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Moon Soul: A Cozy Science Fantasy Novella
"I don't think I can justify it any longer. I'm going to quit my job."
August has never been good with change and isn’t sure who she is beyond her job of reading memories in the sand. When she comes to the conclusion that she has to quit her job, she’s left with an overwhelming sense of emptiness. What follows is the quiet chaos of a girl regaining control over her life on a small desert moon.
Deciding to take a job in the hanging gardens of the Spire, August discovers more to life as she meets new friends, forms a different connection with her home, and faces an unexpected visitor from her past.
Rich in relatable emotions and experiences, inspiring in message, and written in prose that will hook you from page one, Moon Soul is a science fantasy novella unlike any you’ve read before. It will leave you feeling seen and understood.
August has never been good with change and isn’t sure who she is beyond her job of reading memories in the sand. When she comes to the conclusion that she has to quit her job, she’s left with an overwhelming sense of emptiness. What follows is the quiet chaos of a girl regaining control over her life on a small desert moon.
Deciding to take a job in the hanging gardens of the Spire, August discovers more to life as she meets new friends, forms a different connection with her home, and faces an unexpected visitor from her past.
Rich in relatable emotions and experiences, inspiring in message, and written in prose that will hook you from page one, Moon Soul is a science fantasy novella unlike any you’ve read before. It will leave you feeling seen and understood.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2024
20 people are currently reading
2067 people want to read
About the author
Nathaniel Luscombe
33 books282 followersWhen Nathaniel Luscombe isn’t writing about spaceships and far off planets, he's reading an unhealthy amount of books and recharging for his next project. He grew up in Ontario, between flat fields and square patches of forest, and has been a writer for as long as he’s been a reader. Outside of his full-time job, he runs Dragon Bone Publishing with Effie Joe Stock. He is best known for Moon Soul and Human Scars on Planet Skin. He has also published some poetry collections, and has been featured in several anthologies.
You can follow him on Instagram @nathaniel.luscombe and TikTok/Substack @hecticreadinglife.
You can follow him on Instagram @nathaniel.luscombe and TikTok/Substack @hecticreadinglife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
March 18, 2024
I feel both very seen and very called out by this book and I can't decide whether to say "thank you" or "how dare you" to nathaniel 🤣
"Moon Soul" was so perfectly up my alley, I absolutely loved it. 👏 It's a sort of coming-of-age story, set on a distant purple moon, following August as she discovers who she truly wants to be. It's so gentle, full of kindness for those who feel like they don't fit, and just getting to know August and explore the Spire was captivating in and of itself, without even really needing an external conflict. I really enjoyed it, and I'm so glad! 4.5 stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
"Moon Soul" was so perfectly up my alley, I absolutely loved it. 👏 It's a sort of coming-of-age story, set on a distant purple moon, following August as she discovers who she truly wants to be. It's so gentle, full of kindness for those who feel like they don't fit, and just getting to know August and explore the Spire was captivating in and of itself, without even really needing an external conflict. I really enjoyed it, and I'm so glad! 4.5 stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
January 12, 2024
Moon Soul--what a story. What got my attention was the stunning cover art. What held my attention was the writing. There's something achingly beautiful about Moon Soul that's hard to put into words. I think the best way to say it is that you clearly see the author's heart on each page and his passion for writing in each chapter.
Going into this story, I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to relate to it. I don't read much sci-fi or fantasy, as they're not my go-to genres, but Moon Soul is definitely the exception. Even though I have no idea what it's like to live on another planet, or to find my passion in gardening, I do know what it's like to feel lost and alone. To want to be seen. To go from broken to healing. And that's what made Moon Soul such a good read.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"I just want someone to notice my pain."
"If you feel like you're losing yourself, you're in the wrong place."
"Why do I struggle to ask for help? It's like I've placed an expectation on other people to notice I need help before I can tell them about my pain. I forget that they can't see beneath my skin. I wish we were all a little better at reading each other. Then perhaps understanding would wash away the pain."
This is Luscombe's best work yet, and I can't wait to revisit this story and place a physical copy on my bookshelf. A huge thank you to the author for an ARC; a positive review wasn't required, only my honest thoughts.
Going into this story, I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to relate to it. I don't read much sci-fi or fantasy, as they're not my go-to genres, but Moon Soul is definitely the exception. Even though I have no idea what it's like to live on another planet, or to find my passion in gardening, I do know what it's like to feel lost and alone. To want to be seen. To go from broken to healing. And that's what made Moon Soul such a good read.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"I just want someone to notice my pain."
"If you feel like you're losing yourself, you're in the wrong place."
"Why do I struggle to ask for help? It's like I've placed an expectation on other people to notice I need help before I can tell them about my pain. I forget that they can't see beneath my skin. I wish we were all a little better at reading each other. Then perhaps understanding would wash away the pain."
This is Luscombe's best work yet, and I can't wait to revisit this story and place a physical copy on my bookshelf. A huge thank you to the author for an ARC; a positive review wasn't required, only my honest thoughts.
February 7, 2024
Re-read review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The first read through of this book felt like permission. The second felt like confirmation. Moon Soul has taken me on a journey once again of introspection and the beauty of making boundaries and manifesting your dreams into reality. I initially read Moon Soul when I had just quit my own full time job. It was written for me, I knew, and it was everything I needed to hear to reach out and grab my life with both my hands and heart.
The second read was like looking back and watching myself make the best choices of my life, moving forward into my own happiness and dream while filling it with the people I love.
This book is healing, relatable, comforting, relaxing, and even motivating. It'll give you the strength you need to step forward while also giving you the comfort to take hold of your life with excitement rather than fear.
It also has a purple moon and scifi elements so basically its perfect.
Please go read this book. You won't regret it💜🖤
First read review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OMG THIS BOOK.
This is officially one of my top favorite books ever. I didn't know a book could be so fantastically beautiful while also being incredibly relatable.
It's not often I truly relate with female MCs but everything about August seemed to speak to my very soul from the way she overextends herself for other people, even strangers, to her need for quiet, art, and her therapist.
This book has everything you need from stunning purple sands on a scifi moon, to fantasy worldbuilding of creatures who read memories in the sand, to peaceful hanging gardens, friendship, gentle soft romance, and difficult family relationships.
The prose is also absolutely beautiful and flows so well, I read through the book in almost two sittings without even realizing how much I was reading.
