Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme hosted by Renee at It’s Book Talk. Throwback Thursday is an awesome opportunity to share old favorites as well as older books in our TBR. I love this idea as I’m often distracted by all of the shiny, new books I see every day and don’t make it back to the ones that have been sitting on my shelves.
My pick of the the week is:
When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
This book has been on my NetGalley naughty list for some time. I read it a while ago and was so worried about writing a review that did it justice that I never quite finished that review.
The Blurb:
To everyone who knows them, best friends Miel and Sam are as strange as they are inseparable. Roses grow out of Miel’s wrist, and rumors say that she spilled out of a water tower when she was five. Sam is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees, and for how little anyone knows about his life before he and his mother moved to town. But as odd as everyone considers Miel and Sam, even they stay away from the Bonner girls, four beautiful sisters rumored to be witches. Now they want the roses that grow from Miel’s skin, convinced that their scent can make anyone fall in love. And they’re willing to use every secret Miel has fought to protect to make sure she gives them up.
My Review:
When the Moon Was Ours was my first fantasy/magical realism read in a very, very long time. I wasn’t sure if would enjoy the genre but I’d been hearing so many good things that I just had to read it. I went into it with an open mind and no expectations and I’m so glad I did!
The first thing that struck me about this book was a absolutely gorgeous imagery. Anna-Marie McLemore’s writing is beyond beautiful. She wrote about Miel and Sam with such tenderness that I immediately fell in love with them.
This book is categorized as YA, romance, and LGBTQ+, fantasy/science fiction, and contemporary. I was a little nervous about the whole romance thing. You know I’m an old cynic and I don’t do romance. This was very nicely done, however. None of that over-the-top saccharine stuff. This felt like more than simple romance to me. It felt like something closer to unconditional love; born of friendship, acceptance, and understanding. This book will appeal to pretty much anyone who loves a good character-driven story that will give you all the feels.
Anna-Marie McLemore has written beautiful book; a gift really in that it that celebrates diversity and acceptance while gently reminding us of our sameness. I could definitely relate to some of the emotions and experiences of the characters; the vulnerability and self-doubt that comes with not fitting in as a young person, the fear that if someone really knows all about you they might stop loving you, fears that a friend or peer could betray your secrets.
I had the opportunity to meet the author very briefly as she signed copies of Wild Beauty at Book Expo. She truly exuded a positive energy. I was amazed at how gracious she was while facing a long line of fans, smiling and chatting with each one. I’m looking forward to reading that book and I’d also like to read The Weight of Feathers.
4.75/5 stars
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Oooh, what high praise! I have been making a conscious effort to break out of my “usual” reading box and try new things; this sounds like a great recommendation!
Thanks, Tara! I’ve been trying to do the same. I’m not really looking any fantasy see to read but I’m open to it when I see a fellow blogger or GR friends make a recommendation.