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myfairphantom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sarahp85's review
3.0
I liked it... but...
What I'm going to say next is silly as I know it is fiction and therefor anything is possible but:
Having a character nearly die to then just get up and do things... I don't know. Some things in this book just felt too "not real" to me.
That said, they might have had an adrenaline rush. (It's very common, you can google it
What I'm going to say next is silly as I know it is fiction and therefor anything is possible but:
Having a character nearly die to then just get up and do things... I don't know. Some things in this book just felt too "not real" to me.
That said, they might have had an adrenaline rush. (It's very common, you can google it
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
3.0
3/5
This one is sadly my least favorite of Pacton's books. I had a hard time with Twain and Quinta's romance, especially because I felt like it went too fast. the world they were in was interesting though, and I'm happy to say I was able to get more of it in her upcoming book. Overall, it wasn't my favorite read of this year, but I have a feeling it defiantly won't be the worst.
This one is sadly my least favorite of Pacton's books. I had a hard time with Twain and Quinta's romance, especially because I felt like it went too fast. the world they were in was interesting though, and I'm happy to say I was able to get more of it in her upcoming book. Overall, it wasn't my favorite read of this year, but I have a feeling it defiantly won't be the worst.
someextras801's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
heyitsmeg777's review
5.0
When I read the summary for the Vermilion Emporium, I was immediately intrigued and as I requested and crossed my fingers (and got it!) I was so excited to dive into it.
And life gets busy, and I've been reading like a snail lately. But no matter what, the strength of this book lies in how each time I open my tablet and start reading a portion of it, it flows nicely and you get pulled in each time. And even when you close it to resume living life and you come back to it, you get pulled in again just as easily as the first time.
I love that with books, and I haven't seen it as often in my recent reads. For this to be Jamie Pacton's debut, I enjoyed it. It has Howl's Moving Castle Vibes, it has some Wonderland-ish aspects to it and THIS BOOK HAS MY HEART AND YOU ALL NEED TO RUN AND GET YOUR COPY WHEN IT COMES OUT!
So, here we go.
Short Summary? A charming violinist with a smart mouth and a girl who's been told will do great things end up in the same path when they end up entering the Vermilion Emporium, accidentally entering a wild goose chase for Starlight as the strings of fate pull them closer-- and may threaten to pull them apart too.
Longer Summary: Twain has lost everything. After his brother's death, his love of the Violin hurts now. He has his brother's debts to pay and after finding a piece of Starlight that could change his life, he stumbles into the Vermilion district when he sees her.
Quinta has been told that she is meant to do great things.
Or well, as great as helping a photographer out. After her mother's death, she has been searching for the Vermilion Emporium which has answers to what the moonshadow bottle heirloom may mean for her future and when she finally finds the place, she thinks all her answers will be here. Except that fate pulls her to Twain.
And perhaps, they might be each other's answer.
There is so much spoilery I could spill on here, but I would also like to keep my lips closed, but TWAIN is precious and I love him so much, and while Quinta is a bit prickly at first, you get used to her. The story itself pulls you in easily and the circus ambiance, the madness and the magic along with the romance and the banter between the two will keep you wanting to know what happens next. Worldbuilding was good and while some descriptions might have dragged out (A-la Adalyn Grace style!) it was pretty good. For the next book, I do hope for an improvement in physical characteristics because I know many early readers might have had this concern.
Rest assured, despite this taking me such a long time to get through, it is a worthy read to add to your shelves! Or to check out at a local library if we're saving money :)
Overall: 5/5 stars
And life gets busy, and I've been reading like a snail lately. But no matter what, the strength of this book lies in how each time I open my tablet and start reading a portion of it, it flows nicely and you get pulled in each time. And even when you close it to resume living life and you come back to it, you get pulled in again just as easily as the first time.
I love that with books, and I haven't seen it as often in my recent reads. For this to be Jamie Pacton's debut, I enjoyed it. It has Howl's Moving Castle Vibes, it has some Wonderland-ish aspects to it and THIS BOOK HAS MY HEART AND YOU ALL NEED TO RUN AND GET YOUR COPY WHEN IT COMES OUT!
So, here we go.
Short Summary? A charming violinist with a smart mouth and a girl who's been told will do great things end up in the same path when they end up entering the Vermilion Emporium, accidentally entering a wild goose chase for Starlight as the strings of fate pull them closer-- and may threaten to pull them apart too.
Longer Summary: Twain has lost everything. After his brother's death, his love of the Violin hurts now. He has his brother's debts to pay and after finding a piece of Starlight that could change his life, he stumbles into the Vermilion district when he sees her.
Quinta has been told that she is meant to do great things.
Or well, as great as helping a photographer out. After her mother's death, she has been searching for the Vermilion Emporium which has answers to what the moonshadow bottle heirloom may mean for her future and when she finally finds the place, she thinks all her answers will be here. Except that fate pulls her to Twain.
And perhaps, they might be each other's answer.
There is so much spoilery I could spill on here, but I would also like to keep my lips closed, but TWAIN is precious and I love him so much, and while Quinta is a bit prickly at first, you get used to her. The story itself pulls you in easily and the circus ambiance, the madness and the magic along with the romance and the banter between the two will keep you wanting to know what happens next. Worldbuilding was good and while some descriptions might have dragged out (A-la Adalyn Grace style!) it was pretty good. For the next book, I do hope for an improvement in physical characteristics because I know many early readers might have had this concern.
Rest assured, despite this taking me such a long time to get through, it is a worthy read to add to your shelves! Or to check out at a local library if we're saving money :)
Overall: 5/5 stars
irenevh's review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An interesting and unique premise, starting out strong in the first half, but becoming weird and very different in the second half.
The Vermilion Emporium is more unique than a lot of young adult fantasy out there. Set in a world where magic is mostly lost, but very much coveted. It once upon a time existed in the form of magical lace, woven from strands of starlight.
although a lot of the more basic plot point are not entirely unique, such as the romance and the main characters needing to find their way to this magic, the world itself feels pretty unique.
This led to a pretty strong first half of the book. where we get to know our main characters, this world and follow them on their mission.
Where this book started to unravel for me was around the halfway point, where an event happens which could easily be the climax, but was instead the kick off point for a rather strange and slightly disappointing second half.
Adding to this disappointment we also have the fact that all the villains/antagonists feel very stale. Taking what they want, and blaming the victim they already wronged when things don't go their way. These villains quickly annoyed and bored me.
These downsides are truly disappointing because the premise of this book had potential, the magical system is interesting and the characters were definitely likable. And sadly after a strong first half, the second half just did not live up to my wishes or expectations for this book overall.
The Vermilion Emporium is more unique than a lot of young adult fantasy out there. Set in a world where magic is mostly lost, but very much coveted. It once upon a time existed in the form of magical lace, woven from strands of starlight.
although a lot of the more basic plot point are not entirely unique, such as the romance and the main characters needing to find their way to this magic, the world itself feels pretty unique.
This led to a pretty strong first half of the book. where we get to know our main characters, this world and follow them on their mission.
Where this book started to unravel for me was around the halfway point, where an event happens which could easily be the climax, but was instead the kick off point for a rather strange and slightly disappointing second half.
Adding to this disappointment we also have the fact that all the villains/antagonists feel very stale. Taking what they want, and blaming the victim they already wronged when things don't go their way. These villains quickly annoyed and bored me.
These downsides are truly disappointing because the premise of this book had potential, the magical system is interesting and the characters were definitely likable. And sadly after a strong first half, the second half just did not live up to my wishes or expectations for this book overall.
jubilee4's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75