DNF at 20%

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it totally fell flat for me. I loved the premise, but couldn't stand the characters. A swift DNF.

I went into this with high expectations as i really loved the premise but found they were't met. This book wasn't bad but i just feel like it was lacking a little something for me. I liked the characters and found them interesting but there was something in the writing that really did not gip my attention. I would give Yambao another go as there were most of the pieces there that worked for me but i think i would go in with tapered expectations.

Being a huge fan of Wilbur Smith, the fact that Water Moon was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith adventure writing prize had me hooked immediately and I was not disappointed. I also enjoy reading Asian fiction as well as anime/ studio Ghibli and Water Moon ticks all of these boxes The reason I mention all of these is to illustrate the huge potential audiences for this book and beyond. After all, who would not like to erase the regrets they have in life, and by just using a convenient, if secret pawn shop? Loved it and highly recommended

Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the awesome Samantha Sotto Yambao for this incredible ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

This book was one of my most anticipated reads this year, as everything in the blurb basically screamed at me to read it. Despite having a NetGalley e-arc for this one, I ended up reading the Illumicrate hardcover - which is just stunning, by the way.

Water Moon is a whimsical fantasy starting from a great premise: I absolutely loved the concept of a pawnshop for regrets and it sounded really different to other books I'd read recently. The vibes are immaculate here and the world is fascinating. It really shows what rich imagination this author has! It is a shame that the book is too busy jumping from one plot point to the next with no breathing room to really savour the worldbuilding and delve deeper into the lore, its pacing completely off.

Unfortunately, the execution didn't fully live up to the hype for me. The writing is just too stilted and repetitive for my taste, with a strong over-reliance on short, simple sentences. There's nothing wrong with short sentences per se, but they were so overused here that it ended up feeling clunky to read and not at all the smooth, dream-like experience it could have been. There are sparks of deeper writing here and there, but they end up falling into nothing.

The romance also didn't work for me at all: it was all too insta-love and I just couldn't buy the dynamic between the two main characters, pining over each other despite having literally just met. And don't get me started on the love triangle... The character development was also quite lacking for me: they all felt pretty much one-dimensional and barely ever acted their age. I mean, Kei is supposed to have a PhD, yet he acts and talks like a (very unnatural) teenager for the vast majority of the book!

I did like the themes the book was trying to explore and the way in which reflections on choices, regrets, duty and - ultimately - the purpose of living were woven into a fantastical adventure, but unfortunately it ended up remaining fairly surface level for me. There were a few quotes I highlighted because they were so beautiful, but sadly they were too few and far between to make this a new favourite read.

"Life is about finding joy in the space between where you come from and where you are going. I may never get to where I want to go, but I can look back on my life and say that I did not waste a second of it being bitter that I was not someplace else. Happiness does not exist in a place. It lives in every breath we take. You need to choose to take it in, over and over again."

This is a classic example of a missed opportunity sadly, with so much unrealised potential. I will probably give this author another chance when her new book comes out, as the premise for that one sounds good too, but I will certainly approach it with lowered expectations.

The concept of erasing your biggest regret ...we would a lot of us pay a hefty price for that. I absolutely loved this

I found this book a little hard to get into at first but soon found the story interesting .
I didn’t really warm to the characters but was interested to find out were the story was going.
The storyline at times was confusing and fell a little flat for me . I was expecting alot more towards the end of the book and the ending .
I did enjoy the book but it fell flat in some areas for me.

I wish I had even a fraction of her creativity. This book was such a refreshing change of pace – unusual, imaginative, and full of twists. The writing was beautifully descriptive and the world Sotto created felt so vivid and original. Whilst it clearly has its roots in Japan and follows Japanese themes, it stands far apart from anything else I’ve read in that space; this story was a lot more adventurous. The book was totally immersive and was honestly one of the more unique stories I’ve read in a while. Highly recommend !!

I don’t want to say much beyond I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was my first introduction to Japanese fiction and my goodness, what a thrilling read.

What a delightfully beautiful and tragic book. I got to this a little later then planned but I'm glad I finally got around to it.

Loved seeing Keishin and Hanas relationship blossom throughout, and the uncovering both of their back stories, including the mystery behind them. I felt like this book could easily be a Ghibli movie, some of the places they visit sounded so magical.

Cannot wait to read Samantha Sotto Yambao's next book.

To the publisher: I will be posting an IG review later this week!

A super whimsical, Ghibli-style fantasy full of poetic imagery and a unique premise! I found the writing and world-building enchanting, with themes of choice, fate, and healing woven throughout. It was an enjoyable read, I did feel that there could have been a tad more chemistry , but overall whimsy and cute and comforting.

