The Moon Dwellers

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchanged for an honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised while reading this book. When I read the summary it seemed like it would be a typically dystopia novel complete with the typical romance. I was glad to see how wrong I was.

The world that the author create is different from anything I’ve ever read in a book. I love that when the world ended everyone went under ground. That seems more realistic to me than some other worlds I’ve come across. I loved how the classes were portrayed as the three different levels. I also thought his writing was really nice. He wasn’t trying to be too formal but he also wasn’t stupid sounding. It was a perfect mix. The characters talked like show more normal teenagers talk. Nothing fancy, just plain old English. I probably love that more than I should but I find that a lot of authors try and sound young in their writing and they don’t pull it off. David Estes did an excellent job with this. He’s also really good at pacing. The whole book moved very smoothly and not too fast.

At first, I didn’t think I liked going back and forth from Tristan’s point of view and Adele’s. As I read further, I decided I liked it. I liked how we got to see where each group was in relation to each other. When they got close to finding each other I’d get excited and hope they were finally going to meet. Nothing they did was ever expected. Even the romance aspect of the book was really different. I found I really liked Adele’s strength and personality. She was a great female lead. I was especially impressed that the author was male and could pull that off. Tristan was great as well. He doesn’t like the idea of the classes and actually wants to do something about it. Nobody pushes him to do anything, he decides to do something all by himself.

I was really impressed with how this book turned out and I’m excited to read the next one! show less

5 out of 5 stars for THE MOON DWELLERS.

I believe this book deserves a slow clap and a standing ovation.



THE MOON DWELLERS is an all-in-one package deal!

When I realized that there are going to be 2 POVs in this book, I can't wait to get my hands on it. I am the kind of reader who looooves to see both perspectives of the protagonists, so yes, I think this is one of my favorite dystopian books. And by the way this is the first book that I read by Estes and I was hooked to this story right away.

THE CHARACTERS:

ADELE
A strong, independent and a wise girl from the Moon Dwellers who will do anything for her family. She is a fighter and when she is determined to do something, she will do it. Adele is the kind of person who will sacrifice show more everything for the ones she loves, not only her family, but also including her newfound friends, Cole and Tawni. And also, another thing that I LOVE about her is her wit and the way she thinks.

"Sometimes I feel like I’ve only got two brain cells, and even when I rub both of them together nothing seems to happen. This is one of those times."

For me, Adele is a modern day superhero.

TRISTAN
The dystopian teenage heartthrob, this one! Haha! Here look at Adele's description of him:

"Back to Tristan—who is the polar opposite of a recurring blemish. Blond, curly hair. Seventeen but already over six feet tall. Strong, solid frame. A princely face. Big, navy blue eyes. An addictive smile, with right-sized lips and ivory teeth. My brain is telling me to stop staring at him, but for some reason I can’t. It’s almost…instinct…to keep on looking at him."

*blushes*

That is true, but on a more serious note, Tristan, a Sun Dweller and one of the sons of King Nailin, is a well-trained boy who already grew tired of his father's way or ruling over the Tri-Realms. And one day, one thing happened that made him decide to do something that will change his life forever.

ROC
He is Tristan's servant in the story, but they treat each other like real brothers. Roc is very supportive and I know that he can sacrifice his own life for Tristan if it is needed. The bond between these two is just so admirable because you can feel that they really genuinely care about each other.

ELSEY
The younger sister of Adele who seems to be mature for her age. The way she talks, and the way she sees things are so different that sometimes, you may think that she is even older than Adele because she's the one giving her strength and telling her that it's all gonna be okay. I love her character because even though she may seem mature sometimes, the child in her shows up every now and then, which reminds Adele that Elsey is still her little sister.

TAWNI AND COLE
They are the friends of Adele and they met her in the Pen. I admire these two because even though they don't know much about Adele, they didn't doubt her and they stayed with her and heck, even escaped with her. Tawni, she doesn't want to live under the shadows of her parents and I believe she is nothing like them. And for Cole, I love his vibe and his playfulness and here's one of my favorite lines from him:

“Why would you do that for me?” I ask. Cole shrugs.

“You’re growing on me.” His bottom lip doesn’t pout the way it normally does. “Lie!” I declare, raising my arm in victory before it’s even confirmed. Cole laughs and Tawni nearly spews out the spoonful of yellow goop she has in her mouth. “You’re right, Adele, you’re not growing on me. That would be disgusting. Hair grows on me, foot fungus on occasion, too, due to the shameful hygiene of the guys’ bathrooms, but not other people, and most definitely not you.”

The Moon Dwellers shows many aspects in the lives of the people from the Tri-Realms. How is it to live in the Sun, Moon and Star Dwellers. And also, another thing that I love was the references from our times today like this one:

"My favorites were the Harry Potter books. Like me, my grandmother had grown up with the witches and wizards of Hogwarts."

ADELE LIKES HARRY POTTER BOOKS! Wow. Many people can relate to this, I'm sure.

The mystery of this story, the action, the weird thing going on between Adele and Tristan. I love all of it. The story was perfect for my taste. Not too fast and not too slow. And the perspectives from Adele and Tristan helped so much because it flows very smoothly even though you have 2 POVs. I also liked the writing of David Estes. It's very vivid and the descriptions of the characters are discussed very well. The development of the protagonists in the story was very evident. Tristan and Adele are both very strong characters, but in very different ways. And that's what I love about them. The other one, Tristan, you can see him as someone so strong through his physical appearance but Adele, on the other hand, you can't underestimate her because she's more than what meets the eye.

It's highly recommended to all the dystopian literature fans out there.

Two thumbs up for the author, David Estes. :)



FAVORITE QUOTES:
"I find that the less emotion I put into life, the less the past seems to hurt." - Adele

“Sometimes, girls, you have to hit your lowest low just before you hit your highest high. It makes you appreciate the good things so much more.” - Ben Rose, Adele's dad

"No beast of reality, or creature of imagination, is as terrible as mankind. Or as loving. It’s a contradiction. I’ve always liked contradictions. Today I see both sides of the coin unveiled in gruesome and beautiful imagery, captured by my eyes and filed away in my mind, like still shots taken by a world-renowned photographer." - Adele

"There are some things more important than your own life. Like friendship, and love, and trust, and goodness." - Adele show less

I have long said that I am a YA dystopian fiction addict. There's not a whole lot of books that I won't read, but that's my wheelhouse. This is an AMAZING addition to my book list.

Over five hundred years ago, a meteor hit the Earth, forcing humanity belowground if they wanted to survive. There are three castes of people: the Sun Dwellers get the most energy (and the most of everything, really), so they have the most light underground; Moon Dwellers are the middle caste, they get less of everything - including energy) than the Star Dwellers, forcing them to live in a moonlit atmosphere; and Star Dwellers are the lowest caste and spend their days in darkness.

Adele is in prison for life for a crime she didn't commit. Literally. She's a show more "guest" in the Pen (juvie) until she is an adult and then she will be transferred to the maximum security prison for adults. Why? Because her parents are traitors.

Tristan is the son of the President. His father is more of a dictator than a president. Tristan hates his father and everything that he stands for. But does he have the strength within him to express his feelings in actions or words? Or will he sit idly by?

Best part - Adele is a BADASS. Love this girl. She can fight, she takes no crap from anyone. She's who I want to be when I grow up (yes, I am 34. Still waiting to feel grown up).

Secondly, Tristan is quite awesome as well. Talented, smart, and strong-willed. I like him. However, my heart belongs to his best-friend/servant Roc. He's funny, fiercely loyal, intelligent in his own right, and brave when he needs to be.

This is a well-constructed world, and I feel blessed that David allowed us all to take the ride with him. show less

I didn't expect this book to be as enjoyable as it was! I read a few pages and I was hooked. Having read alot in this genre, I really the characteristics of Adele. I also was enjoying the storyline between Tristan and Adele. While the author hinted at what the connection could be, it hasn't really been discovered yet and its a great plot line to follow in the next book, which I definitely will be reading.

The relationship between Tristan and his family is an interesting situation as well. I enjoyed the fast paced flow of the book, the creative situations and the scenes the author came up with. I was really glad to be given this book for review. It was actually ended quicker than I expected and was a little disappointed when it show more did!

Received for an honest review. show less

The Moon Dwellers is an enigmatic and enthralling read that kept me captivated from the very first page and refused to let go. It had an incredibly alluring synopsis, which is what had me excited to read it after being offered a review copy. Though it took me quite a while to get through—one of my courses was a bee-otch this semester-I’m glad I finished it and can say that this was a great first novel for a series. The writing was descriptive, the story, inspired, and the world—by far—intriguing.

Perhaps the most interesting thing that first caught my eye when reading was the pain the two main characters felt when they first see each other. When they first noted each others presence and made that connection. I, personally, have show more never read anything like it so major props for this. But even aside from this, there were many ‘fresh’ things presented that kept the book from falling into a stock “punch out” novel and instead had it’s own respectable merit and stands tall and proud in all its glory.

The characters were very likeable, definitely well-defined; each of the characters had their own identity. Adele and Tristan had to be my favorites. Then again it could be that whole unique pain thing that has me being a little biased.

The book is a little long, clocking at just over 360 pages in print, which I consider to be a good thing because it allowed the story to really marinate and build up. It’s also, as many reviews and the synopsis suggest, full of action as well as a sometimes hazy, but still delightful romance. A great start to what I can only assume will be a fantastic series! show less

My first thought when I finished this book? NOOOOOOO!!!!!! I want more!! I fell in love with the characters from the start. Well written, great plot, wonderful characters. The story sucked me in from the beginning. I really liked how the POV went back and forth between Tristan and Adele. That flowed really well and was very seamless. I liked the concept of living underground in this dystopian world.

Very, very enjoyable, could...not...put...it...down!!! I need the next installment and I need it now! Do I recommend this book, you bet! Will you be entertained, you bet! Will you want more, you bet! Well done David! Now, time for me to devour everything else you've ever written.

I would like to thank David for the copy he sent me to read and show more review. You got me as a fan on the first chapter! show less

My first thought when I finished this book? NOOOOOOO!!!!!! I want more!! I fell in love with the characters from the start. Well written, great plot, wonderful characters. The story sucked me in from the beginning. I really liked how the POV went back and forth between Tristan and Adele. That flowed really well and was very seamless. I liked the concept of living underground in this dystopian world.

Very, very enjoyable, could...not...put...it...down!!! I need the next installment and I need it now! Do I recommend this book, you bet! Will you be entertained, you bet! Will you want more, you bet! Well done David! Now, time for me to devour everything else you've ever written.

I would like to thank David for the copy he sent me to read and show more review. You got me as a fan on the first chapter! show less