What if your home planet’s peace was shattered overnight—and the only hope lay in the hands of two “friendly enemies” and a dancing robot?
That’s the thrilling premise behind Attack on Planet Falrus, a dazzling debut by Swiss author Joanna Monigatti. Blending sci-fi adventure, fantasy imagination, and moral allegory, Monigatti’s story explores what happens when utopia meets tyranny in the far reaches of the galaxy.
Quick Look
- Title: Attack on Planet Falrus
- Author: Joanna Monigatti
- Genre: Science Fiction / Fantasy / Young Adult
- Length: 170 pages
- Publication Date: August 18, 2025
- Reading Age: 10–18 (but enjoyable for adults, too!)
- Available On: Amazon
The small, peaceful planet Falrus sits quietly in the First Galaxy—an idyllic world divided by Line Desimak, separating the light side from the darker, little-understood half.
Twins Giren and Gomi Demba couldn’t be more different, yet they call themselves “friendly enemies.” With their genius friend Square and his eccentric robot Professor Potty, the group’s biggest challenge should have been finishing the school year.
But when tyrannical leaders from the OLD World cross the Line, Falrus faces its greatest threat. Ruthless and power-hungry, the invaders want to dominate the entire galaxy.
Armed only with courage, loyalty, and one very entertaining robot, the friends must outwit them all to save their home.
Why You’ll Love Attack on Planet Falrus
- Vivid worldbuilding: Falrus is colorful, complex, and full of wonder.
- Fast-paced storytelling: Perfect balance of tension, humor, and heart.
- Memorable characters: Professor Potty steals every scene.
- Meaningful themes: Friendship, courage, tyranny, and moral responsibility.
- Great for all ages: Middle-grade readers will be swept up by adventure; adults will appreciate the deeper political undertones.
In Conversation with Joanna Monigatti
Q: What inspired Attack on Planet Falrus?
A: I was a bored teenager when I wrote this story many moons ago. I wanted to create an alternative universe to ‘live in’—because I felt disconnected from day-to-day life and fascinated by the contrasts between good and evil. I simply mishmashed all those themes together and voilà, this book got written/
Q: When did you start writing?
A: Since I was six! My parents were academics who encouraged creativity. Writing has been my lifelong passion. Now that I have a little more time, I’m determined to pursue it seriously.
Q: Which character was the most fun—or most challenging—to write?
A: Definitely Buk Demba—the quiet scientist. He’s inspired by real people I admire. It was a challenge to portray him without revealing who they were!
Q: What message do you hope readers take away?
A: That utopia—or near-utopia—shouldn’t be taken for granted. Everything can change in an instant, especially when unseen forces are at play. But in the end, good always wins over evil. Amen to that.
Q: Were real-life events an influence?
A: Yes—African coup d’états in the 1980s, and real political crises. Power, control, and the fragility of peace were themes I couldn’t ignore.
Q: A question you wish readers would ask?
A: If Square and Kefra are siblings, how come they’re racially different on the cover? Well spotted! But you’ll have to wait for Book Two to find out why.
Q: What was the biggest challenge?
A: Writing it? None at all—I finished it in two weeks during my summer holiday! Publishing it? A lot! I’m a novice at this, but I’m learning as I go.
Ideal Readers For Attack on Planet Falrus
- Fans of Rick Riordan, Madeleine L’Engle, or Isaac Asimov
- Readers who enjoy YA sci-fi adventures with humor and heart
- Adults nostalgic for 80s-style sci-fi with moral weight
- Teachers looking for accessible yet thought-provoking fiction
- Young readers fascinated by robots, space, and cosmic mysteries
If you liked Attack on Planet Falrus, you might also enjoy:
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
- City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
- Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
🌟 Reader Reviews & Reactions
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A delightful, thoughtful, and surprisingly deep read. I picked it up for my daughter, ended up reading it first!”
— Verified Reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Professor Potty is my favorite robot since R2-D2.”
— Sci-Fi Reader Forum Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Feels like early Asimov meets Star Wars for teens.”
— BookBlogger Review Draft
About the Author
Joanna Monigatti has been writing sci-fi, fantasy, and futuristic stories since childhood. Inspired by space exploration, African and Norse mythology, and classic thinkers like Isaac Asimov and Aldous Huxley, she crafts stories that merge science and spirit.
Based in Switzerland, Joanna works as a physician, balancing her scientific mind with boundless imagination.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys running, cycling, and spending time with her husband and two mischievous kittens.
Her Attack on Planet Falrus trilogy is her debut series—with Book Two already complete and Book Three in progress.
Visit Joanna on her author website
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