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The Moons of Barsk: Barsk Series, Book 2 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Lawrence M. Schoen (Author), J. G. Hertzler (Narrator), Macmillan Audio (Publisher)
4.4 out of 5 stars 61 ratings

High-concept science fiction, deeply human characters, and a weirdly wonderful story drive The Moons of Barsk, Lawrence M. Schoen's audiobook sequel to the award-winning Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard

Years after the events of Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard, the lonely young outcast and physically-challenged Fant, Pizlo, is now a teenager. He still believes he hears voices from the planet’s moons, imparting secret knowledge to him alone. And so embarks on a dangerous voyage to learn the truth behind the messages. His quest will catapult him offworld for second time is his short life, and reveal things the galaxy isn’t yet ready to know.

Elsewhere, Barsk's Senator Jorl, who can speak with the dead, navigates galactic politics as Barsk's unwelcome representative, and digs even deeper into the past than ever before to discover new truths of his own.

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  1. Book 2 of 2
    Barsk
  2. Listening Length
    14 hours and 46 minutes
  3. Author
    Lawrence M. Schoen
  4. Narrator
    J. G. Hertzler
  5. Audible release date
    August 14, 2018
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Macmillan Audio
  8. ASIN
    B07FTV8LCC
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Book 2 of 2 Barsk
Listening Length 14 hours and 46 minutes
Author Lawrence M. Schoen
Narrator J. G. Hertzler
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date August 14, 2018
Publisher Macmillan Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07FTV8LCC
Best Sellers Rank #349,030 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#628 in Genetic Engineering Science Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#2,349 in Space Operas
#3,905 in Genetic Engineering Science Fiction (Books)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
61 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one review highlighting its useful meditations on science and philosophy, while another notes how it opens up the universe's worldbuilding. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, with one customer describing it as a Hugo-worthy novel.

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5 customers mention "Thought provoking"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one review highlighting its useful meditations on science and philosophy, while another notes how it opens up the worldbuilding.

"...The story led me places I never expected to go, and fleshed out the universe even more. Love Pizlo!..." Read more

"...the original book, however, as well as the genuine excitement and sense of novelty I felt while totally immersed in the world of Barks...." Read more

"...One can appreciate the author's professional background and insights, the questions he asks us to ponder to search for understanding of our lives...." Read more

"...to find out that the next Barsk book featured Pizlo and his unique view of the world...." Read more

3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a good read, with one customer describing it as a Hugo-worthy novel.

"...Love Pizlo! A section in the middle broke my heart and I teared up while having lunch at work (high praise) and finished it on the train home...." Read more

"This is a good read and I enjoyed reading it...." Read more

"Lawrence has given us another Hugo-worthy novel. While it is helpful to read the first novel of the trilogy, this one stands on its own quite nicely...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Bethynyc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just What I Needed
    Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    After reading and being bowled over by BARSK, I was very excited to read THE MOONS OF BARSK and learn more about this world and these characters. I was not disappointed! The story led me places I never expected to go, and fleshed out the universe even more. Love Pizlo! A section in the middle broke my heart and I teared up while having lunch at work (high praise) and finished it on the train home. Now I can't wait for the next one--I need to know what happens next!
    One person found this helpful
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  • MetaphoricalOldGuy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not exceptional like the original Barsk book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is a good read and I enjoyed reading it. Unfortunately, it lacks the charm of the original book, however, as well as the genuine excitement and sense of novelty I felt while totally immersed in the world of Barks. The author tried a bit too hard to explain all the charming themes of the first book. These explanations were less credible than they needed to be and the explanations broke the suspension of disbelief/sense of immersion in the world of Barsk. I accepted the mystic components of the original book without question, but this book "jumped the shark" a bit in spreading that mysticism in all directions. While I recommend it, I cannot place it in the very top tier, as I would do with the original.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • c r pinedo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting and Pensive
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    claudia <creampin1@gmail.com>
    Tue, Sep 11, 8:31 AM (3 days ago)
    to me

