About this book
(Blurb from Penguin Random House SA)
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.
ISBN 9780857505347
Format Trade Paperback
Recommended Price R355.00
Published February 2025
My Thoughts
My Thoughts“Books do not find value when they are written. They find value when they are read. Every book here is both worthless and priceless at the same time. It depends on who you ask.”
When I first picked up Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao, I was immediately captivated by its enchanting premise and whimsical tone. The story follows Hana, a young woman inheriting her family’s mystical pawnshop, where regrets and choices are traded. Her father’s sudden disappearance on her first day thrusts her into a magical quest to find him, and with the help of Keishin, a scientist from another world, she embarks on an extraordinary adventure. Together, they travel through ethereal landscapes—jumping through puddles, folding into new dimensions, and sailing through clouds. The narrative is vibrant and full of imagination, with every twist uncovering something unexpected.
“Losing your way is oftentimes the only way to find something you did not know you were looking for.”
The themes of the book resonated deeply with me. It’s a story about regret, self-discovery, and hope, exploring how our choices define us. It also blends the mystical with the philosophical, raising questions about reality and the interplay between science and magic. Family and loss play a central role too, adding an emotional weight to the narrative. I especially appreciated how the book invited me to ponder life’s mysteries while immersing me in its magical world.
“There is something beautiful about autumn that makes things more beautiful. Out of all the seasons, it is the most honest about time. Summer and spring blind you to its passing with their colorful displays. Winter paints over everything in white. But autumn is not shy about things coming to an end. It welcomes it, waving leafy flags of red, yellow, and gold. It celebrates its sadness.”
One of the standout aspects for me was the world-building. Samantha Sotto Yambao’s creativity knows no bounds—Hana’s world is a place where pools are portals, choices take on physical forms, and highways are made of rumours. The writing was utterly transportive, reminding me of Studio Ghibli films and Alice in Wonderland. The whimsical, dreamlike quality of the book pulled me in completely, and I loved every imaginative detail.
“Happiness does not exist in a place. It lives in every breath we take. You need to choose to take it in, over and over again.”
That said, I did have some frustrations. While the pacing was fast, there were moments where it felt uneven—certain parts dragged, while the ending felt rushed and left me with unanswered questions. The romance between Hana and Keishin didn’t quite work for me either. Their chemistry felt forced, and I wasn’t fully invested in their relationship. I found myself wishing their connection had been given more time to develop naturally.
“Just because things have been done a certain way doesn’t mean that’s how they should always be. And if I fail, so what? That just means I’m eliminating a wrong turn and getting closer to the right one.”
Despite these issues, I still thoroughly enjoyed the journey. The book is brimming with originality, and its philosophical undertones offered plenty to think about. The magical setting was a joy to explore, even if the story’s execution felt a bit uneven at times.
“On their own, one man’s eyes were not more memorable than another’s. It was how they looked at you that made you remember them.”
If you love whimsical fantasy, rich world-building, and stories that explore big ideas, Water Moon is definitely worth a read. It reminded me of the joy of getting lost in an imaginative tale, even if I wished for a little more emotional depth in the characters and relationships. Overall, it’s a unique and charming adventure that left me inspired and transported to another world.
Thank you to Penguin Random House SA for the chance to read this book.
Read an Extract here: Extract: Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao Penguin Random House South Africa
About the Author
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@roelia_reads Ah @Penguin Random House SA – you make my heart sing! Freestyle Cooking with Chef Ollie #Cookbook #SouthAfricanCooking The Favourites by Layne Fargo #Contemporary #Romance Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao #MagicRealism #Fantasy These three books are all brand new releases, and available at most booksellers. Which one will you be interested in reading? What other new/recent releases are you looking forward to? Tip – check out Penguin Random House SA’s website for reading inspiration! #RoeliaReads #ChefOllie #LayneFargo #samanthasottoyambao #PenguinRandomHouseSA #MyReadingList #TBR ♬ Nirvana – Official Sound Studio
