The Girl Who Drank the Moon

In the Protectorate, a grim tradition dictates that the youngest child is left in the forest each year as a sacrifice to a feared witch. The townspeople, led by the manipulative Council of Elders , believe this act keeps them safe. The Day of Sacrifice is a somber event, accepted with silent resignation. However, Antain , a young Elder-in-Training, is troubled by the practice and questions its morality, challenging the Elders' authority and the oppressive tradition. Contrary to the townspeople's fears, Xan , the witch of the forest, is benevolent. She rescues the abandoned children, taking the

Theme 1: A Town's Dark Tradition

This thread running through The Girl Who Drank the Moon gives the story its emotional weight. Kelly Barnhill weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

Theme 2: A Witch's Unexpected Gift

This thread running through The Girl Who Drank the Moon gives the story its emotional weight. Kelly Barnhill weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

Theme 3: A Child of Magic

This thread running through The Girl Who Drank the Moon gives the story its emotional weight. Kelly Barnhill weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

What Readers Say About The Girl Who Drank the Moon

The Girl Who Drank the Moon has resonated with readers for its emotional honesty and vivid storytelling. Many describe finishing it in a single sitting — drawn forward by Kelly Barnhill's prose and an almost desperate need to know how it ends.

A Passage Worth Sitting With

"A Town's Dark Tradition" — Kelly Barnhill, The Girl Who Drank the Moon

About the Author

Kelly Barnhill is the author of The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Known for emotionally resonant storytelling, their work has found devoted readers across the globe.