This was a stunning adventure of family, loss, and magic. Upon inheriting a pawn shop, it's ransacked and the new owner must traverse a magical world in order to find her way.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a story that mixes magical realism with themes of love, loss, and figuring out who you are. At first, it seems like it's just about a pawnshop and the things people leave behind, but those objects actually represent the tough choices people face in life. Even though the book gets into topics like Japanese mythology and science—things I don’t know much about—the author explains them in a way that’s easy to follow.

The world in the story is really vivid and detailed. Even though the book moves slowly, it never feels boring because something is always happening.

Although Water Moon is described as a cozy read, it dives into some deep topics like death and neglect, so it's not exactly a light read. Still, I’d recommend it for how emotional and thought-provoking it is. The way the author describes the settings and the characters' feelings really pulled me in, and the cultural references added a lot of depth to the story.

While I loved how immersive the world felt, some of the characters seemed distant, and the ending left me wanting more closure. But overall, it’s a beautifully written book that I think teens who like deep, emotional stories would really enjoy.

Thank you, Random House and NetGalley , for the ARC of Water Moon! I just finished reading, and wow—I’m absolutely thrilled! It was such an amazing ride from start to finish. I’m so grateful for the chance to experience it early.

Poetic and dream like, Yambao does a great job keeping track of what the reader is supposed to care about while adding more and more accoutrements to a great story.

This IS like a Ghibli movie! I would love to see an adaptation of this.

I really enjoyed the writing. The story is very atmospheric and dreamlike. The characters were great. The setting and the world building are just top notch. Very easy to visualize everything and I loved all of the abstract and fantastical elements.

In this ethereal novel the parallel worlds of Hana and Kei intersect. Hana has just been tasked with taking over for her father in the pawnshop they operate. But this is a unique pawnshop where customers trade in a past choice or regret in exchange for happiness. Kei is a Japanese-American physicist who has traveled to Tokyo for work. On the day Hana is to assume her new duties she discovers that her shop has been ransacked and her father is missing, and then Kei walks through the door. He determines that he must help her in her quest to find her father, who they surmise has gone off to find her mother. The world of their journey is Hana's world, with travel through puddles, being carried along by songs, helped by origami cranes, and always under threat of the shiikuen, zombie-like enforcers of the rules. With lyrical writing, the author treats us to Hana's world, which we may not always understand, but which charms us and seduces us to care about the success of the journey.

I’ve been a fan of Samantha Sotto Yambao’s for quite some time. When I heard she was writing Water Moon, I was so beyond excited. Yambao is one of the most descriptive Authors I’ve ever come across. This book is probably one of her most beautiful yet.

The story follows the life of Hana after she takes over her Father’s pawn shop. But this shop is not like any other shop out there. Only visible to the “chosen” few that are lost, anyone who stumbles into the shop has a choice to sell their regrets. On the eve of Hana’s takeover, her Father wraps up loose ends and prepares for his freedom of the shop. When Hana wakes up the next morning, he’s nowhere to be found. She suspects the worst when she finds the shop ransacked. After a charming Physicist wanders in, so begins Hana’s real journey.

Water Moon is an absolutely stunning book and is like nothing I’ve ever read. I’m not typically a fantasy reader, but it was hard to tear myself away from the gorgeous world Hana finds herself in. Even if you don’t like fantasy, you can’t possibly not appreciate how fantastic this book is. And if you do like fantasy, you will absolutely adore this one.

Samantha Sotto Yambao continues to take my breath away with her beautiful mind. So many thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A beautiful story with lush, lyrical prose that stays with you long after you finish. The world is full of magic and thoughtful world building that give the book a reflective and haunting feeling. I love the exploration of the choices and the regrets we make throughout our lives and how they impact us and our own identities. It feels like reading a Studio Ghibli movie, and I enjoyed every second of this delightful read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book has a very magical setup that seems straight out of a Studio Ghibli movie - the imagery was really beautiful and blended nicely with the Japanese mythology. The author did a great job with the world of this novel and her research really shines through. However, the characters were lacking in complexity and came off as bland. The chemistry between Hana and Kei was somewhat lacking. I did find Haruto's character intriguing and I would have loved to see more of him in the book.
The worldbuilding, while beautifully imagined, was also very surface-level. We would be introduced to some huge magical concept, only for it to be thrown away and never mentioned again.
I think the overall premise and plot of this book were great, and it was a perfect read for the fall season. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House/Del Rey/Ballantine for the eARC!

Hi, so this is actually one of the best books I’ve ever read in my life. I’ve literally never read anything like it before and I can’t believe I’ll never be able to read it for the first time again.

A whimsical and cozy book about regrets and choice. This reminded me of, as others have mentioned, Studio Ghibli, with a touch of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. If you like those, I'd definitely recommend this book. It's slow and comforting and the prose can be quite lyrical. The characters felt real and you end up really feeling for them. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced copy for an honest review!

This book is honestly just so beautiful. The elements come together in a way that is poetic and entertaining. I'd love to talk to my district about incorporating this book into our curriculum.

Thank you netgalley and random house publishing for this arc. Wow, where do I even start, what should i say first about Water Moon? This book completely swept me away! Set against the backdrop of Tokyo, it tells the story of Hana Ishikawa, who inherits her family's magical pawnshop. But this isn't your simple everyday pawnshop; here, people sell their regrets, and Hana's journey to find her missing father while navigating her family's complicated past is both enchanting and deeply emotional.

Samantha Soto Yambao has such a beautiful way with words. Her descriptions of the magical elements blend seamlessly with real-life struggles, making the story feel both fantastical and relatable. You can practically feel the atmosphere of Tokyo coming alive through her writing. The exploration of family dynamics and personal growth really hit home for me. It's like a gentle reminder that our past shapes who we are, but we also have the power to choose our paths forward.

I also loved the friendship and romance that blossomed between Hana and Keishin. Their connection is sweet and authentic, highlighting how shared experiences can bring people closer, especially when they're both dealing with their own baggage. As they uncover secrets and confront their traumas, you can't help but root for them.

What really stood out to me was the book's message about healing and the importance of confronting our fears and regrets. It's a beautiful reminder that while we can't change the past, we can choose how it influences our future.

Overall, Water Moon is a must-read for anyone who loves magical realism intertwined with real emotional depth. It's got everything—adventure, love, and a bit of magic that’ll leave you reflecting long after you turn the last page. If you haven't already, make sure to grab a copy when it releases in January 2025. Trust me, you won't regret it!

ps. you might want to stay away from puddles after reading this book.....

Absolutely loved this book! I had the pleasure of reading it as an ARC, and it quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year. The writing was so beautiful, I wanted to highlight the entire thing. I’ve already preordered my copy to add to my shelf. If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli, you’ll devour this!

Watermoon is an enchanting, whimsical tale that took me on a nonstop adventure from start to finish. The world is so vividly described that it felt like I was watching a movie unfold in my mind. While insta-love isn’t usually something I enjoy, in this story, it worked surprisingly well. The imagery, fantastic settings, and fast-paced plot kept me fully immersed the entire time. If you’re looking for a book that feels like a journey through a dreamscape, I highly recommend Watermoon. Five stars!

Embark on a lovely journey of self-reflection and introspection in a dream-like world.

Hana Ishikawa inherits her father's pawnshop, but it's not your typical pawnshop where you exchange precious things, jewelry, or antiques; instead, you exchange your regrets or certain choices. Hana's father goes missing on the first day she is meant to open the pawnshop, and she embarks on an enchanting trip to find him with a very charming man who enters the shop at the opportune time.

This book is ideal for people who want to read an enchanting and thought-provoking adventure story. I had to underline so many quotes that made me stop reading and question myself. The imagery, atmosphere, and writing are incredibly immersive, creating a cozy yet profound experience.

A special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing an early ARC of this beautiful book.

This was a bot different than I expected but overall it was a good read. A bit slow at times but a nice easy read. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley

Thank you to Net Galley and Del Rey for the ARC. This book has a beautiful cover and a whimsical cozy vibe so I immediately requested it. Unfortunately, it was not for me. The plot started off way too slow and I was bored throughout.

In "Water Moon", author Samantha Sotto Yambao has crafted a story merging the world of today with a fantasy realm based on elements of Japanese folklore and mythology.

Keishin Minatozaki is a Japanese-American physicist who's recently accepted a job offer in Tokyo to study neutrinos, and shortly after moving to his new home, stumbles into a pawnshop despite thinking he's looking from a ramen-ya. There, he finds a store in disarray and damage, the lone proprietor being a young woman named Hana Ishikawa, who steadfastly refuses his help and tries to force him to leave. Hana hides a number of secrets, however, including the world that she and her father Toshio inhabit and the rules and regulations that govern their lives. The Ishikawa's pawnshop barters in regrets - visitors are able to offer up their life's regrets and missed choices for a cup of tea, and find solace in completely forgetting these aspects of their pasts. For Hana, who has never left the pawnshop, it is a duty she's always known she would take on, as well as the role of turning over these failed regrets, which are transformed into birds, to the frightening shiikuin who come to collect them every new moon.

However, Hana's world is turned over when she wakes that morning to find the pawnshop in complete disarray, her father gone, and one of the caged birds missing - appearing as though a thief has broken in and her father giving chase into the world on the other side of the door. Despite her protests, Hana grudgingly accepts Keishin's help and the two dive into the many corners of Hana's world, one that involves teleportations through water puddles, the inking of one's fate to one's skin, traveling through the journey of a rumor, and the currency of exchange in memories and music. As Keishin journeys farther into this magical land, he comes to learn the truth behind its existence - and his own connection to it.

From the first few pages, "Water Moon" built an enthralling and captivating world, one that I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams. I have to commend Yambao for piecing together such a fantastical place, as each chapter revealed yet another aspect of it; it reminded me at times of a Studio Ghibli film. I enjoyed the overall journey and the final reveals of Hana and Keishin's characters and stories felt well thought out, if a bit complex. I did find that the world-building and the continual introduction of new characters and rules detracted from the focus of the novel - the protagonists and their character development over the course of the novel. The writing style felt stiff and overly formal at times, perhaps to mimic traditional Japanese language and literature, but I felt as though I never really connected with Hana over the course of the novel. It made her and Keishin's relationship and feelings towards each other less believable, and the novel's resolution less satisfying.

Overall an enjoyable read, and one that I'd recommend to interested readers when "Water Moon" is published in January 2025!

· Name of the publication/blog/outlet where your review will be published/posted = Goodreads

· Run date for when the review will be posted/published = Monday, October 7,2024

· A link to your review, if available, so the publisher can share your review = https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6909287846?book_show_action=false




cue lukewarm applause. dnf @ 20%

if you are currently in a reading slump, this is not the best book to ease you out of it; this book's pace is slow, and not in a we are deliberately pausing to smell the flowers in these moments kind of way, but in the my editors and i don't know how to handle the pace of this story as in we can't efficiently inter-weave worldbuilding with the plot kind of way. the initial premise is interesting and the characters are endearing, but I feel like we started the story too early and got flung everywhichway thereafter. i believe the story would be easier to digest, had it been arranged differently.

overall a comforting read. i don't think i'd say any different if i got through it 100%. it's probably best to read when you know youre in tip-top shape for paying attention; otherwise your attention wouldn't want to be wasted.

hmmmm i retract that actually. i am in tip-top shape for paying attention rn and still decided it's not worth spending it anymore on the rest of this novel.

thank you NetGalley and Del Rey publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Water Moon was very dreamy and definitely fits into the cozy fantasy genre. I don’t have much to say other than it was a good palate cleanser between dense, heavy reads and had a very unique storyline. Perfect for cozy fall reading. The cover is also incredibly stunning. Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the arc!