When the Moon Hits Your Eye
By: John Scalzi
My Rating: FOUR out of FIVE Stars
Best For: 16 and up

When the Moon Hits Your Eye: Pure Goofy Scalzi (with a Side of Deep Thoughts!)

Okay, folks, this one was crazy fun! The moon turns to cheese…and stop. Honestly, that, and John Scalzi’s name on the cover, was all I needed to know before I picked up When the Moon Hits Your Eye. This is peak goofy Scalzi, doing what he does best: taking a completely absurd premise and spinning it into an unexpectedly engaging story.

What’s it about?

One day, suddenly and without explanation, our familiar moon is replaced by a giant orb of cheese with the exact same mass. Yes, you read that right: the moon is cheese. But this isn’t a traditional novel with a singular narrative following a main character. Instead, the story follows the entire planet as its population reacts, copes, and ultimately anticipates an unknown end to this inexplicable phenomenon. Each chapter is told from a new perspective, covering an entire lunar cycle from new moon to a possibly final solar eclipse. We meet a wild cast of characters—schoolkids and scientists, billionaires and blue-collar workers, preachers and politicians, cheese shop owners and NASA astronauts—as they confront the sheer absurdity of their new, dairy-filled reality.

What did I think?

This book is nuts! It’s wonderfully unique and incredibly effective in its storytelling. Scalzi admits his science is “extremely loosey-goosey,” but honestly, who cares when you’re having this much fun? The magic here isn’t in scientific explanation (because there isn’t one!), but in observing the wonderfully genuine, often hilarious, and surprisingly poignant ways humanity reacts to something so ridiculously incomprehensible.

The rotating perspectives, with each chapter offering a fresh vignette, creates a kaleidoscopic view of a world turned upside down. While some might prefer a stronger connecting thread or more focus on the cheese itself, I was all for this unique approach. It truly showcases Scalzi’s trademark humor, wit, and knack for sharp observations on human nature. He’s brilliant at capturing characters who feel incredibly real, even in the most insane situations. And yes, while it’s full of laughs, there are moments of bittersweet poignancy as people confront what truly matters in the face of the unknown.

Scalzi’s proclivity for cursing is alive and kicking here. Some characters definitely favor the F-bomb as their expletive of choice. It’s used more to showcase their personality and the raw human reaction to an impossible situation than as gratuitous shock value, but it’s certainly present, so be aware.

Sensitive Content:

• There are several strategic F-Bombs. But, that’s really about it.

Should you read it?

If you’re looking for a hilarious, unique, and surprisingly thought-provoking read that defies convention, When the Moon Hits Your Eye is a fantastic choice. It’s a fast-paced, entertaining book that will leave you chuckling and pondering humanity’s reaction to the utterly absurd. If you’ve enjoyed Scalzi’s other works like Starter Villain or Kaiju Preservation Society, you’ll definitely want to sink your teeth into this one. This dad says When the Moon Hits Your Eye is best for 16 and up.

Happy Reading!