The Vermilion Emporium - by Jamie Pacton

Book Synopsis

The heart-wrenching story of The Radium Girls meets the enchanting world of Howl's Moving Castle, when two misfits discover the deadly secret to making starlight lace inside of a magical curiosity shop.

It was a day for finding things...

On the morning Twain, a lonely boy with a knack for danger, discovers a strand of starlight on the cliffs outside of Severon, a mysterious curiosity shop appears in town. Meanwhile, Quinta, the ordinary daughter of an extraordinary circus performer, chases rumors of the shop, The Vermilion Emporium, desperate for a way to live up to her mother's magical legacy.

When Quinta meets Twain outside of the Emporium, two things happen: One, Quinta is sure she's infatuated with this starlight boy, who uses his charm to hide his scars. Two, they enter store and discover a book that teaches them how to turn the starlight thread into lace.

The lace catches the eye of a wealthy patron, who would pay handsomely for a dress woven from the material. But to accept the commission, Quinta and Twain would need more thread, and the secret to starlight's origins is said to have disappeared over a century ago. While searching the Emporium for answers, Quinta and Twain learn that the secret may actually have been destroyed. And likely, for good reason.

A powerful adventure set in a whimsically magical world. Jamie Pacton's fantasy debut is the story of timeless love and deadly consequences.

Review Quotes

★ "[A] unique examination of class inequality and exploitation set against a provocative landscape. . . . The protagonists' easy, undeniable chemistry, the shop's fanciful impossibilities, and the heartbreaking price exacted by the starlight offer romance, whimsy, and introspection via a hauntingly romantic fantasy adventure."--Publishers Weekl, y Starred Review

★ "A fantasy novel clothed in romance and adventure, The Vermilion Emporium weaves together themes of loyalty and destiny, delivering a heartfelt and dazzling triumph."--Foreword Reviews, Starred Review

"Come for the steampunk vibes and Pacton's lavish imagery, but stay for her thoughtful commentary on social class, technology and power."--BookPage

"For teens who relish a heavy dose of darkness in their cozies. "--Booklist

"A feast for the senses . . . ."--Kirkus Reviews

"Pacton has delivered a satisfying YA fantasy debut."--School Library Connection

"Packed with fantastical adventures, heartfelt whimsy, and delightful characters, The Vermillion Emporium is as luminous as starlight lace itself. Jamie Pacton will make you believe there is magic to be found around every corner." --Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic

"Whimsical, poignant, and enchanting, The Vermilion Emporium deftly weaves magic, romance, and loss into a story that lingers with the reader like starlight." --Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow and Little Thieves

"Pacton's enchanting fantasy sweeps you into a world of starlight and moon shadows and holds you spellbound long after the final page." --Roselle Lim, author of Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune

About the Author

Jamie Pacton is an author, teacher, mom, and inclusive feminist. She grew up minutes away from the National Storytelling Center in the mountains of East Tennessee, and she currently lives in rural Wisconsin with her husband, their two kids, and a dog named Lego. The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly is her Young Adult debut and her sophomore novel, Lucky Girl, released from Page Street in May 2021.

• Readers who love the whimsical and charming world of Howl's Moving Castle
• Fans of the lush, decedent prose in The Night Circus and Caraval
• YA romance readers, and anyone who believes in soul mates

• Fans of historically-inspired, feminist YA fantasy like Serpent & Dove
• Readers who were horrified by the atrocities faced by the Radium Girls