“Watermoon” is a beautifully enchanting novel that feels like stepping into a Studio Ghibli film—especially reminiscent of Spirited Away. Samantha Sotto weaves a world filled with magic, wonder, and deep emotion. The mystical elements blend seamlessly with the story, creating a dreamlike yet grounded atmosphere. I love the relationship between the characters—it’s tender, heartfelt, and layered with quiet intensity. The prose is lyrical, painting vivid imagery that lingers in your mind. At just 32% in, I’m already captivated, eager to see where the journey leads. This book is a mesmerizing escape into something truly magical.

This is an unusual fantasy story that involves two young people, each from different but parallel worlds working together to solve a puzzle and find answers against constant pursuit by evil forces. The book is fast-paced and full of action along with elements of the budding romance between the couple. The adventures that this pair encounter are extremely creative and diverse and I enjoyed the author’s ability to describe the details of each of these instances as clues to the mystery were revealed. While the action was abundant (and I know many readers will enjoy this aspect), it was too much for my taste. One of the things I enjoy most about high fantasy is the world-building which I thought was underdone in this story. I wanted more details about Kei’s experience of his world (which I am assuming is the real world) and I definitely needed more information about Hana’s seemingly fantastic and parallel world. I did get some sense of this in the adventures that the couple encountered but the background of most of the settings seemed to be missing. So, overall, for me, there was too much action and not enough pauses for world-building. It seems incongruent to describe fast-paced action as tedious but that’s how this felt to me and I found myself just wanting to reach the book’s conclusion and not enjoying the journey. I would have liked this story to be written as a duology or even a trilogy with better world-building and the romance and action spread out more. I would gladly keep reading and anticipating getting the answers to the puzzle if written in the two or three book format.

This one was a wild ride, full of imagination and magic. From the first line, I knew it was going to be trippy – one of those stories where time and reality are bendable. If you’re into that sort of thing, read on!

Our main character is Hana. We first encounter the pawn shop on her dad’s last day. She will inherit the shop tomorrow, after he retires, and she is a little melancholy about not having a choice in the matter. This first day gives us a view of how the shop works, though, as we see her father make a trade with a middle-aged woman client.

The next day, everything changes. Hana finds the shop a mess, her father missing. But also, he has stolen something from the shop’s vault. And the mythical beings who come to collect these things are only giving Hana a few days to find the missing item, or she will be held responsible for its disappearance. So right away, we learn this is a life and death kind of quest.

In walks Keishin, a scientist who just recently returned to his birth country of Japan. He refuses to leave Hana in obvious distress, even though they’ve just met, and agrees to help her. He has no idea how anything in her magical world works, and is constantly surprised as things that defy logic and science keep happening along the way.

Not to give too much away, but a few examples: puddles can be portals. Other people’s minds can also be a mode of travel. Time can be bent, via origami.

I will say that, while much of the magic of Hana’s world is fun to visualize, there are some elements that border on the horrific. These are near the end, and of course we’re fully invested in the outcome by then… but just a head’s up.

As Hana gets closer to finding her father, she also learns more about her mother, who had died when she was a baby. Keishin also learns some about his own mother, who likewise abandoned him early in life.

There is a little romance in this one, naturally. Family strife, secrets, and action are more prevalent, though. It would be ideal for those who are into mystery, multiverses, or magical realism. It could also appeal to fans of all things Japanese. The writing is very colorful and descriptive.

Water Moon was a beautifully atmospheric read that perfectly blended mystery and emotion. The writing was lyrical and immersive, pulling me into the story’s quiet tension and haunting beauty. The characters felt deeply real, and the setting was so vividly described that I could almost hear the water lapping at the shore. If you enjoy slow-burning, introspective stories with a touch of the eerie, this one is worth picking up.

Water Moon is a stunning narrative that has a bit of everything one could ever want. There's romance, fantasy, humor, mythology, a ramen shop, timeliness that interweave, characters that go on self discovering journeys. I think this is a great read for anyone, and everyone would be able to relate to it on some level

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!