Luscombe has grown considerably as an author and this is without a doubt his best work yet.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves scifi with a fantasy feel, palpable and relatable emotion, and depth that will stick with you for days.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The first read through of this book felt like permission. The second felt like confirmation. Moon Soul has taken me on a journey once again of introspection and the beauty of making boundaries and manifesting your dreams into reality. I initially read Moon Soul when I had just quit my own full time job. It was written for me, I knew, and it was everything I needed to hear to reach out and grab my life with both my hands and heart.
The second read was like looking back and watching myself make the best choices of my life, moving forward into my own happiness and dream while filling it with the people I love.
This book is healing, relatable, comforting, relaxing, and even motivating. It'll give you the strength you need to step forward while also giving you the comfort to take hold of your life with excitement rather than fear.
It also has a purple moon and scifi elements so basically its perfect.
Please go read this book. You won't regret it💜🖤
First read review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OMG THIS BOOK.
This is officially one of my top favorite books ever. I didn't know a book could be so fantastically beautiful while also being incredibly relatable.
It's not often I truly relate with female MCs but everything about August seemed to speak to my very soul from the way she overextends herself for other people, even strangers, to her need for quiet, art, and her therapist.
This book has everything you need from stunning purple sands on a scifi moon, to fantasy worldbuilding of creatures who read memories in the sand, to peaceful hanging gardens, friendship, gentle soft romance, and difficult family relationships.
The prose is also absolutely beautiful and flows so well, I read through the book in almost two sittings without even realizing how much I was reading.
Luscombe has grown considerably as an author and this is without a doubt his best work yet.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves scifi with a fantasy feel, palpable and relatable emotion, and depth that will stick with you for days.
March 11, 2024
What a book! The world is lush and wonderful, and the characters are so deep. I definitely recommend!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2025
This was recommended to me as a little sci-fi book, as while that is technically true it is also a rollercoaster of emotions. This book made me cry and have a bit of an existential crisis. The main character's problems, even though she lives in a moon and is a hybrid, feels so much like our every day struggles, I felt very called out.
This is a short book, but it sure packs a punch.
This is a short book, but it sure packs a punch.
August 5, 2025
5+ stars (6/10 hearts). Ugh, this review is so daunting to write. How can I possibly put in words the emotions stirred by this story??
I guess we'll start with the characters. I related so, so deeply to August. As a Mixed Culture Kid who fits into neither parent's culture, I was so surprised to see my struggles presented so well here. As an empath, I also related heavily to her exhaustion dealing with everyone's emotions and pain. And as a storyteller, I related to her love for stories, for art, for beauty, and her struggle in carrying everyone's life story.
I also really liked Alix. His eye for beauty, his tenderness, his understanding, his healthy boundaries, his courage... he was a lovely soul.
Lekka was my favourite, though. As an ESJF, I saw in her my most vibrant, real self, and I so wanted to BE that self—alive, happy, comfortable in my skin, loud and talkative and friendly. Right now self-doubt and other issues have turned me into a shy extrovert who masks as an introvert, but boy, Lekka is so attractive.
The sci-fi setting also really intrigued me. I enjoyed seeing the system of the Sphere, with the mutual help and trading, and the cool hanging gardens. I don't usually read books where there are humans and non-humans, but it felt mostly allegorical in this novel, especially since they had children together who were perfectly normal besides their sand-reading abilities. Speaking of which, the whole bit about sypheans and reading memories in the sand reminded me of The Planets We Become.
Finally, I really, really appreciated the theme/message of this little allegory—all about burnout, and discovering one's self, and becoming an adult, and creating healthy, respectful boundaries, finding jobs that speak to you even if its not what everyone thinks you're good at... I love it all. I liked how she found freedom to be herself and use talents that weren’t the biggest/most obvious part of her. That's something I've been exploring myself... I'd rather have a smaller job that makes my soul happy than a very well-paying one that makes me want to give up on life.
Finally, the romance was really cute, and I appreciated the friendships, and the resolution at the end. <3 It was all so well written, but most of all it really spoke to my heart, comforted and challenged and encouraged me, and I cannot wait to have it on my shelf and reread it every so often. <3
Content: mentions of people being in love + living together or having children but without any mention of marriage; mention of drinking + a scene set in a bar (perfectly clean scene that's more in a cheerful party atmosphere than anything); mentions of the planet/earth caring for people, etc, along the vein of "Mother Nature"; parental abandonment + working through boundaries with them after (very very well done).
I guess we'll start with the characters. I related so, so deeply to August. As a Mixed Culture Kid who fits into neither parent's culture, I was so surprised to see my struggles presented so well here. As an empath, I also related heavily to her exhaustion dealing with everyone's emotions and pain. And as a storyteller, I related to her love for stories, for art, for beauty, and her struggle in carrying everyone's life story.
I also really liked Alix. His eye for beauty, his tenderness, his understanding, his healthy boundaries, his courage... he was a lovely soul.
Lekka was my favourite, though. As an ESJF, I saw in her my most vibrant, real self, and I so wanted to BE that self—alive, happy, comfortable in my skin, loud and talkative and friendly. Right now self-doubt and other issues have turned me into a shy extrovert who masks as an introvert, but boy, Lekka is so attractive.
The sci-fi setting also really intrigued me. I enjoyed seeing the system of the Sphere, with the mutual help and trading, and the cool hanging gardens. I don't usually read books where there are humans and non-humans, but it felt mostly allegorical in this novel, especially since they had children together who were perfectly normal besides their sand-reading abilities. Speaking of which, the whole bit about sypheans and reading memories in the sand reminded me of The Planets We Become.
Finally, I really, really appreciated the theme/message of this little allegory—all about burnout, and discovering one's self, and becoming an adult, and creating healthy, respectful boundaries, finding jobs that speak to you even if its not what everyone thinks you're good at... I love it all. I liked how she found freedom to be herself and use talents that weren’t the biggest/most obvious part of her. That's something I've been exploring myself... I'd rather have a smaller job that makes my soul happy than a very well-paying one that makes me want to give up on life.
Finally, the romance was really cute, and I appreciated the friendships, and the resolution at the end. <3 It was all so well written, but most of all it really spoke to my heart, comforted and challenged and encouraged me, and I cannot wait to have it on my shelf and reread it every so often. <3
Content: mentions of people being in love + living together or having children but without any mention of marriage; mention of drinking + a scene set in a bar (perfectly clean scene that's more in a cheerful party atmosphere than anything); mentions of the planet/earth caring for people, etc, along the vein of "Mother Nature"; parental abandonment + working through boundaries with them after (very very well done).
January 26, 2024
This is a 200-page love letter containing everything that I wish someone had told me growing up.
Moon Soul is a discussion of loss and grief and choosing to rebuild your life despite utter exhaustion. We explore the delicate task of constructing and reconstructing relationships, the struggle of overcoming harmful routines, and finding significance in everything familiar. All of this wrapped up in an extremely compelling cozy sci-fi setting, perfect for healing.
August’s story is potent and yet very palatable and something that I think is very much worth reading.
So, yeah, this healed me. I am healed.
*ARC Review
Moon Soul is a discussion of loss and grief and choosing to rebuild your life despite utter exhaustion. We explore the delicate task of constructing and reconstructing relationships, the struggle of overcoming harmful routines, and finding significance in everything familiar. All of this wrapped up in an extremely compelling cozy sci-fi setting, perfect for healing.
August’s story is potent and yet very palatable and something that I think is very much worth reading.
So, yeah, this healed me. I am healed.
*ARC Review
February 27, 2024
I’m feeling totally lost for words over this enchanting story. Weeks after finishing, it’s still lingering on my mind. 🥺
While I’ve never been a big reader of sci-fi, I’ve enjoyed everything I read from Nathaniel and from his solid marketing plan of Moon Soul on Instagram, I knew I’d enjoy this as well. It blew me away and is my favourite of his works.
Amid the whimsy of a purple moon, there is realness, like looking in a mirror and realising you aren’t alone. August’s struggles with loneliness, burnout, feeling guilty for rest, and feeling worth as determined by actions & contribution hit so hard.
Written with a simplicity that’s profoundly soul stirring, this lyrically, introspective gem made me think and feel seen. And I shed more than a few tears. 😭💛
p.s. and I’d be remiss to fail to acknowledge the beautiful beyond words cover! I’m counting down the days until my preorder shows up and this beauty can reside on my shelves!
*I received an ARC copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
While I’ve never been a big reader of sci-fi, I’ve enjoyed everything I read from Nathaniel and from his solid marketing plan of Moon Soul on Instagram, I knew I’d enjoy this as well. It blew me away and is my favourite of his works.
Amid the whimsy of a purple moon, there is realness, like looking in a mirror and realising you aren’t alone. August’s struggles with loneliness, burnout, feeling guilty for rest, and feeling worth as determined by actions & contribution hit so hard.
Written with a simplicity that’s profoundly soul stirring, this lyrically, introspective gem made me think and feel seen. And I shed more than a few tears. 😭💛
p.s. and I’d be remiss to fail to acknowledge the beautiful beyond words cover! I’m counting down the days until my preorder shows up and this beauty can reside on my shelves!
*I received an ARC copy of this book from the authors. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 29, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
I really, really enjoyed this book. The first several chapters really resonated with me, and I adored seeing August grow in her friendships and thrive. The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars is a personal preference of it got a little sad for me towards the end when I was really enjoying the happy vibes haha But I think a second read is in my future and now that I’ll know what to expect I think I’ll love it even more the second time around.
The world building was also amazing. I absolutely loved it, especially the gardening scenes. But I also loved all the scenes with Alix. And Lekka. It’s a small found family but such a beautiful one. I could just gush about this book and how I loved the slice-of-life-ness of it and the coziness of it all. One of my favorite things is a fantasy type world with low stakes and this definitely delivered haha
One last thing: the playlist was perfect and added such a fun element to the story <3 The first song may or may not have made me cry haha
I really, really enjoyed this book. The first several chapters really resonated with me, and I adored seeing August grow in her friendships and thrive. The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars is a personal preference of it got a little sad for me towards the end when I was really enjoying the happy vibes haha But I think a second read is in my future and now that I’ll know what to expect I think I’ll love it even more the second time around.
The world building was also amazing. I absolutely loved it, especially the gardening scenes. But I also loved all the scenes with Alix. And Lekka. It’s a small found family but such a beautiful one. I could just gush about this book and how I loved the slice-of-life-ness of it and the coziness of it all. One of my favorite things is a fantasy type world with low stakes and this definitely delivered haha
One last thing: the playlist was perfect and added such a fun element to the story <3 The first song may or may not have made me cry haha
November 2, 2023
The Good:
This is a very lyrical cozy sci-fi story. Basically, if you mixed Studio Ghibli with Joanna Ruth Meyer's Wind Daughter and made it on a purple moon, this is what you'd get. It's a shorter read, so it's not overwhelming to pick up (especially for sci-fi), and it has a very calming plot. The aesthetics are memorable, and there are countless good quotes in it. I look forward to rereading the hardcover and annotating it. It's a beautiful tale for anyone entering adulthood and struggling to find their place in the world. Highly recommend!
The Bad:
Very little to say here. It's beautifully formatted (a piece of art, really) and easy to read while the themes strike deep. If I want to be nit-picky, I'd probably tweak a few places here and there to really enhance the story, but nothing serious. A tighter proofread could also polish it up more, but there were no "errors" or anything that distracted me from reading. It's very well done, and the best I've seen from Luscombe yet.
What the Reader Thought:
I've been begging Nathaniel to let me read this book for ages, so I'm glad I finally got an eARC. It's everything I wanted and more. Definitely one of my most looking-forward-to books releasing in 2024. If you like cozy stories, deep themes, and rich settings, be sure to preorder this when it's available.
*Note: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
This is a very lyrical cozy sci-fi story. Basically, if you mixed Studio Ghibli with Joanna Ruth Meyer's Wind Daughter and made it on a purple moon, this is what you'd get. It's a shorter read, so it's not overwhelming to pick up (especially for sci-fi), and it has a very calming plot. The aesthetics are memorable, and there are countless good quotes in it. I look forward to rereading the hardcover and annotating it. It's a beautiful tale for anyone entering adulthood and struggling to find their place in the world. Highly recommend!
The Bad:
Very little to say here. It's beautifully formatted (a piece of art, really) and easy to read while the themes strike deep. If I want to be nit-picky, I'd probably tweak a few places here and there to really enhance the story, but nothing serious. A tighter proofread could also polish it up more, but there were no "errors" or anything that distracted me from reading. It's very well done, and the best I've seen from Luscombe yet.
What the Reader Thought:
I've been begging Nathaniel to let me read this book for ages, so I'm glad I finally got an eARC. It's everything I wanted and more. Definitely one of my most looking-forward-to books releasing in 2024. If you like cozy stories, deep themes, and rich settings, be sure to preorder this when it's available.
*Note: I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
January 10, 2025
This was on my TBR list for a while now. I finally got to read it when it was on sale for free. It took some time to get through but I’m glad I got to finished it before the new year. I enjoyed it and it was interesting to explore a new world and how she overcome her obstacles and embraces the new challenges and make new friends.
December 4, 2023
First of all, that dedication to people who feel lost and alone in their 20s? Oof. Did I pick this book to read, or did it somehow find me?
This is a wholesome story about August, a 22-year-old half-human (the other half is spyren, giving her the ability to read emotions and memories in sand) who quits her job reading said sand, and finds meaning in gardening and the new friends she makes. If you're burnt out at work and/or despairing at the way capitalism is trapping you for hours every day in work that leaves you emotionally unavailable to enjoy life, then this may be the book for you!
...Seriously, though, this book offers some wonderful escapism and healing. I even listened to the playlist provided to fully immerse myself in the vibes. I will say that August's journey of self-care and self-discovery feels a little simplistic or straightforward. But I see what the author was going for, and it's a worthy mission.
At least, to me it is. That might be because the theme of work resonated with me. Accordingly, I approached the entire book from that lens. And as such, I wasn't as moved as I think I should've been by the arc about August's mother. The resolution feels rather abrupt, and it isn't integrated very well with other elements of August's journey.
A big strength of this book is the setting. I think plenty of readers would like to live on this purple moon with Spires where people are sheltered from money and the grind, and work for personal fulfilment instead. That's half the fantasy, right there.
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This is a wholesome story about August, a 22-year-old half-human (the other half is spyren, giving her the ability to read emotions and memories in sand) who quits her job reading said sand, and finds meaning in gardening and the new friends she makes. If you're burnt out at work and/or despairing at the way capitalism is trapping you for hours every day in work that leaves you emotionally unavailable to enjoy life, then this may be the book for you!
...Seriously, though, this book offers some wonderful escapism and healing. I even listened to the playlist provided to fully immerse myself in the vibes. I will say that August's journey of self-care and self-discovery feels a little simplistic or straightforward. But I see what the author was going for, and it's a worthy mission.
At least, to me it is. That might be because the theme of work resonated with me. Accordingly, I approached the entire book from that lens. And as such, I wasn't as moved as I think I should've been by the arc about August's mother. The resolution feels rather abrupt, and it isn't integrated very well with other elements of August's journey.
A big strength of this book is the setting. I think plenty of readers would like to live on this purple moon with Spires where people are sheltered from money and the grind, and work for personal fulfilment instead. That's half the fantasy, right there.
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
January 25, 2025
I've spent the majority of my twenties coming of age, deciding who I am and what I believe and what's important to me. Even now, I know this process is not yet complete, especially as I search for a job that fulfills my financial needs and gives me a sense of purpose. One of the greatest contributors to my growth as a person has been all the books I've been reading.
I'm so happy to name this book among them. <3
August was such a beautiful person. Her curiosity, struggles, bravery, and especially the letters throughout the book were so inspiring. I liked Alix a lot. His quiet strength reminded me of my husband who has been my safe space as I grow and change so I was happy he was there for August. Lekka was a cross between the friend I wish I had and my older sisters. August's struggles with her past coming back were very relatable to some similar things I've been through.
This book is so quiet in its writing style, its musings, its quotable moments and so loud in its heart, its defiance, its hope.
I look forward to more from this author.
I'm so happy to name this book among them. <3
August was such a beautiful person. Her curiosity, struggles, bravery, and especially the letters throughout the book were so inspiring. I liked Alix a lot. His quiet strength reminded me of my husband who has been my safe space as I grow and change so I was happy he was there for August. Lekka was a cross between the friend I wish I had and my older sisters. August's struggles with her past coming back were very relatable to some similar things I've been through.
This book is so quiet in its writing style, its musings, its quotable moments and so loud in its heart, its defiance, its hope.
I look forward to more from this author.
July 21, 2025
I picked up this book without reading the synopsis, and I’m so glad I did. It was so much more than I expected and the highlighting tool on my Kindle got quite the workout.
February 15, 2024
"Talent brings about opportunity, but it doesn't determine destiny."
Nothing I say here will properly give this book justice. Moon Soul is a beautiful, introspective novella with a heartbeat that many readers will feel as if it's their own. Having read several of Luscombe's books before, I went into this book prepared for unique perspectives on themes and story worlds, but I wasn't prepared for how personal August's journey of self-discovery would feel to me. There were so many times when I felt as if August were reading my own jumbled thoughts and writing them down in a language that allowed me to process them better. I don't think I've ever related to a character as much as I related to August.
The story is fairly fast-paced, but I think it suits the story well. I would've loved for this to be a full-length novel where we learned all the intricate details of the memory-holding sand on the purple moon, but that's just because I don't think I could get enough of this world—or August, Lekka, and Alix. As it is, it still felt complete and perfect.
"If you live your life based on other people's reactions, you'll never truly live."
I don't always feel the need to annotate or highlight lines in the books I read, but I can't wait for this book to be released so I can go through it again and annotate it in its physical form. It just adds such an artistic and unique perspective on this life, and I think anyone who feels overwhelmed by work, expectations, or family dysfunction will feel comforted within the calming pages of Moon Soul.
The easiest 5 stars I've given a book in a long time!
Content warnings: Non-graphic themes of anxiety, abandonment, and strained parental relationships. No cursing. Very mild on-page romance; only mild kissing.
I received this book from the author/publisher via BookSirens. All comments are entirely my own and this review is voluntary.
Nothing I say here will properly give this book justice. Moon Soul is a beautiful, introspective novella with a heartbeat that many readers will feel as if it's their own. Having read several of Luscombe's books before, I went into this book prepared for unique perspectives on themes and story worlds, but I wasn't prepared for how personal August's journey of self-discovery would feel to me. There were so many times when I felt as if August were reading my own jumbled thoughts and writing them down in a language that allowed me to process them better. I don't think I've ever related to a character as much as I related to August.
The story is fairly fast-paced, but I think it suits the story well. I would've loved for this to be a full-length novel where we learned all the intricate details of the memory-holding sand on the purple moon, but that's just because I don't think I could get enough of this world—or August, Lekka, and Alix. As it is, it still felt complete and perfect.
"If you live your life based on other people's reactions, you'll never truly live."
I don't always feel the need to annotate or highlight lines in the books I read, but I can't wait for this book to be released so I can go through it again and annotate it in its physical form. It just adds such an artistic and unique perspective on this life, and I think anyone who feels overwhelmed by work, expectations, or family dysfunction will feel comforted within the calming pages of Moon Soul.
