This was such a good story that did an amazing job of placing the reader n the time period. The cover and the images within are all wonderful at capturing the aesthetic.the story feels cozy and interesting and I loved how the merman thought about the world.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

2.75 stars

First of all, I want to say the art for this book is absolutely gorgeous and beautiful and I loved each and every drawing.

Unfortunately, the rest of the novel did not elicit a similar reaction. With such a fantastical premise and setting, the actual plot was so incredibly dull and unoriginal. The romance felt rushed and generic, despite the author trying so hard to make everything unique. I would say they went way overboard with diversity for diversity's sake (Madam Nivya's only characteristics are that she's a Punjabi little person who is extremely religious and gets mad at the kid who always steals her religious statuettes. Igor is simply a Russian giant with a horrible written out accent who is occasionally sad about his dead wife. And for some inexplicable reason they get together in the epilogue?).

I'm still not sure how I feel about the inclusion of different languages in the prose like that. It made perfect sense with the Spanish and I did enjoy the realism it brought. But the other languages felt like trying too hard. (The Russian grammar was definitely off in some parts.) It felt like showing off in a cringe-y way and instead of adding to the diversity of the Menagerie, it instead felt like it was reducing each character to a cliche.

The pacing dragged on with nothing good to show for it. This might actually read much better if it was a short story but unfortunately we got a 400 page novel instead. I will say I did enjoy the historical worldbuilding aspect a lot. New York in the 1910s really came to life in vivid detail and I think that's what kept me going.

(Absolutely rolling my eyes at the "sex" scene. A cowardly copout, if I've ever seen one.)

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Such a beautiful book with truly beautiful illustrations. Venessa is an artist with paint, and with words. She has captured romance and historical fiction at their finest, with some thrills along the way.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-arc of When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley in exchange of an honest review!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
When the Tides Held the Moon is an historical fantasy book with fairly tales vibes, and with a sweet queer romance between Benigno, a Puerto Rican blacksmith in 1910s New York, and Río, a merman caged for an exhibition.
This was a beautifully written story, with an even more beautiful romance and found family. All of this with the addition of STUNNING illustrations by Venessa. It was a heartwarming and heartbreaking story that I think everyone is going to love. Can’t wait for April 29!

I picked up this book because I was drawn a) by the beautiful cover, and b) because the story sounded cozy and whimsical and beautiful. After reading what I read, I can confidently say the prose is beautiful and the story seems light-hearted yet carrying a beautiful message about home and family, while also being fast-paced and accompanied by beautiful illustrations. Unfortunately, for all the cozy and endearing components of the story, I was unable to finish the book mostly because of the dialogue—although the dialogue and voices were done masterfully! (I could hear each character who spoke and the dialogue was succinct and eloquent in a truly satisfying way)—the book relied heavily on the spanish interjections and phrases which seemed randomly thrown about. I wanted to push through it but it was sadly something I could not manage to overlook, as a native spanish speaker myself. I did really enjoy what I managed to read (leaving aside the spanish) and so I look forward to whatever works the author publishes next, hoping this may be adapted or more thoroughly revised for the next book if the author so wishes.

Because I didn't manage to finish the book to its end, I will be refraining from giving it a star rating on socials, but will give it a 3 star rating on NetGalley as it seemed at its core to be something I would've really enjoyed if not for this one flaw. But I hope this more detailed review explains what I liked and didn't like. I would highly recommend this book to lovers of Ghibli (Especially Howl's Moving Castle) and cozy, whimsical books, fans of Percy Jackson's Leo Valdez who wished he had gotten his own story, and perhaps a younger readership interested in urban fantasy or young kids who liked The Greatest Showman.

This book seems like such a fun, comforting, interaction between many of the movies, books, and aesthetics I liked so I truly wished I hadn't had any issue with the spanish dialogue, but alas, the heart wants what it wants.

Every once in a while a book comes along and absolutely knocks me over. You know the kind, the once every few years kind of feeling you get, where you adore what you read but you feel intrinsically changed afterwards. Song of Achilles, The Night Circus, books that hook you and don’t let go. That’s what When the Tides Held the Moon did to me. I’m already looking at artwork to put on my walls. I expect this book to get big. I got this book as an ARC, and I will be buying it as a paperback when it comes out.

The love story between Benny and Río was so achingly pure. There was no smut, but I left feeling like I’d witnessed something private.

The found family was *chefs kiss* beautiful. Everyone felt real and human. For good and for bad. Venessa doesn’t shy away from reality while still weaving in the fantasies of merpeople. I can’t rave enough, read this book when you can.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

My gawd this was just such a beautiful book! Full of so much heart and love, I absolutely loved it.

We have a Puerto Rican MMC in New York in 1911, alone, discriminated against, but just trying to keep his head down and live. Then an unusual commission comes in and changes his life forever. Benny was so easy to cheer for. My heart ACHED at his situation. I only ever wanted good things for him. I loved it as he built a relationship with the Menagerie of “side show carnies.” This is a true found family story, and each character imprinted themselves on my heart.

Oh and Rio! The merman was so beautiful. Caged, yet willing to open his heart. The relationship between Rio and Benigo was sweet and so lovely. I had tears in my eyes so many times.

The end was so full of action, and tension, and I swear my heart was in my throat! But it was just perfection.

Highly recommend!

Who doesn’t love a good historical fantasy?! Set in 1910’s New York following circus performers and men we are taken on a beautiful journey of self discovery and found family. Truly stunning.

The book takes place in 1910s New York and is about a young Puerto Rican blacksmith who is trying to find his place in America. He gets a job to construct a tank for the circus’s new attraction (the merman). While working the job, the two of them develop a friendship that blossoms into a romance. This is such an emotionally driven book and centers heavily around the found family aspect. The writing is poetic and emotional and the scenery is amazing. The book even has PICTURES, which are absolutely beautiful. The cover is gorgeous and the characters are phenomenal. I loved this so much. I hope there’s a special edition because this would be so gorgeous.

I was not sure this book was going to work for me, but holy moly did it ever. As someone who supports reading as many diverse books with differing authors, perspectives, alignments, etc., this was perfect. This is not a book that is appropriate for younger readers for obvious reasons, but I would definitely not with hold this book from upper high school readers. The plot is fascinating and the amount of love and care the author clearly put into the found family is stunning.

When the Tides Held the Moon is a beautifully diverse Historical Romance. This is being pitched as Romantasy but I personally don't find it to be in conversation with a lot of the Romantasy books that are trending and have trended in the last few years. Since this is so solidly in our world, in a historical setting, I'd categorize it as Historical Fantasy, even. Full of hope, substance, pretty writing, and featuring a lead character who is chronically ill, Tides is a lovely compilation of popular tropes and refreshing plot threads that are satisfying and overall super fun. I enjoyed this one!

When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley is the kind of book that sneaks up on you with its quiet magic and deep emotional pull. Set in the dazzling world of early 1900s Coney Island, it follows Benny, a Puerto Rican blacksmith trying to find his place, and Río, a merman trapped as Luna Park’s next spectacle. Their connection is instant and undeniable, but with the weight of society, captivity, and their own fears pressing down, it’s anything but simple.

This book is cozy yet deeply moving, filled with found family, quiet rebellion, and a romance that feels both tender and urgent. Kelley’s writing is immersive, painting Coney Island with a dreamlike glow, and the story feels like a love letter to those who have ever felt out of place. If you love queer historical fantasy with heart, this one is a must-read.

I didn’t have any expectations going into this but I adored it. We follow Benigno who is a young blacksmith in New York City in the early 1900s who immigrated from Puerto Rico. He is tasked to create a large tank for an amusement park and he does it without any questions because he doesn’t feel like he has any other choice.

He comes to find out that the tank has been made for a merman that the amusement park owner has captured from the ocean. Benigno finds himself having to take care of the merman and realizes that he regrets making the tank for the merman understanding that what he has done is wrong. He communicates with the merman and calls him Rio and builds a deep connection with him.

This is a romance story to me and I just found it so romantic. The way they communicate with each other and cared for each other. I just really felt the connection between them which is so important to me. It’s also a story of finding your own family that isn’t related to you and how important that can be to someone.

I did find the story quite predictable but it wasn’t something that bothered me while reading it. I don’t have crazy cons to this book that I can pin point but it didn’t quite feel like a five star read but it was definitely a solid four star read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for providing me a chance to read this wonderful book.

The story follows Benny who is a metal worker doing his best to survive in a new country. He finally finds a break when takes the chance at a promotion. Unfortunately, everything went sideways but that only gives Benny a chance to discover something life changing.

When the Tides Held the Moon is a really cute story filled with so much emotion. Not to mention the gorgeous illustration drawn by the author herself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Please keep in mind the following content warnings: Racism, Gun Violence, Death of Parent, Homophobia, and Fatphobia.

This is perhaps one of the most beautiful books I have read this year. The fantasy elements, Benny's struggles, and the slow burn between him and Rio left me gasping many times. As shocking as this is going to sound, this is the first time I have read a romance book by a Puerto Rican author with a Puerto Rican character, so I was really excited to get my hands on this story.

For the most part, this met my expectations and I do hope to read more stories by Venessa. However, I was also slightly disappointed with a few choices. While I'm not fat and I don't know what it's like to be a fat person in the world, I was still bothered by how other characters' appearances were described in bad spirits especially if they were antagonistic. There is a fat side character that is meant to be a positive portrayal but I was uncomfortable by a certain scene where she uses a fake beard for an act. It bothered me enough that I just had to knock down one star.

I still think this is a beautiful story aside from that. It's hard for me to not recommend it at all, just keep in mind this will be present.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book takes place in New York in 1910 with a Peurto Rican blacksmith, Benny, trying to find his place in his new home in America. He is commissioned to build a tank for a circus in Coney Island for the circus' newest attraction, a merman. While continuing to work on the tank, he finds that he can communicate with the merman and quickly develops a friendship with him, which turns into a romance. Benny then struggles with the idea that Rio (the merman) is being held captive in reality, and something happens to where Benny must devise a plan to free him.

The concept is...interesting, to say the least. I really liked the found family aspect of the story as Benny does devlope a strong relationship with the carnies of the circus and one of the characters helps him to realize that he should follow his heart and not worry about what others will think about him and his sexuality.

While we got to learn quite a bit about Benny, I wish that we found out more about Rio as the story progressed as we got some background, but his existence is still kind of vague and mysterious. I thought the romance scenes were sweet and well done, providing a more closed door approach, which I'm grateful for as many romances are a little too explicit nowadays. There are illustrations throughout the book that are well done as well. It is a decent read if you are into more obscure kind of fantasy romances.

This book!

It will tear your heart out! I’m pretty sure I read the last third in tears.

It tells the story of Benny, an immigrant Puerto Rican artisan metal worker, and Rio, a captured merman. The stakes are high with these two.

When the Tides Held the Moon is beautifully written. Set in 1911 New York it contrasts the grittiness of the city and its inhabitants against the dreamy, watery world of Rio and Benny’s relationship. I loved the short chapters from Rio’s point of view where he speaks to his mother.

This book also provides commentary on the impact of unchecked environmental damage, poor treatment of workers and discrimination against anyone perceived to be “different”.

Venessa Vida Kelley illustrated the gorgeous cover. Her pen and ink drawings are scattered throughout the text as well.

While I really enjoy fantasy and the writing of this book was gorgeous, the alt. history just didn't work for me as a historian and instead I just got frustrated by it. I think for others this will be a smash hit!

This is a love story between a Puerto Rican outcast Benny who finds family in a Luna Park full of other outcasts, and a merman Rio, captured by the owner of the Luna Park who Benny is tasked with taking care of.

The love story is absolutely beautiful and my favorite part about the book. I loved the development of Benny and Rio’s relationship and how Rio helped Benny with discovering and accepting his identity while Benny in turn was the saving grace in Rio’s captivity. This book is worth reading for that relationship alone.

I did also enjoy the rest of the characters, however I wished they were either a little more flushed out or more faded into the background. It was kind of in between and I found myself not interested enough and waiting for Rio and Benny scenes to come back. This made it seem like the book was quite a slow pace since the scenes without Rio in them dragged a bit.

The setting of the Luna Park was great and the ending was satissfying although a few questions were left unanswered (intentionally it seems).

I loved the addition of the art and honestly wished there was more of it.

Overall would recommend this to anyone looking for a well developed queer romance in a magical setting of a Luna Park.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I greatly enjoyed reading this all of this book, especially the short passages we get from the merman’s perspective. He is addressing his mother and they effectively work as a way to show how differently Rio understands what is going on, and provides a peek into how his side of the relationship is developing. I think that the romance is well written, but the side characters aren’t quite as well developed. Beni in general is struggling with a lot of habits and emotions, but because the relationship with the side characters isn’t developed as much (despite claims of found familyness) which made it hard to understand some of Beni’s struggles and some of their actions. Despite that, I really liked some of their dynamics between them, and the epilogue letting us know what happens to them afterwards.