When the Tides Held the Moon
Erewhon Books, 2025
With lush illustrations and buoyant prose, Venessa Vida Kelley blends historical fantasy with epic romance at the turn of the 20th century in this unforgettable New York fairytale of queer identity and found family.
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 Río 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 Río’s captivity—and his own.
A cage is no place for a merman to survive. Though releasing Río 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.
ADVANCE PRAISE
"Kelley debuts with a captivating and perfectly balanced blend of history, fantasy, and good old-fashioned carnival magic... The setting is transporting and the romance is heartrending. It’s a triumph." - Publishers Weekly
“I can't believe Venessa Kelley exists. Here is an artist who is not only extraordinarily talented, but she can write too? We are so lucky to be around at the same time as her. WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON may be a debut, but it reads like someone at the top of their game. Lush prose, diverse characters, and a love story to swoon over? This book has got it all. Venessa Kelley is a dynamic writer who understands that little details matter just as much as the narrative itself. A feast for the senses!” —TJ Klune, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea
“Kelley’s writing lands like music, infusing early 20th century Coney Island with palpable magic. I’m head over heels for Benny, Río, their unforgettable found family, and this love song of a book.” —Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling & award-winning author
“Venessa Vida Kelley's debut novel proves she can achieve the same effortless luminosity with words as with her artwork, creating a page-turning story which brings 1911 New York and a vivid found family of characters equally to life. This is an achingly fantastical and painfully romantic book; it plunged me deep and took my breath away!” —Freya Marske, internationally bestselling author and New York Times Editors' Choice Pick for A Marvelous Light and A Restless Truth
“Her prose is as beautiful as her art; her understanding of history and character, deep as the ocean. . . . Save some talent for the rest of us!” —Sarah Rees Brennan, USA Today bestselling author of Long Live Evil
“When the Tides Held the Moon made me fall in love with 1920s New York, with the scrappy circus, and with the beautiful central relationship at its heart. Gorgeously compelling and romantic right up to the last page.” —Everina Maxwell, Sunday Times bestselling author of Winter's Orbit and Ocean's Echo
“Steeped in the rasp of metalworks and the salt of the ocean, this novel is a delight for the senses and a balm for the heart. WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON lives evocatively in the intersection of romance and justice, of land and sea.” —Eliot Schrefer, Two-time National Book Award Finalist and New York Times bestselling author
“A beautiful, lyrical love story between two fish out of water determined to save each other. WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON is a stunning debut by a brilliant new voice in romantasy. It made me cry four times!” —Lex Croucher, New York Times bestselling author of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love
“Lush and romantic, WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON is a love story unlike anything you’ve read before.” —Camryn Garrett, NAACP Image Award-nominated author
“A breathtaking and illuminating love song to culture, language, found families, and the depths of the heart, When the Tides Held the Moon is the richly compelling historical fantasy romance readers have longed for. Venessa Vida Kelley’s melodic prose and enchanting characters will pull you under until the very last page!” —Julian Winters, award-winning author of Prince of the Palisades
“WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON is at once a quiet love story between Benny, an orphaned blacksmith from Puerto Rico and Rio, the stubborn but soft-hearted merman he unknowingly helped capture, as well as an epic historical fantasy with a cast of diverse and loveable misfits. On Benny’s bumpy path to finding himself and his place in 1920’s New York City he stumbles upon found family and true love—which grounds him in a way he never could have expected. With luscious illustrations by Vida Kelley that accompany this truly heartfelt and original story, readers will find themselves easily immersed in Benny and Rio’s journey.” —Jackie Khalilieh, author of Something More
"With prose as lush and intricate as her illustrations, Venessa Vida Kelley’s romantic debut is sure to enchant and captivate readers.” —Mia García, author of Even if the Sky Falls
“A luminous and romantic fantasy from a gifted storyteller and illustrator... prepare to be swept off your feet!“ —Sher Lee, author of Legend of the White Snake
CONCEPT ART
