With the tagline invoking Winter’s Orbit (one of my absolute favorite books), this is a big letdown for me. The characters just didn’t connect. The formatting was weird, it seemed like there were missing transitions/parts, the relationship between Alex and Mansoor was mediocre at best. I also expected more points of view from Victor and Rashid, who I liked way more than Alex and Mansoor.
Unfortunately this was a miss for me.

4.5⭐️ rounded up.

So you know the movie WALL-E? Earth became a total wasteland so they sent a ship to outer space while WALL-E tried to clean up the planet. Well this isn’t a Disney movie and the earth isn’t destroyed…yet.

The overall plot is very timely (billionaires going to space?) even though it’s set in the not so distant future. There’s action, intrigue, romance, you really get it all.

Alex is a scientist who’s kind of hated for her work in mutagenic plants. Years before someone messed it up and now no one trusts it. Her friends and mentor Victor has moved on from ag work and decides to build a rocket to the moon. Unbeknownst to Alex, Victor is working with a wealthy businessman, Mansoor.

Mansoor and his family are funding a new moon hotel (transport vehicle by Victor) but they’re ultimately hoping by inhabiting the moon, they can alleviate some of the stresses on the earth. Together Mansoor and Alex travel to the moon where she begins working to raise fresh produce in the lunar environment.

Back on earth, Victor is working with Mansoor’s younger brother, Rashid to get additional U.S support for a lunar colony.

Oh, and there’s an eco terrorist group trying to upend everything.

The relationship with Mansoor and Alex is one of mutual respect and real fun to watch. Then there’s Victor and Rashid and I absolutely adore the two of them.

I was a little concerned at the beginning because Mansoor and Rashid are Muslim and from Abu Dhabi and I hoped their culture and beliefs were presented accurately and fairly. To my great relief it was and the author even enlisted the aid of a third party to ensure accuracy.

Enjoyment: 4.5
Start: 2
Characters: 4.25
Setting: 3
Plot: 3.5
Ending: 5
Style: 4.25
Rating: .79

Moonrising surprised me. It takes the problems of today and shows us what could happen in the near future. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this novel, and didn't in the start, but I'm glad I continued reading! Moonrising has two subtle romances mixed in with the scifi as well as a very respectful look at Middle Eastern rep. I'm normally not a scifi reader, but I've enjoyed a few over the years. This book really managed to pull me in quickly after the initial chapter, and I'm so glad I continued to read it.

This book gives us four very different perceptives on people all trying to do the same thing: save the earth. Each one brings a unique view point and experience to the table.

10/10 will buy and recommend!

Thank you to Diversion books for the eARC of Moonrising! This book is absolutely right up my alley as it combines biology (agronomy Alex would want me to say) and astronomy, two of my favorite things! Set in the near future, climate change has made it so that historical crops don't grow well in their traditional habitats and access to fresh food is incredibly limited. Agronomist Alex has spent her career making mutagenic fruits and vegetables, which are vilified by Americans due to a previous lack of regulation and oversight. When the opportunity to research at the first lunar colony arises, she can't refuse,
I loved watching the relationships between Alex and Emirati hotelier Mansoor develop along with the lunar colonies greenhouses! This is one of my favorite kinds of science fiction stories ~ great characters, interesting setting, and enough science that I can read without being pulled out of the story. I couldn't put it down!

The plot of starting a colony on the moon and creating an ecosystem to grow mutagenetic food was really exciting! I thought the characters were well-developed and diverse — each had a clear identity and deep passion, whether it was for science, faith, art, or another driving force. Their individual motivations felt real. I also appreciated the multiple points of view, which allowed us to follow two distinct romantic relationships. Each romance was portrayed in a way that felt true to the characters and added emotional depth to the narrative. There was also a great balance with exploring both the best and worst of humanity, emphasizing on coming together and working towards a common goal across all peoples. Overall, this was something I enjoyed. Thank you to NetGalley and Diversion Books for the ARC!

A cozy book that defies genres. Yes, it is sci-fi because it takes place in the year 2073 and mostly on a moon base. Sure, there are two romantic relationships you root for. But it is not just science fiction or romance. The work is beautifully written, hopeful, and surprisingly timely for a novel about the future. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Gorgeously written, set in a super believable near-future, with not one but TWO incredible romances. This book is not just for sci-fi people, trust me!

This book was a pleasant ride to the Moon that I definitely enjoyed! A little slow paced but I really appreciated the queer romance aspect to it. 4.5 stars.