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Paradise Moon #1
The Vanishing Girl
ACTION-PACKED SCIENCE FICTION ADVENTURE
What do space pirates, synthetic aliens and the Empress of the Known Galaxies have in common?
They’re all hunting Paradise Moon. Unfortunately for 15-year-old Isabella, Paradise Moon is the alien trapped inside her.
Every day of Isabella’s life has been a struggle. Paradise Moon can’t resist taking control of Isabella’s body, stealing her memories and getting her in trouble. But school detentions become the least of Isabella’s concerns when she discovers Paradise Moon is an alien on the run.
Kidnapped from Earth and hunted through deep space, Isabella must swap detentions for space battles and her bass guitar for a plasma pistol. Her only allies? An ex space pirate, an alcoholic gunslinger and a trigger-happy recruit.
But her list of enemies is longer. And growing fast.
To return to Earth, Isabella must learn how to share her body with the alien she hates. But working together won't be easy because Paradise Moon can only escape the body… if Isabella dies.
What do space pirates, synthetic aliens and the Empress of the Known Galaxies have in common?
They’re all hunting Paradise Moon. Unfortunately for 15-year-old Isabella, Paradise Moon is the alien trapped inside her.
Every day of Isabella’s life has been a struggle. Paradise Moon can’t resist taking control of Isabella’s body, stealing her memories and getting her in trouble. But school detentions become the least of Isabella’s concerns when she discovers Paradise Moon is an alien on the run.
Kidnapped from Earth and hunted through deep space, Isabella must swap detentions for space battles and her bass guitar for a plasma pistol. Her only allies? An ex space pirate, an alcoholic gunslinger and a trigger-happy recruit.
But her list of enemies is longer. And growing fast.
To return to Earth, Isabella must learn how to share her body with the alien she hates. But working together won't be easy because Paradise Moon can only escape the body… if Isabella dies.
- GenresScience Fiction
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2024
1 person is currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 28, 2026
The Vanishing Girl is a total blast and easily one of the most effortless reads I’ve had in a while. Rob Birks really nailed the pacing - there isn't a single dull moment as we follow 15-year-old Isabella from her life on Earth into a chaotic galactic spanning spectacle. The world-building feels like the perfect cross between the classic hero’s journey of Luke in Star Wars and that intense "finding your strength" vibe of Alita: Battle Angel. It’s gritty, imaginative, and most importantly - fun.
The heart of the story for me was the relationship between Isabella and the snarky alien inside her head, Paradise Moon. Their dynamic is fantastic, and watching Isabella evolve from a fish out of water that is just being dragged along by circumstance into a hero who chooses to stand up for others was super satisfying. She’s backed by a found family crew that is a beautiful, chaotic mess! Special shoutouts to Fleur and Ezra (two of my favorites).
The finale is where this book really shines. It builds to a spectacular conclusion where Isabella finally embraces her new reality and shows what she’s truly capable of. If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced sci-fi adventure put this on your TBR right now!
The heart of the story for me was the relationship between Isabella and the snarky alien inside her head, Paradise Moon. Their dynamic is fantastic, and watching Isabella evolve from a fish out of water that is just being dragged along by circumstance into a hero who chooses to stand up for others was super satisfying. She’s backed by a found family crew that is a beautiful, chaotic mess! Special shoutouts to Fleur and Ezra (two of my favorites).
The finale is where this book really shines. It builds to a spectacular conclusion where Isabella finally embraces her new reality and shows what she’s truly capable of. If you’re looking for a fun, fast-paced sci-fi adventure put this on your TBR right now!
July 14, 2025
Isabella has always had an annoying person stuck in her head: Paradise Moon. But when alien robots portal into her classroom and kidnap her, she finds not only is Paradise Moon an alien, but everyone in the galaxy is after her.
Isabella and Paradise Moon were wonderful together. The snarky back and forth and the dynamics between them was great. Beauregard too was a favorite. The other characters did blend together a bit for me and Ezra as a character kind of fizzled out by the end but I did like him in the first half.
My main issue was the repetitiveness of the story and how it got muddled towards the end. Everyone wants Isabella. Characters try to capture her or protect her. She tries to protect or save her friends. repeat. By the end, the last few chapters happened very abruptly and I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. More patient readers may follow the ending better than I did.
Recommended for patient fans of sci-fi adventure.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the review copy.
Isabella and Paradise Moon were wonderful together. The snarky back and forth and the dynamics between them was great. Beauregard too was a favorite. The other characters did blend together a bit for me and Ezra as a character kind of fizzled out by the end but I did like him in the first half.
My main issue was the repetitiveness of the story and how it got muddled towards the end. Everyone wants Isabella. Characters try to capture her or protect her. She tries to protect or save her friends. repeat. By the end, the last few chapters happened very abruptly and I wasn't entirely sure what was going on. More patient readers may follow the ending better than I did.
Recommended for patient fans of sci-fi adventure.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the review copy.
June 25, 2025
This was not a perfect book, but it was one heck of a ride. Birks throws the reader right into the story and keeps it racing at a wild speed until the end.
