Would you rewrite your destiny if it meant losing a part of your past?
Step into the captivating and romantic fantasy novel that will sweep you away on an unforgettable adventure – perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli, Erin Morgenstern and Before the Coffee Gets Cold!
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao, Narrated by Cindy Kay Published by Books on Tape; January 14, 2025 Genres:Fiction | Fantasy | Romance | Magical Realism | Japan Time: 9 hours 41 minutes Format: Audiobook Source: Libby Add to Goodreads Buy on Amazon T/W: Alcohol, abortion mentioned, blood and injury depiction, loss of a parent, murder and physical assault mentioned, abandonment Rated: Adult ★★★★☆ | 4 / 5
Summary:
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.
Review
I saw a lot of BookTokers talking about this, and many who did not enjoy it at all. However, I may be the odd one out to say that I actually liked the story. I judged the book by the cover, and just had to read it. Water Moon has a beautiful cover, the art depicting the very heart of the story and what it is about.
I had no expectations of what I was getting into story wise, save for it taking place in a pawn shop. The rest was an unexpected pleasant surprise. And I think when someone goes to read a book, this is how it should be. The audiobook was narrated wonderfully, and I listened to this on and off while doing my chores around the house.
The main character Hana was persistent in her journey as she uncovered truths and revealed secrets to find outwhat exactly was happening, both in the present and in the past. There were a few plot twists I did not see coming, which added to the charm of the narrative.
Aside from taking place in a pawn shop, there are deeper magical worlds we get to explore and adventure on as Hana takes Keishin on this hunt to discover where her father has truly gone to.
It was a very creative and well executed fantasy as everything comes together. I would recommend to those who would like to read a fantasy, but takes place with a Japan backdrop.
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