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Water Moon

Samantha Sotto Yambao

4.24

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical quest when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike fantasy novel.

“Race through a lush world of pure wonder and romance—kites made of wishes that become stars, origami that holds time in its folds, and a night market in the clouds—in this lovely, cozy fantasy reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern's The Starless Sea.”—Booklist (starred review)

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.

“Highly recommended . . . Readers who have been swept up in the cozy charm of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee will fall hard for the mix of magical realism, fantasy mystery, and star-crossed romance.”—Library Journal (starred review)

AdultFantasyScience FictionContemporaryFictionFairy TalesMythologyRomanceMysteryThrillerAction & Adventure
Pages
374
First published
January 14, 2025
Language
English
Edition
Ebook

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Shelved by 11 Litcadians

Reviews

  • Started May 27, 2026 · Finished May 30, 2026

  • Started February 26, 2025 · Finished February 28, 2025

  • Finished May 2, 2025

    4.25 ⭐ This is a captivating read! Its intriguing premise beautifully blends a whimsical atmosphere with touches of magical realism, creating a world that feels both real and dreamlike. (Side note: While listening to the audio in the car, my daughter asked me if it was a dream.) Thought-provoking throughout, the story encourages reflection on the life-altering power of our decisions, no matter how small or insignificant those decisions may seem at the time. If you appreciate stories that weave the ordinary with the extraordinary, this may be a worthwhile read.

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