Book Review--Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Summary/Cover Image from Goodreads:

'"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. "

Review: 

I've been hearing nothing but amazing things about Graffiti Moon, so I decided to pick up the copy for myself. And I sincerely am so glad I decided to, because not only was it fabulous and creative, it may be one of my favorites for 2012.


Lucy and her friend Jazz have just graduated senior year, and they want to do something fun together. Jazz is looking for a new guy, but Lucy is really just looking for Shadow, a mysterious graffiti artist who paints the most beautiful pictures around town. Lucy is determined to be his soul mate. Even though she doesn't know who he is. Meanwhile, Ed and Leo are trying to hide their image as Shadow and Poet. In one night, love is unfolded, truths are told, and their love of art is treasured.


The beginning of the story was a little slow for me. But when Lucy, Jazz, Leo, and Ed meet up for the night, things really picked up, and I found myself enjoying it nonstop from there. The progression of Ed and Lucy's relationship was, well, perfect. It wasn't actually perfect, but it was the perfect the way I liked it. The whole concept surrounding art and their secrecy was exciting to read about, and being an artsy person myself, I was delighted to read from an artist's point of view. I really liked the idea of graffiti, it's so out there and I loved it!


I also loved the pacing in the book. There was certainly slow, tender moments in the book. But then followed by fun, sarcastic scenes. Graffiti Moon was a great mix. 


The character, you guys, the characters. Every character had their own worries, imperfections, and flaws. And to me, that makes the character so real and believable. It makes it so much easier to connect with them. The character aspect I loved the most was the similarity between Lucy and Ed. They both are artists, and both have parent troubles at home. Their relationship, again, was kind of the insta-love at first, but they rediscover eachother, and fall in love, for real. 


Cath Crowley's writing. 


I don't really have any words for how marvelous and sensational her writing is. Literally, every page took my breath away. It's so metaphoric and deep, as well as symbolic. I don't know where she gets it from, but I absolutely love it.


The ending of Graffiti Moon was sweet. It ended happily and that definitely pulled at my heartstrings at how PERFECT the ending was. Ahh. Just the way I wanted it to be. Simply beautiful.


In conclusion, I'd just like to say that Cath Crowley is an artist herself who meaningfully crafted the gorgeous masterpiece that is Graffiti Moon. Highly, highly recommended.


Grade: A+


Graffiti Moon will be out on February 14, 2012!


Source: Publisher via Netgalley--thank you Random House!