What if your dreams were psychic instruction, sending you on an epic journey that might prevent the collapse of your entire civilization? This is what happens to Mellinar, a reluctant teenager, who subsequently is sent back from another solar system to Earth to fulfill an ancient, enigmatic prophecy. She returns to her star federation accompanied by a mysterious shape-shifting mentor and a young male Earthling whose fate is linked with hers. They must avoid detection by ruthless members of the ruling class, while visiting diverse star ships as they attempt to shift the balance of power in a new, more promising direction. Along the way they discover rogue ships and plots for revolution.
“The fantastic worlds of New Moons extends to different universes in outer space, and just as far into inner space…masterfully executed.” David Todd, Booktrib.com
“New Moons is one of those increasingly rare books that is beautifully written, consummately original, refreshingly intelligent, and eminently thought-provoking.” Valerie Haynes-Perry, Author/Writing Coach
Julie Akins Journalist/Mayor of Ashland (2021) –
The Seed Songs; New Moons, Book One is an adventure embedded with wisdom we all need right now.
An enjoyable and magical read, The Seed Songs introduces us to a cast of heroes led by a young woman who is caught up in her own destiny as one who will bring us back to ourselves and our purpose as caretakers of our world–or in this case–our worlds. It’s woven together by prophecies reflected in nature and a compelling journey to a possible future. Mellinar, our reluctant hero, who is chosen to save humanity must go through many rites of passage which galvanize her conviction that in order to thrive we must all become each other’s keepers.
Once you fall into the author’s spell you will want to stay in the world she’s created. I came away believing in the greater wisdom we share and in the resilience of life itself. If you don’t have this book yet. Get it!
Valerie Haynes-Perry, Author/Writing Coach –
As all serious books should, The Seed Songs: Book One – New Moons speaks eloquently for itself. Clearly, its source is very deep, delivering a timely, prophetic, and positive perspective. The Seed Songs is one of those increasingly rare books that is beautifully written, consummately original, refreshingly intelligent, and eminently thought-provoking. It is unmistakably literary—meaning it will withstand tests of time beyond any number of sequels and visual adaptations. It requires a stretch of imagination to realize this is Ashmead’s first book.
Rebecca Westeren, Herbalist, Artist –
A super fun read! Cleverly delivered like a five-course meal full of texture, elegance, emotion, intrigue, and hope. I hungered for more like a famished reader needing another fix of this author’s work. I await the next installment of this journey-story like another banquet.
Tom Hitchcock, Inventor –
I had a wonderful time reading New Moons. It fused elements of two books I’ve read by Kim Stanley Robinson…I like Ms. Ashmead’s style better, bringing to life such disparate worlds. It also reminded me of a work I love – Always Coming Home, by Ursula LeGuin. New Moons ended much too quickly. I look forward to Book Two!
Sara Tisdel –
What a gem! I love New Moons! The descriptions are beautiful. The story line, rich characters, and the connections with events that are currently happening in our world make this a prophetic piece. This is genius and I’m ready for Book Two!
Rebecca Warner, Author of My Dad My Dog –
This beautifully-written book has all the elements that draw you in and keep you reading, no matter what your preferred genre. Nancy Ashmead is a highly intelligent and very talented author. I was surprised how much I enjoyed New Moons, because I rarely read futuristic sci-fi. But it hooked me right from the beginning, and as I continued reading I would have moments where I thought, I love this book! I appreciate excellent writing and an imaginative story with interesting characters and great dialogue, so it’s no wonder I enjoyed it so much. There are startling revelations, mystical and marvelous awakenings, and just the right amount tension and intrigue to keep the reader turning the pages. Book One is a stand-alone, which doesn’t keep you hanging, but I am highly anticipating Book Two of The Seed Songs.
David Todd, Booktrib.com –
A TALE OF INNER AND OUTER SPACE
Review by David Todd, Booktrib.com
The fantastic worlds of New Moons – Book One of the Seed Songs extends to different universes in outer space, and just as far into inner space.
MASTERFULLY EXECUTED, HARD TO CLASSIFY
New Moons: The Seed Songs is described as “eco sci-fi,” but this doesn’t completely convey the scope of this hard-to-classify work. Yes, ecology and the Earth are predominant themes, but so too is spirituality — a sort of mysticism reminiscent of Native American cultures. The navigation of inner dream-worlds and even a sort of magic bring the novel into the realm of some fantasy genres.
Yet with all its fantasy, the book succeeds in making sense on its own terms. Within its own universe, it has its own coherent logic. Optimally, fantasy fiction should contain a series of fantastic events and describe fantastic things, but in such a way that the reader feels a satisfying sense that there is a truth being revealed, that a moral, poetic or esoteric correctness is being observed in the tale’s telling. New Moons has this. It succeeds in creating its own authenticity.
Ashmead shows an especially strong ability to create and vividly describe dream experiences and weave them into an engrossing narrative. Her crafty combination of outer and inner space, and the explorations taking place in both, invites insightful parallels. There is an expansive feel, not only of a great odyssey, but of forces at work over vast distances of time and space.
The story of how the separate pieces of the Prophecy come together is suspenseful and entertainingly intricate. Throughout the book the author creates a sense of constant growth, discovery, learning and enlightenment as the story unfolds with ever-present magic and adventure.
The saga is slated to continue in book 2 of the series, as Mellinar and her posse seek spiritually to find a way to re-indigenize the troubled off-planet orphans, a storyline sure to remind us how much we ourselves all need to land back on Earth.