The Moon Dwellers by David Estes

I received this book via the author, David Estes. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

The Moon Dwellers by David Estes
Series: Dwellers Saga #1
Published by Self Publish on June 30, 2012
Length: 369 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:

In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms.

After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, seventeen-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.

Against all odds, Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family, while being hunted by a deranged, killing machine named Rivet, who works for the President. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of whom have dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well-trained for combat by her father.

At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the President and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.

When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to mysteriously follow Adele as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents true past.

In their world, someone must die.

The Moon Dwellers by David Estes is book one of a seven book saga about the human race and their fight for survival. Adele Rose and Tristan Nailin come from two very different realities. Adele lives in the Moon Realm, has always known what it is to be poor, and when her parents are convicted of treason is sent to the Pen (a juvenile detention center). Adele’s only goal is to escape and find her family. Tristan lives in the Sun Realm, the son of the president he knows only a life a luxury. Fed up with the rules of his father, Tristan with his best friend Roc leave to see if they can make a change.

So I seriously loved this book! The author alternates first person POV between Tristan and Adele giving you a full picture of the world they live in. I’ll admit that it was hard to follow for the first few chapters until I got use to the characters but then the story flowed well.

Adele is a wonderful female lead character. She’s strong-willed, independent, a fighter, and not afraid to go after what she wants, which in this case is her family. And Tristan….I love Tristan! When I was reading about Tristan, my mind immediately went to Prince William…you know born to rule, everyone knows his face, charismatic persona, yet no one really knows him. Tristan doesn’t want his father’s life though, and he has this natural self-depreciating humor, he just doesn’t take his role in the Tri-Realms seriously. But the two main characters are not the only ones to make up this story. Adele’s two friends Cole and Tawni and Tristan’s best friend and servant Roc make our main characters’ flaws and strengths known. Not to mention the constant banter between Roc and Tristan had me laughing out loud!

This story is well-developed with strong dystopian themes, lots of suspense, a little mystery and an undercurrent of romance. The world-building is subtle yet believable and is explained/revealed as the story unfolds, rather than given to you all at once. I loved this! It was much easier to stay invested in the main plot, which was two-fold. First Adele along with her new friends Tawni and Cole escape the Pen to find her family. And second Tristan who after a chance glimpse of a mysterious Moon Dweller had a strange painful experience decides it’s time to leave his father and find this Moon Dweller to discover the reason for the pain.

Overall I highly recommend this book! It was a fast, easy read with an intricate dystopian tale, lots of suspense and action to drive the plot and just a hint of romance. I read this book in just under a day, and I can’t wait to start the next one. If you like young adult dystopians, you don’t want to miss out on this one!

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