5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When the Tides Held the Moon
Author: Venessa Vida Kelley

Wow. Thank you so much Kensington books for this ARC! This book was beautiful!! We find ourselves immersed in 1920s New York. Our main character Benny is a poor blacksmith who finds himself out of a job after injuring his hand. Before being let go, he had crafted a very interesting tank for a showman. Somehow he ends up as part of the cast and tasked with taking care of the tank and what it is holding captive…. The merman slowly begins to develop a friendship with Benny and they begin to form a bond unlike any other. However Rio is dying and Benny needs to decide if he is going to follow his heart, or stay loyal to his new found family. Benny was such a great main character that was so easy to connect and empathize with. Rio was mysterious and alluring. The images in the book were such an added bonus. 🥰. Gosh I can’t wait to read more from this author. I will probably be reading this again. This just released yesterday 4/29!

Wow, okay, amazing!

Let me begin by thanking Erewhon Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

Vanessa Vida Kelley's When the Tides Held the Moon follows Boricua blacksmith, Benny, as his ironworked creation plays a key role in a Coney Island side show, the star of the show and newest "exhibit" being the captured merman, Rio. Set in 1910s New York City, When the Tides Held the Moon explores the intricacies of identity, otherness, and human connection. Benny and Rio's relationship is written so beautifully, and I loved the cast of characters involved in the side show, as well. The bond that Benny and Rio share is so intimate and tender, and allows for a wonderful (and subtle) exploration of Benny's demisexuality, as well as their shared experiences with otherness. A fantastic character-driven, Queer historical fantasy.

The author's note at the end of this book was wonderful, offering historical and social context, including a discussion on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, Puerto Rico, colonialism, queerness, hybridity, and intersectionality.

Happy pub day! This was such a beautiful story. No one does yearning quite like the gays, and adding mermen to the equation made it all the more aching. Benny and Rio are such special characters, and surrounded by a wider cast of lovable weirdos who make the best sort of found family.

The writing has some hiccups. The book is overlong and sometime veered into cartoonish territory. But I think those can be overlooked in view of the excellent vibes and sweetness of the romance.

Also, I strongly recommend grabbing a print version of this book, the illustrations are spectacular and done by the author!

Thank you to netgalley and Erewhon books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Such an exquisite read; the cadence of the writing was - it was exceptional. Such an uplifting and tender love story - for that is truly what it was. It was a love story of two souls - both caged and trapped not of their own volition, but because society does not accept that which it cannot explain, and finding the courage and determination to break free of the very constraints and restraints that tied them down.

Loved the Puerto Rican rep. The early 1900s NYC setting. The low fantasy.

I've been a fan of Vida Kelley's art for years and was so excited to read this ARC!

I was an ARC reader for this book.

As a lover fairytales, I highly enjoyed this book. This book is something that Hans Christian Anderson would’ve been very proud of I think. There are a lot of rumors that Anderson wrote the little mermaid as a reflection of himself. As a gay man who wanted to be with someone that he couldn’t, and when I failed turned into sea foam.

Vanessa Vida Kelley did an incredible job well writing this book. The writing is poetic and beautiful. I enjoyed that each sentence was crafted with skillful thought.

Like the little mermaid, there is a character that feels like they do not belong in their world and our striving for more finding a family. In the case of this book, it is Benny the blacksmith and human that feels this way. He’s Puerto Rican and moved to New York and unfortunately never seemed to find his place there. At least not until he started to form friendships with the carnival folk.

Along with them, though he starts to form a deep interesting friendship with Rio, which slowly turns into more. The building of their relationship was incredibly well done with it being a low trust that began between the two of them which slowly evolved into love.

A great point of the book is doing the right thing even if it means costing you what you love. And I felt this topic was very well done in the book and realistic.

Other than the beautiful writing and storytelling, I also love the fact that there are stunning pictures throughout the book and a lot of how well the pictures matched scenes in the books and brought them to life.

I highly recommend reading this book to anyone that loves supernatural LGBTQ+ romances.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I hadn't looked too much into what the book was actually about when I first requested this book. I was absolutely in shocked how much I fell in love with this love story. The beginning of this book starts out quite slow but picks up by about half way through for me.

This is truly one of the best "romantasy" books I've read. Between the wonderful found family and the heartwarming romance I truly recommend this book if it intrigues you.

Small Spoiler: BARNACLE??? HIS NICKNAME IS BARNACLE I CAN'T!

This book is so very good. The story, like the actual art within it, is a work of art. It is a beautiful story set in 1911 where a man has come to the "land of opertunity" at the behest of his late aunt. Like so many new comers to America he found the enviroment less than welcoming, but manages to muscle through it. He gets an oppertunity that he thinks will finally lead him to a path of true betterment, but the path to better is sometimes a wee bit of a rollercoaster. A rollercoaster that involves capturing something that isn't supposed to exist, at all.

This is a wonderful story of two individuals finding love in a place, and a person, they never expected to. The supporting characters are all wonderful and as loveable to the MCs. To add to it all the whole story is a wealth of emotions and I personally was left with all the dang feels.

If you're looking for spice, it's not there in the traditonal sense. The spice is all emotional, and pure and magic.

Loved it. Cried at the end. Will highly recommend this book. It was beautiful. The characters, the setting, the struggles. All of it was so good.

There is no way this was a debut. It was so heartfelt and gut punching. I think upon reread this could be bumped up to a 5 star all time favorite. Also I cannot wait to get a physical in my hands to just stare at the artwork all day long. It's absolutely beautiful.

A poignant queer historical fiction with tides of magic and surrealism, while also feeling grounded and gritty. A really enthralling read with beautiful illustrations to elevate the story.

In When the Tides Held the Moon, Benny is a Puerto Rican immigrant living and working as a blacksmith in 1910s NYC. He builds a beautiful tank for a Coney Island sideshow and when his own employment circumstances change, he finds himself working for the man and show that commissioned his artwork. On his first night of his new job, Benny helps capture a merman from the East River to be the show’s newest attraction. A deep friendship between Benny and the merman, whom he names Rio, forms. As the stakes rise, Benny must choose between the well-being of his new friend and the success of the sideshow itself.

I just loved this story! Benny and Rio pulled at my heartstrings the whole way through. My favorite parts of the book were the nights Benny spent sitting next to Rio’s tank while they got to know each other. The story kind of gave me The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes (which I mean as the biggest compliment, as it’s one of my favorite books ever) - cozy fantasy with a sprinkling of romance and a cast of lovable characters who tend to be misunderstood by most of the world and in their time. They were the definition of “found family”, which I adore. I loved how the author blended 1910s historical fiction with fantasy in such a whimsical way. And the illustrations throughout were just the cherry on top of a wonderful story. Loved it so much!

Give When the Tides Held the Moon a read if you enjoy :
▫️Cozy fantasy / romantasy
▫️Merpeople stories
▫️Historical fantasy
▫️Found family

from the very start of the book, when the tides held the moon demands your attention, settling you in 1911 brooklyn, new york at a tumultuous time in the life of our puerto rican protagonist, benny caldera, as he encounters (or at least the closest ‘encountering’ is to ‘helping in the capture of’) the merman rio. in over 400 pages, we watch their two lives intertwine and bleed through each other, as well as forever change and be forever changed by the eclectic crew of performers of coney island’s famed luna park (who, by the way, also helped in this very capture).

of course i was immediately arrested by this premise, and at the end of the first few chapters i swore that i had my first 5-star of the year. in some ways, its promise did live up—i found that the story came to life in the characters, in the way their dialogues were so distinctly colored with their cultural and social realities, and to this day i’m still taken by how ALIVE they all felt. the book is also littered with the most gorgeous illustrations that helps immerse you fully in the story (the dream illustration, everyone?), which were all drawn by the author themself! oh and the prose is just as enchanting as the art, by the way.

my biggest gripe doesn’t even come until the 70% when i felt like the pacing began to frustrate me just when the conflict took a turn for the worse. hence, i felt like the momentum of the narrative slipped away at a point where all i wanted was to be excited and overwhelmed with the need to read and read. i also did not like reading rio’s pov chapters much, but that just might be me not liking his narrative voice lol and because i felt these issues by the last thirds of the book, the image it left in my memory isn’t the brightest.

nevertheless, i would still definitely highly recommend this to everyone, not just to those who are looking for a queer romance between the sweetest human and the loveliest merman in all of fiction, but also to those in need of a heartwarming story between people who have been demeaned to think the lowest of themselves all their lives and yet, in having found each other, would always, always choose to save and protect their newfound family. i swear the glazing on the characters isn’t for show, i know you’ll love them too!

huge thanks to erewhon books via netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review of the book.

When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley's it’s a fantastic debut balancing heartbreak, longing and wonder.

Set in 1911 New York, the novel follows Benny, a Puerto Rican blacksmith who builds a tank, only to discover it’s meant to imprison a merman named Río. From there, we a see not only a beautiful love story unfold, but a deeply exploration of captivity and freedom—of the body, of desire, and of identity. I adored their connection and how it was slow-building and tender, full of quiet moments and impossible choices.

Id like to leave a special praise for the illustrations included throughout the novel that deepen the story in subtle and emotional ways.

This is a book about otherness and love and longing, and it doesn’t offer easy answers. It’s quietly devastating at times, but also full of beauty and softness.

I think Mermen were everything the romantasy world was needing. This is a book that I recommend for romantasy readers, as well for those drawn to historical fiction with a touch of myth and a lot of heart.

I will follow attentively Venessa’s career.

<i>I would like to thank Kensington Publishing | Erewhon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review</i>

When The Tides Held the Moon is a 1910s historical romance that melds beautifully with the mythology of merfolk. Benny is a Puerto Rican blacksmith in New York City tasked with creating a tank that can hold a mystical creature from the seas. To his shock, a merman is actually stolen from the sea and slated to perform in a sideshow. As Benny connects with the merman, he must face the truth about both the merman and himself.

I absolutely loved When the Tides Held the Moon!! Benny is such a strong character who it is impossible to not want the best for. I loved his friendship and relationship with Río, as well as the other show members like Matthias. The portrayal of what it was like to be LGBTQ+ during this time was excellent and I loved how they found family and safety in the sideshow. The worldbuilding behind what it might be like to be a merfolk was beautiful. Venessa Vida Kelley creates characters that are so lovable and vivid. I was also impressed with the historical research and accuracy that clearly took place.

When the Tides Held the Moon is perfect for readers who seek historical LGBTQ+ romance, merfolk, and found family. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

Thank you to Venessa Vida Kelley, Erewhon Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been waiting on this book for what feels like forever and was so excited when I got approved for an arc of it. I started following Vanessa Vida Kelley years ago due to their artwork then saw a post where they were talking about these characters, Benny and Rio. I knew this was a book I was going to love. It was everything I hoped it would be and more.

After building an iron tank and impressing them with his skills, Benny is offered a role in the Luna Park side show. The tank is for a real-life merman that was captured and is one of the attractions. Benny and Rio start to connect, building a friendship that slowly turns into more. Benny knows the tank is no place for Rio to live and must decide to do the right thing and set Rio free and lose his love.

The story takes place in 1911 at Coney Island. The world here was superbly written and really transports you back in time. I felt like really immersed in this world. The characters are extremely well developed and I really felt like they were real people. Then there is Benny and Rio ❤️ anyone who reads this is going to fall in love with them. I didn’t want their story to end.

I loved this book. It is whimsical and beautiful. the illustrations are a realy amazing addition. Thank you Vanessa for writing and drawing this amazing story.

I knew from the start that id love this book mermaids and the circus? Who could possibly resist that combo? The setting, 1911 New York, felt rich and immersive, with layers of historical detail that unfolded gradually. It struck this perfect balance between feeling true to the era while still feeling surprisingly current.

Rio and Benny are both so compelling that I was hooked on every quiet moment between them. I was rooting for their happiness the whole way through.

One thing worth highlighting: the art in this book is absolutely gorgeous. Not just the cover thing but illustrations woven throughout the story, and they add to the whole reading experience.

This book had all the things I adore and ill defiantly be picking up a hard copy of it. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in return for an honest review.

This was a gorgeous novel (literally and figuratively - the illustrations are jaw dropping). The characters were lovely and a little flawed and relatable. The detailed descriptions of Puerto Rico and turn of the century New York were vivid and beautiful and heartbreaking. It made you nostalgic and wistful and sad in equal measure. An excellent a debut and I look forward to more from this author.

I was given an eARC copy in return for an honest review.
This was one of the easiest 5 star ratings I’ve ever been able to give. The prose in this debut is lyrical and simply stunning, and when coupled with a beautiful story and breathtaking illustrations, this is something truly special.

Benigno ’Benny’ Caldera knows the odds are stacked against him; an orphaned Boricua blacksmith cannot call himself an artist, but when he receives a commission for famed Coney Island playground Luna Park, he cannot pass up the opportunity. An elaborately decorated and heavily engineered glass tank.

What he doesn’t expect is to be involved in the procurement of the tank’s inhabitant: a real life merman, hauled straight from the river.

Benny’s work earns him an invite to join the park’s eclectic group of performers, and he slowly begins to build a found family, including the surly merman who once threatened his life. But a cage is no place for a merman, and as they grow closer, Benny has to choose between the tentative relationship he is building with Rio, and the only family he has.

This book is truly something special. The representation is top notch, both queer and POC, and Venessa has done such a fabulous job of bringing these characters to life. From the kind hearted giant to the pair of conjoined twins, the charismatic contortionist to the worldly wise strongman, the side show performers bring humour and light to what could be a very dark and depressing setting. Being an outsider is difficult, but in 1910s New York it really does become a case of life or death for Benny and the performers.

The romance is tender and beautifully written. Benny and Rio come from very different worlds, but they are both prisoners of Coney Island. They come to understand, help, and love each other without exception, and that love is inspirational, for both the supporting cast of characters and for the reader.

Venessa’s historical research to bring Coney Island at the turn of the century to life is stellar, you really feel immersed in the world; it’s like you can hear and smell and touch everything, the descriptions bring everything wonderfully to life and are supported by the stunning visuals. The pen and ink style illustrations throughout just take the story to another level and make this a truly standout novel.

I have been a fan of Venessa’s artwork and writing for years, and this is no exception. I cannot wait to see what she does next.