Lua Eterna: Os Herdeiros do Universo

by Susan Kite, Francisco Silva (Translator)

Diego, de catorze anos, só conhece as colinas e os prados da herdade do seu pai na Califórnia de 1829. A sua vida simples e pacífica é abalada quando alienígenas invadem o local e Diego é capturado por guerreiros reptilianos. Ele agora é um escravo numa enorme nave espacial repleta de avanços tecnológicos ainda não imaginados. Incapaz de comunicar, Diego luta para sobreviver e ganhar o respeito dos seus captores.

Quando os problemas surgirem, será ele capaz de unir os seus companheiros escravos para combater um inimigo mais mortífero, ou irá trair a confiança de Ziron, o comandante da nave?

E será que Diego conseguirá recuperar a sua liberdade e regressar à Terra?

214 pages, Paperback

Published September 7, 2023

About the author

I was an Army brat; which means I grew up everywhere. Didn't begin to settle down until my dad did. I earned two degrees at Utah State University, began dabbling in writing. However, I didn't get serious until my kids were grown. Now it is a contagious disease I don't want cured!
I retired after working as a librarian for 35 years, mostly in Tennessee. I live with my terrific husband and am owned by an opinionated chiweenie-terrier and two manic black cats in Yukon, OK near some of my grandkids.

Reviews

[Tilmer Jr.]

As a person who likes to write myself, I am envious of Susan Kite’s ability to weave a tale that moves so quickly while managing to paint a complete and compelling picture of a world the reader has never known. Her protagonist, Diego, is the only significant human character in the book. The portion of the book dealing with his time on this planet is brief. That means that the rest of the novel has to move along while building a world and a host of inhabitants that have no prior context or meaning to the reader. Many writers would struggle with pulling this off. I have read countless stories that have gotten mired down in world-building to the point that the reader gets bored or simply ceases to care about the overall plot of the story. Kite’s prodigious storytelling skills overcome this challenge with ease. The story flies by. The action is nearly non-stop. Somehow, through it all, the reader gets enough education about the world of Moon Crusher to make it all seem real. You really need to read this book to appreciate just what Kite has accomplished here. Diego is a compelling character. You care about him. You feel like you know him, even though your introduction to who he is comes with scenes of peril and adventure that keep you guessing what might happen next. The variety of intelligent species surrounding Diego adds to the depth and texture of the story. They are wonderfully fleshed out and each adds to the tale. I was particularly fond of the telepathic otter-people called Turengens.

This is a book aimed at the young adult demographic, but anyone who enjoys adventuresome science fiction will find it a terrific read. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Note to parents: There is no profanity in this book. There are no adult situations that would cause a parent to cringe. There is a good deal of violence and peril, but it is tastefully presented and free from unnecessary gore and grisly detail. Overall, most parents of middle-school and higher grade kids should be OK with it.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 19th century, Diego Perez y Andres Morales, a resident of California, is unexpectedly abducted by aliens. Plunged into a new world divided into slaves and warriors, Diego must navigate this unfamiliar society, where survival is treacherous for the weak-minded. As he struggles to adapt and stay alive, Diego discovers unforeseen opportunities that lead him to thrive among the stars and traverse both known and unknown universes.

Moon Crusher, by Susan Kite, is a captivating coming-of-age tale that ventures far beyond the boundaries of familiarity. The prologue immediately unveils Diego’s extraordinary circumstances, providing a shocking and exhilarating surprise that ignites the events to come. This bold approach entices readers to stay engaged and witness how Diego’s journey shapes his ultimate destiny. Furthermore, the author’s choice to introduce multiple intense action scenes in the early chapters pays off splendidly. Not only does it heighten reader interest, but it also allows the main character to establish his personality and traits forged by his life experiences. Consequently, readers cannot help but develop a strong attachment to Diego, who remains the central protagonist and the novel’s sole constant presence.

Susan Kite’s writing style enhances the reader’s experience as she employs brevity to streamline the story’s navigation. Science fiction can be daunting due to its technical jargon, but Kite’s use of simple and direct terms makes the book more accessible and enjoyable. Additionally, the author’s meticulous attention to detail in describing action sequences proves invaluable. Diego’s time as a warrior is brought to life through vivid depictions of body movements, enabling readers to vividly follow and immerse themselves in the action.

Susan Kite’s novel blends adventure, science fiction, and a compelling coming-of-age narrative, delivering an enthralling reading experience that transports readers to new frontiers. The combination of engaging storytelling, accessible language, and well-crafted action scenes creates a memorable and immersive journey through Diego’s extraordinary life.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! In the mid-1800s, fourteen year old Diego is abducted from his homeland by aliens. As the only human captive amid herds of alien creatures, Diego must learn to adapt and survive on the futuristic starship that will now be his home. The author brings the characters to life through her vivid and colorful descriptions. There is plenty of action to keep the reader wondering what will happen next. The story is well written and entertaining. I hope the author will publish a sequel!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 14-year-old, Diego Perez was captured by reptilian aliens and made a slave. It has been a struggle to survive on the space ship, unable to communicate. But when trouble comes, can he unite and lead the other slaves in a fight against a new enemy? Will they be crushed, or is something else awaiting him?

The reader will love Diego. He is an amazing and brave person. Grab your copy and share his adventures in the stars.

[Gayle Curtin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sci-fi is not a genre I read often, but this book engaged me from the get-go. The descriptions are vivid, and the author provides enough detail to allow the reader to envision the characters as though watching a movie. The action builds steadily to a bang-up conclusion. Even though the protagonist is a teenager, Moon Crusher's appeal is solid even for [chronologically] mature adults. Highly recommend for middle schoolers and up.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Diego was very relatable and the descriptions of the different aliens made them easy to visualize. Even though this would be considered a mid-grade book, I had trouble putting it down. It's a great choice for sci-fi fans, young and old, and a good way to introduce young readers to the genre.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love science fiction, but this story is so much more than that. It is a story of bravery and finding inner strength. I went along with Diego on his journey from being a 14-year-old nineteen century boy to an interstellar hero. Along the way there is action and adventure and plenty of hair-raising moments.
I was also impressed by Susan's imaginaiton and descriptive details.

[Kaye George · Rating 5 out of 5]

The action doesn’t let up!
Diego is abducted from Earth in the 1800s and catapulted into worlds where space travel is common, worlds populated by beings who resemble cats and lizards. Diego is clever and likeable, so, even though he is assigned slave duties, he manages to win these beings over and learns to communicate so well, he is soon thrust into adventures he never dreamed of on Earth.

[Donna Saxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story

I love Susan Kites ability to create worlds that are fascinating and 3 dimensional. This book is full of interesting characters and tons of action. I recommend it to anyone of any age who loves science fiction and battles.

[Filipe Branco · Rating 3 out of 5]

A história de Diego não fez aquele click comigo, talvez por ser dirigida a um público mais juvenil, mas não deixa de ser uma história de coragem e superação e com um início muito interessante.