A whimsical and delightful middlegrade read featuring a magical market, an adventure, and so much more. Serin is a young girl who finds herself being given a ticket to the Rainfall Market, a mysterious place where you can change your life. Serin sent in a letter detailing her misfortune and now finds herself with a ticket and Serin is determined to visit the market and change her life. There she meets a magical cat companion. In order for Serin to change her life she has one week to find her happiness or be doomed to never visit the market again... but what does a happy life look like and can she figure out the mysterious shadow that is following her? This was a really fun read and one I think would make the perfect rainy day read. It's the right amount of whimsical and cozy adventure. Its like a studio ghibli and coraline-esque vibe and I had fun reading it. I would definitely recommend it!

Release Date: January 21,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I did not have an introduction to Korean folklore on my 2025 Bingo list, but I am glad I got to check that box off. In The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang, we join young Serin on her journey through the mythical market, where Dokkaebi guide her through their fantastical realm as she searches for a better future for herself.

Serin is lonely. The kind of lonely that haunts your steps, that you carry around with you like a heavy package. Her mother is always at work, the other children stay at arm's length, and the neighborhood she lives in is under constant threat of being torn down. She takes care of the small joys in her life, her classes, feeding a stray cat, but longs for a “golden ticket.” Not the Willy Wonka kind, but the actual physical ticket to the mysterious Rainfall Market, where it was said that any hopeless life could be completely changed. All you have to do is write your misfortune down and send it to a particular address. If chosen you will receive a ticket, and on the first day of the rainy season you will be granted entry to the market. Serin doesn’t just receive a ticket, she receives a rare, actual, golden ticket, which also grants her the assistance of a magical cat named Issha to help guide her through the market, searching bookstores, perfumeries and restaurants for the ideal life of her dreams.

Serin is a child, but this is not a child’s journey, and her final destination is one that most adults can spend a whole life in search of. The morals of the story are not subtle. You can see the lessons she learns at each stop in the market as clear as the nose on your face. But they are engagingly written, and you grow to care for the girl with each lesson she learns.

The Dokkaebi themselves are a wonderful thing. The book begins with a small guide to the main Dokkaebi that Serin will encounter. A pictorial key to some of the key players in her story, though their world goes far beyond the few that are highlighted here. Among others we are introduced to Toriya, The Rainfall Market gatekeeper:

“Although he is a mountain of a man with fists the size of boulders, Toriya is meek and gentle, and does odd jobs for the Rainfall Market. He is afraid of insects and adores flowers.”

And Popo, The gardner at the mischief-tree grove:

“An elderly Dokkaebi who brings flowers into bloom and raises towering trees with the sweat and tears humans shed in pursuit of their goals.”

The Dokkaebi collect things from humans and turn them into something else. One Dokkaebi collects forgotten memories and bakes them, another takes away the temptation to give up. At first it feels kind of sinister, evoking the same feelings I had as a child reading Roald Dahl’s The BFG and imagining the giants sneaking into the human world to eat children. But fears are very quickly assuaged as we meet more and more of these amazing creatures, the personifications of each of the human experiences that they steal. Ultimately we are shown that these mythical creatures are as human as we are, subject to the same wants, desires, loves, and troubles. Also that the things that they take form an essential part of our experience, and often help us.

“You’re the one who takes old memories from people so they don’t remember what it was like to be young” …
Tut-tutting Bordo retorted, “They’d never get married and have kids of their own if I let them keep those memories. They’d know how hard it is to raise children”

The story is beautifully told and propels you along in a lyrical adventure that makes you want to keep reading and not put the book down. Until she makes her final decision, I had no idea what decision Serin was going to make, but as she travels through the market and explores her own ideas of what life could be, you see more and more of her character, how kind of a person she is, and you desperately want her to make the right choice. It poses a question that will stick with you, that I’m sure everyone has wondered at least once when staring at the lottery tickets in the grocery store. If you could swap your life, or part of it, for a better one, would you?

The tone of the book, its warmth, kindness, and gentle storytelling, reminded me of Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Tales from the Cafe series, which I devoured last year. For fans of that time traveling tale, this book is bound to appeal. I look forward to more from Yeong-Gwang, and will definitely be seeking out more tales and history of the Dokkaebi.

The Rainfall Market will be available on January 21st. GeekMom received a copy for review purposes.

Thank you to the publisher for this ARC!

Lately, I have been indulging more in the magical realism genre. However, The Rainfall Market did not hold my attention. It is a whimsical and beautiful book, but I felt like introducing every character at the begining made it lose its charm. There was a lack of world building for the market so it was not mysterious anymore. I felt like the relationships were one dimensional and the mc's growth was stagnant. Perhaps I would have enjoyed this more if I was younger and did not read about the characters ahead of time.