The easiest 5 stars I've given a book in a long time!
Content warnings: Non-graphic themes of anxiety, abandonment, and strained parental relationships. No cursing. Very mild on-page romance; only mild kissing.
I received this book from the author/publisher via BookSirens. All comments are entirely my own and this review is voluntary.
January 6, 2024
Moon Soul is a book that I almost don’t want to review. Because it’s not a story I feel needs analyzed so much as experienced. Is it analytically a five star book? Probably not. But it the emotional experience and the world building within it worth five stars? Just about, man.
I fully admit that I came into this story not sure if I would like it. The first third of the book I really struggled with. August is someone who I didn’t connect with at first and who I struggled to like because she felt directionless and I kept waiting for my mind to tell me to move on to the next book on my list. But the further I read and pushed myself into the story, following the delicious breadcrumb trail left by the world building details, the more that I realized there was a part of me that needed this story.
Moon Soul is about a girl named August who is experiencing severe burn out at work and a realization that she’s a deeply unhappy person stuck between two worlds. She’s not quite human and not accepted freely within the world called the Spire. In fact, she’s very lonely since the loss of her family. But she’s also part Spyren, a local desert group on the moon planet who stay far outside the Spire walls.
August lives in a world that might be described as a utopia for most and is presented that way. And yet we experience it from her broken point of view as someone struggling to fit within the world and feel worthy of her place in it, and from August’s point of view, this broken planet that she struggles to love is far from the utopia it is for others.
There are a lot of beautiful emotional themes and arcs going on inside of August throughout this story. She’s learning to heal herself, she’s learning to build meaningful relationships with others, she’s learning to build healthy boundaries and that it’s not okay for others to break those boundaries. She’s learning to build her own family after the loss of her parents. She’s learning what it means to be both human and not in a meaningful way. And she’s learning that she doesn’t have to live her life focused on meeting the emotional needs of others at her own detriment. There are so many small moments where we get to explore these ideas within the different intriguing aspects of the world that this author has built, through both things that will be familiar to a reader and things that are unique to only this world. (Those of you who are artists in one form or another or love plants will find particular enjoyment in these storylines.)
There are also a lot of amazing side characters that I think readers will really love, though I would’ve loved to spend some time knowing them better. Some of them we only have a handful of scenes with and I was really hoping to know them better. I was intrigued by August’s mother, but Lekka and Alix were my favorite characters in this book. Especially Lekka.
In my opinion, the second half of the book was definitely the strongest. This is when most of the emotional arcs and world building and character relationships are being explored. And when a lot of weighty issues were exposed in the story—specifically relating to August’s parents and their relationships. This is something I would’ve loved to spend more time in because as someone who has had similar relationships and struggles with a mother like August has had, I know that it takes a lot of work to come to the level of forgiveness and acceptance that August reaches within a handful of chapters.
One of my favorite things in the world building though is the desert. I would have LOVED to get to see that part of this world. The hints dropped about August’s mother’s culture had me rather frothing at the mouth for more. And the further details about it left in the epilogue broke me. It reminded me, in a way, of the relationships between elephants and the grief and memories that they share in the earth and each others’ bones and bodies when death comes for them. I thought there was a lot of unexplored, beautiful potential for a story where this desert culture was concerned and I would deeply love it if the author considered creating more stories within this story world.
I fully admit that I came into this story not sure if I would like it. The first third of the book I really struggled with. August is someone who I didn’t connect with at first and who I struggled to like because she felt directionless and I kept waiting for my mind to tell me to move on to the next book on my list. But the further I read and pushed myself into the story, following the delicious breadcrumb trail left by the world building details, the more that I realized there was a part of me that needed this story.
Moon Soul is about a girl named August who is experiencing severe burn out at work and a realization that she’s a deeply unhappy person stuck between two worlds. She’s not quite human and not accepted freely within the world called the Spire. In fact, she’s very lonely since the loss of her family. But she’s also part Spyren, a local desert group on the moon planet who stay far outside the Spire walls.
August lives in a world that might be described as a utopia for most and is presented that way. And yet we experience it from her broken point of view as someone struggling to fit within the world and feel worthy of her place in it, and from August’s point of view, this broken planet that she struggles to love is far from the utopia it is for others.
There are a lot of beautiful emotional themes and arcs going on inside of August throughout this story. She’s learning to heal herself, she’s learning to build meaningful relationships with others, she’s learning to build healthy boundaries and that it’s not okay for others to break those boundaries. She’s learning to build her own family after the loss of her parents. She’s learning what it means to be both human and not in a meaningful way. And she’s learning that she doesn’t have to live her life focused on meeting the emotional needs of others at her own detriment. There are so many small moments where we get to explore these ideas within the different intriguing aspects of the world that this author has built, through both things that will be familiar to a reader and things that are unique to only this world. (Those of you who are artists in one form or another or love plants will find particular enjoyment in these storylines.)
There are also a lot of amazing side characters that I think readers will really love, though I would’ve loved to spend some time knowing them better. Some of them we only have a handful of scenes with and I was really hoping to know them better. I was intrigued by August’s mother, but Lekka and Alix were my favorite characters in this book. Especially Lekka.
In my opinion, the second half of the book was definitely the strongest. This is when most of the emotional arcs and world building and character relationships are being explored. And when a lot of weighty issues were exposed in the story—specifically relating to August’s parents and their relationships. This is something I would’ve loved to spend more time in because as someone who has had similar relationships and struggles with a mother like August has had, I know that it takes a lot of work to come to the level of forgiveness and acceptance that August reaches within a handful of chapters.
One of my favorite things in the world building though is the desert. I would have LOVED to get to see that part of this world. The hints dropped about August’s mother’s culture had me rather frothing at the mouth for more. And the further details about it left in the epilogue broke me. It reminded me, in a way, of the relationships between elephants and the grief and memories that they share in the earth and each others’ bones and bodies when death comes for them. I thought there was a lot of unexplored, beautiful potential for a story where this desert culture was concerned and I would deeply love it if the author considered creating more stories within this story world.
February 27, 2024
So. I’m finally done. And I really didn’t like this.
My main issue with this novella is that it’s rushed. Really big, existential crises are resolved in a matter of literal days. While reading this, I likened it to White Woman’s Instagram by Bo Burnham (though neither as funny nor as clever).
