This book is like stepping into a Studio Ghibli film—magical, whimsical, and totally transportive. The world-building is whimsical, and the story is both sad and romantic in the best way. Someone called it “a dream you don’t want to wake up from,” and that feels spot on.

If you love enchanting, fast-paced reads that feel like a fairytale, this one's worth picking up!

This one started out really promising for me, learning about this mysterious pawnshop that trades choices and regrets. Once we really started to fall into the world (falling in puddles as a means of transport!) it felt magical and fun- a fantasy world that looked like ours but in reality was so far from it (but not in the dragons or faeries kind of way). Ultimately, there just became too many turns in the story to get to the next place and the next and the next, and I started to lose interest. 3 stars.

Solid 8/10 for me. I felt as though the concept was very fascinating and I loved the attention to detail, but there were certain moments wherein I felt as though the presentation did not embody enough of the tension that’s inherent in anticipation and uncertainty. Unlike my usual reading style (quick, unable to resist the temptation of reaching the resolution), I did my best to move slowly so as to absorb the beautiful details that encompass this work. I’ll need to sit for a little bit more time with this one, for everything to fully sink in, but it was quite the wonderful reading experience.

Water moon is an interesting book. Samantha Sotto Yambao does a wonderful job creating a very atmospheric world that feels lived in, which is a a really wonderful feat in such a strange world. I loved the setting and the descriptive language of the book. My major issues with it lie mostly in the fact that I didn’t find the romance particularly believable and I found the main character on the flat side, still a very worthwhile read though.

Hana Ishikawa wakes up on her first day in charge of her father's pawn shop to find it ransacked and her father missing. This is what charming Minatozaki Keishin walks into with an offer to help. Except this isn't a normal pawn shop, and Hana has never seen someone enter it with an offer to help instead of a plea for assistance. In a world where choices are more valuable than anything else, Hana and Keishin choose to follow her father's footsteps in hopes of finding him and what was stolen. But the journey isn't easy, and they both will have to make choices they might not be ready for.

Lush storytelling takes readers on a magical journey across a land of dreams and hope where the stakes are high and the chance of success minimal. Yet there is a thread of possibility that is woven through everything that Hana and Keishin go through that makes this a most relaxing and thought-provoking read. The world is a luscious land of imagination that pulls you into the story as powerfully as the well-crafted characters. You can feel the struggles, desires, and fears that motivate everyone's actions, and you're right there with them as they fight to find Hana's father and the truth of everything around them.

It's a wonderful read that gives you a lot to think about, even as you're pulled forward by a plot that never lets up.

Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Del Rey for the magical journey!

What a gorgeous book. While not the 5/5 read that I've seen from others, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, mostly due the writing. It felt float-y and otherworldly--just like the book itself. I could easily read more of this story and am delighted to handsell this to others.

Water Moon is a fantasy standalone set in an alternate, fantastical Japan. Hana, who has inherited her father’s role as the proprietor of a pawn shop (disguised as a ramen shop) that trades in customers’ deepest regrets. But her first day on the job is disrupted by the sudden disappearance of her father, whom she must search for, alongside a mysterious stranger.

I’m not always a fan of “journey” stories (which this is, ultimately); there’s a lot of stopping and going and it can feel repetitive after a while even if there is a clear end point. The “journey” aspect was actually entertaining in Water Moon because setting is so central to the novel and perhaps the best part of the reading experience, as Hana and Keishin’s travels take them through a variety of dream-like landscapes. I found Water Moon’s whimsical worldbuilding to be a delight to read, reminiscent of the atmosphere of a Studio Ghibli film and rife with fanciful details akin to Erin Morgenerstern’s The Night Circus. If you’re looking for a story with an immersive ambience, Water Moon does this well.

However, this does mean that the plot takes a bit of a backside for a large portion of the story, and there is a lot to lay out in the last quarter, which ultimately felt rushed in contrast to the languid pacing for the majority of the book. This also results in a bit of a deus ex machina solution at the end, and some unexplained questions.

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao was soooo good y'all, I'm obsessed! Dreamy prose, haunting love story, and a twist that left me breathless. 5/5!

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

I'm glad I finally got around to reading this! What an incredibly imaginative story, reminiscent (in vibes only) of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea meets Nettle & Bone. The pawn shop was such a cool setting (though the time we spent there was too short!) and Hana's characterization felt very akin to the shop—sterile, dutiful, lonely. I also adored the museum setting and Haruto's craft. Plus, the village of stars was dripping with that magical, Ghibli quality. There were so many small moments that felt special (I *need* a fully developed fairytale-esque story about the ryokan!!) and side characters or functions of the world building that felt unique and purposeful... and yet I still came away slightly disappointed. Like many other reviews, I found the chemistry between Hana and Keishin lacking. I probably would have preferred a more hands-off, slow burn approach to their romance, if at all; for once, this is a couple that might actually have benefited from the "I'm cold and uptight, you're playful and open" archetypes. I also had so. many. questions. concerning the ending. Convenient is the wrong word, but it's pretty close to how I feel. So many things got glossed over in the last couple pages... Anyway, I did have a good time, but I can't help thinking that there are other stories out there with the same fantastical energy that are tighter in plot, higher in stakes, and stronger in characterization. This wasn't bad by any means!! but it wouldn't be my first choice of recommendation.

This was such a fun creative story where you get to go on an adventure with the main characters in their unique world. I would definitely recommend it for anyone who is a fan of adventures in the vein of Studio Ghibli, which I am definitely a huge fan of, so this was perfect for me. I loved the pondering of choices that could be made in one's life reflected in the story and I was definitely entertained as I let the characters guide the way in this one!

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago and am still not sure how I feel about it.
I think I enjoyed it, but looking back I can’t quite put my finger on what it was I enjoyed.
What did I read? I am perplexed.
A world parallel to ours that runs on our regrets and lost chances??

This feels like a Studio Ghibli film come to life.

I loved how the book balances whimsy with deep themes of regret and choice. The romance between Hana and Kei is adorable, though it feels a bit rushed. Overall, it's a heartwarming read that will leave you pondering life's big questions.

4.5⭐

This felt like The Alchemist + Midnight Library + Spirited Away. I was mesmerized by the constant jumping through portals and time, and appreciated the minimalistic but insightful writing style. I could see a lot of people not being into this book, or just giving it a 3-star rating because the writing style is so minimalist and because some parts of the story are totally brushed over (like what happens with one of the worlds at the very end). But I really loved that this was nearly allegorical, and that the writing was so insightful that I could connect so many little bits and pieces to my own life. It was a pleasure to read this book.

Initially, this felt very in line with Before the Coffee Gets Cold, which is a book that I adore, but then it shifts into the crazy fantasy world. In theory, this should be right up my alley.
But this was missing something for me.

The world is gorgeous and it’s such an odd and interesting place, but I wanted more information about it. And about the characters, honestly. There were points in this that I loved so much, but then there were others that just fell flat for me.

There are so many lovely whimsical things about this book and the concept itself is fantastic. But it felt a little rushed. When I got to the end my eyes went to the next page, expecting another chapter only to be met with the acknowledgements. I have so many questions.

To a certain extent, I don’t mind the ambiguity on a few fronts, but there are some pretty big things that I would like to know about.

Overall, this book is charming (with a couple slightly terrifying characters), but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

*thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Del Rey for an eARC of this book in exchange for my review*

The worlds contained within this book will stretch your imagination while taking you on a journey packed with breathtaking imagery, complex characters, and unexpected choices, full of surprises and casual magic. The whole story feels like something out of Studio Ghibli film—every detail is so beautiful and intentional. The layers of this story are delicate and fantastical, and I was in love from the start.

Samantha Sotto Yambao is an incredible storyteller, and this book is so moving—I’ve never read anything like it. The journey you will take as you read is so unique and awe-inspiring. Prepare yourself to be transported into a world where nothing is as it seems and everything has meaning, for better or worse. The twists in this story had me literally gasping. If you love a unique love story, this is one of the most fascinating ones I’ve ever picked up.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Samantha Sotto Yambao’s "Water Moon" is a spellbinding tale that seamlessly blends magical realism with profound emotional depth. Set against the backdrop of a mystical Tokyo pawnshop where regrets can be traded, the novel explores the intricate dance between choice, consequence, and the human longing for redemption.

The story follows Hana Ishikawa, the reluctant inheritor of her father’s enigmatic pawnshop, a place that exists on the threshold between bustling Tokyo and the ethereal realm of Isekai. When her father disappears and a precious “choice” is stolen from the shop, Hana embarks on a surreal journey to recover what was lost. Along the way, she is joined by Kei, a brilliant yet restless physicist from the non-magical world. Together, they navigate a series of fantastical landscapes, from rain puddles that serve as portals to a night market suspended in the clouds.

Yambao’s world-building is nothing short of breathtaking. The vivid imagery—paper cranes that carry messages, glowing birds that embody human choices, and the haunting Shiikuin who guard Isekai—creates a universe that feels both otherworldly and deeply resonant. Each setting is imbued with a sense of wonder, inviting readers to lose themselves in the story’s dreamlike quality.

At its heart, "Water Moon" is a meditation on the weight of our decisions and the regrets that shape us. Hana and Kei’s journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about finding Hana’s father. Their evolving relationship, marked by moments of tenderness and tension, adds an emotional richness to the narrative. Yambao’s prose is lyrical and evocative, capturing the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.

While the novel’s fragmented timeline and rapid shifts between past and present may challenge some readers, these elements mirror the disorienting nature of regret and memory. The short chapters, packed with introspection and action, keep the pacing brisk without sacrificing depth.

"Water Moon" is more than a fantasy novel; it’s a poignant exploration of what it means to live with our choices and to find beauty in imperfection. Samantha Sotto Yambao has crafted a story that lingers in the mind long after the final page, a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. For those who crave a narrative that is both enchanting and thought-provoking, "Water Moon" is an unmissable read.

I was so excited to read Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao. The premise is absolutely delightful. Imagine stepping into a ramen shop in Japan, only to find yourself in a pawnshop where you can trade in a regret. Hana has lived in this mysterious shop with her father for as long as she can remember. But on the day she is meant to take over the family business, she wakes up to find the shop ransacked and her father missing, sending her and an unlikely ally on a whimsical adventure to uncover past secrets.

The setup feels like something straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. The setting is magical, atmospheric, and full of wonder. Unfortunately, the execution fell short for me. The story lacked cohesion, with whimsical elements that felt more like scattered ideas than part of a well-structured narrative. The world-building took center stage, but at the expense of character depth. Hana and Keishin’s relationship, in particular, felt rushed and unconvincing, and their dialogue often came across as forced.

I truly wanted to love this book, and while the dreamlike imagery was beautiful, the meandering plot and one-dimensional characters made it hard to stay invested. Water Moon has a fantastic premise and will appeal to fans of whimsical magical realism, but for me, it lacked the heart and cohesion needed to make it truly enchanting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine Group for the eARC copy of “Watermoon” by Samantha Sotto Yambao.

Watermoon was one of my highly anticipated books for 2025, but sadly I’m having to soft DNF it. I read to about 55% and I’m having a tough time connecting with the characters and setting. This opinion has nothing to do with the author's writing style, as they’ve done an amazing job creating this world, and the descriptions of the setting/characters are some of the best I’ve read in a long while. Which is why I’m hoping to give Watermoon another shot when I’m in the headspace to read it, as I am a mood reader which can also affect how I connect with a book.

Everything about this is lyrical and dreamy except the romance. It's insta-love and in my opinion takes away from the story and characters. The places they traveled and people they met were the best part and I wish they had been focused on more. Overall a solid read, I would definitely read more from the author.

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

This was very charming and whimsical and the world building was very well thought out. I loved it all, the parallel worlds the slow unraveling, the reflection on self and family!