The Mourning Emporium is the second installment of the Undrowned Child series by Michelle Lovic. Teo and Renzo also know in Venice as the Undrowned Child and the Studious Son are once again running from the monster Bajamonte Tiepolo as he tries to do in London what he successfully did in Venice. Renzo's parents have perished in Venice and Teo's parents have disappeared as well and now the kids have been forced to work upon a slave ship run by a cruel women who is forcing the new orphans of Venice to man her pirate ship. When the kids arrive in London they discover that Queen Victoria is dying and the city is under attack by Bajamonte's horrible creatures. We meet a new group of wonderful characters in the mourning emporium, where people pay children to mourn at the funerals of their loved ones. One of the treasures of this series is the historical references to actual people and places that existed. In 1901 London was indeed in deep mourning over the death of Queen Victoria and the delightful language, colorful characters and fantastic creatures invented by the author create a wonderful world that older kids will love. It does take a bit of time for the reader to get used to the Victorian London slang, colorful sailor talk of the mermaids and the gruesome descriptions of the despicable monsters but it is well worth it -this story is terrific and unlike anything out there. I read this as an advance and this novel will be published in August 2012. ( )

This is the sequel to one of my favs – if not favourite – children’s books last year. These books have all the makings of classics – they are so imaginative and intelligent and immersive, and at their hearts is such a celebration of story-telling. They are certainly literary. I do not think they are easy books to read, but advanced readers will be rewarded. That said, The Mourning Emporium did not quite reach the dizzying heights of The Undrowned Child. I think maybe the formula was a bit off. All the elements were there but sometimes just didn’t gel, or were a little forced. But overall, The Mourning Emporium is a winner. Best read if you’re familiar with what’s gone before. One of the best written series out there at the moment.The detail, the intelligence, the ambition – I am quite jealous of Lovric’s creative talent.

Full review at:
http://bookgrotto.blogspot.com/2011/05/mourning-emporium-by-michelle-lovric.html ( )