Water Moon is a story like nothing else I have read.

This small pawn shop on a busy street acts as a portal from our world to theirs. The whole mood of this book, even when there are tense moments, is so cozy. It's almost indescribable the feeling I got whilst reading this. It was so calming.

We are following a character who is from our world being allowed to participate in the traditions and customs of the world through the pond.

The world is so detailed and fully imagined. I wish there was more of it. The chapters are short and sometimes the book touches on a custom, or a part of the world, and explains it quickly and concisely, but then moves on to it. I wish there was more detail and more exploration! It mirrors the speed in which the characters how to do something and move through the different areas, but I wish we could've taken our time.

An amazing novel that really swept me off my feet! It has such a cosy, whimsical feel throughout even during more tense or action-filled moments. The romance didn't particularly add to the story for me, but it certainly didn't detract from it. I really hope to see this novel adapted to screen one day.

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

A great Japanese novel. The world was whimsical and fantastical and mysterious. Initially I enjoyed the mystery component of the novel, but the book was so much more. The story pulled me in and guided me through an amazing reading experience. Despite the mystery it had a cozy feeling. Great characters, world building and atmosphere. A throughly fabulous novel.

Rating - 3.75 stars

I felt like I was living in one of my weird dreams where whimsical things happens and also like I was watching a studio ghibli film. I really liked the writing style, it suited the story so perfectly with its whimsical vibes.

The forbidden romance was a little insta-lovey for me but I still thought it was really cute overall. By halfway through the book I was desperately rooting for Hana and Keishin to have a HEA together because they both deserved to be happy.

The ending made me gasp and tear up with joy and it honestly made my reading experience better because of that satisfying ending.

This story was like dancing through a dream. At first, I was swept in by the mystery, where did he go? Who did that to the shop? But as the story progressed I felt swept off of my feet. The world within this book is wonderful and fantastical, with no clear limitations on what exists. The antagonists fit in with this, but also add a juxtaposition, being part mechanical and completely out of place with the whimsical progression of the story.
I enjoyed the way relationships played out throughout this book, with depth given where necessary and left out to build mystery. The ending worked perfectly with this, and wrapped the story up beautifully.

4.5* rounded up. you know the subgenre of fiction where a person ends up stumbling upon an unassuming establishment - perhaps a library or a café - at just the right time in their life, where they will obtain knowledge that will reset their perspective and change the course of their life? so it goes with water moon, in which the establishment in question is a pawnbroker fronting as a ramen restaurant, and in which the knowledge they receive - or in this case, give away - is a regrettable life choice. now, in all honesty, i eat up this concept every time, having read several and with many more on my tbr. it seems to be hitting peak popularity at the moment and goodreads has already recommended me yet another based on this book. but water moon subverts the general formula early on and instead embarks on a sprawling and heart-warming fantastical adventure. it took me where i didn't expect me to go, made me feel things i didn't expect to feel, and is genuinely a reading highlight of the year so far.

as much as i didn't have massive expectations one way or the other before starting this book (this is my first introduction to sotto yambao's work), i was pulled in pretty much from chapter one and knew it would be good. the writing was so gorgeous and evocative. i felt immersed so early on and it only continued to grow. the magical world of Ikigai was joyful to be introduced to. not just the fantasy of it, but also its use as a foil of our own world and the way it was used to explore themes like choice and free will, and concepts of time; i found it so interesting.

i loved the cast of characters, and hana and keishin worked especially well as main characters. hana was perhaps a little harder to relate to, but we also see how kei experiences the same thing as she's very much a closed book. i think the dynamic of them both bouncing off of each other worked very well; hana might not have worked as well as a standalone character, unless perhaps the story was told from a first-person perspective.

this was such a good read. so cosy and whimsical, and also emotional in the best way. and i'm just in love with the cover. i'd definitely recommend reading this once it comes out early next year - and i might have to grab myself a physical copy!

massive thanks to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Bantam, and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

The story starts in Tokyo and the world bulding has Japanese elements, so any Japanese fiction fans would love this. But so would the fantasy readers because the world and creatures in this book is so magical and beautifully crafted. I wouldn’t call this a cosy fantasy as there is too much is at stake for Hana, but it is dream-like. There is slow-burn romance that’s tender and bittersweet🥹 but it is secondary to the main story about Hana finding her own path, breaking away from what she’s previously believed.

