What do you think?
Rate this book
Moonchild
In a world fueled by greed and corruption, where airships rule the skies and coal mines have been turned into prisons, Scarlett Moon has one goal: Survive. Being tough and looking out for herself is the only way to stay alive, but when her best friend, Rory, is arrested and returned to the mines, all of Scarlett’s carefully built walls threaten to crumble.
After being rescued by an airship full of pirates, led by the sexy and irresistible Asher Kimura, Scarlett finds herself surrounded by cons and fugitives, and thrust into the middle of a coal-smuggling business. When they take her to Columbus, the one place she never wanted to set foot in again, she wants nothing more than to get away. And her discomfort only grows as she becomes increasingly drawn to Asher.
But everything changes when she discovers there may be a way to rescue Rory. Enlisting the pirates' help, Scarlett sets out on a mission to save her friend, praying that her overwhelming attraction to Asher doesn’t mean the end to her freedom—in more ways than one.
After being rescued by an airship full of pirates, led by the sexy and irresistible Asher Kimura, Scarlett finds herself surrounded by cons and fugitives, and thrust into the middle of a coal-smuggling business. When they take her to Columbus, the one place she never wanted to set foot in again, she wants nothing more than to get away. And her discomfort only grows as she becomes increasingly drawn to Asher.
But everything changes when she discovers there may be a way to rescue Rory. Enlisting the pirates' help, Scarlett sets out on a mission to save her friend, praying that her overwhelming attraction to Asher doesn’t mean the end to her freedom—in more ways than one.
Paperback
About the author
Kate L. Mary
90 books798 followersI'm a mom of four, Air Force wife, and author of adult and young adult dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and science fiction. I love intense world building and character driven stories that feature strong female leads - as well as a side of romance - and any end of the world scenario. Zombies, aliens, a distant future where people have no clue how the world ended in the first place, you name it, I will create a story there!
Having lived in a lot of different places after more than a decade as an Air Force wife, I love setting my books in cities I've actually lived in to give them authenticity. I've resided in: Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, and Oklahoma but am currently back in my home state of Ohio where I live with my husband, four kids, two dogs, and three cats.
When I'm not writing, you can find me by my pool (in the summer), getting lost in some binge-worthy show or at a play with my husband, patronizing one of the great restaurants in my small town of Troy, Ohio with my family, or traveling. I want to see everything and make a point of visiting a new place every year!
Some of my favorite books are The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice, The Host, and The Stand. My favorite movies are Aliens, Jaws, Signs, Say Anything, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and The Greatest Showman.
Awards:
Outliers
Winner in the 2018 Kindle Books Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree
Finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards For Adult Fiction
Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
Cover Finalist in the 2019 RONE Awards from InD'tale Magazine
When We Were Human
2015 Children's Moonbeam Awards Silver Medal winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction
2016 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Science Fiction
Tribe of Daughters
Winner in the 2020 RONE Awards for Time Travel/Science Fiction
Bronze Medal Winner in the 2019 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention in the 2018 SPR Book Awards
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateLMaryauthor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kate-...
Website: http://KateLMary.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombieautho...
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Kate-L.-Mary/e...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kate-L.-Mary...
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
Having lived in a lot of different places after more than a decade as an Air Force wife, I love setting my books in cities I've actually lived in to give them authenticity. I've resided in: Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, and Oklahoma but am currently back in my home state of Ohio where I live with my husband, four kids, two dogs, and three cats.
When I'm not writing, you can find me by my pool (in the summer), getting lost in some binge-worthy show or at a play with my husband, patronizing one of the great restaurants in my small town of Troy, Ohio with my family, or traveling. I want to see everything and make a point of visiting a new place every year!
Some of my favorite books are The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice, The Host, and The Stand. My favorite movies are Aliens, Jaws, Signs, Say Anything, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and The Greatest Showman.
Awards:
Outliers
Winner in the 2018 Kindle Books Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree
Finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards For Adult Fiction
Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
Cover Finalist in the 2019 RONE Awards from InD'tale Magazine
When We Were Human
2015 Children's Moonbeam Awards Silver Medal winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction
2016 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Science Fiction
Tribe of Daughters
Winner in the 2020 RONE Awards for Time Travel/Science Fiction
Bronze Medal Winner in the 2019 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention in the 2018 SPR Book Awards
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateLMaryauthor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kate-...
Website: http://KateLMary.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombieautho...
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Kate-L.-Mary/e...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kate-L.-Mary...
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Read
February 21, 2024This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Kate L. Mary has won me over again with her post-apocalyptic worldbuilding. I just love the dark and dangerous settings that she creates and this futuristic steampunk world is no exception!
What Fed My Addiction:
Futuristic steampunk!
I loved the concept of a world where technology had gone so haywire that people had reverted to alternate, more primitive energy sources – mostly steam and, therefore, coal. (Actually, the book that I wrote – but never quite finished – for NaNoWriMo in 2014 had a very similar premise, so I guess it makes sense that I liked it!) The world that was portrayed in the book was pretty bleak and miserable – not to mention dangerous. Any small crime could land you a sentence to the mines, and life in the mines was unbearable. Scarlett, the main character, had escaped both an unsavory orphanage and the mines, but she spent her life on the run in a treacherous world.
Scarlett.
Scarlett had gotten herself out of a lot of dangerous situations, but because of that, she felt she had to be strong all the time and built walls around herself. She was fiercely independent – sometimes to a fault. But that also meant that she was a force to be reckoned with – the men around Scarlett knew not to mess with her (or they found out the hard way!). Once Scarlett did form a friendship, though, she was fiercely loyal. When Scarlett’s best friend Rory was in trouble, Scarlett proved she would go to any lengths to save her – she put herself into harm’s way more than once for Rory. Scarlett was the type of protagonist that awed you with her strength but made you feel for her because of her vulnerabilities.
Asher.
When Scarlett met Asher, she was leery of him, to say the least. He was a pirate, and everyone knew that pirates were dangerous. But it soon became apparent that Asher was not who Scarlett first assumed him to be. He was selfless and dedicated to actually making a difference in his broken world – even if he didn’t always use the most legal ways of doing it. Asher tried hard to avoid falling for Asher, but it was a losing battle – and I fell right along with her! When Scarlett and Asher (along with others in their ragtag group) had to band together to save Rory, sparks flew – lots of them!
What Left Me Wanting More:
Thoughts of romance.
If I had one complaint, it’s that a bit too much time in the book was spent on Scarlett trying to avoid her feelings for Asher. I got it – she was attracted to him, but didn’t want to admit it to herself. She was used to having to be tough and independent, and she didn’t want to depend on anyone or have actual feelings that could end up hurting her in the end. I understood her feelings and thought they were completely justified. It’s just that every interaction between Asher and Scarlett ended up being overfull of Scarlett’s thoughts about how she didn’t really want Asher and how she actually disliked Asher (which I didn’t see any good reason for except for the fact that she didn’t want to be attracted to him) and so on. I could have done with a little bit less of the push and pull in this case.
This book had fantastic worldbuilding, an exciting plot and characters I was attached to – can’t ask for much more than that! I’m excited to find out what’s in store for these characters next. I give the book 4/5 stars!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Kate L. Mary has won me over again with her post-apocalyptic worldbuilding. I just love the dark and dangerous settings that she creates and this futuristic steampunk world is no exception!
What Fed My Addiction:
Futuristic steampunk!
I loved the concept of a world where technology had gone so haywire that people had reverted to alternate, more primitive energy sources – mostly steam and, therefore, coal. (Actually, the book that I wrote – but never quite finished – for NaNoWriMo in 2014 had a very similar premise, so I guess it makes sense that I liked it!) The world that was portrayed in the book was pretty bleak and miserable – not to mention dangerous. Any small crime could land you a sentence to the mines, and life in the mines was unbearable. Scarlett, the main character, had escaped both an unsavory orphanage and the mines, but she spent her life on the run in a treacherous world.
Scarlett.
Scarlett had gotten herself out of a lot of dangerous situations, but because of that, she felt she had to be strong all the time and built walls around herself. She was fiercely independent – sometimes to a fault. But that also meant that she was a force to be reckoned with – the men around Scarlett knew not to mess with her (or they found out the hard way!). Once Scarlett did form a friendship, though, she was fiercely loyal. When Scarlett’s best friend Rory was in trouble, Scarlett proved she would go to any lengths to save her – she put herself into harm’s way more than once for Rory. Scarlett was the type of protagonist that awed you with her strength but made you feel for her because of her vulnerabilities.
Asher.
When Scarlett met Asher, she was leery of him, to say the least. He was a pirate, and everyone knew that pirates were dangerous. But it soon became apparent that Asher was not who Scarlett first assumed him to be. He was selfless and dedicated to actually making a difference in his broken world – even if he didn’t always use the most legal ways of doing it. Asher tried hard to avoid falling for Asher, but it was a losing battle – and I fell right along with her! When Scarlett and Asher (along with others in their ragtag group) had to band together to save Rory, sparks flew – lots of them!
What Left Me Wanting More:
Thoughts of romance.
If I had one complaint, it’s that a bit too much time in the book was spent on Scarlett trying to avoid her feelings for Asher. I got it – she was attracted to him, but didn’t want to admit it to herself. She was used to having to be tough and independent, and she didn’t want to depend on anyone or have actual feelings that could end up hurting her in the end. I understood her feelings and thought they were completely justified. It’s just that every interaction between Asher and Scarlett ended up being overfull of Scarlett’s thoughts about how she didn’t really want Asher and how she actually disliked Asher (which I didn’t see any good reason for except for the fact that she didn’t want to be attracted to him) and so on. I could have done with a little bit less of the push and pull in this case.
This book had fantastic worldbuilding, an exciting plot and characters I was attached to – can’t ask for much more than that! I’m excited to find out what’s in store for these characters next. I give the book 4/5 stars!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
September 26, 2016
This book is really great. I love the plot, all of the characters and well literally everything. When I started reading it last evening, I was like in the middle of it, I just couldn't put it down and when I finished reading it was 4am.
I really liked that Scarlett was so strong and independent. I just like that type of female characters or she is really great or both... I also liked that there was something new and sometimes totally unexpected happening on almost every chapter.
I know this review is kind of confusing but I have mess in my head after reading the book. :)
I really liked that Scarlett was so strong and independent. I just like that type of female characters or she is really great or both... I also liked that there was something new and sometimes totally unexpected happening on almost every chapter.
I know this review is kind of confusing but I have mess in my head after reading the book. :)
July 6, 2016
WOW! This book was really good!! I loved Scarlett, she was so strong and powerful but not afraid to use her femininity which I liked. Asher, you're kinda awesome, just so you know.
The writing was clean and precise, although I did notice a lot of repetition, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. The plot was developed really well and I feel like we got to know the characters and their histories effectively.
I didn't think the ending was rushed, I thought it moved at a good pace and was relative to the entire book.
All up I thought it was a decent book, It's good to read a story thats different in so many ways to a lot of YA dystopian books today. I liked how a love triangle wasn't necessary in this book which was really refreshing, I'm getting sick of them if I'm honest.
Would recommend if you're looking for a short(ish), clean cut dystopian novel and you like a bit of action :)
The writing was clean and precise, although I did notice a lot of repetition, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. The plot was developed really well and I feel like we got to know the characters and their histories effectively.
I didn't think the ending was rushed, I thought it moved at a good pace and was relative to the entire book.
All up I thought it was a decent book, It's good to read a story thats different in so many ways to a lot of YA dystopian books today. I liked how a love triangle wasn't necessary in this book which was really refreshing, I'm getting sick of them if I'm honest.
Would recommend if you're looking for a short(ish), clean cut dystopian novel and you like a bit of action :)
September 30, 2016
Amazing world building; fantastic plot; great first book of a series!
Plot - The plot of the book is crazy good. The author is very creative and wrote this bleak world to perfection that we felt in our bones how bad it was. The world building is beyond good, is something that you could never imagine on your own. The book kept me guessing until the end and I'm definitely going to read the next one. This was an action-packed, fast-paced read.
Characters - I've really loved Asher. He was so real; easy to love, connect and relate. He has depth and I know he will keep growing in future books. Several amazing secondary characters. Really, I can see a long future for this series.
Freshness- OMG! Ms. Mary is brilliant! Everything about this book feels new, something I haven't read before. This really blew my mind.
Addictiveness - Yes. This is the type of book that you can't put down. It's something that stays on your mind even after you have finished reading. Really looking forward to what comes next.
I have mixed feelings about Scarlett. Yes, she was a loyal friend but she was so immature and so stuck on being strong that she really irritated me sometimes. I understood that she needed to portray this strong woman, but why she was so cold I didn't get it. It was hard for me to connect with her. I know she will probably mature during the series, she has a lot of room to grow.
You MAY read this because you enjoy the author's work; you SHOULD read this because you like speculative fiction; you MUST read this to be amazed with the best world building ever!!!
June 22, 2016
What can I say about Moonchild? It was great. I loved the Broken World series and this was just as good.
Scarlett and her friends live on the street trying to survive in this dystopian world. One day when they are fighting the enforcers, her friend, Rory, gets taken. Her and her other friends are saved by some pirates. That's when they meet Asher and he agrees to help them find Rory. Scarlett and Asher have lots of chemistry. I won't give away what happens in the story, but I will say that I cannot wait to read more about Scarlett and Asher.
This is a great read. I highly recommend it.
Scarlett and her friends live on the street trying to survive in this dystopian world. One day when they are fighting the enforcers, her friend, Rory, gets taken. Her and her other friends are saved by some pirates. That's when they meet Asher and he agrees to help them find Rory. Scarlett and Asher have lots of chemistry. I won't give away what happens in the story, but I will say that I cannot wait to read more about Scarlett and Asher.
This is a great read. I highly recommend it.
July 19, 2016
Moonchild was another fascinating read and this was a book that I found hard to put down.
With a strong female lead and an equally strong male there is a character to cheer on for anyone who reads this book. They're both survivors of a world that has been stripped of technology and thrown back into the dark ages in a way but they are finding their own way in this new corrupt world.
There are a diverse range of secondary characters and these vary from despicable to loyal loving individuals.
There is plenty of action and drama and a nice healthy dose of angst thrown in just to keep you on your toes. I found myself cheering both the main characters Scarlett and Asher on and hoping they find happiness.
The story moves at a great pace and as always Kate L Mary's writing is excellent. I hope there is more stories for these characters to come.
I only have one dislike and that is that I felt like there was more story to tell with these two main characters and I sure hope that the author decides to continue on with them.
Great read!
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
With a strong female lead and an equally strong male there is a character to cheer on for anyone who reads this book. They're both survivors of a world that has been stripped of technology and thrown back into the dark ages in a way but they are finding their own way in this new corrupt world.
There are a diverse range of secondary characters and these vary from despicable to loyal loving individuals.
There is plenty of action and drama and a nice healthy dose of angst thrown in just to keep you on your toes. I found myself cheering both the main characters Scarlett and Asher on and hoping they find happiness.
The story moves at a great pace and as always Kate L Mary's writing is excellent. I hope there is more stories for these characters to come.
I only have one dislike and that is that I felt like there was more story to tell with these two main characters and I sure hope that the author decides to continue on with them.
Great read!
*Copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
July 11, 2019
Moonchild is a YA-Steampunk-Dystopian-Adventure-Love Story...with pirates. It totally worked for me.
The main protagonist, Scarlett, is frustrating at times, but I liked her overall. She is strong, stubborn, and flawed, but I like that we are able to see some growth in her character over the course of the story.
Kate L. Mary is really successful with the world-building as well. The background information is seamlessly woven into the narrative of the story, so I felt like I understood what was going on without having to be spoon-fed everything in an awkwardly obvious way.
Another thing I love about this book is that it can stand alone but still leaves you excited for more. Even though the main storyline was resolved at the end, I started the next book immediately because I wanted to find out what happens next for the characters.
Finally, the narrator, Heidi Drennan, really nailed it. I am surprised she does not have a longer list of audiobooks under her belt but do not think this is the last we have heard from her!
Thank you to the author for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The main protagonist, Scarlett, is frustrating at times, but I liked her overall. She is strong, stubborn, and flawed, but I like that we are able to see some growth in her character over the course of the story.
Kate L. Mary is really successful with the world-building as well. The background information is seamlessly woven into the narrative of the story, so I felt like I understood what was going on without having to be spoon-fed everything in an awkwardly obvious way.
Another thing I love about this book is that it can stand alone but still leaves you excited for more. Even though the main storyline was resolved at the end, I started the next book immediately because I wanted to find out what happens next for the characters.
Finally, the narrator, Heidi Drennan, really nailed it. I am surprised she does not have a longer list of audiobooks under her belt but do not think this is the last we have heard from her!
Thank you to the author for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2019
Audiobook review: Who wouldn’t love dystopian pirates!?! I found the Moonchild world and characters fascinating, interesting, and exciting. I was pulled into this world and enjoyed the ride as it lasted. The lead couple Asher and Scarlett battle it out with sex trade sellers while being tempted by their attraction for one another. This was my first steampunk dystopian story and I look forward to more from this genre. The narrator did a good job with providing unique voices for each character and appropriate tone inflections for each scene! I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
January 15, 2019
Great book, starting book 2 tonight.
July 12, 2019
Audiobook review
This is a post-apocalyptic steam punk pirate story, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
I love a strong, independent, well-written female character that can take care of herself but has tight, supportive, real-friend relationships. Enter: Scarlett Moon (aka Moonchild) and her ragtag group of survivors.
In the Moonchild world, a sect of religious fanatics that blamed computers and technology for the world’s downfall grew in popularity until finally taking over. They rule & dictate everything, including what tech is and is not approved for usage - and then only for usage by them to keep control of the people and their power. As the regime gained momentum, they started imprisoning critics, sentencing them to years of hard labor in the mines that anchor each “large” city that’s left. The mines aren’t just for adults. Children grow up working in the mines due to their parents indiscretions. Anyone caught speaking out goes to jail for at least a year, some for life. Along with tech spider-like robots that use facial recognition to monitor civilians, they also employ human “Enforcers” to track down fugitives, orphans, and dissenters alike. In this skeleton of a world, you’re either a religious nut, an Enforcer, or a pirate.
When Scarlett’s parents were killed, she was sent to the mines. After months of mining, she escaped and has since been living with a group of teens/young adults in the ruins of an old city, moving from building to building to stay unseen. Also since escaping, she’s learned how to defend herself and others. Some people use guns, Scarlett is a complete master with throwing stars and knives. When her best friend Rory is taken by Enforcers during a raid, Scarlett and what’s left of her group are surprisingly saved by an airship of pirates. When super hunk Asher Kimura introduces Scarlett & Co to their new life as pirates, it takes all of her effort not to kill him...or kiss him. The tension is constantly thick. Then he tells her they’re headed to Columbus, the city she grew up in and had never wanted to see again. Together, they come up with a bunch of plans to save Rory, and get to work.
While the author does a good job at tying up some of the story, the main plot is left at a cliffhanger, as series do. This book sort of hits all the plot points of any fantasy/post-apoc/adventure book out there: terrible people/group in power; folks on the run working against the terrible power; violence & killing; and last but not least: jealousy & romance. It’s all pretty balanced.
Sometimes I feel like romance is over-pushed on readers/listeners, but I enjoyed Scarlett’s inner turmoil and personal struggle with her emotions. She’s a hot-head, who speaks impulsively which gets her into a lot of messes. She’s constantly having to apologize for this, which I can relate to.
The narrator does a pretty good job telling this story and has plenty of character inflection/tone.
My only con was the amount of self-loathing Scarlett seems to have, but I get it. It’s her flaw, but it’s almost overdone. Keyword: almost. It didn’t make me want to stop listening, and it definitely isn’t going to keep me from the next book that’s for sure. I recommend this book to YA fantasy readers.
Im going to disclose a little bit about me that I’ve not mentioned in a book review, but it’s relevant:
My very first D&D character was/is a Female Pirate Ranger. The similarities to my character’s personality is pretty neat, except Scarlett is a bit more jumpy and defensive but with good reason.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review.
This is a post-apocalyptic steam punk pirate story, and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
I love a strong, independent, well-written female character that can take care of herself but has tight, supportive, real-friend relationships. Enter: Scarlett Moon (aka Moonchild) and her ragtag group of survivors.
In the Moonchild world, a sect of religious fanatics that blamed computers and technology for the world’s downfall grew in popularity until finally taking over. They rule & dictate everything, including what tech is and is not approved for usage - and then only for usage by them to keep control of the people and their power. As the regime gained momentum, they started imprisoning critics, sentencing them to years of hard labor in the mines that anchor each “large” city that’s left. The mines aren’t just for adults. Children grow up working in the mines due to their parents indiscretions. Anyone caught speaking out goes to jail for at least a year, some for life. Along with tech spider-like robots that use facial recognition to monitor civilians, they also employ human “Enforcers” to track down fugitives, orphans, and dissenters alike. In this skeleton of a world, you’re either a religious nut, an Enforcer, or a pirate.
When Scarlett’s parents were killed, she was sent to the mines. After months of mining, she escaped and has since been living with a group of teens/young adults in the ruins of an old city, moving from building to building to stay unseen. Also since escaping, she’s learned how to defend herself and others. Some people use guns, Scarlett is a complete master with throwing stars and knives. When her best friend Rory is taken by Enforcers during a raid, Scarlett and what’s left of her group are surprisingly saved by an airship of pirates. When super hunk Asher Kimura introduces Scarlett & Co to their new life as pirates, it takes all of her effort not to kill him...or kiss him. The tension is constantly thick. Then he tells her they’re headed to Columbus, the city she grew up in and had never wanted to see again. Together, they come up with a bunch of plans to save Rory, and get to work.
While the author does a good job at tying up some of the story, the main plot is left at a cliffhanger, as series do. This book sort of hits all the plot points of any fantasy/post-apoc/adventure book out there: terrible people/group in power; folks on the run working against the terrible power; violence & killing; and last but not least: jealousy & romance. It’s all pretty balanced.
Sometimes I feel like romance is over-pushed on readers/listeners, but I enjoyed Scarlett’s inner turmoil and personal struggle with her emotions. She’s a hot-head, who speaks impulsively which gets her into a lot of messes. She’s constantly having to apologize for this, which I can relate to.
The narrator does a pretty good job telling this story and has plenty of character inflection/tone.
My only con was the amount of self-loathing Scarlett seems to have, but I get it. It’s her flaw, but it’s almost overdone. Keyword: almost. It didn’t make me want to stop listening, and it definitely isn’t going to keep me from the next book that’s for sure. I recommend this book to YA fantasy readers.
Im going to disclose a little bit about me that I’ve not mentioned in a book review, but it’s relevant:
My very first D&D character was/is a Female Pirate Ranger. The similarities to my character’s personality is pretty neat, except Scarlett is a bit more jumpy and defensive but with good reason.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this honest review.
May 25, 2019
Kate L. Mary is my writing hero. Seriously, I can only hope my writing is half as amazing as hers is. Moonchild is an awesomepost-apocalyptic, dystopian which is unlike anything I’ve read before.
Moonchild is set in this immersive, well-developed world where technology has gone haywire and people are living in a more primative state – using steam as an energy resource. Kate L. Mary brings you deep into this bleak and dnagerous world, making you feel as if you’re there.
Scarlett is such an incredibly compelling main character. She is a character who, because of all she has been through, feels she needs to be strong all the time. She is independent and has built a wall up to keep others out. I also love how loyal she is to people she does let in. I really loved her character and watching her grow was awesome.
Another thing Kate L. Mary does is set up a romance well. There has never been an insta-love in her novels I’ve read. Scarlet spends a lot of this book avoiding her feelings for Asher, which is so smart, in my opinion. Scarlett’s character is not one to fall in love easily or let someone in quickly, and she doesn’t here. If you’re looking for a quick romance, Moonchild is definitely not your book…but if you’re looking for a push and pull that keeps you invested, this is it.
Incredible world-building, compelling characters and a plot that’s not going to let you put the book down – 5/5 stars and on my favorites of 2019 list! Highly recommended!
*I received a copy of this novel as part of a blog tour with Lady Amber's Reviews and PR. All opinions are my own.*
Moonchild is set in this immersive, well-developed world where technology has gone haywire and people are living in a more primative state – using steam as an energy resource. Kate L. Mary brings you deep into this bleak and dnagerous world, making you feel as if you’re there.
Scarlett is such an incredibly compelling main character. She is a character who, because of all she has been through, feels she needs to be strong all the time. She is independent and has built a wall up to keep others out. I also love how loyal she is to people she does let in. I really loved her character and watching her grow was awesome.
Another thing Kate L. Mary does is set up a romance well. There has never been an insta-love in her novels I’ve read. Scarlet spends a lot of this book avoiding her feelings for Asher, which is so smart, in my opinion. Scarlett’s character is not one to fall in love easily or let someone in quickly, and she doesn’t here. If you’re looking for a quick romance, Moonchild is definitely not your book…but if you’re looking for a push and pull that keeps you invested, this is it.
Incredible world-building, compelling characters and a plot that’s not going to let you put the book down – 5/5 stars and on my favorites of 2019 list! Highly recommended!
*I received a copy of this novel as part of a blog tour with Lady Amber's Reviews and PR. All opinions are my own.*
November 2, 2020
I received this book via a promo code and this is my voluntary review. Our Steampunk fugitive Scarlett Moon is on the run from the corrupt law officials who want to send her back to the coal mines. A revolution against technology by The Luddites has left the world resembling a cross between Vegas and a Charles Dickens novel. (kind of like Firefly but minus the space ships) eventually her luck runs out and she's about to get nabbed when Swashbuckling Pirates swoop down and save her orphan butt. Her friend, Rory, however hadn't been so lucky. Assuming her best friend was just being sent back where they'd escaped from, the coal mines, Scarlett had been trying to move on and focus on her own survival. When a conversation with her rescuer Asher convinces Scarlett that Rory's fate is so much darker and twisted than anything she could ever have imagined. Scarlett and her crew of renegades join up with the Pirates to attempt a rescue operation. The overall world building didn't venture as deep as I was used to with Kate L Mary's work (Outliers, Zombies or Species Traitor) but this post-modern world civilisation was just as action packed. Scarlett is much closer to a cynical version of Vivian in her Broken World series and its easy to see how her experiences of losing her parents etc have given her into this harder shell. It's enjoyable
September 4, 2016
With its captivating setting, riveting plot, and heart-pounding action, “Moonchild” is a much needed breath of fresh air in the world of YA fantasy. I’d say the same in the context of New Adult fantasy as well since the novel teeters between the two, which works to its benefit. Whichever age bracket you want to put it is, mature YA or NA, “Moonchild” is an original, creative, and exciting read whether you’re familiar with the world of steampunk or not.
Scarlett Moon lives on the streets of a world where computers are a sin and airship rule the skies. Those in control are controlled in turn by corruption. Those who go against them are sent to the coal mines to pay for their crimes. When her best friend, Rory, meets such a fate, Scarlett’s life begins to crumble. Even after she and the rest of her friends are rescued by a band of coal-smuggling pirates, Scarlett finds it hard to fix the invisible walls she has built to protect herself. Among the pirates is the dashing Asher Kimura, who only makes Scarlett’s efforts all the more difficult. When she discovers that there might be a way to save Rory, Scarlett will have to put her friend’s life before her own, even if it means leaving herself vulnerable to Asher’s charm and affection.
There’s so much great stuff in this book that it’s hard to know where to begin.
For starters, the setting is a lot of fun. It blends steampunk and the post-apocalyptic genres together seamlessly and brings something new to both categories, which is refreshing seeing as the post-apocalyptic side has been sufficiently milked. The world that Scarlett inhibits is so vast and vivid that it lends itself to a lot of future stories and creative set ups. The characters that inhibit this world are fantastic as well. While not the most memorable, they all offer something important in every scene they’re in. If they’re not moving the story forward, they’re offering insight about the world around them, providing foils to other characters, or helping to build conflict. They each have a job and they execute it perfectly.
I liked Asher in particular. It takes about two paragraphs to figure out that he’s going to be Scarlett’s love interest, but Mary does a wonderful job making him just as believable and likeable as Scarlett. If anything, he’s more believable and likeable than Scarlett, but I’ll talk about her soon enough. I especially like the way Mary uses Asher to explore some mature themes that you wouldn’t expect from a book like this. That little detail gives “Moonchild” a depth that transcends its genre and intended age group (even if that detail is still a little fuzzy).
The main conflict ensnared me from start and I was thankful for the route it took. In the first few chapters, I was worried that “Moonchild” was going to be another “Hunger Games”/“Divergent” clone, but despite its small scale in comparison to the rest of this new world, it proved to be exciting, captivating, and emotionally gripping, much to my surprise. That is due in no small part to the magnificent writing. Both the narration and the dialogue do a great job introducing the reader to both the world and the characters. Despite the newness of it all, nothing feels like exposition. Everything feels like natural storytelling. The entirebook flows like a bullet train heading for a destination you can’t wait to reach, even if the scenery outside is immensely enjoyable.
Despite all of “Moonchild’s” strengths, its protagonist, Scarlett, was rather disappointing. To be fair, she really shines in the action scenes. She’s a headstrong force to be reckoned with and has no trouble getting her hands dirty. In the quiet moments, however, she begins to fall apart. She suffers from that “strong female character” syndrome where “strong and confident” is confused for “emotionless and cold.” Normally I’d shrug it off, but she’s so incredibly bad at it that she started to get on my nerves. She spouts Queen Elsa-esque rhetoric of “Conceal, don’t feel,” but she never seems to follow it. She’s constantly letting her negative feelings color how she sees people and situations and ends up making bad choices because of them. If she were fifteen or sixteen, I might have just made a footnote about the discrepancy, but she’s nineteen. If she’s going to give into emotionally-driven recklessness, Mary should have just called it than rather than hide it behind the need for a “strong female character.” It would have made Scarlett a bit more mature and likeable.
Thankfully, Scarlett is only one piece of an otherwise expertly crafted novel and I won’t deny that she could mature over the course of future novels (which I would love to read, just so you know, Kate L. Mary).
As a whole, “Moonchild” is brilliant. The world is fascinating and vibrant, the characters are enjoyable, the conflict will have you desperate to see the end, and the brilliantly written first-person narrative is worth taking a look at in and of itself. If you’re a long-time fan of steampunk, post-apocalypses, mature YA and NA, or even if you’re new to all of it, I highly suggest you pick up “Moonchild” and get swept away on an air ship. I’m sure it’ll be an adventure.
Originally posted on tabbyafae.com on August 20, 2016 and cheapreads.wordpress.com on September 3, 2016
Scarlett Moon lives on the streets of a world where computers are a sin and airship rule the skies. Those in control are controlled in turn by corruption. Those who go against them are sent to the coal mines to pay for their crimes. When her best friend, Rory, meets such a fate, Scarlett’s life begins to crumble. Even after she and the rest of her friends are rescued by a band of coal-smuggling pirates, Scarlett finds it hard to fix the invisible walls she has built to protect herself. Among the pirates is the dashing Asher Kimura, who only makes Scarlett’s efforts all the more difficult. When she discovers that there might be a way to save Rory, Scarlett will have to put her friend’s life before her own, even if it means leaving herself vulnerable to Asher’s charm and affection.
There’s so much great stuff in this book that it’s hard to know where to begin.
For starters, the setting is a lot of fun. It blends steampunk and the post-apocalyptic genres together seamlessly and brings something new to both categories, which is refreshing seeing as the post-apocalyptic side has been sufficiently milked. The world that Scarlett inhibits is so vast and vivid that it lends itself to a lot of future stories and creative set ups. The characters that inhibit this world are fantastic as well. While not the most memorable, they all offer something important in every scene they’re in. If they’re not moving the story forward, they’re offering insight about the world around them, providing foils to other characters, or helping to build conflict. They each have a job and they execute it perfectly.
I liked Asher in particular. It takes about two paragraphs to figure out that he’s going to be Scarlett’s love interest, but Mary does a wonderful job making him just as believable and likeable as Scarlett. If anything, he’s more believable and likeable than Scarlett, but I’ll talk about her soon enough. I especially like the way Mary uses Asher to explore some mature themes that you wouldn’t expect from a book like this. That little detail gives “Moonchild” a depth that transcends its genre and intended age group (even if that detail is still a little fuzzy).
The main conflict ensnared me from start and I was thankful for the route it took. In the first few chapters, I was worried that “Moonchild” was going to be another “Hunger Games”/“Divergent” clone, but despite its small scale in comparison to the rest of this new world, it proved to be exciting, captivating, and emotionally gripping, much to my surprise. That is due in no small part to the magnificent writing. Both the narration and the dialogue do a great job introducing the reader to both the world and the characters. Despite the newness of it all, nothing feels like exposition. Everything feels like natural storytelling. The entirebook flows like a bullet train heading for a destination you can’t wait to reach, even if the scenery outside is immensely enjoyable.
Despite all of “Moonchild’s” strengths, its protagonist, Scarlett, was rather disappointing. To be fair, she really shines in the action scenes. She’s a headstrong force to be reckoned with and has no trouble getting her hands dirty. In the quiet moments, however, she begins to fall apart. She suffers from that “strong female character” syndrome where “strong and confident” is confused for “emotionless and cold.” Normally I’d shrug it off, but she’s so incredibly bad at it that she started to get on my nerves. She spouts Queen Elsa-esque rhetoric of “Conceal, don’t feel,” but she never seems to follow it. She’s constantly letting her negative feelings color how she sees people and situations and ends up making bad choices because of them. If she were fifteen or sixteen, I might have just made a footnote about the discrepancy, but she’s nineteen. If she’s going to give into emotionally-driven recklessness, Mary should have just called it than rather than hide it behind the need for a “strong female character.” It would have made Scarlett a bit more mature and likeable.
Thankfully, Scarlett is only one piece of an otherwise expertly crafted novel and I won’t deny that she could mature over the course of future novels (which I would love to read, just so you know, Kate L. Mary).
As a whole, “Moonchild” is brilliant. The world is fascinating and vibrant, the characters are enjoyable, the conflict will have you desperate to see the end, and the brilliantly written first-person narrative is worth taking a look at in and of itself. If you’re a long-time fan of steampunk, post-apocalypses, mature YA and NA, or even if you’re new to all of it, I highly suggest you pick up “Moonchild” and get swept away on an air ship. I’m sure it’ll be an adventure.
Originally posted on tabbyafae.com on August 20, 2016 and cheapreads.wordpress.com on September 3, 2016
May 10, 2017
4-1/2 stars. One of my favorite books of 2016. This is one of those that will stick with me weeks or months after I'm done. It took me about a third of the book to warm up to Scarlett, but once I did, I loved her immensely. I was worried at first that in order to create a strong female character, the author felt she needed to make her heroine more like a male character. Scarlett is always wanting to hit someone or something. She's aggressive, uses sex as a diversion, and has a hard time expressing any emotion other than anger. But as we learn more about her backstory, her personality begins to make sense. I still think strong female characters don't need to be written as guys with skirts, but in this case it works.
When Scarlett's best friend, Rory, is taken to the mines, Scarlett gives up any hope of ever seeing her again. She and her friends barely escape capture themselves, only being rescued at the last moment by a group of ragtag pirates, including extremely hot Asher. When Asher explains what happens to pretty, innocent girls in the mines -- they're auctioned off as sex slaves to the highest bidder -- Scarlett enlists the help of her friends to rescue Rory. This is the main plot and it unfolds at a rapid pace as they seek information on Rory's whereabouts and come up with a rescue plan. Underlying it all is a simmering sexual tension between Scarlett and Asher. The back and forth is worthy of an eye roll or two, but the rest of the story more than makes up for it.
Plot
The plot is fantastic. Set on rescuing her best friend, Scarlett embarks on a dangerous mission, risking everything for the only person she considers family. The pacing is perfect, unfolding at a clipped rate,without overpowering us with action. There's enough romance to keep the story from being just an action/adventure and more than adequate character development to make this a well-balanced novel.
Characters
Scarlett is fascinating. As I mentioned above, it took me awhile to warm up to her, but once I did, I was committed. She's deeply wounded and yet realizes others have had it far worse than she has. That self-awareness is what keeps her from becoming too jaded or wallowing in a pit of self pity that would doom her character in my mind. Asher is the hot, witty pirate with the disarming smile and a past of his own that shapes everything he does. The rest of the characters have their own stories in this dystopian world that Kate L. Mary has created.
World Building
This is where the story really shines in my eyes. The attention to detail in the author's vision of a future where technology is taboo and coal-fired steam power is where it's at. This steampunk world is dark, yet vividly rich, full of airships and pirates and victorian-era costumes that come alive as much as any of the characters that inhabit it.
What Didn't Work for Me
1. The editing. The book could have benefitted from tighter editing. There were more than a few missing/extra words than were easily overlooked. There was also some repetition that was distracting that should have been picked up by a good editor.
2. The cover. There's nothing really wrong with it except there is nothing really right about it. This is a totally kick-ass steampunk dystopian sci-fi adventure and the cover, along with the title, made me think it was going to be a paranormal romance. I wouldn't have bothered picking up this book if I'd only seen the cover. Luckily I read the blurb first!
3. The ending. This is the only reason I'm giving the book 4.5 stars instead of 5. I can overlook a crappy cover, because that can be fixed. So can lackluster editing, but the ending is the last thing I have, the thing that sticks with me long after I turn off my Kindle. It feels unfinished, as if this is the first in a series, but there's no indication it's only book 1 of anything. I do hope the author decides to write more about these characters and this world. She's done an incredible job creating everything and there is so much potential for more of Scarlett's story.
What I Enjoyed About Moonchild
1. The setting. The author has created this fabulous, futuristic, steampunk world that is vivid and imaginative. Her attention to detail is phenomenal, and yet the world building is subtly worked into the plot.
2. Scarlett. She's tough as nails with a heart of gold. Although it took a little bit for me to warm to her, she is everything I want my young adult heroine to be.
3. The plot. It's near perfect in it's development and execution. Only information necessary to move the story forward is provided and is done so in the proper sequence.
4. Asher. The complex pirate with the winning smile won me over at first sight. I'm a sucker for pirates with a heart, think Hook from Once Upon a Time. Asher is all that and a bag of chips!
5. Loyalty. This is the enduring theme of the story, whether it's Scarlett's loyalty to Rory, Dex's loyalty to Scarlett and Rory, or Asher's loyalty to everyone he cares about, this works so well in an otherwise dark tale.
Bottom Line
Moonchild is a wonderfully plotted action adventure with deeply developed characters. I will definitely be reading more by this author!
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
When Scarlett's best friend, Rory, is taken to the mines, Scarlett gives up any hope of ever seeing her again. She and her friends barely escape capture themselves, only being rescued at the last moment by a group of ragtag pirates, including extremely hot Asher. When Asher explains what happens to pretty, innocent girls in the mines -- they're auctioned off as sex slaves to the highest bidder -- Scarlett enlists the help of her friends to rescue Rory. This is the main plot and it unfolds at a rapid pace as they seek information on Rory's whereabouts and come up with a rescue plan. Underlying it all is a simmering sexual tension between Scarlett and Asher. The back and forth is worthy of an eye roll or two, but the rest of the story more than makes up for it.
Plot
The plot is fantastic. Set on rescuing her best friend, Scarlett embarks on a dangerous mission, risking everything for the only person she considers family. The pacing is perfect, unfolding at a clipped rate,without overpowering us with action. There's enough romance to keep the story from being just an action/adventure and more than adequate character development to make this a well-balanced novel.
Characters
Scarlett is fascinating. As I mentioned above, it took me awhile to warm up to her, but once I did, I was committed. She's deeply wounded and yet realizes others have had it far worse than she has. That self-awareness is what keeps her from becoming too jaded or wallowing in a pit of self pity that would doom her character in my mind. Asher is the hot, witty pirate with the disarming smile and a past of his own that shapes everything he does. The rest of the characters have their own stories in this dystopian world that Kate L. Mary has created.
World Building
This is where the story really shines in my eyes. The attention to detail in the author's vision of a future where technology is taboo and coal-fired steam power is where it's at. This steampunk world is dark, yet vividly rich, full of airships and pirates and victorian-era costumes that come alive as much as any of the characters that inhabit it.
What Didn't Work for Me
1. The editing. The book could have benefitted from tighter editing. There were more than a few missing/extra words than were easily overlooked. There was also some repetition that was distracting that should have been picked up by a good editor.
2. The cover. There's nothing really wrong with it except there is nothing really right about it. This is a totally kick-ass steampunk dystopian sci-fi adventure and the cover, along with the title, made me think it was going to be a paranormal romance. I wouldn't have bothered picking up this book if I'd only seen the cover. Luckily I read the blurb first!
3. The ending. This is the only reason I'm giving the book 4.5 stars instead of 5. I can overlook a crappy cover, because that can be fixed. So can lackluster editing, but the ending is the last thing I have, the thing that sticks with me long after I turn off my Kindle. It feels unfinished, as if this is the first in a series, but there's no indication it's only book 1 of anything. I do hope the author decides to write more about these characters and this world. She's done an incredible job creating everything and there is so much potential for more of Scarlett's story.
What I Enjoyed About Moonchild
1. The setting. The author has created this fabulous, futuristic, steampunk world that is vivid and imaginative. Her attention to detail is phenomenal, and yet the world building is subtly worked into the plot.
2. Scarlett. She's tough as nails with a heart of gold. Although it took a little bit for me to warm to her, she is everything I want my young adult heroine to be.
3. The plot. It's near perfect in it's development and execution. Only information necessary to move the story forward is provided and is done so in the proper sequence.
4. Asher. The complex pirate with the winning smile won me over at first sight. I'm a sucker for pirates with a heart, think Hook from Once Upon a Time. Asher is all that and a bag of chips!
5. Loyalty. This is the enduring theme of the story, whether it's Scarlett's loyalty to Rory, Dex's loyalty to Scarlett and Rory, or Asher's loyalty to everyone he cares about, this works so well in an otherwise dark tale.
Bottom Line
Moonchild is a wonderfully plotted action adventure with deeply developed characters. I will definitely be reading more by this author!
Disclaimer
I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2018
In a world gone bad, Scarlett has only one wish, to survive. Definitely not easy to do with destruction going on all around. I couldn’t just read the book, had to listen to the audio as well. Not disappointed at all.
November 3, 2020
Futuristic book where everyone’s got a chip in their arm that describes who they are. I wouldn’t want to live in that time but I can see it coming with pandemic of 2020. I really like the good characters and hated the bad ones.
June 16, 2019
Moonchild by Kate L. Mary and narrated by Heidi Drennan is a marvelous steampunk adventure! If you are into steampunk, pirates, post-apocalyptic worlds, or strong female leads, I can’t recommend this book enough. I hesitate to say this is for young adults only as it contains adult/darker themes.
What to expect: After Scarlett’s parents died, she was put to work in the mines. She managed to escape and has been on the run since with her friends. Unfortunately, being on the run comes with it’s own downfalls. One night, Rory is taken by the enforcers while they are out scavenging, from there Scarlett’s adventure to rescue her begins. Enter the pirates (some good, some bad) and Asher, a potential love interest that has Scarlett second guessing her ways. This book is a go-go-go story. Lots of action, mysteries (some to be unraveled in future installments), a love story sprouting, and great character development (even the minor characters).
The narrator, Heidi Drennan, did an excellent job with this. Voices are distinct and easy to listen to.
Overall, I recommend- I enjoyed it a lot and look forward to Scarlett’s story unfolding. Kate has a gift for world building, smooth writing, and portraying strong female characters. I would love to see this story turned into a TV series.
Parental guidance/trigger warnings: death of parents (multiple characters), unwanted child (one character who is an adult now), prostitution of females (sex slaves or like situations) by powerful males, death, weapons such as throwing stars, attempted rape when drinking, child pit fighting to death, drugging of a male.
*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!
What to expect: After Scarlett’s parents died, she was put to work in the mines. She managed to escape and has been on the run since with her friends. Unfortunately, being on the run comes with it’s own downfalls. One night, Rory is taken by the enforcers while they are out scavenging, from there Scarlett’s adventure to rescue her begins. Enter the pirates (some good, some bad) and Asher, a potential love interest that has Scarlett second guessing her ways. This book is a go-go-go story. Lots of action, mysteries (some to be unraveled in future installments), a love story sprouting, and great character development (even the minor characters).
The narrator, Heidi Drennan, did an excellent job with this. Voices are distinct and easy to listen to.
Overall, I recommend- I enjoyed it a lot and look forward to Scarlett’s story unfolding. Kate has a gift for world building, smooth writing, and portraying strong female characters. I would love to see this story turned into a TV series.
Parental guidance/trigger warnings: death of parents (multiple characters), unwanted child (one character who is an adult now), prostitution of females (sex slaves or like situations) by powerful males, death, weapons such as throwing stars, attempted rape when drinking, child pit fighting to death, drugging of a male.
*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!
June 26, 2019
Some fascinating topics are explored in this Steampunk/Dystopian mashup. The end of technology, prison based society, rich vs poor, and human trafficking with young adult heroes. I love strong female characters even when flawed. In the storyline I found the repetitive thoughts of “Moonchild” concerning her inability to have a relationship or trust issues bordering on obsessive. It was getting distracting from a very interesting storyline and world building. I began ignoring her obsessive internal conflict and focusing on the great world building, characters and friendships.
The Narrator was excellent. She transitions between characters extremely well. She had great distinctions in her voices
I received a free copy of this book in lieu of an honest review
The Narrator was excellent. She transitions between characters extremely well. She had great distinctions in her voices
I received a free copy of this book in lieu of an honest review
June 13, 2018
Another great world that Kate L Mary has created. Everyone of her books I love!!! I love the worlds and characters that she has created.
This was a great read I really enjoyed the mystery that was it held.... now if only Scarlett and Asher can get together....
This was a great read I really enjoyed the mystery that was it held.... now if only Scarlett and Asher can get together....
November 13, 2016
This is my first venture into the world of Steam-punk, a concept I find somewhat confusing. But it worked and was really good. Author Kate L. Mary has a real gift for creating alternate worlds with words, giving details that make it totally believable.
In this alternate world, we meet our heroine Scarlett. She is a tough cookie, with no real home and a small group of friends. They scavenge for their food, their clothing, their weapons, everything. If they are caught, they will be thrown into “prison” - that is, the coal mines, where they must work to bring forth this valuable commodity on which their world relies. Scarlett has already been in prison and has no intention of going back there.
The plot of the story begins as Scarlett is scavenging, and a couple of her friends come looking for her. The Enforcers spot them, and in the fight that follows, the Enforcers capture her best friend Rory (female). Scarlett and the rest of her friends – those who weren't killed, anyway, are saved by an airship filled with Pirates, who land just long enough to scoop them up onto their ship. There she meets Asher, a young and gorgeous pirate who is always cheerful.
The rest of the story revolves around their attempt to rescue Rory, but there's a whole lot of story in here, excellent character development - not just of the prime characters, but the whole “family” that comes together from the joining of Scarlett's friends and the Pirates.
As the story evolves, there's also a bit of “steam” of a different kind, besides that coming from the burning coal, as Scarlett and Asher find themselves increasingly attracted to each other.
This is a really interesting book as we get to know all these people. Scarlett is a hard person to get to like. She is b#&chy and self absorbed, and doesn't tend to care too much about other people. Except Rory. Scarlett will do whatever it takes to get Rory free from the Enforcers.
But it's all the details that make the book so interesting. For example, one of the characters has a prosthetic arm and leg. They are state of the art. Describing his arm, “The thing is made of steel and leather, with exposed gears and wheels all up and down the limb... As I watch, he leans forward, and the arm slowly moves until the steel fingers wrap around the spine of a book. How the hell does something like this even work?” Remember that these are times in which computers don't even exist. Most of that type of technology has been lost. At least to the average people. The rulers, The Luddites, seem to have technology available to themselves, however, which they use to maintain their power.
There's a lot of action. If I would fault this book for anything, it would be the high level of violence, which is also very detailed – a bit too much for my squeamish self. But considering the times they live in, violence is a necessary evil to survive.
By the end of the story, Scarlett and Asher still aren't together, but somehow you know this has got to be inevitable. As stated by Scarlett at one point, “Asher is like a magnet, pulling me in. My heart thumps, and the heat radiating off him seeps into my pores. It infects me, but with it comes anger and frustration. At myself mostly, but also at this man who has crawled under my skin and set up camp.”
