Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a fantasy novel set in Japan. I am not usually a fantasy reader but I do love alternate reality tropes, so I loved the alternate world and the magical realism used to create it. I absolutely loved the beautiful writing and the Japanese mythology. There were so many plot twists and gasp-worthy reveals that I had to go back and read the ending again. I am still not sure I fully understand all of the layers of this tale, but trust me when I say that didn't matter. In the end, the beauty of the writing made the journey alone worth the time and effort to read this story. Perfect for fans of Days at the Morisaki Book Shop by Satoshi Yagisawa, What You Are Looking for Is In the Library by Michiko Aoyama, The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and The Possibilities by Yael Goldstein-Love.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this e-galley.

I can see why it works for some people, especially who loves cozy fantasy. It is a pretty book, with beautiful synopsis and whimsical world building, but it just didn’t work for me. The first few chapters actually really hooked me because I really enjoyed getting to know Hana and her routine, as well her hesitation to actually inherit the pawnshop. While she understood how important it was, there’s this underlying fear that got me curious and hinted how things are not as magical as it seems. I also enjoyed getting to know the patrons and learning how the magic works. Then the love interest walked in and refused to leave, the whole spiel of “I feel like I know you” etc etc which immediately frustrated me and took all the good feelings I have for the story. I want to settle more into the story and characters before we immediately jump into the romance because it was an insta-love.

This one took me by surprise and threw an unsuspecting reader into a mysterious and thrilling journey through an enchanting world where reality and illusions blended together.
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I really enjoyed reading it, it reminded me of Alice in Wonderland and Starless sea. I found myself going back and forth to reread some of the events, it was really magical.
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This portal fantasy had Hana and Keishin from two completely different worlds teaming up to find her father. Even though the contrasts between their worlds seemed to intrigue both of them, Kei was the one who was utterly enchanted by Hana's world. I was riding along with Kei when they went on discovering the magical and enchanting world where Hana spent their entire life.
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I completely recommend this to those who love magical realism and the enchanting worlds with Studio Ghibli vibes reminding us of the value of life and keeping alive the curiosity of our inner child.
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This book immediately made me nostalgic for Japan. The ramen shop tucked in the tiny alleyway, backyard moon pool, the food. It also gave me strong Ghibli vibes. There's a teahouse that is open only at midnight that's tucked into a giant tree with fiery leaves. There are tattoo artists who will imprint your fate upon your skin. There are terrifying adversaries who reminded me of No-Face from Spirited Away. And of course, there's the pawn shop that trades in choices and regrets.

The setting was amazing and the imagination of the author was a pleasure for me to partake in. The characters were a bit less appealing. I liked Kei, the physicist who was down for whatever magic came his way even if he tried a bit too much to make it all make sense. Hana, though... she was just so locked down. She had so many cryptic things to say. She was just so... emo, I guess. The relationship between these two happened quickly, as it had to. I guess I'm just not as interested in the romance part here. It felt like both characters were trying so hard to be deep and to hit climactic emotional beats all the time. It wasn't for me.

So I loved the setting and the feel of the book, except for the (to me) overwrought romance.

4 stars. Water Moon is a cozy fantasy about a pawn shop for those who are lost and will pay with their regrets. The owner retires and his daughter Hana takes ownership. Things quickly take a turn when her father disappears, the store is vandalized, and something very valuable is stolen. She teams up with a physicist named Keishi. who happens upon the shop after the break in. Hana introduces him to an interesting fantasy world that keeps you guessing at what is real. They learn different secrets and truths that affect themselves and others.

This book was different and fun. I loved the magic/fantasy at every turn. It was very creative and not cookie cutter compared to other books.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Water Moon* is a lovely blend of Filipino folklore, gentle fantasy, and modern life, all wrapped up in some seriously beautiful writing. Sotto Yambao does a great job bringing the setting and the characters to life; you can practically feel the atmosphere oozing off the page. The romance and the emotional journeys the characters go through are both thoughtful and genuine, making it easy to care about them.

What really makes this book stand out is how naturally it brings in Filipino myths without over-explaining everything. Sometimes the story can feel a bit slow, and a few plot points could have been clearer, but the strong writing and overall vibe more than make up for it. It’s one of those books that quietly sticks with you after you finish.

If you like magical realism, stories that explore feelings and second chances, or just want to experience a rich bit of Filipino culture, it is definitely worth picking up. It’s not perfect, but it’s a beautiful and touching read.

While this would make a charming animated film, in book form, it pinged from magical scene to magical scene too fast to ever feel settled in the story. And each one required new world building. It was ultimately a lot to keep up with, but also meant that we couldn’t really get to know the characters.

This story was beautifully written. Think What Dreams May Come but in Japan. I enjoyed the nods to Japanese mythology and folklore. Some of the moments/realms felt a bit too fantastical - I'd definitely categorize this as fantasy and not magical realism. I also didn't really believe the love at first sight insta-connection between the two main characters. But the imagery and writing was so lovely, I can overlook that as a trope. I actually read this on the way to Japan (14 hour plane ride) and it was a lovely way to be introduced to the culture and some of the landmarks.

