Book Review

Moon Reads: A Grave Inheritance

A Grave Inheritance by Falicty Epps

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.


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.

Book Review

Moon Reads: The Marvellous Moon Map

The Marvellous Moon Map by Teresa Heapy and David Litchfield

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

Read before: No

Ownership: Gifted by a friend from my wishlist.

Spoiler free review: No.

Mouse is excited to set off and find the moon following the Marvellous Moon Map, but his friend Bear worries about how he will manage and if he is well prepared. Mouse starts the adventure in high spirits but as the time goes by, the woods get darker, the weather gets worse and suddenly a map isn’t enough to get by and find the moon.

Thankfully Bear was worried and so prepared a way to save Mouse. They do make it to the moon and Mouse realises how valuable true friendship is and how having friends makes discoveries and things more fun and better, plus easier to deal with.

This is one of those books that are good for read aloud or just letting a young reader go through. The pictures tell most of the story but it has dialogue so also quite fun either way. The artwork is stunning and I was happy to read it and pause to see all the details of what is happening to Mouse, and Bear once he joins the adventure.

Recommended for those wanting a book about friendship for children, a nice read as an adult, something about the moon or cute artwork of animals, it is very soft in colours and feeling.