Dead Moon

by Jonathan Maas

Davlok Asterian has to survive for 6 days and nights on the moon Kellora-5, and then he'll be free.

Kellora-5 is empty, so this shouldn't be a problem.

However, Davlok soon learns that even the quietest moons can come alive at night.

From the

Dead Moon is a survival Space Horror in the mode of Aliens, Enemy Mine and The Thing.

Genres: Science Fiction

425 pages, Paperback

Published July 8, 2020

About the author

Jon Maas was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Stanford University with degrees in Biology and History, he's earned a living as a Musician, Peace Corps Volunteer, Standup Comedian, TV Producer and Web Designer.

He has published ten books, and has more on the way.

He has also directed the movie 'Spanners' starring Shawn Christian and Eric Roberts, and wrote its sequel book - 'Spanners: The Fountain of Youth.'

He writes on his bus commute to and from work, and has a soft spot in his heart for all types of Public Transportation.

Reviews

[Steve Horowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual Space Adventure

I found this book to be unique with an unusual plot and story line. It was quite philosophical in nature about the meaning of life. However, there was no suggestion of the amount of time that passed during the period that Davrok and ABS spent by themselves trying to create a new lifeform. What happened to the rest of the team and the cyborgs during this time? While the creatures in the story were very unusual, I am not sure I would characterize the book as being a horror tale.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be much more than a horror tale. It's a book about ideas and even more importantly, looking at what seems to be insurmountable challenges in new ways, working collaboratively with others - even when they are not human. For the reader, it's about embracing the adventure. The story starts on a 'dead moon' on a hazardous mission to save a life form to deal with the ever expanding ruthless Cyborgs. Still Davlok, who doesn't like the term smuggler even though it's most descriptive of what he does, relies on his non-sentient but so lifelike android so AI is both indispensable and destructive. This story becomes even more interesting when Davlok and his android become part of a larger mission to stop something even worst than the Cyborgs. If I had to compare this with other science fiction, I think of the heroism of classic Star Trek with that sense of both outreach and caution where exploration is key. The challenges faced have a relevance to today's world as well. My rating is 5 stars.

[Susan Whitmarsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

First, the book's description is misleading. The time on the dead moon is really a small part of this story. And I would not call it horror. Fantasy? Sci Fi? Both?
Having said that, this is a beautiful tale. The worlds created are wonderful - I can see the flora and fauna in my head so clearly. And the hero is great - becoming a hero despite himself.
I'd like another book about this world. I'd also like an android friend of my own.

[Joseph Belknap · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a tough read, the opening chapters really pulled me in, and the suspense was definitely there. The entire beginning when the main character is on Kellora-5 and dealing with an unknown threat was great and well written, however as soon as it’s dealt with and we leave the moon, the story really lost me.

I honestly feel like this could have just been a short story and it would easily be a 4 star story.

Due to the dragging on, I can’t give it more than 2, it’s a boring read after the first act.

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmm kind of a confusing mess

Well, I enjoyed the start of this book and a small chunk in the middle and then I ended up continuing simply to see how it ends.

It felt like the author wrote an interesting little short story then decided to turn it into a novel by tacking on a mess of other short stories. It was a little bit of "Rendezvous with Rama" mixed with a retelling of "Dante's Inferno" but honestly was a confusing jumble of ideas not well integrated into a whole.

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 2 out of 5]

A waste of time

Not science fiction, not fantasy, not allegory, and not actually finished - too much is missing at the end. To say the characters are two dimensional is to double their depth

[GRAESPACE · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some ideas are fantastic...but then it muddles up and borrows from other writers.
I just felt the whole thing had such hope but became pointless

[Mary Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a veteran reader of all the great authors of Golden Age Scifi, so I am spoiled by great writing. I had more or less given up on encountering an author with truly new ideas, comparable to the giants of the past. I chose Dead Moon simply because the title intrigued me, though I was unfamiliar with the author. I can tell you now. Jonathan Maas is securely on my list of top Scifi authors. This book was pure joy. First, the punctuation, vocabulary, and grammar are pristine, rare in self published books. I saved many passages, simply for their linguistic beauty. But best...the MC, Davlok, is socially advanced, as is his android, ASB. What a concept! This is rare in modern science fiction, which tends to populate far future socieities of highly developed technologies, with characters driven by the same sordid issues that bedevil us today. Instead, we meet a man who fully understnads how to cooperate with the unknown mechanisms that place him in the right place at the right time. And, his android works smoothly with him as a kind of mentor, to aid Davlok in realizing and embracing the perfection of his actions, thus finding the courage to act, despite fear and extreme danger. A brtilliant read.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a very, very dense work

This is the utterly absorbing, entrancing, mesmerizing opus that grabs my brain and befuddles my meager intelligence, as much as the writer’s artistry and skillful scene-setting captivate amaze and delight me.

I didn’t find the horror element (as I imagine “horror”); and “survival” also meant a series of circumstances presented, subtly, and differently, than what I consider the norm, the trope, of a “survival” epic.

It is possible that someone else might mock the integration of Dante’s best-known work into the plot line of tale, but I found it compelling and organic to the working out of our protagonists’ solution to the extinction-level event facing the cast of characters.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diverse and Unique Universe
Yet again Jonathan Maas has created a diverse and interesting universe full of conflict and personal challenges.
The difference between the barren moon and the deadly life filled planet below lead to great contrast and interpersonal conflicts.
Without spoiling the plot for anyone I have to strongly recommend Dead Moon.

[Sharon Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!

I enjoyed reading this very much. The story just pulled me in and I didn’t stop until I had finished it. I love the main characters! The story line is superb. And the ending! Beyond good!

[Connie Zinsmeister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly unique

Do we want Cyborgs destroying entire planets? Probably not! But there would be a solution of we had Davlok. He will find a way.

[Jay Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book

This book has an intriguing storyline with interesting characters. Parts of it is suspenseful with interesting questions about life. Hope there is another book

[Jon Tichenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

I enjoyed reading this novel. The main character was fleshed out nicely and the story line kept me reading day after day.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining! Kept my attention. Not an easy thing to do. Also kept me guessing. I really like books that are not going where I think they are and this was certainly one of them.

[Sally Mander · Rating 3 out of 5]

so so