction