What if a girl has two bodies but
one soul?
Onyx Moon centers on Ora, a young woman with two bodies and one soul.
One body resides on Earth and one in Alethia. She is the Golden Child promised
by Shadai to bring the end of the Sardion demons. Onyx Moon details Ora’s
discovery of her role as the Golden Child, her growing faith in Shadai, and her
gradual acceptance of her destiny amidst the conflicts of friendship, love, and
the overarching war between angels and demons for the souls of humankind.
In Onyx Moon, Ms. Roberts
develops a beautiful world filled with conflict and hope. I love walking the
Forbidden Woods with Ora; seeing dragons, demons, angels and lightning storms; hearing
the ocean waves crash on the rocks; and discovering Shadai. Though Alethia is
beautiful, its real beauty comes from the beauty of the people. I love the
character development balanced against Alethia’s physical beauty. People are
what make our lives rich though spending time alone in nature can bring peace
to the soul and help us better appreciate the people in our lives.
For me, Onyx Moon’s greatest
strength resides in the characters’ internal struggles. Ms. Roberts’ characters
are strong and realistic because of their internal wounds and personal choices.
As much as I love the character development, I really appreciate the lessons that
I found in each character’s struggle.
From Xader, what memories do I let haunt me and control my future? The
past has happened, but do I let it control my future happiness or do I learn to
accept my past choices and move forward to make better ones? Do I really
forgive myself?
From Ora, am I honest enough? Do I trust in the right people? In
regards to the Raven Cult, listen to my internal warnings. If I feel a
situation is dangerous, it probably is dangerous. Leave the situation. Do I
understand and accept the place I have in the world and the potential I have?
Really, I make my own place in this world. Do I set aside my fears so that I
can really help people? If I can’t help a friend by myself, do I get help in
trying to reach the friend in trouble? It is a great blessing to believe in a
higher being and to learn to trust in my creator who can guide my decisions and
bring peace to my soul. I appreciate the gradualness of Ora’s character development.
Her acceptance of her role as the Golden Child was little by little as she
learned more about the conflict between Shadai and Izeal and made choices that
brought her closer to understanding Shadai.
From Vanessa, Do I listen to my friends and really heed their concerns
for themselves and me? Do I let myself be controlled by people that I admire? Do
I admire things of value in other people or just their charisma? When I make
friends, can I really see positive and uplifting characteristics in them or do
I just refuse to see the negative? Do I make others feel bad when I feel
misunderstood or do I try to understand them better? True friends help me
become a better version of myself, they add to who I already am, they don’t
take away from who I already am.
From Isabella, do I help the people that I can help? Do I do all I can to
help? Isabella is very changed from her dark past. Have I really changed and
let go of the darkness in my past, so I can be a force for good in the world? Do
I let my faith work miracles (though not on the lightning storm level)?
From Cayden, people who first appear creepy aren’t necessarily creepy.
From Doeryan, What choices can I live with or die with? Are the
weaknesses I have been taught really weaknesses just because they aren’t valued
by those who taught me?
Besides the lessons I learn from
the characters, I like the action. The physical battles are well described. I always
have a clear picture in my head. If my mental picture wavers, it is because I am reading too fast. I keep wanting to see what happens next. The fights are plausible
without dulling my senses (meaning that I am not overwhelmed by gore).
Mrs. Roberts thoroughly develops her
ideas and the world of Alethia. I appreciate her balance of action, character
development, exploration of Alethia, and the discussion of good verses evil.
Knowing Onyx Moon is Ms. Roberts first book, I look forward to seeing
her writing develop. Every author changes as their career continues. I know Ms.
Roberts will continue to grow as an author. I love Onyx Moon, and I look
forward to her future books because I know all that I love about her
development of Onyx Moon, her characters, and the world of Alethia will be
added upon as she continues to write this trilogy and future books.
I also look forward the lessons I
will learn when I revisit Onyx Moon and walk again in the Forbidden
Woods of Alethia.
