Cửa Tiệm Chỉ Mở Vào Ngày Mưa

by You Yeong-Gwang, Sohwa (Translator)

“Bạn có sẵn sàng bán đi những bất hạnh của mình?”

“Đổi lại, chúng tôi sẽ trao cho quý khách cơ hội để đổi lấy một niềm hạnh phúc khác trong số những niềm hạnh phúc được bảo quản tại cửa tiệm.”

Chào mừng bạn đến với cửa tiệm đặc biệt nhất trên thế gian.

Không biết từ lúc nào mà ngôi nhà cũ bị bỏ hoang ở thị trấn Cầu Vồng đã xuất hiện một tin đồn kỳ lạ. Nếu viết một lá thư kể về câu chuyện của mình rồi gửi đến ngôi nhà hoang ấy, một ngày nào đó, nếu là người được chọn, bạn sẽ có cơ hội nhận được một tấm vé vàng. Đó chính là “thiệp mời” mời bạn đến cửa hàng bí mật chỉ mở cửa một lần trong năm vào mùa mưa. Người ta nói rằng những người được mời đến đó có thể mua bất cứ cuộc sống hạnh phúc nào họ muốn nếu bán đi những bất hạnh của mình. Kể từ đây, cuộc phiêu lưu của nhân vật chính - cô bé nữ sinh trung học Serin - đi tìm hạnh phúc và chú mèo dẫn đường bị bỏ rơi - Itsha cũng bắt đầu.

Cửa tiệm chỉ mở vào ngày mưa sẽ cùng bạn đi tìm giá trị của tình yêu, tình bạn và ước mơ thông qua chuyến phiêu lưu đến một thế giới xa lạ, được lấy cảm hứng từ bộ truyện Harry Potter và phim hoạt hình của Studio Ghibli. Bạn sẽ tìm thấy niềm an ủi và dũng khí khi dõi theo hành trình của Serin, Itsha cùng với những yêu tinh cho đến khi cô bé nhận ra được câu chuyện đằng sau những sự bất hạnh và ý nghĩa thực sự của hạnh phúc.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Magical Realism, Cozy, Audiobook, Contemporary, Asian Literature

312 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2023

Reviews

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this one didn't hold my attention. It didn't pull any emotion out of me and I felt my mind drifting off to other things while trying to read it. It came across really simplistic with the writing, which could be due to the translation but ultimately it wasn't for me.

It did feel a little juvenile- this might be suited better for a younger audience.

This sounds like the cutest, most magical book ever - and the cover 😍

I'm just going to ignore that it's been republished with a new cover and the ratings are in the gutter. This is what I get for browsing NetGalley half asleep and not checking Goodreads first.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and You Yeong-Gwang for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. ✨😻💖

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A South Korean girl named Serin reads a book about a magical place called The Rainfall Market run by human-like people called the Dokkaebi where one can purchase a glass orb containing the life they wish for. Her favorite radio program has a segment called Stories from the Listeners where one listener’s letter of their personal hardships earns them a ticket to The Rainfall Market.

Serin writes the show a letter sharing that her father died when she was young, her sister ran away, she has no friends, and she can’t see any good prospects for her future. When her letter is chosen, she begins an unimaginable adventure to the Rainfall Market where pursuing the dream life she wants may be more dangerous than she could’ve imagined when someone there stops playing by the rules!

You Yeong-Gwang’s debut caught my eye frankly because of its beautiful cover and also because I’ve been craving something different than my typical thrillers and rom-coms lately. The magical realism, thought-provoking feel-good story line, light touch of fantasy and cast of fun characters was just what I needed. The cherry on top? A magical, size-changing spirit guide cat named Issha that behaves more like a puppy and completely stole my heart!

The writing is fairly simple and some have suggested it felt suited to a middle grade audience. Whether that’s a translation issue or just the way it’s written, I didn’t find it to be too young for an adult audience despite the MC being a teen or school-aged (I'm not sure of her exact age). It had shades of Willy Wonka and Meg Shaffer’s The Wishing Game with the winning ticket scenario and whimsical setting. It also had the philosophical bent of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library concerning the opportunity to “try on” different lives. Throw in a little magic and a thread of mystery, and it was a fun read.

