The book I didnt know that i would love it!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House (Del Rey) for the eAR

I absolutely hate DNFing a book, especially one with such a beautiful premise and cover but that’s where we are at now. I have not finished it and there’s nothing inherently wrong so I’ll give this stars and hope it finds the correct audience, which sadly I’m not.

I have seen this book be compared to a Studio Ghibli film multiple times and don’t necessarily think that’s wrong but what pushes Ghibli over the edge is not the cozy whimsical magic but how in depth the world building is and I found this lacking. I enjoyed the premise of all the magical elements but found the depth to be lacking for me personally. I also have seen it compared to The Starless Sea and can see how the polarizing aspect of that book could be compared here but felt reading The Starless Sea was all depth and world building.

Audience wise, if you love a solid instant love, whimsy, cozy, magic then this story is most likely for you. There’s a lot to like about this book but over months of trying to come back to it, I was doing a disservice to myself and the authour at this point. This book will be HUGE and not wrongfully so. I’m excited for those that will eat this up and hope it even gets picked up for a theatrical release one day!

What are choices? They are the things we take when facing one or more options. Some choices are big, and others are small. Some choices come willingly, and others unconsciously. However, no matter the choice taken we will always wonder about the "what ifs". That's when Hana's pawnshop appears. It is a place located in an alternative world where only those in need can get to it. In that place, people can exchange choices, in the form of regrets, for a life without remembering that choice. Hana's life was fine. Her father is retiring, and she is taking take over the shop. However, on the day she was supposed to take over the shop, her father was nowhere to be found, the shop appeared ransacked, and a choice was missing from the vault. To that, she has to add the presence of Keishin, a man from the real world who offers to help her find her father. That's why Hana and Keishin start a journey to find her father and, in the middle, discover the truth behind the supposed death of her mother.

The world that Hana presents to us is a place where no one can make a choice. When people are born, the map of their lives is tattooed on their skin. That's why the population knows what is happening to them, and they don't venture far from what it's already written. That's when Hana and her mother appear. They represent the dissatisfaction of those who don't have control over their lives and are condemned to see people throwing away opportunities. They were bound to see how humans didn't value the freedom of choice while they had no other choice. That makes us appreciate the freedom of choice while it reminds us that our decisions come with consequences and responsibilities. On some occasions, those decisions affect not only the life of the person who made them but of others too, as it happened with Keishin and his mother.

Another point to highlight is the author's imagination to describe a world that is beautiful and spooky at the same time. Like Keishin, I would get excited every time they visit a corner of the world or travel through puddles. One of my favorite scenes was at the train station. There, people had to wait for long or short periods, and no one knew how long the wait would be. For me, those trains were like moments in life. People always wait at the station until the correct trains arrive and take them through the right part at the right time. For some, the wait is short, and for others, longer. Likewise, I loved how Keishin and Hana used the rumors as transportation because they travel fast. Also, I like how they describe that every mind is a whole world with different scenarios, like the one with the starry sky.

About the romance, I loved that Keishin's and Hana's love was instant. They believed they would live without love and settle for the bare minimum. It only took seeing and meeting each other to believe they could dream of something more than what they could have imagined. Both give hope to each other and push the other to stray from the predestined path and to write their destinies and stories. That's why, no matter how hard they tried, it was impossible to resist the attraction they felt for each other. Keishin and Hana are each other's destine. They were puzzle pieces that fit well. Also, when the reader discovers a secret, they can understand the feelings and curiosity that Hana and Keishin have for each other.

Water Moon is a book that starts slow, but perseverance will leave you with a treasure. This book reminds me of the importance of being free to choose. The freedom of being and doing whatever I want and not settling for less than what I deserve. Also, it reminds us that our destinies are not written in stone. We are the authors and main characters of our stories. We can do whatever we want. I can't wait for you guys to have this book on your hands! It will be on sale on January 14, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley/Del Rey for the e-ARC!

This book lost its charm for me real fast. I was a little intrigued at the very beginning but got annoyed the longer it went on, and if I wasn't reading this an an ARC, I would have DNF'd it before or at the halfway point. Which is disappointing, because look at that cover! And it sounds so whimsical and fun! By the end, it was just a chore for me to get through.

I'll start with the things I like. Some of the scenes were very vivid in my mind's eye. A lot of reviews are comparing it to Studio Ghibli, but I think it's more like a series of generic anime gifs cut together. Just a bunch of pretty, whimsical scenes with some nice, generic music in the background.

On a whole, I would describe this book as superficial. There is no depth to these fantastical scenes. We hardly spend more than a chapter anywhere before we go to a new place, almost always with the same predictable string of dialogue that tries to end in a cliffhanger. Every single time. It drove me nuts.

The characters were also very flat and the instant romance really didn't do any services to anything. I don't even want to talk about the love triangle. I would have much rather had a book without any romance but as a real exploration about what this secondary world implied. There were ingredients for deeper discussions, but every time it was attempted, it came off so surface level and basic and without nuance. You might expect, since the whole premise is that the main character owns a pawn shop that trades in regret, it might have something to say about how important it is that we carry the decisions we regret with us and it's the choices we make that make us who we are. And hey, that is brought up! At the very end and in about as many words as I used.

It could have been good. There was even the potential to be great. But hey, at least it was pretty, right?

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto was an underwhelming reading experience for me. While the lyrical prose and the Studio Ghibli-esque setting, were captivating, other aspects left me wanting more.

The romance between the protagonists felt rushed, with an instant connection that lacked depth and development. This “insta-love” was off-putting and made it difficult to invest in their relationship. Additionally, the characters themselves appeared one-dimensional. Their decisions, especially the MMC’s at various points made no sense to me in any way.

While the narrative’s whimsical quality was appealing, the plot and character development could benefit from a little more work to create a more engaging and cohesive story.

Rating 2/5

What initially drew me into this book was the stunning cover. But the first chapter drew me in and I could not stop reading! 5 stars to an incredibly, intricate, but quick story.

Water Moon is overall a very creative, atmospheric story that feels a lot like a Studio Ghibli movie in book form. The whimsical nature of the book is captured perfectly all throughout - where everything and nothing makes sense at the same time (don't ask me how, just read the book and you'll understand)

If you're not a fan of lyrical writing then this may not be the book for you but throughout the adventure of Hana and Kei it felt like you were drifting alongside them during each of the encounters. The pacing was very well done and the emotional aspects were fantastic and I felt the grief and love through the pages.

The character development is solid and they are very endearing which is always nice. The plot is surprisingly deep considering the coziness of the book (usually its much more surface level in these types of stories). The twists add a nice flair that make Yambao an author that I'm excited to read more from in the future.

Hana's world is a beautiful fantasy that juxtaposes Kei's reality. There is everything I expected, a fantastical world and a very-well written story, and deeper themes I did not expect; the main characters travel and learn about themes of choice, risks, and grief along the way.

4.5 stars!!

this is my first 5 star read of January. this book is excellent,

- the relationship with Kei and Hana made me laugh, cry and my heart squeeze
- the little hints we got throughout the book for the ending had me gasping several times
- the writing, the details.. I could see everything in my mind
- I don't want to give some things away but the idea of selling personal moments and the cranes... ugh amazing

Tucked away in a liminal space behind the door of a ramen shop in Tokyo, Hana and her father own a pawnshop. Only people looking to sell the heaviest of regrets may enter. The morning after her father’s retirement, Hana wakes to find him missing, having left puzzling clues of a struggle. The reader follows Hana on a fantastic journey to uncover her father’s mysterious disappearance, with her newest client, a curious young physicist, in tow.

Many reviews are comparing this book to Studio Ghibli films, and I can see why! Just like those stories I grew up enjoying, Water Moon is a whimsical story, both immersive and heartfelt. The characters are rich and uniquely written, with believable backgrounds despite their fanciful circumstances.

Samatha Sotto Yambao’s lyrical prose carried me to settings so otherworldly and captivating, I found myself wishing I was an artist, just so I could paint the kitsune inhaling grains of time from Hana in the desert, or Kei climbing the ladder into the clouds of the Night Market.

My only complaint is that the ending seemed rushed and did not fully satisfy. But to give this less than 5 stars just feels wrong, with Yambao’s artful writing and how deftly she gripped my imagination and my heart with Water Moon.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Del Rey for the ARC! I seriously can’t wait to buy this book.

Hana and her father own a pawnshop in a world just outside of our reality. Instead of buying jewelry or precious metals, this pawnshop deals in choice and regrets. Hana has always been reluctant to take on the shop, but her aging father is ready to retire and insists that there will be grave consequences if Hana shirks her duty or break the rules. On the very first day of shop ownership Hana wakes to find the place ransacked, her father missing, and one precious regret stolen. Desperate to recover the regret before the authorities find out, Hana embarks on a mystical quest, accompanied by curious physicist Keishin. Both Hana and Keishin will grow in self-determination and the ability to own their choices, come what may. This dreamy novel explores choice, regret and free will in a whimsical Ghibli-like world that holds surprises around every corner. I absolutely loved this book. There was so much imagination, description and thought put into building this world and the places that might be found within it. If you or your readers would enjoy a lighter, more whimsical version of 'The Midnight Library' by Matt Haig or you liked 'The Cat Who Saved Books' by Sōsuke Natsukawa, check this out.

✨ “In reality, it was the choices that people didn’t even realize they were making that set the course of their lives.”✨

When I was told that this book had the vibes of a Studio Ghibli movie, I took those comments with a grain of salt because that is a high bar to pass. but for me Water Moon delivered! Not only was it magical but it had the same kinda weird dark whimsy. Every new location in this magical parallel world is filled with wonder and dreamy magic. The dual POV allows the reader to experience the wonder of this world from an outsider's perspective and feel like they understand how it works simultaneously. But at its core, Water Moon is about the magic of being able to make choices.
I was honestly obsessed with how Hana and Kei both saw the other as the most fascinating person they had ever seen. He's a man of science and she's a woman from a world of magic. I normally am not a fan of instant infatuation romances but this time it just made sense. It felt like they both loved what the other represented first (choices and freedom/ Magic) and then fell in love with the person.
I can't sing enough praise for this book, every time I came back to it I found myself enchanted by it. The twists simultaneously make no sense and makes every sense. I LOVED IT
If you are looking for a magical time and are willing to sit back and, like Kei, accept that you will never fully understand how anything works. Then this is for you too!

This is such an incredible cozy and whimsical read. Beautifully written and if you enjoy vibes like Studio Ghilbi, this is for you! It didn't work out for me because the pacing was a little slow for my preference and am not a fan of instalove. Full RTC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House (Del Rey) for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got an eGalley from NetGalley to review.

Thoughts: The first couple chapters of this were a bit slow, but then once the story got moving, I really ended up enjoying this. This is magical and thought-provoking book that reminded me of an adult Studio Ghibli movie in book form.

Hana is supposed to be having her first morning as the owner of a pawnshop, which she is taking over from her father. When she wakes up things are chaotic; a prized possession is missing and so is her father. She struggles to decide what to do because this isn't a normal pawn shop. This pawn shop trades in people's regrets, and the creatures that collect the regrets will be upset that one is missing. Then Kei wanders in; he is not a normal customer and does not have a regret he wants to leave behind. Rather, Kei wants to help Hana find her father.

The main showstopper here was the amazingly creative world and the concepts it represented. I never knew what fantastical thing I was going to run in to as I went through this book. Traveling via ponds, paper doors, and rumors, we adventure through an amazingly unexpected world that is sketched out like the lines of a drawing. All the while we are unraveling the secrets of both Hana and Kei's past.

The characters are well done too, and there is a sweet romance of sorts throughout the story. However, the feature was definitely the amazing worlds and adventures Hana and Kei experienced. The writing was beautifully done, and the worlds were easy to picture and fall in to. I absolutely adored how the story was wrapped up as well.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I loved this; it was magical, enchanting, unexpected and thought-provoking. The world building is was really made this story shine. I also enjoyed the characters, the adventure, and the subtle romance. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Yambao's future books but will also be checking out some of her existing books like "A Dream of Trees".

This was so beautifully told and scripted. This definitely felt a bit like a Miyazaki / Studio Ghibli style story with lots of messages strewn throughout a beautiful world of magical realism and mysticism.

“In reality, it was the choices that people didn’t even realize they were making that set the course of their lives.”

This book resonated with me so much. I’ve always felt that I have ended up where I needed to be, even if I did not realize it at the time. And this book was all about the small decisions that led to different things cascading and leading into new things happening.

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

Maybe I just read this book at the right time, but it really hit the right notes for me and the pacing was great. I really enjoyed the world and the concept of this book the most. The romance worked for me in most ways and the ever present “villain” that was essentially always following them worked well as a device to keep the plot pushing forward.

Thank you to @delreybooks and @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

This book offers a blend of magical realism, fantasy, and deep emotional exploration. I enjoyed the very imaginative setting of the pawn shop - and the relationships built between the FMC and MMC. I look forward to reading more from this author.

3.75 stars rounded up.

This book had a unique way of sending the reader on an almost lyrical journey in order to solve the mystery of Hana's missing father. Each step along the way had a whimsical, fantastical element to it that keeps you from predicting how exactly Hana and Kei will move to the next step.

While I appreciated and enjoyed the creativity found in this book, I did think it carried on for too long. I didn't think every stop made by Kei and Hana needed to be made. It felt like it took forever for the actual plotline to advance because we were too busy going from one location to the next by puddle, dream, or rumor. It comes across as though the author had all of these pretty and creative ideas and needed to cram them all in instead of editing a bit more.

I'm also not entirely sure I bought into the romance fully, however I did enjoy Kei and Hana together. I also wish that Haruto's storyline had been a little more present because I enjoyed his moments.

Overall, this was a pretty calm read that I think a lot of people will enjoy.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my eARC.

Water Moon is a magical and mystical book about choices and consequences.

Hana is the new proprietor of a magical pawnshop where clients trade in their regrets. When her shop is ransacked and her father goes missing, Hana suspects foul play. Keishin is a physicist visiting Tokyo when he comes across the pawnshop and the distressed Hana inside. He is eager to help, but could never have prepared himself for the mystical world he and Hana travel as they try to find her missing father.

This was a delightful and enjoyable read. Full of magic and excitement, this book feels a bit like reading a dream. Traveling through puddles, boats powered by song and memory, a library of time, a tea house only accessible at midnight through dreaming, and masked spirits who enact horrific justice to those who fail their duties. It’s a lot to take in, but a truly magical experience if you suspend belief a bit. For Hana this magical world is all she knows, while for Keishin, he tries to rationalize everything based on his knowledge of physics. The relationship was sweet and it was wonderful to see both characters grow and trust each other. This was a lovely story but it did meander a bit at times. If you are looking for a true escape read, this is a perfect book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to
Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

Ahoy there me mateys!  The stunning cover and premise led me to this book.  In Tokyo there is a magic pawnshop that cannot be found.  Some people enter a popular ramen restaurant only to find themselves transported to the pawnshop.  In this pawnshop, you can't pawn belongings but regrets.

I read this book expecting to read about the people visiting the pawnshop, giving up their regrets, and how that impacted their lives.  I also expected to get more about the owners of the pawnshop, what living in the pawnshop was like, and what they did with the regrets they collected.  But instead there was a romance with a love triangle and a mystery of a missing father.

The highlights of the book for me were the descriptions of places in the pawnshop world.  There was an ink world inside a scroll, living paper cranes holding pieces of history in a museum, and a town that build the night sky out of dreams and wishes.  Travel could happen by jumping in a puddle.  All of these places were evocative.  That said, the characters don't spend any time truly exploring them.  They run from place to place.  Also the inner workings of the pawnshop world seemed to have no real internal logic, rules, or world building.

I also think that a lot of whether the book is liked or not will come down to how the reader feels about the romance.  I personally found it off-putting.  There is insta-lust, the love triangle, and lots of lack of communication and lying.  Once the romance is introduced, it takes the focus of the plot and the mystery.  It is a shame because I found the beginning of the story to be so engaging.  Also there isn't a whole lot of character development so emotional resonance is practically non-existent.

At the 65% mark, I finally admitted to myself that I was really struggling to continue.  So I took a break to read other reviews to give myself a push to finish.  I was entertained and confused when three different reviewers gave different descriptions and meanings to the ending.  How could it be that confusing?  So I skipped ahead a did something I never do - read the ending.  And I was confused too.  What I did understand seemed angsty and immature.  So I abandoned ship at that point and still wish someone could explain the ending to me satisfactorily.  Arrrrr!

Water Moon excels with its rich, vivid imagery and its wildly imaginative world-building, creating a whimsical setting that draws readers in. However, the story falters when it comes to its characters and dialogue. The protagonists often feel more like caricatures, speaking in ways that resemble self-help clichés, and their insta-love connection can feel forced, detracting from the emotional depth of the adventure. As a result, while the world is undeniably captivating, the interactions between the characters didn’t have the impact I hoped for, leaving the overall experience less satisfying.

Though it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, I can definitely see Water Moon resonating with a wide audience. Its enchanting world and imaginative plot have the potential to captivate many readers.