Moonshine

by Alaya Dawn Johnson

Imagining vampires at the heart of the social struggles of 1920s, Moonshine blends a tempestuous romance with dramatic historical fiction, populated by a lively mythology inhabiting the gritty New York City streets Zephyr Hollis is an underfed, overzealous social activist who teaches night school to the underprivileged of the Lower East Side. Strapped for cash, Zephyr agrees to help a student, the mysterious Amir, who proposes she use her charity...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312648065
• ISBN13: 9780312648060
• Release Date: May 2010
• Publisher: Griffin
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A 1920s Vampire Story

This book is set in the 20s. Not exactly the roaring 20s we usually are privileged to have in our movies, but more like the social problems of the 20s we rarely see. This book, of course, goes further and has another group of people who suffer the injustices of prejudice. "The Others" are any groups of people who aren't human. Zephyr is a "do-gooder" with a heart of gold. She doesn't blindly try to help anyone in need (but she does what she can for those who ask) and sees the hypocrisy of some of the groups she has joined. She understands there is no perfect situation but also believes that everyone has a right to be treated as equals. It's not about saving everyone or that even that everyone needs saved. It's more about the fact that no one is above another. She knows who she is and is willing to suffer for that knowing. These are reasons why I just loved this character. Amir, her mysterious student and counterpart proposes an offer she can't refuse. As she tries to discover what he is hiding and helping him catch the biggest mob boss on her side of town she starts to fall for him. Although this attraction seems mutual, there is no easy way for them to be together. They do make a good pair as they both challenge what they believe is true in their lives and why. However, as Zephyr's inquiry starts to get more dangerous, Amir tries to pull her from the fray even though he knows it is an impossible task. He respects her independence but needs her help desperately. In the end they are both torn as to what is the right thing and living with the consequences. Although this didn't end in a cliffhanger, it does have an open ending. I want more! I am so hoping that this is a series. I give this book 4 1/2 stars. It is a wonderful read and I recommend this to anyone looking for a different type of vampire read. Love that it was set in a specific time period.

Wow

This was really, really good. It's the 1920s in New York, and Zephyr, "the singing vampire suffragette" is spending every waking minute trying to atone for the sins of her family (her dad is a famed demon hunter and she has hunted "Others" in the past) by trying to save, educate, and secure the rights for Others in America. Then she meets Amir, and agrees to work for him to track down a notorious crime boss. Don't want to give anything away, so I'm stopping there. Lots of action, some romance, great characters. I'm hoping there will be more...

A Reticent Reader's Enthusiastic Review

If you did a poll to ascertain who among us was least into vampires I would likely rank near the top of the list. While I am a loyal fantasy junkie of the first degree, I have never been a fan of vampires, never understood the draw, and lament on a daily basis the vampire craze that has seemingly replaced all other varieties of fantasy on the YA shelves of Borders and Barnes and Noble, something I find deeply frustrating. Nevertheless, while I may be no fan of vampires, I *am* a fan of this book. I have been reading Alaya's work for a long time and while it was my loyalty to her as an author that led me to this novel, it is her ingenuity as a writer and Zephyr's engaging, light-hearted tone that never takes itself too seriously that kept me hypnotically turning the pages. This is an intelligent, witty book that while aiming (and succeeding) to be fun and funny will nevertheless make you think about the nature of prejudice and all those who are labeled "other" in any society. To be brief: This is not my kind of book--but I loved it anyway. One final note: I've noticed a lot of reviewers and bloggers calling this Alaya's debut novel and I wanted to say to those who loved it and are looking for more of Alaya's work that it is in fact her second novel, not her first. Her debut novel is called "Racing the Dark" and is the first in a truly engrossing fantasy trilogy called "The Spirit Binders." The second installment, "The Burning City," will be released on June 1st. Fans of fantasy, Alaya and "Moonshine" should definitely check them out.

Very Good

Haven't not read this author before, I wasn't sure what to expect. Thankfully, I was rewarded with an excellent novel. She really took things in a different direction than the tired "hot sexy vampires" thing, and I can't wait to read more in what I hope will be a series.

An awesome, unique vampire novel!

This is a wonderful read. Like many people, I'm a little sick of the vampire craze that has hit fiction these days. Moonshine offers a very different take on vampires and how vampires interact with the humans around them making for such an interesting story. The mystery is compelling without being too complicated, and there is a very fun romance to boot. The characterization is rich, and the plot incredibly entertaining. I can wait for book two in this series!