I listened to this on audio while reading on my Kindle, and narrator Rosa Escoda did an amazing job bringing Serin and the very entertaining Dokkaebi characters to life. Serin’s story of youthful self-discovery mixed with found family, adventure, mild peril and an adorable kitty companion made this a charming and sweet read, and the ending was so touching! Read the author’s note if you get a chance. His own experience is quite inspiring!

★★★★

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group | Ace, NetGalley and author You Yeong-Gwang for this digital ARC to honestly review and my library/Libby for the audio. It’s out now.

Just a quick note of assurance that the kitty will be OK despite some questionable moments!

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Rainbows are funny things, aren’t they? The harder it rains, the more beautifully they shine. Who knows? Maybe it’s a gift from God, for those who’ve endured the storms.”

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang (translated by Slin Jung) is a fantastical story that revolves around a young girl named Serin who wins a “Golden Ticket” to a mysterious market that operates only during the rainy season – an experience that is rumored to enable one to change one’s life. Serin, a lonely girl with a fair share of troubles and though a tad doubtful, hopes that she will find a way to change her life for the better.

The author weaves a fascinating tale with a meaningful message, combining elements of Korean myth and folklore, wit and wisdom, magic, mystery and adventure. I had a wonderful time following Serin’s journey and loved how the author describes the Dokkaebi and the magical market. I loved how Serin bonded with Issha, the spirit creature (in the form of a cat), who guided her through the market, coming through for her on more than one occasion. Several subplots featuring a large cast of characters - some friendly and helpful and some more devious - are deftly woven into a well-paced, engaging narrative that touches upon themes of kindness, friendship, loyalty, courage, self-realization, hope and healing.

Though I wasn’t the target audience for this book (the simplistic and straightforward prose is indicative of the fact that the book is meant for younger readers), this in no way detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story. Delightful, imaginative, adventurous and thought-provoking, I found this book to be an entertaining read. I hope the author continues Serin’s story as there are a few plot points that remain unexplored.

Finally, I love the beautiful cover art!

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A cozy fantasy about a girl who ends up in a world within our world and discovers the secret of happiness. Overly simplistic writing, a mostly episodic plot, flat characters. I have a strong feeling that something went wrong in the translation as well. Might work better for YA readers, as it was promoted as a YA novel when released in Korea.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Plot Preview:

Outside the city where Serin stays, there’s a rundown abandoned house in a place called Rainbow Town. Rumour has it that if you send a letter about your misfortunes to this house, you might receive a mysterious ticket. If you bring this ticket to the house on the first day of the rainy season, you are permitted to enter the magical Rainfall Market, where you can choose to change your life to the one you want.
Serin never thought that she would actually be lucky when she penned her woes and posted the letter to the house. Now the holder of a special golden ticket, Serin knows that going to the market is the only way of swapping her lonely life for one with a better future. Of course, there are certain conditions to this, but Serin is hopeful of being able to handle them, especially with the help of her new feline companion Issha.
The story comes to us in Serin’s third-person perspective.

This novel garnered a cult following in South Korea after securing crowdfunding to be published, then being acquired by a local Korean independent publisher Clayhouse, where it sold 30K copies during its first month on sale and became a number one bestselling e-book, and also reaching number three in the physical chart. Overall, it has sold more than 100K copies in South Korea. Translation rights have been sold in 20 languages.

In other words, please take my review with a pinch of salt.


Bookish Yays:
🌈 Issha the spirit cat who behaves more like a dog. The best character of this story.

🌈 The ‘moral’, or life lesson that Serin learns. Mature adults already know it, but good to see it confirmed through fiction.

🌈 The book cover. Tough for me to resist such art!


Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌤️ Serin as a character. While she has her strengths as well, she feels overly naïve at times, taking too long to notice what should have been obvious.

🌤️ The fantastical creatures from Korean mythology called the Dokkaebi. I don’t think the book described them accurately because they are supposed to be “Korean goblins”, but the book insisted mainly that they “look human but aren’t” and didn’t offer anything else. That said, I did like some of the dokkaebi characters.

🌤️ The descriptions of the rainfall market and the myriad rainbows in the book, both physical and metaphorical, seem good at the start. But after a point, it gets trickier to understand the setting. It’s a strange world, with magical elements as well as things from our world such as computers and casinos. Moreover, the rain-related metaphors feel overdone after a while.

🌤️ Though there is an overarching plot, the book, especially the first two-thirds or so, feels mostly like one episodic adventure after another. There are new characters in every chapter, most of whom don’t return once their chapter is over. The final few chapters work somewhat better in this regard. (The book would make a great studio Ghibli movie... for kids.)


Bookish Nays:
⛈️ For some reason, Serin’s age is not revealed at all. She sounds anywhere between 8 to 18 in various chapters, making it very tough to understand how to decode her behaviour.

⛈️ Except for the mentions of taekwondo and the dokkaebi (which are anyway inaccurately depicted), nothing in the book feels Korean. Many characters even have Western names such as Emma, Bill, and Nicole. One breakfast scene has UK/European dishes. There’s no point to reading a Korean book if it doesn’t offer Korean vibes.

⛈️ The translation is not too fluid. The overly simple writing adds to the MG feel of the book. There is also too much telling.

⛈️ The pacing is quite slow paced and even gets somewhat repetitive in between.

⛈️ A couple of major subplots are left incomplete, and a reveal at the end even puts into question some of the story arcs that were apparently settled.

⛈️ The mention of winning a golden ticket and visiting a magical place might have immediately made you recollect Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ or Meg Shaffer’s ‘The Wishing Game’. However, these books had far more depth to their storylines as the writing involved a contest and there were other participants adding to the challenge. This Korean book gets a tad boring as the other ticket holders don’t get page space for most of the book. The thrill of the challenge is missing, making the story mostly one-noted.


All in all, I had picked up this book as a cozy fantasy for adults. But it started feeling much too cozy and I began wondering if I had got the target age group wrong. I am also not sure if the gap between intent and content is because of this being the author’s debut work or because of a poor translation of the original. But no matter which one it is, I didn’t find this living up to the promise made.

Online articles show that the original had been marketed as a coming-of-age fantasy in Korea, aiming at the YA crowd. I wonder why the UK promotions don’t aim at YA readers. At least we could have gone in with the right expectations. The writing feels so basic that most of it, barring the age-inappropriate scenes such as the one in the casino, would even work for middle-graders. I don’t know if my experience would have been the same if I had gone into this anticipating a middle-grade or YA fantasy. But as it is marketed as a general fantasy, I expected deeper content, and the end result didn’t match up.

I guess YA readers could give this book a go and see if the Korean hype is justified. If you can read Korean, (or any language other than English that the book is available in), then I’d suggest you give that language a go because the English translation certainly doesn’t do the book any favours. If you enjoyed books like ‘The Midnight Library’, then too you might give this book a try as it has a similar kind of underlying philosophy but without the post-life aspects.

2.25 stars.


My thanks to Penguin Random House - Michael Joseph for providing the DRC of “The Rainfall Market” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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[Lisa B · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the magical stars 🌟 for this book loved everything about this book very atmospheric with a touch of horror in between.


Set in Korea a young girl Serin has had a awful life her home is about to be torn down & her life isn’t what you would call inspiring, she lives with her mother in Rainbow 🌈Town, she receives a letter for this old house that you may receive a mysterious ticket 🎫 that will change your life.


People who have been to this house said that behind the doors was a secretive magic world inside there were beings calling themselves Dokkaebi people who hold the magic orb which you have to find.
I will not go any further than to say let the ride begin.


I loved this one it reminded me of Charlie & The Chocolate 🍫 Factory this was a well written novel that kept me glued to the pages highly recommended.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say it, but I did not like this book. I try to like books by Korean authors because I'm always looking for Korean representation. However, not all books are worthy of being liked, and this was one of them.

Firstly, I think it felt more middle school than anything else, and I started the book expecting it to be for adults.

Secondly, everything just took too long. The climax occurs near the end, and the denouement was like jumping off a cliff and landing face first. The whole book is basically a caveat emptor theme and then all of a sudden, near the end, there's an evil presence? That does not work for me.

Thirdly, why is her mother so clueless? Yes, I get it - single parenting is hard, especially when you're poor and you've experienced a couple of very big blows in life. But really? Even my parents were more in touch with me, and we barely talked the first 18 years of my life (because they were always working).

Fourthly, I needed more on the sister.

Lastly, dokkaebi is lost in translation. It's not people who look human but aren't. They are more like supernatural goblins/ghosts that like to prank people. Because dokkaebi is defined very early in the book, I feel like it might set the wrong expectation/understanding of who they are and what role the play for anyone unfamiliar with their Korean lore.

This was a big disappointment for me because the line at the library was insanely long. Perhaps my anticipation was possibly heightened by the wait, but it was not worth waiting for. Skip this one folks, unless you want to vet it for a middle school student.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ This is not my normal genre preference, but the cover and description were so intriguing, I had to give it a shot. And overall, I am glad I did. While the world building in fantasy always breaks my brain a bit, this one seemed a little easier for us fantasy newbies to understand. The characters are charming, although a bit simplistic, and the setting itself felt magical.

The overall message of this story is what touched me the most. While our MC has the chance to try on different lives as she searches for the “perfect life”, she realizes the importance of the life she already has. It is the very definition of a bookish hug.

“𝑹𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒃𝒐𝒘𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏’𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚? 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒕 𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒔? 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒂 𝒈𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑮𝒐𝒅, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐’𝒗𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔.”

🎧 I enjoyed this one on audio, narrated by Rosa Escoda, and definitely felt her narration helped bring the story to life for me. Given the fantasy elements, I think an immersive read would have been better for me, but I was still able to enjoy it solely on audio.

Read if you like:
▪️magical realism
▪️translated work
▪️cozy vibes
▪️The Midnight Library

Thank you PRH Audio for the gifted copy.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. The world building was great, but reading on kindle made the list and description of characters less useful for me. The writing felt almost simplistic, like a middle grade story but it was for adults, but I wonder if that had to do with the translation of it. In this world there is a house and if you mail a letter containing all of the horrible parts of your life you may be selected with a ticket to go to the Rainfell Market to exchange your life for another, better one. Our protagonist sends in her letter and gets a golden ticket and heads off to change her fortune. The story was sweet and while it was a bit predictable it was fun. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars which I rounded up because it is totally possible the translation is what stopped me from truly loving it. Even with that it was a very quick read and definitely enjoyable.

[Ksia_zkowe Oliwia · Rating 4 out of 5]

jak mnie uciszyć na kilka godzin? dać mi dobrą książkę. a jak na jeszcze dłużej? dać dobrą książkę i kolorowankę, a wydawnictwo albatros zrobiło to w jednym! oprócz tego, że możecie pokolorować rewers książki, to jeszcze jej brzegi - więc każda będzie totalnie Wasza, wyjątkowa!🥺 chyba pierwszy raz spotykam się z czymś takim i jestem zachwycona! ktoś się dziwi, że wybrałam akurat róż? hahaha

Pieniądze szczęścia nie dają? Albo nie da się kupić szczęścia? Znamy pełno takich przysłów, a jednak Sklep Pory Deszczowej mógłby je wszystkie odmienić… bo…

Wyobraźcie sobie, jakby istniał sklep, w którym możecie zmienić swoje życie, dosłownie kupić szczęście, płacąc… niepowodzeniami.
Miejsce otwiera się tylko gdy pada deszcz, a nastoletnia Serin - nasza główna bohaterka, przysmucona codzienną rzeczywistością - wyrusza na niesamowitą przygodę, pełną wartości. miłość, przyjaźń i to, co ważne.

A w starym domu za swoją napisaną historię, można zdobyć bilet… który zapewnia wstęp do sklepu i wymiany nieszczęścia, na szczęście. Podobno…

Jednak chyba nie może być tak pięknie, jak to ze wszystkim bywa - nic nie jest za darmo, a wszystko jest pełne haczyków i ryzyka…
Bo nie wszystko można od tak sobie wymienić.

gobliny, magiczna podróż i naprawdę dobra historia, która dosłownie i w przenośni Was oczaruje.

Aż mam ochotę sięgnąć po więcej koreańskich książek, czuję się przekonana!
☔️

Gdybym miała ją opisać trzema przymiotnikami, opisałabym: fantastyczna, inspirująca i naprawdę wartościowa!
I jeśli miałabym wyciągnąć z niej morał - każdy z nas ma wpływ na własne życie i szczęście. Tylko czy odważymy się po nie sięgnąć…?

I znowu idealna książka na jesienne dni! Otulająca jak kocyk. Polecam!☔️

współpraca reklamowa z @wydawnictwoalbatros dziękuję!

[♡ Martina ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐

Prima lettura dell'anno molto soddisfacente.
Un romanzo dolce come una coccola e dai toni fiabeschi alla Studio Ghibli.
Dopo quasi un mese di blocco del lettore e l'influenza che mi ha messo al tappeto sentivo il bisogno di una storia dalle vibes cozy e delicate e questo ha colpito nel segno!
La nostra protagonista ha una vita infelice a causa della povertà in cui lei e sua madre sono costrette e l'unica sua via di fuga sono le lezioni di taekwondo a basso costo e le lunghe passeggiate da casa sua alla scuola, anche se da tempo circola la leggenda dell'Emporio dei Giorni di Pioggia.
È proprio grazie a questa leggenda che la vita della protagonista prenderà una piega inaspettata e al limite tra la realtà e la fantasia.
Un biglietto magico e il viaggio alla scoperta di sé stessi sono le pietre portanti di questo breve e appassionante fantasy.
Sono rimasta sinceramente molto soddisfatta da questa lettura così inaspettata e spero che il 2025 mi riservi altre letture così!

[Alannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, joyful story and I enjoyed the fantasy premise. I’ve seen some comparisons to Studio Ghibli and definitely got those vibes, with the whimsical characters and unique setting. The language and structure is quite simple (perhaps because of translation) and it’s not clear how old the main character is, but she comes across as quite young, so I would probably only recommend this for younger readers. The characters and story need more depth and background for an older audience, and there are a few plot holes which are confusing.

I loved the fantasy elements of this story but the simplistic language brought my overall rating down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. Thank you Berkeley for the free book!

I thought this was a delightful cozy little dystopian fantasy.

Further thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTYwbSvFE/

[Sue Oshin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s undeniable that the cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous! I was drawn to it initially because of the cover and the intriguing premise. The story follows a young girl named Serin, who wants to change her life. She’s grown accustomed to living in poverty with her mother since her father passed away.

One day, she borrows a library book—a rare opportunity as it’s in high demand and readers have to wait their turn. The book tells the story of Rainfall Market, a place rumored to change one’s life forever.

The book is essentially a memoir by its author, sharing his personal experiences. The author, once in and out of prison, claims that after writing a letter to Rainfall Market, his life turned around, and he eventually became a bestselling writer.

Intrigued but skeptical, Serin decides to give it a try, hoping for a miracle. Not long after she writes her letter, she receives a response, inviting her to visit Rainfall Market during the first rainfall of the season.

What happens next? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Initially, I expected the story to have a vibe similar to *Marigold Mind Laundry*—a blend of fantasy and realism. The opening chapter alone hooked me, making me want to finish it in one sitting. The premise aligns perfectly with the kind of books I love to read. However, the storytelling lacks some emotional depth, which might be due to translation issues compared to the original (if only I could read Korean). But its okay, as long as im enjoying it!

Regardless, everything about this book feels perfect! It’s ideal for a rainy-day read—you’ll likely finish it in no time, its so gripping and you won’t feel like sleeping through the rainy days.

[Rincey · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

It is a short read but I still ended up skimming a lot of this. It feels like more of a middle grade novel and I think there are just some things that got lost in translation for me so I never really connected with it.

[Bloss ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading this, I still can’t figure out who the target audience is. The writing is plain and simple and while that opens the range of readership, adult readers who enjoyed the culture and intricacy of translated fiction might find this bland. In the end, I decided to rate this as if it was geared toward the same audience as Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono. Considering the factors I’m about to outline, I hypothesize that this might land best with a middle grade audience.

What worked for me:
• This book has a beautiful, atmospheric, and inviting cover
• It starts strongly with a good hook that made me excited to see where the story would take me
• I genuinely loved everything about Issha

Before we get into what didn’t work for me, I’d like to caveat my thoughts: I read this book as an adult reader who loves magical, slice-of-life translation books and this feedback is based on that context. If this book was pitched as a middle-grade book, many of these points might cease to be the issues I found them to be.

