When her mother is imprisoned for being an activist, Moonlight Santos Gama has no choice but to appeal to the one man who can help her, regardless of how monstrous and frightening she finds him. Xenos Nineteen is an alien-human hybrid and a high-powered military leader. He agrees to help Moonlight’s mother in return for Moonlight’s company in his bed for two weeks. Although she is initially repulsed by him, Moonlight soon finds herself addicted to Xenos both sexually and emotionally. He is not a creature of emotion, however. Xenos Nineteen is willing to use Moonlight to meet his physical needs, but he sees no reason to become entangled with her any other way.

When Xenos turns rogue and leads a rebel group to fight for the rights of hybrids such as himself, Moonlight finds herself joining his cause. She is a talented translator, and she knows that she has something to offer him besides sex. Although she proves herself to him over and over again, Xenos maintains his emotional distance from her. He is not willing to give in, but she is not willing to give up, either.

Science fiction lovers, you are in for a treat. Kate Hill’s Moonlight on Water is an exciting and utterly engrossing novel that should please the most jaded of science fiction lovers. Not only does it contain frequent and often-steamy sex, it tells a gripping story populated with unique and colorful characters. And colorful is a literal term when it comes to the character of Xenos Nineteen. I would never have thought that a man with blue and purple skin, no ears, and webbed extremities could be considered attractive, but Ms. Hill has made him beyond sexy. Even with his lack of emotion, this man is scorching hot.

The universe portrayed in Moonlight on Water is well drawn and realistic. I had no doubts in my mind that the Laetez and the Tydisian people were anything but real as I read this story. Likewise, the conflict and danger faced by Moonlight and Xenos pulled me directly into the story and kept me turning pages in suspense until the very end. Without a doubt, Ms. Hill has outdone herself with Moonlight on Water. Those choosing to read this story will definitely not be disappointed.

Reviewed by: Whitney