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Isle of Stars
(Moon Mountain Trilogy, Book 2)
Morgan Thomas has lost the battle.
Her body? Stolen as a new vessel for a mysterious being.
Her mind? Trapped inside a prison within her subconscious, placated by familiar but lifeless settings as she fades away.
But if her former enemy Vera Gallagher has any say, the war against these shadowy and inhuman thieves has only begun.
Bound to Morgan by a bizarre but providential string of events, Vera strikes the match to light a new path for Morgan, leading her out of the darkness. But with deceptions around every bend, Morgan must ultimately find the strength within herself to break free.
Trekking across mind-bending discoveries and with new mysteries to unravel, including the unexpected fate of the noble detective who sacrificed everything for her, Morgan uncovers the only hope of defeating these monsters. But it lies in the most unlikely of places, setting her on a course to face her most perilous task yet… and one step closer to the ultimate showdown against a ruthless enemy.
Morgan Thomas has lost the battle.
Her body? Stolen as a new vessel for a mysterious being.
Her mind? Trapped inside a prison within her subconscious, placated by familiar but lifeless settings as she fades away.
But if her former enemy Vera Gallagher has any say, the war against these shadowy and inhuman thieves has only begun.
Bound to Morgan by a bizarre but providential string of events, Vera strikes the match to light a new path for Morgan, leading her out of the darkness. But with deceptions around every bend, Morgan must ultimately find the strength within herself to break free.
Trekking across mind-bending discoveries and with new mysteries to unravel, including the unexpected fate of the noble detective who sacrificed everything for her, Morgan uncovers the only hope of defeating these monsters. But it lies in the most unlikely of places, setting her on a course to face her most perilous task yet… and one step closer to the ultimate showdown against a ruthless enemy.
350 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2024
9 people are currently reading
2744 people want to read
About the author
Jess Porto
3 books43 followersJess Porto is the author of the award-winning Moon Mountain trilogy, which includes Moon Mountain, Isle of Stars, and The Shadow Tree. To catch up on the latest updates and upcoming projects, visit JessPorto.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 11, 2024
Porto’s second installment in the Moon Mountain series plunges readers into the murky depths of memory, identity, and self-determination. Once a formidable force, Morgan Thomas is now a prisoner in her own mind—her body hijacked by a malevolent force, leaving her trapped in a labyrinth of illusions. Her only hope lies with Vera Gallagher, a former enemy turned reluctant ally. But as Vera navigates the fractured terrain of Morgan’s psyche, treachery and deceit lurk at every corner.
Porto expertly blends fantasy and psychological suspense, converting Morgan’s broken subconscious into an eerie battleground. Each desolate setting reflects the turmoil within her, amplifying the story’s tension. Morgan’s desperate fight to reclaim her identity feels raw and immediate, and the shifting dynamics between her and Vera—from mistrust to a fragile alliance—add emotional depth. The novel’s pacing is taut, escalating with each twist and turn until a final, nerve-wracking confrontation that brings their struggle to a gripping crescendo.
At its core, the novel delves into the nature of identity and the role of memory in shaping the self. As Morgan battles to regain control of her mind, the story raises profound questions about how memories define us and what happens when they are erased.
By setting much of the narrative within Morgan’s subconscious, Porto blurs the line between reality and illusion, illustrating how perception shapes our world. The ever-changing landscapes of Morgan’s mind serve as a metaphor for the uncertainty of reality and the arduous journey toward self-understanding. Fans of the series will appreciate this deeper exploration of Morgan and Vera’s psyches, while newcomers will be captivated by the raw intensity of their struggles and the hope that emerges against all odds. A dark yet ultimately uplifting tale of fighting back when all seems lost.
Porto expertly blends fantasy and psychological suspense, converting Morgan’s broken subconscious into an eerie battleground. Each desolate setting reflects the turmoil within her, amplifying the story’s tension. Morgan’s desperate fight to reclaim her identity feels raw and immediate, and the shifting dynamics between her and Vera—from mistrust to a fragile alliance—add emotional depth. The novel’s pacing is taut, escalating with each twist and turn until a final, nerve-wracking confrontation that brings their struggle to a gripping crescendo.
