An Arrow to the Moon

AN ARROW TO THE MOON is a lyrical and mystical YA magical realism. The book tells the story of Luna and Hunter, whose families are enemies after competing for the same position in academia. Hunter Yee feels as though he cannot do anything right for his parents, who have been on the run from something in their past for as long as he can remember, but he stays for his brother, Cody. His aim is perfect - except when it comes to the girl he is drawn to, and the wind seems to follow him everywhere. Luna is crumbling under the weight of her parents' expectations, and they seem to have plotted out her life for her. The thing that she has chosen for herself is spending time with this intriguing but forbidden boy.

Everything in their town is evolving with these large, sinister cracks that seem to be appearing all over. Fireflies are appearing everywhere and the answers to what is happening seem other-worldly. As Hunter and Luna orbit each other, they must defy their parents, redefine their lives, and escape the danger that threatens them at every turn.

What I loved: This is a hauntingly beautiful story that creeps up on the reader slowly. The lyrical writing pulls the reader into this fairytale-esque world with danger, love, and unexpected turns. Although there were many perspectives, the story is always easy to follow and consistently intriguing. There is a lot of character development, not only for Luna and Hunter, but also for their parents and the person who has been hunting the Yees. They all come to life through their vignettes, understanding their motives and darker emotions. This feels like a softly told and deep story that sweeps the reader away into this mystical world and its unexpected characters. I particularly enjoyed the perspective of Cody, whose sections manage to capture a child who is mature for his years and who gains new insights into Hunter and Luna as time proceeds.

The magical realism elements of this are intriguing and add a layer of danger to the story, with the cracks that keep appearing in the world, and the gathering fireflies. This story is very evocative and emotional, capturing the forbidden romance and the changes in the world around them as the story continues. There are also some thought-provoking themes around finding yourself, family conflict, illness, the weight of parental expectations, siblinghood, the way that love changes you and the ways you view the world, considering others' perspectives, politics (particularly around Taiwan), and education (college and decisions around pursuing advanced degrees). The evolving landscape and perspectives in this story convey so much in a really unique way. That ending is also very emotional - with so many different feelings packed into such a surprising finale.

Final verdict: Lyrical and evocative, AN ARROW TO THE MOON is a unique YA magical realism that will capture readers' imaginations and hearts. Highly recommend for fans of SHIVER, WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS, and A CONSTELLATION OF ROSES.