What do you think?
Rate this book
Skylar Moon
Hidden in the Other World for thirteen years, twins Aren and Alexa lived a normal life with their beloved Nana Gazelle, until her brutal death at the hands of a ruthless Xendor warrior. It wasn't until then that the A-twins (as they were named by their school friends) learned that the fate of their people was dependent on them returning to Rheyaros with a mystical sword before the disappearance of the Skylar Moon.
In a race against time to find their way through the unfamiliar terrain of Vesterra, the grief stricken A-twins encounter many obstacles while being relentlessly pursued by Xendors who would stop at nothing to acquire the sword.
Will Aren and Alexa be able to find their way through the untamed region of Vesterra in their quest to return the sword to Rheyaros on time?
In a race against time to find their way through the unfamiliar terrain of Vesterra, the grief stricken A-twins encounter many obstacles while being relentlessly pursued by Xendors who would stop at nothing to acquire the sword.
Will Aren and Alexa be able to find their way through the untamed region of Vesterra in their quest to return the sword to Rheyaros on time?
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2017
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 17, 2018
Skylar Moon by Marianne Reese is an enjoyable YA book and needs to be seen from that viewpoint to enjoy it. It is a quick and clean read, flowing simply, never lingering on any situation or events too long. The adventure just keeps moving along as a YA book should. There are a few minor holes in the plot if you seek deeper meanings and reasons but they are nothing your average YA reader would probably take note of.
Aren and Alexa, the A-twins, are very likable characters with a charming brother/sister relationship. Their give and take is believable. The peoples and people they encounter on their mission, especially Krug and Bandit, are just threatening or helpful enough to heighten tension.
My chief complaint, however, which kept this four stars, would be with the ease with which the twins dispensed of a powerful creature out of a dead sleep. Throughout the story the creature had been deemed extremely dangerous and deadly. I felt letdown by that and wished that battle or challenge would have been dealt with differently by the author.
Overall, Skylar Moon is a nice YA adventure story readers of YA adventure will enjoy.
Aren and Alexa, the A-twins, are very likable characters with a charming brother/sister relationship. Their give and take is believable. The peoples and people they encounter on their mission, especially Krug and Bandit, are just threatening or helpful enough to heighten tension.
My chief complaint, however, which kept this four stars, would be with the ease with which the twins dispensed of a powerful creature out of a dead sleep. Throughout the story the creature had been deemed extremely dangerous and deadly. I felt letdown by that and wished that battle or challenge would have been dealt with differently by the author.
Overall, Skylar Moon is a nice YA adventure story readers of YA adventure will enjoy.
March 13, 2018
Skylar Moon projects a very bright light.
Thoroughly enjoyed Skylar Moon, a tale of two kids trying to escape the deadly clutches of an evil witch and her people. Along the way they encounter many obstacles but they also meet terrific helpers who go way beyond mere succour. Highly recommended. In the same vein as the Harry Potter stories.
Thoroughly enjoyed Skylar Moon, a tale of two kids trying to escape the deadly clutches of an evil witch and her people. Along the way they encounter many obstacles but they also meet terrific helpers who go way beyond mere succour. Highly recommended. In the same vein as the Harry Potter stories.
May 15, 2024
A friend of mine told me about this book and I am so glad they did. If you have other things to do in life, do not start reading this book because you will not be able to put it down. I demand a sequel.
February 21, 2018
From the very first page we’re drawn into the mystical and heart pounding world that Aren and Alexa live in. These kids are special, so much so that their Nana sacrifices herself in order to save them from the oncoming Xendors who are sent to destroy them. Odin, who leads them, is desperate to take back a special sword which can end him and his people once in for all.
Back in the world of Vesterra, the twins only have each other to rely on. And of course, Alexa’s newest pet, Bandit. I loved the teasing but obvious love that the two have for one another. I thought their relationship dynamic was very well-written. This is a wonderfully immersive fantasy novel that would be ideal for middle schoolers.
Back in the world of Vesterra, the twins only have each other to rely on. And of course, Alexa’s newest pet, Bandit. I loved the teasing but obvious love that the two have for one another. I thought their relationship dynamic was very well-written. This is a wonderfully immersive fantasy novel that would be ideal for middle schoolers.
December 10, 2017
I absolutely loved this book - so much so I couldn’t put it down till I was finished! The author does a fantastic job capturing your undivided attention right from the start. There is suspense, fear and a little humor wrapped up throughout the story. I highly recommend it and I’m hoping by the way it ends that there is a sequel coming!
December 10, 2017
This was a fantastic fantasy which catapulted me along with each chapter. This book in my opinion is for all ages not just for the younger generation. The characters to me became life like and I just had to keep reading to discover what would happen next
October 31, 2017
Fast paced and delightful YA story that will keep you on your toes from page 1. Young and brave Aren & Alexa racing against time with Odin hot on their heels. Along the way they found aid in new friends and even adopted a cute little pet Bandit. A story filled with courage, friendships and perseverance that will stretch your imagination as you find yourself transported into their unusual world.
October 24, 2017
A delightful romp through a mystical land of faeries, trolls, and elves. I found this story to be enjoyable, and would recommend it to people of all ages. My only real concern was that Ms. Reese seemed to do more "telling" than "showing", but even so, it was a very enjoyable story. I think it would have been fun to watch the main characters Aren and Alexa if this were a movie or mini series on TV. I never really quite grasped whether the antagonist was an elf, troll, or whatever, but...I did want to punch him in the face. My congratulations to the author, Marianne Reese, for writing such an entertaining book.
March 14, 2018
A clean young adult fantasy with an intriguing, unique plot and fascinating characters. The storyline draws the reader in from the beginning and the action is nail biting and intense in some parts which only adds to the appeal. Twins Aren and Alexa are on a mission to save their people. Armed with a magical sword, a book and map, and strange but compelling companions this adventure is fun all the way up to the last page. Thoroughly enjoyable and well-written it's a great read for middle school and teens. I'm intrigued enough to want to read the sequel, especially after the ending.
5 stars from me!
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Word Building: 5/5
Story Flow: 5/5
Picky Bitches OVERALL SCORE: 5/5
October 6, 2017
A Well Imagined Hero’s Journey!
Reese hits another home run with this young adult fantasy/sci-fi novel! On a distant planet filled with fantastical creatures and magical spells, the village of Rheyaros is under constant threat of annihilation from the ogre-like race of Xendors, led by the supremely evil Odin.
Odin, after 13 years of searching, finds teenage twins Aren and Alexa, who possess a magic sword that can permanently banish the Xendors from Rheyaros if they can deliver it to Rheyaros and perform a specific ritual during the rare Skylar Moon.
The chase begins. Aren and Alexa must navigate the most hostile of environments, negotiate with strange and potentially hostile races, and somehow outwit the most powerful warrior in their world.
Skylar Moon is a fun, entertaining read designed for teenagers, but with a much wider appeal. I felt as if I knew the twins personally. I could feel their fear, doubt, and ultimate courage as they negotiated an unbearably hostile environment to save their people.
This is the forth book of Reese’s I’ve read, and she always delivers an entertaining read.
Reese hits another home run with this young adult fantasy/sci-fi novel! On a distant planet filled with fantastical creatures and magical spells, the village of Rheyaros is under constant threat of annihilation from the ogre-like race of Xendors, led by the supremely evil Odin.
Odin, after 13 years of searching, finds teenage twins Aren and Alexa, who possess a magic sword that can permanently banish the Xendors from Rheyaros if they can deliver it to Rheyaros and perform a specific ritual during the rare Skylar Moon.
The chase begins. Aren and Alexa must navigate the most hostile of environments, negotiate with strange and potentially hostile races, and somehow outwit the most powerful warrior in their world.
Skylar Moon is a fun, entertaining read designed for teenagers, but with a much wider appeal. I felt as if I knew the twins personally. I could feel their fear, doubt, and ultimate courage as they negotiated an unbearably hostile environment to save their people.
This is the forth book of Reese’s I’ve read, and she always delivers an entertaining read.
March 10, 2018
I picked up Skylar Moon even though at first glance it was not a genre I was generally familiar with. The description caught my eye with the mention of a “Xendor warrior.” I thought to myself, “What the heck is a Xendor?”
Well, meeting them is not a particularly pleasant experience, I can tell you that.
In Skylar Moon, Marianne Reese presents two different worlds for our perusal. Wait, did I say just two? In fact, it goes far beyond that as she provides glimpses into several microcosms within the realm of Vesterra, a mythical place populated by elvish peoples, gnomes, trolls, Xendors, faeries, and all manner of strange beasts, some lovable and some terrifying. The “Other World” seems much like our own, separate from Vesterra, yet the barrier is easily traversed by several of the beings from Vesterra.
