Violet Moon

by Kayla Maurais

In the year 3051, on the planet Nevarnost, nineteen-year-old Kevin Hale is determined to clear his uncle’s name. Accused of masterminding a catastrophic explosion that left hundreds stranded outside the protective dome they call home, Kevin is willing to risk everything to uncover the truth and restore his family’s honor.

Vaida Wardell has other plans. Driven by grief and anger, she’s vowed to hold the current chancellor—and anyone involved—accountable for the tragedy that claimed countless lives. Justice, in her eyes, cannot wait.

Thirty-two years later, on the distant Violet Moon, Timber Hale faces exile to the mines after refusing to kill a moon worm during his Coming of Age ceremony. On the night of his sentencing, his father proposes an unexpected alternative: Timber must journey back in time alongside Delorean Mars—a boy who wants nothing to do with him—and save Nevarnost from an impending dust storm powerful enough to obliterate the planet.

Traveling to 3051 is only the beginning. To prevent a catastrophic future, Timber and Mars must convince a fractured community to unite for survival and follow one unbreakable rule: Kevin Hale and Vaida Wardell must survive. Failure to protect them could alter the course of history forever—leaving Timber and Mars with no home to return to.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Unknown Binding

Published May 1, 2025

About the author

Kayla Maurais is a young adult and new adult sci-fi/fantasy author from New England. She first started writing creatively when she was thirteen. Since then, she’s gone on to get a master’s degree in screenwriting. Her publishing imprint, Wraith’s Fate Press, was established in April 2024. When she isn’t writing, Kayla enjoys spending time in nature, visiting theme parks that she wishes were haunted, and going on road trips to discover new places. She is also a teacher, birth doula, developmental editor, and tarot reader. For more on Kayla and her offerings, visit kaylamaurais.com.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A combination of The Lunar Chronicles and The 100 with a spiritual twist, Violet Moon is an incredible experience from start to finish.

I’m a sucker for time travel narratives, but it’s extremely hard to do them right and make them internally consistent while still being a fun reading experience and not feeling like a combination of a science textbook and an Excel spreadsheet. I can count on my fingers the number of books/movies that have managed to pull it off, and I’m so excited to add Violet Moon to that list.

I loved the abundance of beautifully diverse, flawed, and real characters. Vaida is formidable yet kindhearted, and is a rare occurrence of a plus-size girl like me in sci-fi, which made me feel so awesome. I related so much to Kevin’s compulsive list-making and Timber’s journey learning to connect with other people. And under Mars’ rocky (ha!) exterior, he is the classic cinnamon roll (not to go all 2010s here). There are two very sweet romance subplots, one of them queer with delightfully snarky banter and featuring a superb kiss that had me squealing. The twists in the third act will have you screaming, like I was in the author’s DMs, and you’ll want to reread the whole book once you read the ending.

I loved the vivid setting on the two planets and in space as well as the cool alien creatures like Confess Me Moths, which can deliver secret messages to only their intended recipient. On that note, I will end this review, because if the Confess Me Moths don’t convince you to read it then I don’t know what will. Now I’m off to find a Confess Me Moth of my own and send it to the author asking for a sequel please

[Sarina Veul · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ARC read


I really enjoyed the beginning of the book – it was fast-paced and immediately pulled me in. Around the 20% mark, though, the story started to slow down. It remained interesting, especially thanks to the impressive and detailed world-building, which added a lot of depth. However, I found the slower middle section a bit difficult to get through, which affected my overall reading experience. That's why I'm giving it 3 out of 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and author Kayla Maurais for providing me with this e-arc to read and review

[Bee 🐝🐝 · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I want to thank the author and NetGalley for this ARC 💜

I deeply appreciate the Author’s Note and the inclusion of trigger warnings. Lately, many authors have been skipping this essential step, and while readers can always do their own research, it makes such a difference when the author takes the care to provide them upfront.

Also, can we talk about the playlist? I absolutely loved it. It really adds another layer of immersion into the story, making the reading experience even more vivid.

The world-building is phenomenal – detailed, well-paced, and beautifully described, making me feel like I was truly part of this universe. Each character is carefully crafted (no wonder it took six long years to bring this book to life! ☺️), and it’s impossible not to grow attached to them individually.

The plot twist? Completely wild – I adored it! There’s not much more I can say without spoilers, but it genuinely caught me off guard in the best way.

As a sci-fi girl, I can confidently say this book is very well executed. From world-building to character development, from the surprising twists to the time-traveling element – everything was consistent and seamless. I didn’t feel lost at any point, nor did I need to re-read to understand what was happening.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and I honestly cannot wait for book two 🥹✨

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different than most books I normally read. However, the concept of time travel, action, and self discovery all in one really intrigued me.

