A beautiful novel (that is screaming to be adapted into a mini series!). Hana and her father run a pawnshop, but what they buy from their clients is much more precious than trinkets, and those pawned treasures are unspeakably important to their world. On the morning that Hana is meant to take over the pawnshop, her father is missing, the shop ransacked, and Kei walks through the front door, from the "other world" into hers. Hana tells Kei that any answers she gives him about what he sees will be lies, and he agrees to help her regardless. The two go on a magical adventure searching for her father, exploring new, fantastic aspects of Hana's world, as their bond deepens. Romantic, imaginative, and simply delightful, this novel is a tale that will take you to another world. I can't wait to see it on screen. With its episodic nature, vividly visual descriptions, and heartfelt, fascinating story, it is ripe for adaptation.

DNF at 23%. This book had so much potential. The beginning started out strong and I was eager to dive in. I was hoping for Ghibli levels of whimsy and world building. What I got was a flat love story isekai novel and I just could not suspend my disbelief enough to push through. Keishin stumbles into the pawn shop on Hana’s first official day to find it ransacked and her bleeding. He immediately helps her and goes all in on her quest to find her father. This man is a physicist and apparently does not have an ounce of logic in his body. Jumping into ponds? Sure. Alternate dimensions? Cool! Lady I’ve known 5 minutes? I love her.
Like what? I couldn’t even bring myself to slog through to see what happened. I DID enjoy the way people’s choices were portrayed and the whole idea of this book. Unfortunately it was not for me. There was too much bouncing around. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Delray for the eARC.

Book Review: Watermoon by Samantha Sotto Yambao ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Watermoon is an enchanting, whimsical fantasy that swept me away into a story filled with magic, regret, and unexpected choices. The plot centers around Hana Ishikawa, who inherits a mysterious pawnshop on a hidden Tokyo street—a place where people come to pawn their deepest regrets. As Hana grapples with the loss of her father and the theft of the shop’s most important item, she embarks on a surreal journey alongside an unlikely and charming physicist, braving rain puddles, paper cranes, and celestial markets to uncover secrets that will change everything.

I’ll admit that the book started off slowly and was a bit hard to get into, but I am so glad I stuck with it. The last half of Watermoon was mesmerizing, rewarding my patience with a beautifully layered story. It reminded me of watching a Studio Ghibli film: dreamlike, heartwarming, and utterly magical. The characters felt alive and endearing, and the story carried surprising emotional weight for a cozy fantasy, weaving themes of choice, fate, and the cost of regret seamlessly into its plot.

What stood out to me most was the romance—it caught me off guard but added a delightful touch that was both subtle and meaningful. By the end, I found myself unable to pick out any flaws, and my original plan to rate this book four stars evolved into a solid five-star rating. This book is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli who love stories that are equal parts adventure and heartfelt reflection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Watermoon was just the type of cozy fantasy I needed in October, it had mystery, adventure and great world building!

I loved the journey Hana and Kei went on to find out what happened to Hana’s father. Simultaneously they also are finding out more about themselves and their true desires for their lives.

I would consider this more of a cozy mystery with some fantasy rather than a cozy fantasy on its own. I would like more people to be aware of that so they can fully enjoy this book for what it is!

An excellent read and I would highly recommend!

Water Moon brings an enchanting world to life, where stars are kites, regrets live as caged birds, and dewdrop-powered trains glide through markets in the clouds. The story follows Hana and Keishin on a quest to find her missing father, weaving through a whimsical universe filled with soaring origami cranes and magical landscapes. The imagery is beautifully crafted, though the pace sometimes feels too swift, moving quickly from one imaginative setting to the next.

The ending surprises with twists that are both confusing and satisfying, tying the story together in an unexpected way. Despite minor critiques, the book’s world-building and atmosphere stand out, creating a unique, lasting experience that captures readers with its creativity and charm.

*thank you to netgalley.com for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

The best stories teach you a lesson. Water Moon is a dazzling fantasy that asks the age old question “What path do I choose?”

Hana is the heir to her father’s pawnshop. A title that is destined for her. After finding out dark secrets about her world she is forced to make a decision. And to save her father she must step through a pond in her garden and discover not everything is as it seems.

Kei, a scientist, steps through the pawnshops doors and decides to set off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Traveling through different realms and navigating dangers; Hana and Kei must find out the truth together.

The Starless Sea meets The Midnight Library. The creators of Studio Ghibli should already have this in their lineup.

I was hooked from the very first sentence.
I desperately wanted to go on this adventure with Hana and Kei. The plot has surprising depth for a cozy fantasy, which is refreshing. Overall, it’s a beautiful story and was heartfelt.

Thank you to Netgalley.com for the eARC

I was intrigued by the title, cover and premise of this novel. I see it's described as a 'portal fantasy' which is interesting. It was confusing at times but it's so different from anything I usually read that I looked forward to diving back into this world each evening. Melding Japanese traditions such as origami with this fantastical world where one can trade in their regrets for peace of mind was calming and exciting at the same time.

Water Moon brings an enchanting world to life—where stars are kites, regrets live as caged birds, and cloud markets and dewdrop-powered trains exist alongside soaring origami cranes. It's an incredibly whimsical journey.

The story follows Hana and Keishin on a quest to find her missing father, collecting clues while traveling through this dreamlike universe. The imagery is beautiful, though at times, the pace feels almost too swift, moving from one magical location to another without lingering long enough to let each place fully sink in.

The ending, however, was wonderfully unexpected, filled with twists that managed to tie everything together in a way that was both confusing and satisfying. It may not be flawless, but it’s certainly captivating.

Ultimately, the standout features of Water Moon are its world-building and atmosphere. Despite a few minor critiques, this book delivers a rich, unique experience that will leave a lasting impression.

There is a pawnshop on a back street in Tokyo, but it's no ordinary pawnshop. First, not everyone can find it because most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. Secondl, it's a magical pawnshop. People come there to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner after her father retires to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. Then a charming stranger wanders in, but unlike everyone else, he offers help instead of seeking it. Together, they journey to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice.

I enjoyed the opening scenes of this book. Things change when Keishin enters the scene. He's likeable enough but his motivations for following Hana are hard to understand. Their romance is instant and not believable. Many scenes between them are drawn out and slow things down.

The magical world in Water Moon is very imaginative..Pretty writing makes me wish I understood it better. As it is, everything we know about it is told to us by Hana. There isn't a way to feel immersed or see the world separate from her.

Water Moon is quite different from other fantasy novels I have read. Readers who don't mind a calm, slower pace will enjoy it.

This book had an intriguing setup. The beginning started very strong, and I was engaged but lost momentum about midway. The idea of a hidden pawnshop for life choices and regrets is compelling, especially with the magical world woven into it. We all have those moments that we contemplate could have changed our trajectory in life. The writing created a visually appealing world.

There could be a disconnect in the translation because the character dynamics need to be more realistic. I did not relate to the other characters except for Hana. Her struggle with the loss of her mother made her struggle heartbreaking. There was a point when her mother was on trial for stealing, and she wanted to hold Hana one more time, but they would not let her, and it broke my soul. Despite the underdeveloped character interactions, I loved the creative and unique world and the emotional plot.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, Del Rey

This book immediately sucked me in and teleported me to a magical world hidden within a pawnshop. The imagery was so whimsical and constantly changing. I could easy see this being made into an animated film.

The book started off really strong, but the middle felt a little longer than it needed to be and I started to feel like I was reading just to read. Then we get to the end and I was drawn right back in. And was left with just a couple tears in my eyes. If it weren’t for the pacing, this would have been a 5⭐️ for me.

*thank you to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for the eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.*

this was SUCH a good book. it started a bit slow with a focus on worldbuilding, character introductions, and brief backstory. but it all carried through to the end of the book with zero plot holes and everything became connected as i read on. the multiple plot twists actually made me gasp out loud, and the fact that they felt RIGHT because of the excellent foreshadowing in the beginning of the book was just oh so satisfying.

the only very small complaint that i have is that in the last couple chapters, the pacing feels slightly rushed, although, that could also be because i was reading so quickly.

the worldbuilding was a constant delight for me. so many beautiful descriptions, and they all weaved relevant information throughout the narrative that it felt like the perfect amount of focus on environmental elements. everything played such a seamless part in the plot and connection to the characters, and the characters themselves were fascinating to get to know.

i'm looking forward to reading more of this author's work in the future!

"𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘶𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥."

Would you give up a choice to live a life with no regrets? To free yourself of the pain?

Water Moon by Filipino author @samanthasottoyambao is a beautifully written story set against the backdrop of a Japanese landscape and in an enchanting and whimsical, yet also haunting alternate world.

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for this ARC!

The story delves into choices and regrets, unlearning and rediscovering, love and sacrifices. I was truly transported into this world and left me entranced and craving for more.

"You come from the world outside that door. My daughter and I are from the world inside it. Whenever anyone from your side finds their way to our pawnshop, there is always a good reason for it. Our clients have choices that have become burdensome to carry. We take these choices off their hands so that they may return to their world lighter. Content."

Some people line up at a ramen shop, only to find themselves stepping into a magical pawnshop instead. Here they can trade a choice in exchange for 'peace'.

Hana inherits her father's pawnshop and unexpectedly finds herself in a magical quest with Kei, a physicist who stepped into the shop the day her father went missing.

𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵'𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.

I was left breathless as the story unfolded. My mind was swept away into a vivid imagination and my heart was both crushed and healed. And my soul was stirred in ways that took me by surprise.

This is undeniably a stellar 5⭐ read! Water Moon is bound to be released in January 2025!

Title: Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
Genre: Magical Realism
Pub Date: January 24, 2025

⭐️ 4/5

“Happiness does not exist in a place. It lives in every breath we take.”

