I chose you because you were the most useless human whose story I had the displeasure of reading.
On the first day of the monsoon an old ramshackle building appears.
This is The Rainfall Market.
Inside you will find magical bookstores, hairdressers, perfumeries and anything your heart desires.
But you cannot enter without an invitation.
Serin, who lives in a small flat with her mother and dreams of a bigger, better life, can’t believe her luck when she receives a ticket inviting her to step inside The Rainfall Market.
Once inside she will have the opportunity to swap her life for a new one.
A better one.
Accompanied by Issha the cat and followed by a mysterious shadow, Serin tentatively steps inside. There she is told she has just one week to choose the perfect life and find true happiness.
However, there is a catch.
If she doesn’t find her dream life, she’ll be trapped inside the market forever . . .
REVIEW
A young girl called Serin has a dream of having a better life after suffering loss, poverty and discouraging comments regarding her activities that are not generally deemed as ‘feminine’. This leads her to follow a rumour about a special place that can provide you with your dream life. After being invited to the Rainfall Market, Serin finds herself on an adventure where she meets incredibly eccentric characters, and is joined by a special little cat called Issha. The characters are fascinating humanoid-creatures, with accentuated features and fun personalities, which are the opposite to the tragic backgrounds of Serin and Issha – though I would have liked more character development. The world building is enchanting – a visual of beauty and dilapidation, with a variety of imposing weather and fantastical buildings, fauna and flora. The writing style is easy and fast paced, and I honestly didn’t see the climax coming, though some of the smaller story arcs were predictable, nonetheless enjoyable. The plot was gripping due to a time limit imposed on our protagonist, creating an anxiety as you proceed along the journey with Serin and Issa, especially as it escalates, encouraging you turn another page, and then another, and then another. The relationship between Serin and the colourful characters she meets along the way was done nicely, earning these strangers trust and friendship, especially between Serin and Issha the cat. There was maybe a little hint of a sequel? I would certainly add that to my collection.
He can’t be reborn until he’s received enough love from a human, which he unfortunately seems to have a hard time absorbing because he was so cruelly abandoned in his past life.
Overall Thoughts
Although this is a young adult fantasy, I would also place this proudly in my ‘cosy reads’ pile for adults. It is a page turner, and becomes thought provoking for young adults but also for those of us who are perhaps in our late 30’s onwards, contemplating life decisions and past dreams. It is perfect for that rainy afternoon, cuddled under a blanket with a hot drink, consuming the book in a single sitting.
I am so grateful to have received the opportunity to read this wonderful advanced copy from Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House (via NetGalley).
FAVOURITE LINES
Some things are infinitely more precious than wealth … I would spend more time with my loved ones.
She thought she was hopeless. But at some point, she began to feel that she couldn’t keep running away. That she had to dig in her heels.
The truth is, it’s never too late to start on your dreams. The present is the best time to launch yourself forward.
BOOK DETAILS
Released: 28 November 2024
Publisher: Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House
Pages: 203
Rating: (4.25 stars)
Genres: Young Adult/Fantasy
