When the Tides Held the Moon Summary: A Lyrical Tale of Love, Captivity, and Courage

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Introduction: An Unforgettable Tidal Tale

In the enchanting novel When the Tides Held the Moon, debut author Venessa Vida Kelley invites readers to 1910s Coney Island where fantasy blends with historical fiction in a deeply emotional and poetic narrative. The story orbits around Benigno “Benny” Caldera, a Puerto Rican blacksmith and immigrant, and his fateful encounter with a mystical merman named Río. Kelley delivers a richly layered exploration of identity, colonial displacement, queerness, and the emotional cost of freedom.

This When the Tides Held the Moon summary takes a deep dive into the novel’s plot, characters, themes, and writing style, offering readers a comprehensive look at one of the most evocative stories set against the steel and salt of early 20th-century New York. Whether you’re curious about the book or reflecting after reading, this guide illuminates why Kelley’s debut is making literary waves.

A Queer Historical Fantasy of Identity, Resistance, and Love in Early 20th-Century New York

Release Date: April 29, 2025
Genre: Historical Fantasy, Queer Fiction
Author: Venessa Vida Kelley

About the Author

Venessa Vida Kelley is a Nuyorican writer, illustrator and sequential artist. Their work focuses on magical realism, fantasy, and romance in a culturally diverse world, and has been featured in Discovery Girls Magazine, Buzzfeed, and in board games and activism campaigns for Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, creator of the La Borinqueña comic series.

They hold a BA and MA in English Literature with concentrations in film from the University of Delaware and George Washington University. They live in Washington, DC with their spouse and two sons, and can be found online at VenessaKelley.com.

When the Tides Held the Moon Summary: What Is When the Tides Held the Moon About?

Plot Summary: Benny, Río, and the Magic of Coney Island

The novel follows Benigno “Benny” Caldera, a young Puerto Rican immigrant trying to carve out a life in New York City. Facing hardship and limited opportunities, Benny finds work as a blacksmith in a harsh industrial factory.

Everything changes when he’s commissioned to build a cage for a mysterious, wealthy showman. The project leads him to Coney Island, where he meets a vibrant cast of performers and discovers the true purpose of the iron tank: to hold a live merman named Río.

As Benny gets drawn deeper into this strange and magical world, he finds both kindred spirits and a growing affection for Río. The performers, though often misunderstood or dismissed by society, become a found family for Benny. Their stories, like the fake conjoined twins or the bearded lady, reflect resilience, self-creation, and survival.

Themes: Identity, Resistance, and Queer Love

1. Queer Love and Emotional Depth

The romance between Benny and Río is delicately rendered. It develops gradually over months, with emotional authenticity and balance. Their bond is rooted in trust, understanding, and shared feelings of being “othered” in the world.

2. Found Family and Community

The sideshow performers—despite being marginalized—create a vibrant and supportive community. This theme of chosen family is central to the story’s emotional impact.

3. Historical and Social Realism

Kelley incorporates real historical events, such as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, grounding the fantasy in a vivid and often painful reality. The novel is as much about systemic injustice as it is about personal transformation.

Characters: Vivid, Flawed, and Human

Benny Caldera: A tender-hearted protagonist shaped by hardship, Benny is determined to find dignity and connection in a city that often denies him both.
Río: The merman is both mystical and deeply human. His perspective, interwoven in several chapters, provides insight into the emotional toll of captivity and the healing power of love.
Coney Island Performers: They add both humor and heart to the narrative. Their stories subtly critique societal norms while celebrating individuality and resistance.

Style, Structure, and Artistry

Kelley’s prose is lyrical yet grounded, with alternating perspectives between Benny and Río. This duality enriches the narrative. The novel also features stunning illustrations, which add depth and beauty to the storytelling. The structure mirrors the tidal rhythms of longing, connection, and release.

Critical Evaluation: Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ Strengths

Vivid historical setting with emotional texture
Rich LGBTQ+ representation and nuanced queer romance
Strong themes of identity, displacement, and found family
Lush, immersive writing with striking illustrations

❌ Minor Weakness

The ending may feel predictable to seasoned readers, but it still delivers emotional satisfaction and narrative closure.

Final Verdict: A Magical, Meaningful Must-Read

When the Tides Held the Moon is a powerful debut that succeeds both as a fantasy novel and as a poignant social narrative. Venessa Vida Kelley has crafted a story that is bold in its imagination and tender in its humanism.

Whether you’re drawn to queer stories, historical fiction, or magical realism, this novel promises an unforgettable journey. It’s a celebration of love, identity, and the courage to live authentically.

Who Should Read This Book?

Ideal Readers:

Fans of historical fiction with a magical realism twist
Readers looking for queer love stories rooted in emotional and social depth
Those interested in themes of immigration, identity, and justice

Comparable Titles:

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Deep by Rivers Solomon

Strengths and Weaknesses: A Balanced View

Strengths:

Deeply poetic prose
Rich character development
Powerful and relevant themes
LGBTQ+ representation that feels natural and respectful

Weaknesses:

Slow start: The initial chapters focused on ironworking may lose some readers
Pacing issues: Middle sections feel slow despite emotional weight
Limited world-building of the merfolk culture: Readers may crave more detail about Río’s world

A Spellbinding Journey Worth Taking

When the Tides Held the Moon is a love letter to the misfits, the displaced, the dreamers, and the defiant. Venessa Vida Kelley has created a narrative that doesn’t just tell a story—it makes you feel it in your bones, like the pull of the tide or the hush of moonlight on water.

For those seeking a story that is as rich in meaning as it is in language, this novel delivers. Despite a slow opening and a few narrative lulls, the payoff is immense. Benny and Río’s story is one of love not just between two beings, but for freedom, truth, and the right to exist fully.

Try this story today—and let it pull you under like the tide.