The Destiny of Minou Moonshine

by Gita Ralleigh

Longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2024

The story of a Queendom set in an alternate India. A debut rich in fantasy, friendship and faith, and an original middle grade adventure that sparkles with storytelling magic.

'A land that loses its stories loses its way.'

The beautiful queendom of Moonlally has fallen under a tyrant's rule. Their queen is dead, worship of their goddess, the Dark Lady, is forbidden, and the precious black diamond that protects the city – a rare fragment of fallen star ­– has gone missing.

When fierce orphan girl Minou Moonshine's life is unexpectedly shattered, she joins the ragtag band of rebels, the Green Orchids, who are plotting to overthrow the General.

Armed with a secret and a map, Minou sets off with her friends and a mechanical elephant, through the lush jungles of Indica, in search of a queen, a goddess and her destiny.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Childrens, Steampunk, India, Alternate History, Adventure

243 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2023

About the author

Gita Ralleigh grew up reading fantasy adventures that took her to faraway lands. The closest she came was on family holidays to India, where old palaces, ice-capped mountains, monkeys and elephants were part of everyday life. She lives in London with her two children, and teaches creative writing to undergraduates at Imperial College. You can follow her on Instagram @gita_ralleigh

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine is a lovely and action-packed story of a young teen girl in a steampunk version of India. Crime, the jungle, and mechanical elephants - what more do you need to know? Suitable for teen readers and will be enjoyed by adult fantasy lovers too.

I read an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read so tragically little middle grade this year.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

young readers who like stories of brave girls saving the day will love this adventure story set in an alternate colonial Indian kingdom.

[Bookshortie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minou lives in a very different version of India which is ruled by the General and where worship of the goddess, The Dark Lady is forbidden. She is use to her life with Dima, her adopted grandmother until one day everything changes. Dima is murdered but Minou has little time to grieve when she joins the rebel group the Green Orchids who are trying to overthrow the General but then finds herself in the walls of the General’s Palace. Minou’s life is about to change forever.

What attracted me to this book was the idea of it being set in an alternative historical India which is ruled by a tyrant called the General. I really liked the story because from the first page we are given a glimpse into Minou’s world which is very restrictive under the General’s rule. The General’s subjects are required to obey all of his rules without question which includes who they should worship and to disobey him doesn’t dream thinking about. This is the story of one very courageous girl called Minou who doesn’t give up. Minou is very independent and strong and this came through in her character. When Minou discovered Dima I felt so sad for her. Dima was the only family she had and now she is alone in the world. But Minou’s instincts tell her that something isn’t quite right so she starts to look into what really happened. There are two parts to the story. The first part is Minou joining the rebel group and the second part of the story is Minou’s journey of discovery where she learns more about who she is and where she came from.

The story did take quite an exciting turn when Minou ended up in the General’s Palace because Minou was able to learn more about the General’s world up close but also because she found out other secrets that were being held within the Palace walls. This was an epic adventure and I felt like I was on Minou’s journey every step of the way. Although this is a middle grade book I thoroughly enjoyed reading it because it was filled with culture and I loved the alternative India setting. I also have to mention the beautiful book cover which is vibrant and eye catching.

[Bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good adventure book set in an alternate reality of India called Indica. There is magic, mystery and excitement. It is fast paced and fun. A great read for middle grade.
I found it to be a little rushed at the end once she had found the nuns, although for children I imagine this won't matter.

[Ute Limacher-Riebold · Rating 5 out of 5]

The middle grade debut story by Gita Ralleigh “The Destiny of Minou Moonshine” is a captivating children’s novel that takes the reader into an exotic landscape of an alternate version of colonial India, called “Indica”.
The 13 year old protagonist, Minou Moonshine, known as “sparrow” by her friends is an orphan and lives on a dilapidated houseboat with her adopted Grandmother. They live in Moonlally, a city divided into Withetowners and Blacktowners that has been controlled by a tyrant General for 13 years, whose restrictive rules require them to obey without question and include who they should worship.
After a terrible tragedy, Minou’s life is unexpectedly shattered.
Minou joins the rebel force called The Green Orchid and fights for freedom in the intent to restore the power of the goddess called the “Dark Lady”. With a map, a secret and a mechanical elephant, she takes us on a breathtaking adventure involving airships, mechanical elephants and ferocious crocodiles.
Throughout the book, the reader is captivated by Minou’s independence and strength during her quest of discovery of who she is and where she came from, and the colorful and detailed descriptions of the scenes.
This epic adventure is a rich tapestry where fantasy, friendship and faith are beautifully interwoven. 'A land that loses its stories loses its way' is one of the most quoted lines of the book and perfectly reflects how the stories Minou grew up with and the story we witness as readers are inseparable.
“The Destiny of Minou Moonshine” is a fascinating read for 9 to 12 year old readers whose most dominant language is English*, but also for older readers who like action stories with covert double agents, spying, and rebellion, or as Gita Ralleigh says in an interview: “a person who likes adventure, magic and steampunk would love my book”.
*Because of the rich and detailed vocabulary used in this book, learners of English of this year group might find it a challenging read.

[Justine Laismith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This middle-grade book is about an orphan girl who is kidnapped into the palaces of the dictator-general shortly after her adopted grandmother is brutally murdered.

Minou and her adopted grandmother lives in a shack by the river, relying on her grandmother's connections with the churches both in Whitetown and Blacktown for survival. One Sunday after service, she returns to find her grandmother killed. A bewildered Minou turns to her community for shelter, but before she could get to grips with the change of events, she is kidnapped and finds herself living in the general's palace, to be trained as a body substitute for the general's daughter.

Instead of India, Minou lives in Indica, and I can see that many aspects of the story is inspired by India's culture and history. This book reminds me of Oddity, where instead of the United States, the setting was in the Unified States, with places and lives familiar, yet different.

Culture, diversity, a feisty heroine intertwined with royalty, mystique and legend. And what is more, there is a map at the front of the book. What else can one ask for?

[Rebecca R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minou, or ‘Sparrow’ as she is known to her friends, has lived on a dilapidated houseboat with her adopted Grandmother since the day she was found abandoned as a baby during the monsoon, thirteen years earlier. Their home, the former Queendom of Moonlally is suffering under the oppressive rule of a tyrannical General, but a rebel force called The Green Orchid are fighting for freedom and to restore the power of the goddess called the ‘Dark Lady’.

When a terrible tragedy occurs, Minou is swept up in a thrilling adventure involving airships, mechanical elephants and ferocious crocodiles.

Minou is a feisty and determined protagonist who fiercely protects and defends her friends, but when her world is upended, will Minou have the courage to step into her destiny?

This story is set in an alternative, steampunk version of India called ‘Indica’ – a vivid world, full of colour and magic.

‘The Destiny of Minou Moonshine’ is a captivating and atmospheric read, perfect for fans of Nizrana Farook and Radiya Hafiza’s ‘Rumaysa’. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’m sure it will be popular in the library.

Thanks to Zephyr for the ARC.

[Victoria Vivente · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine is a dazzling debut that weaves fantasy, steampunk, and Indian folklore into an unforgettable adventure. In the alternate Queendom of Moonlally, orphan Minou Moonshine lives under the tyrannical rule of the General, where worship of the goddess Dark Lady is forbidden. After her beloved grandmother is murdered, Minou’s life is shattered, and she is thrust into a rebellion that will take her across jungles and treetop temples on the back of a mechanical elephant.

Gita Ralleigh’s world-building is nothing short of spectacular. The land of Indica feels lush, vibrant, and alive, blending airships and machinery with ancient magic and faith. Minou is a fierce, compelling heroine whose journey of self-discovery is as gripping as her quest to overthrow a dictator. The story is a rich tapestry of friendship, courage, and cultural heritage, told with sparkling prose and a relentless pace.

A perfect read for fans of Frances Hardinge and for anyone who loves stories where a brave girl, with a mechanical elephant at her side, can change the destiny of a nation.

[Lauren Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐘🌴BOOK TOUR REVIEW 🌴🐘

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine by @gita_ralleigh

Thanks to Courtney at @ed.pr and also @_zephyrbooks for my #gifted copy of the book and my spot on the tour!

What a magical adventure!! 🐘🌴

I really enjoyed this story and the immersion in Indian myths and legends.

I found the main character Minou to be endearing and engaging and the descriptions of everyone around her really fleshed out the story. Her friendships forged along the way really made me smile.

The setting was really brought to life with the descriptive writing and felt like I could visualise myself there on the sidelines really easily.

I think any child would love this story as it’s quite an adventure!

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine was published on 6th July and is available at all good book shops ☺️

#TheDestinyOfMinouMoonshine #MinouMoonshine #IndianMythsAndLegends #ReadAndReview #KidsBooks #Bookish #Bookstagram #PrettyBooks

[Jenny Blacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed the story in this book, though it felt quite trope-y in places (I suspect a child not used to them wouldn't notice/care!).

Some of the words and terms I did need to look up, a small glossary at the back might've been an idea for those of us not steeped in Indian culture, that's something to be aware of if you're giving this to a child.

Overall I'd recommend it, it was a fun story and the characters are very likeable

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

[jo_withbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and quick read.

I enjoyed this book a lot because it was quick and easy to understand but also because I really liked the characters and the scenery involved.

Our main character had to be my favorite, due to her outspoken personality and quick wit.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I
highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[USOM · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

The Destiny of Minou Moonshine is a middle grade story about the stories within stories. It's about family and friendship when we think we have no one. This middle grade debut is full of action with covert double agents, spying, and rebellion all in one. It's sure to thrill middle grade readers who want adventure while also examining power structures.

[Karen Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been a few good children's books recently about adventures through other lands and cultures. This is one of the better ones. The children could identify and empathise with the characters and enjoyed joining them on their adventures.

[Thistle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in an alternate universe India, a poor young girl joins up with a band of thieves to do something. There was nothing wrong with the book and "alternate universe India" is a fun idea, but the story just didn't hook me at all. DNF

[nelly :)]

read with my y6 book club

[Liesl · Rating 5 out of 5]

an exciting children's adventure book set in an alternate India. A little darker than I was expecting but I loved it. Especially the steampunk-like elephants!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75.

Hello, and welcome to “What Could She Possibly Mean?”, a series of book reviews where I try to cobble together indecipherable notes I wrote on books six months to a year ago, expecting my future self to write a polished review. This is instalment two of five.

Based on my notes, I believe I had four issues with this story that meant while I enjoyed reading it, I couldn’t give it more than a 3.75. The first was an apparent plot hole I noticed, but I cannot make head nor tail of exactly what this was. Secondly, I thought the world-building needed more clarity. My next criticism was that the climactic scene was structured really weirdly, in that the author undermined all the tension she built by sending the MC to bed in the middle of the action, which doesn’t even make sense in the narrative. There was no reason why it couldn’t have all happened in one go. Finally, I thought the depiction of the revolution was unrealistic as people were mobilised overnight and there ended up being basically no opposition to them.

Aside from these points I have fond memories of this book. I loved the story that was told and the characters in it, and I found it to be a fun, adventurous read.