At its core, the novel delves into the nature of identity and the role of memory in shaping the self. As Morgan battles to regain control of her mind, the story raises profound questions about how memories define us and what happens when they are erased.
By setting much of the narrative within Morgan’s subconscious, Porto blurs the line between reality and illusion, illustrating how perception shapes our world. The ever-changing landscapes of Morgan’s mind serve as a metaphor for the uncertainty of reality and the arduous journey toward self-understanding. Fans of the series will appreciate this deeper exploration of Morgan and Vera’s psyches, while newcomers will be captivated by the raw intensity of their struggles and the hope that emerges against all odds. A dark yet ultimately uplifting tale of fighting back when all seems lost.
August 3, 2024
My mind is freaking blown away! I had not ever read anything like this Isle of Stars by Jess Porto.
She was born in Syracuse! NEW YOOOORK! Naturally, I was curious.
I smoke at night after work and on my days off. Today is the first time I”ve been properly medicated for who knows how long. SO I feel AMAZING!
Rereading my notes and thinking a little bit harder has my wondering, Ms Porto- how did your mind come up with this concept? Because this IS that alien body snatcher type thing that I avoid heavy. God must have wanted me to have you in my life because I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this and Moon Mountain. I had no idea what to expect, no idea what was happening, and once it became apparent that these body snatcher alien things could be fought and beaten, I felt the feels. And your descriptions are wild! I am in awe of your talent! You combine a fantastical imagination with actual good writing, and you succeeded in making a fan out of a former avoider. Compelling storytelling combined with a vivid imagination has created an epic tale of a “regular” girl beating the odds and remaining humble.
Any and all nay-sayers just cannot comprehend what THIS FAN deems an incredibly believable depth.
This is a tale of an alien invading Morgan’s body, and her realistic approach as an ordinary girl overcomes extraordinary odds to regain control of her being - body, mind, and soul.
She was born in Syracuse! NEW YOOOORK! Naturally, I was curious.
I smoke at night after work and on my days off. Today is the first time I”ve been properly medicated for who knows how long. SO I feel AMAZING!
Rereading my notes and thinking a little bit harder has my wondering, Ms Porto- how did your mind come up with this concept? Because this IS that alien body snatcher type thing that I avoid heavy. God must have wanted me to have you in my life because I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this and Moon Mountain. I had no idea what to expect, no idea what was happening, and once it became apparent that these body snatcher alien things could be fought and beaten, I felt the feels. And your descriptions are wild! I am in awe of your talent! You combine a fantastical imagination with actual good writing, and you succeeded in making a fan out of a former avoider. Compelling storytelling combined with a vivid imagination has created an epic tale of a “regular” girl beating the odds and remaining humble.
Any and all nay-sayers just cannot comprehend what THIS FAN deems an incredibly believable depth.
This is a tale of an alien invading Morgan’s body, and her realistic approach as an ordinary girl overcomes extraordinary odds to regain control of her being - body, mind, and soul.
July 11, 2024
I received a signed copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway. I think this book was better than the first but not without its issues. Again I think the story is interesting with decent characters. I think that the pacing is better this time. The text somehow feels bloated and anorexic at the same time. The dialogue seems too complete. Everyone speaks in complete sentences, and characters will explain information which is unnecessary or already conveyed. I do not buy the love story. The connection did not seem fully fleshed out in the 1st book. More perspective or background from his side and building their emotional connection would have helped. His character feels hollow. The love interest is mentioned at the beginning and then much later. Absence from even the main character’s mind makes the relationship feel forced. Later, the relationship is suddenly physical, when it didn’t feel fully established to begin with, so it feels awkward. At this point, I am not inspired to complete the trilogy. The books are ok, but I’m not driven to complete the story.
July 12, 2024
After reading "Moon Mountain," I didn't think it was possible to top it, but "Isle of Stars" absolutely raised the bar even further. Continuing immediately after the first book ended, the suspense and action got ramped up significantly. At no point in the book, was I able to predict what was going to happen next. It is such an original story that is unlike anything I've ever read in the best possible way. There was no part of the book that I thought was "fluff" or just extra. Each page kept me engaged with the characters and was critical to the overall story. As with the first book, it left me starving for the next part.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews