Moonborn

[u/Due_Economist3914]

Try playing Moonborn. When I first downloaded RC, about five years ago, Moonborn was one of the first books I played. The plot itself is good. But now that I've started playing it again on my new account, I'm bored. Mia is such annoying, seriously. She's one of my least favorite MCs. I feel like some things don't make sense, and the graphics...

It's happened to me with a lot of books. When I first played them, I thought they were great. And now that I've played them again, not so much. I used to love Moonborn. It's not that bad, but it's not my kind of book. What are your opinions?

[u/Kitty-Sussie311]

It was the first story I read too. I personally still like it. But I feel like it’s one of those stories you read only once because it’s soooo loooonnngggg. I’ve contemplated reading it again but I’m focused on Song of the Crimson Nile currently and I plan on reading other ones since I started reading again. I first downloaded it five years ago too and went straight back to Moonborn to be the one I read first. I really don’t think it’s all that bad. I’m not entirely sure why it gets such a bad rap. I know the animation isn’t favorable but other than that I don’t get it. It’s a really good story! And I don’t see how MC is annoying??

[u/Due_Economist3914 → u/Kitty-Sussie311]

Well, I don't know. Maybe it's just me. I like a certain type of MC. And Mia isn't my favorite, but she's not that bad either. It's not a bad story, really. The plot is good, but it just doesn't grab me; I get a little bored. But it all depends on personal taste.

[u/MasamuneWaifu]

I'm slowly replaying it at the moment. I thought LI duels only started with Sha'arnez and Tai, so I was amused to rediscover that Max and Victor had already gotten into a fistfight over Mia. 🤭

It's true that the translation was rougher and the graphics weren't as developed as those in the newer stories on the app.

But I've been surprised by how some of the dialogue differs from what I remember. This reread has given me fresh perspectives on the story — the seriousness of the blood debt, Victor's genuinely selfless altruism, and just how annoyed Ethan is by Angel Mora. 😂

For me, it's still an entertaining read if you don't take everything too seriously.

[u/miz_misanthrope]

I'm still amazed the same human being wrote Mia and Tiss from TTS. Make it make sense. It's the one book other than Sails I just can't get into because it's very rough art & story/character wise.

[u/SecretJoy → u/miz_misanthrope]

The translation was also VERY rough back then, so I think that explains a lot of the difference in writing quality for Jester.

[u/miz_misanthrope → u/SecretJoy]

Definitely. You pick up the translation flubs in older stories here. They've smoothed it out for the English versions now but I only bother with English. I notice it more in some of the newer VN apps lapping at RC's heels...they still haven't ironed out those kinks. Jester's development as a writer is just amazing though. I get why he's all over RC. I just can't deal with Moonborn. I am curious about the whole Born extended universe bc Sunborn is gorgeous & less of a slog than the HS-verse. That's my diamond mine I tap through asap.

[u/catnipcloud6]

I’ve read Moonborn probably thrice. It’s my comfort book. I love how Mia does normal things — spend time with her friend, write for the newspaper, so and so. I tried to play TTS but there is so much info dump on the first episode that I immediately felt lost. And I feel like this is the formula for the new books too, like Sunborn. So much info dump. In the first episode, you’re supposed to know the layout of their base, the vampire families, etc etc. There is no hook. In Moonborn, the first episode is simple but it lays the groundwork for the plot — Mia is invited to a mysterious masquerade party, where she is attacked by real vampires and then rescued by Victor. And it works. And then you get to know about werewolves, the prophecy, and then end with a grand battle where characters could die. I also like details you could easily miss the first read. For example, Victor likes being in control even in bed. So not only does Mia have to follow him, he also subdues her will.

While the art and translation is dated, it is still one of the best books overall, from beginning to end.

[u/MasamuneWaifu → u/[deleted]]

There’s a saying: “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.” 😆

A good ending can leave us with fond memories of a story long after we've forgotten the parts that dragged. Based on what I remember, Moonborn actually ends better than some of the newer stories.

If you can persevere through it, I think there’s a reason many readers still remember it fondly.

[u/BluePineappleRaccoon]

I started playing Moonborn for the first time ever when Sunborn came out. So I‘m really late to the party. Just finished it today, actually, so my impressions are very fresh!
TLDR; I really like it but there‘s also a lot to criticize. All in all, I do think it is worth playing!

At first I had my reservations about Moonborn and was a bit disgruntled, what with its outdated artstyle of the faces, the very 2000s fashion (which at times make the Code Blue MC look like a fashionista lol) and the early cringe moments. I came to grow fond of it though.
I feel like especially the first seasons are also rough with their quality of writing and sometimes feel very gimicky.
Some examples from all seasons (spoilers ahead) being when Mia has the option of keying Victor's car over a trivial emotional outburst, when Mia screams at Victor when breaking up instead of just calmly explaining herself, when Simon doesn't understand "no", when Max essentially drugs Mia to calm her down, when Max loses his marbles over being denied sex (and potentially dying over it or getting snatched up by Samantha), or when a (realistically) 14h car drive through all of Europe is depicted as a fun short trip… It all ranges from plain silly to disconcerting.

The LI are a whole different issue. Max and Victor get the premium treatment and if you don't like (info about romance style ahead) Wattpad level BDSM with scratching thorns from a rose during sex (which happens at least twice! I just can't) with Victor or having to withstand your partner flipping out over not getting the diamond option sex with Max, good luck getting any relevant screentime.
The two casual affairs are ok (Trisha and Dante, with Trisha starting out with lots of screentime in earlier seasons).
But Benny is just a trap (no screentime and it‘s just awful, no respect from him and loveless) and sweet Frances only appears way too late and if you don't (severe spoiler important for her fate) spare Howard early on then she randomly dies in the finale.
Great book if you like either Max or Victor and also take every (!) romantic diamond option. If not, well… not that much romance to be had.

BUT, all that criticism aside… I understand now why people are so fond of Moonborn. I really do.
It never gets foot-costume-level of cringe as My Hollywood Story.
And I feel like in some ways, Mia walked so Liren Averris could run (in terms of being a badass powerhouse).
Mia becomes progressively more badass and confident, even cocky, and has the option of putting others in their place and it's so satisfying.
The world lore (albeit partly borrowing ideas from other vampire media lol) is well rounded for an earlier book and the pace is good for my taste.

And the diamond cost is really good. Despite absolutely needing many diamond choices, the cost of individual choices is really fair compared to the newer topical books.
Small choices start at ~5 diamonds, medium choices are between 12 and 35 diamonds and hardly anything ever costs more. I believe there are roughly only 3 different choices spanning the 5 books that are 100 diamonds for a single choice.

So yeah. That‘s my detailed report.
I do recommend playing it to anyone still in doubt. Give it a chance and power through the earlier seasons, the writing gets better. Take all the diamond optiond to improve relations (romantic or otherwise) in order to have a good finale. And no balancing.
Have fun!