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

The Rainfall Market is a wonderful cozy feel good fantasy inspired by Korean folk tales. Serin has heard tales of the Rainfall Market her whole life, and when she submits her life story she’s chosen to travel there and get the life of her dreams. But as she travels through the Market, she learns all about true happiness and love. and at the end she chooses her own best life.

I would not be surprised if this ends up my favorite book of the year. there’s not a single thing i didn’t love about this. the characters, the story, the feelings it gave me. 10s all around. love love loved this!

This one, unfortunately just did not hold my attention what so ever. Everytime I went to pick it up, I found myself thinking of other things. All that to say, I didn’t end up finishing this one- it may be better suited to someone younger.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Pub for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

US Pub Date: 1/21/25

I probably won’t remember any specifics about it, well perhaps Issha, but I will remember how it made me feel. I felt as if I were curled in my favorite chair with a hot mug reading this book looking out onto a rainy day.

Serin Kim dreams of a different life. A new dream seems within her grasp when she receives an invitation to The Rainfall Market, a magical place open only during the rainy season, where she can choose the new life she’s been wishing for. Along her journey she encounters an eccentric bunch of shopkeepers as she navigates the market in search of her new future.

The Rainfall Market is endearing and whimsical and exactly what my heart needed right now. It served as a reminder that there are kind people out there even if it seems fleeting lately. I know healing fiction isn’t for everyone, but for me it really hits the spot when I need a moment of calm to readjust to the world. Also, don’t sleep on the acknowledgments at the end, because they are very sweet.

This was an interesting read. Serin is a girl about to come an adult without much hope for the future. Her sister has runaway and not come back, her mother is working herself into a shadow of who she was, and Serin feels alone. The Rainfall Market is like an answer to everything she's ever wished for and the day the invitation comes is perhaps the most exciting of her life.

This was a bit of a slower read and there is a bit of repetitiveness as Serin spends time in the Rainfall Market. While I enjoyed it, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it in smaller doses - a chapter at a time. As well, I think this would be more enjoyable in print form - partly because the cover is gorgeous but mostly because there is a guide to the Market at the beginning and it would have been easier to flip back and forth if I had a physical copy of the book.

This was a nice read with an interesting cast of characters and an endearing main character and sidekick. I'm also very glad I read the book knowing as little about the story as possible as it was fun to see how the story played out.

This was such an interesting fantasy! It definitely gave me memories of The Phantom Tollbooth and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Serin, the MC, is such a sad and brave kid! I really felt for her. The fantasy world could have been drawn with more detail for my taste but the adventures of Serin in the Rainfall Market were fast-paced and so varied! I think this would really appeal to middle grade and YA readers but I really enjoyed it as an adult as well! It gives interesting insight into South Korean culture that I appreciated.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

Posted on Goodreads:

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the arc.

This book is really cute, hopeful and at times funny. It’s set in a magical world full of mystery and magical creatures. Serin, a high school student, bravely sets out on a life changing journey where she discovers what really matters and what she’s capable of. It was a fun read with a great message. I will be looking to read more from this author. Although this book is tagged for YA and adult, I feel it can be enjoyed by readers of middle grade as well.

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang had a charming premise, but it didn’t fully work for me. The concept of a mystical market where you can exchange your misfortunes for a new life was intriguing, and the magical realism had a whimsical touch. However, the story felt more like lower YA or even middle grade, which made it harder for me to connect with the characters and fully invest in Serin’s journey. The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, and while the overall message about gratitude was sweet, it lacked the depth I was hoping for.

It was a fun, whimsical read, so as long as you go in knowing it skews younger, you should enjoy this one.

"The Rainfall Market" by You Yeong-Gwang is a compelling and whimsical narrative that captivates readers from start to finish. As I delved into its pages, I couldn't shake off the feeling that this book would make a fantastic anime movie. It definitely carries the enchanting and imaginative essence reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, with its array of whimsical characters and vivid storytelling.

Serin, the protagonist, unknowingly encounters various situations that test her character and goodness. Instances like feeding a pregnant cat in the alley and helping an elderly man up after he was bullied subtly illustrate her innate kindness. These moments are not just heartwarming but also reinforce the central lesson of the story: "the grass isn't always greener on the other side." As Serin navigates through her hardships, she learns to appreciate what she has, highlighting the importance of gratitude and self-realization.

One of my favorite moments in the book is when Serin wins the jackpot at the casino, and Gromm comments, "...You, missy, are a lucky young lady." This quote holds a significant foreshadowing that Serin only comes to understand later, making it a pivotal moment in the narrative.
In conclusion, "The Rainfall Market" is an excellent read for young adults, with its child protagonist and valuable life lessons. It's a story that not only entertains but also imparts wisdom, making it a memorable addition to any reader's collection.

Very Grateful to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and You Yeong-Gwang for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

The Rainfall Market was a pretty cute story. I liked Serin and found her journey through the Rainfall Market to be a cozier read, with whimsical writing and an adorable kitty sidekick. Serin is helpful to others while trying to find the new life she wants to live.

Even though this isn't a very long book, the middle did slow down quite a bit, and I found myself a bit bored. The ending did pick up and it was quite enjoyable with a kind of final battle, that brought everyone together.

While I didn't connect with the characters or the story as much as I hoped I would, I did enjoy the story overall and am happy I read it.

REVIEW: The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang

If you could switch your life for another one, would you? Fables say you may receive a ticket to the Rainfall Market if needed. During the rainy season, you would bring your ticket to the Market and be allowed to select a new life. You must choose before the rainy season ends; otherwise, you will be stuck in the Rainfall Marketplace forever.

The Rainfall Market was a great mix of whimsical fantasy, comforting and cozy, and a hint of mystery. The world-building was fun, and the story had a unique premise. There was a lot of good imagery, and you could picture yourself in the Rainfall Market. Our main character, Serin, is a younger girl who feels she has nothing. Her sister is lost, she has no friends, and her family barely has enough money to survive. For the most part, she is a sweet and loveable character. The supporting characters in the real world and The Rainfall Market were interesting enough.

The biggest thing that I didn't like about The Rainfall Market is that the middle of the story felt slow and repetitive. Many of the events and tasks Serin had to do to see her possible lives were very similar and mundane. Following the characters she met during this time was hard since nothing made them or the tasks stand out. I also wished the story went deeper into Serin's character and the story itself. It just seemed to scratch the surface.

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Rainfall Market. It is a cozy, whimsical, and unique read. If you like Studio Ghibli, this book will give you similar vibes.

Thank you, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

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This book is a captivating magical realism novel that offers a unique exploration of life's possibilities. The story's premise of a mysterious marketplace where one can potentially exchange a current life for something else is very intriguing and what drew me in.
The novel skillfully blends elements of fantasy and personal discovery, creating a narrative that is both whimsical and cozy. While the magical setting provides an extraordinary backdrop, the core of the story kept me invested - examining themes of choice, transformation, and self-discovery.
The magical cat companion and the time-limited nature of the market added tension and excitement to the story.
A solid 4-star read that promises to leave readers contemplating their own life choices long after turning the final page!

This unique and whimsical story drew me in with its bold and gorgeous cover and kept me reading for the fantastical storyline.

Serin is desperate for a new opportunity and a change in her life, so she is thrilled to get a ticket to the rainfall market, where people can purchase orbs that give them a whole new life. Once in the market, Serin finds herself able to choose between many new lives by helping the characters in the market with various interesting tasks.

The idea of the market is such fun, and I loved that the book included sketches of the various characters in the beginning. The story feels light and airy, and I enjoyed seeing the various lives Serin chose from.

I do believe this should be marketed more as a YA or even middle grade read, as our main character is a teenager who feels quite immature. Perhaps due to this being a translation, a lot of the writing feels very simplistic and lacks emotional depth.

Thank you to Ace Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own. 3.5 stars rounded up.

This is a simple fable about being grateful for what you have rather than focused on what you don't. I didn't hate this, and I think it is well-written (I thought the translation was GREAT), but it also isn't really my thing. I'm glad to have read a book in translation, but next time I think I'll be more deliberate about something more specifically appealing to me. (I will say that can confirm there's a cute cat [best part of the book], which is what made me pick up the book.)

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

This story was had a lot of charm. The world of the market and the quest of Serin to begin a new life were intriguing. The life Serin leads is one of hardship, and the Rainfall Market offers hope for achieving dreams if she follows the rules. This short read did struggle to keep my interest at times. Because it is a translated book, that may explain the bit of disconnect. Overall an imaginative story with a positive message. Thank you to Berkley for the opportunity to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang is a charming tale that explores the themes of friendship, the importance of chosen family, and the realization that happiness can often be achieved through a simple shift in perspective.

The writing is easy to follow and very straightforward, likely a choice of the translation. However, this makes the story sometimes feel repetitive and unemotional. I found that I didn't really feel like I was immersed in the story, but instead seeing it from a far distance. It has Ghibli vibes - the descriptions are detailed and build the world well, but I didn't feel much impact at the end. It felt obvious to me what Kim Serin was missing, based on her description of her life, so all the other distractions and detours felt pointless.

I did like the little twist at the end, as it added some action, but the motivation wasn't clear enough for me to fully feel invested either way.

Maybe if this was sold as an MG or early YA story, this would've tempered expectations in terms of depth. As a whole, this was a miss for me.

TW: violence; mentions death of a parent, animal abuse

Plot: 2/5
Characters: 2.5/5
World Building: 3.5/5
Writing: 3/5
Pacing: 2/5
Overall: 2.5/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Ace via Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review.