A review by r_j_setser
Moon Soul by Nathaniel Luscombe

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

"Talent brings about opportunity, but it doesn't determine destiny." 

Nothing I say here will properly give this book justice. Moon Soul is a beautiful, introspective novella with a heartbeat that many readers will feel as if it's their own. Having read several of Luscombe's books before, I went into this book prepared for unique perspectives on themes and story worlds, but I wasn't prepared for how personal August's journey of self-discovery would feel to me. There were so many times when I felt as if August were reading my own jumbled thoughts and writing them down in a language that allowed me to process them better. I don't think I've ever related to a character as much as I related to August.

The story is fairly fast-paced, but I think it suits the story well. I would've loved for this to be a full-length novel where we learned all the intricate details of the memory-holding sand on the purple moon, but that's just because I don't think I could get enough of this world—or August, Lekka, and Alix. As it is, it still felt complete and perfect.

"If you live your life based on other people's reactions, you'll never truly live." 

I don't always feel the need to annotate or highlight lines in the books I read, but I can't wait for this book to be released so I can go through it again and annotate it in its physical form. It just adds such an artistic and unique perspective on this life, and I think anyone who feels overwhelmed by work, expectations, or family dysfunction will feel comforted within the calming pages of Moon Soul. 

The easiest 5 stars I've given a book in a long time! 

I received this book from the author/publisher via BookSirens. All comments are entirely my own and this review is voluntary. 

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