Midnight Library x Spirited Away
Magic Pawnshop
Japanese Folklore
Set in Tokyo
Dual POV + Timelines
Magical Realism

My Review:

A magic pawnshop where you can pawn away your regrets and a man helping a woman from a different world to find her missing parents. I loved the wide array of folklore, the twists and liberties taken to make the characters fit, and the enthralling adventure of it all. This book was beautiful, I absolutely loved it.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Del Rey, for the gifted digital review copy ❣️

3.5 stars

Water Moon is a whimsical novel following the journey of Hana, the new inheritor of her family’s pawnshop, as she takes over the family business amid sudden conflict. The pawnshop is no ordinary business: they deal in choices, their patrons able to leave behind their defining regrets in exchange for tea. Her first day in charge, she finds her father missing and one of the patrons’ choices stolen. She is given a short time by the terrifying Shiikuin, mysterious entities who run her world, to return the choice. That same day, a physicist named Kei enters the shop and the two immediately form a connection. The two embark on a journey through the magical world the pawnshop is attached to in search of Hana’s father and answers about her mother, who was sentenced to death in Hana’s infancy.
I found the writing of this story to be lovely, and Hana and Kei to both be fascinating characters. The different places we travel in this magical world were so creative and original, and richly detailed in their descriptions. I did find the overall story a little confusing to follow, and the speed of Hana and Kei’s relationship development pretty unbelievable. In all, a pretty enjoyable read.

I’ve seen so many reviews referring to this world as whimsical and I think that is spot on. The story was so well written and I was hooked on the characters journey through the whole thing. Also can we take a moment for the cover art, absolutely stunning!

Some books are about the journey, not about the ending--and I think WATER MOON fits the former category. The book is magical and whimsical, but it requires a great deal of suspension of disbelief. Magic happens with little regard to logic or consistency, and the reader is just along for the ride and the gorgeous visuals. The book also has some surprisingly dark content, so be aware that this isn't all just flying origami cranes and magical puddles. But if you enjoy a charming, whimsical (the word can't help but come to mind repeatedly) journey through a somewhat nonsensical world, I highly recommend WATER MOON.

It's giving ✨Studio Ghibli✨

Rating: 3.75 ⭐️

The cover encapsulates the vibe of this book perfectly. Water Moon is wonder made real. A world where stars are actually kites and regrets are caged birds. It's markets in the clouds, trains powered by dewdrops, and flying origami cranes. It is incredibly whimsical.

This book follows Hana and Keishin as they search for her missing father, looking for clues while traversing this fantastical realm. It was beautiful, but I feel like I might have seen too much of the world? We see so many different places that we never get the chance to really enjoy any of them before we are off to the next one.

Now, the ending was twisty. And I really liked that. Nothing made sense and yet everything made sense. I don’t know if it was perfect, but it was definitely entertaining.

Overall, what really made this book stand out was its scenery and world-building. And while I had a couple criticisms, Water Moon felt wholly original and imaginative.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for providing me early access to Water Moon in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read:
A little pawnshop where you sell your regrets? Sign me up. Thank you, Netgalley 🥰

DNF at 25%

The beginning of this book was extremely promising, and I think the author does a great job of setting up a whimsical dream-like world. I was really intrigued by the atmosphere and was excited to see where the story went.



My issues with the story began when the male lead Keishin appears. He is from our world and at times seems to be used as a voice or interpreter for the reader viewing this world. It felt like it wasn’t giving the reader enough credit to be able to understand the world on their own and made some moments that should have been interesting repetitive instead. This undermined the mysterious and whimsical style that the book began with.

The dialogue felt cheesy and much younger than fit the tone that had been previously established, and the dynamic between the protagonist, Hana, and Keishin developed far faster than it had any right to. Hana sincerely says “don’t look at me, I’m hideous”—which felt melodramatic on its own—and then Keishin goes into a romcom style speech about how he sees her. This occurs about 75 pages into the book and I think these two met maybe 2 hours ago.

There’s a certain amount of melodrama in Yambao’s writing that I found really intriguing in her world-building prose, but I just wasn’t interested in how it manifested in her character development and dialogue. There are plenty of aspects of this story that are done well, but ultimately I wasn’t interested in pushing through the parts that didn’t work for me.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for letting me read this arc in exchange for an honest review. I will not be posting this review elsewhere since I did not finish the book.

I wasn’t expecting this book to be a mystery based on my impressions of the cover/description of the novel but I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting more of a “set off on a fantasy adventure by the ransacking” but I enjoyed the more mysterious elements of this book.

I loveeeed the world building in this book. It was incredibly well described and I found the magic quirks of this world so whimsical, entertaining, and well executed here. It was giving a bit of Studio Ghibli vibes (which I loved). It also contained a beautiful storyline about living with regrets which was touching and a lovely incorporation of real life themes into a whimsical/entertaining world.