I often struggle connecting with cozy fantasy because the stakes are too low, but Water Moon, in all of its poetic beauty, is an exception. The stakes are intense, personal, and incredibly human. Even through terrifying moments, this entire book felt like a warm hug.

Samantha Sotto Yambao delivers a touching story about the power of choice, regret, and grief in this whimsical fantasy. Fast paced, but with low stress, I found myself immersed in this alternate world with Hana and Keishin as we jumped through puddles, rode paper cranes, and flew hopes in the sky.

It was like a Studio Ghibli movie with its creativity balanced with the heavy moments that make us human, and I could not ask for a better author to tell this story. It is clear how much love and emotion went into creating this work, and it is a privilege to have read it. (I am still crying as I write this lol).

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the eARC of this masterpiece. I can’t wait to own it. 💙

Hana and Keishin live in two different worlds, strange parallel reflections of each other. In Keishin's world, all choices are available; in Hana's world, none. Keishin is a scientist, and accustomed to subatomic weirdness, but nothing has prepared him for the realities of what he meets when he stumbles into a pawnshop in Tokyo.

I enjoyed the world building and the romance. The bad guys were really evil, and never boring. I generally don't read fantasy, so I can't compare this to other books, but this is a great read for the reader who is willing to suspend belief and travel across time, space, and reality.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Water Moon felt like a fever dream—whimsical, unpredictable, and full of twists that made me rethink what’s possible, both in how a story can be told and how its meaning can resonate beyond the pages.

It begs the question: would you rather have your entire life inked into permanence, or would you rather experience it for what it is—a collection of choices that shape who we are?

The beauty of being human lies in how we grow through trials and revelations. Some choices feel inevitable, shaped by our upbringings, but what defines us are the decisions we make from that point forward. The book captures how life isn’t a straight path; it’s full of roadblocks, detours, and moments that force us to rethink who we are, who we want to become, and what we truly want.

Water Moon is a well written story of a FMC who inherits a magical pawn shop who deals with patrons for not the tangible, but for moments and choices of their lives. On the day she is supposed to start her first day as the owner, a man steps into the shop and changes both their lives forever.

Samantha Sotto Yambao's debut book is hands down a 5 star read. The world, or I should say worlds, the author created were amazing and beautiful. Every time the MCs jump into a new world, you are sucked right in further down the rabbit hole. Amazing imagery, well written character development, intricate plot lines that go well together, all coming together for a must read book. Samantha does an excellent job at tying everything together. If you are a fan of Studio Ghibli, you will not be disappointed in this book.

Water Moon is a cozy fantasy, with fated lovers, and a wild adventure to find out who you are meant to be versus the destiny that is set for yourself. With every page I read, the more I fell in love with this book. I cannot stress this enough of how much I loved this book and how you should read it, too. Did I say that this is five out five stars?

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey, and the author for this opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

I will be posting to socials.

*mild spoilers*

The first 65% had me rolling my eyes a lot at how forced the relationship between our main characters felt but the next 34% got really good. Then the ending completely fell flat at the last page. I kept reading because the descriptions of the world are quite beautiful and the story is fast-paced but could not get over the ending. After everything that happened, the wrap-up was very simplified and lent nothing to Hana's character arc. I was starting to get fed up with how lackluster Hana was but later realized why that was so at the last third however there was not much to show for it after the characters finally got together.

Overall the vibe is light/medium-stakes. Our characters are never in danger for long and the "next step" to solving the mystery comes swiftly without much issue with the help of many conveniently placed characters who pop in and out with help. I enjoyed the last third when all the backstory came out and it felt like it was leading to something very epic but it fizzled out. The ending is happy, but felt small in comparison to everything that transpired.

Thanks so much for NetGalley for the ARC and privilege of writing this review!

<i>have you ever made a choice that you regretted? then come to the magical pawnshop where you can sell your deepest regrets and find inner peace with just an exchange of a cup of tea. but here's the catch, who would you be without the memory of who you once were?</i>

the story starts where in the backstreet of Tokyo, Japan lies a small pawnshop. regular people will mostly see a ramen shop—BUT, only the chosen ones will be able to see Toshio's shop. the ones who are lost, the lonely, the ones who seeks new beginnings. here they can pawn their life choices and regrets. enter Hana Ishikawa {fmc} the new owner of the family's pawnshop because her dad {Toshio} will be retiring. after a night of celebrating her father's retirement, she awakens to find that he was missing and the pawn shop has been ransacked to bits. this is where the adventure really begins.

where do i start? this book felt like a fever dream to me. have you ever watched any studio ghibli movies where they have those magical realism that was so cozy and heartwarming? okay but this story is just like that but with the adventure vibes of doctor who & a little romance. the world building took a little while but it was worth the wait because the things that happened throughout the book will make you want to illustrate the whole thing. i can see this being made into an animated movies {manifesting it!} there were a lot of twist & turn that made the it really interesting. imagine a parallel universe that was so magical you just want to go inside and live there.

i would give anything. ANYTHING to be able to read this book again for the first time. the way it was written was pure poetry. you really feel like you're there with all the characters and going through these missions with them. i laughed, got annoyed, ugly cried my eyes out and felt so peaceful. this is a masterpiece.

this. book. was. exceptional! ∞ stars

this beautiful, thought-provoking, compelling fantastical and philosophical story was essentially a studio ghibli film in a book — if spirited away and my neighbor totoro had a kid, this would be it. water moon is about a pawnshop where one can pawn your deepest regrets, where you can let go of burdens from the past. we join the new pawnshop owner, hana, on her first day, who inherits the shop from her father. but when the day takes an unexpected turn, she faces a challenge that forces her to do something she's never done before—make a choice, something that usually only the shop's customers have to do.

i truly felt immersed in each world that keishin and hana visited — samantha sotto yambao beautifully crafted such detailed, vivid, and rich descriptions of each place they jumped to from puddle to puddle and it made me really rethink the conception of time as i quite physically felt suspended in the absence of time and space. traveling between people’s minds, exchanging time as currency, a village where the night sky is created, a night market in the clouds — these are just some of the myriad of places you are whisked to in this journey. i especially loved how sotto yambao weaved japanese mythology and folklore throughout the story.

on a deeper note, these characters’ journeys challenged me to think about the choices we make as well as the effects and possible regrets of these choices. the characters’ journeys stretches what we know as our world and incorporates topics such as love - what does it mean to truly love someone, sacrifice, fate, and the sometimes crushing weight of our choices. how i wish this pawnshop existed in our world where we can physically exchange our deepest regret or choice. this book does a phenomenal job of conceptualizing non-tangible things like ideas, choices, dreams, and time into tangible everyday occurrences or items, which was fascinating to me.

ultimately, this was the perfect example of what storytelling and magical world building looks like. i was engaged with and emotionally invested in the characters and their journeys, often reflecting on my own life choices and regrets. i would love to see this turned into a miyazaki-directed studio ghibli movie plz<3

thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the eArc!🤍 i can’t wait for this to be released next month!! (highly recommend reading w hot beverage in hand and the spirited away soundtrack playing in the background)

Water Moon is by far one of the best books that I have read this year. It is full of whimsical adventures and beautiful prose while also maintaining balance with darker themes. I don’t think this is a book I will ever forget.

There are so many quotes I wish I could leave in this review, instead I will just leave my favorite that perfectly sums up how this book made me feel.

“‘There is something about autumn that makes things more beautiful. Out of all the seasons, it is the most honest about time. Summer and spring blind you to its passing with their colorful displays. Winter paints over everything in white. But autumn is not shy about things coming to an end. It welcomes it, waving leafy flags of red, yellow, and gold. It celebrates its sadness.’

‘Not just sadness though, right?’ Keishin said. ‘It’s also a celebration of all that is waiting on the other side of it.’”

Water Moon is a tale full of imaginative imagery & ideas with terrific writing and main characters who are easy to get behind, however it is held back by it's non-stop pace never giving you time to breath in some of the more fantastical scenes before needing to rush you along to another. This is unfortunate, because some of the scenes really beg to be lingered and expounded upon.

Similarly some of the stories latter, more serious reveals, that should really have had far greater impact, are swiftly brushed aside by the romance plot's need to assure the blooming relationship between the leads isn't hindered in any way.

The character work is nice, but the world building teases more than it delivers.

ARC provided by NetGalley & Random House - Ballantine

This book was a surreal journey. I felt very much like Keishin in the book, surprised and in awe of the world being built and wanting to stay for as long as I could. If you have a difficult time with perspective switching it might be a less enjoyable read, but I think that it added to the atmosphere of the book. In short, I loved this book, and I'm definitely going to be reading more from this author!

Considering this was my first ever arc read. I very pleasantly impressed. Giving this book 5 stars ✨

WaterMoon whisked me away on a wild ride through a world so vivid, I could almost taste the rain and feel the moonlight. It felt like I actually walked into that magical pawnshop✨ and while reading through it’s like the author snuck a movie projector into my brain!

The rules of magic in it, you can’t even argue with. And I loved all the references used in it. Honestly, I wanted to highlight the whole darn thing. It's that good. This had me ugly-crying on the couch, still clutching the last two pages. Samantha, you’ve outdone yourself with this one. Thank you so much for writing such a beautiful story.

Would 10/10 recommend for anyone to read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing House/Ballantine for this ARC!

What a fun, quirky, strange book this was. It kind of had a cozy fantasy feel, but with high stakes. It also felt like a travel adventure - but make it trippy. The whole thing kind of felt like a fever dream. The world building was phenomenal and beautifully immersive. I can honestly say that I’ve never read anything quite like this, and it was a really enjoyable ride.

The story follows a young woman as she unravels the secrets of her family’s past while navigating the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. Yambao’s writing is lyrical and vivid, painting rich, sensory details that make the settings come to life. The blend of mystery and cultural depth gives the story a unique charm, while the protagonist’s emotional journey is both heartfelt and relatable. Though the pacing can feel a bit slow at times, the book’s exploration of identity and the bonds that shape us make it a truly rewarding read. Water Moon is perfect for fans of literary fiction with a touch of magic and an exploration of family

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a whimsical, dreamy tale that blends fantasy, romance, and a touch of mystery. The story follows Hana Ishikawa, who inherits a mystical pawnshop that trades in life’s regrets, leading her on a magical quest through surreal landscapes alongside Keishin, a physicist with his own mysteries. The imaginative world-building—featuring elements like paper cranes and night markets in the clouds—has been widely praised, giving the book a Studio Ghibli-like charm. However, some readers felt the story leaned too heavily on its aesthetic appeal, leaving parts of the plot and character relationships, especially the romance, underdeveloped.

Overall, this book feels like stepping into a lucid dream, and while it may not be perfect, it delivers a heartfelt adventure filled with wonder. I’d rate it 4.25 stars—it’s a lovely escape for fans of lyrical fantasy, but the rushed romance might not work for everyone.

an imaginative read, this story was a lot deeper than I initially thought it would be. I think it’s better to read this without knowing too much beforehand. the story unfolded nicely, and the twists kept me guessing. I think the pacing was got a bit slow toward the end, which made me lower my rating.

beautiful and inventive parallel world with interesting ideas and cool motifs. i would LOVE another 10 stories in similar worlds. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

*Water Moon* by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a lyrical and captivating tale that blends romance, historical fiction, and magical realism. Set against the backdrop of the Philippines, the story follows the journey of Maya, a woman caught between the pressures of her heritage and the pull of a mysterious, ancient love. Yambao’s evocative prose brings to life lush landscapes and complex emotional landscapes, weaving themes of identity, loss, and healing. While the narrative occasionally feels meandering, the book’s rich character development and enchanting atmosphere make it a compelling, thought-provoking read for fans of literary fiction with a touch of the mystical.

This fantastical book was so captivating! Its intricate lore and vibrant characters kept me turning each page. I found it be an excellent tale of magic, adventure, and self discovery.

This book is so magical, whimsical, and dream like. I loved the world and the vibes and the overall story line. Unfortunately, I didn't really emotionally connect with either of the main characters or the romance, which is what kept this book from being a 5 star read for me, but I still highly recommend reading it for the vibes alone.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the early review copy.

This story is so promising. It does seem like a story from a Studio Ghibli movie, and the premise is very interesting. However, I found the characters quite flat for an adult fantasy novel. As much as I wanted to love this one, it ultimately just didn't quite come together for me.