What didn’t work for me:
• At first, I got Spirited Away vibes from this but the world-building wasn’t as rich as I’d hoped and there wasn’t a strong sense of place at the Rain Market as I’d hoped there’d be.
• Serin wasn’t a very interesting character. At first, I thought she was around ten but she has to be closer to 18 given how preoccupied she was with university and jobs. She came across as a bit whiny and far younger than I think she was supposed to be.
• I didn’t like how boring and job-centric Serin’s orb wishes were. She was simplistic, narrow-minded, and too specific with her wishes which was frustrating. Why didn’t Serin ask for something that would solve her problems now rather than trying to guess what would make her happy as an adult? It was frustrating that she didn’t give it a little thought before going to the Market. The heavy handed-handed morality lesson didn’t work in the context of an adult book.
• Plotholes: for example,
- given Yerin had disappeared, why is it never addressed that Serin's mother would have probably been in a huge panic when Serin disappeared for an entire week?!
- Where has Yerin been the whole time (probably because Serin felt so young, I thought Yerin was like 8!),
- the scenes in the Orbs were very cynical and seemed to only show the worst-case scenario? This is acknowledged but never addressed.
- Durof's motivation never made sense to me - why was he trying to take over the human world? What made him so angry?
- How did every shopkeeper and person Serin interacted with know where and when she needed help in the confrontation with Durof?
• Overall, I felt the book lacked the heart of books in the arena of adult, magical, Korean translations like The Dallergut Dreams Department Store
• Since the sense of place and time wasn’t fleshed out, and Serin and the Dokkaebi used a lot of British spelling and phrases, it felt more British than Korean.
• There was a bit of desperation in the author’s note that made me feel slightly uncomfortable giving honest feedback about this book.

This book was listed as an adult fantasy for which I’d rate it a 2.5. However, as a middle-grade book, it’s is a solid 4/5. If Rainfall Market is targeted at the correct group, I think it will do well.

I was privileged to have my request to read this book accepted through NetGalley. Thank you, Michael Joseph!

[Shelby (allthebooksalltheways) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OUT NOW!

A huge thanks to @acebookspub @berkleypub & @prhaudio for my #gifted copies! #berkleypartner #berkleyig

The Rainfall Market
By You Yeong-Gwang
Translated by Slin Jung
Available 1/21

📖 On the outskirts of Rainbow Town lies an abandoned house steeped in lore. It's said that sending a letter to the house might earn you a ticket to the Rainfall Market—a magical place where you can completely transform your life.

Serin, a lonely young woman with little hope for the future, is stunned when she receives a ticket. On the first day of the rainy season, she ventures to the market and meets Issha, a magical cat who becomes her guide. Together, they explore enchanted bookstores, perfumeries, and other mystical realms as Serin searches for her ideal life.

But there's a catch: Serin has only one week to decide her fate, or she will vanish into the market forever.

💭 Enchanting, cozy, and whimsical! The Rainfall Market is only 224 pages, and just 6ish hours on audio, making it a read-in-one-day kind of story. I enjoyed it overall as a quick trip into another world, though I did often wonder what got lost in the translation. I'd recommend it to readers seeking some magical escapism with a deeper underlying message.

🎧 I primarily read this with my ears, because the audiobook completely stole the show. I immediately recognized narrator Rosa Escoda's voice from Jaded by Ella Lee. She delivered another wonderful performance!

👯‍♀️ Thanks to my buddy reading partners! Sorry I didn't keep up! 🫠

[Mai H.]

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Ace

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This ended up being superficial rather than profound. You’re being told how to feel rather than the story actually eliciting real emotions. Mehhhhh. The cover is pretty!!!

[Alexa (Alexa Loves Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I'll admit that I was originally drawn to this book because of the cover - I've got a soft spot for the ones that include cats on them, as this one does. When I saw the title and read the synopsis, however, my anticipation was heightened for this new release because it sounded exactly like something that would be right up my alley.

Luckily, it turns out that this cozy, fantastical story was, indeed, much to my tastes overall. It's a simple tale of a magical journey undertaken by the main character; it's shorter and more plot-forward, but that works for the type of story it is... especially if the reader who picks it up is ready to just go with the flow the way that I was when I picked it up. I enjoyed wandering The Rainfall Market, meeting the various dokkaebi and magical creatures and experiencing the magic of this world.

The thing that really stuck with me though are two of the main themes touched upon, namely figuring out what you really want in life and a shift in the perspective with which you view the life you currently have. These are things that I've wrestled with myself in my own life (and fully expect that it'll happen again), so I was intrigued to see how it would play out for main character Serin.

While I enjoyed reading The Rainfall Market, it's not a new favorite simply because I wasn't emotionally invested in the main character. I can certainly appreciate the appeal of this book, however. I'm confident that other readers will enjoy this too, especially given the story is relatable, (mostly) wholesome with a bit of a fairytale feel and on the shorter side.

