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Poet Of The Moon
Climate Change is in the past, though the consequences still persist: smaller landmass, spillover pandemics, cheap 3D printed housing and an authoritarian state run by the church and the Oligoi.
Clay Alexander has been outside the system his entire life, skirting between the Clergy class and the others. But an error in judgement puts him front and center on the battle lines between classes. Without a trial he is convicted of being a terrorist and sentenced to life . . . on the most brutal reality show in history, and one there is no hope of escaping. He gets sent to die on Fugitive Base.
His choice is simple: die as expected, or abandon his humanity and find a way off that rock and get revenge. And along the way, he learns more about what it means to be human in a world turned upside down.
Clay Alexander has been outside the system his entire life, skirting between the Clergy class and the others. But an error in judgement puts him front and center on the battle lines between classes. Without a trial he is convicted of being a terrorist and sentenced to life . . . on the most brutal reality show in history, and one there is no hope of escaping. He gets sent to die on Fugitive Base.
His choice is simple: die as expected, or abandon his humanity and find a way off that rock and get revenge. And along the way, he learns more about what it means to be human in a world turned upside down.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2022
2 people are currently reading
439 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 30, 2022
I found this book enjoyable and entertaining. Enough action to keep me interested. Read it while sunbathing at the beach. Great summer reading
January 16, 2022
‘It’s a messy, imperfect thing, being human’
Colorado author Jack McDaniel is an artist, both visual and literary. His significance in the literary world is only now being recognized – an author who combines an exceptional gift of storytelling with impressive insights to social problems and world concerns. It should be noted that at this time, Jack’s initial three novels - Agents Of The Undertow, Agents Of Hope and Agents Of Change – related the universe of Pan21 – a virus that decimated humanity! Prescient….? That degree of mind blowing original writing heeded attention. In Purple Hearted Man he addressed the disparity of the haves vs. the have nots, homelessness, mental illness, the human condition, ‘the Money God,’ and other concerns. Now with POET OF THE MOON he examines a dystopian post climate change universe while creating a mesmerizing, probing novel.
With each novel McDaniel becomes further established as a contemporary philosopher, a writer able to weave stunning tales underscored by contemporary challenges that exert self-examination and questions about our current life. An excerpt from the Prologue, delivered in response to a planet changed by misuse: ‘Few men ever re-make themselves, re-invent who they are. Any of us, at any time, can walk out the door, disappear into the world and e-emerge wholly new in some other location and circumstance. You only have to be willing to leave everything behind, say goodbye to the things and habits and people you love and go. But few ever take that step, ever pass through that door, no matter how miserable their lives are. Most never make that decision, regardless of the numerous fantasies and idle thoughts whose gaze is in that direction. We are creatures of habit, us humans. We like comfort, routine, the uneventful, like a child clinging to its favorite blanket or toy. We invite it. We become slaves of the mundane. We are far less the complex creatures we believe we are, tied to our social moorings like a boat to a pier.’ In this tone, the primary character is introduced.
Jack’s distillation of the plot invites reading: ‘Climate Change is in the past, though the consequences still persist: smaller landmass, spillover pandemics, cheap 3D printed housing and an authoritarian state run by the church and the Oligoi. Clay Alexander has been outside the system his entire life, skirting between the Clergy class and the others. But an error in judgment puts him front and center on the battle lines between classes. Without a trial he is convicted of being a terrorist and sentenced to life . . . on the most brutal reality show in history, and one there is no hope of escaping. He gets sent to die on Fugitive Base. His choice is simple: die as expected, or abandon his humanity and find a way off that rock and get revenge. And along the way, he learns more about what it means to be human in a world turned upside down.
While absorbing successful as a dystopian novel, this stunning book draws focus on possibilities…and metamorphosing realities. Very Highly Recommended.
Colorado author Jack McDaniel is an artist, both visual and literary. His significance in the literary world is only now being recognized – an author who combines an exceptional gift of storytelling with impressive insights to social problems and world concerns. It should be noted that at this time, Jack’s initial three novels - Agents Of The Undertow, Agents Of Hope and Agents Of Change – related the universe of Pan21 – a virus that decimated humanity! Prescient….? That degree of mind blowing original writing heeded attention. In Purple Hearted Man he addressed the disparity of the haves vs. the have nots, homelessness, mental illness, the human condition, ‘the Money God,’ and other concerns. Now with POET OF THE MOON he examines a dystopian post climate change universe while creating a mesmerizing, probing novel.
With each novel McDaniel becomes further established as a contemporary philosopher, a writer able to weave stunning tales underscored by contemporary challenges that exert self-examination and questions about our current life. An excerpt from the Prologue, delivered in response to a planet changed by misuse: ‘Few men ever re-make themselves, re-invent who they are. Any of us, at any time, can walk out the door, disappear into the world and e-emerge wholly new in some other location and circumstance. You only have to be willing to leave everything behind, say goodbye to the things and habits and people you love and go. But few ever take that step, ever pass through that door, no matter how miserable their lives are. Most never make that decision, regardless of the numerous fantasies and idle thoughts whose gaze is in that direction. We are creatures of habit, us humans. We like comfort, routine, the uneventful, like a child clinging to its favorite blanket or toy. We invite it. We become slaves of the mundane. We are far less the complex creatures we believe we are, tied to our social moorings like a boat to a pier.’ In this tone, the primary character is introduced.
Jack’s distillation of the plot invites reading: ‘Climate Change is in the past, though the consequences still persist: smaller landmass, spillover pandemics, cheap 3D printed housing and an authoritarian state run by the church and the Oligoi. Clay Alexander has been outside the system his entire life, skirting between the Clergy class and the others. But an error in judgment puts him front and center on the battle lines between classes. Without a trial he is convicted of being a terrorist and sentenced to life . . . on the most brutal reality show in history, and one there is no hope of escaping. He gets sent to die on Fugitive Base. His choice is simple: die as expected, or abandon his humanity and find a way off that rock and get revenge. And along the way, he learns more about what it means to be human in a world turned upside down.
While absorbing successful as a dystopian novel, this stunning book draws focus on possibilities…and metamorphosing realities. Very Highly Recommended.
March 15, 2022
"Even the angels, he had always thought, would weep at the views", from Mr. McDaniel's newest novel, 'Poet of the Moon'. This is the 5th book by McDaniel that I have read. This is his best, and clearly his skill is growing with time and experience. While all his books have a consistent feel, each novel intelligently addresses different disturbing themes that parallel our own times - Pandemic, global warming, oligarchy, information is power, AI, post-scarcity, etc. In this way, the novels are sounding boards for our own examination of such topics.
The strong character, environment, and political development forces a slow start, but pays off in spades as the book grows. The backstory gradually merges with the main story's themes and comes to the fore as the main character must expand and grow to deal with, and in his personal way overcome, the dystopian background he faces. Again, we readers can examine ourselves, our choices, and various dystopian themes we face, through the main character, his ponderings, and his decisions.
An enjoyable, strong read, which mirrors our own times. Highly recommended.
The strong character, environment, and political development forces a slow start, but pays off in spades as the book grows. The backstory gradually merges with the main story's themes and comes to the fore as the main character must expand and grow to deal with, and in his personal way overcome, the dystopian background he faces. Again, we readers can examine ourselves, our choices, and various dystopian themes we face, through the main character, his ponderings, and his decisions.
An enjoyable, strong read, which mirrors our own times. Highly recommended.
July 12, 2022
I received a copy of this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This in no way impacted my review.
This book is an action packed sci-fi thriller set in a future where Earth's oceans have risen and have forced humanity to live in closer proximity to one another and forge a new, oligarchical, society.
Our protagonist, Clay Alexander, comes from the lower class of society, our antagonist, Edward Burgess, from the highest class of society, The Oligoi, and our love interest, Sarah, is the bridge between the two worlds, having been born low class and marrying into the high class.
After being falsely accused of a crime, Clay is found guilty and sentenced to a gladiatorial-type arena on the moon where it is kill or be killed. Here Clay must decide what he is willing to do, and give up, to survive.
This book was really good though it had a bit of a slow start. The characters especially were very well written, though I do wish that Sarah had been flushed out a bit more.
What kept me from giving this 5 stars was that I found the ending to be rather anticlimactic.
This book is an action packed sci-fi thriller set in a future where Earth's oceans have risen and have forced humanity to live in closer proximity to one another and forge a new, oligarchical, society.
Our protagonist, Clay Alexander, comes from the lower class of society, our antagonist, Edward Burgess, from the highest class of society, The Oligoi, and our love interest, Sarah, is the bridge between the two worlds, having been born low class and marrying into the high class.
After being falsely accused of a crime, Clay is found guilty and sentenced to a gladiatorial-type arena on the moon where it is kill or be killed. Here Clay must decide what he is willing to do, and give up, to survive.
This book was really good though it had a bit of a slow start. The characters especially were very well written, though I do wish that Sarah had been flushed out a bit more.
What kept me from giving this 5 stars was that I found the ending to be rather anticlimactic.
February 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It started a little slow but once it grabbed my attention I was fully engaged and anxious to find out what happened next. There were a few minor editing flaws that I found along the way (missed words, etc) but overall it was well written and the protagonist provided quite a few thought provoking questions about humanity and society. I believe fans of dystopian fiction will like this book as well as those that enjoy books that make you think about what it means to be human.
February 6, 2022
A sci-fi thriller with a literary bent. Set in a believable post climate change future, I was rooting for the hero all the way and enjoyed the action sequences. However, at times, the protagonist pontificated, which slowed the story down for me. Be that as it may, "Poet of the Moon" was an enjoyable read.
February 19, 2022
Poet of the Moon is an action-packed sci-fi, dystopian thriller that can be read over a weekend. You will find yourself grateful you do not live in a time like this! Convicted of terrorism without a trial, eventually destined to die - or get revenge! You'll root for the main character to break free! A very thought provoking novel. Highly recommend.
July 19, 2022
Not a bad book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews