21st Jan
I was drawn to the cover of The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang and the tagline, “If you could swap your life for a better one, which would you choose?” Would I swap my life? Come follow Serin, in this coming of age fantasy with a touch of magical realism as she visits the Rainfall Market.
The Rainfall Market
by You Yeong-Gwang
Translator: Slin Jung
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Rating: 
If you could swap your life for a better one, which would you choose?
On the outskirts of Rainbow Town, there is an old, abandoned house. They say that if you send a letter detailing your misfortunes there, you could receive a ticket. If you bring this ticket to the house on the first day of the rainy season, you’ll be granted entrance into the mysterious Rainfall Market—where you can choose to completely change your life.
No one is more surprised than Serin when she receives a ticket. Lonely and with no real prospects for a future, Serin ventures to the market, determined to create a better life for herself.
There, she meets a magical cat companion named Issha and they search through bookstores, perfumeries, and fantastical realms while Serin tries to determine what her perfect life will look like.
The catch? Serin only has one week to find her happiness or be doomed to vanish into the market forever.
And all the while, a shadow follows quietly behind them…
While I felt the story lost a little of the emotional connection because of the translation, this coming of age fantasy was magical and hooked me. Serin and her mother live in poverty and, like most young people, she wishes for a different life. They live in a condemned tenant and wear mended socks. Serin has heard of a place called the Rainfall Market and if you write, you could receive a ticket to attend. There you get the chance to choose a new life.
When Serin finds a book with instructions on how to get said ticket, she pours her heart out and mails off the letter. Imagine her surprise when she receives a ticket. She must arrive promptly on the first day of the rainy season. The tale that unfolds is filled with strange characters, talking animals and lots of choices.
When she arrives at the Rainfall Market, Serin is given a magical cat companion named Issha and the two of them visit book shops, perfume shops, food shops and explore forests. The market is delightful. The author brought it to life with vivid imagery and unique characters. I loved the glossary of characters at the beginning of the book with description.
There is something different about Serin’s ticket that gives her an advantage and better accommodations during her stay. I like Serin who, despite her circumstances or because of them, looks out for others and tries to assist. We get a little mystery and some suspense from an ominous threat.
The guests of the market are given, coin, a special watch and instructed to choose a ball from one shop. Within that ball is their new life. However, they must leave the marketplace before the rainy season ends or they will be lost forever.
Serin, like many, wants a better life for her and her mother, but isn’t all sure what that life looks like and the journey through the market helps her realize what she truly wants.
While this is marketed as an adult novel, it’s the perfect coming of age story for young fantasy readers. It will make you ponder the question, if you could swap your life for a better one, would you?
About You Yeong-Gwang
You Yeong-Gwang was born in Seongnam in 1984. He wrote this story during breaks while delivering food for a living. He felt truly happy while writing this story and wishes for all readers to find healing and courage through it so that they may go out and find their own happiness.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat.
