DNF at 20%. This was a fun concept with a beautiful cover, but unfortunately the style just did not hold my interest enough to continue. The writing is stiff and sparse, I'm unsure if this is the original author's style or a result of the translation, which results in a stripped back narrative that's more tell than show, and lacks the dreamy, descriptive quality you might expect from the concept.

It also led to some confusion about the intended audience: it feels too simple for an adult audience, but lacking the emotional touchpoints that would cater to young adults. Seirin reads very young, but not in a way that younger readers would necessarily identify with. I wondered more than once why people weren't alarmed by a young child wandering alone, except she's almost college age.

There will be audience for this, fans of quiet translated fiction familiar with the pared back style. Unfortunately this one wasn't for me.

*Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

I absolutely loved this book. The friendship between Serin and Issha was beautiful. I loved reading about the two companions journeys through each marketplace to choose a better life and the introspection that came with each option.

It’s a very cosy read and one that can be read in one sitting with a mug of hot chocolate and some comfy clothes. I will most certainly be revisiting this story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC of this delightful book.

Stepping into The Rainfall Market feels like being whisked away into a dream. This enchanting tale is a delicate blend of magical realism and heartfelt introspection, inviting readers to explore the delicate balance between desire, happiness, and the lives we wish to lead.

Serin’s journey is both captivating and bittersweet. The story sparkles with lush imagery, making the world within the Rainfall Market come alive. It’s the kind of book that envelops you in warmth, much like a cosy cup of cocoa on a rainy afternoon. The pacing is perfect, keeping readers engaged without rushing the story’s poignant, fable-like charm.

Serin’s weeklong quest to find the perfect life is beautifully interwoven with themes of self-discovery and choice. The whimsical nature of the market echoes the wonder of Studio Ghibli films.

Though devourable in one sitting, this is a story that lingers long after the last page. Its gentle wisdom and heartwarming message will leave you reflecting on your own definitions of happiness and fulfilment.

I loved this book. I thought the characters were written exceptionally well. The location sounded so idealistic that it would be somewhere I would love to go

I like Gobin markets, and the blurb of this book promised a Korean version. It was very interesting to read as Serin explored the market and came across potential life after potential life. Something was refreshing with how the orbs always showed the worst case sceniro of what she wanted and how she had to decide from that but was too young to understand that.

It was sweet but definitely more YA than adult.

The Rainfall Market is a short and easy read, with fantasy/fairy tale elements reminiscent of Studio Ghibli. The main character, Serin, is a young girl who dreams of a better life, something which can be gained from the magical Rainfall Market that only appears on the first day of monsoon season. Lucky enough to receive an invite to the Market, Serin sets forth with the aim to make her dream come true — but nothing is ever easy, or obvious, especially dreams.

This was a sweet and whimsical read, but I would say it’s more YA than adult. I really loved the character of Isha. Recommended.

I received an e-ARC from the publisher, Michael Joseph, through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Net Galley for the arc.

As soon as I read the description of this book I knew I needed to read it, as a big Studio Ghibli and fairytale fan. I even had a couple of friends send it my way, and I'm so glad I picked this book up.

Everything about this lovely story, the world, the fuzzy feelings, the characters, the rooting for good to prevail. I just adored it.

I couldn't have loved Serin and Issha more, the book made me want to reach in and give them both the biggest hugs and tell them everything was okay.

Gorgeous book, beautifully written. I cannot wait to read more by You Yeong-Gwang. Also this needs to be an animated movie, asap!

Absolutely loved this book so much! I loved the premise of the book where people can write to this abandoned house in Rainbow Town about all their woes and if they received a ticket back they can bring it to the house on the first day of the rainy season to be granted entry into the Rainfall market, allowing them the chance to completely change their life. I loved Serin and Issha (the magical cat) and the whole set up was ticking all my boxes (cats, books, rainy season, magical realms) but as usual everything comes at a price and it gives Serin time to think about what she really wants, and at what cost.

Not one for be, unfortunately a DNF. Beautifully written, and I enjoyed the mood shifts between locations and characters, but the story just didn't grab me.

