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A review by musingswithmiranda
When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
4.0
Anna-Marie McLemore’s books have always been something that I have wanted to check out, but I have not managed to pick up any copies. A new book club I joined this month voted for this to be our book of the month, and I was lucky enough to get the last copy at my local library. I was not sure what to expect, but this book was amazing!
When the Moon Was Ours is a beautiful story between two inseparable best friends, Sam and Miel. Miel mysteriously appeared out of a water tower when she was only five years old, and she has roses growing out her wrist. Sam is known for painting moons, but no one really knows anything about his past. Both are seen as odd in their town, but maybe not as odd as the four Bonner sisters who are rumored to be witches. Many people avoid these sisters who always get what they want, but Miel cannot escape them as they hope to take her roses that supposedly make people fall in love. The Bonner girls push Miel to her breaking point by using secrets against her and going after those she loves.
Immediately after starting this book, I was completely captivated by and invested in the writing. It held my attention throughout and made the story come to life. McLemore’s writing is incredibly atmospheric as well. It somehow felt so soothing and calming to read even though the author does tackle some hard hitting topics throughout. Sometimes certain books will take me a little longer to get into, especially if I have never read anything by the author before. It is normal for me to need a few chapters to understand and get used a style or voice. However, McLemore does not waste any time. Their writing shines from beginning to end. It was amazing to see how they took inspiration from their own life to incorporate so many different things like being transgender, the practice of bacha posh, and the legend of La Llorona. I appreciated how the author’s note expanded on these experiences as well.
Samir and Miel were really great main characters. I appreciate how developed they were both as individuals and as people navigating a friendship and their growing feelings. They were both very unique and compelling. I also really loved how McLemore explored their internal struggles. Within their relationship, they felt like the other was the only person who could understand. They supported one another and created their own little bubble. Yet, their struggles remained mostly internal. It was interesting to see how both characters struggled with identity, belonging, and accepting themselves. Samir’s story was very emotional and compelling as he worked through his feelings about bacha posh and what it meant for his future and being transgender. McLemore shows how hard it can be to work through something and accept it yourself let alone share it with another person. Samir is more upfront and shares his secrets with Miel, but the latter stays more guarded. I appreciated how this book discussed that and portrayed letting another person in.
While Samir and Miel were my favorite characters, I did like the cast of side characters as well. I loved the interactions between Samir and Aracely that happened later in the novel. The Bonner sisters seemed so odd and creepy. They always left me on edge, but they were well developed.
When the Moon Was Ours was a quick and heartfelt read. The writing and story were both incredible and captivating. Anna-Marie McLemore has definitely been added to my list of authors I need to read more of. I cannot wait to explore their previously published books, and I will definitely keep an eye out for their new releases!!
*Content warning: body horror, child abuse, confinement, bullying, deadnaming, misgendering, transphobia, death of a parent, drowning, homophobia, attempted suicide/suicide ideation, racism, blood, sexual content*
When the Moon Was Ours is a beautiful story between two inseparable best friends, Sam and Miel. Miel mysteriously appeared out of a water tower when she was only five years old, and she has roses growing out her wrist. Sam is known for painting moons, but no one really knows anything about his past. Both are seen as odd in their town, but maybe not as odd as the four Bonner sisters who are rumored to be witches. Many people avoid these sisters who always get what they want, but Miel cannot escape them as they hope to take her roses that supposedly make people fall in love. The Bonner girls push Miel to her breaking point by using secrets against her and going after those she loves.
Immediately after starting this book, I was completely captivated by and invested in the writing. It held my attention throughout and made the story come to life. McLemore’s writing is incredibly atmospheric as well. It somehow felt so soothing and calming to read even though the author does tackle some hard hitting topics throughout. Sometimes certain books will take me a little longer to get into, especially if I have never read anything by the author before. It is normal for me to need a few chapters to understand and get used a style or voice. However, McLemore does not waste any time. Their writing shines from beginning to end. It was amazing to see how they took inspiration from their own life to incorporate so many different things like being transgender, the practice of bacha posh, and the legend of La Llorona. I appreciated how the author’s note expanded on these experiences as well.
Samir and Miel were really great main characters. I appreciate how developed they were both as individuals and as people navigating a friendship and their growing feelings. They were both very unique and compelling. I also really loved how McLemore explored their internal struggles. Within their relationship, they felt like the other was the only person who could understand. They supported one another and created their own little bubble. Yet, their struggles remained mostly internal. It was interesting to see how both characters struggled with identity, belonging, and accepting themselves. Samir’s story was very emotional and compelling as he worked through his feelings about bacha posh and what it meant for his future and being transgender. McLemore shows how hard it can be to work through something and accept it yourself let alone share it with another person. Samir is more upfront and shares his secrets with Miel, but the latter stays more guarded. I appreciated how this book discussed that and portrayed letting another person in.
While Samir and Miel were my favorite characters, I did like the cast of side characters as well. I loved the interactions between Samir and Aracely that happened later in the novel. The Bonner sisters seemed so odd and creepy. They always left me on edge, but they were well developed.
When the Moon Was Ours was a quick and heartfelt read. The writing and story were both incredible and captivating. Anna-Marie McLemore has definitely been added to my list of authors I need to read more of. I cannot wait to explore their previously published books, and I will definitely keep an eye out for their new releases!!
*Content warning: body horror, child abuse, confinement, bullying, deadnaming, misgendering, transphobia, death of a parent, drowning, homophobia, attempted suicide/suicide ideation, racism, blood, sexual content*