When the Tides Held the Moon

 

When the Tides Held the Moon is a beautifully illustrated YA romantasy by Venessa Vida Kelley. Released 29th April 2025 by Kensington on their Erewhon Books imprint, it's 464 pages and is available in special hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Comparisons to The Shape of Water and The Greatest Showman are apt enough, but the additional wistful melancholy and aching desire of this story are nuanced and beautiful. The book is additionally enhanced by the artist/author's illustrations, which are intricate pen and ink and recall La Belle Époque. Much of the book is written around a framework of real history, Dreamland for example, was a real amusement park on Coney Island, where much of the book takes place.

MC Beni's ethical/moral dilemma (rescue/release someone he's fallen hard for and lose his found family as well) drives the plot and he's such a morally pure and admirable protagonist. His quandary is poignant and heartbreaking. The climax, denouement, and resolution are perfect and satisfying. 

It's peppered with Puerto Rican Spanish phrases and words. They probably won't pose too much challenge in context, but the author/publisher have also included a handy glossary in the back of the book.  

Four and a half stars. It's so well written. Recommended for public library acquisition, for fans of historical fantasy, and it would make an excellent buddy read or book club selection. One of the best reads so far in 2025. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.