What it really reads like is a showcase of what life would be like if reading a self-annointed Instagram coach’s pseudoscientific quotes for self-improvement and discovery were capable of healing years of trauma. A burnout years in the making is “cured” in a matter of weeks. Abandonment and trust issues are fixed overnight. That’s not to say anything about the challenges of being the only biracial person in your society. Blame the cynic in me, but I like my sci-fi to be a bit more realistic.
On top of this, the writing feels very young - bordering on juvenile at times - and clunky. There is a LOT of telling, not showing. Most of the characters never really got fleshed out, although Lekka was a wonderful side character and bright star in all her scenes. The world-building was okay, especially for this being so short. The gardens are a cool concept. Spyrens? What’s there to say - we, like August, learn practically nothing about them.
Overall, this just leaves me so, so disappointed. The cover is beautiful and immediately drew my attention when I first came across it on social media. Because of that alone, I think this book will get a lot of attention. On top of that, I expected to recognise my (former) self in the young twenty-something aimlessness and angst. Maybe I’ve outgrown that?
This story could have been much more, and it wasn’t. Honestly, I’m baffled that the reviews are so positive. I’d almost question whether we’ve all read the same thing.
Thanks to BookSirens and Dragon Bone Publishing for the ARC.
My main issue with this novella is that it’s rushed. Really big, existential crises are resolved in a matter of literal days. While reading this, I likened it to White Woman’s Instagram by Bo Burnham (though neither as funny nor as clever).
What it really reads like is a showcase of what life would be like if reading a self-annointed Instagram coach’s pseudoscientific quotes for self-improvement and discovery were capable of healing years of trauma. A burnout years in the making is “cured” in a matter of weeks. Abandonment and trust issues are fixed overnight. That’s not to say anything about the challenges of being the only biracial person in your society. Blame the cynic in me, but I like my sci-fi to be a bit more realistic.
On top of this, the writing feels very young - bordering on juvenile at times - and clunky. There is a LOT of telling, not showing. Most of the characters never really got fleshed out, although Lekka was a wonderful side character and bright star in all her scenes. The world-building was okay, especially for this being so short. The gardens are a cool concept. Spyrens? What’s there to say - we, like August, learn practically nothing about them.
Overall, this just leaves me so, so disappointed. The cover is beautiful and immediately drew my attention when I first came across it on social media. Because of that alone, I think this book will get a lot of attention. On top of that, I expected to recognise my (former) self in the young twenty-something aimlessness and angst. Maybe I’ve outgrown that?
This story could have been much more, and it wasn’t. Honestly, I’m baffled that the reviews are so positive. I’d almost question whether we’ve all read the same thing.
Thanks to BookSirens and Dragon Bone Publishing for the ARC.
March 7, 2024
✨🪐
reading moon soul is like being wrapped in a warm blanket and told everything is going to be okay 🥹 endlessly excited for it to release into the world and for august’s story of peace and overcoming burnout and finding contentment to find readers 🫶🏻
reading moon soul is like being wrapped in a warm blanket and told everything is going to be okay 🥹 endlessly excited for it to release into the world and for august’s story of peace and overcoming burnout and finding contentment to find readers 🫶🏻
March 26, 2024
It feels like I haven’t read a physical book in a long while (because I haven’t) so. It felt sooooo good to just be reading. Not to mention, I’ve been anticipating Moon Soul’s release for ages, and it did NOT disappoint.
There are so many things I wanna say about this book; I could write a whole book on why Moon Soul is amazing but why would I do that when you can just READ MOON SOUL AND SEE FOR YOURSELF AHHHH
uhhhh let’s see, words words words. I feel like I should write a super eloquent review to do it justice but uhhhh nope. It’s just gonna be random thoughts.
So first of all I’ve never been to therapy but reading Moon Soul is basically how I imagine or hope therapy would be like. It doesn’t fix you, but it gently points out where you’re sort of coming apart at the seams and shows you how to heal them. Or something. Idk.
Basically it’s everything it’s marketed to be. Cozy. Warm. A hug in book form??? But like, it’s not irrationally optimistic — no, no, our dear MC August struggled quite a bit but she also THRIVES and WE LOVE THAT FOR HER (and we want that for us). (Uhh hopefully that doesn’t count as a spoiler, oop)
Ummmm
Yeah there are just so many great themes and messages. Taking care of yourself. Building relationships with people— oh YEAH, LEKKA IS AMAZING AND SO IS ALIX ASDHKLFSGJ. Uh where was I. Ummm I love how August journals - her journal pages are so poetic and beautiful (and sometimes sad).
Also the dedication is everything. I am very much lost in my twenties, haha. I saw myself in August a lot — being burdened by other people’s emotions, occasional social anxiety, stuck between two different cultures. It was very…comforting? Soothing? (Something like that) to just. Journey through the healing with August, I suppose.
I deeeeefinitely did not do it justice, but hopefully it’s clear that I absolutely adore this book. Five billion stars. ALSO CAN WE TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE THE COVER AHHHHH
Yep that’s all. Moon Soul is amazing. Unquestionably one of my favorite books ever. SKALA DJNSE
There are so many things I wanna say about this book; I could write a whole book on why Moon Soul is amazing but why would I do that when you can just READ MOON SOUL AND SEE FOR YOURSELF AHHHH
uhhhh let’s see, words words words. I feel like I should write a super eloquent review to do it justice but uhhhh nope. It’s just gonna be random thoughts.
So first of all I’ve never been to therapy but reading Moon Soul is basically how I imagine or hope therapy would be like. It doesn’t fix you, but it gently points out where you’re sort of coming apart at the seams and shows you how to heal them. Or something. Idk.
Basically it’s everything it’s marketed to be. Cozy. Warm. A hug in book form??? But like, it’s not irrationally optimistic — no, no, our dear MC August struggled quite a bit but she also THRIVES and WE LOVE THAT FOR HER (and we want that for us). (Uhh hopefully that doesn’t count as a spoiler, oop)
Ummmm
Yeah there are just so many great themes and messages. Taking care of yourself. Building relationships with people— oh YEAH, LEKKA IS AMAZING AND SO IS ALIX ASDHKLFSGJ. Uh where was I. Ummm I love how August journals - her journal pages are so poetic and beautiful (and sometimes sad).
Also the dedication is everything. I am very much lost in my twenties, haha. I saw myself in August a lot — being burdened by other people’s emotions, occasional social anxiety, stuck between two different cultures. It was very…comforting? Soothing? (Something like that) to just. Journey through the healing with August, I suppose.
