"The Rainfall Market" tells the enchanting tale of Serin, who seeks a better life through a mystical market accessed with a special ticket. Accompanied by a magical cat, Issha, she explores whimsical settings and faces a one-week deadline to find happiness or vanish forever. The novel's imaginative world-building, emotional depth, and themes of identity and fulfillment make it a captivating read, blending fantasy and self-discovery seamlessly. As Serin's journey unfolds, readers are drawn into a magical, thought-provoking adventure that ponders the true meaning of happiness. Highly recommended for fans of magical realism and introspective stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an early release copy of The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang.

I want to start off by saying that I absolutely love the book cover for The Rainfall Market, the colors and vibe that it gives off is just stunning. The artist did an amazing job on this cover! The Rainfall Market is one of my favorite books that I have read in 2024 (comes out in 2025), the fantasy elements, the adventure, the characters, I love everything about this book. The Dokkaebi are interesting characters to read about, I loved all of them, the sense of community and friendships between their own kind and the friendship with Serin is touching to read about. The addition of Issha Serin’s animal companion was a nice touch, I loved Issha, how Issha worked into the story and the connection with Serin is adorable. I was routing for both of them the entire time.

The mystery element with the following shadow gives a thrilling element that I just wasn’t expecting, The mystery element really adds to the story and drew me in more than I already was. The reveal of what was going on is rather easy to catch onto and while I wasn’t surprised about who did what or why I still found The Rainfall Market to be very enjoyable read.

It’s a korean novel but it reads like a ghibli movie.

The rainfall market is a short tale about dreams, love and acceptance. It teaches us that our desires won’t necessarily bring us happiness and that cats are actually a man’s best friend.

It’s poetic and whimsical and just what you need to read for the rainy season.

I really could not connect with this book or the writing. It felt clunky and just didn't hold my interest. I had to give up about halfway through.

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this from start to finish. The concept is great, if we could create a world for ourselves that turns out exactly how we wish. Unfortunately for Serin, trouble has followed her in the Rainfall Market but great lessons are to be learned through challenges. She meets a cat, Isssha, who travels with her through the market and becoming fast friends. He helps her along the way and they do end up building a lovely friendship.
It’s not said how old she is, but she felt like an elementary school kid and the overall vibe felt more on the younger side. It's a great story and I would recommend this to read for older people as well as this can be a quick but good read

Compliments to the publisher and artist for this stunning cover! Aspects of this reminded me of a grown up version of Time Cat by Lloyd Alexander. I'm not sure if it was the translation, but some of the language and emotions felt more elementary, though this may have been in an effort to characterize the main character as someone regressing or struggling with their current position in life. I would offer this to patrons as a new translated release, but I would not place it on any specific recommendations based on genre/theme.

I was absolutely enchanted by the cover and the synopsis of this novel and was psyched when I received an ARC of it. I was looking for cozy fantasy vibes with a cute story. The cover is just so magical and it is hard not to want to pick up a book with such a gorgeous cover. The artist definitely understood the assignment. Largely I enjoyed this, so why the 3 star rating? It comes mostly down to who this is really targeted to.

It’s put under the new adult category, which can draw a wide range of ages despite being targeted to 18-25 year olds. However, even acknowledging that I am not 18-15, I personally think that this would be better for more those 15-19. I think that readers who really need to examine what they want their future to look like would actually be best served by this novel. But honestly, even then I think that this would make an even more solid middle grade, if the main character wasn’t so preoccupied with university and jobs.

The writing and the plot were generally simplistic. I question the logic of some of the choices and certain motivations towards the end by the antagonist. I’m not sure if some of the nuance that made it an “adult” sensation in Korea is lost in translation, or maybe it’s a cultural thing that doesn’t translate. I guess it can make some of us wonder if we would sell our current lives for a chance with a new one.

One of the positive points for this is the imagery. I loved the way that the setting and the characters were described and for me that really gave it the cozy feel instead of the plot. The plot wasn’t as cozy as I wanted, it had a more urgent vibe to it. But when it talked about the different shops, the dokkaebi and Issha, it was heartwarming. I don’t know that I personally would want to sell my life for the chance of a better one, but I think that most of us are doing better than we think we are.

