The Moon Coin by Richard Due

For Lily and Jasper Winter, the Moon Realm began with a single secret bedtime tale. As the children grew older, Uncle Ebb enthralled them with thrilling tales of the Dragondain riding horse-sized, catlike Rinn; mysterious tales of peerin-wielding lunamancers manipulating the magic that lies just beneath the surface of reality; exciting tales of flying dragons, swimming merfolk, stomping giants, and troublesome faeries. But as the magic of their childhood faded, so too did the tales. Eventually, they were just . . . good stories.

Or were they?

Now, nine years after it all began, Uncle Ebb is missing.

Lily and Jasper search for clues, but their uncle's mansion is full of distractions. A Tesla generator thrums in the basement. Prismatic electrimals flit around walls resembling underwater reefs. Then a most unexpected friend comes to their aid, leading them to a hidden room where they find a mysterious coin—the moon coin. Before the night is out, Lily is transported to the real Moon Realm. But the moons are in trouble. The Rinn of Barreth are under siege, and the lunamancers of Dain are beset by the very dragons they once loved. Most horrifying of all, the moon Darwyth has fallen to a villain named Wrengfoul, whose creeping evil now threatens to overshadow all the Realm.

Are Lily and Jasper too late to save the Moon Realm, or will they have enough time to write an ending of their own?

Featuring twenty-two stunning full-color illustrations by Carolyn Arcabascio. Volume One of the young adult fantasy adventure series The Moon Realm.

The world created by Mr. Due is fantastic. It is a wonderful mix of fantasy that will have middle grade readers and teens wanting more.

It does take a bit of time to get into the actual plot. That was my only real concern, but once it does, it really takes off, reader in tow. The characters in the Moon Realm were all very interesting to read about, although my favorite has to be the Rinn. I also enjoyed the two protagonists, Lily and Jasper, who are wonderfully normal which is not the usual in books for children. That alone makes the book worth reading.

The writing is as magical as the Moon Realm, with nicely shaped phrases that don’t confuse the reader, and fast-pace enough once it gets started to keep the ficklest of teens interested. This is the first in a series, so there is a nice setting up for future stories, leaving some of the tension in the plot.

This is a fun book which will please most children and teens. Even for adults, this is a good choice. I can happily recommend it for all of you out there looking for a little magic in your books.