A hugely surprising hit of the summer for me, in that I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. The relationship between the two main characters is stunning and the Howl's Moving Castle vibes are just glorious.

*4.5 stars
This book was both really good and entirely unlike what I expected in some ways. This is the story of Quinta and Twain, the only survivor in a line of magic users and an orphan climbing cliffs for rare feathers respectively. When they both stumble upon the same magic shop called the Vermilion Emporium, the two team up to find and weave starlight to make magical lace, but the costs of magic aren't always clear, and the lace draws in all those who want its power.
Our characters are so amazing in this book. We learn a lot about their emotions and pasts, but not so much that it takes away from the current story. Quinta and Twain are both incredibly deep and determined, which always a great mix to read about. Aside from that, the side characters were also featured a lot in ways that I loved, which is surprising since the vast majority of the story centers the POV characters and only them.
This romance is insta-love, but more like instant attraction. Quinta and Twain do have feelings for each other within a couple of hours and kiss early on, but they don't actually get together because of her history and his future, so there are just a lot of really sweet moments and tension. The fact that their relationship isn't immediate was a great decision, so the reader can enjoy their chemistry without getting bored because there's nowhere new for it to go. I also loved the bonds the MCs formed with the side characters, like with the seamstresses later on, Sorchia, and the Casorina.
Plot was really where this book became unpredictable (in a good way). The first half of this book is pretty romantic and cozy, but the last third is much more risky and dangerous. I'm not going to spoil anything, but I was really surprised at how it got pretty dark with those comp titles! I loved where the story went, but I was expecting more peaceful traveling, although it wouldn't have felt complete if I did get that. Pacton did a great job making the book keep going even after what would've been the natural end to a book that was entirely cozy fantasy. She wove mystery into the plot early on to make sure it could stand on its own, and I love that. This was readable and so amazing.
I'd recommend this to people who like fantasy without the epic nature, but still magic usage and whimsy! This was compared to Howl's Moving Castle, and although I'm not familiar with everything about the movie or book, I can safely say I agree. This was so much fun, and I couldn't guess what was coming next!

The Vermilion Emporium is a lilting story of learning what love means. The characters sort their weaknesses and discover their unique selves who are full of faults and mystery even to themselves at times. Twain and Quinta's relationship with each other and themselves move around other characters we do not really know. But the flow of Twain and Quinta's thoughts let us see how their doubts and misunderstandings can be overcome when making friends and dealing with disappointments. This is an excellent book for looking at self doubt and pain from a personal story. In our current time I think this book shares ways to manage these emotions without it being a flash solution. It demonstrates personal strength, honor, and greed. It points out motives for behavior that is unhealthy (codependency) and by acknowledging this without drama it makes it easier for those who may be susceptible to evaluate it compared to Twain and Quinta's relationship. The starlight is a character on its own right that highlights the reality that we are all made up of good and bad. We get to choose what to do with our lives.
It is a great read full of thoughtful character development and adventure and Fantasy.

I was expecting much more from this book. When I read the synopsis, I knew I had to read it but sadly it was not for me. The plot was full of potential, but I feel like the romance ruined the book for me. Despite being a big fan of romance, the insta-love didn´t do my reading experience any good. I also found the characters a little bit flat. Still, it has room to grow into a solid series, if some minor things are fixed, like the things mentioned before. My thanks to the públisher, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A very good book! Fans of Howls Moving Castle looking to get into more mature books will love this. While for the most part I was on my seat, I did feel like there was some parts that felt dragged out. However that doesn’t make the book worse and it’s an all around solid book!

WOW! This book is beautifully written and just UNPUTDOWNABLE! The characters are truly so well crafted and the story- you won't want to stop reading because you'll need to know what happens next! And any book that is reminiscent of Howl's Moving Castle is an immediate YES for me. This was an absolutely wonderful YA Fantasy and I will definitely be adding it to my bookshelf!

Thank you to Netgalley and Peachtree Teen for the eARC of this book!

I had a great time reading about the people and the various narrative turns. It was enjoyable to watch the characters discover the magic present in their world because I adore reading stories with magic. My favorite aspect of the novel was the world-building, especially in the Vermillion emporium. The book as a whole has the magical allure and whimsicalness of a Ghibli film thanks to the imaginative and beautiful artwork.

Love and magic is such a good combo! I really enjoyed this book. It took me a little bit to get into however as magic and mystery wove throughout the plot I became hooked. The characters were engaging and I enjoyed how much they evolved, especially Quinta. I got a bit emotional towards the end. I loved how the romance grew and the banter between Twain and Quinta. Loved the ending and how everything was tied up.
Those who love fantasy, magic with a bit of romance this book is for you ❤️ Add it to your wish lists it’s out November 1.
4/5
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, Jamie Pacton & the Publishers for this ARC Ebook ✨

I absolutely loved this book. Pacton's writing is lovely and magical and I never wanted to stop reading. Though both main characters ,Twain and Quinta, were flawed, it made them all the more likable and their love for one another was so pure and undisturbed that it filled me with hope. I would read ten more books of their adventures with magic and the unbelievable.

The Night Circus is my all-time favorite book, so when I read that the author was inspired by that book to write this one, I knew I had to read it. Add in comparisons to two more of my favorite stories--Howl's Moving Castle and The Radium Girls--and I had to read it now.

The Vermilion Emporium lives up to these comparisons but is it's own wonderful, magical, dangerous story. Pacton has created a unique world in which there may be magic hiding around a corner and where ordinary people can go on extraordinary adventures and discover extraordinary things about themselves. Twain and Quinta are two such people, and this book is their story.

I loved Twain and Quinta from their very first moments on the page. Individually, they're wonderful characters. Twain has found himself alone and desperate after his brother's death. His biggest wish is to sail away and explore the world, and a chance discovery of starlight may just give him that chance. Quinta is likewise alone, but she's found ways to survive. All she wants is to follow in her magical ancestor's footsteps and make her own magic. When she runs into Twain and his starlight, an opportunity appears. While both Twain and Quinta want different things, it's only by working together that either dream can become possible. But magic has a way of changing dreams as well as people, but it always comes with a price.

The Vermilion Emporium takes readers on a ride full of hope, romance, despair, loss, and, of course, magic. Pacton places her characters in truly dangerous situations, and she's not afraid of plot twists. I was quite pleased with the story's many twists, but I liked that the complex situations were not the result of the characters failing or refusing to communicate. Twain and Quinta are a wonderful couple, and their feelings for one another really drive this story. The ending is a bit sad but well done. The story wraps up but leaves threads for more adventures. I personally would like a story following Marcel and Chloe; I'm not convinced that Marcel wasn't inspired by the Doctor and that Chloe isn't his new companion, thus the need for more of their adventures. But of course, I'd also love any other story that included the Vermilion Emporium and its magical collections.

All in all, The Vermilion Emporium stands up to its comparisons to The Night Circus, Howl's Moving Castle, and The Radium Girls but is solidly its own whimsical tale. Full of fascinating characters, lyrical writing, and enough action and danger to keep you glued to the page, this is one that has earned its place on my shelf of favorites.

This book was such a delight to read. It reminded me of the lyrical writing of the 10000 Doors of January. As an avid reader of fantasy fiction it's always wonderful to come across a novel, artfully drawn world. Quinta is an excellent heroine as she explores her power and its limitations. Twain is an excellent foil and their love story is well developed. I loved the imagery in the Vermilion Emporium and can't wait for sequels that allow us to explore more rooms and the mystery of the Mapmaker and dragons. Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC edition of The Vermilion Emporium in return for a fair and honest review!

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Content Warnings: Brief War Themes, Mentions/Depictions of Blood & Wounds, Graphic Violence, Classism, Murder, Non-consensual Drugging, Kidnapping/Imprisonment, Mentions of Suicide, Death of a Brother, Death of Mother/Father, Death of Family Member (non-spoilered), Casual implications of sex, Depictions of Self-Inflicted Wounds/Sickness, Mentions of Drinking/Alcoholism, Verbal/Emotional Abuse from Family, Mentions of Gambling

**Disclaimer: This list may/may not include all content warnings for The Vermilion Emporium. Warnings are marked brief or graphic as needed.

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Firstly, if you describe a book as being inspired by Howl's Moving Castle, I am already sold. I clicked "Read Now" faster than I'd like to admit. I am very, very happy with this book, so if my review sounds flooded with praise, that's because it is!

To start, thank you so very much to the author for creating an independent, and SASSY, feminine protagonist. From the very beginning of her chapters, Quinta has been a powerful character who doesn't take crap off of anybody. She's determined, driven, and even when her opinions start to change later on, she is still just as resolute in her decisions regardless of what team she is fighting for. Additionally, I was THRILLED to see that she was canonically bisexual. Gorgeous! Many times, the sarcastic remarks that Quinta would make to Twain would make me laugh or run to tell my friends what she just said, simply because I was so enamored with her.

Twain, on the other hand, is exceptionally charming, and I loved him to bits. I appreciated that his traumas weren't swept under the rug as soon as a pretty girl came into his life, and that they were referenced consistently whether Quinta was in the scene or not. This goes for Quinta's traumas as well. He is an endearing character who was written as a womanizer without being insufferable. Definitely giving me some Howl vibes. He's a determined character who is clearly very passionate about the things he cares about, whether it was Quinta, his violin, or any other purpose he may have had or wanted.

I think the writing was lovely. It was a steady pace, and maybe a touch long for a YA, but I was happy to sit and enjoy the book for as long as it wanted to take me. There were the occasional spelling mistakes, mostly words being switched in place, for example something like: "the in book" instead of "in the book." (That wasn't directly taken from the book, but just as an example of what sort of very minor typos that most readers like myself would gloss over anyway since we read quicker than our brains can process.) The chapter set up was very pretty, very clean, and it's obvious that the author put a lot of time and care into the book and its characters.

The description of the Emporium was whimsical as it was magical, and I loved reading the different scenes where the main pair went into different rooms. The variety of enticing magic was a breath of fresh air aside from the general tropes, and how the mystery of the Emporium and how it gathered its wares, wonders, and items was never frankly answered. Some questions were tied up there at the end, but I think I am happier NOT knowing all the nitty-gritty about a place that is supposed to be wondrous and mysterious all at the same time.

The side characters were all quirky in their own rights and I enjoyed them all, though some less so for the obvious villainous streak that some had. There was an instance where you could definitely see something come pretty obviously, but it was well-deserved, so I'm not mad about it.

The romance was cute and warm right from the get-go, with a very clear desire and want for each other from the moment they meet. But, I, too, have a soft spot for snarky fems that could beat me up if they wished. The connection both felt in such a short amount of time was definitely enjoyable, and I liked the protectiveness they both had of each other, much like Howl and Sophie. They agreed to disagree sometimes if it was needed, but it was also nice to just see two characters that clicked together well without the constant butting of heads and friction.

The ending made me happy. It didn't feel rushed, but rather felt like a steady decline into something comforting for the characters' lives. A solid end, and there were a few twists there towards the end that I, didn't see coming, but maybe others will.

Addendum, kudos to the author for a canonically lesbian interracial couple! That was lovely to read, and I was thrilled to see it.

Overall, I give this one a 5/5 and will DEFINITELY be purchasing to keep on my shelf. I will also reread this one, which says a lot since I typically do not reread books. Good on the author, I look forward to any additional books they may come up with!

* I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is the sort of magic drenched, historical style fantasy that I haven’t read in ages but enjoyed so much! There was a lush decadence to this that had me reading it in measured portions to make it last. I adored the concept of magic in this - it was so genuine and unique. Plus the characters we followed - Quinta and Twain popped with life and were full of quotes. One of my favorite lines was when a character was introduced with “cheekbones like cliff faces.” Ugh! So vivid and excellently written. I adored the relationship dynamic between Quinta and Twain. There’s a line in particular that’s been seared into my memory. “Twain - a boy who loved challenges, dangerous things, and girls with edges he could cut himself on - liked her immediately.” Classy, classic, and luxurious.

Thank you, Peachtree Teen, for allowing me to read The Vermilion Emporium early!

Jamie Pacton consolidated herself as one of my favorite authors ever with this first dip into young adult fantasy. A.. exciting insta-love tale, full of adventure.

The Vermilion Emporium by Jamie Pacton is a young adult fantasy novel that drips with beauty as it explores the value and cost of artistic creation.

The novel alternates between the limited omniscient perspectives of Twain, an orphan boy who discovers a strand of long-lost starlight, and Quinta, an orphan girl who learns how to weave starlight into lace that can heal wounds, tell stories, and sway opinions. The 17-year-old protagonists discover a magical curiosity shop, become the target of powerful forces who want to use their starlight lace for political gain, and, of course, fall in love.

The romance is predictable, as are the forces that conspire to pull the couple apart, but beneath the plot is a poignant commentary on art, science, beauty, and power that leads readers to contemplate the human desire for magic and the terrible sacrifices it requires.

Pacton creates an intriguing world where human story and starlight intersect. Her settings burst with color and light. Her characters experience love and loss.

The Vermilion Emporium will sweep you away to a fantasy world and return you to reality with a deeper understanding of magic and the artists who create it.

The book was beautifully written, and had very likable characters, with great chemistry, even if it was a little insta love.

The world building was my favourite part of the book, especially within the Vermilion emporium. The imagery was vivid, and creative, and gave the whole book the magical intrigue and whimsicalness of a ghibli movie.

My only minor issue, was the pacing of the story, there were a lot of moments where I felt the story was rushed, and undeveloped, and felt like the story was concluding, but then had more twists and chapters. Regardless, I am excited to purchase a physical copy when the book releases, as the cover is stunning.

I mean WOW! The writing is so good! You will fall for the characters without even trying.
I love the characters. They are imperfect. They're flawed but that's how perfect they are. And the romance. Damn. The writing is such an adventure I say!

I haven't enjoyed a young reader's book in such a long time. And this book is bringing me right on track on what I have been missing out.

The character development is really good. For the main characters, I say they are imperfect perfect. I adore them. You can also expect good participance of the other side characters as well. Don't want to spoil things but there are characters you'd enjoy hating.

Talking about hate, I hate cliffhangers. Author, are you planning to torture me?! When is the next book coming out?! I need the advance reading copy of the next book as well!

There's love. There's adventure. There's mystery. There's magic, yes.

I love Twain so much. Quinta, will you excuse me please!

I want to protect these characters so much yet they are much stronger than what I initially thought about them.

We all survived the dangers. However, the ending got me crying cos, ahem, it left me hanging.

Damn.

Anya, Ruby, Chloe. I need to see you all grow and have more adventures. Quinta and Twain will be okay.

Stay safe.

(Damn. I am so invested.)

Thank you, Peachtree/Peachtree Teen, for the advance reading copy.

The Vermilion Emporium 4/5
I really enjoyed reading about the characters and all the plot twists. Also, I love books with magic and it was nice to see the characters explore the magic in their world.
I really liked both Twain and Quinta, and I enjoyed reading about their relationship, even though i don’t usually like insta love. I will say though that the book did drag on quite a bit but still an enjoyable read!

“There will always be magic between us,” she whispered…
Definitely recommend!

The Vermillion Empire 4/5
I really enjoyed reading about the characters and all the plot twists. Also, I love books with magic and it was nice to see the characters explore the magic in their world.
I really liked both Twain and Quinta, and I enjoyed reading about their relationship, even though i don’t usually like insta love. I will say though that the book did drag on quite a bit but still an enjoyable read!

“There will always be magic between us,” she whispered…
Definitely recommend!

I really enjoyed this book. The romance, the twists and turns of the plot, the characters. Twain and Quinta were both imperfect and flawed yet lovable all the same. I enjoyed reading about them both separately and together. The writing was also beautiful. However, I did find some parts of the book to be cheesy and cliche. Overall, however, it was a very good young adult read, reminiscent of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.