The Moon Dwellers

By: David Estes

Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Will Damron

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's Summary

In a desperate attempt to escape destruction decades earlier, humankind was forced underground, into the depths of the Earth, creating a new society called the Tri-Realms. After her parents and sister are abducted by the Enforcers, 17-year-old Adele, a member of the middle-class moon dwellers, is unjustly sentenced to life in prison for her parents' crimes of treason.

Against all odds Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family while being hunted by a deranged killing machine named Rivet, who works for the president. She is helped by two other inmates, Tawni and Cole, each of who has dark secrets that are better left undiscovered. Other than her friends, the only thing she has going for her is a wicked roundhouse kick and two fists that have been well trained for combat by her father.

At the other end of the social spectrum is Tristan, the son of the president and a sun dweller. His mother is gone. He hates his father. Backed by only his servant and best friend, Roc, he leaves his lavish lifestyle in the Sun Realm, seeking to make something good out of his troubled life.

When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to follow Adele mysteriously as she seeks to find her family and uncover her parents' true past. In their world someone must die.

©2012 David Estes (P)2015 Podium Publishing

A thoroughly entertaining read.

Any additional comments?

I have had this on my kindle since it first came out so was excited to get the chance to listen to the audio. Since Dystopian is my favourite genre, I dived right in, and boy was I so glad I did. The summary sums up the story really well so I'm going to get straight to my thoughts.

The world building was amazing. I loved how well each realm is described and we get a good description of what happened to make mankind dwell below ground. It's a unique and hazardous world but fantastic non the less.

The characters were, for me anyway, the best thing about the book. Each were really well written and developed and it was so easy to like them. My heart broke for poor Adele and what she went through. Yet despite the heartache and hardship, she was kick ass!! She has such a strong spirit and a devotion to her loved ones that it's hard not to connect to her. Her journey isn't easy but I was rooting for her the whole way.

Then we have Tristan. His father is some piece of work but Tristan is cut from a different cloth all together. He was strong, brave, ready to defend his people and quick to help others, no matter the consequences. It also helped that he was hot ;)

I really loved the fact that the book was told from both Adele and Tristans' POV. I loved seeing the same story, as such, from each of their perspectives and thought it added depth to the story.

Plot wise, it was fast paced and intense. This book is the kind of book were once you start, you wont want to put down because you need to see what happens next!! I flew through it and loved every page.

In all, this was a fantastic read and I can not wait to dive into book 2 because the way this ended was killer. I need to see where their journey takes them.

The audio of this was amazing! Both narrators were perfect and brought the story alive. I enjoyed it more I think, with both narrators. It adds that extra something to the story!! I hope these 2 narrate all the rest in the series because I will buy them straight away!

*I received a copy of this for review from AudioBookBlast. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Looking Below The Surface

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this young adult dystopian novel. David Estes does a fine job creating a unique story that specifically highlights the many layers of human nature. The good, the bad, the ugly run through the veins of everyone put it's their choice as to which will dominate their livelihood. I was impressed by the character development, detailed action, and clean romance, all of which had me wanting to read more.

Narrators Julia Whelan and Will Damron were the ideal match for the heroine and hero of this novel. Both mastering the delivery of witty lines and occasional comic relief and emotional arch of their characters. I was only disappointed in Whelan's attempt at male voices as they all sounded the same which confused me from time to time as to who was speaking; but overall a superb dynamic duo.

I would recommend this book to all.

This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Really Enjoyable Listen! Fabulous Narration!

Narration - Julia Whelan, Will Damron - Kick Ass! Both really good narrators. Great Pace, Great Drama, Loved it!

Really enjoyed this book. It's a dystopian society, futuristic, complex, has lots of suspense and danger at every turn. There's a bubbling romance and a whole lot of unanswered questions!

We're also introduced to a bunch of interesting characters that I really enjoyed getting to know. Adele is our heroine and she's strong and sassy. Tristan, the son of the president is a skilled fighter and he's drawn to Adele (even though he's never spoken with her) but you have to listen to the book to get all the deets about that!

I can't wait to move on to the next book in this series to get answers to more of the unexplained happenings.

A really great listen!

That is all!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A Whole New Experience on Audio!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would without a doubt recommend this to a friend! I read the book originally on ebook, and I reread it via audio, and I can say that the audio was definitely an amazing experience!

What other book might you compare The Moon Dwellers to and why?

The Moon Dwellers has been compared multiple times to The Hunger Games, and I can totally see why. It features a dystopian world divided by "sections", and a really strong female protagonist trying to save her family. However that's where the similarities end, because The Moon Dwellers is a whole different book. The world building is exactly what you want in these types of books: rich yet not extremely unbelievable. David Estes definitely created an outstanding dystopian world that definitely holds its own against series like The Hunger Games and Divergent.

What about Julia Whelan and Will Damron ’s performance did you like?

Julia Whelan and Will Damron definitely bring a whole new take on the series! They bring Adele and Tristan to life, and really amp up the intensity of the book! I really enjoyed listening to the audio; there was never a dull moment with them. I loved Julia's perfect way of portraying Adele's sarcasm, and Will's hilarious performance of Tristan's voice. I think they both did really well, although there were times when they sounded a bit odd, due to them portraying a character of the opposite sex. Other than that, I think their performance really was outstanding.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The book was told by both Adele and Tristan, so when their POVs finally got together... I really loved the resulting action and drama that ensued. That made for great reading!

Any additional comments?

A review copy of this audiobook was provided in exchange for an honest review! 4.5 stars!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great double performance!

This audiobook was so adictive! I absolutely loved the double performance and thought both Whelan and Damron were great, with pleasent tones, dicerning voices for each character , and a wonderful storytelling hability. The first person narrative used the best of those traights too.
The story itself was also very good. This is the second David Estes book I read. His incredibly fast paced and unique stories and his fantastic hability to balance humor, action and heart wrenching moments make for a delicious read.
Ok, there are some problems too. Sometimes there are inacuracies in the plot, and not everything that happens seems possible. But I love his characters (mostly because his teenagers never annoy me), and if you can get past that I bet you will too. There isn't a single character I don't like, as a matter of fact. They are equal parts funny and deep. When they do something stupid, they know it. When something implausible happens, they know it too. They are smart and sensitive, and they made me root for them the whole way through.
The world building was done beautifully (although in the first chapters I got slightly confused with the amount of information), and I thought the idea was incredibly original. If you enjoy Dystopia and Urban adventures, you should definitely give this a try.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Amazing... Enough said!

I loved reading this book as an eBook, but it was even more amazing as an audiobook! I could have easily sat and listened to this for the entire 10 hours, and found it frustrating every time I had to switch the story off to go and do something else.

David Estes does an amazing job of creating a world you can easily imagine yourself in, with fantastic descriptions, and characters that will make you want to fight by their side, hold them while they cry, and laugh with them when something good happens. Add to that the way the narration brings those characters to life, and you have the recipe for an amazing listening experience.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Brilliantly written and narrated

If you could sum up The Moon Dwellers in three words, what would they be?

Dystopia, thrilling, and family. This is a dystopia with a dual point of view. The focus of it is on friends and family how far would you go to save a loved one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character was Adele. She is a really strong and complex character. She is sarcastic with a no quit attitude. She showed determination and fearlessness.

What does Julia Whelan and Will Damron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Julia and Will bring to the table a brilliantly executed voice to all the characters. I was surprised how well they brought the sarcasm that the characters express.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I would have devoured it in one sitting if my schedule allotted me.

Any additional comments?

I loved reading this book. It is one of my favorite books of all time. I was pleased to find out it came out in audible version. I enjoyed listening to the narrators. They were the perfect voice to Tristan and Adele. I will continue to look forward to hearing the rest of the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Falling in Love All Over Again

This review can also be found here: Confessions of a Bibliophile

Reviewer: Caedy Eries (aka. Martha Devnew)
Title: The Moon Dwellers
Author: David Estes
Format: Audio
Publisher: Podiium Publishing

Narrator(s): Julia Whelan, William Damron

Overall: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Story: 5/5

Review:

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I have fallen in love with this book by David Estes, and to be able to get a chance to hear one of my favorite books performed I jumped at the chance and was honored to be one of the ones selected for a free copy of this book. Adele and Tristan are two of my favorite characters.

Listening to Julia Whelan voice Adele, I feel she is absolutely the perfect fit for this spirited young woman. The life she brings to Adele, from the very beginning of her story, to the fight and her interactions with her two friends Tawni and Cole has me riveted. It only further cements that Adele is by far one of my favorite female leads.

Listening to William Damron as the voice of Tristan, my heart beats a bit faster. He is very, very close to the voice I imagine Tristan having (I've read the book on Kindle as well) and fall in love with him all the more. Strong, dedicated, and at the complete opposite social spectrum from Adele, yet he fights in the war between the tri-realms just as Adele does.

Tristian and Adele are tied together from the very beginning and their backgrounds are different, their stories unique. One fights to get out of the Pen and ultimately learn the truth about her parents past...the other seeks to make something good out of his troubled life, leaving the lavish lifestyle of a sun dweller and the President's son.

I highly recommend reading this book in audio, together Julia Whelan and William Damron bring a new dimension of life into this post-apocalyptic dystopian tale spun by David Estes. Decidedly a five star read.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The Dwellers Saga

Any additional comments?

This story is beautiful and elegant, and the love between our star-crossed lovers is bold and moving. if you're seeking vivid, breathing characters who will make you laugh, cry, gasp, and seethe with rage; if you're ready to fall in love with a noble, handsome prince, then I'd say buy a copy of this book because you're going to love it. It is highly recommended

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A terrific start to a dystopian series.Must Listen

THE MOON DWELLERS
The Dwellers - Book One

Author: David Estes

Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged

Narrators: Julia Whelan and Will Damron

Length: 10 hours, 34 minutes

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction

Release Date: May 12, 2015

Publisher: Podium Publishing

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is a dystopian fiction story. This genre has become very popular over the past few years. There are a lot of this type of book on the market and it can be a daunting task to try to decide which titles are worth buying and which ones should be avoided. "The Moon Dwellers" is one that should be added to everyone's "To Read" list.

After the surface of the Earth has become uninhabitable, an underground colony is established. As is always the case with human beings, a distinct class system emerges. Three underground levels are built and are called the Tri-Realms.

Closest to the Earth's surface is the Sun Realm where the wealthy and powerful reside. The next deepest level is known as the Moon Realm (the supposed middle-class) and deepest of all is the Star Realm.

Tristan is the eldest son of the President.

The government of the Tri-Realms may consider itself to be democratic, but since positions are earned solely based on bloodlines, it is really a monarchy masquerading as a democracy.

Since he is the eldest son of the current President, Tristan is destined to be the next President of the Tri-Realms. Tristan's father is obsessed with power and wealth. His father wants Tristan to follow in his footsteps, but Tristan is nothing like his father. In fact, he hates the way the people in the Sun Realm treat those that reside in the Moon and Star Realms, but he has no idea how to go about changing things.

Adele is seventeen and has spent all of her short life living in the middle class Moon Realm. Despite the fact that her parents do not make much money, Adele and her little sister have had a happy childhood and the family is very close-knit.

Since Adele is the daughter of two convicted Traitors the law of the Tri-Realms states that any child of traitorous parents is also guilty of treason and Adele receives a lifetime prison sentence. Since she is not quite eighteen years old she is sent to the youth prison known as "The Pen."

Against all odds Adele must escape from the Pen and find her family while being hunted by a deranged killing machine named Rivet, who works for the president.

Adele makes friends with two other inmates in The Pen. Tawni and Cole each have secrets that they wish to leave undiscovered.

Other than her friends, the only thing Adele has going for her is the fact that she is an amazing fighter thanks to the combat training she received from her father.

Tristan's best friend is also his personal servant. Roc has been with Tristan his entire life and they are more like brothers than employee and employer.

When a war breaks out within the Tri-Realms, Tristan is thrust into the middle of a conflict that seems to follow Adele as she searches for her family.

Author David Estes has created an entire society with distinct classes and a unique setting.

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. Since the story is told from two different perspectives: that of Adele and Tristan, it was refreshing to have two narrators to tell the story. Julia Whelan does a great job as the voice of Adele and is able to perfectly convey both Adele's strength and her vulnerability. Will Damron as Tristan is equally wonderful. Tristan's character is conflicted and Will is able to use inflection to portray his character's inner angst with flair. I give the narration of this audiobook a 5 out of 5 star rating.

This book is targeted and marketed as a Young Adult audiobook but I believe that adult listeners will also enjoy this story.

There are a total of four books in "The Dwellers" series. They are:
1. The Moon Dwellers
2. The Star Dwellers
3. The Sun Dwellers
4. The Earth Dwellers

I am definitely interested in listening to all four of these audiobooks. I rate "The Moon Dwellers" as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A Fantastic YA Dystopian Novel!

This is a fantastic YA Dystopian story. I loved it!

Adele is a wonderful character. I liked her feisty, sarcastic attitude but, like any teen, she can be a little prickly and defensive. She is a sixteen year old girl living in the Moon Realm, one of the Tri-Realms created when the earth was faced with a mass extinction event when a meteor was found to be hurtling to Earth. Sent to the Pen (an adolescent detention centre) and separated from her parents, who are branded as traitors, and her younger sister, Adele finds herself in a race against time to bring her family back together again.

Tristan is also a wonderful character and the heir apparent to the Presidency of the Tri-Realms. I liked his sense of honour and decency. He has a more compassionate attitude than his tyrannical father, who is the President of the Tri-Realms: the Sun Dwellers, the Moon Dwellers and the Star Dwellers. When he spies Adele in the Moon Dweller Pen, Tristan is confused at the effect she has on him. Determined to find out why, he sets out to uncover the reason.

I downloaded this book two years ago onto my Kindle, but due to my reading list being so long I haven't been able to read it. I decided to download it as an audiobook when I heard it was available earlier this year. This gave me the option to either read it, or listen to it. This audiobook is narrated by two readers, Julia Whelan and Will Damron. I have heard Julia Whelan's voice before - when I listened to Dan Wells's Partials series - so I knew and liked her voice. However, Will Damron was an unknown entity and I was a little worried. I need not have been. Sometimes, having two narrators can be an off-putting experience for some readers, but I have no issue with it. Both of them did a fantastic job in bringing the story and characters to life. They have pleasant and clear voices to listen to and I would definitely listen to more books read by them both, whether together or alone.

As I mentioned earlier, I have been wanting to read this book for some time, as I have read one of the books from the author's other series he has written. Namely, Fire Country from The Country Saga. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to read the other books in this series yet, but I am hoping to soon.

I started to listen to the story and was quickly hooked. This book is told from both Adele's and Tristan's points of view in alternating chapters. This gives the reader an insight into the protagonists thoughts and feelings, as well as scenes that play out without the other character being in the picture.

This is basically a story about a girl's journey to bring her family back together after they get separated by force. However, there is also action, adventure and romance, not to mention a tyrannical President who rules with an iron fist. In a way, it is very reminiscent of other Dystopian/post apocalyptic novels I have read in the past. But, there is an originality to the story that had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I love the world the author has created, even though it is a rather dark in more ways than one. I also liked meeting all the different characters. Tawni and Cole are completely different in temperament, but their differences compliment each other and make them wonderful friends for Adele. I absolutely love Roc. He brings a comic timing, wit and lightness to the story and has a repartee with Tristan that brought a smile to my face. His irreverence for Tristan's higher station makes him one of my favourite characters. Tristan and Roc have grown up together and this makes them best friends who are as close as brothers, rather than master and servant.

There are several surprising twists and turns in this tale, which had me guessing as to where the story was headed. Nevertheless, the journey has been an exciting roller coaster ride from beginning to end, containing explosions, sword fights and a formidable round-house kick or two. I am now looking forward to reading/listening to the second book, The Star Dwellers, as soon as possible.

David Estes has written a fantastic dystopian novel that has turned me into a huge fan of his. I love his writing style, which is fast paced and the flow is extremely fluid. His characters come alive, and the descriptions of the environs left me breathless. I am looking forward to reading more of his books in the foreseeable future.

I highly recommend this book if you love books like The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner, or YA, Dystopian or Post Apocalyptic genres. - Lynn Worton