Ross Mackenzie

In the final part of the trilogy, Daniel looks around to try and find a new apprentice to take over the Nowhere Emporium as lately his spells from the book of Wonders haven't been going to plan and he is looking very tired. He comes across Susan who has magical ability and over the years Susan keeps visiting the Emporium and learning more about it from Daniel, but at the same time, she stumbles across a tent with a door and someone locked behind the door. The presence convinces Susan to do a number of things all in the name of helping Daniel but is she really helping? Fast forward 20 years and Susan has her own troubles in the real world as a single mum to Mirren who lost an arm and her father in a terrible car accident. Then one night she sees the Emporium again.
The next day Mirren discovers her mother missing, and she and her best friend Luke and the girl who bullies them at school are all dragged into the Emporium which now seems to be a giant palace for an evil presence. What has happened to Daniel and Susan?

Didn't like this one as much as the first and felt the story was a bit convoluted and laboured compared to the others. The swapping between times was a bit confusing, especially as Daniel doesn't get any older whereas Susan does. Thought the ending was a little weak too but maybe children will think otherwise. Nevertheless an otherwise enjoyable series for fans of Harry Potter, Narnia etc.… (mer)

In this sequel to the Nowhere Emporium, Daniel has taken over the NE and created a world of tents and circuses for people to visit for the cost of one of their dreams. On this first showing Daniel and Ellie meet Edna a huge fan of the NE. While viewing all the sights, Edna hears her Grandfather's voice calling her and is lead to a mirror containing an evil Shadow Taker. The presence takes over control of Edna and forces her to move the NE when Daniel and Ellie are outside. How will they get the NE back and stop the evil Shadow Taker from sucking all the magic he can from his surroundings to make himself invincible?

This book was told also in flashback to when the first sightings of the Shadow Taker saw him killing agents from the Magical Bureau and introduces us to the dead Mrs Hennyfeather and the very young agent (10 years old) called Flintwich. The addition of these two characters is great because some of the extra characters from the NE spend the majority of the book turned to stone and thus it gives the reader a bit of a rest from the angst of Daniel and Ellie which can wear thin at times. Nice resolution to the story.

Suitable for fans of Harry Potter and other magical stories.… (mer)