Aren and Alexa are the primary characters, entrusted with a sacred task they must complete before the coming “Skylar Moon” … and the very future of their elvish race depends on their success.
It is billed as a young adult novel but, frankly, I found it an enjoyable read, and the author kept me wondering what amazing thing might show up around the next bend in the forest. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book.
Well, meeting them is not a particularly pleasant experience, I can tell you that.
In Skylar Moon, Marianne Reese presents two different worlds for our perusal. Wait, did I say just two? In fact, it goes far beyond that as she provides glimpses into several microcosms within the realm of Vesterra, a mythical place populated by elvish peoples, gnomes, trolls, Xendors, faeries, and all manner of strange beasts, some lovable and some terrifying. The “Other World” seems much like our own, separate from Vesterra, yet the barrier is easily traversed by several of the beings from Vesterra.
Aren and Alexa are the primary characters, entrusted with a sacred task they must complete before the coming “Skylar Moon” … and the very future of their elvish race depends on their success.
It is billed as a young adult novel but, frankly, I found it an enjoyable read, and the author kept me wondering what amazing thing might show up around the next bend in the forest. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book.
October 21, 2017
This clean fantasy story by Marianne Reese caught and kept my attention right away. The author’s creative way with words and eloquent turns of descriptive phrases made me feel as if I were watching the action unfold rather than reading about it. And there was lots of action throughout. Every short chapter thrust brother and sister twins Aren and Alexa into a new adventure. I absolutely loved the interplay between the twins, especially since I have twin granddaughters who are about the age of the main characters in this story. Skylar Moon takes place in modern times in the modern world where getting through high school and learning how to have relationships is uppermost in everyone’s minds. However, the reader is quickly taken into a parallel secret world of elves and fairies, trolls and other fantastical creatures. This is a great book for middle graders who dream of alternate worlds and others who love to escape into fairytales. I hope Skylar Moon, Book 2 will be available soon because I really want to know what happens next for these daring twins.
October 21, 2017
Skylar Moon was a fun, fast-paced page-turner appropriate for all ages. The main characters, Aren and Alexa, were likeable and the dialogue between them felt genuine. My favorite character and setting in the story was Krug the troll and his cave, but as not to spoil anything about him, that’s all I’ll say. One minor thing I didn’t care for was POV changes within scenes, and to me, some of the internal thought by minor characters didn’t seem necessary to move the story forward. I was also confused by Aren and Alexa instantly knowing who their father was even though they were sent off to the Otherworld to be cared for by Nana Gazelle when they were just toddlers. Perhaps I missed an explanation early on but this felt like a plot error to me. However, this didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying the story.
March 14, 2018
Enjoyable fantasy
This is a YA fantasy sci-fi story quest adventure in which two young elfin teenagers, Aren and Alexa, must return a mystical sword to Rheyaros. Against the clock, because they must return the sword before the Skylar Moon disappears, they are pursued by ruthless ogre-type Xendor warriors intent on capturing the sword for themselves. The characters are well drawn and the audacious twins are instantly likeable. I think teenagers and adults alike would love the story with all its action, fantastic creatures, twists and turns and different worlds. It is well written, richly described, though POV changes mid-scene sometimes caused me to pause to re-read. Otherwise, I enjoyed the story.
This is a YA fantasy sci-fi story quest adventure in which two young elfin teenagers, Aren and Alexa, must return a mystical sword to Rheyaros. Against the clock, because they must return the sword before the Skylar Moon disappears, they are pursued by ruthless ogre-type Xendor warriors intent on capturing the sword for themselves. The characters are well drawn and the audacious twins are instantly likeable. I think teenagers and adults alike would love the story with all its action, fantastic creatures, twists and turns and different worlds. It is well written, richly described, though POV changes mid-scene sometimes caused me to pause to re-read. Otherwise, I enjoyed the story.
February 12, 2018
Skylar Moon is a fun read full of exciting adventure! It is packed full of interesting characters, both friend and foe. But, the main characters, the A-twins, a brother and sister duo who are likable and funny, make it hard to put the book down! Marianne Reese has created these characters who you care about and root for from the beginning of the book until the end. And, as with all good books, I was left wanting more! Skylar Moon is a book that will appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy fantasy. I look forward to the next A-twin adventure!
June 27, 2021
This is such a great book!
Two twins Aaron and Alexa have to travel to a brand new world and face many different obstacles.
Along their journey the twins learn more and more about their powers and most importantly their selves.
This book it’s perfect for anyone that loves fantasy with a little bit of adventure and a whole lot of laughter.
I think this book is perfect for grade 7 and up. It’s a book that can be read by younger audiences but it’s also great for young adults as well.
Two twins Aaron and Alexa have to travel to a brand new world and face many different obstacles.
Along their journey the twins learn more and more about their powers and most importantly their selves.
This book it’s perfect for anyone that loves fantasy with a little bit of adventure and a whole lot of laughter.
I think this book is perfect for grade 7 and up. It’s a book that can be read by younger audiences but it’s also great for young adults as well.
Read
February 27, 2018When Nana Gazelle sends Alexi and Aren with a dagger and sword to find Rheyaros, the twins' dangerous journey begins. Fleeing from the Xendors, will they be able to make it? The author has created an imaginative rich world that will appeal to all young adult book lovers. From grand wolves to gnomes, from pinquists to trolls, every page was rich in adventure, imagination, and bravery.
August 9, 2022
Just finished reading Skylar Moon, given to me as a gift, for which I’m very thankful! What a page turner! What a delight! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for all ages. It’s imaginative, suspenseful, enthralling to say the least &, in addition, contains some very likeable animal characters! I look forward to reading more from this talented & creative author, Marianne Reese. Brava!
August 19, 2021
OMG! This is a great read. Fun, fast paced, full of excitement and adventure. This is a great fantasy book for teens and adults alike.
How is this not a movie?!
How is this not a movie?!
April 17, 2025
I was delighted to receive this book as a Goodreads Giveaway! I enjoy reading young children’s books as I have eight grands and like to recommend and buy books for them to read. This is listed as a YA book, however I found it to be better suited to a younger audience. This story is a good beginning; a solid foundation, however I feel it needs a lot more work to craft a cohesive whole. I would encourage the author to continue with the story and the characters, but spend more time on the purpose of the book rather than just all of the various action situations. Also, the editing needs to improve a lot to make it a book to take seriously. There were too many errors to make me feel this was a polished, finished product. Thank you again for the opportunity to read this!
February 12, 2023
This book was action packed from start to finish! The description and detail of the characters and setting were very well done. I definitely enjoyed reading the book, although it isn’t the type of book that I generally find my self reading. In my opinion it’d be an awesome read for middle school/young teen readers. It’s more fantasy based, and I generally read more crime, drama, suspense stories. But I definitely recommend reading. -Katie
May 8, 2025
This book is hilarious, charming, and full of action! I have the ebook I listened to but it’s so good I’d buy the physical book just to have on my shelves.
Aren and Alexa and adorable and you can really connect with them throughout the book. You’ll fall in love with them immediately while laughing at the villains along the way. Definitely give this book a read!
Aren and Alexa and adorable and you can really connect with them throughout the book. You’ll fall in love with them immediately while laughing at the villains along the way. Definitely give this book a read!
August 4, 2025
I bought this book at a silent auction not knowing what it was. I was pleasantly surprised at the story. It is great for young readers who like books such as Harry Potter, The Unwanteds, Percy Jackson, etc. The only thing I would have like more were a few more chapter because I wasn’t ready for it to finish so quickly.
September 2, 2025
Won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and finally sat down with it the other day. I'm no stranger to YA even though I've outgrown that age group myself, but I realized very quickly that this was a little too on the Y side to captivate me, and didn't feel like especially polished writing to make it worth getting through, either. For the right younger person, though, this might be a good fit!
July 5, 2025
Love it
September 25, 2025
A sweet little young adult read. Fun story but very weird ending. It didn’t seem like the story should have ended there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2026
Could not stop reading! would love a sequel!
November 8, 2025
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Skylar Moon is a fun, fast-moving fantasy that really surprised me. Even though it’s a little more YA than I'm used to, I got completely pulled into Aren and Alexa’s journey and the richly imagined world around them. It’s got heart, adventure, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. A great escape read—especially if you enjoy classic quest-style fantasy with a modern touch.
Skylar Moon is a fun, fast-moving fantasy that really surprised me. Even though it’s a little more YA than I'm used to, I got completely pulled into Aren and Alexa’s journey and the richly imagined world around them. It’s got heart, adventure, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. A great escape read—especially if you enjoy classic quest-style fantasy with a modern touch.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews