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keepcalmblogon's review
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!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts
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