I am thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the MOONGARDEN by Michelle A. Barry Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out
my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Author: Michelle A. Barry
Pub. Date: November 1, 2022
Publisher: Pixel+Ink
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Pages: 368
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org
"Moongarden blooms with heart and adventure. A stellar update of The Secret Garden, woven with a little science fiction, a lot of magic, a vibrant heroine, and a plucky robot sidekick to rival R2-D2." —Victoria Aveyard, New York Times bestselling author of Red Queen
The Secret Garden meets The City of Ember. Failed
climate change policy, an intergalactic conspiracy, and the magical, unlikely
heroine who could unearth it all. An explosive STEAM-inspired series starter
perfect for young change makers.
Centuries ago, Earth’s plants turned deadly, and humanity took to space to
cultivate new homes. Myra Hodger is in her first year at an elite school on the
Moon, and she’s crumbling under the pressure. She doesn’t fit in and, worse,
the tattoos that signal her Number Whisperer magic aren’t developing. In her
heart, she knows she doesn’t have a Creer, and soon everyone else will, too.
Wandering the halls while cutting class, she discovers a secret lab hidden
behind one of the unused classrooms and, beyond that, a secret garden
overflowing with plants. Dangerous toxic plants.
As she learns more about the garden, Myra begins to wonder if she does have a
Creer after all—one that died out when the Earth did. One that could help solve
the food shortages the government doesn’t want anyone to know about.
Re-envisioning The Secret Garden for a new generation, Moongarden weaves
together STEAM themes and intense social pressures in a stunning series
starter, and introduces a dynamic heroine who might just grow a revolution.
MY REVIEW:
Moongarden is the story of Myra, who is trying to find her way in her school and society in terms of magic. However, she has been struggling because she isn't the prodigy everyone thinks she is. She hasn't been following in the footsteps of her brilliant parents. As she finds out who she is and what magic lies in her future, she also discovers some dark secrets that have been buried for a very long time.
The thing that intrigued me most about this book was the premise regarding plants and it being a sci-fi story set on the moon. This isn't a concept I've heard about a lot. I love sci-fi and I really like when I can find some fresh twists I've not experienced as a reader. This book was definitely a fresh twist for me. It has some of the typical things a reader may expect from a YA story (young protagonist, struggles to fit in, societal belonging and conflict, friendship struggles), but it also provides a really intriguing world that I've not seen before.
Myra is a headstrong, resilient heroine and I really liked how aloof she is about certain things. I also like the way she very slowly opens up and settles into herself. I also like that this book doesn't do anything in terms of romance really. It's very much about the world-building, the characters independently, and the broader conflicts of this sci-fi fantasy setting. It had a very clear goal in mind and I loved that a lot. The focus is definitely a major highlight.
I also enjoyed the various side characters and how developed a handful of them are. I liked having multiple people to get to know gradually and would love to see more of them all in the future. The worst thing about this book is that it's over and it sort of left me hanging. I already want to know what happens next and...I'm not sure when I'll get to know. I need a sequel NOW. I'm already absorbed in the world, I'm completely intrigued and onboard. This book feels like a mix of Zenon meets a young, non-villainous Poison Ivy, with a dash of magic added in and I love the combination. I give Moongarden a Lone Star rating of ✯✯✯✯. I definitely recommend it for YA sci-fi fans - especially those who like a dash of fantasy added in.
About Michelle A. Barry:
Michelle A.
Barry grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, and was later cajoled over the
border into Connecticut by her future husband. She has worked as a newspaper
reporter, freelance writer and editor, and marketing professional. She
currently lives in Connecticut with her charming husband and their two
delightful children. Moongarden is her first novel.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon
Giveaway Details:
1 winner
will receive a finished copy of MOONGARDEN, US Only.
End November 8th, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
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10/24/2022 |
Excerpt/IG Post |
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10/24/2022 |
Review |
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10/25/2022 |
Review |
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10/25/2022 |
Review/IG Post |
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10/26/2022 |
IG Review |
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10/26/2022 |
Review |
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10/27/2022 |
Review/IG Post |
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10/27/2022 |
IG Review |
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10/28/2022 |
Review/IG Post |
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10/28/2022 |
TikTok Review/IG Post |
Week Two:
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10/31/2022 |
IG Review |
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10/31/2022 |
IG Review |
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11/1/2022 |
Review/IG Post |
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11/1/2022 |
IG Review/Read Part Of The Book Aloud |
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11/2/2022 |
IG Review |
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11/2/2022 |
IG Review |
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11/3/2022 |
Review/IG Post |
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11/3/2022 |
IG Review |
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11/4/2022 |
Review/IG Post |
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11/4/2022 |
Review/IG Post |
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