4.5
This book was very fun in the sense that there was so much world building but it was quick - not like other fantasy novels. The love aspect in this story felt pushed and that they only loved each other due to forced proximity. While that is a common trope, it's not for me. It seemed like Haruto and Hana had more chemistry, even though they were only in ~three scenes together.
It was well written and well put together but just missed the mark in a couple places for me.

In “Water Moon,” Samantha Sotto Yambao creates a world worthy of Studio Ghibli, a world that feels a bit like getting trapped in a nightmare — in the very best way.

Hana is the proprietor of a pawnshop that serves a distinct purpose in the universe. When her father disappears, she undertakes a desperate search with the help of Keishin, a curious pawnshop patron who shows up just as Hana discovers her father’s absence.

“Water Moon” plays out across space and time, and Yambao’s vision is a truly beautiful and terrifying fever dream.

Hana and Keishin encounter mystical, mysterious and horrifying creatures and characters, all of which hearken on our most human of instincts.

There are themes of loss and heartache, but also hope, free will and healing. Ultimately, “Water Moon” reads like an existential contemplation of what it means to be human and love other humans.

By far one of my favorite novels I’ve read in a very long time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. I was going in expecting something completely different. Sometimes it’s good to go into a book not knowing much about it. You tend to get the best reading experience.

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

Having read an absurd amount of magical realism books from Japan, about a mysterious shop that helps it's customers overcome grief or regrets through magic and maybe cute animals, this was extremely fascinating, and so damn good. The aforementioned books tend to keep things on the customers' end of the transaction; the shop owners seem made for the purpose of healing others and nothing else. Water Moon looks at the other side of the transaction, reminding us that they are real people with their own problems. And that it takes effort, if not sacrifice, to quickly and magically wipe your fears away. The worldbuilding can be scattershot, but in the context of this subgenre, where the shops have little to no explanation for their existence but are generally accepted without fuss, it kinda made sense to me. The focus is instead on the people running the shop and the one guy that decides to help them out. Another aspect of this is the romance, and I ate it up. It was a little instalove for me, but written so appealingly that I didn't mind. I can see how these things might not be for everyone, but this book fits right into my current fixations and nails it.

Fascinating premise with <i>very</i> interesting worldbuilding that is developed just enough and, for me, not much else. Water Moon falls into the trap of insta-love, which I really don't enjoy but if you do? You might enjoy this more than I did. It does give Studio Ghibli vibes at times. I just wish the characters had grabbed me more.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I’m usually not the biggest fan of magical realism so I think it is more a me problem than anything else.

I wanted to try this one since it is so popular: however, i am an outlier because I didn’t enjoy it. The pacing was too slow and I wasn’t a fan of the characters or writing style.

This is not a book I would have typically picked up to read; however, I am so glad I did.

I have never read a book like WATER MOON. The Japanese fiction was something completely new to me, but filled with cultural stories and symbolism. I was intrigued with the dual of Hana and Keishin’s worlds and how the two “travel” together. I was intrigued by the pawn shop and the choice they would take from their customers. Throughout I tried to figure out Hana’s mom’s indiscretion. I did not expect such a twist.

I enjoyed the story and found the various Japanese cultural aspects interesting.

Every aspect of this book is beautiful: the writing, the imagery, the cover, the concept. Reading this felt like a dream, and I regretted waking up as soon as I finished the final page.

Water Moon 🌕🪡👓🍜
3⭐️
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Thank you so much to Del Rey for the chance to read and enjoy this advanced copy.

Water Moon is a really beautiful concept of a book. I really loved the Asian representation, and I think that Japanese culture was explored in a really poetic and informative way. I really liked how culture was taught and fleshed out in this book, it was very immersive.

One of my most favorite things about this book is its cover; I think that the art is absolutely gorgeous and a great preface into the overall theme and setting of the story. This book had the feeling of something you would dream and then forget when you wake up in the morning; deeply nostalgic and with an element that continues to tug at your heart.

While I loved the theme, setting, and art for this book, the writing and arc of the story felt flat. I was invested in the plot, but the characters felt two-dimensional and I didn’t feel like the story was easy to follow.

However, this book will definitely be a great recommendation for fans of “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

Water Moon was so creative, it was unlike anything I have ever read before. I really loved it because it made me feel like I was watching a Studio Ghibi movie. Owning a magical pawn shop just sounds like a dream! I felt like the author did a great job at building this magical world. I really enjoyed this book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc!

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a magical and thrilling journey that swept me away from the very first page. The story is beautifully written, full of emotion and wonder, and it brought me to tears in the best possible way. I absolutely loved it—an unforgettable read!

Hana Ishikawa inherits a hidden pawnshop in Tokyo that deals with life's deepest choices. When her father vanishes and a precious item is stolen, Hana teams up with Keishin, a physicist from another realm, embarking on a surreal journey through puddles that lead to other worlds, paper cranes that soar the skies, and night markets nestled in the clouds.

This fantasy is a heartfelt tale of self-determination, grief, and healing (honestly, we all need some healing). Hana's resilience shines as she navigates an unpredictable world, and her bond with Keishin is tender and inspiring. It's a story that reminded me how each decision, no matter how small, creates ripples that shape our lives.

It makes a girl want to run to every pawnshop for her little adventure.


Thank you Del Rey for the ARC