A review by half_bloodreader
How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I'm loved, I'm fat, I'm beautiful. 

๐ŸŒ›YA Magical Realism
๐ŸŒœ Mexican-American plus-size rep
๐ŸŒ› Colombian-American amputee rep
 ๐ŸŒœThemes of trauma, religion, grief, abuse, self-love & acceptance, sexuality, identity, all kinds of prejudice, fatness and the joy, connection & healing power of food/cooking
๐ŸŒ› It's also about nature & how wonderful the universe is amidst the human cruelty
๐ŸŒœ Lyrical writing 

My dad didn't think Star and Moon were as pretty as Estrella & Luna, because, honestly, they're not.

As an Iberian who speaks both Portuguese & Spanish: agreed. This is a joy I get that many of you may not experience. Whenever Moon speaks, thinks or searches words in Spanish, many times so similar to my own native language, I am already hearing them & feeling them on my tongue in double. Ivy, hiedra, hera. Beautiful, breathy, magical. 

This is the story of How I Fell in Love with Moon Fuentez. She is connected to her roots, trying to learn more. She's a photographer who sees the simple pleasures, the beauty in nature, my little witch, and she feels the difference between how a word feels in different languages. Like me. She is witty, funny, free spirited. And lonely, insecure, carrying a lot of childhood trauma. Despite all that, she is still unapologetic - I love her for it. 

I always ask the plant before taking. And I always thank it too. Just like Tรญa taught me. I don't care how that sounds. Plants have been here for 6 zillion years longer than us. That makes them sacred in my book.


Her abusive mother is the extremist religious type. Moon's relationship with her perfect twin sister is also complex. I can't honestly forgive Star for everything she's done, always diminishing her sister. I kept calling out crocodile tears.

 Santiago & Moon's romance could be described as enemie-friends-lovers, but it hit different. Their dynamic is affected by the insecurities they carry due to living in their siblings shadows. 

This book hurts, then spreads a soothing balm on your heart. 

Cw: sl*t shaming
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