Samantha Sotto Yambao
Del Rey
14 January 2025
384
eBook - PDF
Fantasy
ARC via NetGalley
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.
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.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment