Fantasy isn’t always my cup of tea but when I saw Water Moon being released I knew I had to order a copy (mainly because of the cover art, let’s be honest). I’ve been really getting into my Japanese fiction lately, and let me tell you, Water Moon was one of those books that felt like curling up with a warm cup of hot chocolate on a rainy afternoon. Samantha Sotto Yambao’s storytelling just has a prose-like quality to it – blending magical realism with heartfelt emotion.
Why I Loved It
- The World-Building: The world-building is pure magic – it’s ever-evolving, reaching places you never thought it could go. From puddles that act as wormholes to floating markets in the clouds to lost time held as grains of sand, the creativeness oozed off the pages. And despite it being a fairly short book (384 pages) the imagery was so rich allowing me to visualise the world in crisp clarity.
- Relationship between Hana and Kei: Despite being from two different worlds, their relationship felt so organic. With Hana destined to another and Kei from a world where free will reigns, it seems unlikely that they will bond but they share more similarities than they could imagine – neither quite fitting in to their own realities.
- Exploring Difficult Themes: Water Moon expertly explored difficult topics like regret, destiny and love but in beautiful prose. “It was easier to chew on misery if you did not know what happiness tasted like”, is a beautiful quote for quite a sombre occasion (if you know, you know).
My Reflection
While I adored much of the book, I found the pacing a little uneven. I like the short chapters but the chopping and changing between different periods of time threw me off my flow at time.
The magical pawnshop itself felt like a character in its own right. The concept of regrets transforming into birds and being caged within the vault was both haunting and beautiful. It felt like such a fitting metaphor for the things we hold on to – and the courage it takes to set them free.
The emotional core of the story really stuck with me. The themes of freeing yourself from regret, and charting your own course permeated the pages and are powerful lessons for all of us.
Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely – especially if you enjoy stories that feel a little dreamy and transport you to another world.
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