Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao, picked by Bookseller Camila
“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.” ~ from the Water Moon book jacket
Sometimes a choice weighs heavy on your soul. What if you had the opportunity to “pawn” your biggest regret and erase that choice and all its repercussions from your life? Would you do it? Which choice would you pawn?
Hana Ishikawa wakes up a little groggy after an evening of celebrating her father’s retirement. This would be her first day taking over the pawnshop that has been in her family for generations. As she heads down the stairs to the eerily quiet shop, she realizes something is amiss. The pawnshop is ransacked, her father is nowhere to be seen, the front door is open, and a choice is missing… through the open door a stranger appears and offers assistance.
Water Moon is a magical journey through a fantastical world created by Samantha Sotto Yambao. Readers will get lost in this beautifully written whimsical fantasy, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films. Water Moon is a heartfelt tale about love, loss, and the weight of choices. Let your imagination soar like the origami cranes that whisk Hana & Keishin off on their journey through her world to find her missing father, and along the way, solve a heartbreaking mystery from her past. If you enjoy well written fantasy and imaginative world building, this is a must read! I loved this book!