Isabella has an actual alien living inside her, an alien who likes to take control of her body, which ends off landing her into a lot of trouble. However, when a portal opens up in the middle of the detention room at school, causing mayhem and allowing a robot-like alien to drag her through it, she realizes that alien might be her only hope.
The story moves from perspective to perspective, allowing the reader glimpses of other parts of the different systems and also filling in some history of the mess that Isabella finds herself in the middle of. Good for a mind-bending read with plenty of action that doesn't always take itself completely seriously.
Isabella has an actual alien living inside her, an alien who likes to take control of her body, which ends off landing her into a lot of trouble. However, when a portal opens up in the middle of the detention room at school, causing mayhem and allowing a robot-like alien to drag her through it, she realizes that alien might be her only hope.
The story moves from perspective to perspective, allowing the reader glimpses of other parts of the different systems and also filling in some history of the mess that Isabella finds herself in the middle of. Good for a mind-bending read with plenty of action that doesn't always take itself completely seriously.
June 29, 2025
The first book in a duology, The Vanishing Girl, is a hard book to quantify, there are elements of fantasy, epic sci=fi, teen angst, thriller, and even a touch of horror. We are introduced to Isabella and Paradise Moon the major protagonists. Paradise Moon is an alien who has been a part of Isabella's life since she can remember, because Paradise Moon is inside of her. Paradise Moon is hiding from someone or something and she's not willing to tell Isabella what that is. Unfortunately, her hiding place is discovered, and chaos ensues as Isabella is taken from her home planet to another place, where she spends the rest of her time trying to survive and get back home. Facing danger and enemies around every corner, Isabella's resilience is amazing.
I love the inner dialogue between Isabella and Paradise Moon. I kept wondering what was going to happen next. A wild ride of a story. Can't wait to find out what will happen next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I love the inner dialogue between Isabella and Paradise Moon. I kept wondering what was going to happen next. A wild ride of a story. Can't wait to find out what will happen next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 16, 2025
The Vanishing Girl is a wild, genre-bending ride that blends teenage angst with cosmic chaos in the best way. Isabella’s sarcastic resilience is as compelling as the high-stakes intergalactic chase she’s unwillingly thrust into, thanks to the alien Paradise Moon inhabiting her body. Their tense, involuntary partnership adds emotional weight and humor to a story filled with plasma blasts, snarky space pirates, and unlikely camaraderie. While the plot occasionally races ahead faster than the character development can catch up, the fast pace and imaginative world make this a thrilling, heart-thumping adventure through the stars.
July 7, 2025
Disclaimer: I received a published copy on NetGalley. Thanks!
First of all, love the cover! Second of all, I definitely enjoyed the book and finished the latter half this evening.
There's a few things that could've been better that would've made it five stars.
A tad better world-building. I had some trouble imagining distances in correlation to other locations and their size.
There's also these weird unexplained time breaks between chapters that bothered me more than once.
Now, aside from those remarks, I did quite enjoy following the story of Isabella and Paradise Moon and I'm curious what part 2 of the duology will bring.
First of all, love the cover! Second of all, I definitely enjoyed the book and finished the latter half this evening.
There's a few things that could've been better that would've made it five stars.
A tad better world-building. I had some trouble imagining distances in correlation to other locations and their size.
There's also these weird unexplained time breaks between chapters that bothered me more than once.
Now, aside from those remarks, I did quite enjoy following the story of Isabella and Paradise Moon and I'm curious what part 2 of the duology will bring.
June 22, 2025
A snarky teenage fantasy story. The snark here is between a teenage girl and a mind riding alien. The girl has more gumption than she knows - Don’t Mess With Her Family!!! And the alien is very conflicted. Hide, save itself, but Isabella comes to mean more to Paradise Moon more than selfish abandonment will allow. Part two needed right now, or Rob you can just stay in detention until it’s published! Thank you to Rob Birks and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
October 30, 2025
An excellent book! I don't even really read science fiction because it is absolutely not my scene, but I think this is the perfect book for someone who has not read science fiction, but would like to dabble in it. The characters are very well fleshed out and the prose is absolutely epic. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants a good, possibly YA science fiction.
February 18, 2025
"The Vanishing Girl" is a captivating start to the Paradise Moon Duology. Birks weaves a compelling mystery with intriguing characters and a vividly imagined world. A page-turner that will leave you eagerly anticipating the sequel.
August 14, 2025
This book is a fast-paced, thrilling sci-fi adventure packed with danger, humor, and heart. Isabella’s fight to survive, while sharing her body with a stubborn alien, keeps you hooked, and the mix of quirky allies and relentless enemies makes it an exciting, emotional ride from start to finish.
August 21, 2025
I really liked the premise of this book. The changing points of view and multiple interconnected plot lines were intriguing and well fleshed out, and the characters were unique and incredibly human. The pacing was a little off for my tastes, but once I got into it, I barely noticed. Vanishing Girl has classic sci fi energy while still bringing a fresh cast and conflict to the genre.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews