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When the Tides Held the Moon
When the Tides Held the Moon | Venessa Vida Kelley
7 posts | 3 read | 1 reading | 7 to read
The Shape of Water meets The Greatest Showman in this beautifully illustrated queer historical cozy fantasy, as a young Puerto Rican immigrant goes through a journey of love and self-discovery after capturing a merman for a Coney Island sideshow act in turn-of-the 20th century New York. Venessa gives life to the most unexpected things. I have a strong, strong feeling that this is the start of something special. TJ KLUNE, New York Times Bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea Benigno Benny Caldera knows an orphaned Boricua blacksmith in 1910s New York City cant call himself an artist. But the ironwork tank he creates for famed Coney Island playground, Luna Park, astounds everyone, especially the eccentric side-show proprietor who commissioned it. Bennys work earns him an invitation to join the shows eclectic crew of performershis first welcome in the cityand share in their astonishing secret: the tank Benny built is a cage for their newest exhibit, a living, breathing, in-the-flesh merman stolen from the banks of the East River under a gleaming full moon. The merman is more than a mythic marvel, though. Benny comes to know Ro as a clever philosopher, an observant traveler, and a kindred spirit more beautiful and compassionate than any human hes ever met. Despite their different worlds, what begins as a friendship of necessity deepens to love, leading Bennys heart into uncharted waters where he can no longer ignore the agonizing truth of Ros captivityand his own. A cage is no place for a merman to survive. Though releasing Ro means betraying his new family, bankrupting their home, and losing his soulmate forever, Benny must look within for the courage to do whats right, and find a love strong enough to free them both. "When the Tides Held the Moon is a beautifully illustrated novel with artwork throughout by Venessa Vida Kelley, known for her stunning romance and fantasy art. This novel includes two different full-color endpapers for front and back, fully-designed chapter headers, and 27 pieces of detailed illustrations throughout, using beautiful two-color, aqua blue and black inks.
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nitalibrarian
When the Tides Held the Moon | Venessa Vida Kelley
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I'm almost halfway into this book and adoring it. FYI - the book includes illustrations done by the author.

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nitalibrarian
When the Tides Held the Moon | Venessa Vida Kelley
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Starting June with When the Tides Held the Moon.

#currentlyreading

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LitsyEvents
When the Tides Held the Moon | Venessa Vida Kelley
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repost for @KateReadsYA:

The winner for JUNE is When the tides held the moon. I've already ordered my copy and I'm so excited to read this with you all. Discussions will be held at the end of the month and we will vote for July's pick around mid June.

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KateReadsYA
When the Tides Held the Moon | Venessa Vida Kelley
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The winner for JUNE is When the tides held the moon. I've already ordered my copy and I'm so excited to read this with you all. Discussions will be held at the end of the month and we will vote for July's pick around mid June.
 @Kelli7990 @TheAromaofBooks @Gissy @PageShifter @Read4life @Fortifiedbybooks @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Roary47 @Bookmarktavern @Slategreyskies @Meshell1313 @Catsandbooks @Bennettbookworm @skygoddess1 @peanutnine

BookmarkTavern Woohoo! 7d
kelli7990 Yay! 7d
Meshell1313 Sounds great! Yay! 7d
See All 6 Comments
Roary47 Yay! Excited for this. 😍💛 6d
Read4life Fantastic! Glad we‘re back!! 6d
Catsandbooks I will try to join in! I've followed the author/artist for a long time so this has been on my TBR 5d
43 likes6 comments
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rachelsbrittain
When the Tides Held the Moon | Venessa Vida Kelley
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Pickpick

This dreamy historical fantasy novel features a Puerta Rican metalworking musician who begins working with a sideshow menagerie after helping capture a siren for their new show. Bennie soon regrets the part he played in the siren's capture and vows to help free him. Falling for the siren wasn't part of the plan. Gorgeous and drenched in historical events and atmosphere. I love all the thought and research Vida Kelley put into this.

39 likes1 stack add
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BennettBookworm
When the Tides Held the Moon | Venessa Vida Kelley
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Pickpick

This book captivated my heart and soul. And the ILLUSTRATIONS!!! Jaw-droppingly stunning. Every book needs illustrations like these!! Found family, early 1900s New York, queer romance, merpeople, the music of the sea… this story had it all! 🌊🎨🗽🎡🧜‍♂️ Characters leapt off the page, the romance was larger-than-life, and the writing itself was so poetic and grounded at the same time. Please read it!!!! It will become your most treasured book 🥹

Prairiegirl_reading Well, shoot! I thought my summer reading list figured out! Adding one more! 🤣 2w
BennettBookworm @Prairiegirl_reading YAY! You won‘t regret it!! 😄😄 2w
peanutnine Ahhh yes! I preordered this one and am desperate to start it soon!! 1w
53 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Zuhkeeyah
When the Tides Held the Moon | Venessa Vida Kelley
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Pickpick

I love when a book surprises you in the best way. This was wonderful story of finding family in an unexpected place and finding love with the impossible. There author did a great job of using a historical setting to add emphasis to the story. Also, the illustrations throughout were beautiful (drawn by the author).

#fictionaltraveler: Spanish-speaking @julieclair
#gottacatchemall: someone swims @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper That cover is gorgeous! 2w
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