Audiobook Review: The Nowhere Emporium by Ross MacKenzie (Narrated by Monty d’Inverno)

The Nowhere Emporium is one of the first audiobooks I’ve ever listened to without knowing the story beforehand, & it’s also one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to. I listened to this story whenever I could & sped through it way faster than intended – I wish this story had been longer as it would’ve meant more time within the fantastical Nowhere Emporium.

✨👧🔮💛🎧

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 has ever imagined. But 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?

The Nowhere Emporium was the second audio book I listened to this year but it was the first audiobook I’ve listened to without reading it first (that wasn’t a biography). And I fell in love. The story only lasted 5hrs 49mins but it completely absorbed me & I became very attached to the characters – main character Daniel was impossible not to love & his character development throughout the story was done really well.

I also loved the magic in this story; imagine being able to work in a magical shop that is full of rooms that are all different & can literally make your dreams come true, a magical shop that can move all around the world whilst you sleep… wouldn’t that be incredible? I loved the imagination & creativity that has gone in to creating all the rooms featured in the story & I dreamt about visiting rooms created by me during nights between listens.

The plot itself kept me guessing & watching Daniel grow up so he could solve the mystery of Mr Silver was impossible to resist; I listened to this story at every opportunity I had & hated having to pause it once I got to work in the morning. I 100% recommend this story, but as the narrator did such a brilliant job, I definitely think you should listen to it, instead of reading it! I’ve also just learnt there’s a sequel (although it’s not on Audible) & I’m adding it to my TBR as I write this!