What do you think?
Rate this book
The Daughters of Firth Tales #1
On a Blue Moon
While Sam is canoeing on a wilderness lake in Canada he’s abducted and taken to a moon deep in space. Sam’s near death when a young girl, Willow, saves his life. Later, he saves her from a life of abuse by the leader of her society. In doing so, he incurs the leader’s wrath and must flee for his life along with Willow, her mother, and her uncle.
During their long journey they make enduring friendships and deadly enemies in their quest to find a place to live in peace. A quest that increasingly becomes hopeless and tragic, until a battle in which they are greatly outnumbered decides their fate.
During their long journey they make enduring friendships and deadly enemies in their quest to find a place to live in peace. A quest that increasingly becomes hopeless and tragic, until a battle in which they are greatly outnumbered decides their fate.
- GenresFantasy
274 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 2020
2 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Willow.
2 books8 followersWillow is the fictional author of ON A BLUE MOON and book #2 THE DAUGHTERS OF FIRTH TALES. She was born on a moon far from Earth. When she was seven years old her life changed dramatically, setting her on a journey through space and time. Her tales tell of her life’s journey, and of the journeys of those she came to know and love. She has come back from the distant future to tell those tales. The tales are based on the accounts related to her by the many beings she has known, both human and nonhuman.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 12, 2020
ON a BLUE MOON by Willow may be classified differently by others, but I consider it science fiction despite the fact that the alien beings and space travel are only a fraction of the story. It is also the fiction debut for this author. Sam is on vacation canoeing and fishing in the Canadian wilderness when he sees something odd in the water. An object rises from the water and soon a blue light descends and envelopes him. He is drawn into a spaceship. Sam is taken to another world and left there. The rest of the book follows Sam’s journey as he meets the locals, makes friends and encounters enemies. But who removed him from Earth and why was it done?
The characters are compelling and Sam is definitely someone you can root for. His character felt real and had a distinct voice. His goals were clear and proactive. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story. The relationships between the characters were believable and not contrived.
The prose was well-written, entertaining and engaging. However, my only quibble with it is that it felt somewhat verbose. The internal and external conflicts were well defined, organic, and believable. The characters reacted to events in a plausible and realistic way. One thing that was very confusing was the Prologue section. I felt that this section was entirely unnecessary.
This novel explored several themes including protection of others, abuse, racism, friendship, family dynamics and much more. Overall, the plot was intriguing and thought-provoking and the ending was satisfying.
If the above sounds like something you would enjoy, then I recommend that you check it out.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
The characters are compelling and Sam is definitely someone you can root for. His character felt real and had a distinct voice. His goals were clear and proactive. The secondary characters were well-rounded and enhanced the story. The relationships between the characters were believable and not contrived.
The prose was well-written, entertaining and engaging. However, my only quibble with it is that it felt somewhat verbose. The internal and external conflicts were well defined, organic, and believable. The characters reacted to events in a plausible and realistic way. One thing that was very confusing was the Prologue section. I felt that this section was entirely unnecessary.
This novel explored several themes including protection of others, abuse, racism, friendship, family dynamics and much more. Overall, the plot was intriguing and thought-provoking and the ending was satisfying.
If the above sounds like something you would enjoy, then I recommend that you check it out.
Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy of this novel and the opportunity to read and provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
July 28, 2020
Rating: 4.5/5.0
“On a Blue Moon” offers profound social commentary packaged as a fanciful environmentalist warning mixed into a fabulist memoir.
Read the full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“On a Blue Moon” offers profound social commentary packaged as a fanciful environmentalist warning mixed into a fabulist memoir.
Read the full review in the 2020 Summer issue of InD'tale Magazine.
May 3, 2020
Willow is an exceptional individual who has lived across time and space. These are the tales of her life and the lives of those she has known. The first in the Daughter of Firth Tales series, this book documents her early life when she and her mother first encountered an Earth man named Sam and ended up traveling the moon they called home in search of a place they could settle, picking up friends as they went.
When the author contacted me for a review, I was told this novel was of a very different sort. I enjoy different, so I knew I couldn’t pass it up. I didn’t even really read what the book was about; I just knew this was something I had to read. Told by the fictional character Willow, this novel was actually written by R. J. Olson, but I’d rather believe Willow herself wrote this book. I liked that I could put the actual author out of mind while reading this and just become immersed in Willow’s life. One thing to note is that this is the first book in a series, so, while the intention is for Willow to tell multiple stories, this first one focuses on her early life. I’m so very glad I decided to read this. It completely drew me in, and then I loved that it made me absolutely angry at the end because I didn’t want it to end.
The Characters: Delightful
I adored the main characters. There were quite a few characters and, unfortunately, some of them kind of blurred together, but the main characters definitely stood out. They were delightful and so consistent, though they also showed growth. The growth was given in a more tell than show way, though.
I was delighted to meet Willow fairly early on. She was so much fun to read about, always full of boundless energy and ideas seemingly plucked from thin air that both made things happen and kept things interesting. Her exuberance felt infectious and I couldn’t help smiling when reading about her. Sam was a wonderful counterpoint to her. A father figure to her, he was loving and protective. He tempered her antics without smothering her spirit. He was really a wonderful man, a very upright citizen and overall good person. He always did what was right even when it hurt him and was always so protective.
There were many other characters Willow and Sam, and Willow’s mother Flo and Flo’s partner Larry, met. They were a varied bunch with unique personalities that made them fun to read about. There was the very thoughtful and thirsty for knowledge Plato, the faithful and craving love Ruth, the ever-fun loving Curly, and natural leaders Martin and Olivia, among others. I loved reading about how they managed to come together and form a home. They were from different societies on the moon, outcasts in their own settlements because their ideas and beliefs were different from the leaders who had iron fists, but somehow managed to work together to create an inclusive society.
And of course I can’t leave out the creatures. I do believe they were probably my favorite characters. They were so different and clearly had similar societies to the humans. It was fascinating to see human and creature reflected. Rock, named so by Sam because he appeared as a color changing rock when they first met, is probably my favorite. He and Sam had a clear and unique relationship and I loved that they looked out for each other.
The Setting: A Blue Moon
I have no idea where in the universe this story starts, but I do know most of the story takes place on an unnamed moon somewhere out there. There are parts that take place on Earth, but most of it is on that moon.
I was fascinated by the moon. There were rivers and seas and marshes and dunes and what seemed like a jungle. It was an incredible place to read about with probably just as many climates as Earth. I couldn’t always envision where each area was in relation to the others, but I really enjoyed their trek across the moon in search of a permanent home. My favorite part was being introduced to the native creatures. They were so different, but so much fun. They made the moon come alive.
Populated by people who had been brought from Earth during different periods of time, it showcased how the people managed to survive and form societies. It was like some great alien experiment (and maybe it was). Some of it seemed a little absurd, but the explanation given for it also sounded really plausible. It was fascinating to see how the people managed to adapt and live on such a strange world, especially the newest colony of people who had more recently been taken from Earth.
The world felt both barren and alive. It felt like a never-ending stream of rivers, seas, and marshes, but it also made sense as people need water and food to live and the food really only grows where there is water. This is a primitive world with some modern touches. It was utterly fascinating and I hope to return in future books.
The Plot: Beautiful, Yet Tragic
This is the story of outcasts. It is the story of wrongs being righted. It is the story of an odd collection of individuals and creatures coming together to make a home, a life.
I was a little confused at the beginning because we’re introduced to a man named Sam who was canoeing on Earth and then seemed to be abducted by aliens and deposited on some strange world. Since this was supposed to be a story told by Willow, I was wondering where she was. But this is really the story of Sam, and Willow is telling his story, as well as the stories of everyone else she came to love.
The story moved at a great pace and no step ever felt contrived. The story flowed seamlessly from one point to the next. I actually felt like I was reading the story of an actual person. Even what might be considered absurd felt like it belonged. As a matter of fact, those were some of my favorite parts.
This is such a beautiful story. It’s tragic as well, but it’s beauty planted a seed of hope that bloomed. There are instances of rape, murder, and suicide that darken the story. There’s also persecution and prejudice. It’s not always pleasant, but the hearts of Willow and Sam are just so lovely that they always manage to overcome hardships and encourage the friends they find along the way to never give up and always have hope.
I found myself completely engrossed in this story. When I had to put the book down, I counted down to when I could dive back into the world. When I was reading, I dreaded having to stop. I didn’t want it to end. When it did, when I realized I only had about 10% of the book left, I felt angry because I wasn’t ready to leave. I wanted to stay with Sam and Willow and have more adventures with them.
This book was a joy to read. The story was always moving. It did have many, many instances of tell instead of show that felt a bit disruptive, but I enjoyed the story so much I found myself forgiving it all. While this book is unique in how it’s presented, I think the story itself can speak to so many people, especially those who have ever been prayed upon, persecuted, and outcast. This is such a beautiful story of characters who face hardships, but who always manage to persevere and stand up for what they believe and overcome. This is a triumphant story, but it’s also the story of people and creatures who find and form incredible relationships and create lives they can love.
Overall: I Loved It
I loved this book. There’s so much more I could say about it. But I’m not sure I could accurately convey just how much I love it. It was fun, it was thought-provoking, it was tragic, it was beautiful. It made me sad and it made me happy. I adored the characters and was fascinated by the setting. The aliens were the fun part, and the climax of the story was the hard part. But this really is a beautiful story of outcasts banding together as a symbol of hope for change for the better. I hope you’ll pick up this book as well and discover the beauty in it for yourself. I, in the meantime, will be eagerly awaiting the second book.
Thank you so much to the actual author, R. J. Olson, for a free e-copy, and Willow for telling this story. All opinions expressed are my own.
When the author contacted me for a review, I was told this novel was of a very different sort. I enjoy different, so I knew I couldn’t pass it up. I didn’t even really read what the book was about; I just knew this was something I had to read. Told by the fictional character Willow, this novel was actually written by R. J. Olson, but I’d rather believe Willow herself wrote this book. I liked that I could put the actual author out of mind while reading this and just become immersed in Willow’s life. One thing to note is that this is the first book in a series, so, while the intention is for Willow to tell multiple stories, this first one focuses on her early life. I’m so very glad I decided to read this. It completely drew me in, and then I loved that it made me absolutely angry at the end because I didn’t want it to end.
The Characters: Delightful
I adored the main characters. There were quite a few characters and, unfortunately, some of them kind of blurred together, but the main characters definitely stood out. They were delightful and so consistent, though they also showed growth. The growth was given in a more tell than show way, though.
I was delighted to meet Willow fairly early on. She was so much fun to read about, always full of boundless energy and ideas seemingly plucked from thin air that both made things happen and kept things interesting. Her exuberance felt infectious and I couldn’t help smiling when reading about her. Sam was a wonderful counterpoint to her. A father figure to her, he was loving and protective. He tempered her antics without smothering her spirit. He was really a wonderful man, a very upright citizen and overall good person. He always did what was right even when it hurt him and was always so protective.
There were many other characters Willow and Sam, and Willow’s mother Flo and Flo’s partner Larry, met. They were a varied bunch with unique personalities that made them fun to read about. There was the very thoughtful and thirsty for knowledge Plato, the faithful and craving love Ruth, the ever-fun loving Curly, and natural leaders Martin and Olivia, among others. I loved reading about how they managed to come together and form a home. They were from different societies on the moon, outcasts in their own settlements because their ideas and beliefs were different from the leaders who had iron fists, but somehow managed to work together to create an inclusive society.
And of course I can’t leave out the creatures. I do believe they were probably my favorite characters. They were so different and clearly had similar societies to the humans. It was fascinating to see human and creature reflected. Rock, named so by Sam because he appeared as a color changing rock when they first met, is probably my favorite. He and Sam had a clear and unique relationship and I loved that they looked out for each other.
The Setting: A Blue Moon
I have no idea where in the universe this story starts, but I do know most of the story takes place on an unnamed moon somewhere out there. There are parts that take place on Earth, but most of it is on that moon.
I was fascinated by the moon. There were rivers and seas and marshes and dunes and what seemed like a jungle. It was an incredible place to read about with probably just as many climates as Earth. I couldn’t always envision where each area was in relation to the others, but I really enjoyed their trek across the moon in search of a permanent home. My favorite part was being introduced to the native creatures. They were so different, but so much fun. They made the moon come alive.
Populated by people who had been brought from Earth during different periods of time, it showcased how the people managed to survive and form societies. It was like some great alien experiment (and maybe it was). Some of it seemed a little absurd, but the explanation given for it also sounded really plausible. It was fascinating to see how the people managed to adapt and live on such a strange world, especially the newest colony of people who had more recently been taken from Earth.
The world felt both barren and alive. It felt like a never-ending stream of rivers, seas, and marshes, but it also made sense as people need water and food to live and the food really only grows where there is water. This is a primitive world with some modern touches. It was utterly fascinating and I hope to return in future books.
The Plot: Beautiful, Yet Tragic
This is the story of outcasts. It is the story of wrongs being righted. It is the story of an odd collection of individuals and creatures coming together to make a home, a life.
I was a little confused at the beginning because we’re introduced to a man named Sam who was canoeing on Earth and then seemed to be abducted by aliens and deposited on some strange world. Since this was supposed to be a story told by Willow, I was wondering where she was. But this is really the story of Sam, and Willow is telling his story, as well as the stories of everyone else she came to love.
The story moved at a great pace and no step ever felt contrived. The story flowed seamlessly from one point to the next. I actually felt like I was reading the story of an actual person. Even what might be considered absurd felt like it belonged. As a matter of fact, those were some of my favorite parts.
This is such a beautiful story. It’s tragic as well, but it’s beauty planted a seed of hope that bloomed. There are instances of rape, murder, and suicide that darken the story. There’s also persecution and prejudice. It’s not always pleasant, but the hearts of Willow and Sam are just so lovely that they always manage to overcome hardships and encourage the friends they find along the way to never give up and always have hope.
I found myself completely engrossed in this story. When I had to put the book down, I counted down to when I could dive back into the world. When I was reading, I dreaded having to stop. I didn’t want it to end. When it did, when I realized I only had about 10% of the book left, I felt angry because I wasn’t ready to leave. I wanted to stay with Sam and Willow and have more adventures with them.
This book was a joy to read. The story was always moving. It did have many, many instances of tell instead of show that felt a bit disruptive, but I enjoyed the story so much I found myself forgiving it all. While this book is unique in how it’s presented, I think the story itself can speak to so many people, especially those who have ever been prayed upon, persecuted, and outcast. This is such a beautiful story of characters who face hardships, but who always manage to persevere and stand up for what they believe and overcome. This is a triumphant story, but it’s also the story of people and creatures who find and form incredible relationships and create lives they can love.
Overall: I Loved It
I loved this book. There’s so much more I could say about it. But I’m not sure I could accurately convey just how much I love it. It was fun, it was thought-provoking, it was tragic, it was beautiful. It made me sad and it made me happy. I adored the characters and was fascinated by the setting. The aliens were the fun part, and the climax of the story was the hard part. But this really is a beautiful story of outcasts banding together as a symbol of hope for change for the better. I hope you’ll pick up this book as well and discover the beauty in it for yourself. I, in the meantime, will be eagerly awaiting the second book.
Thank you so much to the actual author, R. J. Olson, for a free e-copy, and Willow for telling this story. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 7, 2022
I'm sorry but I couldn't finish reading this book. The plot was too inconsistent and there is no insight in the characters psychology at all. I just got bored in the first 20% of the book and gave up.
June 13, 2020
QUICK TAKE
On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is an entertaining and complex science fiction novel that appeals to lovers of the young adult genre.
TELL ME MORE
On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is a young adult science-fiction/fantasy novel written by a character named Willow. The novel follows the stories of a man from Earth, an alien, and a girl as they fight off evil on a moon in deep space. Each character transforms throughout the novel, and the reader can’t help but grow along with them. I felt myself attaching to each character as their stories progressed, I was fully absorbed soon into starting the novel.
Willow, the author of On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys, is actually a pen name. She is a fictional character, and along with being the author of the book, she is one of the main characters. The prologue of the book introduces you to Willow and gives some insight into her story and who she is in relation to the novel. I found the prologue to be helpful because it gave me a sense of what the story was going to be about, and who Willow was. The author’s unique storytelling abilities were inspiring and I adored how they were able to intertwine Willow as an author with her character in the story. Even though there were multiple storylines throughout the book, it was easy to follow along and I didn’t find myself confused – which can often happen with science fiction novels. However, the writing did seem to be directed more at young adults, and I didn’t find as much enjoyment in the story as I might have when I was a teenager. With that being said, I think that young adults will eat up this novel and the incredible stories it holds!
On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is one of the most unique novels that I have read this year. It is a beautiful science fiction/fantasy novel that appeals to young adults, and I wish that I had read it when I was younger. If you are pining for a new science fiction novel to captivate you, then this one is it!
On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is an entertaining and complex science fiction novel that appeals to lovers of the young adult genre.
TELL ME MORE
On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is a young adult science-fiction/fantasy novel written by a character named Willow. The novel follows the stories of a man from Earth, an alien, and a girl as they fight off evil on a moon in deep space. Each character transforms throughout the novel, and the reader can’t help but grow along with them. I felt myself attaching to each character as their stories progressed, I was fully absorbed soon into starting the novel.
Willow, the author of On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys, is actually a pen name. She is a fictional character, and along with being the author of the book, she is one of the main characters. The prologue of the book introduces you to Willow and gives some insight into her story and who she is in relation to the novel. I found the prologue to be helpful because it gave me a sense of what the story was going to be about, and who Willow was. The author’s unique storytelling abilities were inspiring and I adored how they were able to intertwine Willow as an author with her character in the story. Even though there were multiple storylines throughout the book, it was easy to follow along and I didn’t find myself confused – which can often happen with science fiction novels. However, the writing did seem to be directed more at young adults, and I didn’t find as much enjoyment in the story as I might have when I was a teenager. With that being said, I think that young adults will eat up this novel and the incredible stories it holds!
On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is one of the most unique novels that I have read this year. It is a beautiful science fiction/fantasy novel that appeals to young adults, and I wish that I had read it when I was younger. If you are pining for a new science fiction novel to captivate you, then this one is it!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews