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Moon Realm #1
The Moon Coin
A childhood full of impossible tales, a mysterious coin, nine moons.
Lily can't remember exactly when she stopped believing in Uncle Ebb's curious tales of the Moon Realm. But now that he's missing, Lily's discovering that, sometimes, a bedtime tale is more than just a story.
Lily can't remember exactly when she stopped believing in Uncle Ebb's curious tales of the Moon Realm. But now that he's missing, Lily's discovering that, sometimes, a bedtime tale is more than just a story.
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
66 people are currently reading
4642 people want to read
About the author
Richard Due
3 books210 followersI edit Willa Snap's highly illegal memoirs: sentient Clockwerks, time-traveling dragons, highly verbal cats—that kind of thing.
And when not shifting unpredictably into third person, Richard lives with his wife, two lovely daughters, some cats, and four ducks, in a magical bookstore that is—quite frankly—the only thing that stands between you and raging hordes of zombies who haven’t read a good book in, like, forever.
He has won an Independent Publisher Award, a National Indie Excellence Award, and a Moonbeam Children's Book Award. He’s also been recognized by Writer’s Digest, the International Rubery Book Award, and the Eric Hoffer Book Award.
WillaSnap.com
And when not shifting unpredictably into third person, Richard lives with his wife, two lovely daughters, some cats, and four ducks, in a magical bookstore that is—quite frankly—the only thing that stands between you and raging hordes of zombies who haven’t read a good book in, like, forever.
He has won an Independent Publisher Award, a National Indie Excellence Award, and a Moonbeam Children's Book Award. He’s also been recognized by Writer’s Digest, the International Rubery Book Award, and the Eric Hoffer Book Award.
WillaSnap.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
October 17, 2011
It read JUST like something I would write! It was CRAZY UNCANNY!!! Then, I saw the author's name and I thought: WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THAT! I mean . . . oh, wait.
Q&A with Richard Due
Q&A with Richard Due
April 11, 2012
The Moon Coin by Richard Due is a gem of a children's fantasy novel that I'm, quite frankly, surprised hasn't been picked up by a major publishing company. Then again, isn't that how most great books start out? The first in an upcoming series, the story is centered around 2 children, Lily and Jasper, who receive nightly visits from their Uncle Ebb, which usually results in presents and tales about The Moon Realm. When their beloved Uncle goes missing, the children decide to investigate by snooping around Ebb's fascinating mansion. Jasper, ever cautious, wishes to heed their parents warnings about not entering certain areas of their Uncle's home, but Lily throws caution to the wind, seizing the opportunity to learn more about the ever mysterious life of Ebb. This mischievous, naive behavior is obviously what causes Lily to be transported to Barreth, one of the nine moons in The Moon Realm. And so this is where Lily's adventure truly begins, as she searches not only for a way back home, but what really happened to her Uncle Ebb?
The first thing I loved about The Moon Coin is the way the story sucks you in. The prologue, titled "Bedtime Tales", introduces us to Uncle Ebb and his obvious affection for his niece and nephew. On this particular night, he brings them each a present-- a green dragon figurine for Jasper and fairy for Lily. His tale that night mostly consisted of telling the children the origins of the dragon and the fairy and revealing their true names. From the very beginning, you get the sense that there is more to those figurines that meet the eye and more to Ebb's tales then simple bedtime stories. The prologue not only ensnared my attention from the first few pages but also gave me a feeling of nostalgia. It reminded me of my own childhood, when my mother would tuck me in at night and read me a story. Or those awful times when I would wake up from a bad dream and she would stay with me until I fell back to sleep. And of course let's not forget about those classic movies that centered around a child and a bewitching story in a book, such as The Neverending Story and The Princess Bride.
I think what sets this book apart from others is the author's ability in creating rich, memorable characters. I absolutely loved Uncle Ebb, even though he only makes an early appearance in the story. His coat with many pockets is a part of his personality that I will always associate him with.
My second favorite character has to be Roan, who is one of the Rinn-- large, cat-like creatures that somewhat resemble lions. I love his bravery while protecting Lily and fighting off the scaramann. His loyalty to his queen, Nimlinn, is commendable, even when she tells him to leave and that his services are not needed. When he refuses to leave her side, she says, "Fools! Greydor will have you all roasted on a spit." Roan's quick witted reply is, "Then I will bring the sauce."
One of the funniest characters that also has a small part, like Uncle Ebb, is Quib, who we meet in the second half of the novel. I don't want to give away too many details, but there is a part where they are "cleaning" the remains off of a freshly killed creature-- very much like what the Native Americans did with the buffalo. Quib loves the job and offered some meat to Lily in which she, "had a terrible time explaining to Quib what it meant to be a vegetarian. He kept saying things like, 'Well, I could spare you a bit o' brains. They're not meat, right?' and 'At least let me ladle on a good heapin' bit o' the grease, eh? No meat in that!'"
Going back to that feeling of nostalgia, there were certain parts of The Moon Coin that reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings, yet the story still retains its own elements of originality. And let me just say, that is no easy feat. I've read stories before that seemed like complete rip offs. But somehow Richard Due is able to find an equal balance. While I love completely original stories with their own mythology, worlds, etc., there is nothing wrong with being able to relate it to an older piece of literature, especially if it is done right, as it is with The Moon Coin. So I give Richard Due major credit for that!
My original rating for The Moon Coin was at a 3.5, but what bumped the score up to a solid 4 stars were the beautiful illustrations throughout the story by Carolyn Arcabascio. Even though Richard Due is great with his descriptions and character development, sometimes it is hard to imagine what certain things look like in fantasy novels. Arcabascio's illustrations really did help put things in perspective for me. Without them, I think the second part of the novel would have been much harder for me to get through, which is one of the problems I had with the story.
Now to the issues I had with The Moon Coin. While I didn't have too many issues with the plot, I was a bit confused with certain parts of the story. Like in the beginning, for example. I got the sense that Lily and Jasper were living in a modern setting or perhaps slightly in the future. I was good up until the part when they are in Uncle Ebb's mansion and suddenly there are coral reefs for walls, birdfish, "electrimals"-- a term that is introduced by never really explained. My point is, I think Richard Due had this figured out in his mind but did not translate it into words well enough for the reader. What does he mean by Uncle Ebb and his "many illusions"? Is he a magician? For some reason I just had a hard time figuring out what kind of world Lily and Jasper are from-- a futuristic world with robot housekeepers? I think a little more explanation or background for the setting would have been helpful.
An other part that had me scratching my head was right after Greydor, King of the Rinn, reluctantly tells his wife, Nimlinn, that he is unable to help her get Lily safely back to her own world. Lily is in that room when the conversation is going on. She watches Nimlinn and the others give instructions to others as the battle between the Rinn and the scaramann rages on. A second later, one of Nimlinn's loyal subjects tells Lily that Nimlinn requires her presence. WHAT?? That makes NO sense since Lily and Nimlinn are in the same room together. I mean, I could see if Lily was escorted to another room and then Nimlinn sends someone to get her. I just think it was a poor transition from one scene to another.
While I absolutely loved the first half of the book which takes place on the moon world Barreth with the cat-like creatures the Rinn, I had a hard time wrapping my brain around the second part of the story. I was not quite sure what lunamancers were or what the term "peerin" meant. I know the author tried to explain both, but for some reason I had a hard time truly imagining the role of a lunamancer. I was also confused by the people on this new moon world-- I think one of them was described as being as tall as Lily--are they all that same height? Are they little people like dwarves? It felt like the second part of the story moved slower then when Lily was on Barreth, but again, this could be because I had a harder time figuring out this new moon world.
Lastly-- and this is going to be hard for me to say without giving a major plot spoiler-- I felt there was a part towards the end of the story that felt very anti-climatic. I think when readers get toward the end of the book, they will understand what I mean. I really can't say more then that without giving it away!
Overall, The Moon Coin is truly a beautifully written fantasy novel with rich, memorable characters and gorgeous illustrations that brings the Moon Realm to life. From a teacher's perspective, I think this book would grab the attention of children in grades 6th through 9th. But adults like myself will also find this book appealing, especially since it brings back all those nostalgic feelings from childhood. Also, the second book in the series, titled The Dragondain, should be coming out sometime this year. For a better look at the new cover art and more information on the series, visit Richard Due's website at The Moon Realm.
Reviewed by: Mia at The Muses Circle
Like my review? Come check out more on my blog at The Muses Circle!
(http://themusescircle.blogspot.com/)
The first thing I loved about The Moon Coin is the way the story sucks you in. The prologue, titled "Bedtime Tales", introduces us to Uncle Ebb and his obvious affection for his niece and nephew. On this particular night, he brings them each a present-- a green dragon figurine for Jasper and fairy for Lily. His tale that night mostly consisted of telling the children the origins of the dragon and the fairy and revealing their true names. From the very beginning, you get the sense that there is more to those figurines that meet the eye and more to Ebb's tales then simple bedtime stories. The prologue not only ensnared my attention from the first few pages but also gave me a feeling of nostalgia. It reminded me of my own childhood, when my mother would tuck me in at night and read me a story. Or those awful times when I would wake up from a bad dream and she would stay with me until I fell back to sleep. And of course let's not forget about those classic movies that centered around a child and a bewitching story in a book, such as The Neverending Story and The Princess Bride.
I think what sets this book apart from others is the author's ability in creating rich, memorable characters. I absolutely loved Uncle Ebb, even though he only makes an early appearance in the story. His coat with many pockets is a part of his personality that I will always associate him with.
My second favorite character has to be Roan, who is one of the Rinn-- large, cat-like creatures that somewhat resemble lions. I love his bravery while protecting Lily and fighting off the scaramann. His loyalty to his queen, Nimlinn, is commendable, even when she tells him to leave and that his services are not needed. When he refuses to leave her side, she says, "Fools! Greydor will have you all roasted on a spit." Roan's quick witted reply is, "Then I will bring the sauce."
One of the funniest characters that also has a small part, like Uncle Ebb, is Quib, who we meet in the second half of the novel. I don't want to give away too many details, but there is a part where they are "cleaning" the remains off of a freshly killed creature-- very much like what the Native Americans did with the buffalo. Quib loves the job and offered some meat to Lily in which she, "had a terrible time explaining to Quib what it meant to be a vegetarian. He kept saying things like, 'Well, I could spare you a bit o' brains. They're not meat, right?' and 'At least let me ladle on a good heapin' bit o' the grease, eh? No meat in that!'"
Going back to that feeling of nostalgia, there were certain parts of The Moon Coin that reminded me of The Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings, yet the story still retains its own elements of originality. And let me just say, that is no easy feat. I've read stories before that seemed like complete rip offs. But somehow Richard Due is able to find an equal balance. While I love completely original stories with their own mythology, worlds, etc., there is nothing wrong with being able to relate it to an older piece of literature, especially if it is done right, as it is with The Moon Coin. So I give Richard Due major credit for that!
My original rating for The Moon Coin was at a 3.5, but what bumped the score up to a solid 4 stars were the beautiful illustrations throughout the story by Carolyn Arcabascio. Even though Richard Due is great with his descriptions and character development, sometimes it is hard to imagine what certain things look like in fantasy novels. Arcabascio's illustrations really did help put things in perspective for me. Without them, I think the second part of the novel would have been much harder for me to get through, which is one of the problems I had with the story.
Now to the issues I had with The Moon Coin. While I didn't have too many issues with the plot, I was a bit confused with certain parts of the story. Like in the beginning, for example. I got the sense that Lily and Jasper were living in a modern setting or perhaps slightly in the future. I was good up until the part when they are in Uncle Ebb's mansion and suddenly there are coral reefs for walls, birdfish, "electrimals"-- a term that is introduced by never really explained. My point is, I think Richard Due had this figured out in his mind but did not translate it into words well enough for the reader. What does he mean by Uncle Ebb and his "many illusions"? Is he a magician? For some reason I just had a hard time figuring out what kind of world Lily and Jasper are from-- a futuristic world with robot housekeepers? I think a little more explanation or background for the setting would have been helpful.
An other part that had me scratching my head was right after Greydor, King of the Rinn, reluctantly tells his wife, Nimlinn, that he is unable to help her get Lily safely back to her own world. Lily is in that room when the conversation is going on. She watches Nimlinn and the others give instructions to others as the battle between the Rinn and the scaramann rages on. A second later, one of Nimlinn's loyal subjects tells Lily that Nimlinn requires her presence. WHAT?? That makes NO sense since Lily and Nimlinn are in the same room together. I mean, I could see if Lily was escorted to another room and then Nimlinn sends someone to get her. I just think it was a poor transition from one scene to another.
While I absolutely loved the first half of the book which takes place on the moon world Barreth with the cat-like creatures the Rinn, I had a hard time wrapping my brain around the second part of the story. I was not quite sure what lunamancers were or what the term "peerin" meant. I know the author tried to explain both, but for some reason I had a hard time truly imagining the role of a lunamancer. I was also confused by the people on this new moon world-- I think one of them was described as being as tall as Lily--are they all that same height? Are they little people like dwarves? It felt like the second part of the story moved slower then when Lily was on Barreth, but again, this could be because I had a harder time figuring out this new moon world.
Lastly-- and this is going to be hard for me to say without giving a major plot spoiler-- I felt there was a part towards the end of the story that felt very anti-climatic. I think when readers get toward the end of the book, they will understand what I mean. I really can't say more then that without giving it away!
Overall, The Moon Coin is truly a beautifully written fantasy novel with rich, memorable characters and gorgeous illustrations that brings the Moon Realm to life. From a teacher's perspective, I think this book would grab the attention of children in grades 6th through 9th. But adults like myself will also find this book appealing, especially since it brings back all those nostalgic feelings from childhood. Also, the second book in the series, titled The Dragondain, should be coming out sometime this year. For a better look at the new cover art and more information on the series, visit Richard Due's website at The Moon Realm.
Reviewed by: Mia at The Muses Circle
Like my review? Come check out more on my blog at The Muses Circle!
(http://themusescircle.blogspot.com/)
March 12, 2012
OH MY GOSH! What an amazing book! The worlds' (moons) of the Moon Realm come to life for us! At first I was a little confused by all the names, but shortly after arriving in Barreth, the names were like second nature to me. The illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio were just amazing. I read the book on my Kindle, but soon switched to the Kindle app on my Ipad to see the illustrations in color. They truly add to Mr. Due's wonderful story, or is it a tale?
This is one book that will surely be made into a movie sometime in the future, much like the Harry Potter or Narnia series. I loved the characters of Lilly and Jasper, both genders were represented and I think both boys and girls will love this story. I anxiously await the second in the series. I could not put this book down! It is sure to become a favorite of children and parents alike!!
This is one book that will surely be made into a movie sometime in the future, much like the Harry Potter or Narnia series. I loved the characters of Lilly and Jasper, both genders were represented and I think both boys and girls will love this story. I anxiously await the second in the series. I could not put this book down! It is sure to become a favorite of children and parents alike!!
July 17, 2012
I do not usually read or review books intended for children or from the fantasy genre, but I made an exception for this one when the author approached me as it sounded intriguing and it is illustrated. In fact the illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio are absolutely beautiful even viewed on the Kindle, I guess this is a taste of how story book reading aloud to children of future generations may well be. With no children or grandchildren to test my theories on I think that this illustrated fantasy will apeal to anyone who enjoyed series such as Harry Potter and The Narnia Chronicles. Richard Due has a captivating style of writing and the two central characters of the tale seem very realistic.
This book is now available in paperback I think it may well be even more successful in this format.
A beautiful story from this début author that even I who readily admits that fantasy is far from my favourite genre has to say that I liked it, possibly because of the authors talent in the way he tells the story. Lily and Jasper have an Uncle like no other in Uncle Ebb and they have grown up enthralled by his truly amazing bedtime stories. When he disappears for longer than normal it seems natural that they should be concerned about this. Whilst they are searching for clues as to his whereabouts the reader is whisked off to The Moon Realm and the land of fantasies. I am too much of a realist as an adult to fully let myself go but I do appreciate that this sort of fantasy is good for children, there is plenty of time to discover the real world as an adult. In conclusion I think this is a magical and adventurous fantasy that will appeal to fans of this genre from all age groups and I wish the author every success with the series.
Much more on my blog
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
This book is now available in paperback I think it may well be even more successful in this format.
A beautiful story from this début author that even I who readily admits that fantasy is far from my favourite genre has to say that I liked it, possibly because of the authors talent in the way he tells the story. Lily and Jasper have an Uncle like no other in Uncle Ebb and they have grown up enthralled by his truly amazing bedtime stories. When he disappears for longer than normal it seems natural that they should be concerned about this. Whilst they are searching for clues as to his whereabouts the reader is whisked off to The Moon Realm and the land of fantasies. I am too much of a realist as an adult to fully let myself go but I do appreciate that this sort of fantasy is good for children, there is plenty of time to discover the real world as an adult. In conclusion I think this is a magical and adventurous fantasy that will appeal to fans of this genre from all age groups and I wish the author every success with the series.
Much more on my blog
http://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogspo...
October 20, 2011
In spite of the fact that I am older than the target age for this novel, I adored it. The settings and characters are intriguing and beautifully described, the characters worm their way into your heart, and the mystery of it all grabs you and insists that you hang around to see it unravel. At a certain point, I found that I simply could not stop reading. In fact, on my first read (yes, I've already read it more than once!) I only stopped when my eyes were burning with exhaustion and the words were beginning to blur.
The only thing I could possibly dislike about this brilliant book is that I can't yet purchase the sequel! This is clearly a story crafted with great passion and care. A must-have for any fan of epic fantasy or epic-ness in general.
The only thing I could possibly dislike about this brilliant book is that I can't yet purchase the sequel! This is clearly a story crafted with great passion and care. A must-have for any fan of epic fantasy or epic-ness in general.
November 19, 2011
Original review published: In the Closet With a Bibliophile
Adventurous and fantastically action packed, Richard Due's The Moon Coin is a story that reminds us of what it's like to be young and that there is so much more to the world than we can sometimes imagine. With nine moons, talking creatures and a traveling coin, we enter the world of The Moon Coin, a story that takes us to the far reaches of ingenuity and excitement, eliciting all the emotions of learning, growing, experiencing and realizing that things aren't what we thought they were...they are so much more.
My feelings on this book may be better related if you all know something about me. I love a good story. I have this aunt who tells the most amazing stories and growing up, whenever we'd visit her in Utah, she'd round us all up and tell us the most amazing tales. Stories of dancing princesses or Captain Crunches soggy cereal or witches that were secretly our little brothers. She could craft a story so imaginative and so detailed, it felt like I was there, in the story and even to this day, my siblings and I can still sit there and listen to her tall tales of far fetched places and people. Richard Due's The Moon Coin, for me, was like that.
Jasper and Lily are one year apart, age wise, and their very favorite thing is to listen to their Uncle Ebb and his bedtime stories. One evening, Ebb decides the children deserve to hear the tales of The Moon Realm, a place with nine moons - or worlds - that swirl around one another. Slowly Jasper and Lily grow up and realize that these "tales" are just fabrications their Uncle has made up. And even though they seem so real and so mesmerizing, they really are just stories. Except, when Lily is 13 and Jasper 14, their Uncle disappears and Lily and Jasper discover the necklace he never takes off or allowed them to see the pendant of, wrapped around a dress mannequin. From there everything takes off and Lily and Jasper realize the Moon Realm does exist, but it is not quite how it was in their Uncle's tales.
The Moon Coin, fast, furious and immensely enjoyable, reminded me of what I love about fiction. The thought and creative emphasis that drives that little light of our imagination to explore the fantastical to it's every corner. The way Mr. Due has crafted his tale is wickedly enthralling, with a touch of what we know added into the larger mix of what we don't, we get to discover everything right along with Lily (and eventually Jasper). There are surprises around every corner and by taking the more difficult theme of division, forcible annexation and the underlying currents of coloring up the truth, Mr. Due has made The Moon Coin into a story that is deeply layered and developed as much as it is entertaining and delightful.
With a extremely wide cast of characters and a heroine we can appreciate, The Moon Coin just keeps giving. I must admit, I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. I think it brought me back to those stories of my aunt's and how much I love living in an imaginative world and the alluring places they take me. To worlds where giant lion-like animals with huge saucer eyes rule worlds and control magic and where humans are not the majority or the strongest, but rather fighting for survival on a planet that has had terrible pains. Mr. Due has brilliantly crafted these worlds for us, developing them to illustrative vivid quality. My only complaint is sometimes there was a little too much detail, but I believe that as a first installment it was undoubtedly necessary to the creation of each moon.
Overall, I heartily loved The Moon Coin and I look forward to the next installment and the hope that I will get to visit even more planets and discover all the hidden secrets the Moon Realm holds. I give The Moon Coin a 5/5 and recommend it to those who enjoy YA, MG, Other World and Fantasy Fiction.
Adventurous and fantastically action packed, Richard Due's The Moon Coin is a story that reminds us of what it's like to be young and that there is so much more to the world than we can sometimes imagine. With nine moons, talking creatures and a traveling coin, we enter the world of The Moon Coin, a story that takes us to the far reaches of ingenuity and excitement, eliciting all the emotions of learning, growing, experiencing and realizing that things aren't what we thought they were...they are so much more.
"Are you going to tell us a story, Uncle?" asked Jasper.
"No. Not tonight, I think." Jasper's small shoulders slumped. "But if you tink you're up to keeping another secret, I might be willing to tell you a tale."
"There's a difference?" asked Lily.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes. You see, a story can be made up as easily as you please, or not. But a tale, now that's a moon of a different color. A tale is an account of things in their due order, often divulged secretly, or as gossip. Would you like to hear one?"
My feelings on this book may be better related if you all know something about me. I love a good story. I have this aunt who tells the most amazing stories and growing up, whenever we'd visit her in Utah, she'd round us all up and tell us the most amazing tales. Stories of dancing princesses or Captain Crunches soggy cereal or witches that were secretly our little brothers. She could craft a story so imaginative and so detailed, it felt like I was there, in the story and even to this day, my siblings and I can still sit there and listen to her tall tales of far fetched places and people. Richard Due's The Moon Coin, for me, was like that.
Jasper and Lily are one year apart, age wise, and their very favorite thing is to listen to their Uncle Ebb and his bedtime stories. One evening, Ebb decides the children deserve to hear the tales of The Moon Realm, a place with nine moons - or worlds - that swirl around one another. Slowly Jasper and Lily grow up and realize that these "tales" are just fabrications their Uncle has made up. And even though they seem so real and so mesmerizing, they really are just stories. Except, when Lily is 13 and Jasper 14, their Uncle disappears and Lily and Jasper discover the necklace he never takes off or allowed them to see the pendant of, wrapped around a dress mannequin. From there everything takes off and Lily and Jasper realize the Moon Realm does exist, but it is not quite how it was in their Uncle's tales.
The Moon Coin, fast, furious and immensely enjoyable, reminded me of what I love about fiction. The thought and creative emphasis that drives that little light of our imagination to explore the fantastical to it's every corner. The way Mr. Due has crafted his tale is wickedly enthralling, with a touch of what we know added into the larger mix of what we don't, we get to discover everything right along with Lily (and eventually Jasper). There are surprises around every corner and by taking the more difficult theme of division, forcible annexation and the underlying currents of coloring up the truth, Mr. Due has made The Moon Coin into a story that is deeply layered and developed as much as it is entertaining and delightful.
"[...]First, I want to hear about Tavin. What spooked you and Dubb so?"
Lily stared down at her tea. A sudden suspicion arose in her: Nima was looking into Tavin's mind in the next room...using tea.
Keegan seemed to sense this, saying, "Sometimes, Lily, tea is just tea." He smiled politely.
Lily took a sip from her mug.
"He tried to kill me."
Keegan laughed at that, but as he looked into Lily's face, his mien slowly changed from indulgence to disbelief.
"Forgive me. I don't mean to laugh at you, but what you say makes no sense. I've known Tavin since he was--oh, much younger than you. He couldn't have tried to kill you. If he had, then you would most certainly be dead. Trust me."
Lily took another sip and stared at Keegan.
With a extremely wide cast of characters and a heroine we can appreciate, The Moon Coin just keeps giving. I must admit, I wasn't expecting to love this book as much as I did. I think it brought me back to those stories of my aunt's and how much I love living in an imaginative world and the alluring places they take me. To worlds where giant lion-like animals with huge saucer eyes rule worlds and control magic and where humans are not the majority or the strongest, but rather fighting for survival on a planet that has had terrible pains. Mr. Due has brilliantly crafted these worlds for us, developing them to illustrative vivid quality. My only complaint is sometimes there was a little too much detail, but I believe that as a first installment it was undoubtedly necessary to the creation of each moon.
Overall, I heartily loved The Moon Coin and I look forward to the next installment and the hope that I will get to visit even more planets and discover all the hidden secrets the Moon Realm holds. I give The Moon Coin a 5/5 and recommend it to those who enjoy YA, MG, Other World and Fantasy Fiction.
December 21, 2011
I haven’t read a YA fantasy for a long time. My comeback to this genre is, gratefully, a pleasant experience because of The Moon Coin by Richard Due.
The Moon Coin is a cleverly crafted story of another world linked to our reality, which could most likely be possible due to Due’s masterful storytelling. This vibrant other world, the Moon Realm, starts out as a mere story for Lily and Jasper told by their Uncle Ebb. Nine years after the story is told to them, Uncle Ebb is missing. Lily and Jasper search for clues at Ebb’s huge and unusual mansion only to find a mysterious coin--the moon coin. Before the night is out, the coin transports Lily to the Moon Realm. At this particular moment, for Lily, the mystery to Uncle Ebb’s disappearance is “solved”. But it is only the beginning of a series of adventures for Lily as she come face to face with cat-like beings, flying dragons, merfolk, giants, fairies, and many more creatures imaginable.
How these creatures are narrated is very skillful and vividly detailed that, very impressively, show how well the author knows each and every being in Moon Realm. Reading the book was like seeing a mature Alice of Wonderland in full spy gear sprinting across the fields of Narnia and meeting the people from The Lord of the Rings, minus the tantrums. Reading the story was like actually seeing a new world unfolding around me; hence, Lily’s “fear” become my own when I saw this myself:
Dangling down in great arcs from the dead forest above were thin black lines that connected to the pinnacle of the tower. Dark forms emerged from the trees, crawling across the thin webs like spiders to their prey. Their numbers seemed endless. The top of the tower was black with them, and they trickled down the sides in dark ropy lines, like black wax dripping down a while candlestick. They climbed over themselves and clung to one another in a way that made Lily think of bugs--very large bugs.
The Moon Coin is not only rich in storytelling; it is equally rich in illustrations made by Carolyn Arcabascio. The development of these illustrations were explained well by Due in a guest post at Simple Clockwork. The cover of the book, for one, is exceptional, don’t you think? The illustrations in the inside pages are faithful to Due’s descriptions and support, not limit, the reader’s imagination. For example, with just Due’s words, I know how the Rinn looks like, but Arcabascio’s artwork provides me with the particulars--Rinn looks like cats that look like lions, with wider faces. Clearly, the illustrations of the scenes and creatures from the book are proofs of harmonious collaboration between the author and the illustrator.
I also admire Due’s strong yet clear grasp of words. Knowing his target audience, he offers simple comparisons to aid young readers. As examples:
* In the valley, the dark masses spilled over themselves like swarming ants.
* Moving quickly and strangely on their long, thin limbs, the Rinn’s attackers flowed outward like a great warring mass of man-sized ants.
* What she had mistaken for helmets were large carapaces, like giant beetles’ heads.
For me, the pace of the story is not a problem; it is neither too fast nor too slow. And there are unpredictable points in the story, which took me aback when I read them; hence, I felt my eyes growing big in one second and narrowing the next and so on. To know more about what I mean, why not head over Due's site and read the free sneak preview (first two chapters) of The Moon Coin?
I like Lily and her spirit, her creativity, her courage. She is a breath of fresh air; she is admirably different from the abnormally loud young female adult characters I’ve come across with in the past.
I would love to see how The Moon Coin will be depicted on the big screen. For me, this is the next best thing after The Chronicles of Narnia, if we’re talking about fantasy stories for children. For now, I would like to read the next book of the Moon Realm series and check for myself what will happen to Jasper.
The Moon Coin, while labeled for middle grade and young adult readers, is highly recommendable for all ages. Five stars for you, Richard!
Nancy @ Simple Clockwork
http://www.nancycudis.com
The Moon Coin is a cleverly crafted story of another world linked to our reality, which could most likely be possible due to Due’s masterful storytelling. This vibrant other world, the Moon Realm, starts out as a mere story for Lily and Jasper told by their Uncle Ebb. Nine years after the story is told to them, Uncle Ebb is missing. Lily and Jasper search for clues at Ebb’s huge and unusual mansion only to find a mysterious coin--the moon coin. Before the night is out, the coin transports Lily to the Moon Realm. At this particular moment, for Lily, the mystery to Uncle Ebb’s disappearance is “solved”. But it is only the beginning of a series of adventures for Lily as she come face to face with cat-like beings, flying dragons, merfolk, giants, fairies, and many more creatures imaginable.
How these creatures are narrated is very skillful and vividly detailed that, very impressively, show how well the author knows each and every being in Moon Realm. Reading the book was like seeing a mature Alice of Wonderland in full spy gear sprinting across the fields of Narnia and meeting the people from The Lord of the Rings, minus the tantrums. Reading the story was like actually seeing a new world unfolding around me; hence, Lily’s “fear” become my own when I saw this myself:
Dangling down in great arcs from the dead forest above were thin black lines that connected to the pinnacle of the tower. Dark forms emerged from the trees, crawling across the thin webs like spiders to their prey. Their numbers seemed endless. The top of the tower was black with them, and they trickled down the sides in dark ropy lines, like black wax dripping down a while candlestick. They climbed over themselves and clung to one another in a way that made Lily think of bugs--very large bugs.
The Moon Coin is not only rich in storytelling; it is equally rich in illustrations made by Carolyn Arcabascio. The development of these illustrations were explained well by Due in a guest post at Simple Clockwork. The cover of the book, for one, is exceptional, don’t you think? The illustrations in the inside pages are faithful to Due’s descriptions and support, not limit, the reader’s imagination. For example, with just Due’s words, I know how the Rinn looks like, but Arcabascio’s artwork provides me with the particulars--Rinn looks like cats that look like lions, with wider faces. Clearly, the illustrations of the scenes and creatures from the book are proofs of harmonious collaboration between the author and the illustrator.
I also admire Due’s strong yet clear grasp of words. Knowing his target audience, he offers simple comparisons to aid young readers. As examples:
* In the valley, the dark masses spilled over themselves like swarming ants.
* Moving quickly and strangely on their long, thin limbs, the Rinn’s attackers flowed outward like a great warring mass of man-sized ants.
* What she had mistaken for helmets were large carapaces, like giant beetles’ heads.
For me, the pace of the story is not a problem; it is neither too fast nor too slow. And there are unpredictable points in the story, which took me aback when I read them; hence, I felt my eyes growing big in one second and narrowing the next and so on. To know more about what I mean, why not head over Due's site and read the free sneak preview (first two chapters) of The Moon Coin?
I like Lily and her spirit, her creativity, her courage. She is a breath of fresh air; she is admirably different from the abnormally loud young female adult characters I’ve come across with in the past.
I would love to see how The Moon Coin will be depicted on the big screen. For me, this is the next best thing after The Chronicles of Narnia, if we’re talking about fantasy stories for children. For now, I would like to read the next book of the Moon Realm series and check for myself what will happen to Jasper.
The Moon Coin, while labeled for middle grade and young adult readers, is highly recommendable for all ages. Five stars for you, Richard!
Nancy @ Simple Clockwork
http://www.nancycudis.com
January 23, 2016
Book Synopsis
Gibbering Gnome Press Presents a Tale of Epic Fantasy
"Are you going to tell us a story, Uncle?" asked Jasper.
"No. Not tonight, I think." Jasper's small shoulders slumped. "But if you think you're up to keeping another secret, I might be willing to tell you a tale."
"There's a difference?" asked Lily.
"Oh, yes, yes, yes. You see, a story can be made up as easily as you please, or not. But a tale, now that's a moon of a different color. A tale is an account of things in their due order, often divulged secretly, or as gossip. Would you like to hear one?"
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Once upon a time, Lily and Jasper Winter had an uncle named Ebb. He liked to tell tales of a place called the Moon Realm, where nine moons swirled around one another, each inhabited by strange and wondrous beings: magical lunamancers; undersea merfolk; wise birds; winged dragons; and Lily’s favorite, the heroic, leonine Rinn: =^..^=. Uncle Ebb had quite the imagination.
Now, nine years after the tales began, he’s missing. Soon, so is Lily, transported to the Moon Realm by a mysterious coin.
But this Moon Realm is different. Here, a villain named Wrengfoul and his evil minions are attacking the other moons, stripping away what little magic remains. Had Uncle Ebb just been spinning tales of how he wanted things to be? Where did the truth begin and the fantasy end? And how will Lily ever get home?
In his brilliantly plotted debut novel, Richard Due introduces us to Lily and Jasper Winter, a pair of smart, observant teens growing up on an old Pennsylvania tree farm with their parents and uncle; a pair of geriatric botanists; a big shaggy dog; and an overly inquisitive cat named Tarzanna. Growing up on Treling wasn’t really so out of the ordinary, except for Ebb’s strange house, and his wonderful bedtime stories. Until, that is, the day Lily found herself in the Moon Realm, in a dystopian version of those same stories—er—tales, definitely tales.
Featuring twenty-two stunning full-color illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio. Volume One of the young adult fantasy adventure series The Moon Realm.
My Thoughts
From the very first page of the book where Lily and Jasper are enthralled by their Uncle as he spins his marvelous tales of adventure the reader finds themselves just as mesmerized! The fantasy world is rich and colorful, the characters are a blend of realism and make believe that is very entertaining, the inventive illustrations at the beginnings of the chapters lend a bit of whimsy to the tale by allowing readers to glimpse for themselves what the characters could look like, the pace of the story is smooth and most importantly the tale itself is utterly easy to become involved with as the action unfolds.
Along with such long time fantasy classics as The Wizard of Oz, The Lord Of The Rings and The Tales of Narnia just to name a few treasures from my own childhood this series will stand the test of time as well. If I had children reading this to them would be a delight for myself as well as my child!
Young adult fantasy adventure is what the beginning of the Moon Realm series has been categorized in, this sums it up nicely but does not even begin to touch upon the sublime reading experience you will have when you enjoy this story! Author Richard Due has created a tale centered around Lily and Jasper Winter and their search to discover the whereabouts of their beloved Uncle Ebb, what they find out along the way will both amuse and astound you! The Moon Coin takes us on a fantastical journey that brings to mind all the best memories of being a child like lying in bed while being told stories about make believe characters and worlds that we just know would be so much fun to visit if only we could!
[An ecopy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.]
October 14, 2011
The Moon Coin
By: Richard Due
ISBN: 9780983886723
Published August 25, 2011 by Gibbering Gnome Press, A Division of Ingenious Inventions Run Amok, Ink
Available Format: ebook
My Rating: ★★★★★
Lily and Jasper’s Uncle Ebb is full of mystery and fabulously imaginative tales—uh, stories packed with dragons, merfolk, giants, and faeries. But, it is all just fun and bedtime stories, or so they believe. When Uncle Ebb vanishes, Lily and Jasper stumble upon something much more powerful than they could have imagined. Lily is swept into a world she knows so very well but could not have believed truly existed. There’s no denying it now. Not only do she and her brother have to find their uncle, they must also help unite the moons of the realm and bring prosperity and peace once again.
