** REVIEW OF THE MOON DWELLERS **
500 years after the destruction of earth, the remainder of humankind lives within its core. Over time democracy changes to totalitarianism. The Sun Dwellers are at the top of the hierarchy, receiving 85% of all resources, living lavishly, while contributing very little. In the middle are the Moon Dwellers, working long back breaking hours, while living in poverty, receiving only 10% of the resources. And then lastly, the Star Dwellers, while forced to work the hardest, are the ones receiving the least, at a mere 5%.
Seventeen year old Adele is a Moon Dweller, who has been sentenced to life in prison for nothing more than her parents being traitors to the President. Seventeen year old Tristan is the first born son of the current President, and in line to be the next successor. His family has held the presidency for over 400 years. There's only one problem: he abhors his father, the government, and just about everything they stand for. During a trip to the Moon realm for his father, Tristan locks eyes with Adele. It's not so much love at first sight as it is pain at first sight, when a shockwave of pain slices through His head and spine. Whatever it is, Tristan is determined to follow through and find the answer.
Prior to starting this book I'd previously read two of David Estes' series (The Slip Trilogy box set and Salem's Revenge box set). Both of these series were amazing and has quickly made this author one of my Top 10 contenders for favorite author. And while I eagerly plowed into this book with a non-restrained gusto, unfortunately, this book didn't capture me quite the same as the others did.
The characters in this book just felt a little flat. In the author's other books, I was so completely invested in those characters that in the life and death moments I would either breathe the sigh of relief, or wipe the lone tear off my face (ok, maybe it was more than one). I found myself detached throughout, even in what should've been emotional parts.
I also am having trouble with the plot and pacing. This book, while starting out nicely, was harder to get into as the pace quickly died down. There were also parts of it that seemed wholly unbelievable in which I did the eye roll. Lastly, at the end, we are no where closer to any answers than we were at the very beginning of the book.
On a good note, the world building was awesome, it always is. Too many times, especially is a dystopian/post apoc novel, you're forced fed several pages of scenery so you can "see" it. One of the many things this author excels at is imagery. In his case, less really is more, you can close your eyes, and you're surrounded by the pictures painted.
Overall, I think this book is about a 3.5 rating. I'm definitely going to be reading the next in the series, mostly because I do know what a wonderful author David Estes is. By his writing style on his other books, I have no doubt that I'll get the answers I'm looking for, and some lovely twists and turns along the way.
(Ammendment to my review: This was David Estes' debut book into YA dystopian writing. Had I known that at the time, I would've given more leniency, and graded on a curve as I do all new authors. I've said in many reviews that most new authors get better with time, and that if you go back and read one of your favorite authors debut books, you probably wouldn't recognize the writing.)
** REVIEW OF THE STAR DWELLERS **
The second book starts where the first let off. Adele and Tawni are traveling to the Star realm to rescue Adele's mom. Meanwhile, Tristan, Ben and Roc stay together in the Moon realm to try to convince the leaders of both the Moon and Star realms to work together to defeat the President.
Admittedly, I was not overly impressed with the first book of this series. Thankfully, that changed within the few chapters of this book. The action picks up quickly and holds you hostage throughout the pages. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering how they're going to get out of the situation, whole and in tact. Which is something else I love about David Estes'writing: it's realistic. It's not all happily ever afters, sometimes major characters don't make it. And the MC's have to pick themselves up and figure out how to carry on.
Speaking of characters, the last book I mentioned that they fell kinda flat. This book, I felt that we really got a better understanding of the characters and their backgrounds. Utilizing snippets of the past, the author gives us great insight into what incidences shaped them into who they become and why they've made some of the choices they've made.
I absolutely loved the plot in this book. If you're a fan of 'The Hunger Games' series or 'The Internal Defence' series (both dystopian/totalitarian government genre with resistance uprisings), then this series in right up your alley. The twists and turns in this book is what makes this author one of the very best.
Overall this book was just a really great read from start to finish. I'm still not a fan of the whole Insta love (or is it Insta pain in this case?), but I am curious to know the mystery behind Tristan and Adele's strange connection. I'm definitely looking forward to jumping into book three in just a few minutes.
** THE SUN DWELLERS **
As I read the final word on the last page of this book, all I could say was: "Wow, David Estes hit another one completely out of the park!". This book had all of the things that I love in a great story. First of all, the world building. This is something that the author excels at in every book I've read of his, which is no easy feat when writing dystopian novels. The details are rich without being repetitive. They were many times I almost had a sense of claustrophobia while visualizing being underground. That's how good the images are.
Now to show how much of a book geek I am, I actually became very attached to the characters. They are written in such a way, that you can't help but laugh with them, feel their pain, or cheer them on. Although generally I dislike the use of multiple POV's, David Estes does this flawlessly. If more author's could write multiple POV's like this, then it would be my preferred reading method. It's through this use of multiple POV's that you get to know multiple characters. Also using a small amount of brilliant flashbacks, you're able to see how characters act the way they did. The character development in every book deepened dramatically. Each character finds strength and learns to believe in themselves, as well as in each other.
Lastly, the plot was just on point and well paced. Going from the very first page of the very first book to the very last page of the very last book, everything just fit together seamlessly. From its concept, it's obvious that the author knew where he wanted his story to go. The story was nether rushed nor was it filled with pages of endless filler. It has a beginning, middle, and end. Another thing I enjoyed was all the twists and turns in this book. Never knowing what was going to happen next.
Overall this book was just absolutely amazing. Much better than the first two, and quite possible (imho) better than both combined! Can't wait to start reading the country dwellers saga and then the 4th book that ties both series: The Earth Dwellers. If you haven't read The Moon Dwellers saga do so. And if your haven't read any of David Estes books, pick up any one of them.... you won't be disappointed.
The Dwellers Saga Omnibus: Books 1-3
4.4 | 940 ratings
Price: 34.96
Last update: 10-15-2024
About this item
Top reviews from the United States
Kris Miller
A unique and intriguing series
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2017
emr
Decent dystopian.
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2016
Benedict Stuart, Author
Enthralling dystopian saga!
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2016Dinky Deb
It more than kept my interest!
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2017
Hakamo88
Thoroughly enjoyed
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2016heitz77
Good Story
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2016