What I liked: I love Sarah Crossan’s writing style. I’ve said that before. It’s prose poetry (I think?) and I’m not going to sound at all knowledgeable about that kind of thing because I am not, all I know is that it works for me. It’s lyrical and pretty and I like it. The story is moving and the issues are important and the way Crossan writes means that whilst the story seems simple, it actually gets you right in the chest.

What I didn’t like: Instalove. That again. Le sigh. Also Joe bugged me a little and I had lots of questions about the family dynamic that weren’t answered because I always have all the questions. It was a little predictable too, the family background especially.

I thought this novel was extremely unique and offered a really interesting view of capital punishment. However for me it was far too short! I felt it was just getting to the meat of the plot when - boom - it was finished. Having thought about it later I think perhaps the author was trying to convey the shock that occurs when a death penalty actually goes ahead but I was just left with so many questions.

A story of life and death. A difficult read but an important one.

I adore Crossan's writing, and the verse form. This was a very quick read for me, but a beautiful one that makes you think. Switching from present to past was done smoothly. Highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this from Netgalley through the kindness of the publisher.

I have always admired Sarah Crossan's books. Her book -One- was kept as a bestseller and on our Buy One Get One Free and Three For Two since it first came out, being highly recommended. I always wanted to read one of them, but other obligations always came up. When I saw it as a potential Netgalley Early Reviewer, I immediately put my name forward as I saw it as a sign. So I went into this blind, and I think that this might have made my experience slightly harder than it should be.

This mostly stems from my own reading preferences in how books are written. I went into this completely blind, for some reason completely forgetting that I had dipped into -One- every now and then it had been written more in free-flowing proses where sentences can be divided between two paragraphs, and conversations between people can exist within one paragraph rather than given their own life. This caused me to find it slightly difficult to read, as my inner editor was forcing me out of the story with nearly every sentence I was feeling disconcerted with how it was written. This isn't the fault of the author. Once I managed to hit my head a few times that this was how it was written, and that there was a point to this, I fell deep into the story and didn't re-emerge until several hours later.

This story griped my heart and then just squeezed, becoming tighter and tighter as it progressed. From the first moment the Main Character (Joe) leaves home to travel to where his brother (Ed) is imprisoned, it's as if his voice leaps up in the page. The broken up sentences between paragraphs immerse the reader into this thoughts, as if you watch him carry out the motions and can hear his unique voice running through his head. He easily pulls in the emotions of the other characters around him, especially in the case of Ed, Angela (Sister) and Aunt Karen, to keep the entire story flowing at a fast-paced rate that doesn't let the reader go.

And as it feels as though it's tumbling into the abyss, as all becomes loss after loss, the reader can't help but feel the same slight hope that Joe feels. The possibility of it actually occurring is slim, because of the reality of the book mirroring the reality we live in, but at the same time the reader clings on to the same hope as Joe.

I would highly recommend this book, for anyone twelve up. It punches the reader in the chest, again and again, and drives home what is mentioned in the news, and in various publications around crime. I now have no excuse to not read her other book -One-, as I want to be able to hand this book, and her other books, to customers in the shop.

Gosh this book has worn out my poor heart. My nerves are frazzled but it was brilliant AND devastating.

In this story the narrator chronicles the harrowing count down (as the brother) of a young man on death row. As a result it gives a refreshing and provocative perspective that allows the idea of 'victims' of crime to be turned on its head. Important elements are woven in that will hopefully make the reader digest the duplicity behind a justice system that seemingly thrives on the notion of an 'eye for an eye'.

As a slight con the writing was good but the style is can be distracting and this is mainly because I'm not a fan of stories told in verse. However fortunately this is one of those rare occasions where I could look past the style and just enjoy the story. A definite worthwhile but heartbreaking read.

Sarah Crossan does write books about difficult subjects. This one is written in prose and is as powerful as "One" was. It explores the relationships between siblings in a dysfunctional family. Throughout the book more is learnt about their life together before Ed left. His character is contradictory and Joe's feelings towards him are understandably conflicted. The question remains, how could someone who cared for his much younger brother so much be the 'terrible' person the system says he is?

Unfortunately, I feel the author's telling of the story is the one that would play out in the United States and as such this book is making a strong political and social point. It confirms my views of how justice is administered at times and I wonder if this is healthy for all?

There are some good twists towards the end which help the plot move to its climax. It is difficult to write a review of this without providing spoilers. I would recommend this to readers but would also say it is not an easy ride and would welcome the opportunity to discuss it with them..

(3.5 stars) Sarah Crossan's books never fail to move me and Moonrise was no exception. I found that the verse form resulted in some beautifully constructed images and added to the poignancy at just the right moments, forcing me to dwell on the idea of the idea of the death sentence and how unjust the system surrounding it can be. The flashbacks to the character's childhoods also added to this. I didn't love it quite as much as I loved One, hence why I'm rating it slightly lower than I rated that, but I've already gone back and reflected on this story several times since completing it, so I think it's definitely going to be one that stays with me for a long time to come. I'd definitely recommend picking this up, especially as it deals with a topic that I've never read about in YA before.

Writing this with tears in my eyes and a heart broken once more by Sarah Crossan's beautiful, lyrical but oh so painful writing. Such a powerful, hard story to read but what it says about love for your family and personal responsibility will stay with me for a very long time. The utter hopelessness of Ed's situation brings the reality of the death penalty and its effects on everyone around it into stark, unforgiving focus and Joe's struggle to come to terms with his brothers imminent death is almost too painful to read. I will definitely reread this to revel in the blank verse format and the way that each and every word is measured and has such impact, but I think I'll give myself time to recover and digest first.

Short but not sweet. This is the story of Joe, whose big brother Ed is on death row in Texas who carry out their punishments at the 'Farm'. Joe has lived in a chaotic family, but one in which siblings loved one another as they survived without functioning parents. Joe felt the loss when his adored brother left, but at least he had his sister. But then Joe has to grow up when it's left to him to make the last visits to his brother. Along the way Joe finds friends and continues to be supported by some family. A shocking storyline but still full of hope. Sarah Crossan has done it again, managing to nail so much feeling in so few words.

Another outstanding book from Sarah Crossan., which is so moving, but never manipulative. It's almost too easy to read, and it's only on reflection that you realise the skill employed to weave such a heartbreaking story. Just as with 'One', I'll be putting this book into the hands of so many different readers - it will work for our book-loving gifted students as well as for our reluctant readers who are scared by full pages of closely knitted text. I know it is billed as YA but I see no reason why this isn't an 'adult' book too (not that YA in general isn't for adults too, obviously!). I think anyone with a heart could be hooked on this book.

An incredibly moving, terribly sad and beautifully written story about a brother trying his best to make the most of the time he has left with his big brother. His big brother who is on Death Row, and the date is set for his execution.

Joe is a really great protagonist because he is so very human - and normal. He doesn't inherently believe his brother is innocent of the murder he is accused of. In fact, he questions him even though his loyalty would remain unwavering. This really struck me as very honest and I loved the way Crossan has created Joe. The story is written in verse, but not lyrical, so you will speed through it in a matter of hours; this is also clever because it feels like you're actually living out Joe's thoughts and memories.

The topic itself is really thought-provoking. To see what it might be like for the families of those accused of an unforgivable crime in this way was refreshing. The media are really great at making the criminal the face of the news story, but actually I've often forgotten to explore the bigger picture. What must it be like if you are wrongly accused? How do you make the most of your last moments? What would it be like to know you have so little time to say goodbye to someone who means everything to you, regardless of whether they have been rightly or wrongly accused. Family, and loyalty, stretches far beyond the justice system and I think that Crossan really shows that off beautifully. It didn't matter to Joe, he just wanted to know the truth, he still would have loved his brother regardless. He still would feel the same gravity of loss.

A really powerful, cleverly written book that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

By the time I was a quarter of the way through this book I found that neither the plot, the writing or the characters had engaged me so I gave up. I wasn't that it was bad in any of those elements but perhaps for idiosyncratic reasons, it just did not gain or maintain my interest.

I never thought Sarah Crossan could have written a better book than 'One' but I think she has managed that amazing feat. Moonrise is poignant, sad, funny, heart breaking and uplifting all at once. Joe is the sort of character that everybody can relate to, and to see him suffer so much really opens the readers eyes. Who thinks of the families of criminals who are sentenced to death? Very few. But Crossan makes the reader pause and consider these facts.
Beautiful story, beautiful poetry, this book is flawless in my opinion. Every teenager who walks into my workplace will leave with this book!!