Speaking of the lives, the options that were offered to Serin were generally negative in light. They showed the worst versions of all of her wishes. I suppose it is because at least in part she kept asking for the best university or the best company, and I imagine that those come with a lot of work and stress, but after those four years at the best university? Or after putting in a few years at the best company? Everyone goes through some absolutely shitty times at work, but there didn’t feel like a balance.

Overall, I think this will suit some readers taste, but I think those who were looking for a bit more to the story are going to be disappointed. A lot of other review echo my thoughts, but I think when they compare it to Studio Ghibli we need to be careful. There is a range to these movies. I personally love Princess Mononoke, but this is more like Kiki. It’s more feel good and geared towards a younger audience. I love Kiki, but I want things with a little more serious themes and tones when I’m reading adult books. I’m open to reading another book by You Yeong-Gwang in the future, but I will keep in mind the experience that I had with The Rainfall Market. Honestly though, this would make a lovely Studio Ghibli film.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this one didn't hold my attention. It didn't pull any emotion out of me and I felt my mind drifting off to other things while trying to read it. It came across really simplistic with the writing which could be due to the translation but ultimately it wasn't for me.


Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced digital copy - all thoughts and opinions are my own. 💖

This book is fittingly lovely for a rainy-day read. Though somewhat simplistic in it's language (perhaps due to the translation), it will likely leave most readers with the warm fuzzies. I think I would most recommend this book to a younger audience, though I think it can be enjoyed by all ages.

Unfortunately, this book was very boring. I was told to feel things but the writing didn't actually elicit any emotion. Every hurdle was overcome with ease. It just felt superficial rather than poignant.

A fun fantasy for younger readers. This was marketed as an adult novel, but Serin's age is never disclosed and the entire premise felt a little childish in the style and writing. I would say this is more for young readers and young adults who are huge fans of Ghibli films.
This was not a bad book, I just feel it didn't deliver on the premise. It was cute and a quick read, but lacked depth and emotion.

This is such a different look at reimagining your life, but finding what you need along the way.
Serin is hurting and troubled and just wants an easier better life. She gets her invite to the rainfall market where she finds new friends and gets a new look at what her life maybe could be.
I really enjoyed this one. I loved Issah, the cat, who is like her spirit guide. I also liked the Dokkabei, well most of them. They really become Serin's friends and help show her that things aren't always better on the other side.
This is a quick read and I think it will be a book with lots of discussion.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

If you had the opportunity to change your life would you take it? I am a SUCKER for this sort of book and there was something akin to the whimsy of Miyazaki in this one that just stole my heart! Still processing all of the emotions!

A charming book for fans of Miyazaki's Spirited Away, Before the Coffee Gets Cold, or anyone who likes a little magic with their feel-good fiction.

This is one where it almost helps you to go into with less information. All you need is an open mind and to know minimal details: A teen girl feels lonely in her mediocre, poor life. She gets her hands on a book that supposedly gives instructions for a taking a chance to change one's life. Just write a letter to the Rainfall Market explaining your woes, if chosen for your letter, you'll be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to a mysterious place. There, mystical creatures will take your struggles and gift you a new life offered inside special orbs.

Rainfall Market was the perfect mix of quirky fantasy, fun creatures (Issha is my favorite!), and a dash of suspenseful danger. I read this each night before bed and couldn't wait to dive into it each night. There was also a tinge of unfamiliarness that I took as result of being translated from Korean and/or cultural differences. This vibe did not put me off of the book and actually seemed to add to the intrigue for me.

I think RM would be a great book for fans of The Midnight Library.

If given the opportunity would you want to change your life? I think most of us would or at least think about it. Young Serin wants to do exactly that and so begins a magical journey to a rumored market only opened during the rainy season. There she will depart on a journey of self discovery with a menagerie of eclectic characters and arrive at a destination that was always before her.

Any easy read, almost a juvenile story, but one with deeper meaning we can all relate to.

Enjoy!