Take a photo of a barcode or cover
embersbooknook 's review for:
When the Tides Held the Moon
by Venessa Vida Kelley
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Okay, my proper review:
This book was so incredibly beautiful. It at once explored difficult themes like racism, classism, sexism, and anti-queer/LGBTQIA+ bigotry …but the heart of the book, the true spirit of it, was “with it, for it, never against it.” It was the found family finding a way to keep each other safe against all the odds. Every single character tugged at my heartstrings - MATTHIAS😍, Igor, Madam Navya, Vera, Sonia/Mary, Lulu and her little one Timmy, and Eli & Emmett.
This was such a deeply human story even as it beautifully wove a fresh spin on the mermaid legends. The salt water healing/tears thing was strangely moving to me.
What Benigno & Río found together just stole my whole fucking heart - every time Río called called Benigno ‘Boy named kind’ I just 😭🥹
There were so many wonderful quotes. I also enjoyed learning a lot of Spanish swear words😂🤣
Venessa’s writing really leapt of the page - the characters were very warm and tangible and human.
I feel as though, if I had a TARDIS and could travel back to 1910’s Coney Island coastline, I might just find every single one of these wonderful souls shining there like stars.
Also THE ART!! The illustrations were absolutely lush and breathtaking and added SO much to the reading of the book. Venessa’s art is incredible - they are so talented. I really can’t believe this book is their debut, it’s just SO damn good!!
This story and these characters will live rent free in my head forever. I know I keep saying it, but so few authors really bring characters to life the way Venessa did. Their style is just delightful - this easily makes my list of all-time favorite books, and I will eagerly be awaiting Venessa Vida Kelley’s next book!🤗
🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕
3 AM review: INFINITE STARS 🥹😭 I adored this book - the characters, the setting, the writing, the Spanish - everything was just 🤌🏽 Benigno & Río will live rent free in my heart and head forever and ever💙🌊🌕🩵
I’ll write a proper review soon but this goes onto my favorite books of all time list. I can’t wait to see what Venessa Vida Kelley writes next!🤗
This book was so incredibly beautiful. It at once explored difficult themes like racism, classism, sexism, and anti-queer/LGBTQIA+ bigotry …but the heart of the book, the true spirit of it, was “with it, for it, never against it.” It was the found family finding a way to keep each other safe against all the odds. Every single character tugged at my heartstrings - MATTHIAS😍, Igor, Madam Navya, Vera, Sonia/Mary, Lulu and her little one Timmy, and Eli & Emmett.
This was such a deeply human story even as it beautifully wove a fresh spin on the mermaid legends. The salt water healing/tears thing was strangely moving to me.
What Benigno & Río found together just stole my whole fucking heart - every time Río called called Benigno ‘Boy named kind’ I just 😭🥹
There were so many wonderful quotes. I also enjoyed learning a lot of Spanish swear words😂🤣
Venessa’s writing really leapt of the page - the characters were very warm and tangible and human.
I feel as though, if I had a TARDIS and could travel back to 1910’s Coney Island coastline, I might just find every single one of these wonderful souls shining there like stars.
Also THE ART!! The illustrations were absolutely lush and breathtaking and added SO much to the reading of the book. Venessa’s art is incredible - they are so talented. I really can’t believe this book is their debut, it’s just SO damn good!!
This story and these characters will live rent free in my head forever. I know I keep saying it, but so few authors really bring characters to life the way Venessa did. Their style is just delightful - this easily makes my list of all-time favorite books, and I will eagerly be awaiting Venessa Vida Kelley’s next book!🤗
🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕🌊🌕
3 AM review: INFINITE STARS 🥹😭 I adored this book - the characters, the setting, the writing, the Spanish - everything was just 🤌🏽 Benigno & Río will live rent free in my heart and head forever and ever💙🌊🌕🩵
I’ll write a proper review soon but this goes onto my favorite books of all time list. I can’t wait to see what Venessa Vida Kelley writes next!🤗
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
I am a sensitive reader and the above themes, while present, didn’t take over the book/weren’t graphic. Sonia/Mary’s situation, for example, was briefly described but never in detail.
Overall while the evils of humanity were seen in this book against those who are different in any way, we also saw how beautiful found family is and how humanity can be good, too. 🥹