Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The Vermilion Emporium by Jamie Pacton

2 reviews

takarakei's review

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


  • Dual POV
  • Mystical magical shop
  • Adventure
  • Magical lace weaving

There was a bit of pacing issues in the book. The first half is rather slow, and while I did enjoy most of the world building and following the two MCs in discovery of the Emporium, it really took until the halfway point for things to get interesting. Much of the first half is also consumed with their insta-love romance (while also simultaneously saying 'this is crazy' so at least they're self-aware I guess). I also got very annoyed with a line that keeps getting repeated which Quinta's mother said to her, like ok we get it!!

The Emporium itself is of course really the most interesting thing about this book (along with the magical lace weaving). I heard this book described as Howl's Moving Castle vibes... personally because that is a movie I love intensely that was a high-bar to set. I wish I hadn't heard/read that because I think I would've enjoyed this book on it's own more without the comparison.

The second half got a lot more interesting once some *things* happen
the ball, and once they get separated
to really move the plot along and the focus isn't quite as much on the romance. And from this point on I really enjoyed the book, and the ending. So much so that it added a half star to my overall rating.

In the end while this book had some flaws, I definitely think it's worth a read if you're a YA fantasy fan, because perhaps some of my qualms are rather personal.

I also really enjoyed the author's note at the end where she talked about her inspirations for the book.

2/5 🌶️ (closed door)
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keepcalmblogon's review

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adventurous lighthearted fast-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? No

5.0

I didn’t know what to expect when I got approved for The Vermilion Emporium on NetGalley. It seemed a little like The Night Circus to me (some would probably also say Caraval since they are often comped, but I haven’t read Caraval yet!). I was so pleasantly surprised and delighted by the story and appreciate so much having been approved for it.  The Vermilion Emporium  reminded me of movies like Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium or The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. So I was definitely curious what I would discover along with Twain and Quinta. I found a world full of magic and starlight, literally! And a love so wholesome and unconditional I was surprised how deeply I was touched by the pure simplicity of it. 

I give this book 5 stars because it never felt like the plot lagged and characters were so lovable. I will say Twain and Quinta do seem a little bit younger than they are meant to be, than their lives thus far in the story should have them feeling.  But this can easily be explained by the world in which they live, we cannot expect all fantasy characters to grow the same way from life experiences since not everyone in our world does either!  Anyone who loves The Night Circus will absolutely adore this book. 

This is a world I would be so happy to return to, and apparently Jamie Pacton is writing a return to Twain and Quinta’s world, set 25 years after Vermilion Emporium, called THE ABSINTHE UNDERGROUND, set to release in spring 2024! I will absolutely be preordering that (as well as stalking NetGalley to see if I can get my hands on a review copy).  I think I have found a new auto-buy author and I cannot wait to see what Pacton delivers next!
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