Unfortunately, I did not get to reading this as an ARC due to the holidays and flu and work. But I do look forward to reading this as a finished book.

Water Moon is unlike any book I’ve read before. It’s the type of book I recommend to people who want to escape reality. You feel like you’re in a magical dream. While most of the book is just excellent vibes, there is still a beautiful story being told.

Water Moon is perfect for people who love Studio Ghibli movies and whimsical stories.

4.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a lovely book but - and I can't believe I'm saying this - was a bit too whimsical for me. The magical realism elements were charming, but as the story becomes more fantastical it starts to loose its emotional core. I also wasn't sold on the romance between Hana and Keishin, nor their characters. The writing style is beautiful but also fairly detached, making it hard to connect with the characters.

I haven't read many books where the storyline is based in Tokyo so I was excited to read this one. To be honest I was pulled in more by the cover and the mumbles I was hearing about it than the description. I had just a lovely time with this story! As a lover of pawn shops and reading magical realism, I am so glad I read this! The author did such a great of not only pulling the reading into the story but into this realm she must venture through to find her father. I can't wait for this to arrive at our library and get it in the hands of several students who I know are going to LOVE this!

I don't normally read books that come across as heartwarming and twee but in these dark times, Samantha Sotto Yambao's Water Moon sounded like just the thing I needed to get me through the long days.

In the story, a magical pawn shop can give you the chance for a redo on your big regrets but only if you're willing to trade in something of your own.

Truly a one of a kind story that's less about the specifics of how the plot works and more about the way you feel while reading it. I enjoyed myself thoroughly and it was a balm to my soul to read.

When I learned of the Studio Ghibli vibes the book encompasses, I immediately sprinted for an arc copy. I grew up watching Studio Ghibli and hold those memories quite fondly. So with a praise such as that, my curiosity piqued. And the statement holds true; Water Moon does carry Ghibli-esque elements, in particular Spirited Away. From the masked Shiikuin, the paper cranes that come alive, and the transporting through bodies of water, it embodies the dark whimsy qualities of Spirited Away nostalgically.

Hana takes over the mysterious pawnshop when her father decides to retire. She has never encountered the outside world, not until her father goes missing. Keishin is a physicist who returns to Japan for a new job and ends up stumbling into the pawnshop. Unlike Hana, he is from the outside world. So when Hana takes him into her own (forbiddingly), he discovers a whole other existence like nothing before. Their fast development for each other felt jarring to me, especially with Keishin willing to sacrifice for Hana who is very much a stranger to him. I was also surprised by Keishin’s lack of questioning about Hana’s world given his scientist background. And because the reader is like Keishin who has zero knowledge about the context of Hana’s realm, it leaves us fumbling in the dark for answers. Perhaps it is a little too in keeping with “nothing is what it seems.”

I think if this were an animated film, the qualities that are lacking can be dismissed. But translated into text, the philosophical and melancholy nature of the story feels strained. So while I did enjoy the dreamlike setting immensely, I walked away wanting more about the whys and the hows and the depths of the otherworldly structure.  

Thank you NetGalley and Delrey for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review!

A fun read that made me think of a Ghibli movie with adult protagonists, several moments in the book had me imagining the characters in Miyazaki's unique style. I hope one day this can get an adaptation that can do its beautiful descriptions justice.

Right off the bat, we are thrown into a world both like and unlike our own, a simple seeming pawnshop with a mysterious purpose, to let people be free from their regrets, just give up the choice that is weighing on you can let go.

Except, nothing is ever that easy, as Hana is set to take over the pawnshop from her father and we are given a view of her fantastical world through the eyes of Keishin, a man devoted to science who finds his world isn't all that it seems. How will he balance the fantastical with logic? Well, the answer really is, he doesn't.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the world building and how everything just worked. But the fantastical nature of everything is mostly taken at face value, Kei may ask a question, but Hana will say something about "well of course it does, it just makes sense here" and he goes along with it with a smile on his face as he is awestruck by the world. In some ways it had me thinking about Spirited Away and how Chihiro got swept up into the world. Not necessarily a bad thing, but why give him curiosity and a need for logic at first, if he is going to shrug it off as, well of course time is in sand and of course historical events are stored in origami, oh and travel by thinking about a song? It just makes sense because it does. Why wouldn't it be?

Now, beyond that gripe, I loved the story, each chapter drew me in more and more, as I held my breath to see what new fantastical thing would be shown and the beauty of the world was put on display, along with the darkness that came with that beauty, as everyone encountered staunchly stuck to their duty, immovable from their tasks, while the pawnshop may take our world's choices, this is a world devoid of choice, with everyone's lives decided for them from infancy. So how is it that Hana and Kei have managed to go on this quest? Well, spoilers my deal. Spoilers and twists.

