Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

After reading, and loving, Here is the Beehive by @sarahcrossanwriter I’ve been really keen to read more of her books. The two that were most highly recommended to me were One and Moonrise. I decided to go with Moonrise first and I finished it last night. It is brilliant and powerful and left me weeping.

Here’s the synopsis;

“They think I hurt someone. But I didn’t. You here? Cos people are going to be telling you all kinds of lies. I need you to know the truth.”

Joe hasn’t seen his brother for 10 years, and it’s for the most brutal of reasons. Ed is on death row. But now Ed’s execution date has been set, and this might be the last summer they have together.

This is the most beautifully written, and utterly compelling free verse, I just couldn’t put it down. I really felt like I knew this family, in particular Joe as he takes us back to some of his childhood memories as well as the present day.

This is a YA book aimed at readers aged 13+ but I have to say it gave me a lot to think about. It explores capital punishment, family and forgiveness. The way she writes about the brothers relationship in particular really got me, it’s incredibly powerful and so moving.

While it’s not a cheerful read, it is strangely lovely and one that I’d really recommend.

I’d love to hear from you. Have you read this one yet or does it sound like one you’d want to read?

Have a great day 💕