The cover is beautiful. The book had an original idea and had very magical writing. I just think it went in the wrong direction. I would have probably been happier if the entire book just stayed in the pawn shop and each chapter was a different character coming to trade than what the story turned into.

Completely and utterly obsessed with this. Such a beautiful and whimsical story with amazing characters and lovely writing. Love!!

Thank you Del Rey and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Water Moon was a lovely read with strong Studio Ghibli vibes and a fascinating world that was both dream-like, whimsical, and terrifying. I liked Yambao’s writing and the way she rendered the other world is stunning. I will admit the premise made me a little nervous; I am a hater when it comes to The Midnight Library, so seeing people compare the two wasn’t ideal. I don’t personally agree with that comp, and while there were times this story veered into twee territory and there were definitely parts I could have done without, they didn’t really take away from my enjoyment and I’d probably re-read this.

Ishikawa Hana was raised to take over her father’s magical pawn shop in Tokyo, where people trade away their regrets. Their regrets are turned into birds, and the Ishikawas keep the birds until they are picked up by the shiikuin, who are surprisingly terrifying and sinister for what I had been expecting. On the day after her father’s retirement, Hana wakes up with a hangover and to find the store ransacked, and a charming stranger has entered at the worst possible moment. I don’t know if I’d personally call this cozy—it’s not not cozy, either, but there was a slightly unsettling undercurrent that I don’t particularly associate with the subgenre. I thought this was fun, but you’re also held at a certain distance, so people who really want that sort of connection might struggle with this. I liked Hana as a character a lot and felt that I understood her point of view, and while I also liked Keishin, I didn’t particularly care for their relationship. I don’t typically read for romance, though, and there was other stuff for me to consider that made it easier for me to go “yeah, sure, what the hell” about it. I imagine if I did read for romance it would chafe a lot more because it does tend to lean towards insta-lust, but I came here for vibes and whimsy and I do think I got that. It’s sweet and easy to read (sure, at times it veers on too sweet for me, but you win some, you lose some). I think most people will probably like this well enough, and I think it’d make a neat animated limited series.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a third person dual-POV contemporary portal fantasy with the portal being a ramen restaurant in Japan. Hana is the daughter of a magical pawnshop owner who trades tea for choices, aka possibilities. Keishin is a physicist who has lived outside of Japan for so long that he doesn’t really remember it and returns due to an academic opportunity as well as the chance to return to his home country. When the two meet, they go on a journey through Hana’s world as they try to find an escaped choice.

What really shines here is the worldbuilding. I rarely discuss covers, but that cover is so gorgeous and it really shows you exactly what kind of worldbuilding you're going to get. There’s an almost painterly feel to how ponds that also act as portals and pearls that contain oceans and sunsets are described. The cover reminded me of Aria, which is a manga that is basically Atmosphere: The Manga and the worldbuilding gave me that same feeling, which is a compliment because I love the atmosphere and setting in Aria. I would have loved this as a graphic novel.

Keishin and Hana have a romantic relationship that almost puts this into romantic fantasy, but it doesn’t quite hit my personal threshold for how prominent the romance needs to be to mark this a romantic fantasy. It doesn’t hit the beats of a romance genre novel and the way their romance is threaded feels more reflective and mysterious and tied to a deeper mystery instead of a strong romance-romance. I think that this is a great choice for someone who does want a well-threaded romance but isn’t looking for a romantic fantasy or a fantasy romance.

One of the most interesting details was the Hiroshi tattooing the destinies of the residents of the magical world onto their skin. I love magical tattoos, I love themes of fate and destiny, and I love mixing tropes together for something different. The way it’s tied to people’s future romantic partners is probably the most fascinating part because it does really highlight how our world is full of choices and possibilities while the magical world is one where the beings are going through the motions and following the paths set before them with little room to make changes if they are unhappy.

Content warning for mentions of child death

I would recommend this to fans of contemporary portal fantasies with more personal stakes and readers looking for a book full of painterly atmosphere

Watermoon was a book that reminded me of another one of my favorite stories, The Kamogawa Food Detectives, in that it has a store where mystical elements come to life in order to fulfill a person's wishes. The characters work well in this unique magical setting where the story is very beautifully phrased and detailed.

I recommend this for people who want a simple, cozy book where there's just the right balance of whimsy and practicality.

Thank you Net Galley and Random House publishing for the eARC of this title!

Giving this book a four and a half out of five stars. Thank you netgalley for the arc.

This is one of those stories that kind of surprised me and I didn't expect to like it nearly as much as I did. The two main characters are essentially opposites of each other. One is practical living in a whimsical world, the other is very whimsical living in a practical one. If you were looking for a complex mystery, this isn't for you and I would categorize this as a nice, easy, cozy mystery with a lot of fantasy elements.

