The Moons of Barsk by Lawrence M. Schoen

In a distant future where humanity’s legacy endures through uplifted animals, the world of Barsk stands as a refuge for the elephantine Fants—outcasts who possess the ability to speak with the dead. When a mysterious power threatens to shatter this fragile peace, a young Fant named Pizlo embarks on a journey that challenges the boundaries of science, faith, and destiny.

As storms gather across the galaxy, secrets long buried on Barsk begin to surface—secrets that could alter the fate of all species. From the politics of the Alliance to the spiritual depths of the nefshons (souls of the departed), Schoen crafts a sweeping tale of survival, sacrifice, and cosmic wonder.

Imaginative, deeply philosophical, and emotionally resonant, The Moons of Barsk expands the visionary universe begun in Barsk: The Elephants’ Graveyard, blending speculative brilliance with timeless questions about life, death, and what it means to be truly sentient.