Mercury to the Moon

by J.Q. Gagliastro

Mercury to the Moon (Hardcover)
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Mercury to the Moon: In Technicolor (Hardcover)
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Mercury to the Moon Backpack
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Mercury to the Moon Sticker Sheet: Vedrò's Collection
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Mercury to the Moon Sticker Sheet: Esmeralda's Collection
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Mercury to the Moon Sticker Sheet: Halle's Collection
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Vivabee Notebook
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Buzzsaw Shark Journal
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Buzzsaw Shark Holographic Sticker
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Vivabee Holographic Sticker
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Double-Headed Violet Viper Holographic Sticker
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Aileon Holographic Sticker
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Mercury to the Moon Stainless Steel Water Bottle
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About Mercury to the Moon

It is no secret that planet Earth is home to the notoriously greedy species known as humans. What remains a secret to these humans is the community of aliens who live hidden under invisible force fields across neighboring planets and moons. They eat fried butterflies for lunch, travel through interplanetary vortexes, and coexist with giant bees, solar dragons, and hairy one-hundred-legged spiders—peacefully, for the most part.

Eighteen-year-old Truman Howard is not like his classmates. While they roll around in their parents’ riches and travel the globe, Truman takes care of himself, working part time as a ski instructor and thrifting his clothes. He has no family, no friends, and a roommate who gives donkeys a bad rep.

But everything changes the day Truman meets a mysterious woman who invites him to an unforgettable place that will make him and anyone who reads his story feel like they belong. For it is there, among the stars, where Truman embarks on a remarkable voyage filled with new friends, fantastic creatures, and a dangerous destiny that’s been brewing for him for many, many moons!

Praise for Gagliastro’s

Mercury to the Moon

“Gagliastro’s Mercury to the Moon is an imaginative triumph. It's a sprawling space-fantasy that fuses coming-of-age themes with alien mysticism, social critique, and radiant, otherworldly worldbuilding. It’s equal parts whimsical and sobering, serving readers a journey across planets, identities, and emotional landscapes.


Thematically, Mercury to the Moon is rich and multilayered. One of its core themes is belonging… There’s also a strong environmental undercurrent; the book opens with a plea to save Earth, not terraform other planets, a message reinforced by the beautifully described alien worlds that often reflect back our own flaws and hopes… The concept of “wills”—alien abilities tied to one’s emotions or traumatic experiences—adds a layer of allegory, suggesting that our most painful moments often unlock our greatest potential.

Gagliastro’s prose is poetic and vibrant… the imagery is lush and cinematic. The author’s background in illustration shows—every setting pops off the page with surreal beauty… Gagliastro’s work will appeal to fans of Percy Jackson, The House in the Cerulean Sea, and Heartstopper—but with its own signature voice and aesthetic. In short, Mercury to the Moon is an ambitious, inclusive, and emotionally intelligent start to a saga that champions empathy, imagination, and the unshakable belief that misfits can save the universe.”

Los Angeles Book Review

Review by Likely Story

“Mercury to the Moon is the magical first installment in J.Q. Gagliastro’s Truman’s Space Odyssey series. The story follows Truman Howard, an eccentric, kind-hearted teen raised in a prestigious boarding school in the Canadian Rockies. His life is abruptly turned upside down when a supernatural event triggers the discovery that he is not just a regular boy—he is an alien with the ability to manipulate water and emotions. Swept away from Earth and into the fantastical solar system of Aether, Truman joins other “will-gifted” teens on a dragon-backed space journey led by an eclectic team of interplanetary mentors. Blending contemporary boarding school drama with richly imaginative sci-fi fantasy, this novel is as whimsical as it is poignant.


Mercury to the Moon is an exhilarating cosmic coming-of-age story that thrives on rich world-building and emotional honesty. Truman is instantly likable—an outsider who’s endured both classism and cruelty, yet continues to treat others with patience and grace. Gagliastro brings a fresh voice to YA fantasy by pairing magical realism with real-world issues such as bullying, grief, identity, and socioeconomic disparity. The characters feel fully formed, from the acid-tongued but loyal Esmeralda to the charmingly flirtatious Vedrò, each carrying their own trauma, secrets, and strength.


The novel’s greatest achievement lies in its balance: poetic prose pairs seamlessly with interstellar action; laugh-out-loud moments are layered with deeply vulnerable revelations… Gagliastro also smartly structures the plot around a literal and metaphorical journey: Truman and his new cohort will travel planet to planet, learning both academic lessons and emotional truths… The heart of the story remains in the relationships formed between characters, particularly the reunion between Truman and his long-lost sister. The emotional payoff is tender, surprising, and earned.


If you’re looking for a genre-bending YA adventure that fuses high-concept space fantasy with grounded emotional arcs, Mercury to the Moon is a brilliant debut. It’s perfect for fans of Percy Jackson, The School for Good and Evil, or Heartstopper—and for anyone who has ever felt different and dreamed of a world where they finally belong… Gagliastro has created a richly layered world full of wonder, wit, and warmth—and this first installment leaves readers eager for Book Two.”

Review by Readers’ Favorite

“Mercury to the Moon by J.Q. Gagliastro is a whimsical and heartwarming young adult fantasy that takes readers on an unforgettable interstellar journey. Truman Howard, an eighteen-year-old outsider with no family, no friends, and a barely tolerable roommate, finds his mundane Earth life upended when a mysterious woman invites him into a world beyond the stars. Among solar dragons, interplanetary vortexes, and talking bees, Truman discovers a community of aliens living peacefully beyond human detection. As he finds unexpected friendships and faces otherworldly trials, he begins to uncover a destiny that’s been quietly waiting for him all along. With charm, imagination, and sly wit, this adventure is both a thrilling escape and a powerful reminder that belonging is not about where you come from, but where you choose to go.

Author J.Q. Gagliastro has a vivid imagination, and this vibrant world is beautifully brought to life with lyrical, evocative language that paints pictures in the minds of readers. There’s also a wonderful undercurrent to the ethereal and surreal nature of the story with quirky humor injected at just the right moments, and I was swept away by the heartfelt, escapist journey of it all. It’s an ideal read for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider on their planet because the blend of worldbuilding and emotional resonance puts you in Truman’s shoes and has you experience everything with him. Some beautifully illustrated chapter titles bring the lovable alien characters to life. I especially enjoyed their dialogue as it felt suitably odd and out of this world, but also really accessible and humorous. Overall, Mercury to the Moon is a highly recommended read for fans of science fiction that goes above and beyond to deliver a truly thrilling and witty new world.” (5 Stars!)

“Gagliastro's sweeping worldbuilding will draw readers into this riveting series starter, one rich with imaginative superpowers and layered characters. As Truman embarks on his destiny, he meets his true family, makes new friends, and taps into his power against unforeseen enemies… As Gagliastro’s characters travel between planets and explore unfamiliar worlds, they’re thrown into a mix of entertaining and high-stakes situations, discovering endless wonders: the universe’s only Earth dragon, with powers “that go way beyond alien comprehension”; alien civilizations protected and sustained by massive force fields; and unorthodox intergalactic snacks that include delicacies like fried butterflies and blossom soup.

From mind readers to sirens and dragons, Mercury to the Moon immerses readers in an out-of-this-world adventure they won't soon forget, marked by self-discovery, found family, and interplanetary lore. From the opening pages, Truman pulls readers in with his curiosity and desperate yearning to belong, formed against a backdrop of rich extraterrestrial life that will leave audiences wondering just how big this universe really is. Comparable Titles: Aileen Erin's Off Planet, Fonda Lee’s Exo.”

BookLife Review

San Francisco Book Review

“Life in Aether is anything but boring! Mercury to the Moon by J.Q. Gagliastro is a refreshing novel in the fantasy genre, a coming-of-age story with a cosmic twist. It's also filled with lots of adventure and action, and the bit of humor adds more spice to the story. What I liked was that the book explored themes such as being queer, navigating teenage friendships, and finding one's place.

The diversity of the characters gave the story more depth. Each one stood out, and they weren’t sidekicks; they had a purpose in the story. Vedro is honestly one of the best parts of the book. He’s fun, supportive, and brings energy to every scene. Esmeralda is also a standout; she’s elegant, and her relationship with Vedro is just adorable to watch unfold. If you’re into fantasy, a bit of sci-fi, and characters that feel real, Mercury to the Moon is worth checking out!”