When the Tides Held the Moon

Chella

A charming, merman fantasy

"This book was a genuine pleasure to read. When The Tides Held The Moon has really captured my attention - in fact, I read this through Libby and purchased a hardcover copy as a keepsake. I also found Kelley’s Etsy where I could order some signed goodies from the book. (I am so bummed I missed the presale and the tour!) I will admit that the book began a little slowly, but by the end it was really everything that I could want in a novel. The story itself is pure escapism. I'm sure we all envisioned falling in love with a mermaid at some point (for those of us fantasy lovers, anyway). Add in the fact that the story’s backdrop is historical Coney Island - there is so much to take in with just that fact alone, and Kelley really captured the essence of an old timey, (very much) crooked sideshow. She really weaved true history with her own story - and it makes you think, was Dreamland’s fatal fire ACTUALLY because of a runaway merman? Who knows. Not to mention, I am an area native (not of NY, but on the Jersey side), and I really appreciated all the little jabs at the Brooklyn accent. Benigno’s story is not just about falling in love with a merman. It’s a story of an immigrant who is constantly facing an uphill battle due to prejudices; a queer person who is seeking to find himself and fit in with his found family; a man who has only ever felt the harsh whip of life’s edge, struggling to find tenderness in affection. These are all things that are not only relatable to today’s stories, but our actual lives for many of us that are living in this hellscape of a modern world. Not to mention, I saw myself in Benigno. His demisexual nature was like music to my ears, and I’m pretty sure he would relate when I both praise and scorn Dios y Jesús in the same breath. (Thanks, Catholic School!) Above all this, it’s just beautifully written. Kelley has an excellent sense of words that truly help to paint a picture in the reader’s mind - although, there are incredible illustrations that go along with the story. Indeed, I was pleasantly surprised to see the ample amount of original artwork, and it made me think that more adult novels should include illustrations! I can’t say this book does absolutely everything, but what book can? However, the things that is does…it does very, very well. You will fall in love with the denizens of Morgan’s Human Oddities, learn to hate its proprietor, and be satisfied with how everything works out in the end. While this was Kelley’s debut novel, I will happily read any book they decide to publish. Also, I would not mind revisiting the world of Benigno and Rio again, and I’m sure many of us hold the same sentiment. ["

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October 25, 2025 Verified Purchase

KJ (writeofpassages)

Compelling and immersive!

"I don't read historical fantasy very often, but I am so glad that I read this one! Kelley did a brilliant job with the characters, historical setting, and plot. Although the book misses the mark at the very end (which is why it's a four rather than five star review from me). The history made my little historian heart incredibly happy, I really enjoyed the characters, and finished the book wishing for more. Also, the story is littered with images that I absolutely adored! Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time? Definitely. See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book CHARACTERS: Told in 1st person, we follow Benny, an immigrant from Puerto Rico to 1911 New York City. He's hardworking, compassionate, talented, and caught in between worlds, never quite fitting in anywhere. It's unfortunately a common struggle and I believe Kelley nailed it with his experiences. Also, having learned English quite quickly, Benny is still one of the most realistic bilingual characters I've ever read. His voice is littered with Spanish terms and phrases. At times context makes translation easy, though at other times I had no idea what a phrase might be. I personally adored this, because it felt truly like a bilingual person was telling me their story and sometimes muttering to themself trying to remember the correct English word. (There is a glossary of all the terms and phrases at the end of the book as well. However, if you are a reader who would get frustrated about not knowing what every single word/phrase is in the moment, this may not be the book for you, but I highly recommend giving this one a go!) Additionally, we are gifted a wonderful cast of characters, including Rio, the merman trapped and caged because his heart led him to helping a girl which led him into a trap. He's curious, fascinated by Benny, and strong-willed. Rounding out the cast are the rest of those one might find in a circus in 1911 (world's tallest man, smallest woman, contortionist, strongest man, conjoined twins, etc.). They all feel wonderfully locked in their time period as well. PLOT: Blacksmith Benny is asked to create an ornate tank for a circus and finds himself caught up in the showman's scheme, which included the capture of a live merman. Already not fully in agreement that Rio should be captive, Benny finds himself growing closer to Rio, realizing that the merman is far more than a mythical creature, but a kindred spirit. He doesn't want to lose Rio even as he promises to free Rio. At the risk of losing his job, his found family, and Rio, Benny must make the choice between loving and letting go. EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need. 2:5/low. An incredibly immersive world that delves into some deep themes of belonging, racism and bigotry. CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled? 75%. Unfortunately the ending doesn't quite stick the landing. We have no denouement at all save for an epilogue told to us by a different character. I never got a chance to be with the characters. I would have loved more. I wasn't quite ready for it to end as quickly as it did. Additionally, there are a few tiny unanswered questions that I would have loved to have answered. But I wasn't left frustrated, just not as content as I wanted to be. ["