This book is one of the reasons why I absolutely love my “job”; I get to read these incredible (all too often undiscovered) gems and share them with all my friends and family! I never turn down a good children’s/YA book, so I immediately told Richard I would certainly love to read and review his book. I cannot express to you how impressed I have been!
If I had to compare The Moon Coin to any other work, I’d say it is a cross between Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. It reads very well for middle grade and younger YA, like Narnia, with the immense fantasy of LOTR. The imagery is so captivating, Lily is so mature, and the reader is swept along her adventure as if we are riding the Rinn or facing the dragon ourselves. It is everything you want a great fantasy to be and then some.
I shared this book with my six-year-old as our bedtime story this week. I would read to him until he went to sleep, then continue reading ahead. The next evening, I would condense the parts I had read and then continue on with the next chapters. He was always full of fantastic questions about the story and the characters involved. He loved the illustrations and, of course, wished there were more. I actually do too, but everything is told so well, I had no trouble whatsoever imagining the story for myself.
The Moon Coin most certainly rates up there with my absolute favorite books and is in the top three of my favorite children’s books. I hope Richard will publish a print version! Everyone must give this one a try; you won’t be disappointed. Mr. Due, PLEASE don’t take long getting the next in the series ready for us … There are so many mysteries to solve, I may simply burst with anticipation!
By: Richard Due
ISBN: 9780983886723
Published August 25, 2011 by Gibbering Gnome Press, A Division of Ingenious Inventions Run Amok, Ink
Available Format: ebook
My Rating: ★★★★★
Lily and Jasper’s Uncle Ebb is full of mystery and fabulously imaginative tales—uh, stories packed with dragons, merfolk, giants, and faeries. But, it is all just fun and bedtime stories, or so they believe. When Uncle Ebb vanishes, Lily and Jasper stumble upon something much more powerful than they could have imagined. Lily is swept into a world she knows so very well but could not have believed truly existed. There’s no denying it now. Not only do she and her brother have to find their uncle, they must also help unite the moons of the realm and bring prosperity and peace once again.
This book is one of the reasons why I absolutely love my “job”; I get to read these incredible (all too often undiscovered) gems and share them with all my friends and family! I never turn down a good children’s/YA book, so I immediately told Richard I would certainly love to read and review his book. I cannot express to you how impressed I have been!
If I had to compare The Moon Coin to any other work, I’d say it is a cross between Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings. It reads very well for middle grade and younger YA, like Narnia, with the immense fantasy of LOTR. The imagery is so captivating, Lily is so mature, and the reader is swept along her adventure as if we are riding the Rinn or facing the dragon ourselves. It is everything you want a great fantasy to be and then some.
I shared this book with my six-year-old as our bedtime story this week. I would read to him until he went to sleep, then continue reading ahead. The next evening, I would condense the parts I had read and then continue on with the next chapters. He was always full of fantastic questions about the story and the characters involved. He loved the illustrations and, of course, wished there were more. I actually do too, but everything is told so well, I had no trouble whatsoever imagining the story for myself.
The Moon Coin most certainly rates up there with my absolute favorite books and is in the top three of my favorite children’s books. I hope Richard will publish a print version! Everyone must give this one a try; you won’t be disappointed. Mr. Due, PLEASE don’t take long getting the next in the series ready for us … There are so many mysteries to solve, I may simply burst with anticipation!
August 5, 2012
What first struck me about The Moon Coin above all else, was the illustrations. Even before I read the synopsis, even before I tried the first page, I fell in love with the hand drawn illustrations. Call me old fashioned, but I really miss the days when all illustrations looked like these. Computers are a fantastic invention (without them this ebook wouldn't exist) but I sure do miss the gorgeous fruits of someone talented's labor. Carolyn Arcabascio's illustrations really bring the story to life. They are that little link that makes all the difference in becoming immersed in the story.
I'll honestly tell you that this book drew me in once I did start reading. Similar to a lot of fantastic middle grade reading out there, we start out the book by meeting the characters, and it's easy to fall in love with them right away. Lily and Jasper are precocious children to say the least. They love solving puzzles, getting into mischief (although not always on purpose) and going on adventures. The wonderful part about them is that they really defy their age. Both of them are malleable enough to fit into any child's imagination. Even as a reader who isn't necessarily the target audience, I fell in love with them as well.
The worlds in this story are vivid and beautifully descriptive. I really felt like I was transported to all of the places that were presented to me. New races pop off of the page, and the reader is swept away into far off lands inhabited by some of the most wonderful and unique characters. However, this is also why I am not entirely sure that this book should be labeled Middle Grade. The story itself is definitely Middle Grade friendly, what with the adventures and fast moving plot. A lot of the descriptions though are very word heavy and boast some vocabulary that might not fit into this label. That's not to say all Middle Grade readers won't appreciate them. I just wonder if a lot of the imagery might be lost on a younger reader. This does make The Moon Coin a great choice for a family read in my mind though!
Overall this was definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Although it took me a little while to become absorbed in my reading, once I was I wouldn't have wanted to quit reading. The ending to The Moon Coin leaves just enough to the imagination to open it up to a sequel! I for one cannot wait to see where Richard Due takes us next. If you have a young reader who enjoys Fantasy, loves to be lost in a good story, or just wants something new, give them this book. You won't regret it!
I'll honestly tell you that this book drew me in once I did start reading. Similar to a lot of fantastic middle grade reading out there, we start out the book by meeting the characters, and it's easy to fall in love with them right away. Lily and Jasper are precocious children to say the least. They love solving puzzles, getting into mischief (although not always on purpose) and going on adventures. The wonderful part about them is that they really defy their age. Both of them are malleable enough to fit into any child's imagination. Even as a reader who isn't necessarily the target audience, I fell in love with them as well.
The worlds in this story are vivid and beautifully descriptive. I really felt like I was transported to all of the places that were presented to me. New races pop off of the page, and the reader is swept away into far off lands inhabited by some of the most wonderful and unique characters. However, this is also why I am not entirely sure that this book should be labeled Middle Grade. The story itself is definitely Middle Grade friendly, what with the adventures and fast moving plot. A lot of the descriptions though are very word heavy and boast some vocabulary that might not fit into this label. That's not to say all Middle Grade readers won't appreciate them. I just wonder if a lot of the imagery might be lost on a younger reader. This does make The Moon Coin a great choice for a family read in my mind though!
Overall this was definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. Although it took me a little while to become absorbed in my reading, once I was I wouldn't have wanted to quit reading. The ending to The Moon Coin leaves just enough to the imagination to open it up to a sequel! I for one cannot wait to see where Richard Due takes us next. If you have a young reader who enjoys Fantasy, loves to be lost in a good story, or just wants something new, give them this book. You won't regret it!
December 8, 2012
I found The Moon Coin free on Amazon and downloaded it because the reviews sounded so good. Too often indie books with a few glowing reviews are disappointing, full of errors and bad writing, so I read a couple of chapters to give them a fair chance and then put them down permanently. Not so with The Moon Coin. It was awesome!
Start with one eccentric uncle who loves to tell tales and make toys that look and act like their fairy tale counterparts. Add in a brother and sister who eventually outgrow his tales, that is, until the uncle disappears. Once the children, now teens, search his unusual mansion, you will be upset when you have to put The Moon Coin down even for a minute. That mansion and many other settings in The Moon Coin are so well visualized you’ll feel like you’re watching a movie. In fact, I would love to see the Moon coin become a movie.
I love books with great world building unless that building interferes with the action. In The Moon Coin, the world building adds to the action. There was never a dull moment from start to finish as the niece journeyed between moons in the realm. There are a lot of characters to remember, so keep that in mind when buying for younger children. Okay, also for forgetful adults like me. The worst problem for me was head hopping, although it’s common in the old-fashioned omniscient narrator style. I would have preferred to stay inside the niece’s point of view whenever she was included in a scene, so she would have to guess what others were thinking from their actions and expressions. That makes a book feel like it’s really happening instead of a story being told; authentic seeming no matter how fantastic the premise. And make no mistake—The Moon Coin’s premise is fantastic in a good way.
Conditions of the moons visited in this book are very unlike the tales the uncle told. One moon is under attack by an ancient enemy, another is already dystopian from a previous attack, and inhabitants on both think their own moon is the only real world. There is no way one book could cover the extent of evil’s plans for the moons in the realm, but unlike many series books, the story does have a real ending. And even though I felt like I was watching a movie instead of living it, it was a great movie. The Moon Realm is the most creative book I’ve read in many years. I’m anxious to read the sequels.
Start with one eccentric uncle who loves to tell tales and make toys that look and act like their fairy tale counterparts. Add in a brother and sister who eventually outgrow his tales, that is, until the uncle disappears. Once the children, now teens, search his unusual mansion, you will be upset when you have to put The Moon Coin down even for a minute. That mansion and many other settings in The Moon Coin are so well visualized you’ll feel like you’re watching a movie. In fact, I would love to see the Moon coin become a movie.
I love books with great world building unless that building interferes with the action. In The Moon Coin, the world building adds to the action. There was never a dull moment from start to finish as the niece journeyed between moons in the realm. There are a lot of characters to remember, so keep that in mind when buying for younger children. Okay, also for forgetful adults like me. The worst problem for me was head hopping, although it’s common in the old-fashioned omniscient narrator style. I would have preferred to stay inside the niece’s point of view whenever she was included in a scene, so she would have to guess what others were thinking from their actions and expressions. That makes a book feel like it’s really happening instead of a story being told; authentic seeming no matter how fantastic the premise. And make no mistake—The Moon Coin’s premise is fantastic in a good way.
Conditions of the moons visited in this book are very unlike the tales the uncle told. One moon is under attack by an ancient enemy, another is already dystopian from a previous attack, and inhabitants on both think their own moon is the only real world. There is no way one book could cover the extent of evil’s plans for the moons in the realm, but unlike many series books, the story does have a real ending. And even though I felt like I was watching a movie instead of living it, it was a great movie. The Moon Realm is the most creative book I’ve read in many years. I’m anxious to read the sequels.
July 27, 2012
The Moon Coin, written by Richard Due and illustrated by Carolyn Arcabascio, is the first book in The Moon Realm Series. It is a children's fantasy novel appropriate for ages nine and older. Lily and Jasper are smart and talented children, and their Uncle Ebb is counting on it. He spends his visits giving them gifts and telling them tales about the Moon Realm, a wonderful world full of magic and amazing creatures. the pair fully believe Uncle Ebb's tales and his tinkering, creating wonderful things, are all just part of his eccentricity and fun nature. That is until Ebb disappears, and Lily discovers the secret beyond the tales, that they might hold some truth. Lily is on a wonderful, and terrifying, journey looking to find Uncle Ebb and discover the truth behind the terrible things happening in the Moon Realm.
The Moon Coin started off quickly, laying the groundwork for the relationship between Lily, Jasper, and their Uncle Ebb.I hope to see much more of Ebb in the future volumes, because the mysteries surrounding him grabbed me just as much as the problems in the Moon Realm. The character development and descriptions are extremely well done, and are just as interesting as the moments of high action, of which there are plenty. Then there are the beautiful illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio, which are worth looking at the book for on their worth alone. I do not want to say too much about the story, or is that a tale, because I think everyone that enjoys fantasy on any level will enjoy this.
Can you tell I liked The Moon Coin? When the author approached me to read and review the book, my first thought was my already growing backlog. Then I read the description, and it sounded right up my alley. Gladly my second thought was the one I followed. The Moon Realm series is now on my must follow list, I cannot wait to see what happens next.I highly recommend it to readers in grade school, middle school, and on up through adults. Fans of anything fantasy; think authors like Tamara Pierce, Lemony Snicket, C.S. Lewis, and Kathryn Lasky, will find themselves as captured by this series as myself.
The Moon Coin started off quickly, laying the groundwork for the relationship between Lily, Jasper, and their Uncle Ebb.I hope to see much more of Ebb in the future volumes, because the mysteries surrounding him grabbed me just as much as the problems in the Moon Realm. The character development and descriptions are extremely well done, and are just as interesting as the moments of high action, of which there are plenty. Then there are the beautiful illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio, which are worth looking at the book for on their worth alone. I do not want to say too much about the story, or is that a tale, because I think everyone that enjoys fantasy on any level will enjoy this.
Can you tell I liked The Moon Coin? When the author approached me to read and review the book, my first thought was my already growing backlog. Then I read the description, and it sounded right up my alley. Gladly my second thought was the one I followed. The Moon Realm series is now on my must follow list, I cannot wait to see what happens next.I highly recommend it to readers in grade school, middle school, and on up through adults. Fans of anything fantasy; think authors like Tamara Pierce, Lemony Snicket, C.S. Lewis, and Kathryn Lasky, will find themselves as captured by this series as myself.
November 14, 2011
The Moon Coin is an awesome middle-grade fantasy. I've never read Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, or any middle-grade fantasy, really (except for The Ear, The Eye, and the Arm, which I don't even really remember), but when I was reading The Moon Coin, I just kept thinking that it's probably on par with the Series of Unfortunate Events. Maybe it's weird to make that association, when I've never read the Lemony Snicket books, but there you have it.
The Moon Coin is engaging from beginning to end. It has an incredible cast of characters, and though it was hard for me to keep certain characters straight during certain parts of the book, I loved meeting different characters and learning about the different moons. The supporting characters were just as interesting as the main characters. It's hard for me to say who my favorite character was. I liked Lily, and I liked Jasper (but I wish we had seen more of him!). But I really liked Dubb, Ember, and Roan. It's hard to pick a favorite character when I liked them all.
The descriptions of the moons and the creatures living on them were so vivid. I felt like I was really there with Lily, and I loved that. I can't wait to see what the other moons are like. I'm really impressed by the story line, too. There's quite a bit going on, and it's all so interesting, and parts of it are mysterious. I really, really want to know what happened to Uncle Ebb. I have a bunch of theories floating around my head about what could have happened to him, and I can't wait to find out if any of those ideas turn out to be right.
The book doesn't exactly end with a cliffhanger, but with the way it ended, all I could think was, "I need to know what's going to happen, and I need to know now!" I think with each book in the series, the story is just going to get more and more interesting and exciting. The Moon Coin is a fabulous middle-grade book; I think if it had been around when I was in that age group, I would have snatched it up as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds!
The Moon Coin is engaging from beginning to end. It has an incredible cast of characters, and though it was hard for me to keep certain characters straight during certain parts of the book, I loved meeting different characters and learning about the different moons. The supporting characters were just as interesting as the main characters. It's hard for me to say who my favorite character was. I liked Lily, and I liked Jasper (but I wish we had seen more of him!). But I really liked Dubb, Ember, and Roan. It's hard to pick a favorite character when I liked them all.
The descriptions of the moons and the creatures living on them were so vivid. I felt like I was really there with Lily, and I loved that. I can't wait to see what the other moons are like. I'm really impressed by the story line, too. There's quite a bit going on, and it's all so interesting, and parts of it are mysterious. I really, really want to know what happened to Uncle Ebb. I have a bunch of theories floating around my head about what could have happened to him, and I can't wait to find out if any of those ideas turn out to be right.
The book doesn't exactly end with a cliffhanger, but with the way it ended, all I could think was, "I need to know what's going to happen, and I need to know now!" I think with each book in the series, the story is just going to get more and more interesting and exciting. The Moon Coin is a fabulous middle-grade book; I think if it had been around when I was in that age group, I would have snatched it up as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing how the story unfolds!
December 1, 2011
Let me start out by saying, I loved the illustrations in this novel. Growing up, I used to love to stare at the illustrations in books...and these were top-notch. So props to Carolyn Arcabascio. She is certainly talented. You don't see illustrations like these every day. Just look at the cover art again and you'll see what I mean.
Richard Due's tale follows the adventures of Lily and Jasper Winter. I loved these characters. Due has crafted an imaginative, entrancing tale that middle grade readers (and anybody for that matter) will adore.
His world-building is excellent and his writing style is inviting. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale.
I loved the the idea of the moon coin and the moon realms from the moment I read the synopsis and still am intrigued by this tale. I was transported back into the books of my childhood. And I love getting to reminisce about the great book so of my childhood years.
Had I read this book in my childhood, I can only imagine reading this by flashlight long after my bedtime came desperately trying to finish that last page. I'd be turning the pages so fast they would almost be flying and then I'd feel satisfaction and pure joy has I finished the book. Until I realized that the second book wasn't out yet, and I absolutely needed to see what happened next. In that moment, I'd see my dad walk in and yell at me to turn off the lights and I'd go to sleep feeling pure contentment dreaming of what I just read.
In fact, if you eliminate my dad from that image and replace the flashlight to lamp, that's exactly what happened. This was a book that I absolutely adored, and a book that comes highly recommended.
For an extended review, please visit this link.
Richard Due's tale follows the adventures of Lily and Jasper Winter. I loved these characters. Due has crafted an imaginative, entrancing tale that middle grade readers (and anybody for that matter) will adore.
His world-building is excellent and his writing style is inviting. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale.
I loved the the idea of the moon coin and the moon realms from the moment I read the synopsis and still am intrigued by this tale. I was transported back into the books of my childhood. And I love getting to reminisce about the great book so of my childhood years.
Had I read this book in my childhood, I can only imagine reading this by flashlight long after my bedtime came desperately trying to finish that last page. I'd be turning the pages so fast they would almost be flying and then I'd feel satisfaction and pure joy has I finished the book. Until I realized that the second book wasn't out yet, and I absolutely needed to see what happened next. In that moment, I'd see my dad walk in and yell at me to turn off the lights and I'd go to sleep feeling pure contentment dreaming of what I just read.
In fact, if you eliminate my dad from that image and replace the flashlight to lamp, that's exactly what happened. This was a book that I absolutely adored, and a book that comes highly recommended.
For an extended review, please visit this link.
May 20, 2012
Review:
If I ever have kids, this will be one of their bedtime stories! Even though this book is labeled for the middle-grade age group, I know that it can be enjoyed by all ages! As I was reading, I was mentally projecting a film version in my head, and adding to the beautiful imagery were twenty-two vividly colored and imagined illustrations by the very talented Carolyn Arcabascio. I took a few minutes to observe each depicted scene on my Kindle Fire, marveling at the accuracy of my own imaginings. Both the tale itself and the illustrations reminded me of some of the best parts of my favorite fantasy series, including: The Wizard Of Oz, Harry Potter, The Chronicles Of Narnia, The NeverEnding Story, Alice in Wonderland, and The Lord Of the Rings; however, The Moon Coin still held its own originality. Its fast-pace, scenes of adventure and mystery, and meticulous detail kept me - a twenty-something college student - occupied and enthralled for a couple of hours; and I am definitely going to be reading it again! I loved all the characters, and each new moon (world) introduced me to an amazing set of inhabitants; the illustrations were wonderful for this purpose! Lily and Jasper had my imagination running wild, just like theirs. They were very realistic and easily related to, especially for children around their age range - nine to fifteen. I never knew what lay ahead for the pair, and I think that kids (and adults) will fall in love with Richard Due's spellbinding writing style. Overall, a sensational fantasy, with tons of adventure and mystery for all ages. This would definitely make a great movie, animated or otherwise. Recommended for all book lovers and their children!
Rating: Clean Getaway (5/5)
*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
If I ever have kids, this will be one of their bedtime stories! Even though this book is labeled for the middle-grade age group, I know that it can be enjoyed by all ages! As I was reading, I was mentally projecting a film version in my head, and adding to the beautiful imagery were twenty-two vividly colored and imagined illustrations by the very talented Carolyn Arcabascio. I took a few minutes to observe each depicted scene on my Kindle Fire, marveling at the accuracy of my own imaginings. Both the tale itself and the illustrations reminded me of some of the best parts of my favorite fantasy series, including: The Wizard Of Oz, Harry Potter, The Chronicles Of Narnia, The NeverEnding Story, Alice in Wonderland, and The Lord Of the Rings; however, The Moon Coin still held its own originality. Its fast-pace, scenes of adventure and mystery, and meticulous detail kept me - a twenty-something college student - occupied and enthralled for a couple of hours; and I am definitely going to be reading it again! I loved all the characters, and each new moon (world) introduced me to an amazing set of inhabitants; the illustrations were wonderful for this purpose! Lily and Jasper had my imagination running wild, just like theirs. They were very realistic and easily related to, especially for children around their age range - nine to fifteen. I never knew what lay ahead for the pair, and I think that kids (and adults) will fall in love with Richard Due's spellbinding writing style. Overall, a sensational fantasy, with tons of adventure and mystery for all ages. This would definitely make a great movie, animated or otherwise. Recommended for all book lovers and their children!
Rating: Clean Getaway (5/5)
*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
February 17, 2012
The cover for this book looks Middle Grade and that is the audience this book is trying to capture so with that the cover artist(s) did an excellent job. Although it isn't just drop dead gorgeous like romance novels try to get theirs to look like. This one captures the ideas of the story line. So ,yes, I really enjoy the cover on this book. I think it would even make a lovely shelf candy piece ;)
*Quick note to author: I, Courtney Elizabeth Wyant, give you full permission to throttle me for not getting this review up. I am so sorry about that and I wish that I could make it up to you. I made a promise I didn't keep and feel extremely guilty. So, Richard, I give you full permission to throttle me although I must say I love to live. ;)
This is one of the best fantasies I have read in a while. It is also one of the best Middle Grades I have ever read. This book really did draw me out of my normal comfort zone but it surprised me how much I really enjoyed it. I am very happy to have read the book and am even more happy to give it a good review.
My comfort zone consists of romances and that is about it. I usually stay in my boundries but I decided to put down my walls for this novel. This was an excellent way for me to keep putting my walls down. Though no romance I go to a different world that is so well written that I felt like I was there.
So Richards book is addicting and I will definatly be recommending to my lovely reading buddies at school who still read MG, which is surprisingly high. So this book was definatly one of the best MG I have read in a long while :)
*Quick note to author: I, Courtney Elizabeth Wyant, give you full permission to throttle me for not getting this review up. I am so sorry about that and I wish that I could make it up to you. I made a promise I didn't keep and feel extremely guilty. So, Richard, I give you full permission to throttle me although I must say I love to live. ;)
This is one of the best fantasies I have read in a while. It is also one of the best Middle Grades I have ever read. This book really did draw me out of my normal comfort zone but it surprised me how much I really enjoyed it. I am very happy to have read the book and am even more happy to give it a good review.
My comfort zone consists of romances and that is about it. I usually stay in my boundries but I decided to put down my walls for this novel. This was an excellent way for me to keep putting my walls down. Though no romance I go to a different world that is so well written that I felt like I was there.
So Richards book is addicting and I will definatly be recommending to my lovely reading buddies at school who still read MG, which is surprisingly high. So this book was definatly one of the best MG I have read in a long while :)
February 17, 2012
06 February 2012The Moon Coin, Richard Due
Nine Moons Make A Realm...An Oft Repeated Fact By Two Young, New Fans Of The Moon Coin
Author Richard Due has written a fabulous adventure for young minds to immerse themselves in mystery, discovery, wonder, and danger. Jasper and Lily are wonderfully created characters, full of personality, life, and depth. This fact endeared the book to me at once, as the brother and sister of Due's making lacked all the boredom, laziness, un-imaginative apathy, and mock-maturity of too many middle grade characters. Eager to learn and acutely aware of right and wrong, Jasper and Lily engage in antics of youth with curious bliss rather than the dark brooding of misunderstood angst.
A read-aloud for younger children, The Moon Coin could be enjoyed through the middle grades easily. Intricate sentence structure, vivid descriptions, and complexity of storyline make Due's offering a welcome treat for young readers/listeners.
I (Moira) read The Moon Coin aloud to my seven and eight year old sons; and believe me when I tell you, they begged for more. The story, while quite detailed, held their interest throughout. They would stop me to inquire about words they didn't understand (style points for Due in incorperating rich vocabulary) and then quiet down to listen once again. The chapters are long, so be aware if you plan to read-aloud - bring a cup of tea!
The electrimals remained a favorite for both boys, but there was no lack of creativity to choose from. Lunariums, Mr. Phixit, nine-sided windows, puzzles to solve, and clues to dicipher abound within The Moon Coin, earning my highest recommendation.
~ Moira
Nine Moons Make A Realm...An Oft Repeated Fact By Two Young, New Fans Of The Moon Coin
Author Richard Due has written a fabulous adventure for young minds to immerse themselves in mystery, discovery, wonder, and danger. Jasper and Lily are wonderfully created characters, full of personality, life, and depth. This fact endeared the book to me at once, as the brother and sister of Due's making lacked all the boredom, laziness, un-imaginative apathy, and mock-maturity of too many middle grade characters. Eager to learn and acutely aware of right and wrong, Jasper and Lily engage in antics of youth with curious bliss rather than the dark brooding of misunderstood angst.
A read-aloud for younger children, The Moon Coin could be enjoyed through the middle grades easily. Intricate sentence structure, vivid descriptions, and complexity of storyline make Due's offering a welcome treat for young readers/listeners.
I (Moira) read The Moon Coin aloud to my seven and eight year old sons; and believe me when I tell you, they begged for more. The story, while quite detailed, held their interest throughout. They would stop me to inquire about words they didn't understand (style points for Due in incorperating rich vocabulary) and then quiet down to listen once again. The chapters are long, so be aware if you plan to read-aloud - bring a cup of tea!
The electrimals remained a favorite for both boys, but there was no lack of creativity to choose from. Lunariums, Mr. Phixit, nine-sided windows, puzzles to solve, and clues to dicipher abound within The Moon Coin, earning my highest recommendation.
~ Moira
December 16, 2011
This book sucked me in from the beginning. This book is another beginning to a series and this is definitely another series that I could get into. In fact, I NEED to get the other books once they come out. The world of the Moon Realm is so wonderfully detailed and vivid that you have no trouble imagining everything that Lily is going through. The book also includes really fantastic illustrations. The world building is really awesome and is most definitely a stand out feature of this book. You all know how much I love world building!
The characters are really fantastic. Lily and Jasper's Uncle Ebb tells the kinds of tales that I think every little kid dreams about. They're full of strange worlds and wondrous creatures. They will soon enough find out that the stories are real. Lily is a fantastic heroine as well. For someone so young, she's incredibly brave and adventurous. I was a huge fan of the noble Rinn, a sort of big cat looking creature (that's a Rinn on the cover). There's dragons and all sorts of other fantastic creatures in the book that will definitely stay on your mind for a long time!
This book is geared for young adult readers but I could see precocious middle grade readers enjoying the book as well as adults. Fantasy lovers will love escaping into this new world!
The characters are really fantastic. Lily and Jasper's Uncle Ebb tells the kinds of tales that I think every little kid dreams about. They're full of strange worlds and wondrous creatures. They will soon enough find out that the stories are real. Lily is a fantastic heroine as well. For someone so young, she's incredibly brave and adventurous. I was a huge fan of the noble Rinn, a sort of big cat looking creature (that's a Rinn on the cover). There's dragons and all sorts of other fantastic creatures in the book that will definitely stay on your mind for a long time!
This book is geared for young adult readers but I could see precocious middle grade readers enjoying the book as well as adults. Fantasy lovers will love escaping into this new world!
January 11, 2012
The world created by Mr. Due is fantastic. It is a wonderful mix of fantasy that will have middle grade readers and teens wanting more.
It does take a bit of time to get into the actual plot. That was my only real concern, but once it does, it really takes off, reader in tow. The characters in the Moon Realm were all very interesting to read about, although my favorite has to be the Rinn. I also enjoyed the two protagonists, Lily and Jasper, who are wonderfully normal which is not the usual in books for children. That alone makes the book worth reading.
The writing is as magical as the Moon Realm, with nicely shaped phrases that don’t confuse the reader, and fast-pace enough once it gets started to keep the ficklest of teens interested. This is the first in a series, so there is a nice setting up for future stories, leaving some of the tension in the plot.
This is a fun book which will please most children and teens. Even for adults, this is a good choice. I can happily recommend it for all of you out there looking for a little magic in your books.
It does take a bit of time to get into the actual plot. That was my only real concern, but once it does, it really takes off, reader in tow. The characters in the Moon Realm were all very interesting to read about, although my favorite has to be the Rinn. I also enjoyed the two protagonists, Lily and Jasper, who are wonderfully normal which is not the usual in books for children. That alone makes the book worth reading.
The writing is as magical as the Moon Realm, with nicely shaped phrases that don’t confuse the reader, and fast-pace enough once it gets started to keep the ficklest of teens interested. This is the first in a series, so there is a nice setting up for future stories, leaving some of the tension in the plot.
This is a fun book which will please most children and teens. Even for adults, this is a good choice. I can happily recommend it for all of you out there looking for a little magic in your books.
November 9, 2011
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Let me just say - wow.
This book is beautifully written. It's entertaining. It sucks you in until you almost believe you're a part of it. The moons we visit in this book are richly imaginative.
Lily and Jasper have heard tales from the moon realm for years. In this book, Lily finds herself, quite unexpectedly, on a moon she believed only existed in the tales her uncle shared with her and her brother.
I was laughing within minutes of picking up the book, and would have read it in one sitting if I'd had the chance.
This book leaves me with two concerns:
1. There is more description than in a lot of books for this age group right now, making me wonder if some kids will miss out on the great story because they aren't used to it. (And they WOULD be missing out!)
2. I have no idea when the next book comes out, and I want it NOW.
Let me just say - wow.
This book is beautifully written. It's entertaining. It sucks you in until you almost believe you're a part of it. The moons we visit in this book are richly imaginative.
Lily and Jasper have heard tales from the moon realm for years. In this book, Lily finds herself, quite unexpectedly, on a moon she believed only existed in the tales her uncle shared with her and her brother.
I was laughing within minutes of picking up the book, and would have read it in one sitting if I'd had the chance.
This book leaves me with two concerns:
1. There is more description than in a lot of books for this age group right now, making me wonder if some kids will miss out on the great story because they aren't used to it. (And they WOULD be missing out!)
2. I have no idea when the next book comes out, and I want it NOW.
October 13, 2012
REVIEW BY: Arianna, age 9 years, 10 months
SPOILER ALERT:
Lily and her brother are very worried because their uncle went missing. When Lily and her brother find a clue about where he is, Lily's brother gives her the clue of a moon coin. The moon coin is very important. Lily's uncle always tells Lily and her brother about 9 moons. Using the coin, Lily goes on an adventure through 2 of the moons. On the first moon, the queen of the Rinn's helps Lily get to the next moon. At the next moon, Lily meets Dubb who helps her as well. When Lily returns home, she tells her brother what happened, but her brother does not believe her, so to prove it to him, she sends him to the 2 moons.
My favorite part of this book was when Lily came home because she got to see her family. I would recommend this book for ages 8 and up and I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
SPOILER ALERT:
Lily and her brother are very worried because their uncle went missing. When Lily and her brother find a clue about where he is, Lily's brother gives her the clue of a moon coin. The moon coin is very important. Lily's uncle always tells Lily and her brother about 9 moons. Using the coin, Lily goes on an adventure through 2 of the moons. On the first moon, the queen of the Rinn's helps Lily get to the next moon. At the next moon, Lily meets Dubb who helps her as well. When Lily returns home, she tells her brother what happened, but her brother does not believe her, so to prove it to him, she sends him to the 2 moons.
My favorite part of this book was when Lily came home because she got to see her family. I would recommend this book for ages 8 and up and I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
November 18, 2011
So I was super excited when I started reading this, but sadly I really struggled to get into the book but I did continue to read in the hope it would grow on me.
I have to say the illustrations are amazing it was nice to see some of the story in pictures. As a reader I was introduced to many different characters throughout the book, they were well developed and each rather intriguing. I thought the book in general was rather descriptive, maybe too much so for a YA/Childrens Novel, but the desciriptions seem to be well thought so would probably reccomend for high end of YA.
Not sure why I had problems getting into it, but in the end I did find it rather entertaining and quite captivating so I am sure it will have a lot of fans!
I have to say the illustrations are amazing it was nice to see some of the story in pictures. As a reader I was introduced to many different characters throughout the book, they were well developed and each rather intriguing. I thought the book in general was rather descriptive, maybe too much so for a YA/Childrens Novel, but the desciriptions seem to be well thought so would probably reccomend for high end of YA.
Not sure why I had problems getting into it, but in the end I did find it rather entertaining and quite captivating so I am sure it will have a lot of fans!
February 2, 2013
A very good read and is suitable for the 8-12 age group. It would also be enjoyable for older children as well. Richard Due creates a world that children will dive into. He does gets a little heavy in describing scenes and worlds. Although the descriptions are great and you feel like you are there, it detracts somewhat from the actual action and flow of the book. Even with that mentioned, Richard Due has a good writing style and I would recommend this book, and the ones that follow, to any students at my school library. He finishes this book strong and draws you into wanting to read the next book in the series.
October 18, 2011
YES, this book is awesome. No, I will not tell you anything more than what you see in the description. I will tell you:
This book made me laugh out loud.
This book made me scream in fright waaay too late at night.
This book also made me hug one of my cats, but I suppose you could argue whether or not that was actually The Moon Coin's fault.
I really hated the end. Not because it was a bad ending, but because IT DIDN'T KEEP GOING.
This book made me laugh out loud.
This book made me scream in fright waaay too late at night.
This book also made me hug one of my cats, but I suppose you could argue whether or not that was actually The Moon Coin's fault.
I really hated the end. Not because it was a bad ending, but because IT DIDN'T KEEP GOING.
November 17, 2011
I was given this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a middle grade fantasy book that is very imaginative and well thought out. The descriptions are lush and would draw young readers in. The illustrations are lovely but might draw the age of the reader down. Som bigger kids may think its a bit babyish but for me it helps the visual.
I recommend for advanced elementary students or middle schoolers.
This is a middle grade fantasy book that is very imaginative and well thought out. The descriptions are lush and would draw young readers in. The illustrations are lovely but might draw the age of the reader down. Som bigger kids may think its a bit babyish but for me it helps the visual.
I recommend for advanced elementary students or middle schoolers.
February 17, 2012
hi i thought it was an excellent book now that ive actually read throught it and finished it i thought it was an excellent book so heres the lesson for today "never judge a book by its cover!" lol it has such a wonderful story line its so amazing i just loved it i thought the story line was very easy going and excellent and very elegant like tea it was smooth and easy going! i just adored this story i cant wait till the next one if u wanna no more u'll just have to read it to find out!
October 18, 2011
I was lost in this story instantly! Its a great adventure set in a unique world full of adventure and mystery. The story has memorable characters that both boys and girls will enjoy. I cannot wait to read the next installment of The Moon Realm! I want to know anything and everything about this amazing place and I highly recommend it as a fun read for your kids!
February 3, 2012
A magical adventure, indeed! Lots of action and new worlds to discover.
One of the characters reminded me of my kitten who was recently added to the household. Similar coloring and looks based on the illustrations. Funny how coincidental things can pop up in books.
I liked how the bulk of this story had a focus on a female heroine - makes for an empowering story for girls to read.
One of the characters reminded me of my kitten who was recently added to the household. Similar coloring and looks based on the illustrations. Funny how coincidental things can pop up in books.
I liked how the bulk of this story had a focus on a female heroine - makes for an empowering story for girls to read.
July 7, 2012
This book is fantastic. It captivates you from the first page! Learning about the tales from the moon realm is like learning about Narnia all over again.
June 29, 2016
A well written fantasy for younger readers - and those young at heart.
Imaginative, magical and filled with adventure. Great for bedtime stories.
Imaginative, magical and filled with adventure. Great for bedtime stories.
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