    A heart-touching, thought-provoking journey. One can appreciate the author's professional background and insights, the questions he asks us to ponder to search for understanding of our lives. A duology that at the same time I wanted to rush to see how it ended and yet never wanted it to end. Like Pizlo, a contradiction... Per chance a paradox????
    One person found this helpful
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  • Loveisall
    4.0 out of 5 stars Pizlo’s Hero Journey
    Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This review assumes that one has already read Barsk. I was very happy to find out that the next Barsk book featured Pizlo and his unique view of the world. Pizlo hasn’t many friends but one of them, a storyteller, explains that the most popular stories are based on Campbell’s hero’s journey. Moons of Barsk follows Pizlo on his attempt to fulfill his own hero’s journey. The nefshon/ consciousnesses particle physics are expanded on in interesting patterns as part of the story. More is learned about the island the dying Fants are drawn to. More than that would spoil it.
    I hope you enjoy it, too. There clearly will be a sequel.
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  • John T. Sapienza, Jr.
    5.0 out of 5 stars How will they prevent genocide?
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Lawrence has given us another Hugo-worthy novel. While it is helpful to read the first novel of the trilogy, this one stands on its own quite nicely. It is the heroquest story of the "little prince" who grows up in crisis. And it moves along the story of how the two elephant-based races are working to survive galactic discrimination that might lead to genocide. Very well done. And read the author's appeal to save the real elephants at the end of the book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Karl Dandenell
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent sequel
    Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The author expands his cast of characters, opens up his worldbuilding, answers questions and introduces more mysteries for the reader. I especially enjoyed the deep POV moments and the useful meditations on science and philosophy. Do yourself a favor and read this series.
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  • Christina Paige
    5.0 out of 5 stars Is it social commentary, hero's journey or space adventure? All of the above
    Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2018
    I thought Barsk: The Elephants’ Graveyard was one of the best books of 2015/2016, so I was tremendously excited to see this sequel on the dealers’ shelves at WorldCon. Of all the books I came home with, it was the one I pounced on when I unpacked.
    In the very distant future, humans as homo sapiens no longer exist; the many forms of hominids are all human-animal hybrids, and they have expanded throughout the galaxy. While various species all have distinct customs, they share planets and the benefits of civilization. Only one planet is home to a segregated population. Hundreds of years ago, all the Elephant-human hybrids were rounded up and relocated to Barsk, a wet, forested, cloud-covered world that no one else wanted. By Galactic Treaty and Compact, the Fant of Barsk are left alone, and no other species are allowed to set foot onto their world. Certain rare commodities are shipped off planet in a carefully controlled mercantile arrangement. In all the centuries, only one Fant, Jorl, has ever joined the Galactic Patrol and traveled off world. That, at least, is the official account.
    If that scenario sounds to you like a recipe for all kinds of disaster, give yourself a prize. The insidious exploitation that Jorl put a stop to in the first book was only the first move in an effort by to reclaim Barsk for lucrative, mechanized industry. But what Jorl, working quietly as a Senator and academician, does not realize is the the Fant civilization has secrets of its own, and not just the official secrets he is privy to. His efforts to promote reintegration of Fant throughout the developed worlds are meeting with resistance from nearly all the other species and their Senators, but it’s what the Fant of Barsk’s secret society think of his goals that will put his life in jeopardy.
    Here’s the problem: Jorl and his opposite number, Klarce, both want the same thing: safety, happiness, creativity and multiple home worlds for Fant. Jorl wants to accomplish this openly, through cooperative cultural exchange, cultivating goodwill and neighborly sensibilities between species. He is willing to renegotiate Barsk’s protected Treaty status to open the way for Fant to travel off world. For her part, Klarce is determined to create safety through a black ops program. When Jorl’s actions inadvertently risk the untimely revelation of Barsk’s hidden society of scientists, Klarce is driven to take drastic actions against him. In secret.
    Too bad for Klarce and all her planning, there is one Fant who is even odder than Jorl, and no secret is safe from him. The trees, the animals, the raindrops, the moons themselves all whisper what they know to young Pizlo, the Abomination of Barsk. Conceived out of season, Pizlo was not supposed to be born, not supposed to live beyond infancy, and definitely not supposed meddle in the affairs of ordinary Fant, especially elders. But 14 year old Pizlo — half-blind, the wrong color, lacking pain receptors, outcast and Unmentionable, is an agent of change. And he becomes completely unreasonable about social boundaries when the lives of his friends are threatened.

    Schoen gives every single one of his characters complex motivations, distinct personalities, points of view and voices. Instead of Heroes and Villains, he depicts how all of us, with our best intentions and best efforts, find ourselves at cross purposes with each other.
    Wise, funny, imaginative, well crafted, and ultimately kind, this is wonderful SF. Strongly recommended -- but read the first book first!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Jamie
    4.0 out of 5 stars The continuing saga of our favorite elephant persons.
    Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The Moons of Barsk (Kindle Edition) by Lawrence M. Schoen

    This time it's personal, and oh yeah Jorl is in up to his trunk! Pizlo also has to go thru some rather agonizing times as well. Of the two, it's Pizlo's journey that sees the most maturation, growth and pain. he *finally* gets his Heroe's Quest, but it is not at all what he wanted, nor imagined it to become. Jorl does also have some dip trials and tribulations, and he really, really, doesn't like to be betrayed. Especially by the ranking fans in the Caudex!
    Again, a fun fantasy set in a SfiFi setting. So now we wait for the next book...
    One person found this helpful
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