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Under a Poacher's Moon
In this explosive debut novel, W. Aaron Vandiver takes readers into the South African Bush, with its stunning landscapes, its dazzling and deadly wildlife, and its dark underbelly of violence. Against this dramatic backdrop, Under a Poacher's Moon tells an unflinching story of two people who fight desperately to save Africa's wildlife, sometimes with tragic unintended consequences, as they search for passion and meaning in a dangerous and unpredictable world.
Anna Whitney travels to Mzansi, a remote safari lodge located deep in the wilds of South Africa, hoping to get as far away from home and her troubled life as possible. The perilous beauty of the land captures her imagination, but when she hears the haunting late-night cries of an injured rhino, her escapist fantasies collide with brutal reality. She and Chris, a safari guide wrestling with his own secret demons, find themselves embroiled in a war on Africa's wildlife.
They are pulled into a struggle that brings them face-to-face with shocking acts of violence, rogue officials, armed gangs, vicious wild predators, and their own deepest fears. It is a conflict that threatens to destroy them, or lead them toward a new and better life together.
Anna Whitney travels to Mzansi, a remote safari lodge located deep in the wilds of South Africa, hoping to get as far away from home and her troubled life as possible. The perilous beauty of the land captures her imagination, but when she hears the haunting late-night cries of an injured rhino, her escapist fantasies collide with brutal reality. She and Chris, a safari guide wrestling with his own secret demons, find themselves embroiled in a war on Africa's wildlife.
They are pulled into a struggle that brings them face-to-face with shocking acts of violence, rogue officials, armed gangs, vicious wild predators, and their own deepest fears. It is a conflict that threatens to destroy them, or lead them toward a new and better life together.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2022
30 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
W. Aaron Vandiver
2 books13 followersW. Aaron Vandiver is an attorney and conservationist turned writer. Over the last decade he has worked to protect endangered species and wild places in Africa and elsewhere around the world.
He lives in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado with his wife and two children (and their two beloved dogs). Under a Poacher’s Moon is Aaron’s debut novel, to be released February 1, 2022.
"An exciting and thought-provoking work that will stay with readers." Kirkus Reviews
He lives in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado with his wife and two children (and their two beloved dogs). Under a Poacher’s Moon is Aaron’s debut novel, to be released February 1, 2022.
"An exciting and thought-provoking work that will stay with readers." Kirkus Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 27, 2022
It reads like a story on steroids in which one woman’s fantasy (a safari adventure) attempts to encapsulate both the beauty and the many tragic conditions of life in Africa in the space of 3 days. I gave 2 stars out of respect for the author’s desire to promote awareness of the animal poaching abuses—but sadly there were no surprises there.
February 15, 2022
Breathtaking Descriptions
Mr Vandiver shows an astonishing talent in the way he describes Africa landscapes and wildlife. He makes in easier to understand the poaching problem and the extreme cost in animal lives. Great novel, would have rated 5 ⭐️ but I hate hanging at the end of a book wondering what’s happened! I will watch for book two.
Mr Vandiver shows an astonishing talent in the way he describes Africa landscapes and wildlife. He makes in easier to understand the poaching problem and the extreme cost in animal lives. Great novel, would have rated 5 ⭐️ but I hate hanging at the end of a book wondering what’s happened! I will watch for book two.
June 7, 2022
My jury is still out on this novel.
As a South African, I picked holes from the minute I started reading the book. It’s so obvious that the author might have visited the country and sort of soaked up the atmosphere, but………… from a foreign perspective.
The description of the rhino and her calf poaching is accurate. And anyone with a heart will be deeply affected by the scene painted. Catching one of the poachers? Yes, they do it for money. They are poor. However, most lodges now work with the chiefs and their inhabitants usually work for the lodges. There are so many jobs available in this industry.
What I thought was the downfall of the novel, was the two main characters. Anna, never setting foot in Africa suddenly has not only the courage associated with a game warden but is also able to take on duties associated with someone who must be extensively trained. Chris is described well, but he was one dimensional.
I’m sure this book will appeal to people who don’t know South Africa except as a place where there are wild animals and lots of lodges that offer fantastic safaris.
Imbali
Elite Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
As a South African, I picked holes from the minute I started reading the book. It’s so obvious that the author might have visited the country and sort of soaked up the atmosphere, but………… from a foreign perspective.
