When The Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi is a book about what would happen if the moon suddenly turned to cheese. Is it horrific? or is it hilarious? The book doesn't know and keeps asking questions of its characters. The book doesn't have an answer to the most critical question. Why did the moon turn into cheese? There's never even a guess. It just happens and the world has to deal with it. With the moon turning into cheese it grows 2 times in size because the moon keeps the same mass that it once was, with cheese being denser than rock the moon expands to keep it the same. The moon just didn't change all the moon rocks we brought to Earth are now cheese. The story reminded me of the film Don't Look Up which is a very bleak comedy. When the Moon Hits Your Eye is a bleak comedy. This tone did not work for me. The book has some funny things but the tone is all wrong. One scene has a group of college kids angry at the cheese moon and want to take it out on something so they go to a cheese shop. This is hilarious and very clever but we don't get the perspective of the kids but instead the horrified cheese shop owners. I felt the tone ruined the joke. The book has no main characters and very few returning characters. The story is comprised of vignettes about how people react to the cheese moon. Some of the vignettes barely bring up the cheese moon until the end. I see this being a very mixed book. The pace of the book was not bad the book is told in a lot of forms new articles, reddit forms, straight narrative, journal entries, and letters. I'm a big fan of John Scalzi but this book was a letdown for me. When the Moon Hits Your Eye was published on March 25, 2025.

Plot Summary: A museum worker notices something interesting about the moon rock, it is not rock but something else. At first, they think it was stolen but they see no signs of tampering with the glass case. When they watch the security cams they see no tampering. So they test the moon which feels like Play-dough but has a smell. They spend countless hours researching it for someone to take a fingernail on the surface a put it in his mouth to determine it is cheese. When they look at the moon it is shinier and larger. The scientists determined it is indeed cheese and is now two times bigger but the same mass. No one wants to admit to the public that the moon is cheese. They have a scientist who wrote a kid's book about what would happen if the moon was made of cheese. This revelation makes the world go a little insane. Rich people set up a black market trying to be the first to taste the moon. Cheese is soon added to sexual fantasies. A hundred movies are written about the scenario with the worst pun titles. The religions question faith in God over this oddity.

What I Liked: The rich people trying to be the first to taste the moon was clever and I liked how seriously they took the verification. The rioter taking out their hate of the cheese moon on a cheese shop was very clever. The religious debate was interesting and made me think about my faith if this happened. I do like that there is a debate about is this situation funny or serious. I wish they had an answer or two characters who took it the opposite way. The writer's story was my favorite since it had the least to do with the moon I feel it should have been moved up, and not towards the end. I was bummed we never got an update on her character but we don't get any updates on characters. The cheese moon landing scene was wild and very surprising. I did like getting the ten years later after the events of the book. I liked that the band Post Modern Jukebox was mentioned in the book.

What I Disliked: The bleak twist was just okay. I thought something more should have been done about the moon melting or the moon starting to smell. The tone was too serious it could have been much funnier. I wanted a scientist through the story determined to figure out what happened to the moon. I think the ending was a cope that if the moon rocks turned to cheese then the piece of the cheese moon should have turned to rock. I would have liked to see a cheese rebellion. I did think the burn on Saturday Night Live being unoriginal and having almost every sketch be about the moon was a bit much. I was convinced this book was tied to Starter Villain John Scalzi's last book. I thought it would have been a good villain's plan we have to unravel.

Recommendations: When the Moon Hits Your Eye was a miss for me. The book is not devoid of clever writing but the tone was just off for me. I'm still a big John Scalzi fan and have rated his last two books 5 stars. I want to love every book but I did not love this book. I think if you like bleak comedies then this book might be for you. If you like a ridiculous scenario taken way too seriously then this book is for you. I can not recommend When the Moon Hits Your Eye but will recommend both Starter Villain and The Kaiju Preservation Society.

Rating: When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi I rated 2.5 out of 5.

Ranking: I have read 3 John Scalzi novels so far. I will rate them in order from my favorite to least favorite: 1) The Kaiju Preservation Society, 2) Starter Villain, and 3) When The Moon Hits Your Eye.

I have collected 8 John Scalzi novels and will be reading through these soon.

Scalzi has a unique ability to blend humor with deep social commentary, and I was excited to see what he would do with this premise. However, when I read the synopsis, I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical. The idea that the moon suddenly and inexplicably turns to cheese sounds so outlandish, even juvenile, that I wondered how Scalzi could possibly make it work.

Well, I’m happy to say that When the Moon Hits Your Eye proves that even the most ridiculous of premises can become a brilliantly entertaining story in the hands of a talented writer. Despite how silly it might sound, Scalzi’s execution is nothing short of fantastic. He makes the outlandish premise believable and, most importantly, incredibly engaging. The moon turning to cheese doesn’t become a mere gimmick; rather, it serves as the catalyst for a deeper exploration of human nature, society, and the ways people respond to chaos and unexpected events.

One of the things I loved about this book is how Scalzi presents the event from multiple perspectives. We see how the sudden transformation of the moon affects individuals from all walks of life—ranging from ordinary citizens to political figures, scientists, and even the world’s elite. This multifaceted approach not only keeps the story fresh and dynamic but also allows Scalzi to explore different social standings and how each group reacts to this bizarre and life-altering event. The way Scalzi dives into the personal and societal ramifications of such an absurd occurrence is both thought-provoking and, at times, laugh-out-loud funny.

The characterization, as always with Scalzi, is spot-on. Each character feels distinct, well-rounded, and deeply human. Despite the outrageous circumstances, the characters’ reactions to the situation are grounded in reality. Their emotions, motivations, and relationships feel true-to-life, which makes the book all the more enjoyable. Scalzi’s trademark wit and humor are ever-present, and his knack for weaving in social commentary without being heavy-handed makes the story not only fun but insightful. The humor doesn’t overshadow the emotional and intellectual depth of the novel—it enhances it, making it both hysterical and thought-provoking in equal measure.

Yes, it's a book about the moon turning to cheese... and yes, it's hilariously funny, but also touching, surprising, and constantly entertaining. This book takes a ridiculous premise and makes it utterly engaging and thought-provoking, and is definitely one of the best books of the year (or any year).

I actually really enjoyed this read! Writing was great. Story was great. I just found myself bored in some parts

John Scalzi’s When the Moon Hits Your Eye (hard from Tor) has the premise that suddenly the moon, and moon rocks, turn to cheese. At first the consequences are whimsical as billionaires compete to steal a moon rock and eat the cheese. Then another billionaire, whose company makes a moon lander, goes on a trip to the moon. However the consequences of lunar cheese soon become apocalyptic as the whole Earth is in danger. I guessed the ending, but was still enthralled by the tale. Recommended.

Scalzi’s one offs are always great fun. It’s a great way to explore fun and innovated concepts. How would we respond if the moon surely turned to cheese. The first thing the author explores is its physical effects. I’m order for the moon to remain the same mass, it would have to get larger. And all the cheese puns, but who am I to diss that Brie

This multi-faceted and mildly amusing scifi novel looks at what happens when the moon suddenly turns to cheese through the perspective of many different characters.

On Day One, a curator discovers that the lunar rock sample in the museum has changed into something that looks like cheese. Over the next twenty-eight days of a lunar cycle, this straight-faced premise becomes slightly more fleshed out. The moon retains its same mass but becomes bigger as cheese has a different mass to rock and the pressure on the cheese causes it to compress. Pieces fly off the surface, including one chunk the size of a mountain that is heading to earth and will destroy life on the planet in two years.

Moving from the White House to church to a local diner, the many sides of this earth-shattering (if you will) news are examined. A few characters appear twice, but the majority make one appearance then drift off into the unknown. This lack of a central character made it harder for me to engage as the vignettes read like a series of only tangentially-related short stories. The author digs into some thought-provoking angles, some more predictable than others: religion, banking, creativity, and truth, are just a few examples.

This is a quick and agreeable read from an author who’s reliably interesting.

Thanks to Tor and Netgalley for the digital review copy.

Like so many books by John Scalzi, this one was delightful and surprisingly human. *for a book about the moon turning to cheese*

Yes, the premise is absurd - what if the moon turned to cheese? But Scalzi makes it work! Full of commentary on our current world and the US political system, I really enjoyed this one. Each chapter follows a different POV as we look at how people from all walks of life would react to the reality of the lunar disaster. We see a preacher with his faith tested, scientists who cannot explain what is happening, and follow a billionaire who cannot allow the moon being cheese to interrupt his plans for space exploration.

Very enjoyable as always!

In the end notes of When the Moon Hits Your Eye, John Scalzi states that this novel is the third in a trilogy of novels based on theme: ordinary people being thrust into extraordinary situations. The first two in the trilogy The Kaiju Preservation Society and Starter Villain are both excellent stories that explore different aspects of this idea. I did not start this novel with this in mind. I started it because it is the new John Scalzi book. I cracked the book only knowing the simplest part of the premise: The moon has turned into cheese.

