Feature Friday- The Moon Dwellers by David Estes
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Another Friday another book I loved...
Title: The Moon Dwellers
Author: David Estes
Published: June 30, 2012
To Buy: Kindle, Barnes & Noble
Blurb:
In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms.
After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.
Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.
At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.
When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.
In their world, someone must die.
My longest review ever...
Oh Mr. Estes what a horribly wicked, wonderfully awesome place you have created in the Tri-Realms!
I thoroughly enjoyed The Moon Dwellers from start to finish. I don't like to give things away in my reviews, bc I myself hate to stumble upon too many spoilers. Especially about a good book and this is a GOOD book. If you loved Hunger Games than I think it is safe to say you will love this one but believe me when I say they are not one in the same. My thoughts:
I was worried at first that it would be a bit copy cat of HG because there are some similar elements i.e. Mining, districts vs. Sub-continents, kick butt lead female with no social skills, little sis, suspect president ... BUT, and that's a big but, while there are similar ideas this book is soooo much more.
Two person POVs work extremely well here. Going from Adele to Tristan throughout brought so much depth to these characters. I fell in love with them rather quickly. In fact, I fell for all of the supporting cast quickly, the good guys anyways!
Bromance! Tristan and his servant/BFF had such an awesome relationship with each other that there were times I wanted to pick up the phone and call my BFF, whose 500 miles away, just to tell her I love her! I loved the humor that their interactions brought to the story as well.
A story of mutual um...affection? This would be the best way to classify our budding romance between Adele and Tristan. Young love is complicated as it is but add in magnetic first glances, I'm a prisoner your a prince, mad man chasing me, war zone, "i'm risking my life for you, oh by the way I'm Tristan", and of course your parents had mine arrested..this will be one happy family around the dinner table on turkey day! You can see why this isn't just your run of the mill boy meets girl, girl swoons, kind of book. This isn't a gratifying love story for about 75% of the book and that's a good thing. I kept flipping pages thinking "okay this chapter surely they'll finally catch each other". My husband asked me why I grumbled several times during my reading, I was that frustrated for Adele and Tristan! But Oh- mylanta the first night they are finally with each other..swoon..so perfect for this couple in the telling of their story.
Story, story, story. First, the setting is wonderfully described. David created an awesome (under)world of caverns and fake sun/moon, Ii found the inner workings of an underground habitat to be quiet interesting. Second, the tales of friendship, hardship, betrayal and family are all gripping and the fighting is crazy good too. We are left at the end with lots of questions; what does Tristan know about his Dad, what's up with Adele's mom, can our couple ever find love??
Best part of this book for you? Books 2 and 3 are out already!!
Have you read Moon Dwellers already? Let me know what you thought! Happy Reading :)
