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 can’ t 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. Benny’ s work earns him an invitation to join the show’ s eclectic crew of performers— his first welcome in the city— and 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 Rí o as a clever philosopher, an observant traveler, and a kindred spirit more beautiful and compassionate than any human he’ s ever met. Despite their different worlds, what begins as a friendship of necessity deepens to love, leading Benny’ s heart into uncharted waters where he can no longer ignore the agonizing truth of Rí o’ s captivity— and his own.
A cage is no place for a merman to survive. Though releasing Rí o means betraying his new family, bankrupting their home, and losing his soulmate forever, Benny must look within for the courage to do what’ s 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.
