Moonchild Rising: the complete series

Wishing Shelf Awards Finalist (2024) — Global Book Awards Gold Medal for Hard Science Fiction and Bronze for TYA Science Fiction (2025)

Irene is not ashamed of being born and brought up on the moon. It's not as if it's a secret! So one night after a bad dream she lets it slip to her university roommate.

Then the discrimination starts, with rumors of strange abilities and disabilities, as she learns that 'moonchild' is a pejorative.

As she interviews for jobs, it seems that the place of her birth is an automatic disqualification, forcing her to go to extra lengths to prove her worth. But the world conspires against her on a grander scale: she's set up as the patsy for a crime, inveigled in a conspiracy that denies her marriage, and deliberately set up to fail as she troubleshoots biomedical and xenobiology problems around the solar system.

This volume presents the full Moonchild sequence of five novellas/novelettes, but Irene's story continues is Klandor Rising:

Moonchild Rising

1. Moonchild Testing
2. Venus Interlude
3. History in the Making
4. Moon Power
5. Everything under Control

Klandor Rising

1. Klandor Encounter
2. Klandor Endeavour
3. Klandor Enterprise
4. Klandor Enigma

"Recommended for afficionados of Isaac Asmiov, Ray Bradburty, CJ Cherryh, ... Marti Ward and Andy Weir, and in particular readers of Patty Jansen — I was reminded of these Moonchild stories by Jansen's Jonathan Bartell Space Agent books due to the near-future solar-system-colony biomedical focus."

“A thought-provoking story exploring how a young women born and brought up on the moon must face prejudice in this planet. The writing style is simple, accessible, and there’s plenty of drama to keep readers hooked.” Wishing Shelf Reader

"Moonchild Rising by B. Ward Powers and Marti Ward is a brilliant all-in-one compilation that delivers outstanding writing and spectacular world-building. I love the native creatures, the standouts being sandrats and flying lobsters, which are all truly original and add an extra spark to the alien landscapes." — Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite

"This is a thoughtful, well-structured read with a voice and rhythm that echo the golden age of science fiction... Moonchild Rising is science fiction with heart and intellect, told with more concern over substance than spectacle." — Paul Zietsman for Readers’ Favorite

"B. Ward Powers and Marti Ward have created an incredible world where our protagonist, Irene, struggles to survive. The narrative masterfully blends science fiction with coming-of-age drama that had me hooked right from the beginning. I loved Irene’s introduction in Testing, where we meet her for the first time and experience her growth right from there. I loved how the narrative showcased Irene's resilience as she navigates a universe filled with prejudice and danger. The authors skillfully integrate Irene's unique "lunar abilities" into the various plots, making her struggles and triumphs all the more engaging. The authors balance technical detail with fast-paced storytelling. I loved Irene, I loved the stories, and I loved how I could read them cover-to-cover in one sitting." — Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite