Book Confessions of an Ex-Ballerina

Book Review: When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

Title: When the Moon Hatched

By: Sarah A. Parker

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 718

Release Date: November 24th, 2024

Rating: ★★★★☆

Summary from Goodreads:

The Creators did not expect their beloved dragons to sail skyward upon their end. To curl into balls just beyond gravity’s grip, littering the sky with tombstones. With moons.

They certainly did not expect them to fall.

As a valued Elding Blade of the rebellion group Fíur du Ath, Raeve’s job is to kill. To complete orders and never get caught. When a renowned bounty hunter is employed by The Crown to capture a member of the Ath, Raeve’s world is turned upside down. Blood spills, hearts break, and Raeve finds herself at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles—a group of dual-beaded elementals who intend to turn her into a political statement. Only death will set her free.

Crushed beneath a mourning weight, Kaan Vaegor took the head of a king and donned his melted crown. Now on a tireless quest to assuage the never-ebbing ache in his chest, his hunt for a moonshard lures him into the belly of Gore’s notorious prison where he stumbles upon something that rips apart his perception of reality. A shackled miracle with eyes full of rage and blood on her hands.

The echo of the past sings louder than the Creators themselves, and even Raeve can’t ignore the truths blaring at her from a warmer, happier time.

However.

There’s more to this song than meets the eye, and some truths …

They’re too poisonous to swallow.

When the Moon Hatched is a fast-paced fantasy romance for fans of witty banter and strong, sassy protagonists. Beneath the cover is an immersive, vibrant world with mysterious creatures, a unique magic system, and a love that blazes through the ages.

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Review:

This book felt like stepping into a dream. The worldbuilding is lush and atmospheric. There’s magic, fate, and longing woven through every page, and I really loved how emotional the story felt without tipping into melodrama.

The characters were compelling, especially the MC, whose inner conflict carried just as much weight as the external stakes. That said, the pacing dragged a bit in the middle for me. Some scenes lingered longer than necessary, and I found myself wanting the plot to hatch a little faster. Once it picked up again, though, I was fully back in.

Overall, this was a beautifully written, moody fantasy with strong vibes and heart. Not quite a perfect read for me, but absolutely one I’d recommend if you love immersive worlds and slow burn tension.

Weekly Menu #645 And The Book Of The Week

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Turkey Kofta Bowls

Kids - Chicken and Rice Bowls

Tuesday

Smoked Sausage & White Bean Kale Stew

Kids - Sausage, Beans and Carrots

Wednesday

Pork Tenderloin with Gochujang Veggies

Kids - Cheese and Crackers

Thursday

Ground Sausage Egg Roll Skillet

Kids - Waffles and Nutella

Friday

Chilidogs

Kids - Birddogs

Saturday

Coconut Curry Chicken

Kids - Chicken and Rice

Sunday

Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #342

Sunday Book Confessions feels like opening the door to my reading life, sweeping the crumbs off the couch, and admitting that not every week is a whirlwind of five star magic. Sometimes it’s three star reads, unfinished chapters, mood slumps, and books I admire more than I love. This is the space where I get honest about what worked, what didn’t, and why that’s all part of being a reader, not a failure of one.

Sunday Confessions #341

Weekly Menu #644 And The Book Of The Week

Book Review: Strangers in Time by David Baldacci

What I Read Last Week - January 19th to 25th

Weekly Menu #645 And The Book Of The Week

Book Review: When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

What I Read Last Week - January 26th to February 1st

Sunday Confessions #343

28/250 2026 Reading Challenge

133/214 in my Star Wars Legends challenge

19/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge

16/102 2025 Goodreads Nominees Reading Challenge

So that’s this week’s confession. No dramatic plot twists, no literary thunderbolts, just a reminder that reading doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Some books stay with us forever, some simply pass through, and both have a place on the shelf. I’ll be back next Sunday with more thoughts, more honesty, and hopefully a little bit of bookish magic along the way.

What I Read Last Week - January 19th to 25th

3 Stars

This one felt like a quiet walk through the woods with someone who is very wise… and just not speaking my language. The ideas of reciprocity, gift economies, and abundance in nature are thoughtful and clearly heartfelt, but I never quite clicked with them the way I expected to.

Kimmerer’s writing is gentle and reflective, almost meditative, and I can see why this book resonates deeply with many readers. For me, though, the concepts stayed a bit abstract, and I found myself appreciating the intention more than the execution. I wanted something that grounded those ideas more firmly or challenged me in a way that felt personal.

Not a bad read by any means, just one that passed through my hands without really taking root.

3 Stars

Meltzer is a strong storyteller, and his writing is smooth and accessible, but the book leaned far more into biography and historical context than into the conspiracy promised by the title.

If you’re already familiar with JFK era history or past assassination theories, there isn’t much here that feels surprising or revelatory. I kept waiting for a deeper excavation of the plot itself, but instead got a broader, safer narrative that retraced familiar ground.

Well written and informative, just not the deep dive conspiracy exploration I was hoping for. Interesting, but not especially new.

3 Stars

This book definitely did its job intellectually. It challenged my assumptions, poked at my comfort zone, and made me pause more than once to reconsider how I think about policy, progress, and why big ideas stall out. There’s a lot here to chew on, and the arguments are laid out clearly and confidently.

That said, it never quite grabbed me. I appreciated the thinking, but I didn’t feel that spark, the kind that makes an idea linger in your bones or sends a chill of recognition down your spine. It felt more like a very smart conversation than a revelatory one.

Solid, thought provoking, and well argued, just not a book that left me buzzing when I turned the last page.

3 Stars

This one fits neatly into the category of dependable Star Wars storytelling. Familiar characters, clear stakes, and just enough Force fueled tension to keep the pages turning. It does exactly what a Star Wars novel should do, and it does it competently.

That said, it never really ignites. The plot moves along smoothly, but without many moments that linger or feel especially bold. I enjoyed the ride, I just didn’t come away thinking about it long after the credits rolled.

A solid entry for fans of the universe, enjoyable and serviceable, but not one of the standouts from a galaxy far, far away.

5 Stars

This book wrecked me in the quiet, honest way only the right story can. I cried more times than I can count. As someone recently acquainted with grief and loss, this felt less like reading and more like sitting with feelings I hadn’t found words for yet.

Mai Nguyen doesn’t soften the edges of grief. The emotions are raw, messy, and painfully human, and the characters move through their pain in ways that feel achingly real. There’s no rush to healing, no tidy bow. Just the slow, uneven journey of learning how to exist after everything has changed.

What stayed with me most was how seen I felt. The story doesn’t ask you to be brave or positive. It lets you be broken, exhausted, and unsure. And somehow, within all that heaviness, there’s tenderness and connection that makes the tears feel earned.

This is a beautiful, devastating read. If you’re grieving, or if you’ve ever loved someone who is, this book understands you. I’ll be carrying it with me for a long time.

Book Review: Strangers in Time by David Baldacci

Title: Strangers in Time

By: David Baldacci

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 435

Release Date: April 15th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

Summary from Goodreads:

During one of the fiercest conflicts the world has ever known, three strangers’ lives collide as they confront the raining bombs of their present and the explosive secrets of their past. Journey back to wartime London in this historical drama from the number one bestseller.

Charlie Matters’ life has always been a fight for survival. Orphaned with no prospects, Charlie steals what he needs, living day-to-day until he can enlist in the battle against the Germans. He miraculously emerges unscathed from the Blitz, but there’s no telling when the next bomb will fall, and whether it will be the one to end his life.

Molly Wakefield’s dreams of a joyful homecoming are all she’s had to hold on to after being evacuated to the countryside via ‘Operation Pied Piper’ five years before. But when she finally returns to the city, Molly faces a London changed beyond recognition, and the devastating news that neither of her parents are there, only her old nanny, Mrs. Pride.

Charlie and Molly’s paths converge when they both seek solace at ‘The Book Keep’, where they find an unexpected ally and protector in the bookshop’s owner, widower Ignatius Oliver. But the trio’s newfound peace is jeopardized as past secrets catch up with Charlie’s illicit activities have not gone unnoticed, an ominous shadow has trailed Molly since her return, and Ignatius is burdened by a secret that contributed to his wife’s death. Can they help one another survive this turbulent time? Or will they be ripped apart from the last people they hold dear?

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Review:

Strangers in Time was a different kind of World War II story than I’m used to reading. Baldacci takes a unique angle on the era, and while the book didn’t quite give me the emotional punch I usually look for in WWII fiction, it was still an engaging and well crafted read. The pacing, intrigue, and strong sense of atmosphere kept me turning pages, and I definitely enjoyed the experience, even if it didn’t hit me in the feels the way others in the genre do.