In 1893, Cole’s Book Arcade, Melbourne, is the Grandest Bookshop in the World, a place of wonder and magic, dreams and happiness, and also the home of Pearl and Valley Cole, who live in the store. But life isn’t all books and excitement for the two children; their favourite sibling, Ruby, died, and to bring her back from the dead, their father has made a shocking deal with the dangerous Obscurosmith, in exchange for their bookstore. As a result, Pearl and Vally make a deal to a game of what ever the Obscurosmith chooses, an if they win, they get their home back. If they lose, not only will they lose the book arcade, but their memory of their father and their home will disappear too. Will the siblings be able to win the mysterious game? Will they win back their home, or lose it- and their father- forever?
This narrative, with all it’s plot-twists and excitement, is absolutely one of my favourite books of all time. I especially loved how Amelia Mellor wrote her story like a web, with not a single piece missing from the puzzle that is this book. I would recommend this marvellous novel to any people 9 years and way over.
Hannah's Book Reviews 