When the Moon Was Ours

by Anna-Marie McLemore
When the Moon Was Ours cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Magical Realism
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  • ID: 10104
  • Added: 2026-01-15
  • Updated: 2026-01-15
  • ISBN: 9781466873247
  • Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
  • Published: 2016-10-04
  • Reviews: 3

Anna-Marie McLemore's When the Moon Was Ours is a captivating blend of lush fairytale, queer romance, and a celebration of trans love. The story revolves around Miel and Samir, two best friends with unique qualities that set them apart. Miel has roses growing from her wrist, and Samir is known for the moons he paints and hangs in the trees. Their lives become entangled with the Bonner girls, rumored to be witches, who desire the roses from Miel's skin, leading to a series of secrets and revelations. The novel is praised for its exquisite prose and the way it deftly weaves together elements of culture, myth, dream, mystery, love, and gender identity. It's a tale that resonates deeply, encouraging readers to savor every sentence. The story explores themes of identity, love, and the magic of being oneself, making it a modern classic that stands out in contemporary literature.

Reviews
Anglophone Literatures Blog · 2022-02-02
thought-provoking 4.00

The novel explores relevant topics in a slow-paced but thought-provoking manner. The writing is lush and beautiful, making it a significant and important book.

The reviewer from Anglophone Literatures Blog noted that while the plot might be slow-paced for some readers, the themes explored in the novel are incredibly relevant and thought-provoking. The writing is lush and beautiful, which makes the book significant and important. They appreciated the depth of the themes and the way the author weaves them into the narrative. The slow pace, however, might not be suitable for everyone, but those who enjoy a more contemplative read will find it rewarding.

Quick quotes

    While one could argue about the slow pace of the plot, McLemore explores topics that are incredibly relevant, not only for our time but also for the future.

    The writing is lush and beautiful, making it a significant and important book.

    The depth of the themes and the way the author weaves them into the narrative is commendable.

Bookjockeyalex.com · Alex · 2020-01-27
beautiful 4.50

The book is beautifully written and emotionally evocative, with a compelling story and even more compelling characters. It tackles themes of love, identity, and magic in a tender and heartfelt way.

Alex found the prose in this novel to be gorgeously written and heartbreakingly evocative. The story and characters are compelling, and the exploration of themes like love, identity, and magic is done in a tender and heartfelt manner. They appreciated the emotional depth and the way the narrative weaves together different elements to create a rich and immersive experience. However, they also noted that the book can be slow-paced at times, which might not appeal to everyone. Overall, it's a beautiful and impactful read that stays with you long after you've finished.

Quick quotes

    It's gorgeously written and heartbreakingly evocative, with a compelling story and even more compelling characters.

    The exploration of love, identity, and magic is done in a tender and heartfelt manner.

    The emotional depth and the way the narrative weaves together different elements to create a rich and immersive experience.

Rich in Color · 2016-10-14
thoughtful 4.00

The book is a great introduction to magical realism for teens and treats romance, sex, and identity thoughtfully. The writing is lush and the themes are explored in a meaningful way.

The reviewer from Rich in Color found the book to be a great introduction to magical realism, especially for young adults. They appreciated how the novel treats romance, sex, and identity thoughtfully and with sensitivity. The writing is lush and the themes are explored in a meaningful way, making it a valuable read for those interested in these topics. The reviewer also noted that the book's exploration of magical elements is done in a way that enhances the overall narrative and adds depth to the characters and their relationships.

Quick quotes

    Moon would be a great introduction to magical realism for teens and treats romance, sex, and (gender) identity thoughtfully.

    The writing is lush and the themes are explored in a meaningful way.

    The exploration of magical elements is done in a way that enhances the overall narrative and adds depth to the characters and their relationships.

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