Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Author: Samantha Sotto Yambao
Genre: Fantasy / Magical Realism / Philosophical Adventure
Ideal For: Fans of Studio Ghibli-style wonder, dreamy escapism, and emotional stories that linger like a melody
Imagine stepping through a puddle…and into a world where regrets are traded, regrets become glowing birds, and secrets are unraveled with every fold of origami. That’s precisely the enchanting premise of Water Moon, Samantha Sotto Yambao’s mesmerising fantasy debut that readers are already hailing as a modern classic of magical escapism.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Hana Ishikawa inherits her father’s mystical pawnshop—hidden behind a ramen joint—in Tokyo. Any person burdened by regret can walk through the door and trade away choices that haunt them…in exchange for peace. But on Hana’s first day, the shop is destroyed, her father is missing, and a precious regret is stolen.
Alongside Keishin, a physicist who accidentally discovers the shop, they embark on a surreal quest through “Isekai,” a parallel realm. On this journey of puddle-jumping, paper-folding, and cloud markets, they confront fate, love, regret, and identity.
Why Water Moon Works So Well
1. World-Building That’s Pure Magic
Yambao’s creational power is astonishing. From a train station where travelers wait lifetimes for their destined departure to a floating night market in the clouds, each scene feels both fantastical and grounded in emotional truth. Reviewers consistently praise its dreamlike atmosphere and immersive imagination.
2. Beautiful, Lyrical Prose
Her writing carries a poetic cadence that is sensory-driven and poignant. This subtle, evocative prose has been described as “luminous” and “poetic” without ever drifting into overwrought territory. Reddit readers even compared it to Studio Ghibli. And yes, the effect is that visually lush and emotionally resonant.
3. Emotionally Rich Characters and Themes
Hana’s transformation—balancing destiny against self-determination—struck a deep chord. As she and Keishin travel through surreal realms, their bond evolves from curiosity to profound connection. That interplay of choice versus fate and the weight of regret gives the novel its emotional spine.
You’ll Love Water Moon If You Enjoy…
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – for its whimsical visual wonder
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi – for comfort-steeped Tokyo magic
- The Night Market in the Clouds – if you’re drawn to floating markets and rainy skies
Final Thoughts: A Book to Get Lost In (and Not Want to Leave)
Water Moon is the kind of book that functions as both escape and introspection. It’s breathtakingly imaginative yet quietly wise—packing emotional resonance into every fold, puddle, and night-market stall. Yambao has crafted a gem that asks difficult questions about regret and destiny, even as it delights with scenes of pure wonder.
For anyone craving a reading experience that’s magical, meditative, and emotionally layered, this is your moonlit journey. Tuck this onto your shelf where dreams and reality meet.
