Memoir The Dressmaker’s Daughter by Kate Llewellyn This is the first book going towards my mini-reading challenge this year and possibly my first official memoir (I had read a partial one from a beta-reader swap that I was in from being a women’s writer group some years back) but the book itself has nothing toContinue reading “Moonlake’s Book Discoveries- June 2026”
Author Archives: moonlakeku
I didn’t know I enjoy…
The jump-off line is from Things I didn’t know I loved by Nazim Hikmet. I didn’t know I enjoy stories featuring animals or emphasizing cuteness. I’m not much of an animal or cutesy person but I’m very much empathic. I can dive into others’ passions and what they enjoy, through reading. I didn’t know IContinue reading “I didn’t know I enjoy…”
Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (2): Heroes versus Questors for Immortality
When we talk about “heroes”, we tend to assume a shared structure. But once you compare Chinese and Western contexts, the difference becomes clearer. Broadly speaking, Western stories tend to centre on the idea of a hero. Chinese traditions are less consistent on that front, and in modern fantasy, the structure shifts again. In theContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (2): Heroes versus Questors for Immortality”
Broadening Horizons 2026
The Lord I left by Scarlett Peckham This is the replacement Religious Romance novel I found but it’s actually more religious romance with elements of erotica. Not saying it bothers me but nothing about the story really speaks to me personally. But I mean, most romances don’t. I am only attracted to certain types ofContinue reading “Broadening Horizons 2026”
Why you should Pick Me
The jump off line is from Why you should pick me by Zoe Wagner. Why you should Pick Me:
Revisiting the Character Grid
I had actually switched back into doing the character grid for the twin sister story (the other project is now officially on hold although now I am itching to turn my Fate-turned-Cortex game into a novel with a different campaign premise than the one I am running now and have started plotting it as aContinue reading “Revisiting the Character Grid”
Remarkable Woman in Ancient China (28)- Empress Dou Miao
Who is she? An Empress in the Eastern Han era, one of the six Empresses who reigned at Court during that era. Notable life events: Moonlake’s thoughts on her: I just thought it interesting that she combines political acumen and jealousy (deemed a dismerit in women back in those days). Of course, it’s not thatContinue reading “Remarkable Woman in Ancient China (28)- Empress Dou Miao”
Small kindnesses
The jump-off line is from Small Kindnesses by Danusha Lameris Small kindnesses:
Broadening Horizons 2026 (1)- Religious romance
I have decided on religious romance for the romance part of this year’s Broadening Horizon Read. I was reading The Italian by Anne Radcliffe. But then I decided to abandon it- it was published in the late 1700s so had some archaic English that I don’t quite take to and plus the pace is reallyContinue reading “Broadening Horizons 2026 (1)- Religious romance “
Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (1): Dragons
I am starting a new post series that compares elements of Chinese fantasy versus Western fantasy. For the very first post, I am going to focus on dragons. When we say “dragon”, we are often assuming a shared idea. But that assumption doesn’t really hold once you compare Chinese and Western contexts. Broadly speaking, theContinue reading “Chinese vs Western Fantasy: A comparison of Elements (1): Dragons”
Moonlake's Fiction Space 