The novel does not read as a novel as much as a collection of stories around the reactions of the moon just one day turning into cheese (well a cheese like substance. NASA will not commit to calling it cheese). With each chapter being a day in the lunar cycle, it shows this singular event through the eyes of people all over America, from NASA scientists and astronauts, to politicians and billionaires, to regular people like preachers and Reddit users who do know know whether or not this is a hoax. The novel starts without much direction, but halfway through, an event on the cheese moon brings an impending doom to Earth. From this point forward, the people in Scalzi's novel change their focus. We spend every new chapter and every day with characters who are living with the knowledge that their imminent death is coming. Their actions and reactions become more humane, more focused on coming together to show that friends, family, and love are more important than all of the other things that generally distract us. There are moments in When the Moon Hits Your Eye that display honest emotions and heart. 

When I am reading or writing, I always think about two principles of the stories that I like to read and tell. The first is “No story is perfect, but it has to be told well.” The second is “Never take yourself too seriously.” John Scalzi’s novels are great examples of these two ideas. When the Moon Hits Your Eye is not a perfect novel, nor does it pretend to be. There is a chapter toward the end of the novel that actual explores this idea and says the same thing. When you try to be perfect, you pull all of the life out of the story. The second, not taking himself too seriously? He has written a novel about the moon turning into cheese and uses pretty much any cheese pun he can think of. He puts easter eggs throughout the novel (including a law firm with the names of the history of bass players in Metallica), but he does his best to balance the silliness with an actually readable and heartfelt story. When the Moon Hits Your Eye is not his best novel, and it is definitely not perfect, but it is enjoyable because it does not try to be serious at all. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

DNF about 50% through due to content I don’t want to read about including sexual misconduct. I was also not a fan of the harsh language throughout.

The moon has turned into cheese. We don't know what kind of cheese, but cheese it is. Within these pages we meet people from all walks of life and experience their thoughts and reactions. While the Moon Hits Your Eye is silly as hell, it is also at times poignant, hopeful, thoughtful, laughable and compelling.

Portions of the book deal with the U.S. government with some similarities to our own. Another portion goes to the billionaire space douche, and that's more similarity, ahem. There are scientists, authors and people from all over reacting. When the narrative takes a turn later on, it raises the question of what you would do in such a situation. I find that I'm still thinking about that days later.

I enjoyed the format here, bouncing around from person to person with each chapter, I think it made it feel fast-paced and kept each chapter feeling fresh. The chapters were relatively short too, so this was a quick read.

As a whole, I think this was a fun and mostly light-hearted read, with some thought provoking situations, and some laughs.

Recommended!

*ARC from publisher

Fun and quick read by an author that keeps me guessing on what his characters (and books) will be about.

However, I also feel like there were too many POVs and wish that only a few were focused on instead of a dozen plus.

I didn't love this as much as Starter Villain (I'm biased because I love union shit), but I am such a fan of John Scalzi's hilarious writing. The ability to lean into the absurd, in this situation - the moon turning into cheese, with such deadpan writing is so impressive! The multiple POVs through each story were distinct and each fun. I definitely want to read more of Scalzi's work after how much I enjoyed this and Starter Villain.

When the Moon Hits Your Eye starts with the moon turning into cheese! If you've ever wondered what might happen if something like this were to occur, then pick this up! It’s absolutely absurd and ridiculous, but so much fun. Just don’t take the science bits too seriously, as Scalzi himself mentions they’re a bit “loosey-goosey” at times. When the Moon Hits Your Eye is part of the same standalone series as Kaiju Preservation Society and Starter Villain. It’s not an interconnected world or a series following the same characters, but rather all about absurd scenarios and the shenanigans that follow.

I love how this was written. Instead of focusing on just one character, the story shifts between different perspectives, giving us glimpses into the lives of various people. From schoolkids to preachers to billionaires, it covers a wide cast of characters. Don’t get attached to any one viewpoint, though, because you won’t be seeing them for long. This structure makes it a very quick read, and since each chapter represents the next day in a lunar cycle, it feels like a countdown to what may happen next. I enjoyed imagining the different scenarios and wondering how I would react in each one. It’s very much like the thought experiment of what you’d do if the world were to end in a certain number of days.

Whether you’re a long-time Scalzi fan or looking for a wacky, fun read, pick this up! You don’t get many books as gouda as this!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

This book poses the question - “how would we react if one day the moon suddenly turned into cheese?”

While it sounds like kind of a silly premise, this was enjoyable to read and a little unexpected! It had a unique format where each chapter peeked into a day in the lives of a different set of characters in the month after the cheese moon appeared.

