REVIEW + GIVEAWAY starring... Moongarden by Michelle A. Barry

For our second post of the day, we're heading into outer space as we envision a future where magic isn't so uncommon, but the beauty of nature is.  Check out my stop on the Rockstar Book Tours promotion featuring the first book in a new series you won't want to miss, and before you head off to check out the other sites participating, make sure you enter the tour wide giveaway!  Now, onto the good stuff...

 

MOONGARDEN (Plotting the Stars #1)

by

Michelle A. Barry

Pub. Date: November 1, 2022

Pixel+Ink

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.

 

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This was a story that you could really get behind.  From the feelings of inadequacy, peer pressure, and facing the unknown, to the struggles with being different, determining right from wrong, learning to accept ourselves, and the draw of things that seem forbidden, there is a lot going on, but it makes it THAT much more amazing.  

Myra is quite the young lady with a big secret and a heart of gold, but it doesn't get to shine often thanks to the tarnish it's received at the hands of those that don't really know, don't try to understand, and wouldn't listen if given the chance anyway.  It doesn't help that her parents are hotshots in the world they live in, with skills that rival the very best, and dreams of her following in their footsteps...or should I say, expectations that she will.  It seems it never comes into question as to whether Myra wants to be a Number Whisperer or not.  It's automatically assumed despite fairly obvious signs that it's not her calling, or Creer as they call it.  But if not numbers, what does she have an affinity for?  Ah, that is the million dollar question that is going to be uncovered, threaten to overwhelm her, and bring her closer to the edge of the proverbial cliff we're all trying to simply avoid.  Her nighttime adventures bring her closer to herself, but at what cost?  Will anyone listen to a 12 year old when they try to solve issues so many times bigger than themselves?  After all, adults don't like to be proven wrong...and when they are, the consequences are not something we generally wish to witness...

Aside from the adventure, we also have an eco-story at heart.  It reminds us to take care of our planet, respect its needs, and it will respect ours.  It's a give and take relationship, but without the balance, either one can steamroll the other, the end results of which are too dire to contemplate.  Take a chance on a book that is so much more than it seems, and you won't easily forget.  Be sure to watch for Biz-ro, and if he asks if we'll see him soon...send him one BEEP from me!

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About the author...

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

 

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1 winner will receive a finished copy of MOONGARDEN, US Only.

End November 8th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to the Rockstar Book Tours team for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer or visit your local brick and mortar to grab your copy today! Catch the rest of the tour for more!

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

10/24/2022	YA Books Central	Excerpt/IG Post
10/24/2022	More Books Please blog	Review
10/25/2022	The Momma Spot	Review
10/25/2022	Celia's Reads	Review/IG Post
10/26/2022	GryffindorBookishNerd	IG Review
10/26/2022	Nerdophiles	Review
10/27/2022	The Real World According To Sam	Review/IG Post
10/27/2022	The Page Ladies @jacleomik33	IG Review
10/28/2022	Mom with a Reading Problem	Review/IG Post
10/28/2022	Wanderingwitchreads	TikTok Review/IG Post

Week Two:

10/31/2022	@brittyoreads	IG Review
10/31/2022	Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf	IG Review
11/1/2022	@lexijava	Review/IG Post
11/1/2022	@froggyreadteach	IG Review/Read Part Of The Book Aloud
11/2/2022	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review
11/2/2022	@thebookishfoxwitch	IG Review
11/3/2022	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
11/3/2022	@enjoyingbooksagain	IG Review
11/4/2022	A Backwards Story	Review/IG Post
11/4/2022	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!