5 stars is not enough for Water Moon. This is such an incredible story and so many times after reading a paragraph or even one line so deep, left me wondering “who is Samantha Sotto??” How does she write like this and create these beautiful, terrifying, yet self-exposing parallels of mystery, betrayal, and love?
I am in love with this story and her storytelling. I will be reading this again and cannot wait for a hardcover copy that I can highlight and make notes in.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This felt like a fever dream while being incredibly unique and creative. The 'other world' was just SO interesting that even the little romance that was happening almost felt boring in comparison. My imagination ate up every little detail and place our characters traveled to. I'm not even sure what my favorite scene was. Perhaps it was jumping into the scroll or all the origami. And I love this cover! This is a perfect book for those that really want to escape into the story and world. I would happily read another by this author.

Add this one to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, Del Rey and Samantha Sotto Yambao for the digital ARC!

I've shared a short review on this on my Bookstagram story (which I also keep in a highlight), as well as posted a Goodreads review. Since the publishing date is fairly far off, I'll plan to talk about this book again on my Bookstagram closer to the date. Perhaps I can snag a physical copy between now and then to really show off this amazing cover!

5 ⭐️

THIS BOOK MANNNNNN. What a ride. I typically am not a cozy whimsical fantasy reader but this story proved me SO wrong!

The prose was so eloquent, I highlighted so many quotable phrases. Kei is amazing. I had so many emotions throughout this read-I giggled, I had my jaw to the floor, I was anxious, I teared up. I felt this underlying sense of nostalgia-melancholy throughout. But the ending was perfect for what I needed in the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the e-ARC. All opinions are honest and my own!

3.75 stars

This book was an oddly endearing read. The writing style had an allegorical quality to it - which lent itself to the bookmarking of several quotations, but also left the pacing feeling a bit stilted, making for a choppy reading experience.

And while I liked Hana & Keishin well enough, I never truly found myself invested in any of the characters, probably because they hardly ever felt like they were invested in themselves. The entire cast of characters felt more like archetypal suggestions than actual people, and thus the story as a whole also felt much the same way. More of a moral dialogue braided through with hints of magic than an actual cohesive tale.

As for the romance, some of it was okay, but much of it felt forced an unnecessary. In fact, a story of this sort might've been better served with less of an insistent physicality to the romance (which made it feel like the romantic moments were being shoved down our throats) and more an overarching implication of it...

I picked this up because I thought the cover was stunning, but when I read through the book I found the story to be even better.

The writing in Water Moon is truly exquisite. It's poetic, yet incredibly funny at times. There were scenes that I could vividly picture in my mind because the descriptions were so detailed. It really felt like a Studio Ghibli movie in my head. Very whimsical and enchanting. I had something to highlight on nearly every page, so when this book comes out, I anticipate on getting a physical copy to reread.

Though this story has a bit of romance, I wished the romantic tension had more time to build between the two main characters. I just didn't feel the chemistry. It needed the depth to match their actions for each other, and that just fell flat.

As for the plot, the beginning definitely reminded me of Before the Coffee Gets Cold with the magical realism aspects surrounding the existence of the shop. I don't read a lot of Japanese literature, but I deeply enjoyed the philosophical elements that tie into how the clients who enter have to make the choice to let go of the object that symbolizes their biggest regrets. I found the concept to be quite unique. It makes for a beautifully told story with moments or heartache, emotional relief, and the joy that comes with finally being able to move on. Though, as a reader, sometimes I'd look on feeling a bit conflicted. Thinking about the what if's and trying not to push blame on things that happened in the past or the characters involved.

At one point I got confused about the dad's situation and how we discovered he was missing. Either way, the two main characters have to go out and search for him, while figuring out the mystery of his disappearance. The author takes us on an adventure with each clue they uncover and it's truly an addictive read. It's one of those books where you get to the end of a chapter and immediately need to start the next. I look forward to reading anything else this author writes.

Whimsical and beautifully written. I highly recommend this for any fan of Studio Ghibli. You will feel like you stepped right into one of their films.

I would love to be able to give this 5 stars but, unfortunately, the "insta love" was not for me. I wish the author had put as much care into the build up and the development of their love as she did with the rest of the story. And as you reach the end you begin to see why the author made this choice (Spoiler: Hana and Kei are both choices and I believe they sensed this when they first saw each other, so then "insta love") but I feel it cheapend their story.

Also, a minor complaint, I felt as if almost every chapter ended with Hana saying something completely wacky. It got repetitive.

Other than that, I loved the world and the wisdom dished out by these characters. I wanted to highlight every other sentence because so much of it resonated with me. It makes you really reflect about your own life and the choices that have led you to the life you liv now. I recommend having some tissues on stand by!

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a dreamlike and enchanting fantasy novel that immerses readers in a mystical journey filled with magic, love, and self-discovery. Set in the vibrant, hidden corners of Tokyo, the story introduces a pawnshop unlike any other—one where you can trade your regrets and life choices for a chance at something new.

The protagonist, Hana Ishikawa, inherits this unique pawnshop from her father. On her first morning as the new owner, she wakes to find the shop ransacked, its most precious item stolen, and her father missing. Into this chaos stumbles Keishin, a charming young physicist who offers his help. Together, Hana and Keishin embark on a magical quest through a world where time folds backwards, rain puddles lead to other dimensions, and journeys can be taken on paper cranes.

The novel's strongest suit is its richly imaginative world-building. Each scene is imbued with a sense of wonder and magic, from the cozy yet mysterious pawnshop to the ethereal night market in the clouds. The author’s writing style is exquisitely lyrical, perfectly matching the book’s dreamlike quality. The narrative's slow and detailed pacing allows readers to fully immerse themselves in Hana's fantastical realm, making it a truly mesmerizing read.

However, the book does have its flaws. The romance between Hana and Keishin feels rushed, with an instant attraction that lacks the depth and development that some readers might prefer. The ending, while satisfying in its own right, feels hurried and somewhat disjointed, leaving some questions about the magical mechanics of the pawnshop’s choices and their real-world consequences unanswered.

Despite these minor shortcomings, Water Moon remains a delightful and enchanting tale. It beautifully explores themes of love, loss, and the power of choices. Fans of magical fantasy, especially those who appreciate the whimsical charm of Studio Ghibli films or the narrative depth of Spirited Away and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea, will find much to love in this book.

Overall, Water Moon is a captivating standalone fantasy that offers a unique blend of magic and mystery. It's perfect for those looking for a lighter, fast-paced read that’s both imaginative and emotionally resonant. Samantha Sotto Yambao’s creative storytelling and vivid imagination make this a novel worth diving into!

**Review is scheduled to post on my blog on January 13th, 2025!**

First off, how beautiful and ethereal is this cover though? I freaking love it!
With a writing style that's both masterful and mesmerizing, she weaves a narrative that's impossible to put down. The characters are richly drawn, with complex motivations and backstories that add depth to the story. The world-building is meticulous and immersive, with vivid descriptions that transport you to the very heart of the whimsical little pawn shop. .

I enjoyed this book. It kinda felt like a slow burn but I really enjoyed it and the world the author created. I feel the concept was unique and I’d honestly love to see this in tv show form. It reminds me of The Sandman series on Netflix. I loved the mysticism and whimsicalness. It definitely made work go by faster for me whenever I’d read this throughout the day. I won’t spoil it for anyone but it’s very much worth the read if you love otherworldly books that really let you use your imagination when the author describes this new magical world. I loved every bit of it.

A beautiful, dream-like story that brings you from the streets of Tokyo to parallel universes where one might travel through a puddle or by song.

The story follows Hana, the new owner of a magical pawnshop where people can trade away their regrets, as she embarks on a journey to find her missing father. Joining her on this journey is Keishin, a young physicist who wanders into the pawnshop the day Hana’s father goes missing.

Elements of Japanese folklore and the modern world are weaved beautifully into this fantastical universe, giving it a similar whimsical feeling as a Studio Ghibli film.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This novel reminded me very much of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and of some of Murakami's work, magical realism with a dream-like quality and fun world-building. I love the idea of a door that opens to more than one place depending on the opener, a feature that reminded me of the Narnia books a bit. I'm sure this book will be well-received when it comes out.

