Reviews tagging 'Death'

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

16 reviews

chrissy22's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

A whimsical, Studio Ghibli vibe throughout. The world-building was descriptive enough that I could picture everything. The writing was lyrical. I did think the characters and their growth could’ve been more fleshed out and their development more poignant. I feel it could have had more adult themes when it came to development. I also deducted points for it being insta-love. It happened way too quickly without any build or struggle which made this, along with not enough risk taken for character development, feel more YA than adult. I also thing climax and main conflict could’ve been more fleshed out given how it was so centered throughout the plot. A lot happened off page. 

Overall, did really enjoy this book. It was magical. 
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rogankeira's review against another edition

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4.0

Very magical; excellent worldbuilding. The relationship is not quite slow burn enough for me, which I think impacted the depth of the emotion and thus the depth of emotion certain events made me feel - I feel like I should have cried, but didn't get the urge at all really. Beautiful, though, and I'd definitely recommend and read something else by this author in the future, too.

I highly recommend looking up what a neutrino detector tank looks like as it's an important and beautiful scenery but not explained all that clearly. Also, it's just kind of cool.

Some of my favourite quotes below (mild spoilers, beware - especially the second quote(!) I have covered obvious spoilers, but the second quote especially may make things click into place faster re: some aspects of the story than if you hadn't already read the quote!):

...life is about finding joy in the space between where you came from and where you are going. I may never get to where I want to go, but I can look back on my life and say that I did not waste a second of it being bitter that I was not someplace else. 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.

"...Our world buries babies like Haruto alive because we are afraid that we cannot control them.
We bury them because they are different and then wonder why they become monsters. And then when the mosters - our fears - grow up..."
"They come back to control us," Hana said.

His father had once told him that there was only one measure of how well a person spent his day. It depended on how much of the day you spent pining for the future or regretting your past. 

Spoilery summary for my reference:

An astrophysicist looking for purpose and belonging stumbles into the pawnshop of a woman whose whole life is mapped out for her. Except that her father has faked a burglary to search for her mother who stole a choice (read: soul) when the pawnshop daughter was born. The mother who is supposed to be dead. Not so willing to let go of this chance for purpose, the astrophysicist accompanies the pawnshop daughter on a search for her father, hunted down by the grown up versions of soulless children.
 

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turidt's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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bookishmrsnelson's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

It took a while for me to get into the story. The style was strange to me, and it was hard to connect with the characters at first. By the end, it was worth it. The narrative was beautifully woven overall, and I finished the book with tears. 
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annayahp's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book felt like a ghibli film/fever dream! The imagery was beautiful, and jumping around to different areas was fascinating. Definitely more vibes than plot, and some confusing choices throughout, but overall a fun time! Feel like I’ll like this more on a re-read now I understand the world better. 
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talag's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Water Moon had so much promise, with a beautifully crafted world and a whimsical, almost Ghibli-like atmosphere that pulled me in. The concep - trading regrets in a mystical pawn shop - was intriguing, but the story meandered too much in the middle, losing sight of its core premise before finding its way back near the end.


The biggest drawback for me was the forced romance between Hana and Kei. Their lack of chemistry disrupted the book’s enchanting mood, making their relationship feel unnecessary rather than organic. It took me out of the story enough that I had to dock a whole point.


Despite these flaws, the novel still held a certain charm. The visuals it evoked and the magic in its setting kept me engaged, even when the plot lost its way.


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almostqualified's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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jennavaladez's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book broke my heart and stitched it back together again. 😭

A beautiful and aching tale of navigating regrets, purpose, and the weight of choices. The world the author builds is magical, in the same vein as the imagery from a Studio Ghibli film. 

I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Definitely going up there in the list of my all-time favorite reads. 

“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.”
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lauramcc7's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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spellbindingtomes's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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