4.5/5.0 
 Every once in a while a book walks in with magic dancing in almost every sentence: 
 "'Where's the fire, Lucy Dervish?' 
 In me. Under my skin." 
 Oh damn, Lucy. You just made go and miss high school. I remember that feeling, that one of anticipation, the one you have on a night when anything is possible. 
 Right from go, Cath Crowley's language in Graffiti Moon is nothing short of hypnotic. I haven't seen original descriptions like this in. . . well, let's just put it this way: I don't think that I have. You can find quotes you want to write on slips of paper and keep in your pocket for when you need them in almost every chapter. The language is written in bright colors and secret corners, just like Shadow's art. The prose is absolutely lyrical and delightful to read. Do you ever feel like you can reach out and touch a story, like its a painting? That's Crowley's gift. You can feel every brush stroke, every painted layer, every single draft as Lucy and Ed breath deep and try to make it through their night together. 
 The story centers on these two, but it's a six pack as both bring along two sidekicks: Jazz and Daisy for Lucy, Leo and Dylan for Ed. And, of course, Shadow - we can't forget him - the holy grail of crushes that holds Lucy's heart, and her quest for him is what slides the story along its track, until it Ed forces her off the trail (or did he just help her find another path?). Early in the night, the two groups inadvertently meet up - Daisy and Dylan are an item, and Jazz has a thing for Leo. You'd think they'd all be friends, but no, Ed and Lucy are anything but, and Daisy has doubts about Dylan. 
 Sounds easy, right? Sounds high school. Friends, I don't exaggerate when I write that it's so much better than that. What I particularly like about Crowley's writing is that she incorporates a lot of different versions of love and relationships, of how it changes forms and develops as two people move and grow with each other. Of how it can become a poison if it's not nurtured and protected, or if it was never really love in the first place. While primarily a story of two young, talented and wonderful people finding their way through one night with each other, this also is a story that incorporates how families, friends and other loved ones affect us. The weaving in and out of Ed, Lucy and Leo's narratives is packed with hopeful longing and wistful regret, of certain things viewed in the shadow and then again in the light. 
 This almost is a perfect book for me. There is a 'big deal' situation involving Leo, which brings Ed into the fold. The events leading up to it are well-written, but 'the event' itself felt slightly off to me. I also was amazed that all six, including the two that came off the least sharp (Daisy and Dylan), seemed so witty. I kept thinking, "I would have killed to have conversations this good all the time in high school." As enjoyable as it was, I kept thinking that the perfection and timing of the conversations seemed too perfect at times. I actually feel a little guilty for even pointing these things out, because Crowley's prose is so incredible that it far outweighs any minor things I noticed. 
 Three girls, three guys, one night. That's the story. But in one night, you get such a full richness of who they are that you'll be racing back through the pages once you're done, picking out your favorite passages. . . just to catch one more breath of that magical feeling and holding it. Read this one - it's a true delight.