Although this book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, you know there is more coming, and indeed the second book of the series is already out. Our Scarlett ends it all by saying, just like another famous, selfish Scarlett, “I'll think about it tomorrow....” Another day, another story. And you can bet I'll be reading it!
In this alternate world, we meet our heroine Scarlett. She is a tough cookie, with no real home and a small group of friends. They scavenge for their food, their clothing, their weapons, everything. If they are caught, they will be thrown into “prison” - that is, the coal mines, where they must work to bring forth this valuable commodity on which their world relies. Scarlett has already been in prison and has no intention of going back there.
The plot of the story begins as Scarlett is scavenging, and a couple of her friends come looking for her. The Enforcers spot them, and in the fight that follows, the Enforcers capture her best friend Rory (female). Scarlett and the rest of her friends – those who weren't killed, anyway, are saved by an airship filled with Pirates, who land just long enough to scoop them up onto their ship. There she meets Asher, a young and gorgeous pirate who is always cheerful.
The rest of the story revolves around their attempt to rescue Rory, but there's a whole lot of story in here, excellent character development - not just of the prime characters, but the whole “family” that comes together from the joining of Scarlett's friends and the Pirates.
As the story evolves, there's also a bit of “steam” of a different kind, besides that coming from the burning coal, as Scarlett and Asher find themselves increasingly attracted to each other.
This is a really interesting book as we get to know all these people. Scarlett is a hard person to get to like. She is b#&chy and self absorbed, and doesn't tend to care too much about other people. Except Rory. Scarlett will do whatever it takes to get Rory free from the Enforcers.
But it's all the details that make the book so interesting. For example, one of the characters has a prosthetic arm and leg. They are state of the art. Describing his arm, “The thing is made of steel and leather, with exposed gears and wheels all up and down the limb... As I watch, he leans forward, and the arm slowly moves until the steel fingers wrap around the spine of a book. How the hell does something like this even work?” Remember that these are times in which computers don't even exist. Most of that type of technology has been lost. At least to the average people. The rulers, The Luddites, seem to have technology available to themselves, however, which they use to maintain their power.
There's a lot of action. If I would fault this book for anything, it would be the high level of violence, which is also very detailed – a bit too much for my squeamish self. But considering the times they live in, violence is a necessary evil to survive.
By the end of the story, Scarlett and Asher still aren't together, but somehow you know this has got to be inevitable. As stated by Scarlett at one point, “Asher is like a magnet, pulling me in. My heart thumps, and the heat radiating off him seeps into my pores. It infects me, but with it comes anger and frustration. At myself mostly, but also at this man who has crawled under my skin and set up camp.”
Although this book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, you know there is more coming, and indeed the second book of the series is already out. Our Scarlett ends it all by saying, just like another famous, selfish Scarlett, “I'll think about it tomorrow....” Another day, another story. And you can bet I'll be reading it!
February 1, 2019
Another winner!
I just finished reading Moonchild and absolutely loved it. Started reading it yesterday and really didn't want to put it down to go to bed. It's an apocalyptic story that I never thought I would care read...but boy, I was wrong! I loved the main characters, Asher and Scarlett. I immediately bought book 2 so I can find out how Kate handled these two. Thanks for the introduction to another branch of the apocalypse!
I just finished reading Moonchild and absolutely loved it. Started reading it yesterday and really didn't want to put it down to go to bed. It's an apocalyptic story that I never thought I would care read...but boy, I was wrong! I loved the main characters, Asher and Scarlett. I immediately bought book 2 so I can find out how Kate handled these two. Thanks for the introduction to another branch of the apocalypse!
January 27, 2019
Post apocalyptic, steam punk brilliance!
July 30, 2016
This was an interesting read. I wanted to give this book more than three stars, but I was held back by the main characters, Asher and Scarlett. The world building in this book was really well done, and I enjoyed learning about the secondary characters' lives and personalities. The premise was good, I just didn't feel Scarlett was likeable, and Asher started out great but became a bit juvenile as the book progressed.
Scarlett Moon has been on the run for six years, after escaping her sentence in the mines when she was 13. She and her band of runaways roam the streets, avoiding the enforcers, who would take them back to the mines if they catch them. Soon after Scarlett's best friend, Rory, is captured, Scarlett and her friends are rescued from attacking enforcers by a band of pirates. Among that band is Asher, a smooth-talking charmer who immediately gets under Scarlett's skin. While resistant to his smiles, Scarlett knows she needs his help in rescuing Rory. Together they journey throughout the streets of Columbus, looking for Rory and dancing around the attraction they both feel towards each other.
Scarlett was not my cup of tea. At all. She was so intent on being tough that she gave zero figs about the feelings of those around her. It was understandable at first, but it became old very quickly, especially when she inflicted her bad attitude on Asher. She was not a likeable character for me at all. Asher was a genuinely nice guy, who seemed to be to be the opposite of Scarlett. He knew how to be compassionate and forgiving, and he was constantly showing both to Scarlett. He got a bit immature towards the end, which bothered me, considering he's supposed to be in his early 20s. He acted like a teenager, and given I am in my 20s, I was turned off. I liked him, but I felt his character was all over the place at times with his personality.
I definitely recommend you give this book a try, since I will be reading the next book in the series. It's worth reading, if you can get past the constant irritation you may feel with Scarlett. I was able to, and I'm glad I did.
**I received a free copy via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
Scarlett Moon has been on the run for six years, after escaping her sentence in the mines when she was 13. She and her band of runaways roam the streets, avoiding the enforcers, who would take them back to the mines if they catch them. Soon after Scarlett's best friend, Rory, is captured, Scarlett and her friends are rescued from attacking enforcers by a band of pirates. Among that band is Asher, a smooth-talking charmer who immediately gets under Scarlett's skin. While resistant to his smiles, Scarlett knows she needs his help in rescuing Rory. Together they journey throughout the streets of Columbus, looking for Rory and dancing around the attraction they both feel towards each other.
Scarlett was not my cup of tea. At all. She was so intent on being tough that she gave zero figs about the feelings of those around her. It was understandable at first, but it became old very quickly, especially when she inflicted her bad attitude on Asher. She was not a likeable character for me at all. Asher was a genuinely nice guy, who seemed to be to be the opposite of Scarlett. He knew how to be compassionate and forgiving, and he was constantly showing both to Scarlett. He got a bit immature towards the end, which bothered me, considering he's supposed to be in his early 20s. He acted like a teenager, and given I am in my 20s, I was turned off. I liked him, but I felt his character was all over the place at times with his personality.
I definitely recommend you give this book a try, since I will be reading the next book in the series. It's worth reading, if you can get past the constant irritation you may feel with Scarlett. I was able to, and I'm glad I did.
**I received a free copy via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
June 7, 2019
Moonchild is a bit of a steampunk adventure. Our heroine Scarlett Moon is sentenced to working in the coal mines for stealing food. In a daring escape, Scarlett and a couple of friends are rescued by a passing pirate airship. Scarlett’s friend Rory is recaptured by the prison guards. Moving on, we follow Scarlett as she learns more of and joins with the pirates. Especially the tall, dark, and handsome pirate Asher. Scarlett wants to free her friend, Rory, and will try to enlist the aid of the pirates towards that end. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 28, 2018
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book but I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed it alot.
It's hard to review without giving too much away but my main points are as follows.
It's a new dystopian world that is unlike any others I have read to date which is refreshing, (some out there are starting to sound a little repetative).
The background information that you need to know what happened to make the world the way is is, are is dripped out in a way that keeps you reading, waiting for that next piece of information and wanting more.
The same goes for the story of the protagonist - Scarlet's past, there is just enough coming to you at the right time to keep you reading, it all falls into place quite nicely.
I felt frustrated by her alot, but there are constant reminders that she is still just a young adult (older teen) and that her upbringing has been hard and VERY unconventional so you remember to go easy on her.
You are also constantly reminded that her world is a very different one, she has had to grow up fast and become very hard in order to survive.
I loved the twists and turns of the new people she meets and the hot head way she tackles things.
I felt there was enough story and action to make it a really interesting read and I am looking forward to reading the next instalment in this series as it left me wanting to know what happens next.
I would recommend this for older teens, young adults and even grown adults like me who enjoy this genre.
It's hard to review without giving too much away but my main points are as follows.
It's a new dystopian world that is unlike any others I have read to date which is refreshing, (some out there are starting to sound a little repetative).
The background information that you need to know what happened to make the world the way is is, are is dripped out in a way that keeps you reading, waiting for that next piece of information and wanting more.
The same goes for the story of the protagonist - Scarlet's past, there is just enough coming to you at the right time to keep you reading, it all falls into place quite nicely.
I felt frustrated by her alot, but there are constant reminders that she is still just a young adult (older teen) and that her upbringing has been hard and VERY unconventional so you remember to go easy on her.
You are also constantly reminded that her world is a very different one, she has had to grow up fast and become very hard in order to survive.
I loved the twists and turns of the new people she meets and the hot head way she tackles things.
I felt there was enough story and action to make it a really interesting read and I am looking forward to reading the next instalment in this series as it left me wanting to know what happens next.
I would recommend this for older teens, young adults and even grown adults like me who enjoy this genre.
August 23, 2016
Absolutely loved it!
Imagine a post apocalyptic world with no technology available to the every day person, where only the government is allowed to bring back minimal bits of it. I was hooked within the first two chapters, it was impossible to stop reading. Kate L. Mary has done it yet again, given me another series to fall in love with. She makes it so easy with her beautiful and strong, though flawed characters. With exciting storylines, a bit of romance, a powerful female lead, a bleak dystopic setting, breathtaking pirates, nail biting tension, amazing world building, danger around every corner ... she does it all so right.
This was the first steampunk story I've ever read and it was a perfect introduction to the genre. I'm addicted to her Broken World series so I was really excited to read Moonchild and I was not disappointed. I need more Scarlet and Asher ... all women should be lucky enough to have an Asher of their own. I will most definitely be reading the rest of this series, plus any other books she writes.
I received a review copy free from the author but I'm not obligated to write a positive review, just an honest one.
Imagine a post apocalyptic world with no technology available to the every day person, where only the government is allowed to bring back minimal bits of it. I was hooked within the first two chapters, it was impossible to stop reading. Kate L. Mary has done it yet again, given me another series to fall in love with. She makes it so easy with her beautiful and strong, though flawed characters. With exciting storylines, a bit of romance, a powerful female lead, a bleak dystopic setting, breathtaking pirates, nail biting tension, amazing world building, danger around every corner ... she does it all so right.
This was the first steampunk story I've ever read and it was a perfect introduction to the genre. I'm addicted to her Broken World series so I was really excited to read Moonchild and I was not disappointed. I need more Scarlet and Asher ... all women should be lucky enough to have an Asher of their own. I will most definitely be reading the rest of this series, plus any other books she writes.
I received a review copy free from the author but I'm not obligated to write a positive review, just an honest one.
November 18, 2017
Imagine yourself in a world where almost all technology has been banned and even children are sentenced to coal-mining prisons. Greed and corruption run rampant and sky pirates abound. This is the world that exists for Scarlett and her friends, where each day is a fight for survival.
This was an interesting story and I really enjoyed it. I found it fascinating that one of the few technologies allowed was an embedded barcode microchip in every citizen. Businesses were required to scan every customer before they were allowed to make a purchase, obviously intended to monitor everyone. The story was centered around Scarlett's plan to rescue her friend Rory and her romance with Asher. Although Scarlett was a bit annoying at times, many of her behaviors were a coping mechanism to deal with past tragedies and a dysfunctional society. Heidi Drennan's performance as narrator was one of the highlights for me and she did a marvelous job. Moonchild was a fun listen and I would recommend it.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.
This was an interesting story and I really enjoyed it. I found it fascinating that one of the few technologies allowed was an embedded barcode microchip in every citizen. Businesses were required to scan every customer before they were allowed to make a purchase, obviously intended to monitor everyone. The story was centered around Scarlett's plan to rescue her friend Rory and her romance with Asher. Although Scarlett was a bit annoying at times, many of her behaviors were a coping mechanism to deal with past tragedies and a dysfunctional society. Heidi Drennan's performance as narrator was one of the highlights for me and she did a marvelous job. Moonchild was a fun listen and I would recommend it.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.
November 26, 2016
YA Dystopian meets Steampunk? YES, please!
This isn't my 1st book by Kate L. Mary & it most certainly won't be the last. I love a new fresh storyline. I've read a few Steampunks (wish there more out there) & this is the best to date.
Jezebel… ROFLOL! This name just cracks me up, especially, with Scarlett's reaction to it! Right away, I connected with Scarlett. This is one of my favorite parts. →If he was standing in front of me, I’d punch him. Or kiss him. I can’t decide which one!
Now, it was a bit irritating with how much she thinks/talks about 1 kiss. I could totally skip those parts & be happy. I do get it, though, Asher is seeexxxyyy!
Great word building and good editing. Which means it didn't annoy me.
The ending, well, let's just say that I was relieved that I had Liberation already downloaded! Lol, yes, even though it was past 3am I read the 1st chapter before my droopy eyes won the battle.
My star ratings include these 5 elements:
1★ story line
1★ engaging characters
1★ use of word building
1★ being well edited
1★ the ending
This isn't my 1st book by Kate L. Mary & it most certainly won't be the last. I love a new fresh storyline. I've read a few Steampunks (wish there more out there) & this is the best to date.
Jezebel… ROFLOL! This name just cracks me up, especially, with Scarlett's reaction to it! Right away, I connected with Scarlett. This is one of my favorite parts. →If he was standing in front of me, I’d punch him. Or kiss him. I can’t decide which one!
Now, it was a bit irritating with how much she thinks/talks about 1 kiss. I could totally skip those parts & be happy. I do get it, though, Asher is seeexxxyyy!
Great word building and good editing. Which means it didn't annoy me.
The ending, well, let's just say that I was relieved that I had Liberation already downloaded! Lol, yes, even though it was past 3am I read the 1st chapter before my droopy eyes won the battle.
My star ratings include these 5 elements:
1★ story line
1★ engaging characters
1★ use of word building
1★ being well edited
1★ the ending
August 9, 2020
In this Post-Apocalyptic world being an orphan spells bad news. Scarlett Moon finds herself on the streets of Columbus, Ohio after her parents are killed. Many of these children are thrown into the mines where there is no escape.....or so we thought! Now having a price on her head, Scarlett must be even more careful. When she and her friends are rescued by a band of pirates from the Enforcers. She asks their help to find her friend Rory, who not only has been imprisoned in the mines, but now is about to be auctioned off to some very creepy men in powerful positions. One of the sexy pirates, Asher has his eyes on the beautiful, yet so not interested Scarlett.
Will our pack of misfits get Rory out in time without getting caught? Will Scarlett give in to her attraction to Asher? Stay tuned, as there are two more books in this really cool Steampunk meets Dystopia world! I can't wait to dig into the next book in this series....
Will our pack of misfits get Rory out in time without getting caught? Will Scarlett give in to her attraction to Asher? Stay tuned, as there are two more books in this really cool Steampunk meets Dystopia world! I can't wait to dig into the next book in this series....
July 21, 2016
I didn't realise this was a series which i was a little annoyed about but that is on me for not asking. I do love books about Dystopian world and this one didn't disappoint. The main character Scarlett lives with a group of about 5 or 6 other people ruff on the streets. After they are ambushed and one of their friends is taken they are rescued by Pirates, cue new book boyfriend :). Asher is a man with a haunted past but he is really just trying to make a difference in this new world.
So even though I enjoyed this much I found there was way to much time spent on the chemistry between Asher and Scarlett and way to little happening about it. I did get that Scarlett has serious trust issues but I felt the author lingered on this way too much. I am looking forward to further books but I hope that this thing or lack thereof between Asher and Scarlett is not dragged through a whole series.
So even though I enjoyed this much I found there was way to much time spent on the chemistry between Asher and Scarlett and way to little happening about it. I did get that Scarlett has serious trust issues but I felt the author lingered on this way too much. I am looking forward to further books but I hope that this thing or lack thereof between Asher and Scarlett is not dragged through a whole series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews