Very Japanese inspired Alice in Wonderland. although this is magical realism and fantasy, it is a slow adventure. Definitely go in and take a deep breath and relax. There is no rushing this story. I do wish there was more but cannot pinpoint how or where. Perhaps as a graphic novel or Manga. The cover is gorgeous. Thank You Netgalley and Samantha Sotto Yambao for the electronic ARC of this book. I did wait for the Audio to become available. Although I do not entirely recommend the audio over just reading the story. I feel like I could have enjoyed more if I read the book a bit more than the audio. I could not imagine the scenes in the story entirely and think it would be more fun as a graphic novel series.

I recently read this book and I have to say, it was a delightful surprise! The story follows Hana, who inherits a mysterious pawnshop in Tokyo where people can sell their regrets. When her father goes missing and a precious item is stolen, Hana teams up with a charming physicist named Kei to embark on a magical journey through a mystical world.
What I loved most about this book was its whimsical and enchanting atmosphere. The concept of a pawnshop for regrets is so unique and thought-provoking. It made me reflect on my own choices and the things I might regret. The journey Hana and Kei take is filled with beautiful imagery, from rain puddles that transport them to other realms to paper cranes that carry them through the sky.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, and their interactions are both heartwarming and humorous. The blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure kept me hooked from start to finish. It's a story that reminds you to take hold of your life and your choices, and it does so in a gentle and magical way.
Overall, "Water Moon" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy with a touch of magic and a lot of heart. I highly recommend it!

Water Moon is a delightful foray into magical realism. It is abundantly creative and manages to say a lot with fewer words than many in the genre. While the romance didn't completely sweep me away, it was heartfelt and satisfying.

Thank you Samantha Sotto Yambao, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for my advanced review copy. My opinions are my own.

Plot - 4
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 4
Personal Bias - 4
Final Score - 4

Overall, I enjoyed Water Moon. The setting and imaginative world were definitely the best part and I was actually caught off guard by the twist at the end. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it though!

The beginning seemed really disjointed to me and the instant connection between them seemed unearned and a little strange, but I guess that gets explained at the end.

Mixed feelings on the characters and the writing, but loved the imagination in the world building and setting and definitely get the Ghibili comparison.

Thank you for the arc NetGalley and Del Rey!

What a cozy love story, with such Studio Ghibili vibes. The writing and story were so beautifully written.

This was not really the book I expected. The synopsis (and the gorgeous cover art) sold me on a cozy fantasy featuring a pawnshop that trades regrets. In practice, however, the pawnshop is mostly background info and not the setting of the book, the fantasy is quest-based with darker edges than suits the cozy genre, and the plot is almost entirely consumed by a cheesy romance let down by measly character development.

There is an awful lot of pontificating about fate vs. free will and the meaning of choice in our lives, and yet it doesn't feel like a work that is strong on literary themes... more like one that's trying to be.

The book is full of excellent imagery and original, imaginative worldbuilding. The non-romance elements of the plot take interesting, unpredictable twists and turns. I can't quite put my finger on what gave me this impression - maybe a gentle precision to the tone of the prose - but my reading experience often felt like watching an anime.

I'm sure this book will appeal to many readers. But I do feel it was not appropriately marketed.

CW: I wouldn't normally issue content warnings for the low levels of violence and sex in this book, but since it could easily be mistaken for a cozy genre book, I want to give a heads up that there is one very brief mostly-PG-13 sex scene and several descriptions of cutting open wounds and drawing blood. There is also a brief allusion to abortion.

If you love anything and everything that has even a slight vibe of studio ghibli. You will LOVE this like I did!
I did not pick it up for a while because I am stupid and did not realize what I was in possession of. Now I need the physical copy of this so I can reread it very soon. It was whimsical and very wholesome. I love Japanese Lit I read it pretty frequently. I will be reading anything Yambao writes in the future.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

“There is a river that runs between knowing and understanding. Tonight, inside an illusion of her home, Hana crossed it.” There is a pawnshop like no other at the beginning of this magical realism tale, set in Japan. And also not in Japan. It is a story of two hearts, two worlds, choices and what they mean. This is a book to be savored.

I really wanted to love this book, but I found myself somewhat bored by it as it progressed. The premise is absolutely beautiful. The scenery work is beautiful!

My main issues stem from the fact that the romance between our two main characters was incredibly insta-love. There really wasn't much of a debate on if they would end up together, it was really just a matter of how many pages it would take. Unfortunately, I don't think that this style of romance works for me.

That being said, I highly recommend giving this book a chance purely for the vibes! It was a very fun read despite my personal nitpick.

All my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC!

If you told me this was a Studio Ghibili book, I’d believe you. Yamboa’s writing does a fantastic job of translating to vivid imagery in your mind. The book itself was very cute. The one thing keeping it from being a 5 star read for me was the pacing. However, if you’re into whimsical fantasies, you would really like this book.

4.25 / 5 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine | Del Rey for an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley #WaterMoon

This book is a mix of all things magical realism, with beautiful calls to Japanese Lore and Studio Ghibli.

The characters are great, and Kei is so so sweet!

I also loved how beautiful the writing was, and how it left me with slice of life / thoughts of ponder.

An amazing and unique take on fantasy!

3.5

Like many readers, I was initially drawn in by this gorgeous cover, but then I shied away from it because I have had more misses than hits when it comes to more healing fiction/magical realism/cozy stories, such as Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Then I saw the audiobook narrated by Cindy Kay, and I knew I had to at least try it. I do think this has more of a plot than the typical book in this style, which definitely worked for me. I've also seen it described as Ghibli-esque and I think that is a fair comparison. We follow a young girl who is forced into a portal world when he father disappears. The world was immersive and imaginative and I felt compelled to continue reading pretty much from the start. I'm not entirely sure the ending fully came together for me but I still found this to be a really interesting story and would highly recommend.

This book is a cozy fantasy that follows main character, Hana, who recently inherited a mysterious pawn shop, on an adventure through an alternative version of Tokyo, with Kei, a physicist who happened to wander through the pawn shop doors.

The journey through the different parts of this strange and interesting world was the most entertaining part of this story for me. I love being thrown into a different place by jumping into a puddle or being folded into paper. These whimsical worlds were of the Studio Ghibli variety.

Unfortunately for me the main characters fell flat and weren’t fleshed out enough. I wished that they had been given more to their individual personalities. On top of them reading as boring people, the romance was rushed and forced. They had this instant connection and it was never believable that these two strangers had strong romantic feelings after knowing each other for a few days. I believe that this story would have been stronger if it was written as a solo journey for Hana. If we had followed Hana while she went through self discovery and learning about her family’s past, we would’ve gotten a more thorough character development.

While this story wasn’t quite the one for me, I do believe that readers who enjoy a cozy, slower pace fantasy will enjoy this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

i went into this expecting a "before the coffee gets cold" vibe with the pawnshop for regrets, and was ultimately given so much more in exchange. there were so many phrases i underlined, whether it was for the beauty of the prose or the wisdom contained within. the metaphors were poetic, and it's difficult to do them justice in this description.

the world building is vivid and atmospheric, and i really enjoyed the contrast of the two main characters viewpoints and experiences. i don't read a lot of romance, but i found their chemistry very believable despite their flaws, and ultimately, i was rooting for their relationship the entire time.
this book is full of wonder, family, betrayal, secrets, hope, fear, and the classic dichotomy between blindly accepting fate or challenging the roles in which you've been assigned.

while i enjoyed the creativity of the story and it's layered twists and turns, my main critique of the book is the incredibly redundant chapter structure and dialogue. it got to the point where i could predict how each chapter would end and how things would be revealed, which was mildly distracting.

Water Moon is an exuberant, imaginative adventure that bursts with magic at every turn! From the very first page, Yambao’s creativity shines: imagine splashing into a pond to hop between parallel universes, resting your head on a pillow only to awaken in a dreamy land connected by a mystical bridge, or even listening to candles that softly whisper the prayers of those recently spoken to them. Each delightful discovery makes you want to turn the page and see what enchanting surprise awaits next!

Set in a quirky pawnshop hidden in the backstreets of Tokyo—a place that magically appears to those who stray from their everyday plans, like stopping for ramen but ending up trading their deepest regrets and life choices for something uniquely theirs—the story sparkles with whimsy. Here, regrets transform into charming little birds, tucked away in vaults and shared with mysterious, masked beings known as shiikuins!

Hana Ishikawa, raised among these marvels by her loving and enigmatic father, Ishikawa Toshio, is about to step into a world even more enchanting than she ever imagined. On her very first day on the job (despite waking up with a hangover and a bit of chaos—a ransacked store, a missing magical acquisition, and a door to the real world left wide open!), Hana discovers that her father has mysteriously vanished. With clues scattered like confetti, she’s thrust into a whirlwind of questions and fantastical challenges! Enter the irresistibly charming Minatozaki Keishin—a mysterious stranger with a spark of curiosity and a passion for solving puzzles from another realm. Though Hana initially tries to handle things on her own, she soon realizes that the journey to find her father (and perhaps even her long-lost mother) will be a delightful duet of daring adventure and surprising revelations. Together, they wander through a world where markets float in the clouds, trains are powered by dewdrops, and origami cranes soar like dreams. It’s a vibrant tapestry that feels as heartwarming as a Studio Ghibli masterpiece like Spirited Away, but with its own playful, romantic twist!

Yambao’s lyrical, bubbly prose brings this magical universe to life, effortlessly mixing tender, heartfelt moments with an energy that makes every page sparkle. Even when the plot takes unexpected, twisty turns that seem to defy logic, everything comes together in a burst of delightful wonder that makes you smile, laugh, and gasp in surprise.

If you adore stories that explore the magic of choices, the beauty of overcoming regrets, and the joy of discovering hidden truths, Water Moon is the perfect escape. Sure, the whirlwind of vibrant locales might sometimes feel like a fun roller coaster ride you just can’t get off, but that’s all part of its irresistible charm! In a nutshell, Water Moon is pure wonder made real—a fantastical celebration of parallel worlds, tender emotions, and endless mystery. It’s the kind of book that invites you to dive back in again and again, finding new bursts of magic with every read!

Beautiful book, beautiful cover, beautiful story. I’ve been in such a big reading slump that it took me awhile to read this but it was still really good. This book felt magical and whimsical.

Whimsical in all the right ways. I think this felt strangely nostalgic for me, in the sense that it felt familiar. Like a movie I watched growing up or a book I read or a dream I had. It’s a comfortable kind of whimsy and familiarity that I want to see more in modern publishing. Truly think this is a standout of the genre and can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this copy and apologies for my late review!

What a whimsical, creative story unlike anything else I’ve ever read! I don’t even know how to describe it except that it felt like a dream. I had to let go of trying to make sense of everything and just go with the flow, which helped me enjoy it. The vibes a a mix of weird and lovely and sometimes sad but sweet - and always magical.

Thank you to Del Rey for the ARC!

Water Moon
Samantha Sotto Yambao
5⭐️

Pub Date: 1/14/2025

This was such a beautiful and breathtaking book!

This speculative fiction book was so immersive and memorable. Set in Japan, there's pawnshop where you can trade your hard choices for expensive tea. It's mystical as it is but it doesn't stop there. The intricate "other world" and the secrets within were so dreamy, but it also gave a lot of life lessons- about the choices we make, fate, love, free will. The writing style just drove it home and made room in my heart. I'm not too familiar with Japanese culture but it seems to take from Japanese mythology. As the story goes on, the mysteries slowly unfold (pun intended) in the best way possible. I am completely left in awe with how this book started, ended and everything else in between.

The atmosphere of this book is whimsical. It gave off a studio Ghibli vibe with its own interesting spin. The way I pictured it in my head is like a faded watercolor kind of sceneries. With the smell of rain and nature. And the writing style, oh! It was beautifully narrated, and gave off a nostalgic, gentle and calm feeling even when the plot takes a more tense turn.

I don't think I can ever do this book any justice with my review. It was just perfect, and something that I know will stay up in my favorite reads (and recommendations).

Thank you @netgalley and Ballantine Publishing for a gifted e-ARC of this book!

DNF at 26% (~ 100 pages)

I'll admit that I mostly picked this one up because I'd heard it was going to get special editions with some spectacular artists and I got bit by FOMO despite knowing from the synopsis that there was a very slim chance that this would be a book for me. Yet again, my intuition was spot on.

I managed to make it through the first part in the book only through sheer stubbornness that it would somehow fit into the category of Ghibli film that I really enjoy. Even with those I've had mixed success and in a lot of ways, Water Moon makes me think of the more whimsical ones like Ponyo. At no point in the first part does Water Moon try to explain the magical realism or make any sense out of it, it just is. I'm not typically someone who needs hard magic but this was way too soft for me. It made me think also of Before the Coffee Gets Cold where the themes and the writing are the dominant pull of the story. And as someone who's not overly fond of poetic writing, that just didn't work for me.

I also found myself getting really frustrated with the characters. At the very beginning, the female main character Hana felt sympathetic as it navigated her complicated relationship with her father. But once Keishin entered the picture, it was all instalove with Hana being grumpy and not wanting him along and him being the stereotypical scientist who struggles with how to place his scientific knowledge against the magical realism. Not helped by how many times neutrinos are brought up as a way of showing how science focused he was, which just really started to feel like nonsense the more it happened.

By the time I got to the end of part one, I was just over all of it. I was actively annoyed by the writing style, didn't care about either of the characters and had no interest in this very whimsical, magical journey. However, if you love cozy stories that are high on the whimsy and the themes, it's worth trying. The special editions are gorgeous and I'm a little sad I didn't get along with this book at all.