A review by fieldsandfeels
How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love With the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This one hit really close to home with Moon’s relationship with her family, and how she forms a bubble of shame around herself. While it’s fairly “textbook,” pathologically speaking, the reality is that the specificity of these characters acting the way they do is endemic to Latine culture and a complex history of imperialist, colonialist, and religious trauma. Seeing Moon slowly fall in love, and doubt it at every turn because of what she’s been fed by her mother, sister, and society is something that I don’t think gets discussed enough, esp in YA literature. I just loved everything this book managed to tackle while simultaneously keeping it light-hearted, funny, and accessible.