Let's Kill The Moon

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

This is a story about killing the moon.

When Marco and his fellow adventurers accept a mission in the town of Stockhagen, they expect the usual: fight some monsters, save some villagers, get paid. When the moon comes to life and begins to attack from above, things change a little.

The cruel grin in the sky is that of Skarann, god of chaos and savagery, who for centuries has laid dormant in the form of the moon. Awoken from his slumber (but still very much the moon), he wreaks havoc on Stockhagen, transforming all who fall under the moonlight into various were-animals under his control. In order to save the town, Marco and his friends must move from location to location, avoiding the watchful gaze of the moon at every stretch. Along the way they will encounter profiteering priests, bird-headed inquisitors, tea-loving barbarians and man-eating gnomes.

Marco is a seasoned fighter; he can hold his own against the hordes of were-creatures and scheming mercenaries. But when he runs into his old team, longtime friends who left him to die, his erratic behavior begins to throw the mission into jeopardy. As the night wears on and supplies run low, no one knows how long they can keep going. Above them, the crescent smile of the lunar god is relentless.

What you can expect:

–Fast-paced action mixed with slow-burn character development.

–Absurdist humor mixed with cosmic horror

–Flawed heroes who must strategize and use their resources wisely to overcome impossible odds

–A loose magic system with a variety of powers and unique combinations

–Moon-killing

The story is now complete at 50 chapters.

Information

Status: Completed
Year: 2025
Author: RaptorHeist

Royal Road Stats

Rating: 4.7/ 5.0
Followers: 43
Views: 10,415

What readers say about Let's Kill The Moon

“So, this was definitely not what I expected from the tone of the blurb, which leans more toward character drama, but I’m down for it. What we actually get is this fun mix of comedy, adventure, and thriller/horror elements. And when the blurb says fast-paced…”
Lianne VailRoyal Road5.0 / 5
“The first thing that grabs you about this story is its incredible pace and atmosphere. From the very beginning, you're pulled into a world steeped in myth and folklore, with a series of chilling, almost surreal events laid out like a puzzle. The "JulianTide…”
Inkk001Royal Road4.5 / 5

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Community Reviews(4)

Lianne VailRoyal Road
★★★★★ 5.0
So, this was definitely not what I expected from the tone of the blurb, which leans more toward character drama, but I’m down for it. What we actually get is this fun mix of comedy, adventure, and thriller/horror elements. And when the blurb says fast-paced, it’s not kidding. The action is pretty much non-stop, though there’s still plenty of entertaining banter between the characters (and the moon). If you like the vibe of John Scalzi’s Redshirts or even the D&D: Honor Among Thieves movie, you’ll probably click with this one.
The core team of adventurers is solid, each with their own personality and powers, and they really do feel like a team (just maybe not one that’s fully prepared for the sheer chaos coming at them). Which brings us to the overall goal: killing the moon. Wild concept, but it works. It sets up the perfect underdog vibe and sneaks in some mystery elements too, because seriously… how do you even defeat the moon?
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Style (5/5): The style one of the biggest strengths here. The mix of comedic elements and serious ones makes it interesting. It constantly feels like you are getting tugged back and forth, but it works.
Grammar (5/5): Super clean. Nothing to complain about here.
Story (4.5/5): So, this story moves, but it's very fun (and slightly terrifying). We've got a couple story lines as we get further in starting to weave together, and I'm intrigued to see where it goes. As a pretty character driven reader, it's sometimes a little 'next quest item' for me, but overall, very enjoyable. This does start to shift a little in the later chapters, so far, so I'll update as I go.
Characters (4.5/5): The cast is great. They all feel like they had lives before page one, which is something I love. Emmitt for me was a particular favorite, both because I like him as a character and his powers are unique and cool. My only gripe is they story moves so fast that we don't always get much emotional depth from anyone, but that's a personal preference.
Overall, this i
Inkk001Royal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
The first thing that grabs you about this story is its incredible pace and atmosphere. From the very beginning, you're pulled into a world steeped in myth and folklore, with a series of chilling, almost surreal events laid out like a puzzle. The "JulianTide" and "BlackTide" reports are a stroke of genius, building a sense of dread and escalating horror that makes you feel like you're uncovering a dark secret alongside the characters. The snippets about animal attacks, strange dreams, and bizarre disappearances are masterfully woven together, hinting at a sinister plot with a divine, terrifying twist.
But the story truly comes alive with the introduction of the characters. Marco, Leylin, and Emmitt are an absolutely fantastic trio—each with a distinct voice and personality that jumps right off the page. The banter between Marco and Leylin is so sharp and witty, it makes their arguments about vampires and werewolves genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. And Emmitt is a quiet, intriguing presence, a seemingly defenseless figure who reveals a secret, invisible power that's both elegant and devastating.
The action sequences are pure cinematic gold. The fight with the bandits is a thrilling rush, with each character's unique combat style on full display. Marco's acrobatic flips and slashes, Leylin's powerful shield-and-blade duels, and Emmitt's mind-bending, invisible attacks are incredibly well-described and exciting to read. The tension builds beautifully, first with the standoff and then with the desperate, fast-paced brawl.
The reveal of Skarann and the moon's malevolent grin is absolutely chilling. The transformation of Gotavv and Edvard is handled with a brutal, visceral honesty that makes it genuinely terrifying. The dialogue from the moon itself is a perfect mix of bored petulance and god-like rage, adding a whole new layer of cosmic horror to the lycanthropy plot. The final choice faced by Emmitt—to kill his former ally to save a life—is a gut-punch that leaves you des
Shadows of fantasyRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Firstly, for the overall score its a very engaging telling, and i love how you've done it. There are a few things that i would improve, but i will go on them later. The start up really draws you in, and the title, and front cover display are very nice.
Firstly, on the style. While the style is good, i feel that the worldbuilding could use some work. While some would prefer a buildup into the world, most want to know what they're getting into, whether more magic or supernatural. Myself i like an introduction that helps along with that, weapons, peoples feelings of betrayal, especially in the cultists, but yours certainly is good! The style otherwise is quite amazing.
Grammer is simply no problem, being amazing all throughout the chapters i've read, and with uppercase, and italics you immerse the reader in your story.
Story is one that really deserves the fast pace line, because while its good, the story defenitely gets into the telling rather than showing. Of course, the moon is a rather pressing thing, and i know that many enjoy it. The plot is definitely thought out, as you can tell when every scene switches from one to another, fast and furious but never dipping into overwhelming, which is amazing.
Characters is one that engages you, wanting to protect the others they love, the confusion coming from cultists who believed their god loved them. I liked it, but it felt rushed. I know its fast paced, but that doesnt mean theres no time for emotion, or desperation. They just encountered a god, and theres no emotion? I'm not trying to be super critical, but it seems weird. One thing i thought was a bit out of character also was how the Moon didn't taunt them, or try to get them out of the building. It was just... waiting for them to come out, which didn't seem natural to the character that it had been just before. Yes, maybe it can't attack that place, but that doesn't mean its hopeless. If it taunts, it can get someone aggrivated who might step out and attack. Is it ju
niaohechaRoyal Road
★★★★★ 4.5
Let's Kill the Moon is weird in a lovely way. It's funny--the first chapter is just electric--and the plot alone was more than enough to have me hooked. One of the characters really sums it up best, far better than I can:
"Man, who thought the moon would be such an ***?"
The concept (which, by the way, is exactly what it says on the tin) is extremely unique, and the plot is executed well. It's clear that there's an entire world revolving around the central conceit, from lycanthropy to gnome politics to the main characters' backstories. The plot (as far as I've read) is minimalistic by design, but it also carries the story forward so well on its own that it doesn't need any further complexity, really. It's absurdist and funny and well thought out in all of the best ways.
The characters, too, are quite interesting. The party has a group of recognizable archetypes--a mage type, a mysterious sulker, Marco, and Leylin, a brash warrior--but also some twists you wouldn't expect, like a Quebecois gnome. The main party does enough to move the plot forward, and their backstories are hinted at well, in a way I suspect unfurls over the course of the book. Their individual abilities/combat styles are very interesting, for readers who are focused on that kind of thing. Leylin, in particular, does well, though it's the side characters who really shine, from the gnome to the party's assistant, and of course, the loud, brash, annoying voice of the Moon itself, all of whom make the world feel fuller and who are all intensely funny.
The pacing is quick, which benefits the plot immensely. At times, there are places where the story could linger more, but the plot's speed does allow for quick humor and a fast-evolving narrative. Though there are places where the story tells rather than shows, and can feel a bit distant from the main characters in its narrative style, the narration overall is competent, and there are little to no grammar issues. For anyone looking for an entertaining, wei