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A review by jamedi
The Crescent Moon by E.J. Doble
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨(4.5 out of 5 stars)
Review: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Interview with E.J. Doble: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
The Crescent Moon is a really unique novella by the author E.J. Doble, and the initial book on the future series The Realm of Prophets. Our protagonist, My'ala, will meet a mysterious stranger, Artemis the Hermit, being really young (she's around 9-10 years during the first encounter), embarking herself on a relationship where both will try to answer the question "What is the meaning of life?"
I was offered an ARC of this novella, and actually, I devoured it, despite I was a little bit leaning because this is a book so different from what I usually read, as it feels closer to a philosophy essay that has been written with a story form, using the several encounters between the Hermit and Mya'la as a way to firstly propose questions that are derivated from the principal one, and later when May'la is growing, to assimilate and start integrating how the things that happen in her life reveals part of the meaning she's looking for.
It's a really well-written novella, something that shines more due to its nature. When so much weight is over the prose, certainly it's a challenge to get the level the reader is expecting, but certainly, E.J. Doble nailed it, keeping the adequate poetry tone when required, and using symbolism that translates perfectly the philosophical teachings he wants to dissert about.
The chosen setting is an Arabic city, as a symbol of how much of our current philosophical flows are given by masters of this culture, despite this is not always appreciated. The conflicts that appear around the city, and how they affect My'ala's family serve as a way to continue developing the reflections and as something that forces My'ala to mature earlier.
This short novella is certainly a piece of art, which I enjoyed while reading. I feel this review is shorter than usual, but it's the first time I find myself with this kind of book in front of me. Certainly, I can say I enjoyed it, and the craft is really well done, so if you want something less thick, but which will make you think, The Crescent Moon is certainly a great option.
Review: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
Interview with E.J. Doble: https://vueltaspodcast.wordpress.com/...
The Crescent Moon is a really unique novella by the author E.J. Doble, and the initial book on the future series The Realm of Prophets. Our protagonist, My'ala, will meet a mysterious stranger, Artemis the Hermit, being really young (she's around 9-10 years during the first encounter), embarking herself on a relationship where both will try to answer the question "What is the meaning of life?"
I was offered an ARC of this novella, and actually, I devoured it, despite I was a little bit leaning because this is a book so different from what I usually read, as it feels closer to a philosophy essay that has been written with a story form, using the several encounters between the Hermit and Mya'la as a way to firstly propose questions that are derivated from the principal one, and later when May'la is growing, to assimilate and start integrating how the things that happen in her life reveals part of the meaning she's looking for.
It's a really well-written novella, something that shines more due to its nature. When so much weight is over the prose, certainly it's a challenge to get the level the reader is expecting, but certainly, E.J. Doble nailed it, keeping the adequate poetry tone when required, and using symbolism that translates perfectly the philosophical teachings he wants to dissert about.
The chosen setting is an Arabic city, as a symbol of how much of our current philosophical flows are given by masters of this culture, despite this is not always appreciated. The conflicts that appear around the city, and how they affect My'ala's family serve as a way to continue developing the reflections and as something that forces My'ala to mature earlier.
This short novella is certainly a piece of art, which I enjoyed while reading. I feel this review is shorter than usual, but it's the first time I find myself with this kind of book in front of me. Certainly, I can say I enjoyed it, and the craft is really well done, so if you want something less thick, but which will make you think, The Crescent Moon is certainly a great option.