The twists weren't entirely unexpected, but they did fit in well enough to still be satisfying as I devoured chapter after chapter.

Definitely a story I would recommend to others for a quick journey to another world and for fans of Ghibli's Spirited Away who are looking for an older protagonist.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group, NetGalley and Samantha Sotto Yambao for the ARC to honestly review.

Such a unique concept with wonderful world-building, Studio Ghibli vibes, and plenty of magical whimsy! The characters were lovely, though the insta-love aspect wasn’t my favorite. The pacing felt inconsistent, which made the story a bit confusing at first, so I found myself needing to take my time rather than reading it in one sitting. However, the stunning scenery truly brings the book to life, making it well worth the read despite its flaws.

This was an interesting story! A Japanese inspired fiction with magic realism. I’ve always enjoyed the books i’ve read with Magic realism and this was no exception, it was fantastic and immersed me in the story completely. A portal to a pawn shop and a parallel world?? How fun is that!

The first thing that caught my eye in this book is the gorgeous cover; I absolutely love it. The story itself is also captivating. I really love the unique and magical worldbuilding. The concept of a magical pawnshop where you can sell your regrets is fantastic. I wish it were real but oh well! The author's storytelling is incredible, making this a magical and emotional read for me. I highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Watermoon - by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Here is what you can expect

whimsical adventure
studio ghilbi vibes
set in Tokyo Japan
unique magic system (magical pawn shop)
true nature vs choosing your own path
romantic subplot (so cute)
plot twist and surprises

What a beautifully written book! I enjoyed the storyline and amazing character development. Watermoon to me explores the true nature of a person vs the power of choosing your own path and living for that journey. It also explores what the characters are willing to sacrifice in order to obtain what they’re looking for, while also learning life’s lessons along the way. Samantha painted such astonishingly magical imagery that the reader truly feels they are apart of this world. The pacing kept me intrigued throughout the entire story.

Below are a few of my favorite quotes from Watermoon. There were so many but these were standouts for me.

“ Books do not find value when they are written. They find value when they are read.”

“Arriving at one’s destination is never promised. Only the journey is waiting is part of that journey.”

A HUGE Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the whimsical, magical feeling of this book. I feel like you should go into this story knowing as little as possible, so I'm not going to say much about the story itself. I will say I felt like this story really swept me away to another world. Much like many of the patrons, I too stepped through a door to an unexpected, but beautiful place.

So many cool concepts, but thinking about this world for even an additional minute reveals how flimsy it really is. Unfortunately, the vibes were not enough to carry the meandering plot and the romance (which had so much potential) felt really rushed. Some extremely interesting magical concepts, the author is obviously very creative and talented! I think I just needed a bit less wandering, a bit more urgency, and some stronger worldbuilding in order for the ending to hit the way it was meant to.

Water Moon is a whimsical novel with a dark side.

I appreciate the gradual introduction into Hana’s world. At first, it’s not immediately clear that the pawn shop isn’t in a world that’s not much different to the ‘real’ world. However, as soon as Keishin enters Hana’s world that starts to change. It quickly becomes apparent that although there are many elements that seem magical and beautiful to Hana’s world, it lacks the one thing that truly gives people purpose-- choice.

Throughout the book, Hana and Kei both literally and metaphorically search for a choice. To Hana, whose life map is written on her skin, choices are things that come from chaos and uncertainty. As scary as that seems to her, the freedom that comes with choices appeals to Hana and binds her closer to Kei. She’s forced to confront the rebellious part of herself that she’s spent her whole life trying to ignore.

Meanwhile, Kei battles his own ideas of how a world “should” be. As a scientist, Kei believes that everything has a logical way of working. He’s so set in his ways that although he has all the choices in the world he doesn’t know how to make use of them. Hana’s world forces him to acknowledge that sometimes things just happen because they do and that sometimes things don’t have to make sense to be valid.

Water Moon bounces from one unbelievable setting to another with such frequency that it is a little difficult to fully absorb one before we’ve already moved on to another. Although the novel has point of view chapters from multiple characters and all the characters introduced add something to the narrative, this novel is really about Kei and Hana as they are the one common thread that connects so many different settings. Although the book is about finding Hana’s father, really the only reason to care about the success of the mission is in relation to how it will affect Hana and Kei’s relationship.

As I appreciated the gradual introduction into Hana’s world, I also appreciated how the insidious workings of that world grew more apparent as the consequences of their journey grew more dire. The revelation of what happens to the pawn shop’s regrets and where the Shiikuin come from brings the plot full circle in a way that was unexpected.

This novel is a marriage between The Night Circus and Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and will appeal to a cult following of readers. It is a novel that you must only pick up when you’re in the mood to spend a large amount of time in the clouds.

I want a real shop where you can sell your regrets please, and I want it now. You cannot create a storyline like this and not expect someone to scream “I need this right now”. Yes, I know there are consequences and yes for someone who believes in science, this is a ridiculous story but let the girl dream for a minute :)

Pawnshop hidden behind the facade of ramen restaurant - ones who do not have any regrets see the restaurant, the others enter into a dream world where decisions can be unmade. Hana’s parents were the ones running the pawnshop. Her mother was taken by the dark forces for the crime she committed and since then it was only Hana’s father and herself. The day when it was her turn to run shop was approaching and when that day came she was supposed to do more than she bargained for along with the physicist who joined forces with her.

I really liked the wholesomeness and sadness the story brought to life. I know it is weird to be amazed by the sadness of the situation, but that emotional heaviness made the idea of decision making more important and irreversible. Technically this was about a pawnshop saving you from your decisions but at the end it is the decisions who made us who we are.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

When I first came across Water Moon on NetGalley, I was captivated by its intriguing premise: A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets. If that doesn't interest you, I don't know what will.

And I was not disappointed.

At the heart of this enchanting fantasy novel is a mystical pawnshop that can only be found by those who originally intended to dine at a ramen shop but somehow end up trading their deepest regrets instead. Patrons exchange life choices they wish to change for something that belongs to them, and these regrets transform into birds, locked away in a vault and shared with fearsome supernatural entities known as shiikuins, who wear haunting masks.

Hana has spent her life in this extraordinary shop, learning to decipher emotions, resentments, and regrets under the guidance of her father. He teaches her through scavenger hunts, leaving cryptic clues behind for her to unravel. But everything changes when Hana wakes up on her first morning as the Pawn shop owner to find the shop ransacked, its most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing.

Enter a charming physicist—an unusual customer who, instead of seeking to sell his regrets, offers his help instead.

Together, they embark on a breathtaking journey through an ethereal world to uncover the mystery behind the theft and Hana's missing father. Along the way, they traverse rain puddles that lead to other realms, soar on paper cranes, cross the bridge between midnight and morning, and explore a night market nestled in the clouds.

With its intricate world-building, poetic prose, and unexpected twists, Water Moon kept me enthralled until the last page. Samantha Sotto Yambao's imagination shines brilliantly, weaving a dreamlike narrative that blends fantasy, mystery, and emotion.

Overall, Water Moon is a beautifully crafted, unique, and thought-provoking novel that offers both whimsy and depth. I eagerly look forward to reading more of Sotto Yambao'sYambao'sworks in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine | Del Rey for sending me the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao was such a unique read. A magical realism that starts in a pawnshop where you sell your regrets. Hana, the daughter of the pawnshop owner, has lived a life that was written on her skin since she was born. When her father retires, leaving the pawnshop to her, but disappears the morning she is meant to take over, she must begin making choices she never felt she could make. Her first client Keishin, a scientist, comes into a seemingly ransacked pawnshop and finds himself drawn to this other world that appears in place of a Ramen restaurant.

The two of them embark on a journey through ponds, into temples where prayers live in smoke, traveling through songs and rumors, a museum of paper cranes that hold memories, and so many more incredibly profound ideas. Yambao takes seemingly ordinary concepts and spins them into fantastical elements that left me mystified at each turn of the page. Time, choices, regrets, life and death, fate and destiny; this novel gives you a new perspective on all of it. The writing was breathtaking. I found myself slowing down just to be able to take it all in.

I was in awe by the way the story unfolded and right up until the last page I was on the edge of my seat. Yambao’s writing was so captivating, I don’t think I’ve read anything like it. This book will sit with me for a while, but no regrets from me having read it!

I highly recommend this to everyone. My largest take away is that everything is interlinked from a passing conversation to a simple choice we make. If we are only guaranteed two things in life: choices and death; what will you choose to do with the time you are given?

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is one to savor like a steaming bowl of delicious ramen on a cold, rainy day. The blend of magical realism, fantasy, and romance is beautifully woven with scenes and characters brought to life in engrossing detail. I was totally swept away into this other world and lovely relationship between Hana and Kei.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This was described as a sort of cozy fantasy. I think it hit the mark for the kost part although there was some definitely dark moments as well. The different realms in the "other" world were fantastical, beautiful, and deadly.

I loved how cozy and magical this book was!! It was such a creative execution and unique story. This book has a combo of mystery, magical realism, adventure, romance, and speculative fiction and I loved how it was all weaved together.