The Constellation of Moon

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart Review

Posted on October 3, 2018

The Dragon With the Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis

Aventurine is the fiercest, bravest dragon there is. And she’s ready to prove it to her family by leaving the safety of their mountain cave and capturing the most dangerous prey of all: a human. But when the human she finds tricks her into drinking enchanted hot chocolate, Aventurine is transformed into a puny human girl with tiny blunt teeth, no fire, and not one single claw.

But she’s still the fiercest creature in the mountains — and now she’s found her true passion: chocolate! All she has to do is get herself an apprenticeship (whatever that is) in a chocolate house (which sounds delicious), and she’ll be conquering new territory in no time…won’t she?

Rating:

Please excuse me, for some reason I emptied this when I added the picture and somehow can’t recover my delightful review. So this time it will be a short review, because sometimes one doesn’t need more.

This book redefines some concepts on dragons, or rather, makes them more fun. Introduces the concept of a food mage (I am a food mage for sure, if I can’t be a dragon).

Also, there is a chocolate house (that isn’t made of chocolate, sadly) and lots of hot chocolate with chilli (which makes my Mexican heart ver so happy).

There is aloso Silke and Marina and Horst, and I just wanted to grab everyone and hug them and go have some chocolate in their chocolate house because it is like a dream come true.

Books, Subscription Boxes

Magic and Mayhem Illumicrate Special Edition

Posted on October 1, 2018

Look at that, you get a massive outside the puzzle picture, because this box was jampacked with delightful V.E. Schwab themed things and I was running out of table to showcase them!

Starting from the top left corner and going clockwise:

Double sided tote bag by Rowa Tree. It is a very sturdy bag and it is grey, so happy me.
An enamel mug by Temporary Places (I have a love/hate relationship with enamel mugs. They’re good for camping, but they can burn your hands easily as they get quite hot).
A pouch (decent size) with one of my favourite quotes from VE. Schwab, by Stella Bookish Art.
Tarot style cards by Lorena Lammer (They made me think a lot of Mucha style).
Vengeful special edition. It is very similar to the original but in red. There was also a letter from Victoria herself.
Four Londons scarf (it is quite thick and I am looking forward to wearing it) by Fable & Black
Character bookmarks by Merwild.
Villains inspired pin by Fable & Black.
Lila and Kell at the ball by Victoria Ying.
Illumicrate Victor Vale style book sleeve, which made me very happy to see in the box (and that the book was inside).
Four Londons postcards by Moledro Craft Co.
Four Londons candle (I squealed when I say that it was layered) by Amelia’s Kitchen Candles.
As Tascen water bottle by Crini.
As Travars keyring (absolutely made my day and made me smile also by Fable & Black.

I’ve seen other special edition boxes in general but this felt absolutely perfect to me, and it was amazing.

Books, Subscription Boxes

Masters of Disguise Owlcrate Unboxing

Posted on September 29, 2018

In case you didn’t know, I used to be subscribed to Owlcrate (I only missed out on their first 3 boxes) for a long time, but then I got a bit tired of it (at the time they were using very similar items/same shops in every single box). The nice thing is they’re much better now so I restarted it :).

Starting from the book and going clockwise:

Mirage by Somaiya Daud. In an owlcrate exclusive cover that I have to admit I am loving so much!
Theme magaizne/zine.
A gorgeous ceramic mug (that looks like an enamel one, which for me is a MASSIVE win, enamel are perfect but difficutl to hold because heat!)
A delightful bath soak that foams (win once again!)
ADSOM Lila Bard print
A nail polish from publisher to promote Grim Lovelies.
Six of Crows fingerless mittens (they are gorgeous, love the button detail).
Apple mint lip balm (this is always a welcome item in a book box as my bf steals them from me once it starts getting cooler/wintery).
Theme card and pin.

I was delighted by this box so here I come for the next one!

Book Review, Books

Jinxed Review

Posted on September 27, 2018

Jinxed by Amy McCulloch

Lacey Chu has big dreams of becoming a companioneer for MONCHA, the largest tech firm in North America and the company behind the “baku” – a customisable smart pet that functions as a phone but makes the perfect companion too. When Lacey finds out she hasn’t been accepted into Profectus – the elite academy for cutting edge tech – it seems her dreams are over. Worst of all, rather than getting to choose one of the advanced bakus, she’s stuck with a rubbish insect one.

Then, one night, Lacey comes across the remains of an advanced baku. Once it might’ve been in the shape of a cat but it’s now mangled and broken, no sign of electronic life behind its eyes. Days of work later and the baku opens its eyes. Lacey calls him Jinx – and Jinx opens up a world for her that she never even knew existed, including entry to the hallowed halls of Profecus. Slowly but surely, Jinx becomes more than just a baku to Lacey – he becomes her perfect companion. But what is Jinx, really? His abilities far surpass anything written into his code or built into his motherboard. He seems to be more than just a robotic pet. He seems … real.

