Books › Moon Rising
Moon Rising
596 pages
A telepathic protagonist navigates the overwhelming noise of a new school and the heavy burden of a dangerous secret.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a crowded, noisy room where you can hear everyone's thoughts at once. It perfectly captures the overwhelming, jittery anxiety of starting a new school, but filters that deeply relatable middle-grade experience through the lens of high-stakes dragon fantasy. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging pace, balancing the quiet, empathetic moments of forging new friendships with the creeping dread of a hidden, ancient threat. The prose is accessible and character-driven, anchoring the reader firmly in the protagonist's sensitive, overwhelmed perspective. It is a deeply hopeful yet suspenseful read that will delight fans of immersive, non-human fantasy worlds who love watching a quiet, anxious character slowly find her voice and her true friends.
- Mood
- mysterious
- overwhelming
- hopeful
- tense
- Tone
- earnest
- anxious
- empathetic
- suspenseful
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- burden of secrets · social anxiety · overcoming prejudice · found family · weight of destiny
- The writing
- Accessible and emotionally immediate, vividly capturing the chaotic, overlapping internal landscape of a mind-reader.
- The arc
- Moves from paralyzing social anxiety and isolation to tentative trust and the courage to step into the light.
- Who it's for
- Middle-grade fantasy readers who crave immersive, non-human perspectives mixed with relatable school-day anxieties and high-stakes mysteries.
Content notes
- fantasy violence
- bullying
- anxiety
About the book
The war between the tribes is finally over, and now the dragonets of the prophecy have a plan for lasting peace: Jade Mountain Academy, a school that will gather dragonets from all the tribes and teach them to live together, perhaps even as friends. Moonwatcher isn't sure how she feels about school, however.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Moon Rising
See why they match
Escaping PerilTui SutherlandA fiery, fast-paced journey of redemption fueled by dark humor and the desperate ache to be seen as more than a monster.
Winter TurningTui SutherlandA frosty, fast-paced adventure about a prickly hero learning that true loyalty is chosen, not inherited.
DarkstalkerTui T. SutherlandA heartbreaking, inevitable descent into darkness that makes you root for a monster before he becomes one.
The Flames of HopeTui T. SutherlandA high-stakes, emotionally charged finale that balances breathless fantasy battles with deep, empathetic character growth.
The Dragonet ProphecyZena SutherlandA high-flying, scale-tingling adventure where reluctant chosen ones decide to forge their own destiny instead of following the script.
MoonriseErin HunterA perilous, atmospheric journey where clashing cultures and heavy prophecies demand a heartbreaking price.