The description of the rhino and her calf poaching is accurate. And anyone with a heart will be deeply affected by the scene painted. Catching one of the poachers? Yes, they do it for money. They are poor. However, most lodges now work with the chiefs and their inhabitants usually work for the lodges. There are so many jobs available in this industry.
What I thought was the downfall of the novel, was the two main characters. Anna, never setting foot in Africa suddenly has not only the courage associated with a game warden but is also able to take on duties associated with someone who must be extensively trained. Chris is described well, but he was one dimensional.
I’m sure this book will appeal to people who don’t know South Africa except as a place where there are wild animals and lots of lodges that offer fantastic safaris.
Imbali
Elite Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
February 1, 2022
A stunning, heartrending adventure story.
W. Aaron Vandiver’s impressive debut novel transports the reader to the bushveld of Africa. “There is no place like Africa,” Anna Whitney is told by her guide as she embarks on an impulsive safari to the Mzansi Reserve.
Anna, a fortysomething professional woman, is a lost soul, trying to run from her life. When she and her safari guide, the stoic and mysterious Chris, discover a rhino mother and baby slaughtered for their tusks, Anna finds a purpose, but also discovers the meaning of the warning whispered on the wind, “This place will devour you.”
Vandiver delivers a gut-wrenching story about the scourge of poaching. Message novels can be heavy handed, polemic. This is not. It is a nuanced, even compassionate tale about evil and heartbreak.
Highly recommended.
W. Aaron Vandiver’s impressive debut novel transports the reader to the bushveld of Africa. “There is no place like Africa,” Anna Whitney is told by her guide as she embarks on an impulsive safari to the Mzansi Reserve.
Anna, a fortysomething professional woman, is a lost soul, trying to run from her life. When she and her safari guide, the stoic and mysterious Chris, discover a rhino mother and baby slaughtered for their tusks, Anna finds a purpose, but also discovers the meaning of the warning whispered on the wind, “This place will devour you.”
Vandiver delivers a gut-wrenching story about the scourge of poaching. Message novels can be heavy handed, polemic. This is not. It is a nuanced, even compassionate tale about evil and heartbreak.
Highly recommended.
January 1, 2022
I loved this book! I have followed WildEarth Live for years. That made this book very interesting to me.
The only thing that I didn't like, somehow I missed out on the fact that this is a series.
That said, I will be picking up the next book. I can't wait for it to be finished.
The writer did his homework. I could see the landscape where everything took place.
Thank you so much, NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this great book!
The only thing that I didn't like, somehow I missed out on the fact that this is a series.
That said, I will be picking up the next book. I can't wait for it to be finished.
The writer did his homework. I could see the landscape where everything took place.
Thank you so much, NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this great book!
February 14, 2022
A beautiful, haunting, and impressive first novel from W. Aaron Vandiver!
Vandiver masterfully weaves a gripping tale of adventure and drama through the ancient landscape of the African bush. But the novel is more than just an action drama. Vandiver challenges his readers to rethink their preconceptions of Africa, the natural world, and human love and suffering.
Vandiver masterfully weaves a gripping tale of adventure and drama through the ancient landscape of the African bush. But the novel is more than just an action drama. Vandiver challenges his readers to rethink their preconceptions of Africa, the natural world, and human love and suffering.
May 26, 2022
Africa at its wildest
Pretty good story but seemed to drag at times. Too much dialogue on past life and memories of her child and ex husband. Kind of a cliff hanger but the appropriate ending.
Pretty good story but seemed to drag at times. Too much dialogue on past life and memories of her child and ex husband. Kind of a cliff hanger but the appropriate ending.
June 4, 2022
I was getting into this novel because it reminded me of Netflix’s “Holiday in the Wild” with Kristen Davis and Rob Lowe, but the plot started to veer into a too convenient of a storyline when the characters (who had just met) decide to go on an adventure of a lifetime to save endangered animals.
June 21, 2022
A Fantastic Exploration of Africa
Trilling and so informative on the African Bush country, the novel is a joy allowing the reader to learn and experience so much about Africa and the population of human and animal inhabitants.
Trilling and so informative on the African Bush country, the novel is a joy allowing the reader to learn and experience so much about Africa and the population of human and animal inhabitants.
March 20, 2022
This book reminded me of the Hallmark movie, Holiday in the Wild. A quick read with vivid images of Africa.
May 25, 2022
3.5⭐️
August 5, 2022
The audiobook contains so many mispronounced words that I was hard put to finish it. The story itself was just okay.
March 8, 2024
Good story and setting. Not an edge of your seat page turner though.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews