Moon Spirit

by Fred Gracely

A human boy with no past. A magical girl with a forbidden secret.

Everything changes the night an abandoned orphan boy saves an enchanting moon spirit girl from a winged warrior in the sky and is entrusted with her powerful and unpredictable Orb.

It pulls him and his new foster siblings into a world hidden beneath their own. A world of moon-worshipping cults, lizard soldiers, ancient evil, shadow spirits, a demoness known only as The Destroyer, and an ancient tale of treachery and forbidden love.

To survive, he must confront the mystery of who he truly is and why the moon spirit girl seems tied to his forgotten past.

Perfect for teens and adults alike, this standalone fantasy is ideal for anyone who loves magical realism, inventive world-building, forbidden love, mysterious pasts, and unforgettable found-family bonds.

Ideal forfans of Percy Jackson, Nevermoor, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Amari and the Night Brothers, Keeper of the Lost Cities, and The Graveyard Book.

Literary Titan Silver Medal , Booklife Editor's Pick , Indie Reader Approved , Kirkus Get It

“…high-spirited adventure, bursting with imagination, drama, and humor.” -Readers’ Favorite
“…gripping drama and suspenseful twists that make it hard to put down.” -Literary Titan

"...I'm in my early 40s and loved it....Moon Spirit has this gentle, peaceful vibe that really pulled me in. The writing feels almost poetic at times, and there’s a dreamy, emotional depth to it that stayed with me after finishing." - Amazon UK reviews

“ Fantasy fans won’t want to miss Moon Spirit....an excellent read, well-crafted with fantastic worldbuilding…a refreshing take on classic themes, blending action, mystery, and the coming-of-age journey.” -C. Thompson, Readers’ Favorite

“…infinitely relatable…brilliant imagery…skillfully mixes the real world with the mystical…readers will feel as if they are journeying alongside Max as he faces a dark force too terrifying for words and his own staggering role in an ancient mystery.” -BookLife, Editor's Pick

“Engaging characters battle evil in this diverting urban fantasy…The engrossing buildup leads to an exhilarating final act and a gratifying resolution…” -Kirkus

“...a rollercoaster of innocent romance, hilarious characters and a found family more unique than you can imagine...” -Writing Abhi

“...an engaging fantasy that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant…a captivating read that I would certainly recommend to fans of fantasy fiction everywhere for its charming characters and brilliantly-paced voyage of discovery.”
-KC Finn for Readers’ Favorite

“…offers a captivating blend of urban fantasy and coming-of-age drama, inviting readers into a world where moonlight harbors magic and ancient forces lurk in the shadows… Moon Spirit, a magical adventure that reminds us that family can be found in the most unexpected places.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult

317 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2024

About the author

I've been a misfit all my life. I have enough dyslexia that left and right occasionally don't exist, and I have a long history with ADD, bullying (receiving end), and social anxiety. I grew up in Pennsylvania and now reside outside Boston, Massachusetts. After attending six different colleges and studying many subjects (English composition, art, electronics, computer science, psychology), I earned a B.S. in Psychology from Framingham State University and, later in life, an M.A. in Human Relations, Specializing in Holistic Counseling Psychology from Lesley University (psychology is one of my passions).

I don't write for any specific age, but I'm young at heart, so my books are pure escapism wrapped up in lots of bantering and humor. I'm delighted that my readers range from 4th graders to mature adults. There are several reasons for this. First of all, I write meaningful books with a clear message and theme. Secondly, my love of psychology results in my books often dealing with deeper concepts and presenting sophisticated views of the internal worlds of humans. At the same time, my love of exciting, unique, and atmospheric stories keeps them fun and engaging. So, there is a lot in there for readers young and old.

Reviews

[Coffee&Cliffhangers]

This was such a fun read by Fred Gracely—an enchanting YA story perfect for middle schoolers. The adventure kicks off when an orphan boy saves a moon spirit from a winged warrior and is entrusted with a powerful orb. Alongside his new foster siblings, he’s swept into a world of ancient evil, shadow spirits, and a fearsome demoness known as the Destroyer. To survive, he must face the truth about who he really is and why the moon spirit is tied to his past. A great pick for young readers who love magic, rich world-building, forbidden love, and found family.

[Shayla]

Moon Spirits is a fast paced, middle grade novel that follows the typical middle grade format. It starts off right away with a fight scene and very little character development and just keeps on going. The drama seems really contrived such as the foster parents being so strict is just to add tension about Max having to return the orb; Serena taking off on a quest to find someone to help her with the orb is just so she can leave it with Max; Ali the random 2nd love interest. All the plot points get resolved very easily and is on to the next thing. It’s a typical middle grade book which is fine. It’s still an entertaining book but doesn’t have a lot of nuance to it and all the characters are pretty one note stereotypes-nerd, emo girl, tough girl, love interest, etc.

I thought the ending battle was exciting and where the book is best. The villains get more of a story and more interesting. The flashbacks you can kind of predict from the beginning but at least they add more nuance to the characters. The kids turning into shadows was fun. I also liked the narrator. He does a good job with all the different characters and having distinct voices and personalities. I think this is more just an entertaining book and not one I’d pick for a book discussion since there isn’t a lot to talk about. It’s fun though.

Thank you to NetGalley & Bisket Press, LLC for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda]

Another knockout book by Fred Gracely. As a fan of Misfits Magic by the same author I was excited for this new book. It did not disappoint! I fell in love with the characters before chapter 1 was even over. The story instantly draws you in, and it makes you feel like you are right alongside them in this fantasy world. You want to keep reading to see what happens next.

[Nic & Ry Meltdownerz]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC.

I listened to the audiobook and really hit the spot when I was in the mood for something magical. I loved how ambitious this book was. There is SO much going on and it fully commits to its world of moon spirits, magical orbs, strange creatures and supernatural chaos. It really went there with full commitment. I respect that.

This might sound so random, but I genuinely have dreams about finding/being connected to magical orbs, so reading an entire story involving one was weird and cool. I hope to have an orb dream soon and hope it will be improved from listening to this book.

I really enjoyed Max and the found family side of the story too. There’s a lot of heart underneath everything going on, and it was ACTUALLY really funny at times as well. I loved the moments of humour and chaos between the characters, especially when the story itself could get pretty high stakes.

I do think because the story is so ambitious, there were moments where there was A LOT happening at once and I occasionally had to just go with it, but honestly, I kind of enjoyed the chaos of it all.

And then THAT ENDING??? You got me! It was genuinely a rollercoaster of emotions and there was one particular moment where I was SHOOK. I really thought I knew where things were going and apparently I did not lol.

There are some pretty big themes around sacrifice and making difficult choices, and I loved how much emotion the story managed to pack into the final stretch!! I came away feeling really happy and hopeful with the ending, while also being left with SO many questions about certain characters and their fates... It gave me enough closure to feel satisfied but also enough to keep me thinking about it afterwards. It's a standalone so I'll just have to use my own imagination or take the hints given.

This was really imaginative, MAGICAL, legit funny, emotional and just a good time. A really solid 4 stars.

Also as a fellow ADHD person I can see why I enjoyed this book so much, great job on this achievement 🥹

[Katie E Higgins]

this book is beyond epic. I'm a sucker for YA Fantasy especially foster kids and epic adventures as I was a foster kid. Max meets Sarina on his way to his new foster home. she gives him something that unbeknownst to him will change his life forever. the ending made me cry smile and lol I highly recommend this book for YA fantasy freaks like me you will not be disappointed!

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany)]

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

[✮mara☆{rudy steiner's ghost}]

Thank you to NetGalley for this book!

Honestly, I think I would have LOVED Moon Spirit at age 11 or 12! It had everything I liked back then--a little bit of romance, adventure, friendship, and enough silly jokes to fill a joke book. Max's bonds with his new siblings were heartwarming and them coming with him was such a great moment! It was a mix between Percy Jackson and something a little more ethereal✨.

The flashbacks given to Max by the Orb were a really good device in this book and made the BIG REVEAL even more special!

I'm a bit older than the target audience, but I definitely saw the potential it had to be adored by younger readers! With a wide variety or characters, there are many different and relatable experiences!

Overall, a pretty good and pretty quick read!

[Abhilasha Mishra]

Moon Spirit was one of those books that I would highly recommend in Children's Literature. It was an urban fantasy that held multiple middle grade tropes. From an unfortunate kid stumbling into magic to found family going on an advertise together, there is much to love and champion for in this story.

My favorite part of the story was the basic establishment of characters where most of them start our as simple people with goals. Their actions and consequences take them these characters good, bad, and even grey. There are multiple kind of characters in the story and all of them have a home in it, just like all kinds of people have a place in the world. The plot and pace were steady and the magical elements were strong enough to keep my interest throughout.

Exciting plot, unique characters, message about acceptance, steady pacing, and a sad but heartfelt and just ending makes it worth many re-reads.

[Joey C]

As the author states himself, his audiences are from 4th grade to adult. As an adult, I very much enjoyed this adventurous tale via audiobook. (Thank you, NetGalley!)

Audiobook: Mike Christensen did a fantastic job with the narration. Every character had a distinct voice and personality, which made this quirky cast even more memorable. I especially appreciated that he didn’t rely on an exaggerated falsetto for the female characters—they sounded natural and believable while still being easy to distinguish.

One of my favorite parts of this story was its wonderfully kooky, eccentric cast. Despite coming from difficult backgrounds, this group of orphans manages to build a genuine sense of community within their delightfully dysfunctional household. Their relationships were heartfelt, funny, and incredibly endearing.

The story also does a great job weaving together flashbacks and present-day events. It was satisfying to watch seemingly unrelated moments click into place as the bigger picture unfolded. The magical world-building added another layer of fun, with plenty of imaginative elements that kept me curious about what would happen next.

Most importantly, the pacing never let up. There wasn’t a single boring moment, and I always wanted to keep listening to see where the story would go next.

[Peter]

Enchanting and entertaining children’s fantasy audiobook. I’ve read many of Fred Gracely’s books. Like this one they are perfect for young readers, full of excitement, lots of humour, and characters to root for.

Here an orphan boy finds a found family of siblings after he is given an orb after saving a moon spirit girl. Little do they know their future meets up with their past.

Thank you to Bisket Press and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely give.

[Cam]

So overall this book isn’t bad. It’s definitely YA and falls more closely in line with a Percy Jackson type of vibe.

I liked the mystery revolving around Max. And I appreciate the big reveal from that happens around the 90% mark. The way things all made sense by the end left me feeling like I didn’t have too too many lingering questions.

There are some logical inconsistencies…
For example “Serena is grateful that Max has such great siblings” but Serena never was introduced to the kids with Max. She shouldn’t have any clue who those kids were.

Humans can see these spirits, but instead of telling their foster parents about the orb, they decide to sneak out. Multiple times it’s references humans seeing Serena. Just kind of seems like spirits aren't a secret so you could have 100% told an adult who would have understood.

What even was the point of Tank’s sister love story sub plot? Take that out of the story and nothing changes in the central plot. It just felt irrelevant and unnecessary.

Why are Spaz and Zippler helping the Ga-rook (unsure of spelling)? Why does everyone have kids helping them?! Get. An. Adult.

Just why is a child chosen for this? There isn’t like anything special about it other than seeing Serena and…not being mean? She trusts him ridiculously too easy. She honestly trusts everyone too easily.

The world building isn't complete and seems kind of patch-worked. I think this is on earth, but the whole magic concept is a bit thrown together. Is this on earth? What exactly is the orb? Why does Serena even know about it? Why isn't this orb under lock and key? It all feels too convenient and not organic.

The whole Tanzen and high priestess flashback stuff is confusing. Why is she turning into the villain (Ramoteb)? Why do we have to wait till the high priestess is almost changed into the villain to expel the villain? I don’t feel like the backstory here made anything clear.

I just feel like none of these characters have critical thinking skills. Serena is stupidly gullible. Tanzen should have asked why a million times. The four kids are just yes men - not one questions saying yes to the adventure.

I spent maybe 90% of this book confused. I do appreciate this as everything eventually made sense, but oh boy were these pieces hard to decipher. I don’t feel as if they were interwoven into the story super well and for the first 75% I just didn’t understand why we were learning this information at all.

I’m sorry, there is a freak light blast and everyone just GOES BACK TO NORMAL…
But then, somehow, within 10 minutes of that, the cops seem to know that a volcano wiped out a mountain.

WHY DIDN’T THE ORB JUST GIVE MAX THE WHOLE STORY AT THE START?! Whose side are you on orb?!?! I know it’s to give the reader the mystery, but dude…we are talking about life and death, saving the world and you’re withholding vital information. Uncool orb.

[Book Reviewer]

Moon Spirit by Fred Gracely introduces us to Max Berger, a boy whose life at the Helpren Municipal Orphanage is a never-ending cycle of hardship, amnesia, and dark dreams. The story kicks off in a grimy dorm room, with Max wrestling both the literal bugs under his cot and the nightmares that torment his sleep. But everything changes when he meets Sarina, a mystical moon spirit embroiled in a dangerous mission. What starts as a seemingly small task to watch over a magical orb for a month spirals into a whirlwind of threats, mysteries, and choices that might shape the fate of the world.

The book’s strongest asset is its setting and mood, skillfully painted from the first pages. Gracely writes Helpren Orphanage as a place so vivid you can practically smell the sour socks and feel the asbestos ceiling crumbling onto your head. I admired the way the narrative carries the reader seamlessly between scenes of magical wonder and the oppressive reality of Max’s life. The transition from gritty realism to a more surreal atmosphere had me hooked.

The novel blends elements of fantasy and modern life, creating a unique experience. The narrative structure offers a distinctive approach, with the fantasy world and everyday reality unfolding in parallel, adding layers to the storytelling. Sarina’s world, filled with moon spirits and veptors, bursts with imagination and intrigue, bringing a fresh energy to the narrative. Max, our relatable protagonist, captures the reader’s heart through his search for belonging, and his interactions with Sarina are full of warmth and genuine connection. Even though Spaz, the bully, plays a familiar role, there is potential for further character exploration that keeps readers curious. Sarina shines with a compelling blend of vulnerability and strength, particularly in high-stakes moments that reveal the depth of her character.

Fans of young adult fantasy will find the book exciting, with its gripping drama and suspenseful twists that make it hard to put down. The world-building is captivating and leaves readers eager to explore more of its mysteries. Each encounter between Max and Sarina builds anticipation, ensuring that the journey, even with its challenges, remains an enthralling and satisfying read.

I recommend Moon Spirit to readers who enjoy modern fantasy blended with coming-of-age themes, especially those who appreciate atmospheric settings. It’s a story about finding your place in a world that seems to have abandoned you, with enough magic and danger to make it a thrilling ride.

[Nicole]

Moon Spirit is a rare standalone fantasy that blends mythic adventure, emotional depth, and poetic prose into a story that feels both timeless and refreshingly original. Fred Gracely delivers an unforgettable tale about loss, memory, and the longing to belong all wrapped in a world that brims with imagination and heart.

The story follows Max Berger, a lonely orphan suffering from amnesia, whose life changes when he encounters a moon spirit girl from his dreams. What begins as a supernatural rescue quickly becomes a sweeping odyssey through mystical realms filled with moon-worshipping cults, shadow spirits, and ancient legends of forbidden love. Yet, beneath the breathtaking fantasy lies a deeply human core: the need to understand who we are and where we belong.

Gracely’s writing is vivid and cinematic, effortlessly weaving action, humor, and emotional resonance. His worldbuilding is detailed but never overwhelming blending elements of mild horror, mythology, and coming-of-age storytelling into something wholly his own. What truly sets Moon Spirit apart is its emotional intelligence: it’s not just about magic, but about healing, connection, and courage.

With recognition from BookLife (Editor’s Pick), Literary Titan (Silver Medal), IndieReader Approved, and Kirkus Get It, this novel stands as both a critical success and a deeply reader-centered story. Fans of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book or Patrick Ness’s A Monster Calls will find much to love in Gracely’s mix of fantasy, humanity, and heart.

A beautifully written, thought provoking adventure Moon Spirit is the kind of book that speaks to both the child and the philosopher in every reader.

[Johnna Venot]

Moon Spirit is a standalone fantasy that follows an orphaned boy, Max, on a journey with an Orb he was entrusted to protect after saving a moon spirit one night. After many unexpected turns of events, Max is forced to look at who he truly is and finally confront his forgotten past.

The story itself flowed very nicely. There were enough details to build each scene and keep the story moving. The writing was descriptive and I especially loved the descriptions of the moon, night sky, and Sarina. The worldbuilding never felt overwhelming which was nice. But one of my favorite characters was Zoe. She was such a funny and dark character that I absolutely fell in love with. The characters in this story are kids, but they are truly lovable, even when they do make bad decisions! This book just felt very cozy to me and I finished it in no time. The emotional intelligence demonstrated in this book is quite significant as well. It really looks at how people can be brave and connect to each other through tragedy and healing.

The narration for this book was fantastic. Mike Christensen does a great job narrating the audiobook. His pacing, flow, and switches between characters was difficult, but executed extremely well.

This book was a wonderful, intriguing, nostalgic read. It feels like it would be a nice, quick read on a cold winter night. The characters will pull at your heart strings and make you giggle. This is a great read for teens, young adults, or anyone interested in magical realism and fantasy.

[Freya]

Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read the arc and audiobook arc of this book. Thank you NetGalley.

I think the cover has a bit too much going on but I love the title, it’s what made me want to read this book.

The narration of the audiobook is excellent. But please don’t add techno beats at the start and finish for no reason. It really disturbs a reader’s peace.

I had a hard time getting through the story so I was glad an audiobook version came available. The reason why, is the poorly executed fantasy part of this book. But the many non fantasy parts were great, I really loved Max and his foster family and am glad I didn’t DNF this book!

Max lives in an awful orphanage after being hit by a car and losing his memory a year ago. No one came to claim him.

A bully makes his life even more miserable up until right before he finally gets to go live with a great foster family. At first the many strict rules, strange diet and even stranger new brother and sisters are hard to navigate but it was beautiful to see how they grew as a family, got used to eachother and came to really love and be there for eachother.

As for the fantasy part, it was ill explained, too rushed and just too unbelievable and near the end too much, I just wasn’t following and couldn’t care about following anymore.

I loved the ending and will be reading more books by the author if they don’t include (too much) fantasy which is generally my favorite genre but not if it’s poorly executed like this.

Mixed feelings but overall I really enjoyed part of this book.

[Melanie Garland]

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook!
This was a fun, fast paced children’s fantasy. I was immediately drawn to max and his life as an amnesiac orphan in an orphanage. The entire world was well written between reality and the magical. I felt like this was an unforgettable story with Max learning about his past, being heroic, and making decisions to hold to his integrity. The banter and relationships between him and his new siblings were perfection. I loved all their quirkiness and the chaotic but loving new family he found for himself. This has all the typical middle school children’s tropes that I love to read. Totally unbelievable but absolutely fun. It was a bit jarring to go back and forth from present to past visions in the audio and I found the voices of the shadow/evil beings a bit robotic. It made those scenes difficult to enjoy. The voices of the children were done well though. Overall, I would definitely recommend!

[Zhyar]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

actual rating 3.5
The story really caught me off guard and I enjoyed how fast paced it was, I think the pacing was fantastic and the characters were very charming, Zoe is my favorite.
I really loved how the siblings interacted despite each of them having a different background they found common ground. The ending while being bittersweet it was satisfying.

The narrator did a fine job, I enjoyed how sarcastically he would deliver some lines but I didn't like how he voiced Sam I felt it was quite offensive and weird considering he is a nerd.

[Debra]

Thank you NetGalley! Max Burger is being harassed and raised in an orphanage after an accident that left him with amnesia. He encounters a moon spirit named Selena with dazzling sapphire eyes. She entrusts a magical orb to him to protect until she returns. To save it from his tormentors, he swallows it! He is fortunate enough to be sent to a foster family and meets his 3 foster siblings. Marta, Sam and Zoey are all unique so Max fits in but the orb and his anticipated return to Serena have other ideas. So begins the adventure between good and evil. Interesting, fun read.

[Renay]

This book was provided in audio for free by netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start by saying that I love me some young adult fiction. I think your average 12 year old will genuinely enjoy this book.

Reading this as an adult I did find it kind of boring. The characters are mostly likeable - they reminded me of the 90s show Hey Arnold... anyone remember that one? Just me? Yeah Im getting old... anyway, you'll know who Arnold is, you'll know who Helga is.

I would recommend this to a young person!!

[Angi]

I loved this book! It's aimed at middle school but it's such a fun read for all ages. It has equal parts mystery, magic, and adventure, and highlights a quirky family that I'd desperately love to be a part of. There is so much goofy fun in here that it reminds me a bit of Brandon Sanderson's middle-grade Alcatraz series. Immersive, enjoyable, adventurous, and hopeful. Really a delightful read.


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NOTE: I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for a review expressing my personal opinions.

[Susanna Bullmam]

Thankyou Net Galley for this ALC of Fred Gracely's Moon Spirit.. I enjoyed listening to this stand alone fantasy, and getting to know Max and Sarena and all the characters, seeing them grow through their adventures. . It was wonderful to see representation of children in care. loved watching Max and the other foster children becoming family. Moon spirit was a beautiful tale of magical realism, well crafted with great world building and an endearing story, I am sure I will return to it again.

[Critter]

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an audio ARC.

Younger readers will love this book. It is exciting. It is pretty fast paced and easy to get through. The characters are all well written and I think the main character is very easy to relate to. The themes are well written and integrated into the story. I thought the ending was well down as well. The narrator did a great job and has many voices in this book.

[Aadish]

in this book max meets sarina outside his orphanage where she gives him a powerful object to him for safekeeping. that day he is moved to his new foster home and he swallows the orb and it merges with him. so now he has to fight the evil that is going to end the world.can he fight the evil along with his cousins and spirit Sarina. this is the best book for action lovers and is awesome.

[Molly]

a different kind of coming of age story in an alternate universe setting

mystical figures, an imperfect heroic character, a damsel, a world, and many hearts in need of saving - including the somewhat bruised heart of a young man longing for home and maybe different kinds of much more.

[Ann Johnson]

The ending almost made up for the rest of it, but it was a book I had to force myself to get through, with one of the main characters being utterly unlikeable and an overabundance of ridiculous and exaggerated characters and situations.

[Alicia]

Thank you NetGalley and Bisket Press, LLC for the copy of this book.

What a beautifully written story. It is a standalone. I have not read any of Fred Gracely's books before, but this was wonderful. This is a great YA book that has magic.

It had a wonderful ending that made me cry.

[A. Lorna Warren]

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

This was kind of corny at times but probably perfect for the age group it is meant for. I probably would have loved this as a middle schooler.

[Jason Hartley]

As always Fred Gracely creates a wonderful and magical world. Enjoyed being pulled into this story of love, magic, and longing. Highly recommend to people who enjoy magical and fun fantasy.

[T.J.]

This was a kids book and loved to read the story and listen to how they worked together almost loke a Percy Jackson vibe in a lot of ways!

[Melissa]

This was a great YA book! I couldn't put it down. Loved the backstory on the male character. The kids in the book were relatable and the story pulls you in for the ride.