Let me start by saying that I'm not very good at reviews. However, I wanted to give one for this novel to help get the word out. This is also the first release from Mythic Roads Press, the publishing house that’ll be releasing my book—The Moon The Sun Forgot—next year, and I was excited to get an idea of what my finished novel would look like. I also received a copy of the audiobook. Both did not disappoint. The presentation was top-notch, and I can't wait until next year.
If you enjoy audiobooks, try this one. The narrator is especially good and a fantastic fit.
So let's get to Moon Dust in My Hairnet by J.R. Creaden.
I knew I wanted to read this novel after reading the synopsis on Mythic Roads Press' website (https://www.mythicroadspress.com/). It sounded different and made me think of one of my favourite reads of the past 10 years: The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. As much as I am a child of the 70s and a fan of Star Trek and Star Wars films, but when it comes to reading, I enjoy stories that offer something beyond the excitement and action of such franchises. I like the quiet between the action and the intimate scenes exploring the characters and the world they inhabit. Daring chases and exciting escapes culminating in great clashes on screen, but when I read, I want to experience the other moments. Some of my favourite parts of The Lord of the Rings are those long chapters where people are just travelling—something many mainstream publishers see as redundant. Imagine how much of Tolkien's work would be trimmed if it were published today.
Anyway, the synopsis of Moon Dust in My Hairnet mentions an autistic lunch lady living with survivor's guilt, and I knew this protagonist would be unique to me.
I was intrigued.
After receiving my copy, I dug in. The first thing that struck me was the first-person POV. Now, don't hate me, but generally, I have trouble with first-person narrative. I can only sometimes remain invested through the entire story if it's being told in a single voice, particularly if the cast is large. But to the author's credit, Lane's voice is a compelling force—unique and captivating—serving as the beating heart of the narrative, and I was immediately drawn in. Such a character added a unique take on certain situations that would otherwise seem trivial and added a twist I wasn’t expecting. This is a shining example of what first-person storytelling can do.
The other element I noticed in the opening chapters was the diverse characters—much more varied than anything I've read. In this era where the pendulum of diversity is swinging from none to many, things can sometimes feel forced. But not here. Here, there's a legitimate reason for these people to come together, and I liked every one of them and thought they each had a place in the refreshing narrative.
But Moon Dust in My Hairnet isn't only about diverse characters who're seldom in the spotlight. There's meat to their story. Whether dealing with survivor's guilt, facing adversity, or trying to find common ground to build a better tomorrow, the characters and story are well intertwined.
I was invested.
So, without giving up any spoilers, Moon Dust in My Hairnet takes place on a Lunar colony in the not-to-distant future. Earth and its populace have been through the wringer, and the survivors are trying to build a functioning society where everyone contributes and is welcome. But when an aggressive faction from Earth sets its sights on expansion, the people of Lunar Trust One must unite to save their home. These are real people who aren't seasoned warriors waiting for their chance to show off how skilled they are at resolving conflict with muscles and guns. The challenges feel genuine, and their solutions are believable. This is light sci-fi, meaning it can be enjoyed by those who don't typically gravitate toward the genre. There are no long passages of technobabble, thrilling chases, or epic battles here. Instead, the author relies on strong characters, descriptive writing, and crafting a thoughtful tale of a young woman living in the immense shadow of a deceased sibling. It didn't take long to draw me in, and I found the lack of sci-fi tropes refreshing. It was also nice to have one character use gender-neutral pronouns, which can be tricky in the written word but executed perfectly here.
I'd recommend J.R. Creaden's Moon Dust in My Hairnet to anyone looking for a fun read with well-written, diverse characters set in a future where humanity is fighting its way out of the ashes of environmental and social upheaval. There is hope, but like anything that matters, it must be won by those willing to fight for it even if the odds are stacked against them. I enjoyed the novel from start to finish and am interested in reading more from J.R. Creaden.
This is one novel worthy of your time.
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