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aelinsgarden's review
5.0
I read this book for the first time in 2014 when I was 13, digitally, and from the moment I started, I couldn’t stop. I read cover to digital cover in a span of four hours. I remembered it for the first time in years tonight and did the same exact thing. Except this time i did it in three.
nadine_booklover's review
4.0
Somehow this book reminded me of "Looking for Alaska" or "Paper Towns". However I liked "Graffiti Moon" much more. I didn't get bored once. It has a nice steady pace and the perfect length. The characters a very well formed and easy to like.
What I like most here is the fact that all characters act one's age. That's kind of refreshing and nice for a change.
I think reading this book is really an experience you don't want to miss out!
What I like most here is the fact that all characters act one's age. That's kind of refreshing and nice for a change.
I think reading this book is really an experience you don't want to miss out!
stephxsu's review
4.0
Australian authoress Cath Crowley burst into my life last year with her US debut, A Little Wanting Song, which was beautiful and sad and gratifying and made my heart ache in ways that, in some ways, felt like a reaffirmation of how much words could make me feel. She’s done it again with her second book to be published in the US, GRAFFITI MOON, becoming another example of why more Americans should take note of the astounding YA that Australia has to offer.
GRAFFITI MOON is a Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist without the hipster music references and excessive foul-mouthiness. For me this is a really good thing, as I can enjoy the cuteness of a he-said/she-said story in which we readers know more than the characters about what’s going on, without crashing into the f-word every other sentence. (Gosh, Nick, for serious, to what effect is your display of your highly creative vocabulary?) Lucy and Ed had my heart from the start: I love a good story where boy and girl hate one another even though there’s some obvious attraction going on.
It would be pointless to write a review on any of Cath Crowley’s books without mentioning her way with language. The woman obviously has poetry flowing through her veins, bred into her genes. Reading GRAFFITI MOON is an experience for your poetic taste. Some authors can draw scenes that paint themselves vividly in your mind; Cath Crowley does that, and she crafts phrases that just make you sigh, so extraordinary do they look on the paper, feel in your mouth. She can write descriptions like “The heat rising from the takeaway place nearby makes the air look like satin” and make you wonder why anyone ever bothered to describe that visual phenomenon in any other way.
GRAFFITI MOON is a study in words, not quite characters or plot. Supporting characters are marvelously quirky or ridiculous, and brighten up any scene. You don’t quite read Lucy and Ed’s alternating POVs to better understand their persons, for, as is expected, their voices sound fairly similar. At times the plot can feel a little draggy, because Lucy and Ed do quite a fair share of talking. And the one “bad guy” in the story feels pretty flat, that side plot appearing and dissipating somewhat clunkily.
Nevertheless, reading GRAFFITI MOON was a delightful experience, as, I hope, rereading it will be, too, one day in the future. For I have no doubt that I will come back to this story, to savor again and again the skill that Cath Crowley can wield in writing.
GRAFFITI MOON is a Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist without the hipster music references and excessive foul-mouthiness. For me this is a really good thing, as I can enjoy the cuteness of a he-said/she-said story in which we readers know more than the characters about what’s going on, without crashing into the f-word every other sentence. (Gosh, Nick, for serious, to what effect is your display of your highly creative vocabulary?) Lucy and Ed had my heart from the start: I love a good story where boy and girl hate one another even though there’s some obvious attraction going on.
It would be pointless to write a review on any of Cath Crowley’s books without mentioning her way with language. The woman obviously has poetry flowing through her veins, bred into her genes. Reading GRAFFITI MOON is an experience for your poetic taste. Some authors can draw scenes that paint themselves vividly in your mind; Cath Crowley does that, and she crafts phrases that just make you sigh, so extraordinary do they look on the paper, feel in your mouth. She can write descriptions like “The heat rising from the takeaway place nearby makes the air look like satin” and make you wonder why anyone ever bothered to describe that visual phenomenon in any other way.
GRAFFITI MOON is a study in words, not quite characters or plot. Supporting characters are marvelously quirky or ridiculous, and brighten up any scene. You don’t quite read Lucy and Ed’s alternating POVs to better understand their persons, for, as is expected, their voices sound fairly similar. At times the plot can feel a little draggy, because Lucy and Ed do quite a fair share of talking. And the one “bad guy” in the story feels pretty flat, that side plot appearing and dissipating somewhat clunkily.
Nevertheless, reading GRAFFITI MOON was a delightful experience, as, I hope, rereading it will be, too, one day in the future. For I have no doubt that I will come back to this story, to savor again and again the skill that Cath Crowley can wield in writing.
mollywetta's review
5.0
This review and others appear on my blog, wrapped up in books
This book was recommended to me by one of the teens in the book club I organize at the library. We have similar taste; we both like books that inspire that ache in your soul. I’ve never really read anything less than a rave review of this novel, so I had high expectations going in, and still, Cath Crowley managed to blow me away with her hanging moon and shooting flames and skies that go nowhere.
Graffiti Moon is the story of Lucy and two of her friends on the night of their high school graduation. They’re out for a night on the town, and all want something to happen, to get something that they want. Lucy wants to meet the enigmatic Shadow who paints beautiful graffiti murals all around town, not hang out with Ed, the guy from her art class who dropped out of school after she gave him a broken nose on their first date. But Ed says he knows Shadow, and takes her on a tour of his secret haunts in the hopes of finding him during the course of the night.
The story of their night is told between mostly by alternating Lucy and Ed’s first person point of view, but there are also poems by Ed’s friend, Poet, who sometimes writes verse alongside Shadow’s murals. Anyone who knows my reading taste knows that I am highly suspicious of any novel written in alternating first person and think most people should probably not go sprinkling poems into their novels (I also am personally not a fan of novels in verse). But Cath Crowley can pull this off. Though the story takes place during the hours of just one night, we learn so much about Lucy and Ed’s past with each other and also about their families that wouldn’t have felt organic without the close, present first person perspective. The nature of the plot demands we get both character’s perspective. It works beautifully.
Though overly descriptive language and poetic conventions can easily distract me from a story, the metaphors bring the setting to life, reveal so much about the way the characters see the world, and are clever without being contrived. The description of not only the process of making art, but of real-life pieces that Lucy and Ed have seen in museums or read about, bring the works to life so the reader can experience glass-blowing and painting and viewing art through Lucy and Ed’s eyes.
This novel captures the exact feeling of being right on the cliff and not sure if you’re ready to jump into adulthood. It examines the infinite possibilities one night in the city can bring. It’s about art, and hope, and confusion, and those sorts of crazy moments that force you to reveal yourself in a way you normally don’t. It’s a series of coincidences and conversations that bring two people together in just the right way to make you believe in the possibility of love.
Unlike the angsty, die-without-you, insta-love that creeps into a lot of young adult fiction, this is an attraction that felt believable and real. All of the couples in the book are feeling out their potential partners, learning what they want in a romantic relationship and who might fill those needs. It doesn’t deny the spark between two people, but it also doesn’t deny that you can feel it for more than one person at a time or have conflicted or unresolved feelings for someone.
I can’t recall a novel that has transported me back to my own late teenage years in the same way that Graffiti Moon did. Ed and his friends aren’t bad kids, but they definitely are up to no good on this particular night. It reminded me of my own misadventures with somewhat dangerous, misunderstood boys. But reading it as an adult, I also appreciated the way the adults in the book we’re portrayed. Ed and Lucy both have mentors in their craft and that play a supportive role in their lives. I enjoyed Lucy’s parents too, and their unconventional occupations and relationship—and really want to explore the idea of Mister BS living in a shed while I finish my novel!
The dialogue was so intimate and real I often felt as if I was eavesdropping. The whole novel was so delightfully quotable, I wanted to Instagram the entire book. (My Instagram feed is proof I lead a life full of books, wine, and irony).
I’d recommend this novel to just about anyone, but particularly fans of romances without the cutesy factor and readers who love art. This felt similar to If I Stay and Where She Went for me in terms of the quality of the writing, though was not as deep emotionally. This is a quick, engrossing read that is perfect for curling up with and reading in just one night—my favorite way to read a book. This is on my list of books that should be required reading for any journalist wanting to do a piece on young adult fiction, because it demonstrates the literary merit, accessibility, and quintessential tone of YA. Can we please stop reading about Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games as if they represent all of YA?
This book was recommended to me by one of the teens in the book club I organize at the library. We have similar taste; we both like books that inspire that ache in your soul. I’ve never really read anything less than a rave review of this novel, so I had high expectations going in, and still, Cath Crowley managed to blow me away with her hanging moon and shooting flames and skies that go nowhere.
Graffiti Moon is the story of Lucy and two of her friends on the night of their high school graduation. They’re out for a night on the town, and all want something to happen, to get something that they want. Lucy wants to meet the enigmatic Shadow who paints beautiful graffiti murals all around town, not hang out with Ed, the guy from her art class who dropped out of school after she gave him a broken nose on their first date. But Ed says he knows Shadow, and takes her on a tour of his secret haunts in the hopes of finding him during the course of the night.
The story of their night is told between mostly by alternating Lucy and Ed’s first person point of view, but there are also poems by Ed’s friend, Poet, who sometimes writes verse alongside Shadow’s murals. Anyone who knows my reading taste knows that I am highly suspicious of any novel written in alternating first person and think most people should probably not go sprinkling poems into their novels (I also am personally not a fan of novels in verse). But Cath Crowley can pull this off. Though the story takes place during the hours of just one night, we learn so much about Lucy and Ed’s past with each other and also about their families that wouldn’t have felt organic without the close, present first person perspective. The nature of the plot demands we get both character’s perspective. It works beautifully.
Though overly descriptive language and poetic conventions can easily distract me from a story, the metaphors bring the setting to life, reveal so much about the way the characters see the world, and are clever without being contrived. The description of not only the process of making art, but of real-life pieces that Lucy and Ed have seen in museums or read about, bring the works to life so the reader can experience glass-blowing and painting and viewing art through Lucy and Ed’s eyes.
This novel captures the exact feeling of being right on the cliff and not sure if you’re ready to jump into adulthood. It examines the infinite possibilities one night in the city can bring. It’s about art, and hope, and confusion, and those sorts of crazy moments that force you to reveal yourself in a way you normally don’t. It’s a series of coincidences and conversations that bring two people together in just the right way to make you believe in the possibility of love.
Unlike the angsty, die-without-you, insta-love that creeps into a lot of young adult fiction, this is an attraction that felt believable and real. All of the couples in the book are feeling out their potential partners, learning what they want in a romantic relationship and who might fill those needs. It doesn’t deny the spark between two people, but it also doesn’t deny that you can feel it for more than one person at a time or have conflicted or unresolved feelings for someone.
I can’t recall a novel that has transported me back to my own late teenage years in the same way that Graffiti Moon did. Ed and his friends aren’t bad kids, but they definitely are up to no good on this particular night. It reminded me of my own misadventures with somewhat dangerous, misunderstood boys. But reading it as an adult, I also appreciated the way the adults in the book we’re portrayed. Ed and Lucy both have mentors in their craft and that play a supportive role in their lives. I enjoyed Lucy’s parents too, and their unconventional occupations and relationship—and really want to explore the idea of Mister BS living in a shed while I finish my novel!
The dialogue was so intimate and real I often felt as if I was eavesdropping. The whole novel was so delightfully quotable, I wanted to Instagram the entire book. (My Instagram feed is proof I lead a life full of books, wine, and irony).
I’d recommend this novel to just about anyone, but particularly fans of romances without the cutesy factor and readers who love art. This felt similar to If I Stay and Where She Went for me in terms of the quality of the writing, though was not as deep emotionally. This is a quick, engrossing read that is perfect for curling up with and reading in just one night—my favorite way to read a book. This is on my list of books that should be required reading for any journalist wanting to do a piece on young adult fiction, because it demonstrates the literary merit, accessibility, and quintessential tone of YA. Can we please stop reading about Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games as if they represent all of YA?
chloerichter's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
halcyone's review
4.0
This review was originally posted at The Cozy Armchair.
I've always been fascinated by graffiti art, especially since one of my friends did extensive research on it for school and would always show me amazing pictures, so I was instantly drawn to this book. Full of memorable late nigh (mis)adventures, Graffiti Moon was such a good book. Really. You may have already read a million other reviews gushing about it, so you'll have to deal with me adding to the multitude.
Everything about it was atmospheric and lyrical, but it never crossed the line to become unbearably cheesy. The story is told in alternating point of views (Lucy & Ed) with poetry by the artist called Poet inserted throughout. I was initially skeptical of this, but oh man, does it work. You get a real sense of the characters and their emotions.
Even as they deal with your run-of-the-mill teenage problems, they are also each struggling with the kinds of universal issues we can understand. These characters are teens but they have a certain depth to them that isn't characteristic of typical teenagers, which can be attributed to the poetic, artsy descriptions that fill up most of the book's pages. Which isn't criticism! The descriptions of Shadow's art are so beautiful, so enticing, that I wish the book had come with photographs of the real thing.
At the start, the slow pace was really making it hard for me to get through the book. Although everything happens in one night (including a bonus subplot of money being owed to a terrible, shady, [unintentionally?] funny bad guy), the story takes its time, and I came to love that. I eventually overcame how distanced I felt from the narrative and started to love these characters. The writing is so vivid; it draws you in so you feel like you're right there with them, wandering the streets of Melbourne, chasing after Shadow. Crowley has a way of writing things that feel like a punch in the gut (see: Poet's poetry), which is very much in line with the reasons the characters seek refuge in their art.
