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Two Moons.
When Lance Juddit looks up into the night sky, he sees two moons, but he's learned not to mention it to other people. He also doesn't mention the things he sees when he drops off to sleep-and he falls asleep all the time, everywhere. He doesn't mention the place with the golden fields, the purple sun, the emerald sea. And he definitely doesn't talk about the slender silver creatures that stalk this landscape and menace his fitful dreams, which aren't dreams at all. In the space between waking and dreaming, between this world and the next, between body and soul, the silver Mysts feed on human souls. For a thousand years, a select few seekers have found a way to fight and defeat the Mysts where they live and set free the souls they've trapped. But the seekers have all but disappeared and it is up to Lance to end the battle once and for all and liberate humankind from the Mysts.
- GenresScience Fiction
Hardcover
First published August 6, 2015
219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 12, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author does an amazing job of pulling the reader into the fantasy world he has created right from the start. Unlike so many fantasy works that spend most of the book creating the setting, the author calls upon the reader to use their own imagination to delve into this land of two moons. Instead, this is a book about relationships... parent child, family, friend, student, spouse, lover and the list goes on. I just hope that Lance and Cora have survived to fight again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2015
Two Moons Rising by Ernest Solar
“You mean I am in the middle of saving the world from an alien invasion?” Billy asked excitedly.
Two Moons Rising by debut science fiction/fantasy author, Ernest Solar, is at its most basic level, a tale of alien invasion. Long ago, aliens, called the Myst, had to leave their own world and settle on earth's second moon. The Myst have physical form but are forced to live astrally in a human host as a parasite. Before recorded time, the Myst silently invaded earth and attached themselves to individual humans. They have kept their existence a secret. Their home, earth's second moon, was invisible to the eyes of the inhabited human race.
As Two Moons begins, there is concern in the Myst community, because God has appointed a human male to cleanse the human race of their alien parasites. Lance Juddit, is one of a handful of humans who can see the second moon in the evening sky, thus marking him as unable to become a host for a Myst. Lance is able to astrally visit the second moon to do battle with the Myst. He is assisted by Cora who is also free from habitation by the Myst. Gavin Arbitor, a cleric from the 12th century, acts as Lance's spirit guide as he prepares for battle with the Myst.
In their astral states, Lance and Cora do gladiatorial battle with the Myst. When an individual Myst dies, it's parasitic connection with a human is broken. When the race of aliens is nearly defeated by our heroes, the Myst desperately reveal themselves on earth to try to destroy the physical bodies of Lance and Cora. They finally rid the universe of all the Myst, save one of the Myst leaders. The twin moon is suddenly revealed to all humans. As we return to our "pre-Myst" state, we find that we are more open to spiritual, astral, and paranormal phenomenon.
Unfortunately, the lone Myst survivor strengthens and returns and tries again to do away with Lance and Cora, our appointed defenders of the human race. Battle begins anew as this volume ends.
Two Moons Rising is not a typical, plot-oriented fantasy. There are no dragons, maidens in distress, vast armies, or the like. This book happens on earth as it is. Two Moons Rising is a potentially prophetic view of tomorrow.
One of Solar 's strengths is his character development. Much of the plot is advanced as we draw closer to Lance and Cora. Their stories unfold as they live their daily lives. As an example, Lance is particularly well fleshed out. He is born with an active imagination and a sleep disorder. He is, uniquely, able to see both moons. His narcolepsy causes him to sleep an inordinate amount of time during which he visits the second moon in his astral state. By the time he has matured, he is able to feel completely comfortable on the second moon, gaining great prowess as well as learning to engage in gladiatorial combat. However, his physical life on earth takes a less glamorous course. Because he falls asleep constantly he doesn't do well in school, He is a patient of sleep disorder specialists. When he finally enrolls in college, he has a difficult time staying awake. When he meets a girlfriend, she eventually turns out to be a negative influence on him.
After the Myst are initially vanquished, Solar continues to use character development to advance the novel. The story of Luke and his son, Billy, and their engagement with "monsters under the bed" paints a vignette of increased human awareness of spiritual beings. The final story in this novel pulls these characters and others into the sphere of Lance and Cora as the revitalized Myst begin to once again make their alien presence known on earth.
As a lifelong reader of science fiction and fantasy, I enjoyed reading this book. I appreciate strong well developed characters. I like to believe in and empathize with the people about which I am reading. I hurt when Lance was attacked by the Myst. My heart pained when he lost his girlfriend. I felt triumphant when Lance and Cora destroyed the Myst. If you enjoy reading about a well-developed and predatory alien race, then read this book. If you want to care for the humans about which you are reading, then read this book.
Dr. Doug Cook
Library Faculty Emeritus
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
“You mean I am in the middle of saving the world from an alien invasion?” Billy asked excitedly.
Two Moons Rising by debut science fiction/fantasy author, Ernest Solar, is at its most basic level, a tale of alien invasion. Long ago, aliens, called the Myst, had to leave their own world and settle on earth's second moon. The Myst have physical form but are forced to live astrally in a human host as a parasite. Before recorded time, the Myst silently invaded earth and attached themselves to individual humans. They have kept their existence a secret. Their home, earth's second moon, was invisible to the eyes of the inhabited human race.
As Two Moons begins, there is concern in the Myst community, because God has appointed a human male to cleanse the human race of their alien parasites. Lance Juddit, is one of a handful of humans who can see the second moon in the evening sky, thus marking him as unable to become a host for a Myst. Lance is able to astrally visit the second moon to do battle with the Myst. He is assisted by Cora who is also free from habitation by the Myst. Gavin Arbitor, a cleric from the 12th century, acts as Lance's spirit guide as he prepares for battle with the Myst.
In their astral states, Lance and Cora do gladiatorial battle with the Myst. When an individual Myst dies, it's parasitic connection with a human is broken. When the race of aliens is nearly defeated by our heroes, the Myst desperately reveal themselves on earth to try to destroy the physical bodies of Lance and Cora. They finally rid the universe of all the Myst, save one of the Myst leaders. The twin moon is suddenly revealed to all humans. As we return to our "pre-Myst" state, we find that we are more open to spiritual, astral, and paranormal phenomenon.
Unfortunately, the lone Myst survivor strengthens and returns and tries again to do away with Lance and Cora, our appointed defenders of the human race. Battle begins anew as this volume ends.
Two Moons Rising is not a typical, plot-oriented fantasy. There are no dragons, maidens in distress, vast armies, or the like. This book happens on earth as it is. Two Moons Rising is a potentially prophetic view of tomorrow.
One of Solar 's strengths is his character development. Much of the plot is advanced as we draw closer to Lance and Cora. Their stories unfold as they live their daily lives. As an example, Lance is particularly well fleshed out. He is born with an active imagination and a sleep disorder. He is, uniquely, able to see both moons. His narcolepsy causes him to sleep an inordinate amount of time during which he visits the second moon in his astral state. By the time he has matured, he is able to feel completely comfortable on the second moon, gaining great prowess as well as learning to engage in gladiatorial combat. However, his physical life on earth takes a less glamorous course. Because he falls asleep constantly he doesn't do well in school, He is a patient of sleep disorder specialists. When he finally enrolls in college, he has a difficult time staying awake. When he meets a girlfriend, she eventually turns out to be a negative influence on him.
After the Myst are initially vanquished, Solar continues to use character development to advance the novel. The story of Luke and his son, Billy, and their engagement with "monsters under the bed" paints a vignette of increased human awareness of spiritual beings. The final story in this novel pulls these characters and others into the sphere of Lance and Cora as the revitalized Myst begin to once again make their alien presence known on earth.
As a lifelong reader of science fiction and fantasy, I enjoyed reading this book. I appreciate strong well developed characters. I like to believe in and empathize with the people about which I am reading. I hurt when Lance was attacked by the Myst. My heart pained when he lost his girlfriend. I felt triumphant when Lance and Cora destroyed the Myst. If you enjoy reading about a well-developed and predatory alien race, then read this book. If you want to care for the humans about which you are reading, then read this book.
Dr. Doug Cook
Library Faculty Emeritus
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
August 8, 2015
There are a number of threads to keep track of in Two Moons Rising. It makes sense, as the novel is literally built around thread imagery: human souls are described as threads running through different dimensions of the universe, and the monstrous creatures that feed on these souls—the Mysts—are described as interconnected via spider-like webs. Form follows function here, as the book is both about the connections between human lives and the greater universe around us AND it’s structured around plot lines that ultimately interconnect in surprising ways.
As a result, the novel’s structure is somewhat challenging. The first book focuses mainly on Lance Juditt, following him from his teen years into young adulthood. Lance is diagnosed with and treated for narcolepsy, which interferes with his life in basic ways—he has trouble in school because he can’t stay awake in class, his social life seems permanently stalled, but it turns out that these two problems ultimately solve each other, if only temporarily. Lance’s condition also takes him, via dreams, to another dimension where he eventually teams up with a young woman named Cora to fight the Mysts. It’s a story line packed with action, suspense, and just the right amount of romantic tension.
The second and third books spin off in different directions. Book II delves into the family life of a kind-hearted man named Luke, his incredibly unlikeable (by contrast with Luke, anyway) wife Nadine, and their very imaginative son Billy. The Mysts take a back seat in this section, but that doesn’t really matter, because the story is really compelling as a stand-alone piece about the conflicts that arise between married couples as well as parents and children—even small children. Most interestingly, it’s a study of the power of childhood fears and the vital importance of imagination, both for children and adults.
In the third book, we see the pieces start to come together, as the central figure, Sydney, is the daughter of Lance’s doctor from Book I, and her best friend is Luke’s wife, Nadine (this also provides Nadine’s character with some much-needed redemption). The pace of this section slows considerably, however, driven by a metaphysical love story between Sydney and a soul-mate that connects with her across dimensions. I think a reader who enjoys the romantic angle more than I personally tend to will find this section more appealing than I did. The writing is heartfelt and emotionally resonant, but I found it somewhat jarring in contrast to the much more action-packed Books I and II.
Not to fear, though, because all the pieces come together in the final section. Very little of the world-building that comes before is wasted, and the pace speeds up again to feature a suspenseful battle in which most of the characters come together and play a part. It all makes for very satisfying storytelling that is hard to walk away from and will leave you looking at your own relationships and connections in a new light.
As a result, the novel’s structure is somewhat challenging. The first book focuses mainly on Lance Juditt, following him from his teen years into young adulthood. Lance is diagnosed with and treated for narcolepsy, which interferes with his life in basic ways—he has trouble in school because he can’t stay awake in class, his social life seems permanently stalled, but it turns out that these two problems ultimately solve each other, if only temporarily. Lance’s condition also takes him, via dreams, to another dimension where he eventually teams up with a young woman named Cora to fight the Mysts. It’s a story line packed with action, suspense, and just the right amount of romantic tension.
The second and third books spin off in different directions. Book II delves into the family life of a kind-hearted man named Luke, his incredibly unlikeable (by contrast with Luke, anyway) wife Nadine, and their very imaginative son Billy. The Mysts take a back seat in this section, but that doesn’t really matter, because the story is really compelling as a stand-alone piece about the conflicts that arise between married couples as well as parents and children—even small children. Most interestingly, it’s a study of the power of childhood fears and the vital importance of imagination, both for children and adults.
In the third book, we see the pieces start to come together, as the central figure, Sydney, is the daughter of Lance’s doctor from Book I, and her best friend is Luke’s wife, Nadine (this also provides Nadine’s character with some much-needed redemption). The pace of this section slows considerably, however, driven by a metaphysical love story between Sydney and a soul-mate that connects with her across dimensions. I think a reader who enjoys the romantic angle more than I personally tend to will find this section more appealing than I did. The writing is heartfelt and emotionally resonant, but I found it somewhat jarring in contrast to the much more action-packed Books I and II.
Not to fear, though, because all the pieces come together in the final section. Very little of the world-building that comes before is wasted, and the pace speeds up again to feature a suspenseful battle in which most of the characters come together and play a part. It all makes for very satisfying storytelling that is hard to walk away from and will leave you looking at your own relationships and connections in a new light.
January 9, 2016
Some authors write like story tellers, it's like sitting around the table at the holidays listening to a relative tell the family history. Other authors draw the reader into the story like the reader is there as the action is taking place.
"Two Moons Rising, is an example of the second variety, while reading I was drawn into the action. The descriptions of setting were such that the "golden grass" rustled as the characters walked through, "purple skies" and "emerald seas" do exist. But most of all I am sure if I look out the window I will see a second moon rising.
Thank you Mr. Solar for a book that is easy to read, that challenges my beliefs and that is difficult to put down. I enjoyed the time spent with Two Moons Rising and look forward to more from you.
"Two Moons Rising, is an example of the second variety, while reading I was drawn into the action. The descriptions of setting were such that the "golden grass" rustled as the characters walked through, "purple skies" and "emerald seas" do exist. But most of all I am sure if I look out the window I will see a second moon rising.
Thank you Mr. Solar for a book that is easy to read, that challenges my beliefs and that is difficult to put down. I enjoyed the time spent with Two Moons Rising and look forward to more from you.
June 5, 2016
I definitely wanted more! When I got to the end of the almost 200th page, I was disappointed because I wanted to go longer on the journey with these characters. I enjoyed relating to many of them and seeing how relational or disconnected they were. I felt personally invested and wanted to see how things might have played out. For me, this was the right mix of genres to hold my interest as well. My tastes are all over the place and I enjoy a little fiction, mystery, romance, religion, suspense, etc. and this book had that. It was also written in such a way that I would recommend it to my children because of the tasteful use of words and imagery. I think this could appeal to many of all different ages!
June 5, 2016
This was not for me.
The story is ok, the writing style is fluent and easy and the main character was quite ok too.
But it simply didn't grip me. I put it down often, and only picked it up again as I wanted to give it a real chance, but it didn't work out for me. There's another world/plain of existence/dreamworld that could have been very interesting, but to me just felt very unreal. And yes - I know it is fantasy - but still I want to feel like I am right there in the story, and not on the outside looking in.
This is only MY opinion though, so you should definitely give it a look and see if it isn't just the right kind of story for you, as tastes do,differ greatly. :)
The story is ok, the writing style is fluent and easy and the main character was quite ok too.
But it simply didn't grip me. I put it down often, and only picked it up again as I wanted to give it a real chance, but it didn't work out for me. There's another world/plain of existence/dreamworld that could have been very interesting, but to me just felt very unreal. And yes - I know it is fantasy - but still I want to feel like I am right there in the story, and not on the outside looking in.
This is only MY opinion though, so you should definitely give it a look and see if it isn't just the right kind of story for you, as tastes do,differ greatly. :)
August 20, 2015
Great story! Can't wait for this author's next book.
This is a great story that held my interest to the very end. What an imaginative way to bring aliens to Earth!
This is a great story that held my interest to the very end. What an imaginative way to bring aliens to Earth!
August 26, 2015
Couldn't stop reading
Although it's not the genre I tend to read, this book had me from the first page. I had to finish it....
Although it's not the genre I tend to read, this book had me from the first page. I had to finish it....
September 2, 2019
Two Moons Rising is divided up into four sections (Book I-IV).
Book I contained the most pages and the most puzzling moments. Lance suffered from narcolepsy since he was a young boy. While slumbering, he entered a plane of existence where normal individuals cannot travel. While awake, what most people think is unreal, implausible, becomes very real.
Two moons, purple sun, silver soul-eating creatures…. Lance did not just have a great imagination. No, he saw the bogeyman and battled it.
Book II was my favorite section and it was also the shortest, coming in at 24 pages.
Remember as a child you swore you heard or saw something in the closet or under the bed? Remember needing a light left on to scare away the bogeyman? Maybe you have a child who quivers at night because there’s a monster waiting to snatch them. What if the monster under the bed is real and only an imaginary friend can protect you?
During this part, we meet Billy who has an imaginary friend named James. James protects Billy from monsters like all good imaginary friends do and only adults who still believe in childish things/beings can see him or the monsters lurking about.
See, this story concept was brilliant. I wanted more. I understand Ernest’s desire to keep the overall plot moving along which involved creating Book III. However, I didn’t really care for the third part.
Book VI: Life is about balance. Birth and death. Love and hate. Good and evil.
From the beginning of Lance’s tale, I was reexamining my own time in REM sleep. Are my dreams real or am I actually stepping into another world? What if everything we thought of as implausible is actually possible?
When readers reach the epilogue they’ll soon realize the end is never truly the end.
(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
Book I contained the most pages and the most puzzling moments. Lance suffered from narcolepsy since he was a young boy. While slumbering, he entered a plane of existence where normal individuals cannot travel. While awake, what most people think is unreal, implausible, becomes very real.
Two moons, purple sun, silver soul-eating creatures…. Lance did not just have a great imagination. No, he saw the bogeyman and battled it.
Book II was my favorite section and it was also the shortest, coming in at 24 pages.
Remember as a child you swore you heard or saw something in the closet or under the bed? Remember needing a light left on to scare away the bogeyman? Maybe you have a child who quivers at night because there’s a monster waiting to snatch them. What if the monster under the bed is real and only an imaginary friend can protect you?
During this part, we meet Billy who has an imaginary friend named James. James protects Billy from monsters like all good imaginary friends do and only adults who still believe in childish things/beings can see him or the monsters lurking about.
See, this story concept was brilliant. I wanted more. I understand Ernest’s desire to keep the overall plot moving along which involved creating Book III. However, I didn’t really care for the third part.
Book VI: Life is about balance. Birth and death. Love and hate. Good and evil.
From the beginning of Lance’s tale, I was reexamining my own time in REM sleep. Are my dreams real or am I actually stepping into another world? What if everything we thought of as implausible is actually possible?
When readers reach the epilogue they’ll soon realize the end is never truly the end.
(Find more reviews/ratings at www.superkambrook.com)
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews