Feathered Quill Book Reviews

 #Bookreview of Morning of a Crescent Moon

By: N.J. Schrock

Publisher: Indigo River Publishing

Publication Date: January 27, 2026

ISBN: 978- 1969935039

Reviewed by: Alma Boucher

Review Date: January 12, 2026

N.J. Schrock’s Morning of a Crescent Moon is a deeply human, historically grounded story set against the rising tensions of the Virden miners’ strike. The novel follows Cate, a young woman who arrives in a new town anxious about starting her life over, both in a new community and in her new position as a primary-grade teacher.

Cate’s past still shadows her: long, grueling hours as a nurse alongside her colleagues left her exhausted, and one terrifying night she and another nurse were attacked by four men. They were saved by the timely arrival of the police. As Cate attempts to rebuild her sense of safety and purpose, she meets Noah McCall and his younger siblings. Their friendship grows naturally, adding warmth, compassion, and a sense of belonging to Cate’s new life.

Noah McCall stands as one of the novel’s most compelling figures, steady, responsible, and unexpectedly heroic. Acting as both brother and provider, he shoulders the burdens of adulthood, far more than parenting his sibling, yet never loses his sense of integrity. As tensions rise in Virden, Noah and the miners find themselves fighting their own war for dignity. The miners had long been denied the pay they were promised, and Fred Lukins’s attempt to bring in scab workers pushed the community toward breaking point. With businesses pressuring Lukins to resolve the strike before violence erupts, the narrative skillfully intertwines personal struggle with collective resistance, showing how economic injustice affects every layer of community life.

Themes of courage, justice, and unity run throughout the novel. Schrock highlights the exploitation miners faced, poor conditions, insufficient wages, and the wealthy extracting profit from those who labored without protection or voice. The historical Battle of Virden becomes the emotional and thematic backbone of the story, reinforcing the idea that true power emerges when ordinary people stand together. Cate’s journey mirrors this truth in a quieter but equally meaningful way: she learns that new beginnings, like social change, require bravery, trust, and the willingness to link arms with others.

Schrock’s writing blends accessible prose with vivid historical detail. The pacing moves smoothly, balancing emotional introspection with moments of suspense and community conflict. Characters are thoughtfully developed, with clear and authentic motivations, and their relationships are believable. While the novel does not center on illustrations, its descriptive richness paints scenes with clarity and impact, allowing the reader to visualize both the gentle rhythms of small-town life and the tense buildup surrounding the miners’ standoff.

Morning of a Crescent Moon is a compelling and heartfelt work that brings history to life through personal struggle, found family, and the enduring fight for fairness. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with strong character arcs, social justice themes, and emotionally grounded storytelling will find much to admire. With well-crafted tension, meaningful lessons, and empathetic portrayals, this novel earns a solid recommendation.

Quill says: Morning of a Crescent Moon is a compelling reminder of resilience, solidarity, and the courage it takes to stand together for what is right.

For more information about Morning of a Crescent Moon, please visit the author's website at: njschrock.com/