Beyond that, I loved the way Ed and Lucy danced around each other. It was fantastic to see how Lucy had built up Shadow to be her perfect man just by what she interpreted from his art and how her image of him didn't quite line up with the real guy. Their blossoming romance was sweet and realistic enough that I wasn't rolling my eyes by the end. Bonus: Graffiti Moon also has a fabulous set of secondary characters!
Shame I don't know the slightest thing about Melbourne, though, so I couldn't appreciate or trace the path they take through the city as well I would have if I did. Regardless, Graffiti Moon needs to be read (and reread)! It takes you on a beautiful journey, by turns funny and nostalgic, culminating in everyone piling into a pink van and driving off into the sunrise (sort of). It really doesn't get much better than that!
I've always been fascinated by graffiti art, especially since one of my friends did extensive research on it for school and would always show me amazing pictures, so I was instantly drawn to this book. Full of memorable late nigh (mis)adventures, Graffiti Moon was such a good book. Really. You may have already read a million other reviews gushing about it, so you'll have to deal with me adding to the multitude.
Everything about it was atmospheric and lyrical, but it never crossed the line to become unbearably cheesy. The story is told in alternating point of views (Lucy & Ed) with poetry by the artist called Poet inserted throughout. I was initially skeptical of this, but oh man, does it work. You get a real sense of the characters and their emotions.
Even as they deal with your run-of-the-mill teenage problems, they are also each struggling with the kinds of universal issues we can understand. These characters are teens but they have a certain depth to them that isn't characteristic of typical teenagers, which can be attributed to the poetic, artsy descriptions that fill up most of the book's pages. Which isn't criticism! The descriptions of Shadow's art are so beautiful, so enticing, that I wish the book had come with photographs of the real thing.
At the start, the slow pace was really making it hard for me to get through the book. Although everything happens in one night (including a bonus subplot of money being owed to a terrible, shady, [unintentionally?] funny bad guy), the story takes its time, and I came to love that. I eventually overcame how distanced I felt from the narrative and started to love these characters. The writing is so vivid; it draws you in so you feel like you're right there with them, wandering the streets of Melbourne, chasing after Shadow. Crowley has a way of writing things that feel like a punch in the gut (see: Poet's poetry), which is very much in line with the reasons the characters seek refuge in their art.
Beyond that, I loved the way Ed and Lucy danced around each other. It was fantastic to see how Lucy had built up Shadow to be her perfect man just by what she interpreted from his art and how her image of him didn't quite line up with the real guy. Their blossoming romance was sweet and realistic enough that I wasn't rolling my eyes by the end. Bonus: Graffiti Moon also has a fabulous set of secondary characters!
Shame I don't know the slightest thing about Melbourne, though, so I couldn't appreciate or trace the path they take through the city as well I would have if I did. Regardless, Graffiti Moon needs to be read (and reread)! It takes you on a beautiful journey, by turns funny and nostalgic, culminating in everyone piling into a pink van and driving off into the sunrise (sort of). It really doesn't get much better than that!
nicolap's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A little slow to start but really liked the characters
thebookhaze's review
4.0
I really liked this book. I listened to it on audiobook (I'm addicted to audiobooks now), and while my previous review on an audiobook was about how I loved all the special vocal effects of the book but didn't really register the actual story, this book was devoid of effects except the regular reading voices with regular inflections, and it was the actual book that I enjoyed.
I speed-read, so I can normally read an 8-hour audiobook in maybe 3 hours, and this book is about 6 hours, so I could've read it in 2 hours. I decided to listen to it on audiobook instead because I thought I would knit while listening, or clean the house or do something productive while listening. It would've been a great idea too! Except I got so hooked into the story that I ended up listening to it until past 2am!
If I had realized that it would be so good, I probably should've switched to reading asap, but I kept telling myself that I could listen to it going to sleep, like a lullaby bedtime story kinda thing. Oh well... mistake made, but what a fun mistake!
I speed-read, so I can normally read an 8-hour audiobook in maybe 3 hours, and this book is about 6 hours, so I could've read it in 2 hours. I decided to listen to it on audiobook instead because I thought I would knit while listening, or clean the house or do something productive while listening. It would've been a great idea too! Except I got so hooked into the story that I ended up listening to it until past 2am!
If I had realized that it would be so good, I probably should've switched to reading asap, but I kept telling myself that I could listen to it going to sleep, like a lullaby bedtime story kinda thing. Oh well... mistake made, but what a fun mistake!