What I loved most about this book was the very descriptive writing. You literally could picture the surrounding areas as well as the various planets and the different creatures that inhabited the planets so clearly. When it comes to a book like this that is something that I definitely appreciate.

This book had multiple points of view and for me that is something I've always loved. I feel having multiple points of views really allows me to get deeper into the story because I get to see things from different character perspectives.

Expect the unexpected when you read this book and that's one of the best things about it. Just when you thought you knew something, there was something else happening. I can't say too much because I don't want to spoil this for the readers but just know, this is a book that you definitely want to read. For someone who is not a traditional scifi reader, I absolutely enjoyed this book.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the type of time travel that’s in this book, the way it makes sense in my mind is always satisfying. I did like the general messages and themes this story was trying to convey but at times it was a little too blatant for me. By the end of the book I loved all the characters but there was a good middle chunk of the book where I didn’t like anyone. They all came off as annoying and a bit one dimensional. By the end of the book they all developed to be more rounded and like-able which did make up for it a bit. Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of this book.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. GOSH! This book is awesome! I got the honors of Beta reading this beauty, making this my first ever Beta read. I absolutely loved everything about this book. At first, I was a little confused, but once I started really getting into it, everything was straightened out. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next one! I really need to know what happens with Mars because that cliffhanger at the end... 😯

[Trish Skywalker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kayla, you brilliant human, you just BLEW. MY. MIND!!!
How do I describe this book without any spoilers?? (Trust me, you don’t want spoilers!!!) I thought I knew the story I was getting into. There’s a time travel adventure, and a hero will save the day. THIS IS SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT!!!
First off, Kayla writes characters you can fall in love with (Dash sweetheart? You there?? 😘😘). It was actually hard to choose a favorite in this one because they are all so good. This group of misfits came together and were a force to be reckoned with, and each MC had their own unique charm (but it’s Mars. Mars I love you).
The plot!!! So yes, you read the blurb, you know Mars and Timber are tasked with going back in time 32 years to prevent a dust storm that will destroy Nevarnost. But when they get there…nothing is what they thought it was, and it is WILD.
I’m well aware this review makes no sense, but I slid into Kayla’s DMs and explained it all to her so I wouldn’t ruin this for anyone else. Here’s a little taste of what you’ll get:
-Multiple POVs (four fantastic MCs)
-Impending doom and destruction
-Time travel
-Casual queerness
-Past and future colliding
You guys it’s just so good!!!

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!!! I can't wait for book 2!

[Megan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such vivid descriptions! I loved feeling like I was part of this story! The ending was great and I cannot wait for book 2!!!

[Cee Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and i mean REALLY loved it! Im not always a SCIFI style reader but you bet you sweet booty i am now!

This one was so fun. Multi POV. Fun creatures. Distopian world. Interesting tech. And a TWIST i didnt expect!

Add this beaute to your TBR ASAP! 😍

HAPPY READING :)

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Violet Moon. Escaping into this delightful sci-fi romance where there is action, banter, violence, and danger was a trip I loved so much I’ve already done it twice. Violet Moon is the summer read you need to escape the heat with.

I received a free copy of this book, and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

[Darian Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5🌟 Beta Read
There is soooo much I can say about this book!! Truly one to yap about all day! First things first I’d like to mention that I’m picky with the Sci-Fi genre. As a woman in STEM I look for 2 things in a good sci-fi: 1. Is it plausible, does the science make sense? and 2. Does the author cover their bases (specifically with time travel)? And this book 100% ticks all the boxes for me! This book truly has everything I could want in a YA Sci-fi. It’s relatable, it’s real, and it has thrill factor. As well as an incredibly powerful tone and diverse Characters that I think will resonate with a lot of people’s life stories.
I also feel like the setting of this story it’s just so real. Political unrest, the need to wear a mask over your nose and mouth for safety, and the importance of dealing and coping with tremendous loss. This books hit home for me in so many ways and I am truly impressed by this book and honored to have been able to read it as a Beta Reader.
In short… read the book!!

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet Moon by Kayla Maurais is a great example of a time travel narrative done well. Time travel can absolutely unravel and ruin a story if its inconsistent or completely unbelievable. That wasn't the case with Violet Moon. Here time travel was easy and enjoyable to read.

I also felt the characters were so well developed and interesting. The world building was intricate and exciting. All really well done.

This one is a 4 rather than 5 stars for me because I felt the story stalled in the middle. The pacing felt off until it caught back up to the exciting beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kayla Maurais for the eARC for me to read and review.