I deeeeefinitely did not do it justice, but hopefully it’s clear that I absolutely adore this book. Five billion stars. ALSO CAN WE TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE THE COVER AHHHHH
Yep that’s all. Moon Soul is amazing. Unquestionably one of my favorite books ever. SKALA DJNSE
March 17, 2024
Breathtakingly beautiful. 💜
I finished this in two hours, start to finish, because I genuinely could not put it down. I wish I could get this book into the hands of everything twenty- and thirty-something and let them know that they don’t need to wait for permission to cultivate the life they desire.
Nathaniel, this book is a true GIFT. Thank you!
I finished this in two hours, start to finish, because I genuinely could not put it down. I wish I could get this book into the hands of everything twenty- and thirty-something and let them know that they don’t need to wait for permission to cultivate the life they desire.
Nathaniel, this book is a true GIFT. Thank you!
October 27, 2025
hands down the best book i’ve read this year. incredibly moving and relatable🤍
March 12, 2024
I got this one as an arc off Booksirens, not entirely sure what to expect. I have read some cozy scifi before (in the form of Becky Chambers) and I will give it this, this one is very much like Becky Chambers.
Unfortunately for me that means it didn’t quite hit the mark. That’s not to say the writing is bad, it’s written beautifully and I think that’s my issue with Becky’s books too - it’s very literary. Yes there is a target audience for that and a lot of people will love this book, but it’s not me. I don’t really “get” it.
In saying that, this is quite cozy and low stakes and it felt like a bit of a breather in between some heavier books I’ve been reading.
Grateful for the opportunity and I hope someone out there reads my review and decides to give it a go.
Unfortunately for me that means it didn’t quite hit the mark. That’s not to say the writing is bad, it’s written beautifully and I think that’s my issue with Becky’s books too - it’s very literary. Yes there is a target audience for that and a lot of people will love this book, but it’s not me. I don’t really “get” it.
In saying that, this is quite cozy and low stakes and it felt like a bit of a breather in between some heavier books I’ve been reading.
Grateful for the opportunity and I hope someone out there reads my review and decides to give it a go.
December 19, 2023
So I need to read this again before writing an official review (because it's been a hot second since I've read it) but man. Moon Soul did not disappoint! I loved every second of it. The MC's pain felt so real! So much of this book was relatable, as I myself am a new adult trying to find my way in the world, navigating trials and relationships and dealing with change (the good and the bad!)
I definitely recommend Moon Soul to anyone looking for a quick, cozy sci-fi! I got sucked into the world from page one and was invested in every character!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author but I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I definitely recommend Moon Soul to anyone looking for a quick, cozy sci-fi! I got sucked into the world from page one and was invested in every character!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author but I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 14, 2024
I always say that good friends read their friends books, but I would be reading Nathaniel's stuff even if I didn't know him. Moon Soul is the best yet. This is Nathaniel at his full potential. I don't care that it's not a novel. He does in a novella what some people can only dream of doing. This will punch you in the gut. Several times. And you'll thank it.
Read
October 28, 2023MOON SOUL is a cozy sci-fi that is reflective, introspective, and fiercely intimate in its themes of exploration and rediscovery of the self while navigating a world of in-betweens.
A big thank you to the author for the early read!
A big thank you to the author for the early read!
August 25, 2024
WOW. This book hit me right in the feels in all of the best ways.
I’m not someone who typically reads cozy nor do I seek it out so when I saw this book, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it. But then I learned it was on a desert moon (I’m a sucker for desert stories) and I saw the reviews and thought I’d give it a try.
Sure, this story might be cozy in some ways but it’s also so much more than that. Only thinking of it in that way undersells its emotional depth and colorful layers. This story wrecked me. I wasn’t expecting to be so emotionally invested but I was. The prose was so beautiful and subtle with no words wasted (ideal and apt because this is a novella) and I was hanging onto every one.
The story is about a young woman, August, quitting her job as a sand-reader of people’s memories and then trying to find what makes her happy and make friends. She’s a shy, introverted, empath who is half-human and half-spyren, of both worlds but somehow caught between the two. Her journey is filled with angst and exploration and discovering that her being neither fully human nor fully spyren is not a negative, but a strength.
The book touches on some heavier themes but it’s also light, emphasizing the importance of being present, and not basing your entire life and personality on your career (I loved the commentary on work itself). August navigates new friendship and love while reconciling with her past and the very people who brought her into the world. I loved the story for what it was, moved through some of my own emotions, and enjoyed learning more about the author and what went into creating the story. The high reviews and hype are well-deserved. It’s something of a modern day Paulo Coelho “Veronica Decides to Die” but with strong purple and pink imagery and colors that are so simple yet magnetic that you can’t help but feel your own aura attune to it.
Consider me a new fan of Luscombe—I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of his work!
I’m not someone who typically reads cozy nor do I seek it out so when I saw this book, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it. But then I learned it was on a desert moon (I’m a sucker for desert stories) and I saw the reviews and thought I’d give it a try.
Sure, this story might be cozy in some ways but it’s also so much more than that. Only thinking of it in that way undersells its emotional depth and colorful layers. This story wrecked me. I wasn’t expecting to be so emotionally invested but I was. The prose was so beautiful and subtle with no words wasted (ideal and apt because this is a novella) and I was hanging onto every one.
The story is about a young woman, August, quitting her job as a sand-reader of people’s memories and then trying to find what makes her happy and make friends. She’s a shy, introverted, empath who is half-human and half-spyren, of both worlds but somehow caught between the two. Her journey is filled with angst and exploration and discovering that her being neither fully human nor fully spyren is not a negative, but a strength.
The book touches on some heavier themes but it’s also light, emphasizing the importance of being present, and not basing your entire life and personality on your career (I loved the commentary on work itself). August navigates new friendship and love while reconciling with her past and the very people who brought her into the world. I loved the story for what it was, moved through some of my own emotions, and enjoyed learning more about the author and what went into creating the story. The high reviews and hype are well-deserved. It’s something of a modern day Paulo Coelho “Veronica Decides to Die” but with strong purple and pink imagery and colors that are so simple yet magnetic that you can’t help but feel your own aura attune to it.
Consider me a new fan of Luscombe—I’m definitely looking forward to reading more of his work!
September 25, 2025
I haven’t read many books that felt as close to my own heart as Moon Soul by Nathaniel Luscombe. This book is a cozy sci-fi but also one of the most relatable and emotional reads I’ve picked up in a long time. It made me feel so deeply seen that I kept wanting to underline every other line. I loved it with my whole heart.
The story follows August, half-human and half-Spyren, whose job is reading people’s memories in the sand. On paper it sounds magical, but for her it’s draining, heavy, and has taken away who she is. She walks away from it, and what unfolds is less about action and more about identity, belonging, and the terrifying freedom of starting over. As someone who knows what it feels like to be lost, her exhaustion and longing hit me so hard.
Luscombe's writing is simple yet lyrical. The gardens, the sands, the Spire, they are described with beauty, but never in a way that feels distant. I could see it all, but more importantly, I could feel it. (I wish it were all real ngl) The journal entries, the letters, the quiet conversations between August and all the characters made the book feel alive. I enjoyed reading it very much.
Also, I loved that there was a tenderness in this book. Even when it spoke of grief and pain, it carried a kind of gentleness. It felt like it was telling me“You are not alone. You don’t have to have everything figured out.” That comfort in this!! it honestly made this book unforgettable.
Moon Soul is more than just sci-fi world-building (though the desert moon and its hanging gardens are stunning). It’s a book that reminded me we are more than what we produce, more than what’s expected of us. It’s a story that stays with you, and for me it was both healing and a little heartbreaking at the same time. I truly, deeply loved it, and I know I’ll be carrying it with me for a long time.
The story follows August, half-human and half-Spyren, whose job is reading people’s memories in the sand. On paper it sounds magical, but for her it’s draining, heavy, and has taken away who she is. She walks away from it, and what unfolds is less about action and more about identity, belonging, and the terrifying freedom of starting over. As someone who knows what it feels like to be lost, her exhaustion and longing hit me so hard.
Luscombe's writing is simple yet lyrical. The gardens, the sands, the Spire, they are described with beauty, but never in a way that feels distant. I could see it all, but more importantly, I could feel it. (I wish it were all real ngl) The journal entries, the letters, the quiet conversations between August and all the characters made the book feel alive. I enjoyed reading it very much.
Also, I loved that there was a tenderness in this book. Even when it spoke of grief and pain, it carried a kind of gentleness. It felt like it was telling me“You are not alone. You don’t have to have everything figured out.” That comfort in this!! it honestly made this book unforgettable.
Moon Soul is more than just sci-fi world-building (though the desert moon and its hanging gardens are stunning). It’s a book that reminded me we are more than what we produce, more than what’s expected of us. It’s a story that stays with you, and for me it was both healing and a little heartbreaking at the same time. I truly, deeply loved it, and I know I’ll be carrying it with me for a long time.
December 9, 2023
Moon Soul by Nathanial Luscombe was so so pleasantly surprising. I’m going to be completely honest and say I only decided to pick up this book because it was shorter and I loved the cover. I really had no expectations going into it, kind of deciding that if it was terrible, I could knock it out quickly because it was so short. I loved it. I did move through it very quickly because I was hooked on the story and the moon of Argysi.
This story lives up to it’s description of a cozy science fantasy. Nothing tragic or world-changing is occurring, but the main character August is trying to figure out where she fits in society. This novella follows her as she changes positions within her “spire” and we learn more about the moon that she lives on. We also watch as she tries to figure out a balance between her past and her future. The cast of characters is interesting and fun to meet. August starts making some friends as she explores who she is. I loved the subtle feeling of a found family and newfound relationships that this story offered.
Overall, I would give this book a 4.25/5. I am in the middle of studying for final exams and this was the perfect read for that. It was relaxing and intriguing and heartwarming. Even people who struggle with fantasy books may love this book. The world-building was fantastical and beautiful, but not overly complicated in a way that distracted from the actual meaning of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story lives up to it’s description of a cozy science fantasy. Nothing tragic or world-changing is occurring, but the main character August is trying to figure out where she fits in society. This novella follows her as she changes positions within her “spire” and we learn more about the moon that she lives on. We also watch as she tries to figure out a balance between her past and her future. The cast of characters is interesting and fun to meet. August starts making some friends as she explores who she is. I loved the subtle feeling of a found family and newfound relationships that this story offered.
Overall, I would give this book a 4.25/5. I am in the middle of studying for final exams and this was the perfect read for that. It was relaxing and intriguing and heartwarming. Even people who struggle with fantasy books may love this book. The world-building was fantastical and beautiful, but not overly complicated in a way that distracted from the actual meaning of the book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 12, 2025
“There is beauty in holding the future in my hands. There is peace in waking up with hope. I feel like I’ve fallen into the spot that life was waiting for me to find.”
So I sat on this for a little bit before writing my review. I’m trying to enforce a rigid rubric on myself going forward to give my scores a little variety. My first instinct was to give this book three stars (which is still good in my rubric, still a book I would recommend). Overall, everything here was simple. There wasn’t necessarily anything revolutionary among the pages, but every now and then there would be a flash of a blade cleaving through the emotional epidermis of my soul.
Our protagonist is painfully relatable and the setting of this book is a utopia I can only hope I witness in some kind of afterlife because it is simply too perfect for this world. While nothing struck me as profound, I noticed myself reflecting on specific passages and found something deeply familiar in the prose. Chapter 16, in particular, hit me particularly hard in a place of personal, everlasting grief.
Moon Soul achieves a beautiful juxtaposition between melancholy and comfort. This is an easy recommendation.
Signed, one who does not know who they are (but feels a little bit closer thanks to this book)
So I sat on this for a little bit before writing my review. I’m trying to enforce a rigid rubric on myself going forward to give my scores a little variety. My first instinct was to give this book three stars (which is still good in my rubric, still a book I would recommend). Overall, everything here was simple. There wasn’t necessarily anything revolutionary among the pages, but every now and then there would be a flash of a blade cleaving through the emotional epidermis of my soul.
Our protagonist is painfully relatable and the setting of this book is a utopia I can only hope I witness in some kind of afterlife because it is simply too perfect for this world. While nothing struck me as profound, I noticed myself reflecting on specific passages and found something deeply familiar in the prose. Chapter 16, in particular, hit me particularly hard in a place of personal, everlasting grief.
Moon Soul achieves a beautiful juxtaposition between melancholy and comfort. This is an easy recommendation.
Signed, one who does not know who they are (but feels a little bit closer thanks to this book)
June 4, 2024
Wow did my soul need this little cozy book!! I underlined SO MUCH because it spoke to me in so many ways. Anyone feeling burnt out on life, in search of themselves, ready to slow down.... This book is for you. So worth the read. Read it in about a day and couldn't put it down.
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