A Charming but Uninspired Tale of Self-Discovery

Hello there!

I'm a huge fan of fantasy movies, but when it comes to literature, I haven't read a ton of it and can't really pinpoint anything specific (or remember it, for that matter). I picked up this book at Fix Price for 299 rubles, which sparked my interest - first, the synopsis really caught my eye; second, the Asian author, whose work I'm not familiar with. In reality, I got a pretty straightforward, even childish, story that didn't exactly blow me away, but didn't disappoint either. However, adding it to my list of memorable reads? Not happening.

About the plot.

Serin is a young girl, a high school student. Her life can't be described as easy, mainly due to the poverty her family lives in. Serin's dad is deceased, her sister, who was her best friend, is nowhere to be found, their mom works as a dishwasher (if I got it right), and they live in a tiny apartment that could be torn down at any moment. Serin is a high school graduate, but she understands that her chances of getting into university are slim to none. Her only solace is the martial arts section she attends, but every failure she faces is crushing. In short, Serin is unhappy with her life and wishes she could change it for a happier one.

There's a rumor in their town that a miracle happens once a year, and a magical store appears where you can trade your old life for a new one. Serin is already an adult, and she knows this is probably impossible... or so she thinks. On the other hand, there's some evidence to support this claim, and it's hidden in the books written by those who've been to this place. Serin has thoroughly studied these books.

I was skeptical about getting into the store, but all it takes is a letter explaining your problems, and if they seem worth paying attention to, you'll get an invitation. Easy peasy.

And yeah, despite my initial doubts, the girl writes the letter, and yeah, she gets the invitation. Should I be happy? I mean, it's like, yeah, but this magical store thing... The protagonist doesn't get the feeling that it's all some kind of prank or that it's not real, until she sees a bunch of other people who are also guests at this place, where these tokyebi-like creatures are in charge.

But even here, our Sera is in for some more surprises - it turns out she's the only one with a golden ticket, which gives her some perks compared to the regular ones, but why's that? Is she the saddest among these people? And finding a new happy life isn't as easy as it seems, you have to put in the work, and if you don't get to choose it in time, the magical store will just keep you...

So can our protagonist find her new happy life, or will she become part of the store? Why did she get the golden ticket and not anyone else? What are these tokyebi creatures, and why are they willing to grant people's wishes? What's their goal? And how will the story unfold from here? That's what we're about to find out.

The writing style is straightforward and easy to follow, even if it's a bit simple. There are no flowery sentences or complicated ideas to get in the way of the story. It's not presented as a kids' fantasy novel, but you could definitely read this with your kids or to your kids without worrying about any mature themes or language. Plus, the plot is pretty straightforward and simple, making it easy for kids to understand.

Getting into the story is pretty quick, and we're dropped right into the action without much buildup. The first few chapters are a bit slow and not that interesting, but that's not uncommon in a story where the really exciting events don't start until the middle or end. Still, the beginning is important, and it's worth getting through the slow parts to see how the story develops.

As far as I'm concerned, this is a pretty unoriginal story. There are a lot of similar plots out there, and they often show up in movies and TV shows in this genre too. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it's definitely something to be aware of. From the start, you can kind of guess how the story is going to end, and you're usually right.

What's this? A fantasy novel, but it's basically a wanderer's tale, with hardly any 'weird' elements. Yeah, there are these tokkēbi – magical creatures, but aside from the horns, they look like humans. And their world doesn't differ much from ours. The author failed to create an original, unique world; instead, they stuck to a well-trodden path, no cleverness involved. Why is it a wanderer's tale? Well, basically, we'll be traveling through a magical shop to find 'the right happy life' throughout the whole novel. Yeah, beneath the simplicity and naivety, there's a very important theme – one of the most crucial in modern times: what is happiness, and where can we find it? Is it in wealth and material possessions or something else? And do we even know how the rich and famous really live? Are they happy? What comes with being well-off?

I mentioned earlier that the plot follows a classic structure: setup, gradual escalation, and a climax. Here, as expected, we have heroes and villains. I liked that the ending wasn't rushed; we find out what happens to the main character, whether she achieves her dream, and how this unusual journey through the magical shop affects her. The epilogue is sweet, with a touch of melancholy and hope.

The characters are... nonexistent. I mean, the main character is a blank slate. We get a glimpse into her life, but as a person, she doesn't evoke any emotions. The magical shop's characters, on the other hand, are well-developed and colorful – as you read, you form a certain image of them.

From a visual standpoint, we have a soft cover with a smaller format than the classic one. The cover design is great, especially the color palette, although I wouldn't say it accurately represents the story. Still, it grabs your attention, which is important for a book's appeal.

I love that the back cover has a synopsis that accurately represents the content of the book. It doesn't give away too much, but it's enough to get you excited about reading it.

The paper quality is great - it's newspaper-style, with a clear font that's easy on the eyes. The book is small, but the simple layout and font make it a quick read. If you've got the time, you can easily finish it in a day - and that's if you even need to put it down!

The book is divided into chapters, each of which is a self-contained story. If you're looking for a magical experience, each chapter is like browsing through a wizarding shop - you never know what you'll find.

THE VERDICT: every book deserves respect, and this one is no exception. Don't expect anything mind-blowing, but if you're a fan of simple stories with a touch of magic, you'll love it. I wouldn't give it more than three stars, but I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted read.

That's all from me, folks!

Read books, people - they make us better!

Until next time, stay happy and keep reading!

I've got to say, the customer support from this company has been top-notch. I had a question about the return policy, and they got back to me within the hour. The return process itself was super easy, and I got my refund in no time. I'm really impressed with how they handled it.