On the back streets of Tokyo you will find a restaurant with a secret door to a pawnshop. The pawnshop has magic. I was a bit dazzled and sometimes confused by the magic in the book. But I did love Hana and Keishin as they made their way through the strange underworld to find Hana’s parents.

Thank you to Net Galley and Ballantine Publishing for the ARC to read and review.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a Japanese-inspired magical realism story about a young woman who inherits her family's pawnshop where visitors can sell their regrets. On Hana's first workday as new owner of the pawnshop, she wakes to find that something has gone awry. She cannot find her father and it seems as if the shop was broken into. A charming scientist, Keishin, enters the shop and is unlike any previous customer, offering help instead of seeking it. The story progresses as the two end up on a journey together: Hana, on her quest to find her father, and Kei, on his quest to learn that there are not answers for every question he has. Their preconceived notions about choices, fate, and regret are turned upside down as they discover more about their worlds, themselves, and loved ones.

This was truly a magical read. The author creates a dream-like world that is full of whimsical imagery. A lot happens in this story and it is fast-paced, but not too fast to where you don't develop an attachment to the characters. I found myself rooting for the two as the story progressed. Nothing is as it seems in this parallel universe and the plot has surprising depth for a cozy fantasy. The cover art matches the vibes of this story perfectly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an eBook ARC. Water Moon is expected to be published on January 14, 2025.

There is a pawnshop like no other in Tokyo, you won't be able to find, but it will find you if you need it. When you come in the owner will tell you an unbelievable story of why you are there and you will, because it's the owners job to ensure you do, sell him something, something that can never be recovered, he will buy your choice from you. But he, is retiring and now his daughter, Hana, must take over and on her very first day as an owner she will open the door to her shop and standing in front of her will be a man, and because of this man for the first time in her life Hana will have to make a choice.

This book is the reason I read. This was a beautiful story of the choices we make and the regrets we live with and those that crush us under its weight to the point that we would do anything to rid ourselves from its burden. It was an amazing story about feeling like you don't belong anywhere and one that forces us to suspend our beliefs and trust what we see right in front of us. This, by far, did not only exceed my expectations, it smashed through them. This is not only one of the best books of read this year it is one of the best books I have ever read.

Water Moon would not be as amazing as it is without references to Japanese mythology and folklore. Sotto Yambao describes a world full the fantastic in such breathtaking detail that scenes of fields filled with papercranes and a Nightmarket existing on the clouds held up by only crows come to life in amazing detail as you read this. For that reason alone, this book is stunning. But it's not just that. The way that Sotto Yambao uses this mythology to confront the very idea of choice and regret is nothing short of genius. Her use of language and quite honestly simple, relatable phrases to express complex ideas make this a story that will easily resonate with any reader.

The reality is that there is a difference between a storyteller and an author. As readers, I think most of us understand that on a fundamental level that we can't put into words. I read a lot of authors, I even love their books, storytellers are on a completely different level, though. I read very few storytellers. These are not just books, and they are not just authors. The stories they write are meant to be passed down to share with others because they have changed your life. Maybe it's not a huge change but a change nevertheless. Sotto Yambao is a storyteller. She is one of those authors that, as a we reader, thank our lucky stars that she chose to pick up a pen and put her thoughts down on paper.

Overall, if you read one book this year that I recommend, I'd make it this one. It is simply stunning in its simple approach to a complicated topic that we all face almost daily in our lives: What if?

And yes, if anyone's wondering, I 200% vote for Miyazaki to turn this into his next film.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the eArc!

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc! This book is so beautiful and magical i absolutely loved getting lost in this world. This book is different from anything I’ve ever read and is so creative.

Soft DNF at 52%.

I think the writing in this book is atmospheric and wonderful. The scenes are set so vividly and the worlds that the author creates are unique. I was very interested in the premise and I did like the characters.

However, the book gave me the same feeling as when I was reading “Le Petit Prince” in high school. To be more specific - the setting kept changing so drastically that it was hard for me to become emotionally attached. The mystery was confusing to me, and the scenes got repetitive. The two characters would travel to another place, meet someone, ask for help, get a clue, and move on. I wasn’t emotionally invested once I noticed the pattern.

Additionally, the connection between the two characters felt like “insta-love” for me. Not even halfway through and the man would die for her. There wasn’t enough buildup for that to be realistic in my mind. I thought the “my fate is inked on my body and you are not my man” element was cool, but I could tell that they’d end up together anyway. This, coupled with the jumpy, repetitive plot, dissuaded me from continuing on.

However, I wouldn’t be opposed to picking this back up! It definitely has potential, I just have other books I am excited to read right now.

“And you are an ocean, Hana. Gentle and quiet, yet powerful enough to sweep away any man or ship. I drowned in you a long time ago and I did not even know it.”

A woman inherits a magical pawnshop in Tokyo where people can sell their regrets. On her first day, she finds the shop ransacked, its most precious item stolen, and her father missing. A charming physicist offers his help, and together they journey through a mystical world to find her father and the stolen item. As they uncover the truth, she must reveal a secret and face a choice she cannot undo.

I did not expect such a philosophical experience, I highlighted nearly every page in my kindle. This was so beautifully written, with hidden messages that were more profound than the next. I loved the characters so much and how each chapter of the book we were able to know them on a deeper level.

It was one of the most creative books I’ve ever read in every single scene the level of detail was incredible. We need to study the authors brain because the intricacies of each magical element were so original and imaginative. I would picture everything and it was as if I was watching a movie.

It’s a crime everyone has to wait until January to get their hands on this! Including myself I need the physical copy living in my library.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this beautiful book.

i love everything about this book! the cover, the concept, the characters, the writing, EVERYTHING. i'm so impressed with samantha sotto yambao for not only coming up with a fantastic premise (a woman inheriting a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets) but for her flawless execution in writing it. unique and thought-provoking - i couldn't recommend it more! this will 100% be one of my favorite reads of 2024 and i know i will think of it often. it's set to release on january 14, 2025.

thank you to netgalley and random house publishing group - ballantine for providing me with an eARC of water moon in exchange for an honest review!

Water Moon is the story of a young woman who inherits a magical pawn shop and unravels the mystery behind her father’s disappearance. The world is very whimsical and magical, similar to Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, except that the MC knows all the rules. I thought that the worldbuilding was fantastic, the idea of being everyone being fated for one job — or else — was horrifyingly interesting, and the conversation between characters did generally feel true to the flow of the Japanese language.

Unfortunately, these beautiful points in the story were not enough to outweigh the instalove and general flatness of the plot. I am aware that instalove is not a trope that everyone dislikes, but I was hard pressed to feel anything but annoyance towards these characters when only a few hours after meeting each other, they were unearthing insecurities and secrets and claiming that they would do whatever was needed for each other. The plot, on the other hand, while not being problematic in and of itself, felt like never-ending side quests without lulls to emphasize the highs.

This wasn’t the book for me, but I believe that it would do well with fans of Studio Ghibli or readers of books similar to Lonely Castle in the Mirror.

Water Moon is set to be published January 14, 2025 🎑

Thank you to Del Rey Publishing and NetGalley for an arc of Water Moon in exchange for an honest review.

Water moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a mesmerizing exploration of love, regrets, and the intricate tapestry of human emotions set against a beautifully crafted backdrop. The novel follows the story of Hana Ishikawa, whose seemingly neatly predetermined life takes unexpected turn on the morning of her first day as the new owner of a magical pawnshop. Hana makes a startling discovery, her father, the previous owner of the pawnshop has gone missing. The pawnshop has been ransacked and an item is missing from the vault. What follows is a whirlwind adventure as Hana and a mysterious stranger, Keishin race to solve the mystery left by her father’s disappearance. Her personal tragedy leads her to rediscover the essence of her own heart through an unlikely romance.

I must say, I was not sure where the story was going, but I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. Although the elements of the story are quite fantastical, what I appreciated most was the journey the main characters went through to uncover hidden truths about themselves and each other, leading to a poignant and transformative experience.

The descriptive passages are rich and vibrant, bringing both the characters' internal struggles and the picturesque setting to life. The novel explores themes of healing, personal growth, and the transformative power of love. It also delves into the idea of rediscovering oneself after loss and the ways in which human connections can bring about profound change.

I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s creativity and vision. The world building, each place they visited was more fantastical at every turn. It definitely gave Studio Ghibli vibes, with all the whimsy and unique characters and settings. The book did leave me with a lot of questions, maybe a second reading would make things a bit clearer. All I know was it was a fun and exciting read.

Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Water Moon truly shines in two remarkable ways: its vivid imagery and its extremely unique premise. Yambao takes you on a whimsical and fantastical journey through puddles, ponds, rumors, paper cranes, and more. The themes of choices, regrets, and self-discovery hit hard and leave a lasting impression. I loved how everything in this parallel world just doesn’t make sense in our own world. The originality and creative vision of Yambao's world was astonishing. Some parts of the world were so beautifully written, which is why I enjoyed the book so much. The atmospheric writing was spot on.

Here are some thought-provoking quotes I loved:
“Time is a subject that physicists love to debate. I have colleagues who can go on for hours arguing whether or not it exists, or if it increases or decreases.”
“Happiness does not exist in a place. It lives in every breath we take.”
“The only motives and actions I am responsible for are my own. How people choose to respond to that is their problem.”

However, the journey itself felt tedious. The mystery that needed solving was not that interesting, making it hard for me to stay invested the whole time because I wasn’t made to care enough about the people involved. I wish we could have gotten to know the characters better. Plus, some things were just too conveniently placed, appearing just when the characters needed them. Everything felt a little too perfectly placed, making the story seem more like a string of events rather than a smooth narrative.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book because of the beautiful world-building and atmospheric writing. I also loved how the book ended. If atmospheric writing is your jam, definitely read this book.

I had such a good time with this book! It takes a fascinating concept- a pawnshop that buys regrets- and turns into a quest for a stolen a choice and a missing father. I love the ideas and imagery in this book- songs that turn into boats, paper cranes that hold mistakes, falling through a well into a memory, foxes made of sand. I also loved how the book explores missed possibilities and regret—and the way we can let ourselves get weighed down by what might have been.

I went into this thinking it was going to be a mystery with fantasy elements, but I was instead taken to a kind of atmospheric parallel universe. I thought the author did a wonderful job with the world-building and how everything that works in this place shouldn’t make sense in ours. As the mystery of what happened to her father unfolds, the more inexplicable (in a good way) the elements become.

One thing I wished though was that we could get to know the characters better. I figured there was supposed to be an air of mystery surrounding them and their motives, but I think it could’ve helped develop their relationship more rather than it be an instant attraction.

I loved this overall, I couldn’t believe it when I reached the end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

In the spirit of Everything, Everywhere, All at Once, this novel requires multiple readings to sort it out in your mind. A cross between magical realism and all-out fantasy, a young woman is set to inherit a pawn shop from her father where you can trade your memories for magical tea. She knows she should not leave the pawn shop unattended, but when her father disappears, she feels she needs to find him. With the help of a young man who shows up at the pawns shop, she sets out on a mystical journey to find both her father and her mother, both assumed to be dead, but she knows it's not true. A little like Alice in Wonderland, she encounters many kinds of beings, some that want to control her life. It's a bit of a coming-of-age story, but in an extraordinary way. I'm still pondering the Matrix-like reality or lack thereof. If you like the stories I've mentioned, you'll be drawn into this magical/mystical tale.

I really liked this books beginning. I thought it was such an interesting idea, and it left me with so many questions.

Unfortunately, as the book continued I didn’t feel like my questions were being answered in a satisfying way.

There is romance in this book, and the two characters definitely seem to just kind of stumble into each other and commit, but the romance is fast. There is chemistry between the characters, but I wish we could have had a strangers-to friends-to lovers. I really wanted to see these two develop as friends more first.

The strongest part of this book is the atmosphere and imagery. I enjoyed the way that the author showed the world around us, but I wish the plot was more involved.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Takes a bit to get into the magic system, but once you start to understand the world building and characters, it was a page-turner for me.
The writing was beautiful and the characters were well-written. Can't wait to read this with my book club!

Water Moon had an intriguing start with interesting family dynamics, a protagonist with a lot to live up to, and a mystery. Then it became a tedious journey of solving that mystery that’s actually not that interesting and which I was uninvested in because I didn’t learn enough or was made to care enough about the people involved in it. By the end, I was happy this story was over and didn’t care at all what had happened to our protagonist and her love interest.

There are really cool ideas in the book that I loved like a museum gallery full of choices that changed history or a beach with sand made up of lost time, but we’re not allowed to spend enough time in these scenes. Instead, we had to keep moving onto something else and it felt very much like “A to B to C” but the characters weren’t interesting enough to keep that momentum.

Another big problem I had with the book was the dialogue. There are modern references like the TARDIS, but the characters talk as if they’re not from our times. There’s also zero chemistry between the protagonist and love interest and I’m confused about what he was supposed to add to the story. If anything, he made it worse.

There’s a couple twists and turns in here, but I couldn’t really bring myself to care about them. Overall, Water Moon is a jumbled bag of beautiful ideas that were all put together haphazardly with characters I couldn’t care less about.

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This review will be published on my blog (clearsummers.wordpress.com) and Goodreads on December 30, 2024.

What if you had the choice to trade away one of your life's deepest regrets. Would you take it? This premise drew me in because who doesn't have regrets that they at time wish they could forget.

"the worst thing about choices is... having to live with them."

The world in this book is like living within a dream. I loved the magical whimsy that flowed throughout the story. Examples:
- traveling via song
- puddle transportation
- trading memories

Overall, this book was a quick and enjoyable read filled with whimsy, regret, choices, and love.

The book is essentially all about the vibes.

I am completely enamored by this beautiful story and the unique universe it explores. This was such a fun surprising world to get lost into and I enjoyed every moment of it. It was unexpected and I was hooked right away. Although not unheard of, the magic is unique and makes you think. I cannot stop sharing this book with my friends and would definitely buy this as a gift for them, thank you so much for my ARC netgalley!

I have never been into fantasy reads. This book did not change that for me. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed how well the author has written it, I still found it difficult to get myself into the world building and characters. If you are a fantasy reader, it may be different for you, so still give it a chance. Just not my thing

This books is magical and beautifully written. The worlds the author created are fascinating and atmospheric. I adored this book.