Hi friends!
This book was so fucking good, it’s hard to put it into words. It was definitely my fave read from the past few months.
It probably isn’t for everyone because it’s a very specific writing style but if you like a lyrical, metaphorical writing style about the stars and the universe and a little bit of magic. As well as exploring abusive family dynamics, grief, fall in love with someone else as well as yourself.
You can only save yourself. This doesn’t mean others can’t help you. But if you’re looking for them to give you your worth, to give your life meaning? They will always fail you.
How Moon Fuentez fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
CW // fatphobia, child abuse (verbal and physical), death of a parent by suicide (off-page, prior to story)
How Moon Fuentez fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Published by S&S Books for Young Readers in 2021
Genre & Rep: Young Adult (Contemporary) | Plus Size Rep | Latine Rep | Disability Rep | Queer Rep
When her twin sister reaches social media stardom, Moon Fuentez accepts her fate in the background. But this summer, Moon also takes a job on a tour bus full of beautiful influencers and her fate begins to shift in the best way possible. Most notable is her bunkmate and new nemesis, Santiago Phillips, who is grumpy, combative, and also the hottest guy Moon has ever seen. Moon is certain she hates Santiago and that he hates her back. But as chance and destiny (and maybe, probably, close proximity) bring the two of them in each other’s perpetual paths, Moon starts to wonder if that’s really true. She even starts to question her destiny as the unnoticed, unloved wallflower she always thought she was.
For thousands of years, all we had to guide us were constellations. We followed them at sea and on land, letting them guide our whole destinies. Makes sense that people still look up for answers on the next steps.
How Moon Fuentez fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
I just truly loved how Moon looked at the world around her and the universe at large. I loved her connection with nature and her spiritual nature. I loved that her so-called curse was something truly beautiful and precious and I wish I could see her finished tarot deck.
This story was so much darker than I expected from the blurb with Moon not only suffering abuse at the hands of her peers and society in general but directly from her mother. Not to mention the trauma and grief she experienced in the absence of her loving father.
I love that even as Moon acknowledges her mother’s humanity and weakness, she doesn’t forgive her and she doesn’t love her just because it’s her mother. Her mom doesn’t get a redemption arc because sometimes that’s just the reality and abusive family members don’t always deserve forgiveness and love just because they’re related.
This is what I try to remember when Mom makes me feel worthless. That somewhere deep down, she feels worthless too. It’s not like it erases everything she’s done to me, but remembering that she’s a wounded human sometimes helps a teeny-tiny bit. Only sometimes, though.
How Moon Fuentez fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
I also loved the dynamic between Star and Moon. They may be total opposites, but they’re still sisters and Moon could resent her for seemingly taking all of their mother’s love and attention, but she doesn’t. She is very mature in putting the blame where it’s due and recognizing her sister as her own person with her own faults and trauma.
I also like that Star is the reason she’s held on for this long to her relationship with her mother instead of cutting all ties and that even when Star is terrible and lashing out she’s not willing to give up their relationship.
There’s so much that connects me to Star, beginning from in the womb, when she and I were little specks in a dark, watery galaxy. Now I imagine it like thread: we’re stitched together by the truth of who we are and where we came from. There’s so many strands of string between us, it’s like a thousand constellations. It’s a quilt of planets and space stuff, all twinkling and bright when no one is looking.
How Moon Fuentez fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Ugh the relationship between Moon and Santiago was just *clenches fist* Their banter and chemistry was off the charts and I love romance that forms over food and shared experiences. I loved the things they helped each other realize about themselves.
I just can’t wait to reread this book and experience them falling in love with each other and themselves all over again.
But now things have changed. It feels like a whole new universe being born again, like wildflowers into seeds into flowers, on and on from ancient times until now. And I can be anything in this brand-new world. Absolutely anything I choose.
How Moon Fuentez fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
💫 Is this book on your TBR? Or have you read it yet?
Just A Little Lit Nerd 