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May 18, 2025 Verified Purchase

bwrom/kindle

Love that Transcends; Relevant Fairytale Romance

"Lovely Art Nouveau cover and illustrations by the author, lyrical Spanish endearments and epithets decorate this romance between a Puerto Rican immigrant to NYC and his beloved merman, set in a 1911 Coney Island sideshow. Yeah, that's right, I fell in love with the cover, but stayed for the romance and experienced unexpected depths and current cultural relevance, in this excruciating time of immigration arguments, tariffs and the rich exploiting the poor. - Benny (Benigno Caldera) survived a hurricane as a child that wiped out his family in Puerto Rico, made a deathbed promise to the Aunt that raised him, to travel to New York and make something of himself. Working in a dingy Brooklyn foundry on structural ironwork for the planned Woolworth skyscraper, his ability with ironwork was noticed, he was given the opportunity to to design and build a traveling ironwork multi-ton water tank for a coming attraction at Luna Park. Incorporating fanciful elements from the beaches of his homeland, he improved on the structural design, and impressed the sideshow owner enough to be offered a job transporting and maintaining the tank. Benny escapes the Irish-dominated foundry where he is lesser-than because he is a newer wave of immigrant, and becomes part of the found-family of Coney Island 'freaks.' Sideshow owner, manipulative silver-tongued showman Sam Morgan plans to capture a Siren, a real mythic mermaid, believing that will be his ticket to success, having actually seen one as a child. Benny is brought along, and they succeed in capturing a merman and killing his mother in the process. Benny is horrified, recognizing subjugation and domination of a native culture, a being that is a natural phenomenon, a treasure of the Sea. Benny vows to himself to protect, befriend, and release the creature, as the mother implores him telepathically while dying. - This is a love story, not a political tract, but readers will pickup the themes interwoven through this historical romance. Benny has always felt he is 'other', first as orphan, then later as a gay boy in a culture that doesn't abide such, and then as an immigrant to the US, in just another tide of people coming to American shores. He develops a kinship with the beautiful creature, then realizes he can communicate with him in both English and Spanish, and finally in Song. Rio, the merman is cultured and fluent in many land languages, and is a natural being in tune with the 'currents' of the Sea. They find in each other a new language, a friendship and strength that transcends their differences. It is my wish that we as culture will transcend our present limits and find beauty in each other, appreciate out differences and build together a new culture of peace. Perhaps this is a beautiful fairytale that beguiles an old hippie, but maybe not. Be the Change you wish to see. ["

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July 7, 2025 Verified Purchase

Mom Needs Coffee

Gorgeous writing, Wonderful Audiobook, Brilliant story

"Slow burn Low relationship angst Plot focused First person POV Well written I originally stayed away from this because I disliked that comparison of "the greatest showman meets the shape of water" (two movies I love) but I am so glad I moved past that to read this. This story is wonderful! The characters are meaningful, the romance is beautiful, and the story is brilliant. I ached for both Rio and Benny- especially during Rio's chapters (short but poetic)- and there were a few times I grew teary-eyed as their forbidden romance was met with obstacles. The ending came as no surprise but it soothed my heart nonetheless. I realized on page one of reading the book that I wanted to hear the Spanish - the sample did not disappoint and the entire book lived up to every expectation I had. This book was captivating - I listened to all 12+ hours in less than 3 (work) days because I was absolutely obsessed. I did everything from cooking to driving, sneaking in a few minutes between meetings, even walking the dog an extra time in order to get as much listening as possible. I haven't been this interested in an audiobook in months. The narrator who performed the majority of the book (Benny) did a fantastic job. His voices, accents, timing, and emotional expression were spot on. ["

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July 30, 2025 Verified Purchase