An Arrow to the Moon

This is a wonderfully well written book. Paperback, pocket sized. Although I would suggest that this this novel based around a retelling of Houyi and Chang'e folktale not on a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Anyway we get to meet the families of Lunar and Hunter who are from different so different socially that they wouldn’t be expected mix together let alone be friends. This is a story of breaking down barriers and so much more. Very pleased to recommend.

I so wanted to give this book 5 stars but the only reason I can't is because I felt a little bit deflated at how it ended. Otherwise, the writing style and the story itself was 5 stars all the way. The short sharp chapters that covered each of the main family characters were perfectly structured and made it so easy to become fully absorbed in this story. The pacing was spot on and I did find myself wanting to binge it just to get to the conclusion. I loved both Hunter and Luna, as well as the families who were all different in their own way with their own challenges to face. Emily has a fluid writing style that hooked me instantly and I won't hesitate to read any more of her work. I also wont hesitate to recommend An Arrow To The Moon. Yes, that ending wasn't to my liking, but I thoroughly appreciate how compelling this book is. *****Spoilers ahead****** I understand completely what Emily was trying to do with that ending and how it tied in with the tale, but I wanted to see both Hunter and Luna reunite. I honesty felt a bit cheated on those last few pages.

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 ...

**I received an advanced copy of the book through the publisher and NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.** (I enjoyed it a lot and have since purchased a few copies to give away to friends.) A YA contemporary retelling of the story of hunter Houyi and goddess of the moon Chang’e, Luna and Hunter cross paths at a party and their attraction is immediate. Their budding relationship is cultivated through multiple interactions infused with magic from the first time they meet. Their relationship is so carefully crafted that I was still analyzing it days after I finished reading the book. The mystery and the magic urged me forward, page after page. Despite my dislike of too many points of view, I was less bothered here because each chapter helped to fill in the mystery and kept me engaged. I was constantly trying to unravel the connections between the characters and the strange occurrences. Frustration did seep its way in as some answers were not exactly forthcoming, especially as the ending drew closer. Jason Mendoza from The Good Place described the feeling best: “I’ll go to a Skrillex concert and I’ll be waiting for the bass to drop and it…it’ll never come.” The bass eventually drops, as did my mouth and my chest and the book. And, oh, what an ending it was! An Arrow to the Moon is a magical retelling, and Pan successfully creates a contemporary myth, but my head and my heart were at war. My heart adored it but my head kept telling me I had so many questions left unanswered. I’ve decided the intricacies of the novel will likely be uncovered best through more discussions and further rereading.