Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley (Review)

Genre:	Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance,
Publication.Date	February 14th 2012
Pages:	260
Published By:	Random House Children's Books  |
Website	Cath Crowley |
	Graffiti Moon - Goodreads
My review copy:	ARC received for review via netGalley

Where to get:

Senior year is over, and Lucy has the perfect way to celebrate: tonight, she's going to find Shadow, the mysterious graffiti artist whose work appears all over the city. He's out there somewhere—spraying color, spraying birds and blue sky on the night—and Lucy knows a guy who paints like Shadow is someone she could fall for. Really fall for. Instead, Lucy's stuck at a party with Ed, the guy she's managed to avoid since the most awkward date of her life. But when Ed tells her he knows where to find Shadow, they're suddenly on an all-night search around the city. And what Lucy can't see is the one thing that's right before her eyes.(Goodreads)

"I think of wall after wall after wall. Green mazes wandering and two people wandering through them. Doorways that lead somewhere good. Skies the exact kind of blue I've been looking for." 

“I liked that he had hair that was growing without a plan. A grin that came out of nowhere and left the same way.”  

“You were right. Real is better. The truth is better. It makes you feel kind of stupid, but it's better.” 

“I guess love's kind of like a marshmallow in a microwave on high. After it explodes it's still a marshmallow. but, you know, now it's a complicated marshmallow.”

     Graffiti Moon does not need introducing, nor does it really need another raving review. There are plenty of those already out there. Even if you're living under a rock, or on Mars, or you're completely against technology and Internet - I still think you must have at least heard about this book by now. It's been on everyone's lips ever since it first popped up on netGalley, readers were gushing about it, it's been hyped up to the Moon and back, and it literally took over the blogosphere for a while. I'm fairly certain most of us are still reeling from it. So, no, Graffiti Moon does not need introducing, but I simply can't host a Contemporary Fiction Month without featuring this brilliant, spellbinding and completely magical love story, in a similar way that I wouldn't be able to make a tuna sandwich without, well, tuna. This book is a fantastic addition to the genre, and if - for whatever reason - you haven't read it yet, you need to realize one thing: You're missing out on something extraordinary.

“Every time he looked at me I felt like I'd touched my tongue to the tip of a battery. In art class I'd watch him lean back and listen and I was nothing but zing and tingle. After a while, the tingle turned to electricity, and when he asked me out my whole body amped to a level where technically I should have been dead. I had nothing in common with a sheddy like him, but a girl doesn't think straight when she's that close to electrocution.”

     This is the kind of book that fills your heart with warm and fuzzy feelings and makes your head spin from its intensely moving, lyrical, exhilarating passages. It's a treat not only for you mind, but also for your soul. And it's achingly beautiful. Crownley's poetic prose is so extraordinary, it puts Shatter Me to shame, and it does not hit a single wrong note. It's intimate, gentle, evocative, emotional, seductive and just so amazing to read. The characters, too, are gorgeous and I really loved the unique chemistry between them. On top of all that, Graffiti Moon had a really great, captivating plot. It was simple, uncomplicated and well-paced, and it featured one night - just one warm, life-alternating, moon-illuminated night that would forever change the lives of two teenagers. Full of humour, sparkly dialogues and spine-tingling reflections, Grafiti Moon weaves a spell about love and fate, misunderstandings, searching for happiness, and pursuing your dreams. Lucy's search for Shadow, her fascination with his work, all the beautifully depicted night cityscapes and phenomenal graffities - all these things will melt your heart and make you wish this book was longer than it is. The way the story is told - alternating between Lucy's and Ed's POV - provides you with incredibly vivid insights into their minds and hearts, allowing you to really connect with them. It's a totally absorbing, very entertaining, and ultimately satisfying read. 

“If you treat glass right, it doesn't crack. If you know the properties, you can make things; the color of dusk and night and love. But you can't control people like that and I really, really wish you could. I want the world to be glass.”

     If you like books packed with emotions, meaningful thoughts, intelligent conversations and breathtaking visuals - this is the book for you. It's definitely one of the most beautiful, charming and enjoyable books I have ever read. I strongly recommend it.

This review is posted as part of the Contemporary Fiction Month feature!

Click on the picture for full schedule.

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About the Author

Evie is the Blogger behind Bookish. She enjoys reading many different genres, especially YA, Paranormal, Contemporary Fiction and Fantasy.

She loves talking to authors and is always happy to welcome them for interviews, and guest posts. She also likes spreading the love for awesome books and  chatting with fellow book-worms.

You can find Evie here: Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Shelfari | The Library Thing