Have you ever wanted to reread a book immediately after finishing it?

THIS IS MINE!

Synopsis:
Water Moon is marketed as Studio Ghibli meets Erin Morgenstern in a standalone Asian fantasy about a woman who inherits her fathers magical pawnshop in Tokyo where people sell their choices & deepest regrets. The day after her father retires, he goes missing, and another man stumbles into her pawnshop who tries to help her. She’s now on a quest to find out what happened and embarks on a dream-like wild adventure that never stops, all the way into the very end.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY:
I loved the fast-pace and change of scenery throughout the entire book. The twists are actually mind blowing and probably my all time favorites. Also, the meaning and purpose in this book felt as though the author was nurturing wisdom into me. You know when a book is magical not just because of the setting but the way it made you feel?

I finished the book at 1:30 am, and less than an hour and a half later I found myself shifting through all my highlights to relive the experience--and let me tell you I wanted to highlight every page. I want to hold onto the love I have for these characters forever. This world is enchanting, clever, unique and whimsical. Every detail made the book perfect, and I didn’t want it to end. The writing felt carefully crafted but also read as though the story already existed organically and naturally. The style also reminded me a lot of Tomihiko Morimi in a sense that it had the philosophical element but constant action packed wild turns and adventure. Those are my favorite kind of stories. The author just knocked this one out of the park. Please save this on your TBRs you’ll be jumping into a true life changing experience.

Why this worked for my specific tastes:
-Standalone Asian Fantasy
-Studio Ghibli-esque world
-Lovable characters
-High-stakes cozy fantasy
-Philosophical elements
-Science blended into the unknown/fantasy

Thank you again to NetGalley, and Penguin Random House for this e-arc and BIG thank you to Samantha Sotto Yambao for crafting a story that is etched in my heart forever. If someone asks for a book recommendation, immediately I will think of this one.

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

I absolutely adored reading this book and had trouble putting it down. Loved the unique storyline and then twists and turns. Overall I loved the characters. The whole read was a pleasure.

Water Moon is all about thought provoking questions around choices, regrets, and where we belong. It explores that through a dreamy, whimsical version of Tokyo where everything is not what it seems. Honestly, the magical moments we experience in the quest made me fall in love with this story. From jumping into a scrolls to teleporting through puddles of rain water to traveling in a literal song, this book is immersive in a way that’s hard to put into words. The author, Samantha is intentional in how she crafts this world and ultimately it is one of meaning. Things like secrets, rumors, and wishes take a whole new life in this “other” world. I didn’t know what I was expecting and maybe that was for the best, experiencing this blind. The prose is stunning and something you can really sink your teeth into. The twists were twisting towards the end.

I wasn’t into the romance that much, although I loved both characters individually and their dynamic. There were also a couple of convenient moments, elements of the book laid out in a way too perfect for the characters. This kind of took me out of the story every time that happened, so those were some of my cons. However, overall, I enjoyed Water Moon and would recommend it for fans of Studio Ghibli and A24 films.

Thank you to Samantha Soto Yambao, Del Rey, Random House, and NetGalley for sharing an e-ARC of this touching story with me.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao has become one of my favorite books and I can’t stop talking about it. I have seriously been jabbering on about it to anyone who will listen. Willingly or otherwise.

This book is a puzzle, a love story, and an amazing adventure all contained within a novel. I kept waiting for the book to hit a weak point but it never did. The book reads like a series of short stories of imaginative adventure that all work together to form a larger work. There were so many times that
I was just in awe of the author’s creativity while reading.

I would HIGHLY suggest this novel to anyone who enjoys adventures that feel almost like a (really good) fever dream, accepting that we are made up of our choices (even those we regret), and love stories.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for approving this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is a really cute and whimsical story. I really enjoyed the authors creativity in world building, especially in the different modes of travel that happened throughout the book. This book takes a simple premise and makes it unique and fun through the magic. The characters are adorable. I highly recommend!

Water Moon was an incredible 4.25 stars read for me. The world building that Samantha Sotto Yambao achieves in this novel is a speculative fiction reader's dream. Sometimes, her descriptions traced along my skin; other times, they nestled into my bones. I found myself basking in the beauty of so many sentences. I still have a lot of questions about the story's world, but they don't distract me from the momentum of the plot. I would love to read another book that takes place in Water Moon's world.

I have profoundly mixed feelings about the romantic component of this book. To avoid spoilers and talk about it in broad strokes, I think certain moments felt predictable and Hallmark cliché. These clichés tend to make me cringe. With that being said, maybe it was helpful to have the romantic element be predictable amid such a dynamic, unique, and unfamiliar world, something to anchor the reader's broader exploration. While I enjoyed the romance, I just wish it surprised me more.

Overall, I would recommend the Water Moon to anyone who enjoys navigating familiar questions in a whole new world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Water Moon is a cosy fantasy story, that introduces you to a magical world behind the door that is supposed to lead to a ramen restaurant but instead opens up to a tiny pawnshop where the chosen people can trade their choices and regrets.

Hana was supposed to replace her father as he retired from the pawnshop, only to wake up to a mess of a shop and her father gone. A stranger, Keishin, thought he was going into the ramen restaurant when he stumbled into the shop and saw Hana for the first time. From here, I could not have guessed where, or how the story will end.

Before writing a review of a book, I usually take notes while reading. If I dislike the way the story unfolds, I tend to express my dissatisfaction in my notes. I have to admit that I had many complaints about the romance between Hana and Keishin at the beginning of the book because... hey, it is the beginning of the book. I am not a fan of love at first sight, and I was not pleased with the romance as the story progressed. I kept questioning "why is he even here?" However, now that I have finished the book, I will refrain from further criticism because I am somewhat satisfied with how the plot turned out.

The book is full of magic and secrets, but it also lacks a lot of things. If it only reached its full potential, it could have been something that Studio Ghibli would have created. This world has a pawnshop where people trade choices, a museum where paper cranes that fly around are actually mistakes that people made, and a town that makes stars... This is by no means a spoiler, you should know going into the book that everything will be magical.

The plot, however, feels weak at the beginning, making it difficult for me to continue reading the book. The beginning just feels awkward. Later, I learned that this is due to the many many things that the main character is hiding. While I understand its purpose, I also feel that it could have been better. A reader should not wait until the end of the book to finally be seated and interested. The book should have had something that hooks us, keeping us glued to the pages.

I gave the book three stars because while I love the world-building and the characters, I find that the story-telling to be lacking and it could have been improved for a more interesting read. I could finally enjoy the book when it was near the end, where everything had a clear purpose. But had I been impatient and stopped reading when I got bored of Keishin fawning over Hana for no absolute reason, I could have missed the opportunity to realise that the story was, in fact, not so bad.

If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli movies or cosy literature, this book is for you.

3.5 ★

Water Moon transports the reader into the world of Hana, the new owner of the pawnshop that is left in shambles and Keishin, a customer that "lost" his way. The world that Samantha Sotto Yambao created is full of mystic wonder that sweeps the reader off their feet and bends everything they think they know.

The world of Water Moon is an encapsulating one with things like selling time in a bottle of sand and riding a rumor. The vivid and lyrical storytelling of Yambao gives life to "the other side" along with Tokyo's own setting. Hana and Kei's intertwined fate is slowly unraveled with both sweet and bitter moments.

I did wish there was more character development (especially with Hana and Kei), but since the timeframe for the main portion of the book is around a week max, it's understandable. The biggest drawback for me would be how most of the action is skipped through and the reader only the brewing of trouble and then the aftermath. This also results in the plot feeling a little slower and long-winded towards the middle.

Overall, Water Moon is a dreamy fantasy novel, that introduces the reader to a breathtaking world full of mystery, romance and regrets. I can't exactly call the novel a cozy read, but it's definitely a fantastic one that had me in its grip.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very creative & magical... but once I paused it I just couldn't pick it up again so I'm going to let go of reading it for now.

advanced reader copy from netgalley- thank you! I really liked what I did read.