Tales by Moons-light: Stories from before the Great Melt
Children/Young Adult; Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror; (Publish)
In the best tradition of William Steig, Aesop’s Fables and Tales of Beedle the Bard, this companion volume to Ruthy’s Ballard’s Tales by Moons-Light series spins seven beautifully written tales from a distant, two-mooned planet called Urth.
Margie and her younger brother re snatched from their beds by an evil sorceress who whisks them off to her castle far, far away. Where are they and how will they get home? Can Margie, with her clever, logical mind figure it out?
A boy named Bai tries to save the village of Curimicu from certain disaster. It’s a race against the clock. He must speak up before it’s too late. But if he finds the courage, will anyone listen?
A wicked fortune-teller is terrorizing a town. Can the king’s son expose him for the evil trickster he is? Or will the so-called “astrovisionary” cast a spell on his father as well, and find his way into the palace?
Rich in science, yet wildly creative, each story carries a timeless lesson. Whether a child lives on Urth or Earth, this exciting book is best read before bed, under the covers, with a flashlight on…
Semi Finalist
Plot/Idea: 10 out of 10
Originality: 10 out of 10
Prose: 10 out of 10
Character/Execution: 10 out of 10
Overall: 10.00 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot: Ballard’s fantastical collection of stories blends elements of fairy tale, fable, and sci-if for a strikingly imaginative feat of storytelling.
Prose: Ballard’s prose is sophisticated, serene, and consistently aligns with the author’s unique, endearingly esoteric vision.
Originality: Wholly original, this collection blends elements of magic, science, and wordplay in a patchwork of loosely interconnected, bite-size tales. The warm and evocative illustrations are an enhancement to an already brilliant offering.
Character/Execution: The characters seen throughout these tightly woven, seamless stories, are whimsical and distinctive, peculiar and performative. Each individual plays perfectly into the dynamic and wonderfully inventive universe Ballard creates for them.
Date Submitted: July 19, 2020