Every verse novel of Sarah Crossan’s has been getting better and better and this is no exception. She just picks the absolute best characters to write about and tells stories you don’t normally hear that mean you can’t put the book down until it’s done.

Moonrise tells the story of Joe, who’s brother, Ed, is on death row. He hasn’t seen him in ten years, and now that he’s been given a death date, he decides to move to Texas for the opportunity to reconnect with him, and get the truth about what happened the day he was arrested.

What I loved about the story was how unassuming it was. It could have been from Ed’s perspective, and been a huge mystery like The Life of David Gale, that film with Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet. Instead, with the focus on Joe, there’s a stronger emphasis on strength and family and needing support. If you want to get angry about the justice system, watch the film instead, because while it does get mentioned, trying to save Ed is never at the heart of the book, it’s more about both brothers coming to terms with his fate.

My favourite moments of the book were Ed’s letters to Joe – the last one definitely had me tearing up – and when Nell turned up in Joe’s life because it was such a sweet and real relationship against a harsh reality that offered Joe some escape.

While the prospect of counting down the days until your brother dies sounds morbid, Moonrise strikes the perfect balance between touching and melancholy, never fully dipping into complete sadness, but never letting you forget that life is unfair sometimes.

Succinct and moving, I’m giving Moonrise 4 stars, and it’s definitely going to be something I’m thinking about for months to come!

Sarah doesn't disappoint with this novel. Joe's world comes to life as the story to's and fro's between past and present. We follow Joe as he reconnects with his brother Ed on Death Row. Moving at times and always the randomness of being accused of murder in the wrong state in the back of your mind.

Review I've been thinking about this book a lot since I finished it yesterday. The story of Ed and Jo Moon and their family is very moving, well it would be, given Ed is on death row and due to execution in the very near future. Sadly the odds of saving Ed are stacked against him. Even though he didn't commit the crime that he is accused of and his lawyer is working hard to save him it doesn't seem like there is going to be a last minute reprieve. This is Joe's story, the story of how he deals with the horror of the looming death of his brother, how he relives the memories of his childhood with Ed in flashbacks. Joe has always looked up to Ed, the much older brother who was kind to him, a support for him while their mum was being flakey and someone to look up to. Now Joe is all alone in a prison town, he is drawn to be with Ed, he has no money and and he knows nobody in the town. Luckily for him he falls on his feet and even finds a kindred spirit.

This is a wonderful book. A book that will stay with you and haunt you, it will make you consider the impact of the death sentence on those left behind. Those who physically put the person to death and all the people on the periphery. Sarah Crossan is a wonderful writer, the prose style makes this very easy to read and the language is perfect. An excellent book.

I love Sarah Crossan, the contribution she is making to YA is enormous, and I know I'll be discussing her for the rest of my career. To my mind, she's yet to surpass The Weight Of Water- it's perfection is in it's smallness. Moonrise is, like One, a big, American novel, tackling class and politics in a new way from a more confident author after her Carnegie win. It is a huge achievement, each word is delicately placed, especially in the flashbacks. I could have lost the romance, but that tethers the book in YA. I'd love to see her break into adult appeal but this grand story isn't the book. This is unputdownable, a thriller in verse, and hugely accessible.

I love this authors writing. Fell in love with it in "one" and again in " we come apart"

I was surprised that I didn't love this one quite as much as the other two. The subject matter of a boy awaiting the execution of his older brother on death row certainly had all the right ingredients. And the author certainly doesn't shy away from hitting us hard with the realities of life, which I hugely admire.

Maybe because of the previous 2 I read I knew this and thus the non happy endings are no longer the emotional shock.

Regardless I still enjoyed and would recommend to all. Especially young adults in a powerful, brutal way of giving them access to the horrors of the penal system, and the devastation "justice" can serve on the families left behind, and the hidden victims.

Another winner from Sarah Crossan! This had me gripped all the way through the ticking down to the inevitable end.

I powered through this in less 24 hours despite being very busy at the time, sneaking in a few minutes reading it every chance I got. Powerful, sparse writing, emotionally wrenching