It doesn’t answer the question of why or how this event happened, and I appreciated that. Those unknowns aren’t the focus. Which I guess is why to me, this didn’t really feel too heavy on the science fiction genre but rather read more like contemporary fiction. It’s really about how human beings from all different slices of life react to this earth-shattering news. College students, astronauts, retirees at a diner, NASA employees, aspiring writers, reddit users, etc. And I find it impressive when an author is able to make me care about the characters and connect with them even when they have such little page time.

Some parts are funny, some parts are heart-warming, some parts are anger-inducing. The best part is that you get to see a billionaire launch himself into space (🤞wishful thinking🤞)

And I absolutely loved the ending! Felt perfect for the times.

What would happen if the moon suddenly turned to cheese? When the Moon Hits Your Eye provides a plethora of chuckle-inducing chapters detailing the immediate response of the United States.

The earth’s scientists struggle to find an explanation for the moon’s new material. Everyone else just tries to deal with it in their own humorous ways. Hollywood is full of cheesy new moon scripts. A Senator is caught doing some unusual things with a sex worker and a cheese wheel. Billionaire tech bros fight over being the first moon cheese taster. Even small town residents have some unique issues with this unexpected phenomenon. In the meantime, NASA must deal with an off course spaceship heading for the moon with an unexpected stowaway aboard.

When the Moon Hits Your Eye is a fun way to get away from some the current chaos of the world and any drama in your own personal life. Image how the moon changing to cheese would impact your life. Then see if one of vignettes matches. It is just an enjoyable way to spend an evening or two. 4 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me with an advanced review copy.

Starter Villain was one of my top reads of the year and I was excited to jump into John Scalzi's latest, When The Moon Hits Your Eye. I love weird books and the premise was promising: what would happen if the moon suddenly turned into cheese? Yes, cheese! Each chapter of the book is another day in a lunar cycle and highlights how different people, from different backgrounds, react to this lunar event.

And while there are some truly stellar moments, I didn't enjoy reading the book overall. It reads like a series of essays on a topic, rather than a cohesive story, mostly because the cast of characters changes almost every chapter. You rarely revisit characters, so even if you fall in love with a character or two and their story, you may never see them again in another chapter. The cheese puns and jokes got old quickly. By 30% the novelty of the story wore off. I almost DNF but instead I gave it a break for a few days. I was able to finish but my heart was not invested in the story. I definitely found myself wanting to skim through. I didn't feel like any one chapter was essential.

The ending was a surprising choice and after so much buildup felt surprisingly abrupt. I wondered, did any of it matter? I think, yes and no. In theory, this was an avenue to look how how humanity would react and live facing certain doom. But I feel like this interesting theme could have been better explored had Scalzi chosen to focus on a handful of characters and really delved into their stories.

I landed at 3 stars because although I didn't enjoy the book as a whole, there really were moments throughout that shined.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the advanced reading copy of When the Moon Hits Your Eye in exchange for an honest review.

As a huge Starter Villain fan, this was a letdown. I know they’re completely different books, but where Starter Villain was effortlessly kooky, the humour here felt heavy-handed—plus, there were about 100 cheese puns too many.

Each chapter follows a different character dealing with the moon turning to cheese, which is an ambitious and interesting premise. But with so many perspectives, there wasn’t much time to connect with anyone. The characters felt one-note, and the plot barely developed.

By the end, it was a bit of a slog to finish and ultimately forgettable. I’m not sad I read it—just disappointed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by John Scalzi. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

The moon has turned into cheese. Now humanity has to deal with it. Just how's that going to work? Do you question your faith in God, in science, in everything you thought you knew?

I love John Scalzi. In the same vein as The Kaiju Preservation Society and Starter Villain (both 5 star reads for me), these books explore humanity when faced with the unthinkable. They are funny, thought-provoking, sci-fi light books and his latest is my favorite, I think. I loved how it explored reactions from different people from all walks of life in almost a connected short story style, as we followed scholars, pastors, students, writers, government officials, and those billionaires who want to go to space. This was perfection!

What if the moon suddenly turned to cheese? That's the basic premise of John Scalzi's When the Moon Hits Your Eye. Taking a slightly different approach than most stories, When the Moon Hits Your Eye is told via the perspectives and experiences of a variety of people as the world attempts to understand why the moon is suddenly cheese. Often humorous, a bit serious, and occasionally emotional, When The Moon Hits Your Eye is another great satirical read by John Scalzi. Having perspectives ranging from Billionaires to school kids to cheese shop owners, there's definitely a perspective that every reader will be able to relate to. Filled with vaguely absurd humor and wit and a unique take on humanity's response to a radical and bizarre event, When The Moon Hits Your Eye is a fantastic read that many will enjoy. Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.