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. "A lushly illustrated historical romance . . . This book is a charming
fable — an elemental dance of fire and water." ― THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW “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 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.
