Nowhere is Everywhere

The Nowhere Emporium

By Ross MacKenzie

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Series: Kelpies

Paperback: 280 pages

Publisher: Floris Books (May 15, 2015)

ISBN-10: 1782501258

ISBN-13: 978-1782501251

Approximate Lexile: 810

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

When the mysterious Nowhere Emporium arrives in Glasgow, orphan Daniel Holmes stumbles upon it quite by accident. Before long, the "shop from nowhere," and its owner, Mr Silver―draw Daniel into a breathtaking world of magic and enchantment. Recruited as Mr. Silver's apprentice, Daniel learns the secrets of the Emporium's vast labyrinth of passageways and rooms―rooms that contain wonders beyond anything Daniel had ever imagined. However, when Mr Silver disappears, and a shadow from the past threatens everything, the Emporium and all its wonders begin to crumble. Can Daniel save his home, and his new friends, before the Nowhere Emporium is destroyed forever? Scottish Children's Book Award winner Ross MacKenzie unleashes a riot of imagination, color, and fantasy in this astonishing adventure, perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, Corneila Funke, and Neil Gaiman.

 

My Thoughts:

While not the biggest, splashiest book to feature orphans and magic, this is a pleasant read. The characters are well-developed, with understandable motivations. Of course, naming a character “Vindictus Sharpe” is a bit of a giveaway that he’ll be the antagonist.

 

Some of the most interesting characters are ones that can’t leave the Emporium. The Emporium itself almost becomes a character, with its almost un-ending array of mysterious and magical rooms. Indeed, if you can imagine it, it becomes real in the Emporium. The descriptions of these rooms are vivid. And the idea of it being fueled by imaginations leeched away from the customers is interesting, because imagination is something that has no finite limits.

 

For me, the resolution was a bit hurried, a bit too neat and tidy, though the defeat of the antagonist (this should not count as a spoiler; you know how these stories have to go) is satisfying.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

If you don’t like the idea of magic, this isn’t for you. Some violent or scary scenes. A girl whom no one from outside can see—is she a ghost? Someone gets shot and killed. Bullying.

 

Who Would Like This Book:

Those who like magic and coming of age. It should read equally well for boys or girls.

 

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.