Rating:

The first chapter after the prologue had me complete head over heels with it. My engineer’s heart adored reading about a teenager soldering (because I did it too, and worked with circuits, bread boards, etc).

I loved seeing a girl being the one behind the electronics with a female “hero”, role model, and also having at heart the fact that she wants to make things better for her mother who has done a lot for her.

The concept of the baku was also delightful, though I admit a few parts of it puzzled me (like the leash, they pierce your ear but is the leashing wireless, wired, or how does it work? also, piercings take a long time to heal the nasty things, so it’d be quite intriguing that it works so immediately), but all in all I am liking the concept. I can see pros and cons for it and that makes me happy because I work in technology so this was definitely the book for me.

I wasn’t too keen on the romance, but I can see why Lacey would feel the way she did. Also, Jinx is a fun character and seeing him grow too alongside Lacey was wonderful. I can’t wait for the sequel.

Moon recommends

So if you are (or used to be) a teenager that is into technology or is intrigued by it, definitely recommend this cute book. You can also check Amy’s other books, Potion Diaries.

Book Review, Books

Nimona Review

Posted on September 25, 2018

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism!

Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren’t the heroes everyone thinks they are.

But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona’s powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.

Rating:

Back in my teenage years when I used to read a lot of webcomics, Nimona was one of those I stumbled upon and would eagerly await the next page (some webcomics updated/update once a week, others twice, if you’re lucky, a lot have hiatus where they have guest comics coming in).

When I saw it in Waterstones it was like stepping back to the past and reminding myself how much I loved webcomics. (Nowadays I only follow a couple) SO of course I got a copy of it. And I read through it in bed before sleeping. It made me smile, and it made me remeber how much I liked it.

The art work is nice and cute, the story is original and fun. Worth a read, specially if you like Lumberjanes and Moonstruck.

Subscription Boxes

Staycation Yume Twins Unboxing

Posted on September 23, 2018

With a theme such as staycation, how could I resist this box? It was extra cute which was perfect for a cheering up after a long work day. Starting on the cute bird plushie:

There where six different birds that you could get, they’re all round and cute and super soft (shame you can’t share textures online). I didn’t have a particular preference this time, so I was happy with the one I got.
The Staycation “magazine” which explains items, and other bits and bobs.
A Hello Kitty travel toothbrush. Previously they did a My Melody one and it is one of the handiest things ever, so I was glad to get another one (and I like anything Sanrio)
Zipper Bags, they look like “mason jars” but are actually sturdy zipper bags. They seem ideal for snacks but I would want to use them for things that can be washed out and then reuse them. They’re very very cute.
A Little Twin Stars shopping bag. It comes in its own carrying bag and once again, it is sturdy and it is also lovely.
Disney Tsum Tsum water tumbler. It was one of the first things I unboxed and I immediately thought of a friend who likes Disney a lot and it made me smile.
Sticky tabs with cute motifs. I recently have been using this type of things more and more as I read and note things in stories that I’d like to remember or share out, so this are welcome.

Book Review

The Gilded King Review

Posted on September 21, 2018

The Gilded King by Josie Jaffrey

In the Blue, the world’s last city, all is not well.

Julia is stuck within its walls. She serves the nobility from a distance until she meets Lucas, a boy who believes in fairytales that Julia’s world can’t accommodate. The Blue is her prison, not her castle, and she’d escape into the trees if she didn’t know that contamination and death awaited humanity outside.

But not everyone in the Blue is human, and not everyone can be contained.

Beyond the city’s boundaries, in the wild forests of the Red, Cameron has precious little humanity left to lose. As he searches for a lost queen, he finds an enemy rising that he thought long dead. An enemy that the humans have forgotten how to fight.

One way or another, the walls of the Blue are coming down. The only question is what side you’ll be on when they do.

Rating:

Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

This book really pulled some punches on me. Starting with the fact at first I just couldn’t get into Cam’s chapters as much and part of me wanted to get through with them to go back to Julia’s.

And then all of a sudden I felt completely the opposite and I wanted more Cam chapters than Julia’s.

Not that either was bad, but more that at times one was more intriguing to me than the other. The concept of The Silvers/Nobles/Izcacus/etc is neat and I like that even a little bit of Lestat was into this book. They don’t glitter (yes!, thousand times yes!) and they are in a much more futuristic setting rather than going to the past or the present/contemporary.

Instead you have an intriguing dystopia that keeps you asking questions and trying to figure out which side is right, why are they doing what they are doing, and who exactly is right and wrong in their assumptions. I breezed through it and really loved. Then I realised that the next one isn’t out yet (why are you doing this to me world?!).

Moon Recommends

So, I guess my advice this time is to buy this one, preorder A Bargain in Silver and go curl up into a ball until it comes out and you can read more about Emmy.

Book Review

Orgo Runners: The First Collection Review

Posted on September 19, 2018

Orgo Runners: The First Collection by R.J. Furness (Illustrations by Amy Leslie)

R.J. Furness, author of the “dissent” books, brings you Orgo Runners…

This the first of many AMAZING adventures, featuring the orgo!!

In a future ice-age…

Living in Port Harmony, Fayth and her friends are among the greatest at riding orgo! But when they are forced to become Food Runners, they embark on a dangerous journey to deliver supplies to Scorr Tanta.

Will their skill at riding orgo help them succeed in their mission?

Rating:

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start this by saying I love my little orgo and if you follow me on Twitter you may have seen Trey going on adventures under the tags #iwantanorgo and #orgoadventures. The latest one was visiting Paddington Bear.

So now unto the actual review of the book.

The first few pages I read were very confusing and it took me a little bit to actually get into the story (I just felt like I was thrown into it and couldn’t grasp well what was going on). But afterwards, it started on a good foot and stayed there. I love the creatures, do not like the way people are treated.

Without spoiling much, I can say that the subplots in each adventure (and in all adventures over all because some carry over) keep you wanting to go on reading just to figure out if your guess is right, or if they’ll make it, or what new thing Ink will manage to produce and use.

It is also lovely they are a rag tag bunch of teenagers trying to make the most of their lives and managing as best as they can (and the fact that they don’t have everything in control, or all the answers at any given moment was refreshing to read, and to see them fail sometimes and just wipe off the dust and keep trying a different way).

The little search game had me looking for them in every illustration until I figured it out (the illustrations are very cute too and made it a bit easier to imagine things) which was a lovely bonus to the book (and I found them all! woohoo).

Moon recommends

Try out Orgo Runners. I would also recommend checking out The Apprentice Witch.

Book Review

It Ends With You Review

Posted on September 17, 2018

It Ends With You by S. K. Wright

‘If I’d told the truth, it would have been fiction’

Everyone loves Eva. Beautiful, bright, fun, generous – she’s perfect.

So when her dead body is found in a ditch in the local woods the only thing anyone wants to know is: Who could have done this?

It has to be Luke, her boyfriend. He has the motive, the means, the opportunity and he’s no stranger to the police.

Even though the picture is incomplete, the pieces fit. But as time passes, stories change.

Told from six narrative strands, this cleverly woven and utterly compulsive novel challenges preconceptions; makes you second, third and fourth guess yourself; and holds an uncomfortable mirror up to the way societies and systems treat those they perceive to be on the outside

Rating:

The best way to describe this book is to say that it started not too creepy and then it kept throwing plot twists at you that were surprising.

I loved finding out all of Eva’s “dirty” secrets and seeing how even then everyone was still sure Luke had done (despite the evidence that was shown). It was also sad to see how people react when someone comes from a less privileged background or are just different and that was quite interesting to read too.

The many relationships between families, between friends, between couples, and teachers, students, figures of authority and in general society were quite interesting to see.

The format made it fun to read (I do wonder if it will “age” well, as who knows how long some of the things used will stay). And even though I usually do not like having too many POV, this book makes the most of it and does it well.

Moon recommends

Read It Ends With You, I read it really fast and didn’t want to put it down. You may also enjoy One of Us is Lying or A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (coming out next year). They’re all along the same vibe and lines and all good to read.

Books

A second year of Book Box Club

Posted on September 15, 2018

I had been waiting for a while to have this post out but now is the time!

Happy birthday Book Box Club! Two years old and I have had every single box.

Sadly I was a silly person and gave away (or lent or gifted) book from the first year, but alas I was smarter this year and here it is!

13 gorgeous books for a year (The Bear and the Nightingale came int he same box as The Girl in the Tower) that has had some very intriguing reads (and others not so much). As I look at the books I can’t choose a single favourite.

The boxes have been amazing and there has been a bit of lore and a bit of futuristic vibes and some dystopia and magic and it has been good.

I hope this third year we are starting will bring even more good books (and I can keep guessing the books and have to cancel a preorder, woops!).

But seriously, I have come back from a week’s worth holiday spending time with our squad. A squad that was started thanks to Book Box Club. So thank you Kate and Libby for all the love, the books, and for helping us find good friends!

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