Reviews for Morning of a Crescent Moon
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite
Morning of a Crescent Moon by N. J. Schrock is a closely observed work of historical fiction set in Virden, Illinois, at the close of the nineteenth century, where everyday life unfolded during mounting labor unrest. The novel opens with striking imagery that establishes place and tone, immediately grounding the story in a world shaped by coal mines, railroads, and small-town rhythms. The period comes to life through lived moments: a train arriving at the station, conversations overheard in a drugstore, children selling vegetables door to door. These scenes build a strong sense of community and gently ease the reader into the social tensions that will later define the narrative. At the center of the novel is Cate Merry, a thoughtful and capable protagonist whose arrival in Virden serves as the reader’s point of entry into the town. Through Cate’s eyes, the novel explores work, faith, education, and the quiet expectations placed on women at the time.
The novel is characterized by its measured pacing and confident storytelling. The author lets events unfold organically, mirroring the slow buildup of historical forces that feel inevitable only in hindsight. Themes of fairness, belonging, and moral responsibility are woven naturally into the narrative without overwhelming the personal stories at its heart. Readers interested in American labor history, women’s roles at the turn of the century, or novels that foreground community life will find much to appreciate here. N. J. Schrock offers a thoughtful, engaging portrayal of a specific moment in history while keeping the focus firmly on the people who lived it, making Morning of a Crescent Moon a rewarding and memorable read. This novel is a heartfelt tribute to the ordinary people who shaped the labor movement and a reminder of the power of unity in the face of adversity.
Review from Literary Titan
Feathered Quill
Reviewed by: Alma Boucher
Review Date: January 12, 2026
https://featheredquill.com/morning-of-a-crescent-moon/
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.
Amazon Reviews for Incense Rising
“Incense Rising” is a great read. This sci-fi thriller set in the near future grabs you from page 1 and does not stop! The characters are realistic and the way Dr. Schrock includes “news feed” breaks in the story are attention grabbing, creative and make the story seem even more true to life. For a first novel, she has done a great job and I look forward to her next work. I love the cover design!! —Martha Sarasua
Sci.-Fi. Intrigue. Mystery. Hint of romance. Hopefully a sequel. Kudos Nancy Schrock. A futuristic fantasy set in a world that offers its readers a heaping plate of ‘food for thought’. In todays world, could some of the actions we take or fail to take, lead us to become a world in which Incense Rising exists?—Nikki
Read more on Amazon: link
Amazing Stories, Steven Fahnestock
Second story, by N. J. Schrock, called “The Silver Strands of Alpha Crucis-D,” is purely SF. (It’s also her first sale. Congrats to her; a first sale to F&SF is a coup!) The story involves a scientific expedition to a planet where the astronauts find what may be a brand-new form of life. How they discover this, and what they do about it form the basis of the story. Nicely written, in my opinion.
Tangent, Jason McGregor
“The Silver Strands of Alpha Crucis-D” by N. J. Schrock
The third consecutive piece of flash fiction (and last of this issue): a group of explorers is on Alpha Crucis-D, speculating about the nature of the silver filaments in the air. While some aspects of the phenomena are never conclusively decided (though the reader may unscientifically feel sure), a severe problem presents itself when certain incompatibilities are proved.
This is a beautiful piece of scientific prose poetry with fascinating ideas, descriptions, and chemistry (literally), and is also a great first sale. I feel one slight dissatisfaction, though, in that stories these days seem to rarely be content with “oh wow” (as in the first page or two, which I read with my eyes probably shining and my jaw agape, probably looking like a happy idiot) and usually fall for the “oh no” element of a story which is supposed to provide a sometimes unnecessary plot tension (as in the latter part of this one) though the author may have felt it thematically necessary. Either way, this is the second story of this issue that I thought was particularly enjoyable (along with “The Liar”).
SF Crow’s Nest, Patrick Mahon
At the other end of the spectrum, I was completely bowled over by ‘The Silver Strands Of Alpha Crucis-d’, not least because it is N.J. Schrock’s first published story! This is an extremely accomplished hard SF story about the potential risks that human exploration of other planets could pose for any native ecosystem, mixing rigorous science with an emotionally engaging human dilemma. I can’t wait to read more fiction by Schrock.
N. J. Schrock 