Water Moon falls between fantasy and magical realism. It’s partially set in modern Tokyo, but it could happen anywhere, as Japanese mythology doesn’t really play a part in the story. Hana and her father run a pawn shop that exists in a world separate from ours. Only a door to a ramen restaurant in Tokyo connects the two worlds. When a person really needs the pawn shop, they’ll end up there instead of the restaurant.

They pawn regrets, and no one ever returns to claim theirs back. Instead, the regrets have an important purpose in Hana’s world (it plays a great role in the story, so I won’t reveal what it is.) The regrets can never be let go. But Hana’s mother had stolen one when Hana was a baby, and has been sentenced to death for it, a trauma Hana and her father have never recovered from.

Now it has come time for Hana to inherit the shop. But on her first morning as the caretaker, she finds the place ransacked and her father missing along with the last regret he’d pawned before retirement. She doesn’t want her mother’s fate for either of them, so she sets out to find her father and the regret.

She has unexpected company. A man walks in the pawn shop, but not to pawn anything. He doesn’t really have any regrets to pawn. Instead, he wants to help. Keishin is a scientist with an interesting story of his own, which is revealed in small snippets. He’s stunned to discover a different world, but he keeps an open mind, eager to learn everything.

It’s quite an adventure through Hana’s world. It seems rather random at first, but bit by bit, they follow the footsteps Hana’s father has taken. But when they reach their goal and learn what has happened, the truth is something neither of them had expected.

This was an interesting, lovely and wistful story of grief, trauma, and self-discovery. Hana is a person with a purpose she can’t deviate from, literally tattooed in her skin. Keishin has an imaginative, flexible mind, and a big heart. Both were likeable, but while I expected a romance between the two, I wasn’t entirely convinced by it.

The narrative was interesting. Chapters were short, sometimes only a page long, and they only told exactly what the reader needed to know. The narrative jumped between past and present. I liked it at first, as the story advanced fast. But eventually I found it unsatisfying. Interesting concepts and imaginative ideas were briefly introduced in every chapter, only to be left behind and never properly explored. Action began and ended, without any aftermath, jumping to the next thing on the list.

Characters suffered from this most. There was no time for their emotions, the romance included, and no insight into how they felt at any given moment. There was no room for foreshadowing either. This really backfired with the revelations at the end, as they were pulled out like rabbits from a hat: they were interesting but with no emotional impact. The ending fell completely flat.

All in all, this was a four-star book at the beginning, but as I grew dissatisfied with it, I had to lower my rating. Still, it’s well-written and imaginative, so if you read for ideas, not emotions, give it a try.

I had high hopes for this one but ended up DNFing around 45% as it just wasn’t for me.

Technically this book is exactly how it is described, it is in fact a low stakes whimsical fantasy book (with a romance sub plot). Based on early reviews there are many people who love this book for a range of reasons. If the description sounds like your vibe then it may still be worth a shot.

The main things that put me off personally were the insta-love romance (I wasn’t prepared for it to be so romance heavy) in combination with the characters feeling underdeveloped. I also found the narrative to be a little disjointed at times which somewhat reduced the whimsy feelings.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

‘Water Moon’ is already getting a stellar reception and it’s not even out yet, and now that I’ve read it, I totally understand why.

I was initially lured in by the beautiful cover, tempted by the Tokyo setting, and was fully locked in with the comparisons to Studio Ghibli and the genre of healing fiction. I’ve dabbled in the genre briefly, but I’ve never fallen in love with it. If ‘Water Moon’ indicates a new iteration of the genre then I think I could definitely fall in love with it.

On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it.

Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just 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 other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice – through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own – and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back.

Step into the captivating and romantic fantasy novel that will sweep you away on an unforgettable adventure - perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli, Erin Morgenstern and Before the Coffee Gets Cold!

I was immediately blown away by Samantha Sotto Yambao’s writing. There feels like there’s real magic in her words. It’s not just the character development and arcs of Hana and Kei, it’s the unravelling of this secret world hidden in a pawnshop behind a ramen shop and the jumping through puddles and being folded through paper doors to reach another realm. Every page delivers a new whimsy and a new note of magic, but underwritten by sadness and hope and longing in the most beautiful way.


The main motivation for Hana is finding her father and solving the mystery of his disappearance, but there’s so much more to it. This sub-genre of magical realism rarely has big twists and turns, it’s soft and gentle and emotional, but ‘Water Moon’ delivers a little bit extra in this way. There’s a moment towards the end of the novel that actually made me gasp. It revealed an undercurrent to Hana’s motivations that was completely unexpected and really added some depth and stakes to the whole journey where there aren’t usually in the genre.

There is some insta-love and the pace is pretty intense so I actually would have liked ‘Water Moon’ to be a little longer and to give us time to dwell in the magic, even though there’s real urgency in Hana and Kei’s task. Basically, I wanted to stay in this world.