[Siqahiqa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Nothing in this world is ever useless, Serin. It'll all come in handy someday."

The Rainfall Market is centered around Serin, who has successfully secured a ticket to the highly anticipated Rainfall Market. This is the moment Serin has been eagerly awaiting. It is open only during the rainy monsoon season and is popular among those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swap their lives for another. However, only selected individuals with a ticket can enter and experience it—the Rainfall Market. You must receive an invitation to enter the market. It is full of magical things your heart desires.

What I love about this book is the variety of intriguing characters and the magical elements that ignite my imagination. I can't help but think that it would be amazing to see an adaptation of this book, as the magical aspects would be incredible to see on screen.

However, the plot isn't captivating enough for me to read this book for long stretches at a time. The tasks that Serin must complete in the rainfall market make the story feel repetitive. While I understand that this repetition allows Serin to reflect on the life she desires before deciding which one to pursue in real life, I can't help but feel a bit weary of the narrative.

Additionally, the translation undeniably impacts the story's flow. In my view, it comes across as stiff, hindering the narrative from truly resonating on an emotional level while reading, leaving the characters and their experiences feeling somewhat distant and uninspiring.

Nevertheless, I must say that I truly appreciated the ending. It was particularly poignant when the scene highlighted the sock with holes as a representation of life. This simple yet powerful image shifted my perspective on socks entirely.

And what Serin wanted in her life, her final wish is truly the same as what we all, as humans, desire 💕

And next is the Rainbow Market? Ohh la la 🤩

Big thanks to Times Reads for sending me the review copy 🫶

[Steph ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This was.... slightly confusing. It's supposed to be age-range adults (according to goodreads), but it definitely read like a middlegrade. It didn't keep my attention too well and I just didn't gel with this one too much to be honest. It's such a shame because I love the cover but this one just wasn't for me.

[Edie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This reads like a children’s book. Not sure if it is a middle grade or not, but it reads like one. No stakes. Way too slow. Nothing happens. The characters aren’t even likable. So boring. Cozy does not have to be boring and this book fails at even being cozy.


Middle grade adventure. Middle grade stakes. Middle grade danger. Middle grade levels of convenience for getting out of problems.

This book would be great for kids aged 15 and under. It could be great for a parent to read with a 4th or 5th grader.

The villain even gives a Scooby Doo monologue at the end 🙄😤😒👎🏻

I *despise* the “Friendship saves the day” trope and this one does it more SICKENINGLY than most 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

The “evil power item” the villain creates at the end is a fucking rainbow orb 😒🙄😡👎🏻

The big battle at the end is LITERALLY fought with TOYS 🙄🙄🙄👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

This book also does the infuriating tropes “you’ve had the power within you all along” 😒🙄😡
AND
“experience multiple possible lives and choose the best life you could possibly imagine, but end up choosing the life you already had to begin with because it truly is the best life of all” 🤬🤬🤬👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻🤮🤮🤮

The moral of the story, and I quote

“Life is like a holy sock… we mend the holes with our loved ones.”

I *HAAAAAAAAATED* this book 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

There were like 15 different morals in the epilogue. I’m thoroughly shocked that they didn’t throw “ live laugh, love” in there for good measure 😡

I was obviously not the target market for this book.

[Lydia Ralte · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are struggling in life, you need to read this. Absolutely need to read this. The storytelling is superb and the content not heavy and fast-paced.

The grass is never greener on the other side. Truly. It makes you think about the blessings you currently have in life despite the darkness that sometimes creeps in. Every one wishes for a bright future - a bright tomorrow. We keep wishing and wishing and forget to live and marvel in the now.

The optimism and hope this book leaves with you is priceless.

[Beth, BooksNest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and whimsy, this felt reminiscent of The Night Circus with its magical market and all the different shops we see and people we meet. I loved the writing style, the translator has done a brilliant job of bringing the market to life. At its heart is a sentimental message our main character must discover. This captivated me throughout, thoroughly enjoyed.

[hillary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I would totally watch a Ghibli movie based on this book

[Delphine · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5/5

In the Afterword, the author talks about how no one would publish his work because they didn’t think it was good enough. I don’t want to be mean, but I really see why. It’s an okay concept, but it was just so boring and poorly written. If this is all the result of a poor translation then I deeply apologise, but yeah, P.U.

