When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley is a beautifully illustrated queer historical fantasy romance. It came out in April 2025. The story blends cozy fantasy, merman lore, and found family in early 1900s New York. It feels like The Shape of Water meets The Greatest Showman with lush art throughout.
Plot Overview
Benny is a young Puerto Rican immigrant in turn-of-the-century New York. He arrives seeking work and a new life. He finds a job at a Coney Island sideshow. One day, he captures a mysterious merman in the waters near the park. The creature is beautiful and otherworldly. The sideshow owners see profit. They put the merman on display.
Benny feels drawn to the being. He names him Río. Benny starts to care for him. He sneaks food and talks to him. Río is trapped and far from home. He longs for freedom. Benny grapples with guilt. He helped capture Río. But he also wants to help him escape.
The sideshow life is colorful but harsh. Performers form a tight group. They become found family for Benny. He faces dangers from greedy owners. He deals with his own identity struggles as a queer immigrant. The bond with Río deepens. It turns from pity to love. They share quiet moments. They dream of a free life together. The story builds to a choice: keep the status quo or risk everything for Río’s freedom and their future.
Character Dynamics and Development
Benny is kind and resourceful. He is demisexual and homoromantic. He feels out of place in the world. Capturing Río starts his journey. He grows by facing his role in the captivity. He learns to fight for what is right. He opens his heart fully.
Río is gentle yet strong. He is wise from the sea. He teaches Benny about freedom and self-worth. Their romance is slow and tender. It builds on trust. They balance each other—Benny brings fire and action, Río brings calm and depth.
The sideshow crew adds warmth. They support Benny. They show community strength. The dynamic feels real. It celebrates queer found family.
Key Events and Themes
The book starts with Benny’s arrival and the capture. Sideshow days show daily life. Benny and Río bond in secret. Tensions rise with threats to Río. Emotional talks happen. A big escape plan forms. The ending mixes hope and heart.
The story explores freedom and agency. It looks at othering and marginalization. It celebrates queer identity and immigrant resilience. Illustrations add magic. They make the world vivid. The romance is gentle with emotional heat.
In short, this is a luminous read. A lonely immigrant captures a merman. Guilt turns to love in a Coney Island dream. They fight for freedom together. It is full of wonder, art, and heart. Great for fans of cozy queer fantasy and illustrated romances.