Water Moon: A Novel
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical quest when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike fantasy novel.
FEATURES A UNIQUE ORIGAMI JACKET that folds into a boat, joining the characters in an enchanting way. The jacket artwork is also printed directly onto the hardcover case underneath.
“Race through a lush world of pure wonder and romance—kites made of wishes that become stars, origami that holds time in its folds, and a night market in the clouds—in this lovely, cozy fantasy reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern's The Starless Sea.”—Booklist (starred review)
A LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy 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.
Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice—by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and 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 that she will never be able to take back.
“Highly recommended . . . Readers who have been swept up in the cozy charm of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee will fall hard for the mix of magical realism, fantasy mystery, and star-crossed romance.”—Library Journal (starred review)
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✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI
Readers say *Water Moon* by Samantha Sotto Yambao is a beautifully crafted, whimsical blend of fantasy and magical realism with lush worldbuilding and...
I am going to be thinking about this book for a very long time. It was whimsical, magical, surprisingly wholesome and had so much depth. I absolutely loved the characters, the storyline, the detailed imagery. The author painted some beautiful pictures with her prose, and I was fully immersed in this enchanting book. If this is on your list, I highly recommend moving it up!
This novel is like sipping matcha under a cherry blossom tree while simultaneously questioning every life decision you’ve ever made. The premise? A pawnshop where you can hock your regrets. Imagine rolling up with a suitcase of cringe-worthy moments and trading them for a little peace of mind. Sign me up.
Our protagonist, Hana, inherits this whimsical regret-exchange shop but wakes up on Day One to a missing father, a trashed storefront, and a stolen “precious acquisition.” Classic first-day-on-the-job disasters, right? Enter Keishin, a charming physicist who’s too good-looking to be trustworthy but too helpful to ignore. Together, they embark on a magical scavenger hunt through dreamlike realms, where puddles are portals, paper cranes are Uber drivers, and the night market serves tea with a side of existential dread.
The world-building is lush and atmospheric. You can almost feel the midnight mist and taste the ramen from the shop that’s not really a shop unless you’re lost enough to need it. It’s immersive, enchanting, and occasionally a bit too meandering—like that one friend who insists on telling you every detail of their dream.
Hana is a relatable mess of determination and secret-keeping, and Keishin? He’s a walking contradiction of nerdy brilliance and romantic mystery. Their banter is a highlight, even when you want to scream, “JUST TELL EACH OTHER YOUR SECRETS ALREADY!” But hey, what’s a magical journey without some emotional tension?
Some plot threads dangled a bit too long, and a few moments of clarity hit like a soft whisper instead of a mic drop. But the sheer whimsy and heart more than made up for it.
Overall, Water Moon is a beautifully crafted tale of loss, choice, and the magic hidden in life’s cracks. It’s perfect for fans of The Night Circus or anyone who’s ever wished they could pawn that time they sent a mortifying text to their crush.
Our protagonist, Hana, inherits this whimsical regret-exchange shop but wakes up on Day One to a missing father, a trashed storefront, and a stolen “precious acquisition.” Classic first-day-on-the-job disasters, right? Enter Keishin, a charming physicist who’s too good-looking to be trustworthy but too helpful to ignore. Together, they embark on a magical scavenger hunt through dreamlike realms, where puddles are portals, paper cranes are Uber drivers, and the night market serves tea with a side of existential dread.
The world-building is lush and atmospheric. You can almost feel the midnight mist and taste the ramen from the shop that’s not really a shop unless you’re lost enough to need it. It’s immersive, enchanting, and occasionally a bit too meandering—like that one friend who insists on telling you every detail of their dream.
Hana is a relatable mess of determination and secret-keeping, and Keishin? He’s a walking contradiction of nerdy brilliance and romantic mystery. Their banter is a highlight, even when you want to scream, “JUST TELL EACH OTHER YOUR SECRETS ALREADY!” But hey, what’s a magical journey without some emotional tension?
Some plot threads dangled a bit too long, and a few moments of clarity hit like a soft whisper instead of a mic drop. But the sheer whimsy and heart more than made up for it.
Overall, Water Moon is a beautifully crafted tale of loss, choice, and the magic hidden in life’s cracks. It’s perfect for fans of The Night Circus or anyone who’s ever wished they could pawn that time they sent a mortifying text to their crush.
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