The Moon Hunters

by Anya Pavelle

For fans of The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Gender Game comes a captivating new story like no other.

The Pestilence sweeps the globe with terrifying speed. A group of survivors finds an island sanctuary.

Three generations later, no one has heard from the outside world in years. The old radio only crackles with static. The Pestilence either finished its job or the world tore itself apart.

In the Village of Lehom, Leilani has been called to court as a Virtue by the King. Going to court means losing her independence and self-respect. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a choice.

Leilani decides to take a stand; the King be damned. She plans a daring escape and sets in motion a series of events that will shake the foundation of her village and the island to its core.

Genres: Fantasy, Apocalyptic

399 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 3, 2019

About the author

Anya Pavelle was born in Massachusetts but eventually settled in Florida, where she currently lives with her husband and dog. She's a trained art historian who sees the quiet beauty in nature, art, and literature. Anya has been imagining new worlds since she was six years old and like many morbidly curious people, she's obsessed with dystopian literature. The Moon Hunters is her first foray into science fiction. She's currently working on the sequel and also plans on writing a prequel. In addition to writing, Anya loves traveling the world, SCUBA diving, relaxing with her friends and family, and finally, curling up with a new book and a glass of wine on a moon-lit humid night.

Reviews

[Lali Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Magnificent Post-Apocalyptic Read

I don’t normally read this genre but this engaging, post-apocalyptic, science fiction novel has a sense of dystopian, futuristic world that is reminiscent of current societal issues and patriarchal landscape. The author provides a narration of intrigue, with superb world-building, fascinating characters, complex storytelling of family, love, and goodness. I found the journal entries of the past and present insightful and different, which is quite appealing to me as a writer.

Bravo Anya Pavelle, for bringing us the magnificent heroine, Leilani, and for actualizing the post-plague world with your fantastical prose. A recommended read!

[Halo Scot · Rating 5 out of 5]

An EXTRAORDINARY epic of post-apocalyptic, dystopian literature! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE MOON HUNTERS by Anya Pavelle (@AnyaPavelle) is a masterwork of dystopia. Told with a creative juxtaposition of journal entries, flashbacks, and a nautical rescue mission, Pavelle weaves a titan of a post-apocalyptic science fiction.

Exquisitely detailed and meticulously crafted, this book displays a world embroiled in conflict and a people imprisoned beneath inhumane laws. You fear the limits, the chains, of this chauvinist society with its toxic religious conditioning, akin to THE HANDMAID’S TALE and THE HUNGER GAMES. Unsanctioned love is criminal, and citizens can’t advocate for themselves for fear of persecution.

Our protagonist, Leilani, is instantly relatable, ostracized because of her willpower, trapped within rigid rules. Her fate rests in the cruel and merciless royalty. She subverts the submission and passivity imposed upon her by her bigoted village and finds love in Jenay, a love that is forbidden. Pavelle exploits this conflict to explore the dichotomous societies, using heroism and villainy to expertly thread the intricate, bewitching tale together.

THE MOON HUNTERS is an extremely smart, acutely sharp book, engineered and actualized from a fiction into a living, breathing universe. The author’s luscious worldbuilding fashions a fully realized culture, religion, and mythology. The palpable, sensual prose whisks the reader away into the post-plague tropics. You taste the sea breeze, suffer the humidity, and steep in the sights and sounds of dystopian island life. This is a must-read for fans of post-apocalyptic literature.

Favorite quote? “Love gives you the strength to do great things.”

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cleverly constructed post-apocalyptic read! A plague has struck the planet and a group of survivors on an isolated island leave the rest of the world behind. Decades of isolation later, we catch up with Lelani, who is fighting between societal expectations and her place in the king’s court, and her own desire to be free. Her story is recounted after her rescue aboard a ship with scientists and medical care, the truth gradually emerging. The descriptions and world-building in this one were top-notch, and I loved all the intrigue and court politics, as well as the development of the culture and religion.

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

[Shirley Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Moon Hunters,” by Anya Pavelle, is a well-crafted dystopian novel. Published in September 2019, it was a coincidental foreshadowing of the real-life pandemic that would sweep across our world a few months later.

In Pavelle’s book, a small group chose to evade the deadly virus by removing themselves to an isolated island where they would develop a culture that would ensure their survival while maintaining order. The story follows Leilani, a member of the ruling class, who is not content with the stringent life she is forced to live because of her position. Leilani is a strong, intelligent, no-nonsense, likeable female lead who must make choices that will change her life and the lives of those she loves. “The Moon Hunters” is a story of love, betrayal, family, friendship, intrigue, and abuse of power which will keep the reader engaged and anxious about the outcome. Well done, Ms. Pavellle!

[Sammy Fil]

Wow, just wow.

Pavelle tackles the turmoil of feminism in her apocalyptic world, similar to governing and social traits we see today. The stereotypes of expectation against the realistic need and want. The underlying dread to act as we are expected but confused by the contradiction of what is desired by others.

Leilani is a free thinker on an island split between villages of various faith. Part of the Lehom village, she is expected to repress her emotions to please the princes and her twisted king. A dystopian novel that reminds me of Veronica Roth’s Divergent series. Leilani’s struggle to be less is similar to the qualities of Abnegation.

The biggest controversy that stood out to me was having to act a certain way because of the law even though the law is wrong. This novel really has you demanding a rebellion.

Pavelle mentions key points of womens’ rights in a faith and world she created. In this futuristic world we take refuge on an island. I admit, there were times where I was confused how the island was split and who the key families were and their ancestors. This is essential to the story as past journal entries are used to pull together key details. A fine touch that reveals the backstory and reasons why things are.

I really loved Deanne’s character! The listening Doctor is likeable and Leilani’s reaction to new technologies, food, overall environment adds a nice comparison to the Old World and the island where she is from. I want to learn more about the doctor!

Pavelle portrays discomfort well. The corrupt king had me angry at times, but Leilani’s likeable character brings peace to otherwise jarring situations. Her beloved grandmother is truly admirable and their relationship has you feeling safe for the brief moments they are reunited.

I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone interested in dystopian fiction. The detail is rich and the characters are well-crafted. I enjoyed this book!

[Siobhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anya Pavelle’s The Moon Hunters is one of those books where I believe my mood at the time of reading influenced my rating. Although there were points when I enjoyed this one, for some reason my interest in it waxed and waned. I cannot pinpoint a specific reason for this, hence my belief that the issue is to be found with me and not the book.

The Moon Hunters offers an interesting post-apocalyptic story, telling the story in a manner unlike most of the popular books in the genre. The story develops in a gripping manner, slowly giving you the details of all that played out. With plenty of questions in your mind, you’ll keep reading to see how everything comes together.

At the same time, it wasn’t quite as intense as I’d expected it to be. That contributes partly to why my interest waxed and waned, but I really do believe the issue was mostly me.

Although I wasn’t crazy about this one, I’m sure many will enjoy it.

[Evelyn Chartres · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moon Hunters by Anya Pavelle is a post-apocalyptic science fiction. While most books of this genre create hellscapes of the world we live in, this book takes on a unique twist–the first of many in this book.

I love books that are based on what-if scenarios. In this case, Anya explored how family ties and the need for survival play out over multiple generations. The reader is introduced to a village that has taken several steps back in terms of societal development.

This brings me to another what-if. How can an author create a strong female lead in a world where women are literally suppressed and repressed? How can an individual, programmed from birth, have any hope of pushing back against their societal expectations?

Anya weaves these what-ifs, their answers, and more in a beautiful way. The story will draw you in, immerse you in a world that, while different on the surface, mirrors our own in subtle ways. This book also provides the reader with a satisfying conclusion. I highly recommend this!

[Deborah Grant-Dudley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easier read than most dystopias, partly because it has a strong romantic element, and partly because the difficult aspects are slowly built up so you don’t get the full picture until close to the end.

The narrative switches between different character points of view, and also between third person and first person, which I found quite confusing in the beginning.

I really liked the two strands of the story contrasting the island community with the outside world. There were some thrilling moments as the main character tries to change her fate. But I think the theme of many people taking a stand, each in their own small way, was what made this book special for me.

[Sea Caummisar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! This is one of those that's hard to classify because it has so much to it. There's a bit of romance, drama, murder, etc...
I can't fathom the amount of work and outlining that it took for the author to create this whole new world.
The story is basically how a group of survivors create a whole new island to live on after a pandemic. The world is very current, but they live without technology and our modern day luxuries.
We specifically get one girl's story, after she was found floating at sea and was rescued.
All I can say is a solid 5 stars.

[Archie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful easy read of a post-apocalyptic society on an island that is seeing hard times. Two survivors are picked up by a ship and tell their story. The author weaves between the history of the island, the love story of the characters and the current rescue mission.
Great believable characters with lots of emotion and depth. Well written.

[Courtney Nicolou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This post-apocalyptic science fiction novel has everything you could desire in a story; intrigue, tension, and surprises lure you into the unfolding narrative of a young woman trapped in a dystopian, patriarchal landscape not unlike our modern America. Brought up in a society that treats women as inferior beings, drugged and subjugated while simultaneously placed on an impossible pedestal, Leilani is the heroine who heralds a delicious destruction of this future nightmare with roots planted firmly in the past. Love, family, and the triumph of goodness are at the epicenter of this fantastically written novel.

[Dawn Hosmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moon Hunters by Anya Pavelle is a well-crafted dystopian novel. Once I started reading, it was difficult to put it down. Although it was published in 2019, it eerily foreshadowed much of the real-world issues in 2020 with the pandemic and current government in the United States. I highlighted many notes throughout the book which spoke to me while I was reading - several lines made me stop in awe and re-read so I could fully appreciate and absorb them.

The Moon Hunters is a powerful, poignant, and gripping story of love, family, friendship, betrayal, and abuse of power. The characters are well-developed and relatable. Some of the story was told through journal entries, other parts in 1st person, and others in flashback/memories - each style worked well to give the reader a complete picture.

I look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommend, even for those who don't typically enjoy dystopian reads.

[Kelly Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I venture outside of my usual genres and I am almost always glad when I do. This is no exception. The author created a fascinating fictitious tale with themes that echoed the problems we face today. I highly recommend this book to fans of science fiction and dystopian themes.

[Jacob Klop · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moon Hunters tells the story of a young woman’s resistance against a dystopian society that places women in inferior roles.

Leilani, the main character, begins as more of a stubborn woman, who enjoys being a scribe, and wants to escape from being a ‘Virtue’ in the King’s palace by performing poorly. The term ‘Virtue’ is quite nice and essentially describes women who are lovely to look upon, but not touch. Virtues will likely be married off to one of the princes at some point. Eventually, Leilani is forced into direct opposition with the king, who is a despicable man, which leads to serious consequences.

The story is told nearly exclusively from Leilani’s perspective to a rescuer who finds her on a ship drifting in the ocean. We soon find out that Leilani is living on an island that has been cut off from the rest of civilization in an attempt to create a utopia. The world creating with regard to the island and its society is wonderful. I felt like I could visualize it so clearly, and the more I read the more in tune with it I became.

There are a number of little touches that slowly come into the story that bring life to the world. There are other villages with more progressive ideals, there’s a drug that keeps people under control, and a religious undertone that made me feel like I was reading about a cult in a lot of ways.

There are a number of side characters and the author does an excellent job of integrating them into the story so that I quickly recognized their personalities and was never overwhelmed or forgot who they were.

I think the best compliment I can give is that I was sad when the book ended. Not because it was unsatisfying. The plot was just perfect. I wanted to read more about this society and what happens to them after the end.

This was one of my favourite reads of the year. Five stars.

[Anna Mocikat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually don’t read YA, but I’m so glad I gave this book a shot! The Moon Hunters is a well-crafted story in a unique setting that gripped me from the first page.
After a horrible plague, a group of survivors has found a new home on a deserted island. The book starts fifty years after this event and tells the story of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the original settlers.
Completely cut off the world, three villages have been founded which couldn’t be more different: Gaie, a tropical hippie-paradise, Central Village, that has kept a lot of culture from the “Old World” and finally Lehom which has been founded by a religious cult leader.
We follow Leilani, a young woman of nineteen years, who had the misfortune to be born in Lehom. The strictly patriarchal society doesn’t give much freedom to women and consequently oppresses them. But Leilani wants more from life than just being pretty and obedient. If this wasn’t complicated enough, she falls in love with a boy from one of the other two villages, which is strictly forbidden, especially since the psychotic king of Lehom wants her for his harem…
What I liked most about the book was the world-building. Anya Pavelle has done a magnificent job by creating a cultural micro-cosmos with its own rules, traditions and religions. All characters are unique and well-developed. Leilani is a strong young woman who always tries to do the right thing and often clashes with her despotic twin brother. One of the most interesting and repulsive characters is the lecherous, power-hungry king, who makes an excellent antagonist for the young heroine.
The story is set on a tropical island, and the author manages to describe the environment so well that I outright could see, feel, and smell it. The book is like a short trip into the tropics, and a wonderful summer read for YA dystopia lovers!

[Emma Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute gem of a book.
For the first few pages I wasn't sure, but then I've got a lot going on in my mind at the moment and couldn't really focus, but very soon I was completely absorbed. I became as fascinated and intrigued by the unfolding tale as the character Deanna to the point of sitting there reading for hours on end. I felt totally invested in the life of the lead character, the description helped me fall into it so I felt I was really there. A few missing words here and there, but they hardly threw me as I was so absorbed in the fabulous world-building. Highly recommended. Thank you for giving me a few moments of escape from life.

[Luis Humberto Molinar Márquez · Rating 5 out of 5]

[English review + Reseña en español]

The Moon Hunters: A Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Adventure, by Anya Pavelle
Chandra Press. 2019
399 pages.
Género: Adventure / Dystopian Fiction

The crew of the Kentucky Maru rescues a couple that floats adrift in a small Viking boat made of bamboo. Overwhelmed by the modernity, but feeling safe, the rescued woman tells Dr. Deanne Ambagu the amazing story of her trip and of a town isolated from the rest of the world for fifty-two years: Gerald Ani, saving her children from the pandemic of 2013, escaped with them to a pristine island in the middle of the Pacific, leaving behind his Old World. Three villages were established on the island, each of them with their own system of government and beliefs, but united under the statutes of the Pact of Three.

Years later, King Marit Simi decides to lead his community under the "natural supremacy of men," a law directly received —he says— from the very god Lehom, and controls its inhabitants with the help of a berry that’s capable of altering the nervous system of those who consume it. Leilani, princess of Lehom and great-granddaughter of Gerald Ani, has been chosen to replace one of the seven Virtues and therefore must live in the palace, together with King Marit and Queen Veluya, although she would prefer to continue as a Scribe and live with some freedom.

The initial premise of this story is quite exciting since the first pages, and the rest of the book does nothing but fulfill the promise of a great adventure. The oppressive environment and the tremendous burden of the generic roles, justified by a system of religious beliefs and by the magical thinking of the community, are sufficient reasons to embark on the adventure of Leilani, which develops very nicely and makes this book a real joy!

--------------

The Moon Hunters: A Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Adventure, por Anya Pavelle
Chandra Press. 2019
399 páginas.
Género: Aventura / Ficción distópica

La tripulación del Kentucky Maru rescata a una pareja que flota a la deriva en una pequeña embarcación vikinga, hecha de bambú. Sobrecogida por la modernidad, pero sintiéndose a salvo, la mujer rescatada cuenta a la Dra. Deanne Ambagu la historia asombrosa de su viaje y de un pueblo aislado del resto del mundo durante cincuenta y dos años: Gerald Ani, salvando a sus hijos de la pandemia del año 2013, escapó con ellos a una isla virgen en medio del Pacífico, dejando atrás su Viejo Mundo. En la isla se establecieron tres villas, cada una con su propio sistema de gobierno y creencias, pero unidas bajo los estatutos del Pacto de los Tres.

Años más tarde, el Rey Marit Simi decide dirigir su comunidad bajo la "natural supremacía de los varones", una ley recibida directamente —dice él— del mismísimo dios Lehom, y controla a sus habitantes con ayuda de una baya capaz de alterar el sistema nervioso de quien la consume. Leilani, princesa de Lehom y tataranieta de Gerald Ani, ha sido elegida para reemplazar a una de las siete Virtudes y por lo tanto deberá vivir en palacio junto con el Rey Marit y la Reina Veluya, aunque ella preferiría mil veces continuar con su oficio de escriba y vivir con cierta libertad.

La premisa inicial de esta historia es bastante emocionante ya desde las primeras páginas, y el resto del libro no hace más que cumplir la promesa de una gran aventura. El ambiente opresivo y la tremenda carga de los roles genéricos, justificados por un sistema de creencias religiosas y por el pensamiento mágico de la comunidad, son razones suficientes para embarcarse en la aventura de Leilani, que se desarrolla con mucha soltura y hace de este libro ¡un verdadero gozo!
 

[Mark Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the outset I have to confess I don’t read many post-apocalyptic novels. I’m one of the few people who had no interest in watching The Hunger Games, and science-fiction in general isn’t prominent on my bookshelves. That said, I loved The Moon Hunters from the opening chapter through to the last page. In fact, several times I meant to put the story aside to deal with real life, but when I looked up an hour later, I found myself still engrossed in Leilani’s story. Right, the just-one-more-chapter syndrome. It takes a skilled story teller and a gifted writer to make that happen. In her debut novel, Anya Pavelle has proven she is both.

The Moon Hunters combines elements of several genres. As it’s subtitle states, it’s “A Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Adventure. It’s certainly those things. But it’s also a romance, happy ending and all. It’s a struggle for independence. It’s a vivid picture of a young woman coming of age. It’s a submersion into life in a soul-squashing culture. Finally, it’s a thriller that will keep you flipping pages to the end. And it does all that seamlessly.

The descriptions of the natural and physical environments, the characters, even the clothing and the food, is so detailed and compelling you feel right there with Leilani on Ani Island living under the despotic rule of a deranged king.

We see and feel it all through the eyes of Leilani Ani—a strong, intelligent, independent young woman who rejects and resists the stifling, patriarchal society dominated by a crazed, tyrant. Her plight isn’t an easy one, and she makes her share of bad judgement calls along the way, but she is by nearly every definition heroic.

This is not only an enjoyable and sometimes thrilling read, it’s a story and characters who stay with you long after the final chapter. The Moon Hunters is a compelling read that demonstrates what a novel can become in the hands of a masterful storyteller. You won’t be disappointed. So, even if you think, as I did, that this genre is not your cup of tea. Think again.

[Lyna Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moon Hunters by Anya Pavelle is definitely one of those books that you can't read while reading others. I found out that for me to truly appreciate this novel, I had to put down two others I was reading at the time. Once I did, I was not disappointed!

Through the entire book, I was able to travel back and forth in time to see the vast differences in the society one lives in and in one that ignores commonality. This dystopian, post-apocalyptic story touched upon such deep meanings that it begged you to immerse yourself in its depth. The hierarchy, the laws, the ignorance of some...I felt it related to a lot of the happenings today. The heroine was a charming touch. Leilani is a character that encompasses what most of us lack.

It was a great read.

[Laura Maybrooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a complex, multi-layered story, that builds on an interesting foundation. It surprised me on many levels, with a nice bit of adventure, human nature, romance, and intrigue. The story is told in three ways; snippets of a journal, the present and the past.
I found the characters likable and I loved taking this journey with Leilani.
I also learned new things from this book, I must say, bits of real history I didn't know or had forgotten about (that I then went to read about!)

This was a fantastic look inside a dystopian could-be world, which left me thinking about it.
A great, recommended read.

[Cordelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Mind blown. Incredible.

Definitely a good book to read and to have for your collection. There's not much I can say as you need to read it by yourself to know how good the book is. The author really done a great job with all the storyline, plots, and the characters. If you're a fan of The Hunger Games, and Divergent series, you really need to read this book. I totally recommend it!

[E.P. Stavs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read!

Such a great story! Though it took me a few chapters to really get into it (which was probably due to my own distraction), once I did I was HOOKED! Twisted politics in a cult-like, post-pandemic island setting, a daring yet compassionate heroine, and just enough romance to keep me happy. Would recommend!

[Karaleigh Iglesias · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't as engaging or tense as The Hunger Games, but I really did enjoy it. Maybe it was the romance angle. The book seems to bleed between genres. The protagonist's voice didn't annoy me either. Good thing.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I didn't expect the romantic angle in this book. It was an unexpected surprise and pretty cool.

[Aishah Humaira' (Mermaird ♡) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Born on an island secluded from the rest of the post-apocalyptic world, Leilani Ani was raised in a village where sexism and discrimination against women were something normalised intensely. Women in the village of Lehom were groomed to be objects of beauty and desire; they were asked to be alluring, but alluring only for the sake of men and not of their own accordance.

Everyone worshipped their King, but when Leilani was forced to lose her job that she loved dearly and become a Virtue at the palace, she soon learned how horrifying the true intentions of the King were. Risking losing more in her life, she planned an escape, yet escaping her grave fate was not as easy as she thought.

Reading The Moon Hunters was not easy for me; it actually took me almost five months to finish it, making it the longest time I took to finish a book despite it not being a too-thick book. Although the plot was interesting enough for me to keep holding on to this book, perhaps I felt that the build-up of it was too slow. Most of the five months that I took was spent on the first half of the book; my mood pretty much went up and down and it felt very difficult to continue reading it. It could be that the story was written the way that Leilani was retelling her memories that put me off of it a little bit, and the excerpts of The Journal of Samsara Ani on the start of each chapter confused me a lot too at first.

But things definitely took a better turn when Leilani was betrayed by someone she cared for so much. The incident just burned fire within her, and she finally took it upon her to leave everything behind and escape. The second half of the book, I devoured in less than five days. I'm glad I continued on reading this book, because Leilani's character is just the kind of women that I love to read about. Strong-willed, compassionate and independent. Yes, unlike how the people of Lehom believed, women can actually stand on their own without men.

It disgusts me how the men of the village of Lehom thought of women. The King collects a group of women whom they called as Virtues in his court. The Virtues did accompany the Queen most times, but in the end, their main job was actually "sit still and look pretty" for the King to feast upon. Women aren't allowed to do what they wish to, lest it being considered as committing a crime. Women even had to pit against each other in order to gain the favour of the same men who oppressed them. It's horrifying to see how Leilani had to pretend that she fits in the concept of the women that the King wants, while she plans her escape.

It was not easy, and she did receive help from people that care about her including a childhood friend-turned-lover, but it was a huge satisfaction to read that she did not depend wholly on others. She sacrificed so much to leave and find a place where she can be who she wants to be. Where she can be herself. It was not a journey full of smiles, but in the end, it was worth it. Although the way the story is written is not exactly my favourite style—I personally think it would have been better if the plot is linear; that way we won't know if Leilani will be able to survive in the end, adding more suspense to the plot—but I still appreciate how the story was concluded with an open-ended ending, where we can understand that Leilani's journey had only just begun.

The Moon Hunters may be just a fiction story, but the things within it, the discrimination and oppression against women are not fiction at all. A lot of women to this day still struggle to live the way they want to be, and I'm glad that this book exists as another reminder that women can be strong and independent. Women being themselves and respecting other women will make them more beautiful.

Overall, it was a great experience to read The Moon Hunters. I would like to personally thank the author, Anya Pavelle, for sending me the ebook copy, and thank you @BookTasters on Twitter for providing me with the chance to read this book.

[Mario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moon Hunters is a riveting tale of a people fleeing from a pandemic. Surviving and flourishing on a tropical island, the leaders create a world of superstition and ultimate authority over their people. Ruling with fear couched in spiritual language, they manipulate unsuspecting citizens for their own advantage. Seeking ultimate power, they invoke the will of a god they fabricated. The subjugation of women is one of the essential themes throughout the saga. I was at once frustrated, angered, and inspired. Frustrated and angered over the sheer cruelty of the male leadership, but inspired by the determination and strength of the women who overcome the bonds placed upon them. As a teacher in an all-girls school for nearly twenty years, I teach my students to find their own voices and to use them. I found myself rooting for the MC as she encountered battle after battle. Leilani uses her intelligence and physical strength to outwit those who would oppress her. A strong female character that inspires the reader to fight for what s/he believes in and do so with integrity. Greater themes of political strife as well as the dangers of blind faith are woven into a beautiful love story. It gave me pause, making me realize that one must never be complacent with the rights we enjoy. Human dignity, equity, and equality must never be taken for granted. Throughout my reading of The Moon Hunters, my belief that democracy is fragile was reinforced. We must never let others take away rights in the name of fealty to a political ideology nor a religious belief. Anya Pavelle's descriptive writing inspires and challenges the reader to do more, to be better than we think we can be and forge on, regardless of the barriers before us. I encourage anyone who values the strength of the human spirit, human rights, and true love to read this book. The Moon Hunters is more than an adventure, it's a life philosophy! Brava Anya!

[Alison Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Spoiler Book Review.

Moon Hunters is a difficult book to sum up in a tidy blurb. This is one of those unusual books that doesn’t follow a standard plot trajectory. Conflicts don’t resolve the way you think they will. It meanders. It doesn’t go where you think it’s going to go. It’s different.
​
The story centers on Leilani Ani. She is the descendent of an eccentric millionaire movie star who colonized a remote island during a global pandemic. They have always lived under the assumption that the “old world” was dead. After a catastrophe Leilani and her husband leave the island in search of resources.

So, that’s like one tiny part of the story. There’s also Leilani meeting her husband. Leilani working at the library. Leilani being a “Virtue”. Leilani and the creepy King. And Leilani going to jail. All of which is recounted to the woman who rescues Leilani at sea (not a spoiler, this happens on the first page). So then, there is all that too. There is a lot going on in this book.

My favorite thing about this story is the Island culture and history. It’s exactly the kind of aesthetic, misogynistic religious cult you would expect a rich movie star to dream up while he’s high on “Sacred Fruit”. It’s awful and terrifying and way too realistic! Love it!

The ad for this book says for fans of Hunger Games. While I think that fans of Hunger Games would like this book, it’s not like that book. It’s really not like any book. This is best for adult or teen fans of Young Adult dystopian or apocalyptic fiction. This book is so unusual that I don’t feel like I can get any more specific than that!
​
For more Can't Wait Book Lists, No Spoiler Book Reviews and Articles from the Library Life, visit www.bossylibrarian.com

[Sein Ares · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing Fantasy World which isn't a Fantasy.

Usually, what I describe as a fantasy is one filled with dragons, elves, spells and many other magical elements. None of the above was prevalent here yet I had the feeling of being transported to a fantasy world. The stories behind the villages and their foundation was captivating. It makes me hope that the author might give out a sequel for just that part. As for the current story, it is indeed well-told. Because at one point, I was honestly cheering for the good guys and gritting my teeth against the villains. The detail given to the scenaries made me glad as it allowed me to conjure up what the author envisioned I think. But who knows, what I see could be different from what the author saw and what others might see.
Another highlight for me was the dynamic structure of each village. It shows how, despite their mutual loathing for eachother, all the villages help one another so they can co-exist. Now is that a good thing or a bad one? I don't know. And you'll understand why I feel that way after reading the book. But our real world leaders can definitely learn a thing or two from these village founders who believed in helping one another rather than killing each other despite their differences.
All in all, I enjoyed this book and am hoping for a sequel or is it a prequel of the origins of the Island where our wonderful Moon Hunters were born.

[Lis Anna-Langston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This is a great book. I read almost no fantasy or dystopian fiction and went way outside of my comfort zone on this one. So much of this novel stands out but especially passages like:

"Think of me as a baby bird first breaking out of its shell, of its
tentativeness as it pecks from its protective shelter. Rebellions are
rarely sudden because their seeds take long to sprout. For this
comparison to make sense, I should explain exactly what exile meant
to my people. They believe the souls of the blessed enter the Eternal
Spirit Garden after death and live for eternity in bliss, without hunger
or sadness, in a place where the leaves and flowers sparkle like gems.
The villagers accept this false reality since they saw it once per week."

I loved the shifts and the different perspectives. The characters are all unique and stand out. Some the language borders on sheer poetic, which I love. The chapters each begin with an excerpt and that also became some of my favorite writing.

"In the time before time, under a lacuna of silence, a haze of
nothingness separated the skies from the sea. The Lord of the
Deep, lonely in his vast oceans, looked up at Lady Moon and sang
to her, asking if she’d shine her light on his seas to make them vibrant
and happy."

It reads like a hybrid of old myths and the future world united in a plot that constantly unfolds and amazes. Highly recommend!

[Virginia O'Malley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moon Hunters
Author: Anya Pavelle
Publisher: Chandra Press LLC
Year: 2019

From the very first glance of the beautifully designed cover to the start of the story, I feel the presence of being in another world with the wonderful descriptive passages of the landscape, the elaborate designs of the clothing, the colours of the surroundings.

A story wrapped in beauty, betrayal, injustice, imprisonment, destruction, love, rescue, but in the end, love conquers all.

I am not going to go into the story in detail only to recommend this book as a fantastic journey that I feel credits 5 stars plus. Anya’s captures the beauty in her descriptive scenes, and the love of Leilani and Jenay is so evident from the early beginning to a final chapter twenty-three.

There are lots of beautiful quotes I could mention from this book, so many, but to narrow it down to some from chapter twenty - “Love isn’t necessarily logic. It simply happens.” and “Then again, if we were together, any place would do, Yes, home is you.”

Anya is an American writer and she is a trained art historian. She loves travelling, nature, scuba diving, art, and literature.