Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer is an amazing read that truly crosses genre lines. It’s geared toward middle grade, but anyone that enjoys a good dystopian novel will love it. Scott writes in such a way that you are pulled into the story in very few pages. When I finished the book, which was very soon after picking it up, I couldn’t believe how few pages he used to weave the amazing story!
Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer – Unsurprising, as everyone knows how much I loved this one. Incredibly strong debut YA novel by Cramer which was one of the few sci-fi books I enjoyed last year, due to the riveting story and great characters.
1. This idea is terrifying. What inspired you to write it?
I’ve written two other YA novels. Both are sitting in my drawer. I think they have a lot of potential and I will revisit them someday. Both are very quiet character-driven dramas.
In Night of the Purple Moon, I wanted to go big. I wanted to write a high-concept story, a story with an expansive canvas, where the challenges are huge and the stakes high. Early on, though, I discovered that it still had to be a character-driven story.
Cramer understands well how to ratchet up tension and suspense all the way down to the “OMG WILL THEY SURVIVE” ending that kept me turning the pages, scared to death for the characters as it practically came down to the wire for them. Overall, Moon is a powerful story about the will to survive and the strength of family. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good science fiction story with heart, and I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel.
“I received Night of the Purple Moon (The Toucan Trilogy, Book 1) from Scott Cramer for reviewing purposes earlier this year. It’s a great read and Scott is a brilliant writer (who has even written a guest post On the Writing of a Novel for me!) yet throughout the reading process I found myself feeling conflicted about my impending review. Do I write that I enjoyed it/I was rooting for our young protagonists from the beginning/it’s too heartbreaking and that by the end I had no more tears left to shed and is somewhat similar to a constant battle in The Hunger Games.”
From Leo @ Bonesnap
“Finally, I get to do a book review over something besides cats! I have about 20 books in my queue to read. This was the third one on my list. I hope that over the holidays I can read a few more. The book for today’s review is Night of the Purple Moon.
Currently on Amazon, the book has over 155 positive reviews – so anything I write is pointless – I think reviews on Amazon have more value. Just my opinion.
However, I read it and here are my thoughts.”
Leo, thank you for the thoughtful review.
I’ve always believed that Night of the Purple Moon is a story for all ages. At the same time, the protagonists are thirteen and twelve year old—which means that it should be especially appealing to a young adult audience. It’s really great when I hear about readers under the age of twenty!
Callahan, 13, an eighth grader from Utah, read and enjoyed NOPM. He was kind enough to answer some questions about the book. Thank you, Callahan!
About how many books do you read a year?
Five or Six
What is your favorite book of all time?
The Lost Hero
Favorite ice cream?
Cookie Dough
What is the next book you plan to read?
Mark of Athena
You read Night of the Purple Moon. What kind of star rating would you give it (and why)?
4.5 because there is mystery, action and survival.
Do you have a favorite part?
No.
What would you do if a comet came and visited us and you woke up the next day and we were all dead, the adults?
Freak out. Get all my friends together and start getting a group for work.
Could you guess how it would end?
Everyone takes the pills and the world reproduces and the world gets bigger.
Would you recommend this book?
Yes
SC: I used to have a saying. I am only a writer when I am writing. I later broadened the definition to include the times that I am thinking constructively about a story, reading (which is perhaps my greatest writing teacher) and letting my mind wander about a story. I’m still pretty good with that description of me as a writer
Read more at http://limerencemag.com/2012/12/author-interview-night-of-the-purple-moons-scott-cramer/#H5ie8OKKME1Ej863.99
