Get ready for a wildly imaginative ride! Moonbound is packed with quirky worldbuilding, clever humor, and an infectious sense of adventure. The blend of futuristic tech, wizardry, talking animals, and classic hero’s journey vibes creates a genre-bending experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly odd. If you like books that are playful, uplifting, and just a little bit weird - for fans of The Phantom Tollbooth, quirky sci-fi/fantasy, or anyone who loves exploring new worlds - this one’s for you. Bonus points if you enjoy stories about stories!

Who May Not Like This Book:

If you’re looking for airtight plots or rock-solid world logic, Moonbound might leave you scratching your head. Some readers found that while the setup is super intriguing, the story can meander and doesn’t always stick the landing. The ending felt rushed to some, and the optimistic take on AI may be a tough sell if you’re skeptical about all things artificial intelligence. Also, longtime Robin Sloan fans used to his trademark narrative style might find this book’s tone and pacing a departure from his previous works.

A fun, witty, and delightfully bizarre adventure that delights in worldbuilding and style - perfect for lovers of quirky sci-fi/fantasy, but might not satisfy if you crave tight plotting or cynicism.

About:

Moonbound by Robin Sloan is a genre-defying novel set in a futuristic world where humanity’s highest ideals clash with advanced technology, leading to unforeseen consequences. The plot takes readers on a compelling adventure filled with imaginative elements like wizardry and talking animals, all underpinned by a meta narrative about storytelling itself.

Sloan's writing style combines rich prose with a whimsical, engaging narrative voice, drawing readers into a uniquely eccentric and magical world. The book feels both familiar and strange, with a light, uplifting tone that makes it fun and easy to read. However, some readers found its pacing uneven, particularly towards the end, while others were captivated by its charm and hopeful sentiment.

Characters:

The characters are unconventional and memorable, focusing on companionship.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by rich, engaging prose and a whimsical, light tone.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a compelling mystery and worldbuilding but suffers from pacing issues and a rushed conclusion.

Setting:

The setting is a far-distant future featuring a mix of advanced technology and traditional storytelling elements.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, with slower sections and a rushed ending.

Notes:

Moonbound is written by Robin Sloan and is set in a distant future.

The narrative explores themes of large-scale cooperation and technological advancements, particularly AI and space travel.

The story incorporates elements of a traditional hero's journey, alongside contemporary details.

It features a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy elements, including wizards, oracles, and talking animals.

The narrator of the story is described as an AI originating from a sentient sourdough starter.

Many readers found the worldbuilding compelling but also somewhat confusing at times.

The book includes themes of storytelling and has aspects that feel quirky and magical.

It has been compared to the works of Ursula K. Le Guin and Hayao Miyazaki in its narrative style, but is noted for being more style than substance.

Readers generally found it an engaging and fun read, suitable for both adults and intelligent younger readers.

Moonbound has been noted for its uplifting tone amidst its science fiction elements.

From The Publisher:

Robin Sloan expands the Penumbraverse to new reaches of time and space in a rollicking far-future adventure.

It is eleven thousand years from now. A lot has happened, and yet a lot is still very familiar. Ariel is a boy in a remote village under a wizard's rule. Like many adventurers before him, Ariel is called to explore a world full of eye-popping discoveries and challenges: unknown enemies, a mission to rescue the world, a girl. Here, as they say, be dragons. But none of this happens before Ariel encounters an entity from an earlier civilization, a sentient, sensitive artificial intelligence with a special perspective on all of human history-who becomes both Ariel's greatest ally . . . and our narrator.

Moonbound is an adventure into the richest depths of Story itself from the creator of the Penumbraverse, Robin Sloan. It is a deeply satisfying epic of ancient scale, blasted through the imaginative prism of one of our most forward-thinking writers. And this is only the beginning.

June 2024

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448 pages

Ratings (4)

Loved It (2)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (16):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (11)

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Moonbound

Robin Sloan

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