This is Samantha Sotto Yambao’s UK debut and I really hope that this is the beginning of something for her as I’d very much like to read her backlist, or honestly, whatever she brings out next.

‘Water Moon’ is my favourite book of the year so far and I’m so, so glad that I read it so early on in the year. It’s sad, romantic, enchanted and utterly transportive; I can’t recommend it enough to bright and soften the hard, long days of January.

Thank you to Transworld and NetGalley for the review copy.

Written by Sophie

Thank you to the publisher for a beautiful ARC of this book.

Watermoon was a wonderful experience. I've only read a handful of Japanese fantasy novels and I've been so engrossed in the books everytime. It was so refreshing to see fantasy done in a way that is original, unique and truly feels like an escape. The world is unlike so many fantasy worlds and so it was so easy to get lost in it whilst at the same time feeling inspired and in awe at its beauty.

I would highly recommend this book.

Water Moon is a novel that weaves elements of magical realism with a poignant exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery. It follows a character's journey through a richly imagined world, drawing on cultural themes and personal experiences.

Yambao's descriptive prowess brings the story to life with vivid imagery and sensitive handling of themes like grief and healing. Her descriptions of settings and emotions are particularly striking and commendable. The cultural elements add a profound depth and authenticity to the narrative, making it a truly immersive experience.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the immersive quality of Yambao's writing, its pacing and thematic complexity may not resonate with everyone. Some characters felt distant, and the ending left me yearning for more closure.

Overall, despite its pacing issues and ambiguous ending, Water Moon is a beautifully crafted novel that captivates with its rich language and emotional depth. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and immersive experience.

31/2 stars for me.
This was not like anything I've read before. The characters were likeable enough, they jumped from place to place which sometimes took me a second to get my bearings.
I read it over a week in short intervals, so I didn't feel like it grabbed me right away. Maybe it would have if I had longer times to read.
Overall I enjoyed it

This is a cool, whimsical read about how even the smallest choices we make can change everything. I loved the concept of this book however I felt the storyline could have been a little bit clearer. The characters constantly jump from one place to another throughout the entire story and while each location was unique and fascinating to read about, it felt a little confusing and disjointed at times. I liked the characters but didn't love them and I feel like the romance wasn't necessary. Overall, I liked it and it was a fun read, but it took me a while to properly get into it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

This is quite an inventive and fantastical tale! Full of magic and romance, and with a touch of healing fiction

The premise of Water Moon, with a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, sounded very much like another healing fiction book (which I'm here for), but the novel took a turn quite early on; it seems to play with our expectations of books of that kind to do something very different. Is it still healing fiction? In a way, I'd say yes, but it's also not (in a very good way!)

The pawnshop mentioned before is run by Toshio Ishikawa and his daughter, Hana. We meet them right on Toshio's last day running the shop, which he's passing on to his daughter. She wakes up on her first day running the pawnshop to find her father missing and the shop ransacked. In her journey to find her father, we readers discover Hana's world with wonderment, alongside Kei—a man from another world (and I mean that in many ways) - who helps her and who she also gets to know in amazement. However, Hana's world isn't all filled with wonder; it's also filled with secrets, regrets and guilt, all of which unravel as we go along this journey.

I really liked this book! I thought the world-building was quite incredible, and the cover definitely matched the tone of the novel. I was able to be a part of #TheDreamersBookClub, a buddy read promoted by Bantam Books, and it was amazing to read it alongside other incredible readers.

Thank you very much to Bantam Books and NetGalley for my copy of the book! #gifted

Would you rewrite your destiny if it meant losing a part of your past?

On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it.

Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just 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 other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice – through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own – and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back.

What a beautiful, whimsical and magical book. I absolutely loved it.

A cosy, low-stakes fantasy for fans of Studio Ghibli and Legends and Lattes.

I love a whimsical book but don't read enough of them. Water Moon was the perfect little fantasy for cold, winter nights. Beautifully written with imaginative imagery, it combined worldbuilding with Japanese culture with ease and made it flow. I personally loved the concept of the night market in the clouds, where all lost things eventually find a home.

Though the worldbuilding and storytelling were beautiful and rich, the plot suffered a little to get this done so well. The relationship between the two main characters felt a little rushed and wooden but just a little bit more of relationship building would have fixed this.

Special shout out to the cover artist as well for perfectly conveying the vibe of the story!

Thank you to Random House UK and Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Bantam for the ARC.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to read this book. I have seen a lot of reviews of people enjoying this book.

This fantasy mystery novel is a curiously compelling read that transports you beyond this world , for fans of Studio Ghibli, Starless Sea and Before the Coffee Gets Cold with a touch of Alice in Wonderland and Weathering with You. Certainly not lacking in excellent plot twists, but unfortunately in emotional depth which was a pity.

I think the songs that best match the vibes of the book are Ed Sheeran’s “All of the Stars” and Taylor Swift’s “Wonderland”.

Water Moon is Yambao’s 5th novel and first UK debut. I could tell from the stunning descriptions in the opening chapters that she has a natural gift for storytelling. One example is when Toshio is speaking to the mysterious lady who enters the shop about the pottery with kintsugi, she says that some people hide their damage better than others, and it is spoken “so softly it was as if she were worried that her voice might shatter the bowl” – it captures the essence of the woman here! She is desperate, she feels broken and fragile. Beautiful!

I think the Japanese culture was introduced and explored very well, with mention of the kintsugi technique which repairs broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold (a reminder to embrace imperfections – “Broken things have a unique kind of beauty, don’t you think?”). Hana also feels like if the pawn shop had a name, it would be Ikigai (which is Japanese for “reason for living” or “sense of purpose”). We also have a great paragraph about Studio Ghibli ruining Kei’s experience with buses ever since seeing the Catbus (couldn’t agree more!).

I really love the concept of this story! The different things that make Hana’s world different from ours were unique and reminded me of Alice in Wonderland: like the shells that don’t sound like the ocean but tell jokes instead, crane birds that are made out of paper, prayers that are listened to instead of spoken, trains that are not guaranteed to ever show up, even after 50 years (though, it could be argued that trains not running on time can sometimes feel that way in our world haha) – oh and if you are missing any socks, chances are they or any forgotten things have arrived at stall 510 in the market place. It was a lot of ideas thrown together and, while some are random, it worked rather well. Curiouser and curiouser, indeed.

However, from the moment when Keishin shows up, the beautiful descriptions I mention feel like they vanish and the pacing shifts drastically from slow to fast. Too fast, methinks. The bond between Kei and Hana is really sweet but missing a lot of depth so I didn’t feel for them as much as I’d have liked. I mean, take this example: “Keishin brushed his lips against her wrist. Hana’s cheeks flushed. She pulled her hand away.” This otherwise lovely moment feels super quick and even unrealistic! Surely there could have been more of a time-standing-still moment, how they feel in this moment. Please, don’t give us nothing!

The world-building happens as the reader goes, so we are essentially finding things out at the same time as Kei – which I consider a weaker aspect as there is no history or backstory behind a lot of it. Some thoughts: how did the Whispering Temple come to be? Why is it invisible? How is time folded into paper? It’s just a: this exists, this conveniently happens and that’s that.

Other than the obvious bad guys called the Shiikuin (“caretakers”), nobody was evil. I thought we would have had people who were actually working for them, especially since Hana is always talking about how things are not what they seem. I wondered if Haruto would be considering his initial description of looking “strikingly beautiful”. Yet not a single person snitched or double-crossed them? That’s not very realistic and is a wasted opportunity.

Now, don’t get me wrong, let’s look at this from an anime perspective, particularly the likes of Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Castle in the Sky) and CoMix Wave Films (Your Name, Weathering with You, Suzume). Most of these films I have listed that these Studios made have straightforward (albeit sometimes confusing) plots with some interesting magical elements and a bond between the male and female love interests that could be considered not that deep just enough to show some chemistry. As far as I am concerned, this follows that sort of blueprint just fine.

The multiple plot twists near the end I wasn’t expecting and they were great, though it took me a moment to get my head around. There were so many I felt like “another one, thank yew” haha.

Haruto has to be actually the only character that struck me the most. Talk about a character who deserved the world: I have never felt more sorry or sad for a character in my life. The gorgeous man with incredible talents, the unrequited love, the sacrifice he makes anyway. I love you, sir!

🩵🩵🩵 “And you are an ocean, Hana. Gentle and quiet, yet powerful enough to sweep away any man or ship. I drowned in you a long time ago and I did not even know it.” 🥹

What an adventure this story was 😭! Going in blind made it even better. It took my breath away & sparked my imagination like never before - honestly, I’ve never visualised a book so vividly in my mind before. This was a wonderful story I wish I could read for the first time again.

Thank you for the ARC Bantambooks UK 💫

I looked forward to reading this book as I enjoyed the food detectives novels and others of this genre.
Unfortunately this book was not for me, I found it too whimsical and not engaging.
I have read other reviews and most people seem to live it.
Thank you NetGalley and Samantha for this ARC.

Thank you to Bantam Books for the advance reader copy for my honest review! I so loved taking part in a community read along for this title, the sense of collective experience really worked with the dreamy whimsy of WATER MOON.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a read which truly takes you on a journey. Where each turn holds something familiar and yet skewed just enough with dream logic that you say, “ah, I know you, and yet…” WATER MOON is a dream within a dream, with a nightmare just hanging around the corner. There is delight and there is whimsy in the worldbuilding, puddles which are portals, the “ah, but why ~wouldn’t that be made like that?” essence when it comes to familiar items turned on their heads; but there are also sinister elements which lend a true air of tension to the story.

While I would say that this is mostly vibes, and a little plot, the pure heart within its pages is what I stuck around for. I was involved with the plot, I wanted to know what happened, but I was mainly just happy to be alongside Hana and Keishin as they journey to find Hana’s missing father before a sinister force can get to him first. Hana is our guide through her world, leading the ever-analytical Keishin through it on a quest he takes up to discover true wonder. True purpose. Along the way, some truths are shared, and the power of choice is revealed.

It had the same feeling as a Studio Ghibli film, where the protagonists are racing against forces which have great capacity for harm, but the colours are saturated and there are pretty, wonder-inducing things to distract you on the way. I delighted in Hana and Keishin’s relationship, though their connection felt the tiniest instant. But again - it’s Ghibli. It’s that, “ah, I know you” feeling, and so it worked for this type of story.

I truly I feel like this will become a comfort read for me, as it walks a thin line between comforting and just dark enough that it reminds me not all choices are good, and not everything that seems wonderful is so - but it also reminds me that there is wonder to be found in the smallest of things, as long as we don’t forget to look.

Bookreview: Water Moon🌊🌙 by Samantha Sotto Yambao
If you could sell your regrets to a pawnshop would you take it?
This book is my first 5 star read of 2025 and boy does it deserve it.
This dreamlike enchanting fantasy novel feels like watching a studio ghibli movie. It is beautiful, bizar, and gives you all the emotions.
Somewhere in Tokyo there is a pawnshop you will only walk into it (instead of a ramen bar) when you are truly lost, and pawn of your life choices and deepest regrets.
Hana takes over the shop from her father but on her first day it is suspiciously ransacked and she things her dad went away on a dangerous journey. A strange man walks into the store and does not need her help but offers to go with her instead. They enter a mystical world and so the ghibli movie begins...
I basically read this book in one sitting because I could not put it down. Every single page brought magic and awe due to the author's writing style and imagination. It was a mysterious trip and I highly recommend you try it out yourself! Water Moon is out TODAY so please pick it up to start your reading year off with some cosy magical goodness!💗

Have you ever felt like the rain is following you?
Then perhaps, you are not meant for this world, my friend.

Tomorrow is the day. Hana’s father, Toshio, will retire, and she will take over the pawnshop.

When Hana wakes up the next day, however, things look quite different.
A stranger named Keishin stumbles inside, looking for ramen. Unlike any other client, he offers help instead of needing it.

“The most interesting things are invisible”

Despite danger and possible consequences, my heart did not speed up. The book is written in a beautiful way that let me enjoy what was written.
I never felt any urge, other than to get to read the next words. The whispers of nothing you can see and touch.

Riding on songs, travel by rumours, and visiting a nightmarket in the clouds. Their dreamy quest takes me places I have never even dreamed of, and I adore every bit of it.

Of course, there is a sweet sense of humour, too.
Would it be possible with sweet music between the two?

This is the most beautiful book I have ever read. Made up be the most beautiful sentences I can ever remember reading. With eyes like Kei, the wonders revealed themselves to me.

WaterMoon has a lovely concept in the storyline, a pawnshop where you leave behind your deepest regret, for a lifetime freedom from the torment of "what if".

But, the execution left me wanting more. I may be in the minority here but the lead characters felt wooden and the romantic storyline lacked depth for me to really buy into their tribulations and in the end I really didn't care much for the outcome of them.

From the very first page, 'Water Moon' cast a spell on me. The idea of a pawnshop where you can trade away your regrets for peace of mind is utterly captivating. It's a haunting image, and the book explores this concept with such grace.

The settings are vividly described, so alive with detail that I felt like I was right there, breathing the same air as the characters.

The story is rich with layered meaning and subtle morals, inviting contemplation without ever feeling preachy. This is a truly sublime reading experience that will linger long after you turn the final page.

Highly recommended for fans of magical realism and of course, Studio Ghibli (I honestly feel like an adaptation would be incredible).

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House UK for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautifully written story. It’s a fantastical delight, that takes you on a journey with such mesmerising descriptions, a real treat for all the senses. It is filed with wise teachings about life and the choices we make and the implications of them, creating impact on outcomes and how it affects not only ourselves but those around us. The story touched my inner child too, I would have absolutely loved to be able to achieve some of the ways of travel and adventures experienced.

I was completely elated with the ending and it left me with such a warm affection and satisfaction of a book wrapped up so eloquently. I found it to be such a splendid and heart warming read!

I also absolutely love the book cover, it’s so pretty and reflects the story wonderfully!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and all involved in making it possible for me to read an ARC copy of this wonderful book for an honest review.