Water Moon is a daydream inside a fairy tale.

I do not know how the author thought of half of the things inside this book but I bow down to her for it!

An absolutely mesmerising story that whisks you along with it to worlds you can only dream of. A tale of love, destiny, grief, purpose, family, and learning who you are.

I think we all have regrets we wish we could change but when you really think about it, WOULD you make a different choice? The way this book explores that idea as the foundation to everything is amazing.

The writing is so fluid and beautiful that while you're immersed in the pages, you forget time for a moment while you're jumping through puddles and flying on paper cranes with Hana and Kei.

Hands down one of the best arcs I've had the pleasure of reading.

I want to start by saying how beautiful this book was. The rollercoaster of emotions has left me staring into space wondering if I'm in the real world or not?

Exceptional debut!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars book from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling in Water Moon and relatable, likable characters,. Loved every single second reading it.

A great Japanese fantasy novel with beautiful writing.
Water Moon hooks you in with its unique story building, starting with magical realism then delving into whimsical fantasy.
This was a great read and I loved the imaginative take on fantasy genre!

A beautiful magical fantasty that transports you from the first pages when you start this book. From the first few pages I was hooked on this cosy whimsical story. I found the pace was good and the story left me wanting more. If you’re a fan of the ghibli movies you will love this book.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6729374440

For a while I couldn't decide whether this was on the right side of the twee vs magical and enchanting line, but as time passed I warmed to it, and I ended up enjoying it a lot. The story is unique and imaginative (unless it's based on something Japanese that I don't know about!), and the ending is satisfying and ties up all the loose ends nicely This might be one for those who, like me, enjoy suspending their disbelief for a good K-drama - it's in a similar vein.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved the concept at the start, and the introduction of the characters. Hana's journey to explore the mystery of her Mother's death and the people and creatures she meets are beautifully drawn. This is unlike the sort of book i normally enjoy, and a little too fantastic for me. However I would encourage others to take a look, it's a wonderful escape.

Finally had chance to sit down and read this book.

Can I just say I absolutely loved it, something about the story just feels very inviting and warm. After seeing the cover I was interested to see hat the book was about exactly. I was definitely not disappointed, such a beautiful book.

Water Moon is my new favourite book, hands down. What is it about some writers that just manage to capture the life of humans so well? I fell in love Samanthas writing and I had the most horrible boookslump-week after I finished this. Please read this as soon as possible, it will give you so much comfort and joy.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy!

This is a fantasy novel and i apologise for not taking better care for reading synopsis i didnt read to end. Although the summary of this makes me think of introduction to gremlins an introduction to mogwai. Dnf not fantasy driven

Water Moon was an ethereal fantasy story with a dream-like quality. At first I thought it would be in the style of recent Japanese magical realism novels set in restaurants, cafes etc. but although it started that way it quickly transitioned into full fantasy. The world building was well handled and introduced in a natural, progressive way. The characters were interesting and their stories held my attention throughout. I felt the relationship between them also developed in a believable way. I enjoyed the blend of folklore elements into the story and the pacing was generally good throughout. I would recommend this book to fans of more whimsical fantasy which still also packs some emotional punch. I am giving it 4.5 stars.

The writing was amazing and wonderful. It's was an easy and simple book with beautiful writing which definitely enhanced my reading experience of this book. I finished it in two sittings yet i believe I can reread it again and again. I had a great time reading this gem.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t what I got. Water moon was a bizarre and dreamy reading experience in the most positive of ways. Part love story, part fantasy with a dollop of magical realism and a good helping of science fiction, this book was unexpectedly gorgeous. Tackling hard hitting topics like death, consequence of choice, existentialism and fate can sometimes make for an extremely heavy load. Yamboa takes those topics and easily floats them on ruminative cloud of reflective light never making readers feel bogged down but somehow helping them to question the choices they themselves might have made. It’s quite the accomplishment. Additionally, Water Moon boasts one of the most unique storylines and magic systems I have encountered with well thought out characters and excellent pacing. It’s hard to give any details on the actual content of the story because I feel like the most fun part of reading this was going in completely blind. What I will say is, it was a beautiful journey that you will not regret picking up.