THE MOONLIT MESSENGER AND THE STARLIGHT EXPRESS
A Cosmic Fantasy by J.C. Martin
"The Skyway isn’t just a path—it’s a story waiting to be told."
— Grandma Finch
THE MIDDLE-GRADE ADVENTURE THAT IGNITES IMAGINATION
When 12-year-old Leo Finch finds a letter hidden beneath his grandmother’s floorboards, he boards a train that rides the northern lights—only to discover he’s the last hope to stop a shadow that’s erasing constellations from the sky.
WHY READERS CAN’T PUT IT DOWN:
- ✨ Inspired by real celestial mysteries (Orion’s Belt’s disappearance, the Library of Lost Constellations)
- ⚠️ Reveals a hidden war between star-keepers and ink-blooded pirates stealing starlight
- 📖 Perfect for fans of.The Polar Express and His Dark Materials
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Embark on a Cosmic Adventure Where Stars Deliver Secrets and Trains Ride the Sky
When twelve-year-old Leo Finch stumbles upon a pulsing letter hidden beneath his grandmother’s floorboards, his ordinary summer explodes into an extraordinary quest. The note bears just nine cryptic words:
"Leo, if you're reading this, the Starlight Express is coming."
At midnight, he boards a train unlike any other—gleaming like liquid moonlight, with wheels spun from the northern lights and seats made of cloud-stuff. But this is no pleasure ride. As the newest Moonlit Messenger, Leo must deliver urgent cosmic mail across the Skyway, an invisible railroad connecting worlds.
Yet the Skyway is crumbling. Orion’s Belt has vanished, stolen by the Inkblood Pirates, and without its three anchor stars, reality itself is unraveling. With the help of his unlikely crew—a sarcastic ferret named Noodle, a constellation-savvy librarian named Lyra, and a conductor whose pocket watch chimes like bells—Leo races against time to:
✔ Outwit pirates who drink liquid plot twists and wear coats of torn book pages.
✔ Solve riddles from a clockwork fox guarding the gears of the universe.
✔ Survive the Mailroom of the Damned, where undelivered letters scream from the shelves.
✔ Face the Composer, a shadowy entity rewriting existence into a "perfect" void.
But the greatest secret lies in Leo’s silver key—a relic from his grandmother, the last Messenger. To save the stars, Leo must learn that some messages aren’t meant to be delivered… they’re meant to be rewritten.
Why Readers Love This Book
✨ A rich, immersive world—floating libraries, inkwell nebulas, and celestial trains.
✨ Heartfelt themes—family legacies, bravery, and the power of stories.
✨ Perfect for fans of The Polar Express, His Dark Materials, and Nevermoor.
Praise for The Moonlit Messenger and the Starlight Express
"A dazzling, star-studded adventure that will make you believe in midnight trains and the magic of the cosmos."
—Galaxy Book Reviews
"Noodle the ferret steals every scene—a hilarious, heartwarming companion for Leo’s journey."
—Middle Grade Marvels
Visit https://deepseekplanet.net to explore Leo’s world, meet the characters, and unlock exclusive content!
Other Formats Available
Kindle Format
THE MOONLIT MESSENGER AND THE STARLIGHT EXPRESS
Praise for the Book
"A magical ride! This book will make you believe in starlight and second chances."
– The Bookish Explorer
"Noodle the ferret is my new favorite hero—full of heart and hilarious wit!"
– Middle Grade Magic Reviews
About the Author
J.C. Martin is a worldbuilder who mixes constellations with childhood wonder. When not writing about starlit trains and ferret sidekicks, they collect antique keys and stargaze through a telescope older than their grandparents.
Fun fact: The character Noodle was inspired by a real-life mischief-making ferret.