Tag: fantasy

Subscription Boxes

Moon Hauls: Darkly Decadent Illumicrate

Posted on

Subscription box: Illumicrate

Theme/Month: Darkly Decadent, June 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.

Darkly Decadent sounds like a luscious theme choice, even if for some reason today typing “decadent” just has not worked out well for me (I’ve made every typo possible on it somehow). And I think the theme was done pretty well, so let’s see what the box had, starting from the top and going clockwise:

  • A picnic blanket inspired by House of Hollow, this one lives in my car, and hasn’t been used much purely because I haven’t had many outings that are picnic material (most of my use of the car is commuting style rather than leisure drives along the countryside, maybe I should do that more…)
  • The monthly leaflet. I admit that I wish the theme was less vague icons, I miss more detailed theme images (though I do like that they’re very good hints of the book inside and I really appreciate that).
  • One of the gorgeous mugs by RosieThorns88, these are almost always a keeper (unless a friend wants one or the image is not really my thing). This one is inspired by The Last of the Flower Bride which I have on my TBR.
  • Hungerstone inspired recipe cards. This was probably my favourite item because I have several binders of recipes and I also have a recipe card box so this fits perfectly with it.
  • A spoon rest that is super gorgeous, inspired by This Ravenous Fate.
  • And finally the featured book, A Treachery of Swans by A. B. Poranek, which is still on my TBR, and a very pretty edition.

So I think this is a competitor to best box of the year for Rival Realms (April 2025), and probably just a tiny bit higher on the list, but it is a tough fight. Everything but the leaflet has a use and some are actively in use, and they are all useful items that aren’t just gathering dust. I change my spoon rests and just enjoy a good cup of tea/coffee. I think the only sad side for both boxes is I have yet to read both books.

  • Nested Soul Mug, inspired by The Last Tale of the Flower Bride, artwork by RosieThorns88
  • The Darkness Within Picnic Blanket, inspired by House of Hollow, artwork by Kristin Heldt
  • The Saint Empire Spoon Rest, inspired by This Ravenous Fate, artwork by Adrianne Bresijn
  • For What Do You Hunger Recipe Cards, inspired by Hungerstone, artwork by Julie Reinhart
Book Review

Moon Reads: Rune The Tale of a Thousand Faces

Posted on

Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez

Rating: MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px Grey

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.

Last year I saw this book in the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize selection and decided to read it since it looked interesting.

The first thing I will say is that it has deaf representation and the “made up language” is based on sign language, which was suer interesting to have in a graphic novel and I enjoyed this.

Our story follows Chiri and her best friend Dai, they both live in an orphanage next to a deep dark forest. While they scavenge for ingredinets for Chiri to make a new culinary experiment, they get plunged into a secret kingdom called Puddin’. This kingdom is suffering under the Thousand Faces Monster, from which Chiri and Dai will try to help the kingdom and defeat the monster.

As all graphic novel’s for kids in a magicla secret kingdom, this one follows a series of small quests and puts our friends to the test, and we get to meet some allies to help. And the artwork for it was delightful, alongisde the fact that the secret kingdom has a lot of focus on food and magic, which is perfect for Chiri and Dai, even if Dai is not as brave as Chiri. But it is a cute read and I can understand why this was selected as a nominee for the prize. It was a delight to read and it was quite fun.

Book Review

Moon Reads: Paladin’s Grace

Posted on

Paladin’s Grace by T. Kingfisher

Rating: MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px

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.

I will start this review with two clarifications, this was not my first T. Kingfisher book (Nettle & Bone was and I enjoyed it very much), and that I did not read this on paperback but rather listened to the audiobook narrated by Joel Richards, who did an amazing job narrating the book.

The first thing we learn is that Stephen is a paladin, but of a dead god, one that died all of a sudden (and apparently the only one that has). And Paladin’s for different god’s do different things, and Stephen’s Saint of Steel was all about fighting and giving his Paladin’s the gift of basically becoming berserkers that do their holy duty and then leave a trail of blood and death once the job is done. Normally their job is to defend and collaborate with others. But now that their god is dead, the few leftover paladin’s are left broken since the majority died when their god died, consumed by grief and the berserker gift.

Stephen’s doing his best to cope by helping the Temple of the Rat (another god who doesn’t have paladins but that welcomed them and makes use of them to help everyone), and it is while finishing one of his duties for them that he finds Grace in an alley and they witness an assassination attempt go wrong. And somehow, the chance encounter becomes a repeated meeting due to circumstances.

Now they need to navigate a web of politics, treachery and a killer who seems to love separating bodies from their heads.

The novel is delightful, Grace is a perfumer trying to make a life for herself, and Stephen is a sweet man trying to do his duty and be kind, and he’s slowly falling in love with her while they try to investigate the assassination and the murders that keep happening in the city.

I don’t even know how to describe the story, but I loved all the bits, including Stephen knitting socks to pass the time, and the introspective of trying to find a purpose after his god died (how do you live and make a life when your purpose died suddenly. It is a lovely romance but it is also a murder mystery and there’s politics and intrigue, everything to make a good book.

Subscription Boxes

Moon Hauls: Ancient Artefacts Illumicrate

Posted on

Subscription box: Illumicrate

Theme/Month: Ancient Artefacts, May 2025

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

It amuses me that usually after a really good box (for me) the next one is a bit of a miss. And so I am not surprised that this is the case, but let’s start with the background an then go left to right clockwise:

  • A satin pillow case which is all slippery and interesting, but did you know satin is a weave rather than a material? So it is not the same as a silk pillow case (if your aim is to protect your hair and your skin). But I do not expect Illumicrate to be giving us silk pillowcases, this is more a random fact that came to mind. I am not crazy about satin or silk pillow cases as they are a bit slippery for me and a bit too cold. But the design is lovely!
  • The main book which was A Song of Legends Lost by M. H. Ayinde, and honestly this is a book not on my radar and not super interested in it, not sure I will read it or maybe I will someday.
  • A replica bow, to be a difference from the daggers which I thought was cool and pretty.
  • The monthly leaflet with contents, the photo challenge and more info on the book.
  • A “Buy a Book” decision coin, I love the idea of it, which is pretty fun.
  • And finally a cute little plant pot inspired by What The River Knows.

Overall I can appreciate the contents, and probably will use the plant pot and the coin but the rest is a bit of a miss so it feels a bit weak. I am probably feeling that after the box from April blew me away. Still, decent content and a read that I wouldn’t always pick, making me read outside of my usual sometimes.

Book Review

Moon Reads: The Trident and The Pearl

Posted on

The Trident and the Pearl by Sarah K. L. Wilson

Rating: MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px Grey

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.

I am not a big follower of romantasy, mostly because I do like my romance and my fantasy but I don’t always want romance to take over the fantasy part. However, this sounded pretty interesting and made me curious.

I will start by saying that the actual rating is 3.75 not 3.5 but I do not have a way to make it that number via fox rating. The reason it gets this rating is more or less because of how the book declined the closer it got to the end.

Our story starts strong. Queen Coralys says goodbye to her husband who is going to try and save people during a hurricane/storm that is about to end their island and reign. She then goes to make a deal with her god, which according to her she doesn’t actually believe in, and gets an interesting bargain. Her people will be saved, but she will have to marry the first person to touch harbor and become their profession and life, so more or less it is a “sacrifice your Crown for your people” and she’s willing to do this. Now, we find out that her husband dies during the storm and she’s grieving, which odd request from the god, but oh well. And then we learn about her customs of her island etc. Which to be fair, end up being pretty irrelevant to the story, which was a bit sad.

Somehow the first person to arrive is a fisher man who has a horrible wound, god given, that won’t close. Coralys is still grieving but she gives the impression of being a superb queen and not spoiled and not your regular main character for a fairy tale or a romantasy. Sadly this lasts about a third of the book and then we get the trope of they can’t communicate.

Her new husband is a fisher man indeed who says he is the Fisher King, and Coralys is thick as bricks and has no imagination so she doesn’t figure out who her husband really is until extremely late, after every single piece of evidence has slapped her repeatedly in the face. And this is part of the reasons the book didn’t get a high rating.

The world building is incredible, how gods work, what makes a god a god, what causes gods to war against each other, and how the people can communicate with them and all that interaction, fascinating. Oke, the fisher king and Coralys’ new husban, also incredibly awesome. He is trying to allow her to grieve, give her space so that being husband and wife is not a responsibility and a burden for Coralys. Like he is a cinnamon roll who is sparing Coralys from a lot of things. And Coralys is anything but the Queen she supposedly was. The Coralys we get has convenient grief for the plot (always incredibly convinient and never comes around if the plot doesn’t require it, and yes I know grief is funky and so forth but in this case, it is too noticeable to just accept it as grief is a beast), is thick as bricks, has no idea what communication is (despite being a Queen and having been married before and had counselors, etc), and mostly lets the plot happen to her, which felt a waste of Oke and the actual plot.

The plot is interesting if Coralys wasn’t such a puppet of it. The romance is not really there at all. Well, we can see Oke being nice to her, trying to give her space while doing his many responsibilities, making sure to make time for her too amongst everything else, etc. And then Coralys is adamant on revenge for her dead husband, but you also can’t believe she is blinded by it, because she only cares when it is needed for the plot.

Still, plot was cool. I think the book needed another pass or two on edits to make Coralys actually be more fleshed out as she’s pretty much a blank puppet who says she is something but doesn’t really make sense at all with her actions or motivations or anything. She genuinely is just there to let the plot happen.

Would I read the second book? Yes probably, since I do like the world and I am curious to see what will happen. Would I say everyone should read this book? No, but if you enjoy romantasy and want a cool world with gods and chaos, and a nice male main character, this is a good one to have.

Book Review

Moon Reads: The Book of Fallen Leaves

Posted on

The Book of Fallen Leaves by A. S. Tamaki

Rating: MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px

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.

When Orbit announced this book I was in a Ghost of Tsushima mindset preparing for Ghost of Yotei, so of course I had to read it and review it. The description of it felt like it suited my gamer mind and would fit anyone else who enjoyed the games (yes, it is not actually anything to do with them, but I feel like they are a good match in how they approach Japan and Samurai with some mysticism and magic).

I haven’t written a review for Ghost of Tsushima or Ghost of Yotei, which are both games on Playstation. I mostly don’t have a review because I don’t have screenshots to share, but I loved the first game and also the second one. So if you as a gamer, enjoyed them, then the quickest review I can give you is, that this is a similar feeling to playing through the Ghost games but as a book and you have more character points of view.

If you are not a gamer and your eyes are glazing over why I would recommend this book, I am sorry, I will now review it as a book lover. The Book of Fallen Leaves follows Rui, who is a commoner, a no’in, and Sen who is the surviving son of a clan lord that tried to rebel against the Emperor and was caught. Both of them in their own ways feel a little bit at a loss on their purpose and life, and there’s something tugging at them that “there’s more than this provincial life” for them. Circumstances put them into the path of a civil war and various schemes that are political and some that involve the gods too.

Overall I did enjoy the book a lot, however I will say that the introduction or prologue is superb and then it just doesn’t measure up for the first third of the book. That first third is slow, it is doing a lot of trying to set up the politics and in some ways it over explains things while trying to keep a sense of mystery (which fell a bit flat for me after the start, maybe if the start hadn’t been such a punch, this wouldn’t have been such a contrast).

You are also introduced to a bazillion characters and each of their points of view, which again, felt slightly a bit too much without giving enough significant story, just a lot of backstory and setting each side character into their position for the real story to start. I do understand we needed a view into the Empire, the Capital and the factions brewing, but I feel like this could’ve happened in a different way and maybe be a little bit better. It ended up feeling slgihtly repetitive or dragging out certain chapters.

But, once the pieces are in the right places and we introduce Jobo, we go at better speed and then it is a chaotic adventure and I enjoyed the ride a lot. My favourite characters where Jobo, Rui and Sen’s sister (Sen to me was actually pretty boring over all, sorry!), because you get a delightful balance of politics, intrigue, mystery, magic and samurai life.

Overall, it was a fun read and I am curious to see what the next book will bring since the ending left a lot to ponder. And I recommend this if you like politics, Japan and samurai inspired books, and obviously magic martial arts (I would even say it gave me the vibes of Drunken Master Jackie Chan even if that’s not exactly what is going on here, but it was that type of fun chaos).

Subscription Boxes

Moon Hauls: Rival Realms Illumicrate

Posted on

Subscription box: Illumicrate

Theme/Month: Rival Realms, April 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.

This was such a purplebox and I really like purple sp automatic love of it, but let’s see what it had inside, and starting differently today at the botoom and going clockwise upwards:

  • A Gorgeous tote back which is super spacious, it is a favourite for conventions since it has a zipper (the only other better bag than this is a very similar one that I got at a convention, same design but it had two pockets inside). I’d love more bags like this one.
  • Cosmic Fray Suncatcher stickers. You basically put these on your windows and they are like shimmery sun catchers making the sun make pretty glass reflections inside the house, like the effect of having stained glass on your windows, but conveniently in a sticker. I have not stuck them because I am renting but I can’t wait to put them up!
  • A puzzle for Velaris, I love their puzzles so no complaints here.
  • The Raven Scholar, which I admit I haven’t read yet but it is on my list.
  • And the usual leaflet for the box

Overall I think I basically loved everything from this box and the only thing not really yet defined on is the book, but it looks like it is the right book for me. Probably best box of 2025 so far.

Book Review

Moon Rads – The Baker and the Bard

Posted on

The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught

Rating: MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px

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.

Felt like this fit nicely into the same vibes as our last book. The Baker and the Bard follows two friends, Juniper who is an apprentice at the local bakery, and Hadley who is a bard that performs at the local inn. The little adventure had in this book is sparked by a stranger requesting a specific pastry that requires magical mushrooms that need to be foraged since the baker doesn’t have them in stock easily.

Our two friends will then set off on a soft gentle adventure to the forest where they will also realise there’s a little mystery of something eating local crops and leaving a glowy goo behind. Might as well find magicla mushroom and solve the mystery, right?

The story is just cute with finding new creatures, a caretaker and a bit of understanding coexisting environments. I admit the story felt a bit shoe horned to just cover certain topics and at times it was a little weak but the art came into save it and honestly the art is the best part of this cosy adventure. It is still a very cute and cosy book which left me wanting some pastries and a nice cup of tea.

Book Review

Moon Reads – Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter

Posted on

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett

Rating: MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px MoonKestrel Logo2 20px

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.

This book was the perfect excuse to pull some cute cat plushies because why not, I have my own brand of “stray” cats.

I loved this book, probably even more the Emily Wilde’s series (and I enjoyed those a lot). And I am so so thankful to Orbit for the review copy because I was able to read the book before it came out and then I raved about it to other people (I do circus arts and I have an informal “book club” where we all read different things but weekly we talk about what we each read and recommend books to each other and this book has been one I’ve recommended a few times).

Anyway, to the actual review of this book. The short version of the review would be that this felt like I was reading a mix of the film and book versions of Howl’s Moving Castle (book version including the other two which rarely ever get included, but are so good), with Agnes being a little like Sophie and Havelock being like Howl. There is also like in the books, a much more involved sister and it is just very satisfying and wholesome and worth reading. Very cosy, very cute, you will want to visit a cat cafe and maybe watch Howl’s Moving Castle or read it afterwards.

Now the longer version, we start our story with Agnes trying to find a place to move into after a mage battle destroyed her previous shop front and the landlady she had cannot afford to fix the damage. Winter is coming and she needs a warm space for the cats and herself as she runs a cat charity to pick up strays. But most places she sees aren’t accepting her because she has cats. Until she finds the perfect shop, but she thinks she can’t afford it, despite being drawn to it over and over. Finally she decides to give in and just check it out, and somehow things work out in a way that is scary but feels meant to be. She’s quickly moving in and everything is pretty smooth, but then she starts getting weird visitors that go through her charity and into the basement of the shop.

To no one’s surprise, turns out she is a front for the most known mage ever Havelock, who is super famous and sought after. And well, as you would expect chaos ensues, with a magical battle between Havelock and another mage and our poor Agnes who loves keeping track of things and organisation struggles. But she’s practical and despite the fact she doesn’t agree with magic and mages, she will make the most of this chaos thank you very much.

She then goes on a mission (if you’ve seen Howl’s Moving there’s a scene that’s very similar to Sophie cleaning Howl’s Castle and it was so satisfying to read) to make things work out for this weird arrangement. But in some ways, she seems to be adopting Havelock as one of her strays and maybe, just maybe falling in lvoe with him despite her misgivings on magic and mages and the fact she thought she couldn’t love someone other than her husband who passed away two years before.

There’s a whole plot that I don’t want to spoil, but I definitely can say that this was adorable, very satisfying to read and honestly 100% worth it. I’d recommend it for the cosy factor, the magic, the Howl vibes, the pastries, the cats and the romance.

Subscription Boxes

Moon Hauls – Haunting Spirits Illumicrate

Posted on

Subscription box: Illumicrate

Theme/Month: Haunting Spirits, March 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.

I skipped February last year, the book and fandoms just weren’t my particular cup of tea (I think I usually skip one box a year if at all and I love that you can do this). So let’s see how March was, starting with the featured book and going clockwise:

  • The main book was The Prince Without Sorrow by Maithree Wijesekara which is on my list to read but still hasn’t been read.
  • Story book Setting magnet inspired by One Dark Window (we like this book so big win here), but in general I like the collection of storybook settings. The magnets are so pretty and perfect for my recipe cards that end up on the fridge.
  • A super awesome coaster inspired by The Jasmine Throne and the deathless waters (you’d need to read it to understand).
  • A book pot and I like the desing of this one so I kept it, but it’s currently packed in storage still.
  • Warden of the Wood embroidery kit which is on my pile of crafty projects to do because it is very cool, but I haven’t got to it yet (embroidery and crochet are the slowest craft projects for me at the moment since I don’t have a set space to do them so I keep having to setup, then move then lose momentum).

Overall the box was full of awesome bits and fandom I like so there wasn’t anything really wasted, big win in this case and I am pretty happy with the contents and over all the box and the look of it.