[Hitessh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Magical Journey of Happiness and Discovery

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang is a charming, imaginative story that dares to ask: if you had the chance to trade in your life for a better one, what would you choose?

The tale follows Serin, a quiet, troubled girl who suddenly receives an invitation to the Rainfall Market—a mystical place that only opens during the rainy season and promises to change your destiny. Unsure yet hopeful, she enters this magical world where every corner holds a new possibility. With Issha, a witty and loyal spirit cat by her side, Serin wanders through strange shops and meets an eclectic mix of characters, some helpful, others far less so. As her time in the market ticks away, she learns that happiness isn’t something handed to you—it’s something you discover within.

The writing is light and engaging, making the book easy to fall into. Each chapter offers a new adventure, from the pearl-collecting sequences that feel like quiet reflections on life, to unexpected twists that jolt the story in surprising directions. Issha is a true highlight—equal parts guide, companion, and comic relief.

That said, the magic of the book lies not in its originality but in how it takes familiar themes—loneliness, self-esteem, grief, friendship, kindness—and wraps them in a story that feels both playful and heartfelt. It may be written with younger readers in mind, but there’s plenty here for adults too.

The book came as a recommendation from my dear friend, and I’m grateful—it was the perfect break from my usual lineup of crime novels, and exactly what I needed in the moment.

[Leen Gilis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Rainfall Market" is a wonderful tale about love, acceptance, loss, and family. It’s a story that will have you hooked from the very beginning.

In this novel, we follow Serin, a teenage girl who has faced many misfortunes. She has lost her father, lives in poverty, and her sister is missing. One day, she decides to venture inside the Rainfall Market, hoping to trade her current life for a better one. Accompanied by a spirit guide cat, she meets the extraordinary Dokkaebi of the market. Each of them asks something special of Serin, giving her a glimpse of what her future life might look like. However, she has only a week to decide her happiness—otherwise, she will vanish into the market forever. And not everyone wants to see her succeed.

This book focuses on accepting life, with all the hardships that come with it. Although Serin’s life is difficult, small moments of joy shape who she is. While she longs for a “better” life, it becomes clear that what she is truly seeking is a way to accept herself and her current situation.

Along the way, she makes some interesting friends. The Dokkaebi are unique and memorable, each teaching Serin an important lesson. Her doubts and insecurities are portrayed very well—I could easily see myself in her thoughts and feelings. The spirit guide cat, Issha, was such a lovely addition to the story!

The writing style is smooth and simple, making it easy to get lost in the pages. Before I knew it, I was already halfway through the book. Beyond Serin’s personal journey, there’s also a mystery surrounding a theft in the market. This subplot adds suspense and tension, leading to an exciting and satisfying ending.

In conclusion, "The Rainfall Market" is a beautiful story about accepting life and trusting the process, because in the end, you are the one who creates your own future. Although I would have liked to learn more about Serin’s missing sister, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s the kind of story you could easily finish in a single sitting.

[Amber's Book Cave · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang had a charming premise, but it didn’t fully work for me. I listened to the audiobook, which was well done and Rosa Escoda’s narration was well-done, bringing warmth and emotion to the story.

The concept of a mystical market where you can exchange your misfortunes for a new life was intriguing, and the magical realism had a whimsical touch. However, the story felt more like lower YA or even middle grade, which made it harder for me to connect with the characters and fully invest in Serin’s journey. The pacing dragged a bit in the middle, and while the overall message about gratitude was sweet, it lacked the depth I was hoping for.

It was a fun whimsical read, so as long as you go in knowing it skews younger than you should enjoy this one.

Thank you so much to PRH Audio and Ace for the ALC/ARC. 🖤

[Cat™ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely book to read!

It definitely isn't afraid to go deep regarding finding you place in the world, wanting different things, and classism. I adored Serin and her search for her perfect dream, and I could definitely vibe with her intentions.

The villain story was quite weak and made the ending weaker, in my opinion. especially since it wasn't really woven through the rest of the story or had enough arguments to even become "a villain". If the story had solely focused on Serin finding what she truly wanted in life and her realising how she could achieve that, with a bit more of a deepdive into what was already going on. I would definitely have enjoyed that too.