Samantha Sotto Yambao – författare

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. Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it. Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice—by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds. But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own—and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER! 

A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical quest when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike fantasy novel.

"Race through a lush world of pure wonder and romance-kites made of wishes that become stars, origami that holds time in its folds, and a night market in the clouds-in this lovely, cozy fantasy reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern's The Starless Sea."-Booklist (starred review)

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.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop's most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana's father and the stolen choice-by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own-and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.

"Highly recommended . . . Readers who have been swept up in the cozy charm of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee will fall hard for the mix of magical realism, fantasy mystery, and star-crossed romance."-Library Journal (starred review)

NATIONAL BESTSELLER

A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical quest when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike fantasy novel.

FEATURES A UNIQUE ORIGAMI JACKET that folds into a boat, joining the characters in an enchanting way. The jacket artwork is also printed directly onto the hardcover case underneath.

"Race through a lush world of pure wonder and romance-kites made of wishes that become stars, origami that holds time in its folds, and a night market in the clouds-in this lovely, cozy fantasy reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern's The Starless Sea."-Booklist (starred review)

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.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop's new owner to find it ransacked, the shop's most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana's father and the stolen choice-by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own-and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.

"Highly recommended . . . Readers who have been swept up in the cozy charm of Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and The Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee will fall hard for the mix of magical realism, fantasy mystery, and star-crossed romance."-Library Journal (starred review)

Embark on a magical journey in this wistful, Ghibli-esque fantasy from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Water Moon - perfect for fans of Spirited Away, Dallergut Dream Department Store and The Starless Sea.This first edition hardback features interactive endpapers with a scene you can colour in - available while stocks last!'Wondrous and wonderful, lovely and tender, The Elsewhere Express is a lyrical feast for the imagination!' -Sarah Beth Durst, Sunday Times bestselling author of The SpellshopRaya is a lost soul, going through the motions of life without a dream of her own.

One night, on her subway ride home, Raya's thoughts wander too far. She wakes on the Elsewhere Express, a magical train that offers its passengers a sense of purpose, peace, and belonging. The train's endless journey is a chance for Raya to reimagine her life - but only if she finds her compartment before time runs out.On board, Raya meets an intriguing artist named Q and together they race to find their place on the train, through a boarding car carpeted in meadow grass and along a dining carriage where passengers picnic on lilypads.But a mysterious stowaway has boarded with them, and with it a dark, malignant magic that threatens to destroy the train and everything in it. The closer Raya comes to uncovering the stowaway's identity, the nearer she draws to the ultimate question: what is her life's true purpose - and might Q be connected to it?Praise for The Elsewhere Express'A delicately layered dream of a book that glimmers with the promise of hope after grief, The Elsewhere Express will carry you to the stars.'-Molly O'Neill, author of Greenteeth'This book had me sobbing on the beach. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The Elsewhere Express is a gorgeous story about finding your place somewhere in between two great inevitabilities: love, and loss.'--Sydney J. Shields, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Honey Witch'The Elsewhere Express reads like a Ghibli movie. I loved following these deeply hurt, broken, and lost characters on this Alice-in-Wonderland-esque adventure with a Miyazaki flair. Its musical prose, vast imagination, and exploratory storytelling will spirit you away.'--Charlie N. Holmberg, bestselling author of the Whimbrel House series'With its poetic, descriptive prose, The Elsewhere Express takes the reader on a magical ride exploring loneliness, life's purpose and ultimately human connection through a playful, surreal tale. Without question, the book will delight fantasy enthusiasts as they nestle into this perfect escape... a story that whisks them from the mundane and into an imaginative wonderland they might not want to leave.'--J.Penner, Author of A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic''The Elsewhere Express is nothing short of exquisite. Luminous and soulful, it will enchant you with its dreamy, whimsical charm even while it carries you through an exploration of such profound subjects as loss and the purpose of life. I am dazzled by Samantha Sotto Yambao's extraordinarily beautiful imagination.'-- India Holton, author of The League of Gentlewomen Witches'A unique and beautiful fantasy novel' 'A whimsical and immersive [Studio] Ghibli-esque adventure' 'Every leg of the journey unfolded with its own distinct charm' 'The world building [is] so exquisite' 'What stood out most for me is how the book mixes whimsy with heartache'

Brought to you by Penguin.Would you rewrite your destiny if it meant losing a part of your past?On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it.Most will see only a cosy ramen restaurant. And just the chosen ones – those who are lost – will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop''s new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike other customers. For he offers help, instead of seeking it.Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice – through rain puddles, hitching rides on paper cranes, across the bridge between midnight and morning and through a night market in the clouds.But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own – and risk making a choice she will never be able to take back.Step into the captivating and romantic fantasy novel that will sweep you away on an unforgettable adventure - perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli, Erin Morgenstern and Before the Coffee Gets Cold!‘Full of adventure and marvellous creativity, Water Moon surprises and delights with every turn of the page'' -- Megan Bannen, bestselling author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy© Samantha Sotton Yamboa 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025