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Moon Wanderer by Catherine Thorndyke
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A Futuristic Utopia That's Anything But: How Humans Are Adapting to a World Where Space Is Scarce
summarizeEditor's Summary
I dove into 'The Lunar Wanderer', a young adult fantasy novel with a unique premise, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The story takes place in a world where space is scarce, and humans are adapting to this new reality. By day, the forest belongs to humans, but by night, it's the domain of the ominous Lunar Wanderer. The main character, Finn, sets out to rescue his sister, who's been taken by the monster. However, the story's potential is hindered by the protagonist's lack of depth and the predictable plot twists. I was expecting more complexity in the characters and a more surprising plot. The author does a great job of creating a sense of tension and suspense, particularly in the scenes where Finn is exploring the forest. But overall, the story feels a bit flat and doesn't quite deliver on its promise.
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A Futuristic Utopia That's Anything But: How Humans Are Adapting to a World Where Space Is Scarce
Hello everyone, I'm excited to share with you a book review of a fantasy novel for young adults that I think will appeal to adults as well.
I stumbled upon it on the read-city website months ago, but I was about to skip it. Luckily, I remembered it a few days later and decided to give it a try.
As it turned out, the story is quite unique and interesting, so I ended up adding 'The Lunar Wanderer' to my bookshelf.
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Book Summary
By day, the forest belongs to humans, but by night, it's the domain of the monster. The ominous Lunar Wanderer takes those who dare to venture out of the safe settlement after dark.
Finn knows this isn't just a myth – the Lunar Wanderer has taken his sister.
But Finn also knows that there are kids who live in the forest, raiding the settlements, and the Lunar Wanderer isn't a problem for them.
This means they've found a way to outsmart the monster.
And they might just be able to help Finn find its lair and rescue his sister.
Title: The Lunar Wanderer
Author: Catherine Tordable
Genre: fantasy, young adult fantasy, adventure
Number of pages: 320
Age rating: 12+
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Book Design
The book has a lovely green cover with illustrations of the main characters:
The endpapers are a delightful surprise – two different, but amazing illustrations that perfectly fit the story:
I've got to give it to them - the magazine's design alone is worth 5 stars. The inside cover features a repeating illustration of the main character:
Unfortunately, the text is a bit too simplistic for readers 12+, but the font size is comfortable for an adult reader. Here are some photos of the pages:
The book itself is pretty, vibrant, and yet not overloaded with unnecessary design elements.
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Storyline
I'm assuming the author envisioned a future around 2100 or 2200, because that's when the main character, Finn, lives. The world's changed a lot in a century, but not quite in the way people thought it would.
There's still tons of greenery covering 80% of the planet, and water's not scarce either. Cities are a thing of the past, and even towns are a rare sight. People live in small communities, each person doing their own thing – some weave warm clothing, others preserve garden goodies, and others work on concoctions to slow down plant growth.
One thing that struck me about these communities is how they trade with each other through a bartering system. The lower floors of any building are basically overgrown, and people don't venture out onto the streets without their machete, or they'll struggle to clear a path.
The forests between communities are vast, and to avoid getting lost, people use colored ribbons tied around the trees – essentially makeshift street signs. You'd never venture into the forest unless absolutely necessary, even during the day, and especially not at night, when this terrifying creature called the Moon Stranger roams.
It takes anyone it catches in the woods after dark, and no one who's been taken has ever returned. Because of this, the communities have a strict rule: never go into the forest at night. And if someone goes missing, you only search for them after dawn, to avoid becoming a victim yourself – although, of course, the searches are usually futile.
I've seen this firsthand with Finn and his sister Hanna. When Finn was five, he was left in charge of her, and one evening, he wandered into the forest, and Hanna had to go after him.
She managed to rescue her brother, but after that, she was never seen again. It's been years, but Finn still feels guilty and hopes to one day bring his sister home.
The adults say that the Moon Stranger puts its victims into a deep sleep, and Finn's been searching for answers ever since. He's met a group of kids who live outside the community, known as the Forty, and they claim that the adults are cowards for not standing up to the monster and taking back their loved ones.
They live in the forest, fearless and free.
Now Finn's torn between his desire to rescue his sister and his fear of the unknown. He's got a choice to make: give up and leave things as they are, or take a risk and try to save Hanna.
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Characters
Finn. The main character of the book, a young boy on the cusp of adolescence. He knows the world beyond the forest from his grandma's stories and a few old movies that are still lingering on a few devices.
Finn is consumed by grief over his missing sister, whom he blames himself for. He's the type of person who can't stick up for himself or his loved ones.
His whole life, he's been following the rules and trusting adults, but one day he hears a different perspective - a scary and foreign one that gives him hope of rescuing his sister.
I was really curious to see what the scared boy would choose - a life of safety and self-preservation, or doing the right thing and not abandoning a family member in need, even if there's a chance to save them.
Samira. Finn's best friend and the complete opposite of him in terms of personality. She's a feisty and brave girl who took Finn under her wing when she needed a friend herself, because Finn was being bullied by his peers back then and couldn't defend himself.
Samira's got a handle on chemistry and isn't one to back down from a challenge. She's not your typical girl her age - she's not soft or sweet, but she's a loyal friend to Finn.
Ellie. A girl from the Forty, who lost her mom to the Lunawood Stranger. Ellie's mom was different from most people - she wasn't afraid of the forest and built hidden safe houses where they could wait out the treacherous night.
After her mom's disappearance, Ellie joined the Forty and got pumped up about their plan to find the missing people. Ellie's a tough cookie, and in the middle of the book, she makes a questionable move that's hard to understand.
Her character, like Samira's, is complex and even a bit rough around the edges.
The Forty. A group of teenagers and young adults who had the guts to challenge the monster and the forest. They've got their own clear structure, with three leaders, one of whom is the leader of the group.
The Forty's worldview clashes with Finn's, but they eventually come to an understanding.
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My thoughts
I really enjoyed this book. At first, you might think it's more fantasy than science fiction because of the forest monster, but it's actually a great example of science fiction.
I don't want to spoil the story, but let's just say the Lunar Stranger isn't a mystical creature. Everything in this story has a logical explanation, even the way the vegetation has grown out of control.
It's up to Finn and his friend to uncover these secrets. The ending is satisfying, like a good adult book, so it was really engaging to read.
I was surprised by the unsure main character and the tough female characters, Somya and Ella. I'm used to seeing more wholesome and gentle female characters in similar stories.
Finn and his friend go through many amazing and dangerous adventures to get to the truth.
Their relationships, including friendship and conflicts, are written in a really realistic way.
I also liked how the author explores the world of the future, keeping it clear and believable without going into too much detail.
There are plenty of dialogue and authorial text, and the balance is well-maintained.
The explanation of the planet's transformation is both simple and complex, and it's something to think about.
My only criticisms are the unpleasant female characters, Finn's initial weakness, and the young adult format chosen by Catherine Tordable.
I think if this were an adult novel, the story would be even more engaging and complete.
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Verdict
I highly recommend 'The Lunar Wanderer' to young adults and adults who enjoy science fiction and thought-provoking ethical dilemmas.
The author tackles a relevant issue for our current world, even though the story takes place in the future.
The events described could easily happen to us, and the author poses interesting moral questions for the characters.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What's the premise of 'The Lunar Wanderer'?
The story takes place in a world where space is scarce, and humans are adapting to this new reality. By day, the forest belongs to humans, but by night, it's the domain of the ominous Lunar Wanderer.
Who's the main character in 'The Lunar Wanderer'?
The main character is Finn, a young man who sets out to rescue his sister from the Lunar Wanderer.
What's the tone of 'The Lunar Wanderer'?
The tone is generally dark and suspenseful, with a touch of sci-fi and fantasy elements.
Is 'The Lunar Wanderer' a good book for young adults?
Yes, the book deals with themes of resilience and adaptation that are relevant to young adults, and the story is engaging and easy to follow.
Is 'The Lunar Wanderer' part of a series?
No, 'The Lunar Wanderer' is a standalone novel.
What's the author's writing style like?
The author's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a quick and enjoyable read.
What are some of the themes explored in 'The Lunar Wanderer'?
The book explores themes of resilience, adaptation, and the human condition in the face of adversity.
Is 'The Lunar Wanderer' a good choice for fans of sci-fi and fantasy?
Yes, the book combines elements of both genres and offers a unique take on the concept of space scarcity.
How long does it take to read 'The Lunar Wanderer'?
The book is a quick and easy read, and you can finish it in a few sittings.
check_circlePros
- •The world-building in 'The Lunar Wanderer' is impressive, with a well-developed future society and a unique take on the concept of space scarcity.
- •The story has a great premise, with a monster that's both fascinating and terrifying.
- •The author does a good job of creating a sense of tension and suspense, particularly in the scenes where Finn is exploring the forest.
- •The themes of resilience and adaptation are timely and thought-provoking.
- •The supporting characters, such as the kids who live in the forest, are well-developed and add depth to the story.
- •The writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it a quick and enjoyable read.
- •The author explores the human condition in the face of adversity, which is a great theme for young adults.
- •The book has a great blend of sci-fi and fantasy elements, which fans of the genres will appreciate.
cancelCons
- •The main character, Finn, feels more like a prop than a fully fleshed-out person, which makes it hard to become invested in his journey.
- •The plot twists are predictable and don't add much surprise or excitement to the story.
- •The pacing is a bit uneven, with some sections feeling rushed and others feeling slow.
- •The author relies too heavily on convenient plot devices, which detract from the overall believability of the story.
- •The resolution feels rushed and doesn't quite satisfy, leaving some loose ends.
- •The themes of space scarcity and adaptation are interesting, but they're not fully explored or developed.
- •The characters' motivations and backstories are not fully fleshed out, which makes it hard to connect with them.
- •The story feels a bit too predictable and lacks a real sense of danger or stakes.
