When the Moon was Ours

// the speculative fiction authors challenge
// part 2: Anna-Marie McLemore

Anna-Marie McLemore is, in their own words, an author of queer fairy tales. It sums up When The Moon Was Ours perfectly. It's gentle and melancholy and haunting and painted in a veil of gorgeous atmosphere.

I really liked this. I like that McLemore writes about trans characters. It's don't very respectfully and the world deserves more books like this.

A matter of personal taste: I am not a big fan of the fairy tale kind of magic (I never know whether to read all sorts of big messages from it, or just let it colour the atmosphere...). I think, in this book, the massive usage of nature imagery and colours etc. takes too much attention from the very likable characters of Sam and Miel.

But... personal matter... If you like the fairy tale style, and if you want to read books with queer MCs, I'd say McLemore is good place to start.

Will I read McLemore in the future? If the right time and the right mood came together, probably, yes.

3.5*

I'm a trans guy, and culture is one of the most important things to me. When the Moon Was Ours - a book that shares the magic in culture and the trans experience - captured my heart. The writing style felt like hope, like maybe love is possible and good things can stay pure. I read the book in about four hours, it spoke to me that much. The ending is more abrupt than I would've liked and didn't feel very flushed out, which is why I'd say my rating is more like 4.75/5, but despite that I think it's a book tied directly to my soul and I'll be forever grateful it was written.