An Exclusive Interview with "Water Moon" author Samantha Sotto Yambao
The author talks magical puddles, lyrical storytelling, and the power of quiet longing in "Water Moon", a romantasy-adjacent tale of love, memory, and regret.
Author Samantha Sotto Yambao kindly answered our questions about the inspiration behind Water Moon—from the pawnshop’s haunting magic to the quiet emotional truths woven through the story.
If you’ve read Water Moon, you already know—this isn’t just a fantasy novel. It’s a soft ache, a quiet wonder, a story stitched together with moonlight and memory. At the heart of it is a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets… and maybe find something unexpected in return.
Note from The Romantasy:
Is Water Moon romantasy? Not quite—but it’s definitely romantasy-adjacent. While the story doesn’t take place in a fully fantastical realm or feature mythical beings, it casts its own kind of spell: a slow-burn, emotionally resonant romance set in a world where regrets can be pawned like possessions. With its lyrical voice, magical realism, and deep romantic core, Water Moon is a moving, genre-blurring tale that will resonate with romantasy readers who love magic grounded in meaning.