So the reason I wanted to read this book is because the I saw it on Netgalley and the synopsis sounded so cool! Friends, this book was literally magical. I have not read something so sweet and heart-warming and whimsical as this in a long long time. This book gave me such a feeling of nostalgia as it genuinely reminded me of the movies I used to watch as a child in the 90s early 2000s (Think spirited away/The Labyrinth). This is very much advertised as adult on Goodreads however personally I do think this would be perfectly fine to be in the YA section too. I loved the simplicity of the writing because it genuinely made me not want to put this book down as it was easy to follow along, however was still able to fully immerse me in the world and the story that I was following. I would 100% love to pick up another book by this author, and would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants some nostalgic fantasy vibes!

This Studio Ghibli-esque book was a lovely cosy read for me, though I would say the writing style/voice of the main character rang as quite young, so I would probably recommend it to a younger audience, rather than adult fiction. This could be a translation issue, but overall it was a sweet read that I enjoyed!

Thank you to You Yeong-Gwang, Michael Joseph and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

The Rainfall Market is a gentle, heart-warming and adventurous story. It reads very much like a Miyazaki film. Much like a Ghibli film it's a book that would appeal to children and adults alike. It would make for a perfect bedtime story.

It's a short book, probably taking less than a day to read. However, it was exactly the right length and I didn't feel short-changed at all by the author.

This is perfect for those who are enjoying the Asian magical realism boom but wish to read about something other than cafes.

I give The Rainfall Market 5 Stars!

The Rainfall Market is a sweet narrative of a girl who seeks to find a new, better life for herself through the Rainfall Market, a mythical place where human-like creatures exchange your misfortune for "the life you desire". It is a story about growth and self-acceptance, and the powers you can find in yourself to move through your life with strength and purpose. I would say that it is more YA or possibly even middle-grade than adult though, and should have been marketed as such. I feel that it would work best for the 10-15 age demographic, not the adult market. It personally didn't appeal to me as much as I am not generally a YA reader and this was very much written and/or translated in a YA style, though I can appreciate it as something that I would have absolutely loved 15 years ago and therefore I would still rate it well.

Thank you so much NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

The Rainfall Market is one of those books you just want to jump straight into and live in.

It’s a wonderfully cosy fantasy story about a mysterious market. The encounters throughout serve as reminders of how important friendships are, how to be grateful with your lot, the grass isn’t always greener, and full of whimsy and warming scenes.

I really enjoyed this and could see this as a cosy Ghibli style movie!

Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, and You Yeong-Gwang for granting me a Netgalley digital ARC of The Rainfall Market.

The Rainfall Market is an imaginative, cozy, light-fantasy story and is an easy, quick read. The plot is like the Goblin Market, the Midnight Library, and Studio Ghibli had a book baby. Focusing on the themes of love, family, friendship, and reminders to appreciate the important things in life and living true to ourselves. I was intrigued by the idea of wishing for the chance to live a different life; I mean, who hasn’t dreamed of what life they would have if they won the lottery? What we wish for is rose-tinted as it might not show us the truth; someone else’s life might look better than ours, but we don’t see their pain, dissatisfaction, sorrows, and disappointments. The writing is straightforward, with short sentences, and not very descriptive about character emotions or set up for the world-building about the Rainfall Market.

The main character, Serin, is a high-schooler who comes to the Rainfall Market with the dream of exchanging her current life, which is bleak and lonely for her. Serin’s character development through the lives she sees for her wishes is a subtle change as she grows to appreciate the life she has, even with all its faults, as the time of her one week at the Rainfall Market counts down. She gains insight into the sacrifices her mum has made for her and the bond her sister shared even though they are apart now. Her loneliness vanishes throughout her journey as she forms a friendship with her cat guardian, Issha, who is waiting to be loved after a life of neglect so he can be reborn.

A short, thought-provoking read about how we miss the good in our own lives, wishing for the greener-looking side of the road. I think some of the magic might have been lost in translation, but I still enjoyed reading this story. Its voice might appeal to a younger audience or those who like simple stories with lots of heartwarming moments and whimsical vibes similar to Spirited Away. I think this would definitely make a great Studio Ghibli movie with all the Dokkaebi creatures and Isha, the cat.

