Title: Water Moon
Author: Samantha Sotto Yambao
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: January 2024
Format: Hardcover, Illumicrate edition
Length: 374 pages
Read if you like: unique magical worlds, the role of fate, the pursuit of happiness, an examination of the impact of the choices we make, beautiful imagery, family obligation
Rating:
Water Moon has been sitting on my shelf for ages. I received it when I still had an active Illumicrate subscription, and even though it was visually stunning, I never felt compelled to pick it up off my shelf. I was looking for something cozy and unique, and remembered this book being billed as fitting that niche, so I finally grabbed it to take a read. I’m so glad that I did because it was a lovely story.
Water Moon is a wonderfully unique fantasy. The author does a tremendous job of illustrating a universe that sits on top of our own with lush imagery that brings it to life, while simultaneously exploring concepts like fate and family obligation in a very heartfelt way.
I really enjoyed my time with this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, gorgeously built world.
The Book Synopsis: Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
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.
The Review
What a lovely, cozy story! This one was so unique that I loved getting lost in it.
The setting, being an alternate world of magic behind a ramen shop in Tokyo, was enchanting. I loved learning about the world through Keishan’s naive eyes, where every single page seemed to turn up new magic. So much of it felt unique and whimsical that it was easy to get lost in the story and the experiences of the characters.
Speaking of the characters, both Hana and Kei grew on me as the story went on. They both felt a little flat for a while, but as a handful of twists and turns I genuinely didn’t see coming came barreling through towards the end of the novel, they transformed in ways I hadn’t been expecting. Seeing their relationship together, but also with the world around them, was what came together to make the story truly compelling.
The narrative, focused on the weight of choice and how dramatically it can alter your fate, was well told. Stylistically, I loved the short chapters and whimsical, cozy vibes that the book gave off, even during times where the plot was heavier than I expected.
This was a solid book and a fun trip through a unique-feeling world of magic. A perfect pick if you want something imagery-heavy to sink into.