Loved everything about this book. Whimsical and dreamy, it reads like a Ghibli film. The characters as well as the dreamlike world all seemed magical. I enjoyed reading this so much and is definitely one of my favourites reads of 2025.

Oooooh boy, i absolutely loved this book and it’s now sitting proudly on my shelf to read again. The world building, the characters.. I just loved it all. Thank you to NetGalley, publishers and lastly the hugely talented author.

This book is one of the most beautiful I've ever read.
So much so, that I have bought everything the author has ever written and can't wait to dive in.

First of all a big thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book to read and review.

I loved this whimsical fantasy so much. This was full of monsters, travelling through puddles and a door that leads to a ramen restaurant except for those who find themselves magically transported to a pawnbrokers who buy your choices from you. I couldn’t put this down. It was excellent.

This was such a fun book, I absolutely loved how unique the world was, everything was so creative & interesting. The plot was good & I enjoyed the characters too

This is such a warm, mysterious and touching read. The characters were definitely interesting. I liked the setting and the book is quote worthy. This book made me think about so many things about life. The choices the characters made and everything was so profound and poignant. Hana inherits her father’s magical pawnshop. But something unthinkable happens and one of her artefacts and her father, both goes missing. And then she meets Keishin, a physicist. He not only offers to help her find her father and the artefact but together they travel to a magical realm and realise so many things they together. This was such a magical, mysterious and warm read. I loved the ending.

Water Moon is about Hana, who is left in charge of a mystical pawnshop after her father retires. Chaos from the start and meeting Keishin is where Hana's adventure through a magical land begins. I loved some of the magical elements in the book, (travelling by rumours and ponds) and how they interacted with our world. I found this an easy read with a good flow and really enjoyed the book. There's heart, magic, and whimsy to be found. I can't wait for Samantha Sotto Yambao's next book.

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao felt like stepping into a dream I didn’t want to wake from. The story’s blend of magical realism and emotional depth had me hooked from the start. I was particularly drawn to the poignant exploration of choice and regret, themes that resonated deeply with me. The prose was poetic, making me want to highlight passages on nearly every page. While some parts felt like a whimsical sightseeing tour, the underlying narrative kept me engaged, especially as Hana and Keishin’s journey unfolded. The world-building was enchanting, and I found myself immersed in the strange, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying realms they traversed. This novel left me reflecting on the nature of free will and the paths we choose, making it a memorable read.  

Water Moon is a magical and heartwarming fantasy novel set in Tokyo. It tells the story of Hana, a young woman who inherits a mysterious pawnshop hidden behind a ramen restaurant. This special shop allows people to trade their regrets for peace of mind.

On her first day as the new owner, Hana discovers the shop has been ransacked, a valuable item is missing, and her father has vanished. A physicist named Keishin enters the shop and offers to help her. Together, they embark on a fantastical journey through a dreamlike world filled with paper cranes, puddle portals, and night markets in the clouds.

The novel explores themes of regret, choice, and self-discovery. With its poetic writing and imaginative settings, Water Moon is perfect for readers who enjoy stories that blend fantasy with emotional depth.

What if you could trade your deepest regret for peace—with just a sip of tea? The Beginning of Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao begins with this intriguing premise and unfolds into a beautifully imagined fantasy about memory, identity, and the quiet weight of our choices.

When Hana inherits her father’s hidden pawnshop—disguised as a ramen restaurant—she also inherits its secrets. The shop offers customers a chance to give up their regrets in exchange for something life-altering. But on Hana’s first day, a regret is stolen, her father vanishes, and the rules begin to unravel. She’s unexpectedly joined by Kei, a stranger who offers help rather than seeking it, and together they set off on a journey across surreal, magical landscapes.

The book truly shines in its worldbuilding. Yambao crafts a universe that’s whimsical, immersive, and emotionally resonant. The story explores how even the smallest decisions shape us, and asks whether we can ever truly let go of the past. The themes are compelling and the pacing picks up dramatically after the first hundred pages.

However, the novel takes time to find its voice—the prose initially feels a bit stiff and the tone slightly uneven. The shift into romance, while subtle and not overpowering, may not appeal to all readers, and the alternating moods (from cozy to dark) can occasionally feel jarring.

Still, this is a thoughtful and imaginative fantasy that offers both escapism and reflection. If you enjoy character-driven stories with philosophical undercurrents, The Beginning of Water Moon is worth the journey—especially for those willing to be patient through its slower start.