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang, translated by Slin Jung is a magical fable that I think is best suited to younger readers. Serin, a young girl dreaming of a better life decides to try to gain entry to the magical Rainfall Market, which appears every rainy season and grants those lucky enough to be admitted their heart's greatest desire. When she is granted a special golden ticket she is beyond excited, but once inside the market she learns that figuring out what she really wants may not be as easy as she thinks even with the help of a magical cat companion, Isha. To add to the pressure, if she does not figure it out she will be trapped in the market forever.
This is a sweet and charming little story, with a rich magical world for the reader to explore alongside Serin and Isha, I do think I was expecting something a little more complex in terms of the storytelling which became a little repetitive in the middle of the book, and I really think that it is more of a children's story than the description suggested. I liked the richness of the world the author had created in the Rainfall Market itself and its inhabitants, and I think the book gives the reader plenty to think about in terms of what happiness really means.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

A charming and intriguing story that brought a lot more fantasy to the table than other translated fiction I've read - making it just my kind of book! There was a beautiful message embedded in this story about appreciating what we have and I guess, in essence, reminding us that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Serin's character goes on a journey, meeting lots of inhabitants of the Rainfall Market and making friends along the way. There's an air of mystery around the whole thing, and a sense of foreboding as we're offered snippets that suggest all is not what it seems, and Serin may be in danger. In Serin's hunt for a better life for herself, drawn in by the promises of the Market, we better understand that things aren't always what they seem. This story has magic woven throughout and offers so many different experiences, building a rich world for Serin to explore in the pages of this book. I enjoyed this story and was completely charmed by it!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for this eCopy to review

The Rainfall Market is an enchanting tale of self-discovery and magical adventures. The story is told from the perspective of Serin, a lonely girl searching for a better life. She receives a mysterious ticket to the Rainfall Market, a fantastical place where she can trade her life for a new one. The market is filled with curious shops and magical beings, including a charming cat named Issha, who becomes Serin's companion.

As Serin navigates the market, she explores various possibilities for her future, each supposedly more enchanting than the last. However, in each future she sees they are all not quite right for Serin. The story beautifully captures the essence of hope and the desire for a better life, all set against a backdrop of magic and wonder. Yeong-Gwang's writing is both poetic and poignant, making it easy to get lost in Serin's journey.

What truly stands out in The Rainfall Market is the depth of Serin's character development. Her struggles and triumphs resonate with readers, and her determination to find happiness is both inspiring and relatable. The narrative is well-paced, and the world-building is rich and immersive.

Overall, The Rainfall Market is a heart warming and magical read that will leave you contemplating the true meaning of happiness and the lengths we go to achieve it. It's a book that stays with you long after the last page is turned. Highly recommended for fans of magical realism and stories of personal growth.

Very whimsical and full of Studio Ghibli, quirky vibes which i really enjoyed. It was a very sweet story and filled with joy and emotion, however it did feel very notably YA. I think it needed more depth to really draw out my emotions, but i also know this could have been to the choice of the words in the translation. It comes across and very simplistic and lacking something deeper to draw in older readers. However i think it would really appeal to YA readers and give them a good wholesome story to read.
I’d absolutely be visiting the market if it was real, and it resonates with a younger me, hopelessly chasing magic and getting caught up in it. I feel for that reason the plot will resonate with a lot of younger readers I just wish we got a bit more of what our Main character was truly thinking and feeling. I would love to discuss it with someone who read the original version to know if this was the intent or just something lost in translation .

Thank you Penguin Random House/NetGalley for the arc!

If you could swap your life for a better one, which would you choose?

"Sick of your misery and misfortune? Sick of doing nothing but dream of the life you desire? Well, no more! Because we can make your dreams a reality!"

On the first day of monsoon season, The Rainfall Market appears. Inside you'll discover the most magic stores, and anything your heart desires. But you cannot enter without an invitation.

Serin dreams of a bigger, better life. She lives in a small flat with her mother, and often yearns for something more. One day, she receives an invite to the market - a chance to swap her life for a new one, a better one.

Accompanied by a magical cat and a mysterious shadow, Serin has just one week to make her choice before she must leave the market. Fail to do so, and she'll be trapped inside forever.

"Serin, whatever you decide to do with your life, sometimes you'll run into obstacles that make you want to give up and leave. But if whatever you're doing is something you're absolutely sure about, don't give up, you hear me? I have faith in you."

I liked this! Great premise, loved the main character. I've read a few books now with a similar premise and this wasn't quite as heart-warming/heart-breaking as others - I didn't quite get the same level of emotional connection. I would still definitely recommend!