Fantasy and science fiction aren't my preferred genres. But I enjoyed Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore as well as Sourdough by Robin Sloan, so I decided to try Moonbound. So imaginative.

I reviewed the advance review copy of the ebook (thanks to NetGalley and publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux for approving my request to read in exchange for an honest review), maps were TBD. NetGalley ebooks rarely correlate to the physical book length; I was really surprised to see the book is 432 pages.

There are definitely ties to the tale of King Arthur.

I loved this ride into the world Robin Sloan created.

Publication date is June 11, 2024.

Bonus points to Robin Sloan for mentioning the Great Lakes and recognizing his Michigan roots.

Every time Robin Sloan publishes a new book, it becomes a reading highlight of my year—and his latest title is no exception. Moonbound is bonkers. It’s so out of control, I’m unsure how to summarize it well. Between the covers, you get a story that starts in the near future and then shifts 11,000 years forward into a world where creatures made of thought have seemingly extinguished the human race and set up a colony on the moon, and where earth is populated by animals that can speak, sentient weapons, “wizards” who can stitch together creatures that resemble humans, and a fungus that chronicles human history…see what I mean? Bonkers—and I loved every word of it.

For anyone who’s read Sloan’s previous books, this kind of story shouldn’t come as a surprise. His first (Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore) follows a bookstore clerk who uses 3-D mapping to decipher a secret the store and its clientele are hiding. His second (Sourdough) is about a sentient sourdough starter. He has a penchant for the odd, but it turns endearing and playful in his telling, and his writing feels effortless.

At the risk of setting the expectations too high, Moonbound read with the magic of whimsy of Narnia combined with the outlandish imagination of Jeff VanderMeer, and it’s my favorite read of 2024 so far.

Moonbound by Robin Sloan is a science fiction novel set 11,000 years in the future. This book flexes the imagination, encouraging you to step outside the limits of time, space, and everything you thought you knew. The heart of the story and the characters are quirky and heartwarming, but I found it hard to follow the story through all of the extracurricular details.

This book’s audience is die hard science fiction fans. The author builds an extensive world in the distant future where society and people have changed dramatically. I have read Sourdough and Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan and loved both books dearly. This book felt entirely different and focused too heavily on the science fiction aspect to resonate with me.

Thank you Farrar, Straus and Grioux and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I requested Moonbound because I have enjoyed Robin Slone's earlier novels. However, Moonbound, just didn't quite hit the same note for me. The plot was very convoluted and the tone a bit too syrupy. This one wasn't as successful for me.

Like many other reviewers I was a bit surprised by the promotion of this as an extension of Sloan’s other work and the shared universe they have built. I guess it is a big universe after all

Sloan is an excellent writer and this was a lot of fun, I did switch to a physical arc when I received one. So did not finish here, but I wanted to let people know this was a fun read and definitely worth adding to their stock!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ultimately, this book just wasn't for me. I haven't read anything by this author before, but I had one of his books on my 'to read' list, so when this popped up on NetGalley I thought I'd try it. For me, this book just tries to do too many things at once. It's a scifi story of the distant future, with AI, robots, and genetic engineering, and also a fantasy story with wizards, Arthurian legends, magic, and talking animals. It's a mashup that just didn't work for me. I've read scifi/fantasy mixes that have worked well before, but this one just kept tossing off explanations for how the world became the way it was that didn't make much sense. It's more a fairy tale than anything else, so on some level I don't think we're supposed to care how and why things are the way they are, but it had enough scifi elements to warrant explanation.

I did like the "fairy tale" style of a boy resisting his "story" and then making it his own, but the fairy tale nature also meant we didn't get a lot of depth to the characters. The plot felt more like a series of random events that the author wanted to include, rather than an organic narrative. I did like some of the vignettes, and I appreciate that the author took risks and swung for the fences with something wacky, which is why I gave it three stars. That said, I was looking for a cozy fantasy, and the fact that the plot was "and next we went to this place and met these people and did this" became tedious after a while. If you like wild genre mashups and don't mind aimless wandering in your stories, I think you will enjoy this. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

I absolutely love Ajax Penumbra and Sourdough, so as soon as I saw that there was a new Robin Sloan book set in the Penumbraverse, I immediately requested a copy. I was absolutely Beyond Delighted when I was approved. To be honest I didn't even read the description because Sloan's San Francisco is a fantastic place and his characterizations are always so magnificent that I couldn't imagine a scenario in which he would write a book I wouldn't want to read. Well, this is that book - and it just goes to show that no matter how much you love an author or universe, sometimes the chemistry just isn't there. Oh and it also reminded me that you can't trust a blurb anymore...

I failed to see how this book can be said to fall within the Penumbraverse when it is set thousands of years in the future in a world that bears no resemblance to San Francisco or the magical bookstore-filled universe of the earlier books. This felt like swords and sorcery and science fiction blended together, and while there is nothing wrong with that it is not really for me - and also not something I would tend to think of as falling within the aforementioned Penumbraverse.

I was confused and lost and not at all engaged. I suspect this is because the blurb and the actual book feel utterly unrelated to one another - at least insofar as I managed to get in the book, which admittedly wasn't very far. This was so not what I expected or was looking for based on the blurb and the author's previous works... This one was not at all for me.

"Life can be different. It does not all need to be cruel effort."

This book was both completely unique and an amalgamation of other works. I saw pieces of A Wrinkle in Time; the 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear; The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe; Alice in Wonderland; and, strangely, the movie AI: Artificial Intelligence. This is not a criticism; it was fun to pick small pieces that I thought might have been inspired from elsewhere. There were also nods to Sloan's previous works, Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstores (which I LOVED) and Sourdough, and several shout outs to San Francisco, where both of those books are set and where I understand Sloan calls home. Sloan loves to mix advanced technology and other forms (bookstores and baking, previously), and this book is no exception.

Twelve-year-old Ariel de la Sauvage seems destined to become a legend. He's growing up in a Medieval castle like setting, in a world run somewhat by dragons, with an older brother set to become a knight, and is supplied with a sword in a stone to replace his brother's missing one. Sound familiar? Except this story takes places thousands of years in the future. When Ariel diverges from the traditional story by selecting a different sword, he runs afoul of a powerful wizard and must go on a long quest to save his home and friends. Narrated by the chronicle, a piece of technology the size of dust created thousands of years in the past and living inside Ariel's head, Ariel must go on an Arthurian quest to defeat the wizard, possibly slay some dragons, and save his world.

There was a lot to like about this book. The Chronicle was a really unique, cool narrator - a sentient piece of technology designed to log events that develops a love and kinship for its hosts (which you learn more about in a world within a world called the Eigengrau). The world building was well done - this version of Earth is run mostly by talking animals using technology, whereas humans are scarce and have gone decidedly low-tech. I loved the beavers' way of settling arguments and honestly wish we implemented this more in real life. The character of Wyrm is brilliant, and that's all I'll say with that so I don't give spoilers.

Why didn't I rate it higher? The book was a little slow in some parts. Also, due to the description implying this would be an extension of the Penumbraverse, I thought Penumbra and the 24 Hour Bookstore would play a more major role. There are some call outs, but I was definitely a little distracted waiting for it to take on a more major role, and it didn't. If I hadn't been looking for it, I might have enjoyed the book more for what it is.

Thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for a review.

Overall: 3.5/5 Stars

This had everything that I was looking for in this type of book, it had a great adventure element to this and I was invested in the world overall. The characters felt like they were supposed to in this world. I enjoyed the quest element and how it mixed scifi elements and the fantasy elements worked. Robin Sloan does a great job writing this and left me wanting more from the author

This is a great story and so much fun. A hero's quest that is new and surprising and imaginative. I will be rereading this! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for my honest opinion.

Looking for an epic adventure story that looks back to the ancient and forward to the future at the same time? Read Moonbound! I don’t know how to describe this book without giving away fun easter eggs, so I’ll just say that if you like mythical stories, Alice in Wonderland, CS Lewis, or the Lord of the Rings you’ll like this story.

What I loved:
Robin Sloan and I are the same kind of weird. Like his other novels, this book is filled with weird little easter eggs that make the reading experience delightful.
The epic-ness of this story can’t be understated - the road is long, the lows are low, the highs are high, quite literally. This is a fun adventure spanning time, space, living organisms, technology, and literary genre.
The cast of characters is the MOST loveable! It is hard to describe all of the weird and wonderful characters that play into the success of the quest, but they are so unique and really make the story.

I will say that some of the pacing felt off - the first couple of chapters are slow, so power through. Then there’s a slump about ⅔ into the book, so again, power through.

Thank you to NetGalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and Robin Sloan for providing the ARC of the epic of the year!

Since reading Robin Sloan's other books this was a bit of a departure in terms of style and story line. Overall this is a well crafted coming-of-age tale and mixed bag of sci-fi and fantasy, with holdover cyber tech thrown in for good measure. Sloan's writing is as predictably good as his other novels, but this epic had unusual fine detail and imagination that set it apart in terms of world building. Still, it lacked the poetic punch of Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore, and that may be simply due to the complex backstory. A long, long history takes some extra time to tell, and though his characters were well crafted, it was a struggle at times to understand the true goal of the main character. The situations were over the top and wild, and the plot so imaginative that it was a joy to stay with the story just to see what happens next. This novel is not my favorite by Sloan, but it is certainly his most complex and ground-breaking.

Sloan's third novel, "Moonbound," follows in the footsteps of his first book, "Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore," which I adored. Naturally, I eagerly seized the opportunity to delve into his latest work. "Moonbound" by Robin Sloan is a delightful fusion of science fiction, fantasy, Arthurian legend, and epic quest, whisking readers away into a world ruled by dragons.

The story revolves around Ariel, a 12-year-old boy residing in a small town governed by a wizard. Narrated by the chronicle, a sentient, record-keeping artificial intelligence, the tale unfolds 11,000 years into the future, where humans are scarce, and the planet is dominated by talking animals.

Ariel's encounter with the chronicle during one of his explorations proves transformative. When he fails to fulfill the wizard's agenda—extracting a sword from a stone—he must flee for his life. Thus begins Ariel's quest to save his home from the clutches of the malevolent wizard and liberate the universe from the control of the dragons. Along the way, he forges new friendships, brave numerous adventures, and unravels mysteries about his world.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Revealing more of the plot would spoil the fun, as half the joy lies in discovering it firsthand. I relished the nods to Arthurian legend, the clever humor, the expansiveness of the author's imagination, and the intricate world-building. Despite a few sluggish moments, they scarcely detracted from my overall enjoyment. Although my copy lacked maps, I anticipate their inclusion will enrich the narrative. As a fantasy tale, it occasionally ventures into whimsical realms, a delightful aspect! The narrator's voice is vivid and effortlessly draws you in.

Particularly memorable were the beavers' unique decision-making process, the realm of Eigengrau and its inhabitants, and the diverse array of quirky characters. The storytelling and writing style are distinctive and skillfully executed. Sloan adeptly intertwines all the narrative elements. This well-crafted and imaginative adventure tale will hold your attention captive. Sloan has conjured a mystical world that effortlessly ensnares the reader. As with the finest tales, the protagonist becomes a cherished companion, and you can't help but root for him as he navigates the most thrilling of locales. All in all, "Moonbound" is a delightful read and highly recommended!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

Review: This was like Alice in Wonderland dropped acid with Ayahuasca. What begins as a fairly normal SciFi novel, quickly morphs into something that bridges the past into the fantasical present. It just seems plausible with the back story rendered in the sublime, that talking societal beavers and huge moths used for travel is granted freedom to happlily co-exist within your mind. Wizards that can craft a human body for a talking possum is a logical process when you accept the inception event that made it possible.

The diverse character presentation was the most riveting part of this novel. Every turn in the story line is met with a different persona/being and culture. The twists are sudden and delightful.

The writing is superb. Most of the novel is written from the perspective of the Chronicler. An AI that resides within Ariel, gathering knowledge and providing insights. The world building is like a better version of Alice that embraces the authentic. There is some blah, blah carbon counting science speculation. Most of Earth would have to be bog for that theory to work.

This novel is a fantastic read. GET IT!

Rating: 4.7/5

3/5

A fun romp of an adventure tale by Robin Sloan, but the wild, occasionally rambling story will put off some readers.

In Moonbound, Ariel de la Sauvage is the embodiment of the Arthurian legend. However, he encounters a Chronicling fungus, which fuses itself to him, and when he gets the opportunity to pull a sword from a stone, he eschews it, and creates his own adventure. And what an adventure it is. We see Ariel explore the world, meeting a broad cast of characters and foes, told with Robin Sloan's lightness and quick prose.

However, there are some drawbacks. The sense of fun, characteristic of the author's earlier works, is dialled up to 11 here. The sense of wild irreverence seems over the top and silly, at least to me. The story also ranges so far - often seemingly just to 'show off the world' or another set of somewhat jarring plot ideas - that it doesn't really feel like a cohesive whole story.

Ariel is a heroic archetype, but he doesn't really feel like a clear character, which means you don't get a sense that his actions or choices drive what happens (more than the author is ready to move on). The thin characterisation, plus the wide-ranging story, makes it a little hard to invest in the journey, even though the story moves quickly.

All in all, a little bit of a step back from Robin Sloan's earlier works. Readers wanting a nature-infused adventure, but with a bit more coherence, might do well to check out The Family Tree by Sheri S Tepper. Finally, readers picking this one up solely because of connections to the "Penumbraverse" should know the connections are minor/in passing.

Thank you to Robin Sloan, Farrar, Straus and Giroux and Netgalley for an advance review copy, provided in return for an honest review.

As to story, Moonbound takes place more than 10,000 years into the future and follows boy goes on a hybrid fantasy/sci-fi Arthurian adventure. There are a bunch of delightful twists and surprises so I won't say too much more on that front other than it both totally hangs together and almost explicitly promises more to come.

Moonbound has all the hallmarks of a Robin Sloan novel: (1) charming world-building and (2) an abundance of quirky characters gently (more or less) navigating their way through some combination of magical and sci-fi/tech arcana. If you liked Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and Sourdough, you probably are going to like this one too. A very enjoyable fast, fun read!

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

"Moonbound" is an highly imaginative sci-fi novel involving a boy named Ariel. To say much. more would ruin the surprises for the reader, but I highly recommend this for fans of Sloan's "Sourdough" and "Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore." A short-short description provided by the author states "The year is 13777. There are dragons on the moon." If you're up for a dystopian adventure, this is the book for you. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I eagerly started Sloan's third novel. The first two, both amazingly and stunningly unique, gave me big expectations. The first chapter had me questioning, but I should have known to have faith it the story. I was quickly invested in Ariel's quest, His small band of friends along the way. It gave me Wizard of Oz vibes on occasion but is truly a one of a kind universe, just beautiful, rich and powerful. Great read.

Moonbound is a journey into the future, 2000 years into the height of human civilization, and then subsequently another 11000 years to an earth unrecognizable from our own. It follows the story of Ariel, a boy on a journey to uncover the truth and history of the world. It's both a sci-fi dystopian epic, and a sweeping fantasy adventure story. Impossible to describe without giving away the full scope of the wonderful universe Sloan has created, this book features advanced technologies, wizards, dragons, talking beavers, and too many quirky, mystical characters to count. This story was boundless in its imagination, and cleverly crafted. If you're a fan of Tolkien, King Arthur, and also, space odysseys (hard to explain how it all fits into one here!), this book is for you. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy - a true original delight!