The pros of the story is really simple and straightforward in a lot of ways, which is something that I feel like you don't see a lot. Fantastical whimsical settings. I do agree with some of the other reviewers that this can take away from the whimsy of Hana's world but at the same time this is a very character driven story.

The ending was definitely pulling at my heartstrings even though I knew it was coming. But it is still manage to give me a few pleasant surprises.

Overall a really nice read and perfect for a cozy evening by the fire.

4.25 stars

I really enjoyed this story. The writing style is unique, making it easier to get into the tone and style of the story. I loved how all the themes were presented, especially the idea of choices, and I highlighted so many beautifully worded passages.

The first half definitely has a more cosy fantasy vibe. While there are stakes, it’s much more character-focused. Though Hana is from this whimsical, fantasy world, her explanations felt so practical, which complemented Kei’s practical personality as he viewed these fantastical elements as a stranger of her world. It’s difficult, because while I did enjoy this practical, to-the-point style, I think at times it affected the awe and all-encompassing feeling I wanted to have when we were being introduced to all these new places in Hana's world.

While the two main characters are trying to find clues in the first 40%, none of the reveals felt like actual reveals. I think anyone reading this would be able to guess the mystery points in the beginning. This did lead to a little bit of a slump just over the 40% mark, where it felt like visiting different parts of Hana’s world without making any progress on one half of the story. However, at the 50% mark the mystery part of the story really started to progress and get much more interesting.

I absolutely loved where the story ended up, the overall plot extremely was well done and unique.

Posted a review on Instagram and GoodReads on 12/9/2024.

Water Moon is the story of a Hana, the owner of a magical pawnshop that can only be found by those who need it the most, and Keishin, a pragmatic scientist that finds himself stagnated in reality. My favorite part of this book is the whimsical fantasy and dream-like setting, liken to an Alice in Wonderland with flying paper cranes and puddles that will teleport you if you jump into them. It is beautifully unique, and the cover art captures the whimsy of the story well. I enjoyed the premise of pawnshop, and aspects like the caged birds that creatively articulate heavy themes in the story such as regret. I did feel that the story was more dialog-heavy than necessary at times, and I found my mind wandering during Keishin’s questioning of Hana that grew repetitive. Overall, I enjoyed this world and would visit others of the author’s creation.

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for early review.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

2.5 ⭐ rounded up to 3--- unfortunately this is a miss for me.

My main issue with Water Moon stems entirely from the dialogue. This is such a dialogue heavy story and writing style and sadly it does not work for me. With Keishin, it is understandable to use him as the "fish out of water" archetype who doesn't understand anything about the new magical world he enters, and thus is a vehicle for exposition and lore dumping. However, rarely have I ever seen this done so clumsily and hamfistedly as this. I began to count how many times scenes transitioned in the exact same way: Hana says something. Kei questions it. Hana gives a cryptid response. It was around forty times this exact scene transition was used, usually at the end of chapters, and it led to a dizzying feeling of déjà vu anytime you finished one. Here's a few examples.

“About what?” Keishin glanced from Haruto to Hana. “Everything.”

“Where to next?” Keishin asked. “The edge of the sea.”

“We should go inside.” “Are we catching a train?” “A part of us is.”

“How can you be so sure?” “Because we will be swimming into it.”

It gets old *really fast.* And, moving further beyond that, the dialogue is so clunky itself that nothing flows well. The choice to have so few contractions led to conversations between our two leads feeling stilted, blunt, and cold. And there's just *so much talking.* I explained to a friend that this felt like a script book or a play script where actors are given the bare bones words and turn it into something magical. Any scene descriptions and non-dialogue sentences feel dry and colourless, I couldn't picture any of the locations or people due to lack of detailed descriptions. It really felt like a script got published.

Mentioning with full chest the catbus and Studio Ghibli is such a choice in this, by the way, because while it's clear the author loves and appreciates those works, it's jarring and pulls you right out of the setting of the book. This wasn't especially cozy in my opinion, and I very much was not enjoying it like I've enjoyed other titles it was compared to like Dallergut Dream Department Store.

The characters themselves fall in love ridiculously quickly and Hana is pretty wishy-washy. She keeps trying to send Keishin away and apologise for being a monster and is filled with self-hate. When I got the "twist" at the climax where she makes a bad decision, I felt like it came off a bumpy and unearned road, without much buildup to support it. The two reveals as well weren't jaw-dropping--- I wasn't shocked by either but that's more because I was struggling to get through the book and less because I predicted them. I definitely didn't see the attraction between Hana and Kei and it was really heavy on the insta-lust. I also hated Hana's dad, he seemed abusive and controlling and I disliked almost every scene he was in with her.

Overall, Water Moon wasn't an enjoyable story for me and I'm sad to have to critique it so heavily. It is not the calibre of writing I would expect from a seasoned author and doesn't fit within the promotional phrases of "heart, humour, and magic," and a "heart-stopping love story."

I often struggle connecting with cozy fantasy because the stakes are too low, but Water Moon, in all of its poetic beauty, is an exception. The stakes are intense, personal, and incredibly human. Even through terrifying moments, this entire book felt like a warm hug.

Samantha Sotto Yambao delivers a touching story about the power of choice, regret, and grief in this whimsical fantasy. Fast paced, but with low stress, I found myself immersed in this alternate world with Hana and Keishin as we jumped through puddles, rode paper cranes, and flew hopes in the sky.

It was like a Studio Ghibli movie with its creativity balanced with the heavy moments that make us human, and I could not ask for a better author to tell this story. It is clear how much love and emotion went into creating this work, and it is a privilege to have read it. (I am still crying as I write this lol).

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC of this masterpiece. I can’t wait to own it. 💙

Hana and Keishin live in two different worlds, strange parallel reflections of each other. In Keishin's world, all choices are available; in Hana's world, none. Keishin is a scientist, and accustomed to subatomic weirdness, but nothing has prepared him for the realities of what he meets when he stumbles into a pawnshop in Tokyo.

I enjoyed the world building and the romance. The bad guys were really evil, and never boring. I generally don't read fantasy, so I can't compare this to other books, but this is a great read for the reader who is willing to suspend belief and travel across time, space, and reality.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Water Moon felt like a fever dream—whimsical, unpredictable, and full of twists that made me rethink what’s possible, both in how a story can be told and how its meaning can resonate beyond the pages.

It begs the question: would you rather have your entire life inked into permanence, or would you rather experience it for what it is—a collection of choices that shape who we are?

The beauty of being human lies in how we grow through trials and revelations. Some choices feel inevitable, shaped by our upbringings, but what defines us are the decisions we make from that point forward. The book captures how life isn’t a straight path; it’s full of roadblocks, detours, and moments that force us to rethink who we are, who we want to become, and what we truly want.

Water Moon is a well written story of a FMC who inherits a magical pawn shop who deals with patrons for not the tangible, but for moments and choices of their lives. On the day she is supposed to start her first day as the owner, a man steps into the shop and changes both their lives forever.

Samantha Sotto Yambao's debut book is hands down a 5 star read. The world, or I should say worlds, the author created were amazing and beautiful. Every time the MCs jump into a new world, you are sucked right in further down the rabbit hole. Amazing imagery, well written character development, intricate plot lines that go well together, all coming together for a must read book. Samantha does an excellent job at tying everything together. If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli, you will not be disappointed in this book.

Water Moon is a cozy fantasy, with fated lovers, and a wild adventure to find out who you are meant to be versus the destiny that is set for yourself. With every page I read, the more I fell in love with this book. I cannot stress this enough of how much I loved this book and how you should read it, too. Did I say that this is five out five stars?

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey, and the author for this opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

I will be posting to socials.

*mild spoilers*

The first 65% had me rolling my eyes a lot at how forced the relationship between our main characters felt but the next 34% got really good. Then the ending completely fell flat at the last page. I kept reading because the descriptions of the world are quite beautiful and the story is fast-paced but could not get over the ending. After everything that happened, the wrap-up was very simplified and lent nothing to Hana's character arc. I was starting to get fed up with how lackluster Hana was but later realized why that was so at the last third however there was not much to show for it after the characters finally got together.

Overall the vibe is light/medium-stakes. Our characters are never in danger for long and the "next step" to solving the mystery comes swiftly without much issue with the help of many conveniently placed characters who pop in and out with help. I enjoyed the last third when all the backstory came out and it felt like it was leading to something very epic but it fizzled out. The ending is happy, but felt small in comparison to everything that transpired.

Thanks so much for NetGalley for the ARC and privilege of writing this review!

<i>have you ever made a choice that you regretted? then come to the magical pawnshop where you can sell your deepest regrets and find inner peace with just an exchange of a cup of tea. but here's the catch, who would you be without the memory of who you once were?</i>

the story starts where in the backstreet of Tokyo, Japan lies a small pawnshop. regular people will mostly see a ramen shop—BUT, only the chosen ones will be able to see Toshio's shop. the ones who are lost, the lonely, the ones who seeks new beginnings. here they can pawn their life choices and regrets. enter Hana Ishikawa {fmc} the new owner of the family's pawnshop because her dad {Toshio} will be retiring. after a night of celebrating her father's retirement, she awakens to find that he was missing and the pawn shop has been ransacked to bits. this is where the adventure really begins.

where do i start? this book felt like a fever dream to me. have you ever watched any studio ghibli movies where they have those magical realism that was so cozy and heartwarming? okay but this story is just like that but with the adventure vibes of doctor who & a little romance. the world building took a little while but it was worth the wait because the things that happened throughout the book will make you want to illustrate the whole thing. i can see this being made into an animated movies {manifesting it!} there were a lot of twist & turn that made the it really interesting. imagine a parallel universe that was so magical you just want to go inside and live there.

i would give anything. ANYTHING to be able to read this book again for the first time. the way it was written was pure poetry. you really feel like you're there with all the characters and going through these missions with them. i laughed, got annoyed, ugly cried my eyes out and felt so peaceful. this is a masterpiece.

this. book. was. exceptional! ∞ stars

this beautiful, thought-provoking, compelling fantastical and philosophical story was essentially a studio ghibli film in a book — if spirited away and my neighbor totoro had a kid, this would be it. water moon is about a pawnshop where one can pawn your deepest regrets, where you can let go of burdens from the past. we join the new pawnshop owner, hana, on her first day, who inherits the shop from her father. but when the day takes an unexpected turn, she faces a challenge that forces her to do something she's never done before—make a choice, something that usually only the shop's customers have to do.

i truly felt immersed in each world that keishin and hana visited — samantha sotto yambao beautifully crafted such detailed, vivid, and rich descriptions of each place they jumped to from puddle to puddle and it made me really rethink the conception of time as i quite physically felt suspended in the absence of time and space. traveling between people’s minds, exchanging time as currency, a village where the night sky is created, a night market in the clouds — these are just some of the myriad of places you are whisked to in this journey. i especially loved how sotto yambao weaved japanese mythology and folklore throughout the story.

on a deeper note, these characters’ journeys challenged me to think about the choices we make as well as the effects and possible regrets of these choices. the characters’ journeys stretches what we know as our world and incorporates topics such as love - what does it mean to truly love someone, sacrifice, fate, and the sometimes crushing weight of our choices. how i wish this pawnshop existed in our world where we can physically exchange our deepest regret or choice. this book does a phenomenal job of conceptualizing non-tangible things like ideas, choices, dreams, and time into tangible everyday occurrences or items, which was fascinating to me.

ultimately, this was the perfect example of what storytelling and magical world building looks like. i was engaged with and emotionally invested in the characters and their journeys, often reflecting on my own life choices and regrets. i would love to see this turned into a miyazaki-directed studio ghibli movie plz<3

thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the eArc!🤍 i can’t wait for this to be released next month!! (highly recommend reading w hot beverage in hand and the spirited away soundtrack playing in the background)

Water Moon is by far one of the best books that I have read this year. It is full of whimsical adventures and beautiful prose while also maintaining balance with darker themes. I don’t think this is a book I will ever forget.

There are so many quotes I wish I could leave in this review, instead I will just leave my favorite that perfectly sums up how this book made me feel.

“‘There is something about autumn that makes things more beautiful. Out of all the seasons, it is the most honest about time. Summer and spring blind you to its passing with their colorful displays. Winter paints over everything in white. But autumn is not shy about things coming to an end. It welcomes it, waving leafy flags of red, yellow, and gold. It celebrates its sadness.’

‘Not just sadness though, right?’ Keishin said. ‘It’s also a celebration of all that is waiting on the other side of it.’”

Water Moon is a tale full of imaginative imagery & ideas with terrific writing and main characters who are easy to get behind, however it is held back by it's non-stop pace never giving you time to breath in some of the more fantastical scenes before needing to rush you along to another. This is unfortunate, because some of the scenes really beg to be lingered and expounded upon.

Similarly some of the stories latter, more serious reveals, that should really have had far greater impact, are swiftly brushed aside by the romance plot's need to assure the blooming relationship between the leads isn't hindered in any way.

The character work is nice, but the world building teases more than it delivers.

ARC provided by NetGalley & Random House - Ballantine

This book was a surreal journey. I felt very much like Keishin in the book, surprised and in awe of the world being built and wanting to stay for as long as I could. If you have a difficult time with perspective switching it might be a less enjoyable read, but I think that it added to the atmosphere of the book. In short, I loved this book, and I'm definitely going to be reading more from this author!

Considering this was my first ever arc read. I very pleasantly impressed. Giving this book 5 stars ✨

WaterMoon whisked me away on a wild ride through a world so vivid, I could almost taste the rain and feel the moonlight. It felt like I actually walked into that magical pawnshop✨ and while reading through it’s like the author snuck a movie projector into my brain!

The rules of magic in it, you can’t even argue with. And I loved all the references used in it. Honestly, I wanted to highlight the whole darn thing. It's that good. This had me ugly-crying on the couch, still clutching the last two pages. Samantha, you’ve outdone yourself with this one. Thank you so much for writing such a beautiful story.

Would 10/10 recommend for anyone to read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing House/Ballantine for this ARC!