The Constellation of Moon

Moon Reads – Control Alter Delete

Posted on February 6, 2026

Control Alter Delete by K. L. Kettle

Rating:

Nothing is perfect, and as such, the reviews in this blog are chaotic. My main aim is to share my thoughts, joy and opinions on a book, not make a publication perfect review. This blog endorses authenticity, showing up and joy over perfection.

Disclaimer: Receiving a review copy from the publisher does not affect my opinion of the book. If you think I review it highly it is due to me knowing my taste well and therefore not requesting books I won’t enjoy. And I am not obligated to review the book if I do not like it, so you may not see bad reviews due to me preferring not to hype down a particular book. I only do reviews of books I disagreed with if I think it is worth bringing a topic or warning to light.

Control Alter Delete follows Halcyon (Hal) who more or less lives in a perfect virtual world called World 2.0 created by Hal’s hero, Francis Knox. This world is better than real life because she can be whatever she wants and she’s popular there. And it makes up for not knowing what happened to her dad when he disappeared.

But then she gets into the Knox Cup which is a fancy competition and suddenly everything becomes super dangerous and convoluted.

The reason this one gets a low score is mostly that it’s a little too incongruent with itself and trips over a lot of things between the first part fo the book and the second one. If you are reading this, be aware that I will be including potential spoilers here because otherwise I can’t properly explain why I struggled with the plot of the book. Read at your own risk.

We start with Hal somehow being pretty cool in this virtual world but not as cool as her ex boyfriend who won the previous cup and then they split up. But we have Hal super immersed in this World 2.0 and somehow the plot slowly tells us this is a fake virtual world and she basically lives in like a capsule and has to keep her body sorted with a fake programmed virtual mum made up her mum’s memories. And Hal is somehow “poor” and can’t afford anythign (but has a house, is always fed and never actually wants for anything except enough money to buy her entry into the cup and that gets resolved by rich guardian telling her to get her shit together).

So we have a “Hal is poor” but no real evidence of this. This was one of the first ones I struggled, she’s also not that into school, but somehow a genius, which again, there was a lot of telling and so little showing to prove this.

Once the cup starts and we start seeing the layers and the real story, it does get super interesting in to how the World 2.0 and 3.0 are created. And then we discover Hal’s parents (one disappeared, one sick and held at a hospital that Hal somehow never visits, again, what? why? this makes no sense) are 2 out of 5 original founders of the virtual worlds and all the cool things. And then we get back to how does Hal not know any of this or even question ANYTHING at all considering that as we go through the story, we discover her parents tried to protect her from evil things and were trying to make her like the “hero” or someone who could fix things. And we really only find her being able to do the things thanks to her imaginary friend who doesn’t seem that imaginary, Go.

So, overall in continuity and actually setting up the plot, this book has an incredibly low rating. The reason it isn’t a bad book is because once the Cup starts and we get to start figuring some of the plot and the weirdness, that there is corruption and that there seems something more sinister is going on (including the fact that her mum fell ill and was whisked away to a hospital and never heard of, very convenient disappearance of parent figures), and how the worlds work and then as Hal actually starts having a personality or at least starts acting (I feel like the plot happens to Hal and she kinda ends up becoming what the plot needs her to become) like she has one and starts trying to make a difference, then it becomes super interesting.

The idea behind how the virtual world was created and how it was sustained, what it meant and the good and bad implications of it was a really cool thing which reminded me of many books including Marie Lu’s Warcross, The Upper World, The Maze Runner and other similar books.

So I think it is an interesting read, but it could be better for sure.

Book Review

Moon Reads: How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days

Posted on February 3, 2026

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days by Jessie Sylva

Rating:

I have typed this review a few times trying to find the best way to tell you “hey, this was really fun to read, and I wish everyone else would read, please go read it. I want more fun cosy chaos books like this one”, and I don’t think I know how else to say it.

How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days is a cute chaos hug to a fantasy nerd. You have Pansy, a halfling in search of a little adventure and that feels a little out of place in her village because of being a little odd and not wanting pure comfort. And you have Ren a goblin who is trying their best to support their clan and also they have a green thumb like nobody else.

Now have Pansy inherit her grandma’s cottage and she feels like this is her chance to make her own life without feeling a bit out of place, she has found her place. But surprise, when she goes to claim her inheritance, Ren is already living there and growing all manners of things (including lots of moss inside the house, apparently moss inside the cottage is not a halfling thing but I think is a pretty cool idea).

To the surprise of both, they somehow end up making a deal on who gets to keep the house, whomever doesn’t leave and stays in it. There’s a few ground rules like not being destructive to each other’s things and stuff, and that you can’t “remove” but only add things (you can already see this backfiring, right?). And so it starts, a little back and forth between them trying to find ways to annoy each other of the home.

It is not to the reader’s surprise of course, that these all backfire in very amusing and funny ways, but also in making the home cosy for both of them. I will say, this was a proper cosy read, with lots of plants and cooking, and questions about belonging and family (or clan) and what it means to be part of them.

But there’s also a lot of little elements reminding you of other worlds, other stories, other classics and some newer works, and it was this also that was fun to read. It felt like a good hug and was about as complex a read as I could muster at a time when I had no voice and a fever. I still enjoyed it a lot and it made me laugh, then cough then regret my life choices, but 10/10 worth it for the story.

Subscription Boxes

Moon Hauls – Fantasy Emporiums Illumicrate

Posted on January 30, 2026

Subscription box: Illumicrate

Theme/Month: Fantasy Emporiums, January 2025

Ownership: Subscribed on their 6 boxes option. If you are interested in purchasing an Illumicrate subscription, you can do it on their website.

Illumicrate is a book subscription box that usually features fantasy and sci-fi, and curates a wide range of books, including both young adult and adult fiction. It usually contains a new release and several bookish goodies.

Somehow we’re still trying to catch up on the boxes, but in this case I missed adding the leaflet to the photograph, so imagine it is there. Starting on the top left corner and going clockwise:

A cute little tea strainer inspired by A Tempest of Tea. I am not super big on tea strainers because they are a pain to clean up but this one is super cute!
A trivet inspired by Legends and Lattes, which was perfect becuase a great book chocie and trivets are such wonderful things! This had been in use at home but is currently in storage waiting to the next house move.
Two mini vases inspired by This Poison Heart, which are cute, I just don;t know what I will do with them.
Midnight Bridge Blanket, I didn’t feel like extending it all so there wasn’t a massive view of it, but still, blankets are great.
And finally the featured book which was Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao, which I haven’t read but I’ve head good things so I still want to.

A nice fresh start to the year box, which was fun to open, with a blanket to cuddle up with and things to make the day cosy and make you feel like you’re wrapped up by a fantasy, and I just love it overall together.

Book Review

Moon Reads – Ladycastle

Posted on January 27, 2026

Ladycastle by Delilah S. Dawson with Rebecca Farrow and Ashley A. Woods

Rating:

This felt like the perfect follow-up review since we have women fighting for their castle!

When the King and his men go on a crusade and somehow get eaten by a dragon, the women aren’t that bothered because at least there’s a lot less having to deal with them and they can do whatever they want. But when it turns out there is a curse that attracts monsters to the castle (thanks to the heads up from the least capable and only survivor knight, Sir Riddick), the women decide that it is their turn to claim what is theirs.

So we have Merinor who is the blacksmith’s wife and now the newly proclaimed King, Princess Aeve becomes the Captian rather than a trapped bird in a cage until she decided to marry, and well, Sir Riddick is meant to help them train up and learn how to fight, defend, build and do all things men do to defend a castle.

But maybe, just maybe, they don’t need to do it the way men do and maybe just maybe they may be quite good at keeping their castle safe and fighting the curse.

This was a fun read, even if at times a little bit frustrating. It challenges tropes and stereotypes, but it also overdoes some parts and just gets stuck in monologues that aren’t necessary and just a little bit boring. I think if it worked better at the plot and less at the woe is me, this would’ve been a higher score on my rating. but the art was fun, and I had a good quick read of this and a lot of fun.

Book Review

Moon Reads – Blood of the Old Kings

Posted on January 23, 2026

Blood of the Old Kings by Sung-Il Kim. Translated by Anton Hur

Rating: MoonKestrel Logo2 20px Grey

When I first requested this book I wasn’t sure how much I would like it since I am picky with my translated fiction (the translator can make or break a book, trust me on this). But I shouldn’t have worried, this book sunk its teeth into me and didn’t let go, and though for some reason I didn’t review it at the time that I read it, it’s one of those that lives rent free in my head.

We follow Loran, a swordswoman who is desperate to avenge her family after it was killed by the Empire, so she does what anyone would do and climbs into a volcano to find an ancient dragon from legend and try to negotiate with it so she can get her revenge. She gets an interesting deal on this and comes out with a fancy shiny sword and a greater purpose to her life. But having this purpose still doesn’t solve everything and so Loran keeps trying to make her way towards making a difference and in turn finds a lot of interesting adventures and situations that kept me rooting for her and also engrossed into her side of the story.

The other side is from “inside” the Empire, given that Loran more or less is an outsider to the Empire. Arienne in contrast has magic and is pretty much resigned to having a life where she will become the battery of the Empire upon her death. She lives a relatively good life but she still has dreams and ponder son them. So when she starts hearing a voice inside her head from a powerful necromancer, she starts questioning things, particularly if she is truly meant to just be a battery and what living a life means.

You get a nice contrast between both of the points of view, first in the environment (inside and outside of the Empire), but also in personality and approaches. Loran can use strength more than brain (not that she doesn’t use her brain), whereas Arienne has to use her brain first before her strength. And yet, both of them have to learn how to wield their own power and what a life lived means, and what that implies for the Empire, because if they use what they have, they are enemies of the Empire and all they can truly do is find a way to make having a future a reality.

I enjoyed this so much, it was so interesting seeing both of them slowly become heroines and also work through their own preconceptions and ideals, try to fight not just the Empire but their own internal battles.

If you like epic fantasy with high stakes, magic, swordswomen, dragons, and necromancy, this is the book for you.

Subscription Boxes

Moon Hauls – Ride or Die Illumicrate

Posted on January 20, 2026

Subscription box: Illumicrate

Theme/Month: Ride or Die, December 2024

Ownership: Subscribed on their 6 boxes option. If you are interested in purchasing an Illumicrate subscription, you can do it on their website.

Somehow this turned to be a very blue box and we’re like a year behind in box content, but let’s check how Illumicrate ended 2024, starting with the top left:

The featured book was Hammajang Luck by Makana Yamamoto, and I admit this didn’t really catch my eye or has made me want to read it, so not read and not really on the TBR but the book design here looks stunning.
The Raven Cycle bookmarks, again, I am generally not a fan of character art bookmarks so this is a pass for me.
Jade City inspired mug, and I love their mugs so this is a win for me.
A really cute embroidered pouch inspired by The Last Hours Between Worlds which still lives rent free in my head a year later.
A 2025 calendar that was stand alone rather than requiring hanging, which was a huge win becasue this calendar lived on my bookcase and made me very happy all of last year.
Finally the leaflet for the month.

Overall it was a bit of a mix of a box, the book and bookmarks were a miss for me completely, but the mug and calendar where big wins and the pouch is very nice (not in use currently, but kept) so I would say it was an interesting end to the year. I do love particularly having a calendar that doesn’t require hanging and for me this was probably the biggest win. I am still subscribed to their boxes and only skipped February from 2025, so I’d say even despite some of the misses we’re still winning.

Book Review

Moon Reads: The Firelight Apprentice

Posted on November 21, 2025

The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen

Rating: MoonKestrel Logo2 20px Grey

The Firelight Apprentice follows sisters Ada and Safi in a city that is powered by magic and recovering from a devastating war. Ada is the responsible sister making sure things work out and they are alive, but she can see Safi is developing powers of magic and knows that her sister could benefit from becoming an apprentice to a magician, but she also wants to keep her sister safe and near.

Still she decides to let her sister join a group a travelling magicians who offer to take her on as an apprentice as they see hSafi’s powers and what could be. Safi of course id delighted to be learning and developing her magic, but there are still forces of darkness lurking, particularly a lich that is power hungry and ready to steal it from those that have magic.

I’ve loved Bree’s other books and so had preordered this one, not sure why it took me forever to actually upload the review, but it was a good read. It wasn’t the same as the Garlic series, but it still had these interesting conflict of growth and what happens as you grow and who becomes your friends and allies, and how to make that work for you being yourself.

The magical world was super interesting as was the magic that exists, I feel a little like it is the same world where Garlic and the Vampire happen but maybe a different much civilised area since this is a city. Still, it was a nice addition to the collection and a good read.

Book Review

Moon Reads: A Grave Inheritance

Posted on November 18, 2025

A Grave Inheritance by Falicty Epps

Rating:

I can’t remember what made me choose this book, probably that it was about death, seances and it was purple.

It was a pretty funky and fun read where Dolores, our main character is convinced she’s dying since she doesn’t really know how to grieve the death of her older sister or the death of her father before that. Instead, she is now the sole inheritor of the family fortune and she mostly spends it indoors in mourning attire.

But she is suddenly seeing her sister’s ghost and her best friend has come back to stay, and there is a lotions and potions shop that has an interesting array of services. And suddenly Dolores finds herself investigating her sister’s death which appears to not have been due to illness and her wasting away, but a murder.

So Dolores and her best friend try to find someone who can talk to spirits so they can communicate with her sister’s ghost, and as they get closer and closer to finding the culprit of her sister’s (and maybe her father’s too), things start getting also deathly for Dolores and her life is in danger.

The drama and chaos was funny, with a lot of thought about how we handle grief, what love or lack of it is, and what we do to isolate ourselves and can miss because we’re wrapped in our thoughts and sadness. It was nice to see Dolores “come to life” as she interacts with more people and has a “purpose” to live for.

Overall, it was a fun spooky read with a nice cast of chaos and a very Victorian setting that makes for a good place to try mysteries with ghosts.

Subscription Boxes

Moon Hauls: Time is Running Out Illumicrate

Posted on November 14, 2025

Subscription box: Illumicrate

Theme/Month: Time is Running Out, November 2024

Ownership: Subscribed on their 6 boxes option. If you are interested in purchasing an Illumicrate subscription, you can do it on their website.

Time is running out is a hell of a theme, makes me think of Catch me if you can or inception, or similar films, so let’s see how we did with the theme and items, startingwith the featured book and going clockwise:

The featured book was The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso. And I have actually read (and reviewed) this book, before I even got the book box, and really enjoyed it, it was a really good choice.
The Vagabond Quick tumbler, which I like these but I already have one I keep so this went as a gift since I only really keep one or two of them, but they are quite hardy and long lasting.
Socks, divine rights socks. I love getting nice socks in book boxes, so this was a win and they are still in rotation and have been used a lot.
The monthly leaflet.
A Jump into Alternate Realities book pot. I love these pots and I think I kept this one because it is very fun!
One More Chapter coin. Basically to help you stop reading when you say “one more chapter”, toss and it will tell if you go ahead or not. Love the idea of it and I rarely ever actually follow it but I still find it very fun.

This was a very good and nice bok, and I have fond memories of reading the book, which was super enjoyable, and the socks are as always awesome to get, so I was pretty pleased with Novemeber and what it brought even if there was no running around to try to make time last longer (though if you get philosophical, then time goes back to normal around this time of year and the darkness wraps around making time seem shorter).

Book Review

Moon Reads: Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth

Posted on November 11, 2025

Narwhal’s Sweet Tooth by Ben Clanton

Rating:

Every time I see there’s a new Narhwal and Jelly book I am very happy for it.

The series is very funny and cute and perfect for little ones. The artwork feels a bit like drawn with a crayon and it is so fun. Narwhal is always so peppy even when bad things happen.

In this one, Narwhal’s “horn” which is actually a tooth starts seeing the effects of having too many sweet things and ahs a crack, which hurts Narwhal, and so JElly and Narwhal go around trying to figure out how to fix it and cheer Narwhal up.

As always, sheaningans, waffles and lots of fun happen and this was very cute, with some interesting facts about Narwhal horns/tooth.

I just want to know what happens next, because Jelly seems to have softened a lot now that they’re good friends with Narwhal.