This. Was. Exceptional. This book brought me back to the days of reading in the middle of the night under my covers because I could not wait to see where we went next. Water Moon is perfect for fantasy readers that want a break from the norm, and want to be immersed in a delightfully unique alternate dimension. It's a vibrant, dreamlike fantasy, but with the perfect sprinkling of mystery to keep you on your toes.

Water Moon is a fantastical, dreamy fantasy set in Tokyo, where a magical pawnshop can be found only by those that need to find it. There, they can pawn their life's deepest regrets for a chance at a clean slate. The pawnshop exists in a dreamlike alternate universe, where everything is not as it seems. In this world, you can teleport to other places by jumping in puddles, listen to prayers spoken into smoke, and walk through towns made entirely of paper and ink.

I was captivated by Yambao's writing style. Yambao painted some of the most unique and beautiful worlds that I've ever read. This book was fast-paced, with nearly every chapter leaving me wondering what I'll see next. I'm usually one that can guess where the story will go next, and I didn't guess correct one single time. There is also a wonderful blend of Japanese culture and folklore that was very tastefully done.

Overall, Water Moon is one of my top reads of all-time now and I will be thinking about the places Yambao took me for years to come.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC.