Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

This book has a truly incredible first line, and it just keeps flying. The concept is absolutely fascinating and explained enough for you to understand the story, but not so much that the magic disappears. I love this kind of story where the magic is so built in that you have no choice but to accept it with minimal explanation.

The characters are a grown up version of the magical and wacky characters from a Studio Ghibli film with the soft, ruminative, magic world of Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

Hana and Keishin take us on a beautiful journey with a delightful, dark, and contemplative cast of supporting characters.

I don't want to spoil too much but I heartily reccomend diving into Water Moon and finding out for yourself.

Five stars.

Water Moon is a beautifully whimsical and emotionally rich fantasy that transports readers into a dreamlike Tokyo, where regrets take the form of caged birds and a hidden pawnshop can alter fate. Hana Ishikawa, raised among these traded regrets, finds herself thrust into a mystery when her father vanishes, leaving behind a ransacked shop and unanswered questions. Alongside the enigmatic Keishin, a scientist with his own ghosts to confront, Hana embarks on a journey that unravels secrets about her past, her family, and the strange forces shaping her world.

Sotto Yambao’s writing is lyrical and immersive, painting vivid, almost ethereal settings that feel straight out of a Studio Ghibli film. The novel balances magic with deep emotional themes—loss, choice, and the weight of regret—creating a story that lingers long after the final page. While the pacing can be slow at times and some elements feel deliberately abstract, the intricate storytelling and heartfelt character dynamics make Water Moon a mesmerizing and deeply rewarding read.

Very Ghibli-esque. The setting is quite whimsical, and it makes you feel like you could just open a door somewhere and find your very own fantasy.

It’s not often I read a book that has me completely uninterested in the plot but completely enamoured with the world in which it takes place. Water Moon is a gentle ride through numerous dream like worlds in pursuit of a missing father and a long lost mother.

Kudos for worldbuilding to Samantha Sotto Yambao; in fact, although certain plot points necessitate darkness (lies, betrayal), Hana and Keishin’s quest excited me mostly for its resemblance to Polly and Diggory’s adventures from the Wood between the Worlds in ‘The Magician’s Nephew’.

Perhaps the fact that my closest comparison is a children’s book qualifies the type of enjoyment I took from ‘Water Moon’ – overall, it was a bit corny. The writing was intimate in style, but it didn’t hold my attention during the central slump, even though it did engage me again towards the end. The love interest, for me, was just too cheesy to be convincing.

Hidden within a ramen restaurant in Tokyo lies a pawnshop that trades in choices and regrets. Hana wakes up on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner to find it ransacked, a choice stolen and her father missing. Then, in stumbles a charming stranger offering help rather than seeking it. Together they embark on a magical journey to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice.

The best thing about this book is the imagery and imagination – it really is like stepping into something from Studio Ghibli. It positively overflows with creativity, and I would say that the plot only suffers slightly under the weight of the bizarre and beautiful world building.

The plot is a little bit hectic, jumping from location to location with new, minor characters being introduced in each chapter, but it isn’t too difficult to follow and isn’t overly complicated despite the fast pace and constant scene changes.

Water Moon is a magical adventure with twists and stunning imagery. I appreciated the pure escapism of it.

A very cosy fantasy!

Broken things have a unique kind of beauty, don’t you think?

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao is so cute. It felt like I was in a Studio Ghibli movie. It's easy to get into, and the twisty plot grips you from the beginning.

Imagine walking through the door of a ramen restaurant in Tokyo just to find yourself in an old pawn shop. That's what happens to Keishin when he walks through the door of the ramen restaurant just to find himself in a ransacked pawn shop where he stumbles upon Hana, the owner of the pawn shop. Beware, this is no normal pawn shop. This pawnshop deals in choices. Choices that could change the course of your whole life.

What I love about this book is the distinctive plot and world-building. I have never read any fantasy book that has such a one-of-a-kind plot. Every character was memorable. I loved the adventure that I was taken on.

If you are looking for a cosy fantasy with a good plot and adventure, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!

Water Moon is whimsical and heart wrenching in the most beautiful way!

“She had cradled countless bright, glowing choices and carefully set them inside their cages, but this was the first time she had held anything that felt so free.”; “No matter how close they stood, Hana was always a universe away. Without thinking, he reached out to touch her cheek, his oldest instincts compelling him to know the unknowable.”

This story was incredibly immersive and had such a nostalgic feel to it. I loved being swept away into the other world with Hana and Kei. I adored both characters and loved watching them explore and learn more about one another. Samantha Sotto Yambao has lush prose with wonderfully flawed characters. I honestly can’t praise this highly enough.

What a beautiful book!

This is such a beautiful read and just the type of fantasy I love - not too otherworldly but magical and with lots of heart. Water Moon is beautifully written and easy to get swept away with. I highly recommend this to all!

I adored this! I was kept guessing as to what would happen from page to page, the pacing was great. The characters were amazing and so easy to connect with. The world building was stunning! The plot was solid, super interesting and engaging whilst being simple and profound in it's message. The prose and tone were just really beautiful, I could of stayed in this world exploring a lot lot longer, mesmerising reading experience.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the arc, all thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.

I am trying to expand my reading horizons and my favourite genre is SFF, I had never read anything from the Philippines, so when I was offered Samantha Sotto Yambao's latest book I jumped on the opportunity with curiousity and interest.

There is a lot I liked in this book, particularly at the beginning: the idea of a pawnshop for regrets is interesting and, to me, original; the magical devices introduced during the main adventure are novel and their emotional connection to the story work well. On the other hand, way too many times explanations are handwaved as "things work differently here" and I found the main characters rather unidimensional. Neither would be a deal breaker, when balanced with the excellent worldbuilding, but too soon the plot veered into romantasy which is not a subgenre I particularly enjoy, and the relationship between the two main characters occupied so much of the remaining of the book that I found myself muddling through the pages just to get to the next little bit of adventure and was relieved when the book reached its conclusion.

All in all, I still think it's a book worth recommending if you're a fan of romantasy, as you will find yourself immersed in a magical world full of surprises.

Note: I received this book for free as an ARC from #NetGalley but the opinions above are mine and unbiased.

"I don't know why your world works the way it does or why it needs mine to exist, but I know this: you've given me more than you've taken. And made me feel things I never thought I could."

Watermoon follows Hana - newly appointed pawnshop owner, where clients can pawn off their regrets. When her father mysteriously disappears, Hana sets off to find him and, with the help of an unlikely ally, Kei, they enter a world of wonder.

If you enjoy setting-driven books, this is the story for you. The setting was phenomenal, and I drank each chapter up. The vivid scenery, quirky characters, and deep meaning messages were amazing. I cannot recommend this enough for its setting alone. Each location in the magic world felt like its own little arc, and creative spins like paper cranes carrying memories and kites representing hope and wishes were beautiful. I particularly loved the scene where, to cross safely, Kei had to anchor himself and Hana inside his memory, where they shared a few tender and emotional moments.

Unfortunately, the actual plot and characters fell a bit short, and at times it felt like we were on a wild goose chase with little progress. Hana and Kei were an interesting couple, and I enjoyed Kei’s character so much. His curiosity as a physicist to unravel this magical world was the perfect juxtaposition to Hana’s. I really connected with his past, his worldview, and his unconditional kindness. Hana, on the other hand, felt like a bystander in her own story. For a book centered on finding your missing parents, I cared very little about them. They seemed selfish, and I couldn’t connect with Hana’s motivation to save them.

While there were emotional scenes between Hana and Kei, the romance felt like an afterthought. Hana’s naivety about her feelings towards Kei felt awkward. One half-open door scene hit me like whiplash and added nothing to their relationship development. And the love triangle? Haruto deserved WAY better. The plot development is slow and repetitive. Hana and Kei run from the big bad Shiikan, Hana introduces a new magical place, Kei asks how they’ll get there, and Hana gives a cryptic answer. Rinse and repeat. While the world was beautiful, it became exhausting with each new location.

We meet wonderful characters and explore a stunning world, but the actual mystery fizzles out when we finally get to it. The last 30% of the book dropped my rating to a generous 3.5 stars. That said, I would 100% recommend Watermoon for its dreamlike vibes, easy readability, and gorgeous magical realism.

This started off so promising and I was absolutely obsessed at the beginning. But then they introduced another character and this book just totally flopped for me.

this book omg! it was absolutely brilliantly written, I was utterly immersed from the very first pagethis book omg!
it's utterly fantastic, filled with rich description, complex characters and an incredible plot! I absolutely adored the folklore and mythology in it, it was all stuff I've never read before and it was just incredible to see all this world-building and the range of side characters introduced!

definitely a 5 star read for me and I'll absolutely be on the lookout for any other books written by Samantha! 🥰🩵

An emotional storm for adult fans of Howl's Moving Castle -- full of puddles, quarks, wormholes and unexpected turns. An emotional dive into possibilities across dimensions -- but one that still feels very real. Read it twice since December and may read it again in the next few months!

I absolutely ADORED this book! With the atmospheric, ghibli-esque setting, magic system that reminded me of The Starless Sea and a touch of swoony romance, this was such a wonderful, transportive read. I’m a huge fan of a “vibes book” which WATER MOON delivered in spades. From the pawn shop to Hana’s exploration of her relationship both to her family and to herself, and the weave of Japanese culture and traditions, I truly loved every part of it. The tone felt very contemplative to me which, when coupled with the whimsical atmosphere and surprisingly dark elements surrounding the magic system, kept me hooked from start to finish. I’d definitely read more from this author!

I don't often reach for fantasy titles but I was intrigued by this one as im looking for new authors for my teenager, who is fascinated by Japanese culture.

It is beautifully written, almost poetic, with lots of Japanese imagery: paper cranes that come alive, magical time travelling ponds and ramen shops that become portals to a parallel world.

Probably a little too fantastical for me but nice to read something a bit different.

An Absolute Masterpiece!

Water Moon is an extraordinary novel that captivates from the very first page and lingers in the mind long after the final sentence. [Author's Name] has crafted a story that is as beautifully written as it is emotionally powerful, weaving a narrative that is both thought-provoking and deeply immersive.

The characters are richly developed, each with their own complexities and depth, making them feel incredibly real. The world-building is exquisite, drawing readers into a setting so vivid it feels like stepping into another reality. But what truly sets this book apart is its ability to evoke genuine emotion—whether through heart-wrenching moments, breathtaking twists, or the sheer beauty of the prose.

Samantha Sotto Yambao is a master storyteller, demonstrating an unparalleled talent for blending lyrical writing with compelling storytelling. Their ability to balance intricate themes with a captivating plot is nothing short of remarkable. Every page is a testament to their skill, passion, and dedication to their craft.

If you’re looking for a book that will move you, challenge you, and stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, look no further. [Book Title] is a must-read, and [Author's Name] is a writer to be celebrated.

i felt as though i’d dived into a warm lake on a summers day, and got happily lost in the reads. it reminded me of the fever dreams i used to have as a child, in the best kind of way, in the way the dreams were a luscious break from the sickness. this is a magical, lyrical read.

A very sweet story that truly transports you to a world full of wonders, but the characters and dialogue fell a bit flat for my liking and landed more on a young adult are, which wasn't my expectation. Definitely would recommend and read more from this author, but this wasn't was great as I hoped.