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Book Recommendation: WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS

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By Alison Green Myers
Dear Kim,

 Glass pumpkins,
true love,
WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS
buy here or here or here.
and magic.
Does anything sound better for a Halloween read?

 WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS has all three and so much more. It is a perfect book to curl up with on this all hallows' eve. (Really any time of year because this book is stunning, I just really want you to start reading tonight.)
Author Anna-Marie McLemore creates a world of unique beauty with jagged, mysterious edges. We are drawn into the love story between Miel and Sam immediately, their fairy tale grown from a deep trust. It blooms with an equally deep longing for true love.


Sam brings the moon to Miel. He lights the path between their homes with moons so that she can find her way to him, and he to her. He hangs the moon in trees across town for sick children and those in need. He is caring and quiet. Sweet and reserved. His love for Miel is all encompassing and flows throughout the book even when she isn't sure that they can be together.



Miel's past will always course through her veins. Sam brought the past with Miel when he rescued her from the water tower as a child and united her with caretaker Aracely. The water and magic inside Miel draws roses from her wrists-- this, at first, is the only outside indication of the secrets that her body holds. That is until the Bonner girls (four alluring sisters who live near Sam and Miel) decide that Miel's roses (and secrets) are enough to bring lust back to them, something that went missing when the oldest redheaded Bonner girl got pregnant.

The Bonner girls are as complex as the setting that McLemore has created, each plum-perfect, yet not. The development of the girls, and more so the development of Sam and Miel's characters was expertly crafted. Further, the way that McLemore builds Aracely's character from beginning to end is masterful. 

 Using words like 'perfect', 'expertly', and 'masterful' are inadequate in comparison to McLemore's control of our language. Even colors never sounded more beautiful than the way McLemore has cast them in this tale.



I found myself rereading passages,
pages,
entire chapters
just so I could savor the lyrical gorgeousness of McLemore's words. I was completely immersed in the world she created and wanted nothing more than Sam and Miel to find love and peace. And as though that weren't enough reason to adore this book, the author lays a dedication and author's note so beautiful we wept.

WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS, dedication page


Anna-Marie McLemore blends love story and self-awareness into a beautiful (and, at times, bittersweet) novel that is a must read for all YA fans. I love this book and I know you will too.

Much love,
Alison


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