WATER MOON - SAMANTHA SOTTO YAMBAO

If you adore Studio Ghibli and books with strong vibes, like The Night Circus, I'm pleased to tell you about your favourite book of 2025. Here's the synopsis:

On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cosy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones - those who are lost - will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Water Moon takes place in a world that's connected to ours, but is very different and abides by its own set of rules. But this world is full of magic, memorable characters and its own mythology. And unlike many other fantasy books that only let you take a peek at their worlds, we get to explore it widely with Hana and Keishin as our guides. 

For me, this story is balanced beautifully. It's fast paced, there are some disappearances to solve and the stakes are high, but it's also filled with whimsy and an ethereal quality that had me completely hooked. Hana and Keishin race through and encounter the most inventive and cinematic settings I've read in any fantasy book, with each setting more memorable and impactful than the last.

Yes, the comparison to Studio Ghibli is completely justified in this case thanks to the above, but I also loved the sweet, convincing romance that develops. But keep in mind that this is a story that'll keep you guessing right until the last page - and in the case of Water Moon, this completely works in its favour as you savour each and every twist and turn. 

I have never read a book quite like it and I doubt I ever will again. Thank you to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Release date: 16 January 2025

Review score: 5/5

TWs: grief, ab*rtion

Actual review 3.75 stars

I am really struggling coming up with actual words for this review so I am going with dot points today.

What I liked:

- the world building: the whimsical, the strange and the down right beautiful
- all things Japanese
- the plot twists
- the bittersweet ending

What I didn't like as much:

- the insta-love between Kei and Hana: I am never a fan of this and their relationship felt rushed. plus there was this really awkward part when they were in an onsen together
- ...that's pretty much it.

Overall this was a stunningly beautiful book and one I would recommend reading.

I received an eARC from Netgalley/Penguin Random House Australia and because I am moving house in two days and my house is filled with nothing else but boxes, I have given an honest review

In this mystical fantasy tale, Hana inherits a pawnshop where you can pawn your life choices and deepest regrets. But not everyone can find it, most will just see a cosy ramen shop. On her first day as the pawnshop’s new owner, she wakes up to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. Keishin, a charming young physicist, happens to wander into the shop and together they embark on a magical journey to discover the truth 🌊✨

This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and it did not disappoint 😍 The world building was just phenomenal. The descriptions were pure magic and despite all the trekking throughout the realm, I could imagine the world perfectly. How wonderful would it be to travel by jumping into puddles or by hitching a ride on a paper crane?!

Going in, I thought this would be more of a cosy fantasy, and in some ways it was, with the dreamlike world created. However, I felt it was definitely more of a high stakes adventure! The pacing was fabulous, as I could feel the sense of urgency experienced by Hana and Keishin. There were so many unexpected twists and turns, I truly didn’t see the story unfolding the way it did!

I didn’t anticipate the romance, but it was adorable 🥰 my only very minor issue is that I felt that there was too much focus on it at times, which detracted from the mystic fantasy elements and didn’t allow for Hana to become the heroine I wanted her to be. In saying that, I enjoyed it and was highly invested 🤍

This is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli and Makoto Shinkai! Even though it’s marketed for adults, I do think this would also suit new adult and older young adult audiences.

I am so excited for this 4.5⭐️ read to be published in January 2025! I definitely need to get myself a physical copy 💙

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for my digital ARC 💌