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The World-Famous Nine #2
The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine
The #2 New York Times bestselling series returns!
Zander and Natasha must reverse an evil spell threatening the Number Nine Plaza’s very existence in Book 2 of this puzzle-bending mystery—for fans of The Swifts.
Summer is in full swing at The Number Nine Plaza, the world's largest and most fabulous department store, and best friends Zander and Natasha are looking forward to weeks of discovery after thwarting the vengeful Darkbloom's attempt to destroy The Nine. But has the danger truly passed? Store employees begin acting oddly, a long-lost clue to an ancient store mystery is uncovered, and Zander and Natasha themselves become targets for attack. When a devastating magic spell places The Nine under new peril, the two friends find themselves in a race against the clock to solve the store's ever-deepening riddles and preserve the world-famous Number Nine Plaza from destruction.
Featuring word puzzles, clues, and black-and-white illustrations in every chapter, this enchanting, out-of-this-world mystery delivers an unforgettable read full of magic and adventure.
Zander and Natasha must reverse an evil spell threatening the Number Nine Plaza’s very existence in Book 2 of this puzzle-bending mystery—for fans of The Swifts.
Summer is in full swing at The Number Nine Plaza, the world's largest and most fabulous department store, and best friends Zander and Natasha are looking forward to weeks of discovery after thwarting the vengeful Darkbloom's attempt to destroy The Nine. But has the danger truly passed? Store employees begin acting oddly, a long-lost clue to an ancient store mystery is uncovered, and Zander and Natasha themselves become targets for attack. When a devastating magic spell places The Nine under new peril, the two friends find themselves in a race against the clock to solve the store's ever-deepening riddles and preserve the world-famous Number Nine Plaza from destruction.
Featuring word puzzles, clues, and black-and-white illustrations in every chapter, this enchanting, out-of-this-world mystery delivers an unforgettable read full of magic and adventure.
- GenresMiddle GradeFantasy
416 pages, Hardcover
Published May 13, 2025
11 people are currently reading
2153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 18, 2025
Thank you to @tbrbeyondtours for including me on their blog tour as well as @christyottavianobooks for sending me a physical copy of this book.
In this sequel to The World-Famous Nine, Zander and Natasha are still reveling in their discovery of the mysterious and magical sandstone plate; the item that is the foundation of Zina Winebee's beloved and esteemed store, The Number Nine Plaza.
But they quickly realize that Darkbloom, the entity that is attempting to destroy the store, will not back down and is coming back with an even greater vengeance.
Will Zander and Natasha be able to figure out Uncle Vladimir's puzzles in time to break Darkbloom's curse and save their beloved store?
I have read a lot of Middle Grade novels. I mean, it's kind of my job. 😂 But both The World-Famous Nine and The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine are two of the most unique MG mysteries that I have ever read.
The world of Novatrosk and the enchantment of The Number Nine Plaza are so intriguing, and I can't help but wish that The Nine was a real place so I could experience everything it offers its patrons. Maybe if I visited, I could convince Natasha to let me swing above one of the restaurants, and I could try Zander's favorite yak-cheese pizza.
But my absolute favorite part of this sequel were the incredible puzzles that truly make this book one of the most engaging and interactive middle-grade books out there.
I enjoyed solving these puzzles so much that I created my own puzzles based on a few found in this book. If you want to see my puzzles, feel free to check out my review on IG (@mrs_anderson_reads)
If you'd like to read more reviews of The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine, check out the official blog tour at www.tbrandbeyondtours.com
In this sequel to The World-Famous Nine, Zander and Natasha are still reveling in their discovery of the mysterious and magical sandstone plate; the item that is the foundation of Zina Winebee's beloved and esteemed store, The Number Nine Plaza.
But they quickly realize that Darkbloom, the entity that is attempting to destroy the store, will not back down and is coming back with an even greater vengeance.
Will Zander and Natasha be able to figure out Uncle Vladimir's puzzles in time to break Darkbloom's curse and save their beloved store?
I have read a lot of Middle Grade novels. I mean, it's kind of my job. 😂 But both The World-Famous Nine and The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine are two of the most unique MG mysteries that I have ever read.
The world of Novatrosk and the enchantment of The Number Nine Plaza are so intriguing, and I can't help but wish that The Nine was a real place so I could experience everything it offers its patrons. Maybe if I visited, I could convince Natasha to let me swing above one of the restaurants, and I could try Zander's favorite yak-cheese pizza.
But my absolute favorite part of this sequel were the incredible puzzles that truly make this book one of the most engaging and interactive middle-grade books out there.
I enjoyed solving these puzzles so much that I created my own puzzles based on a few found in this book. If you want to see my puzzles, feel free to check out my review on IG (@mrs_anderson_reads)
If you'd like to read more reviews of The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine, check out the official blog tour at www.tbrandbeyondtours.com
May 8, 2025
What worked:
The setting is unique, and some readers might think it’s limited. The story takes place in one building, a nineteen-floor hotel called The Nine. It contains every kind of store or business needed for a puzzling plot. Zandar is staying with his grandmother, Zina, the owner of the hotel, and he, along with his new friend Natasha, solved the mystery of a missing sandstone plate in the previous book. They live on the nineteenth floor, with guests, employees, and merchants making up the cast of characters. The hotel’s long history includes drama that still affects events today. The husband-and-wife owners of The Nine a century ago were on opposing sides concerning the evil Darkbloom. Vladimir has left coded, secret messages for the characters to decipher.
The malevolent spirit named Darkbloom is determined to destroy The Nine. A mystery unfolds when Zander finds a hidden message that may stop Darkbloom. Readers will become suspicious of a man in a purple suit, especially when Zander sees him next to a disappearing stall selling fezzes. Curiously, Zander is the only character able to see the spirit, but his mind and willpower are strong enough to withstand its influence. Other characters become possessed and behave strangely, and Natasha is almost killed while performing in one of The Nine’s restaurants. The characters learn that Zander and Natasha are being targeted. Darkbloom’s manipulation activates a destructive spell that won’t take full effect until seven days have passed. This deadline adds a countdown clock to build suspense as the days pass.
The plot provides plenty of opportunities for creative thinking that puzzle and mystery lovers will enjoy. Zander discovers a message in a Kaminsky box that says to find the last letter. This cryptic message is an ongoing focus of the plot. Zander also enjoys reading hotel magazines created by Vladimir and solving different types of puzzles and codes. Readers will be able to try their hands at them, and thankfully, the book provides solutions and explanations too. Zander finally realizes that solving these magazine puzzles provides clues to help solve the mysteries of how to stop Darkbloom and how to reverse the spell destroying The Nine.
What didn’t work as well:
There are a lot of characters with uncommon names to remember in the nineteen-story hotel. Most books create mental maps of settings that are flat and horizontal, while the setting in this book goes up and down, vertically. This small difference makes readers change their thinking when creating mental images. It’s not hard, just different.
The final verdict
I haven’t read the first book, but it’s easy to enjoy this one independently. The whole plot is mystery and problem solving, with some supernatural thrown in. Zander leads the deep thinkers, and his bravery helps resolve the problem of Darkbloom. I recommend you try this book for yourself.
The setting is unique, and some readers might think it’s limited. The story takes place in one building, a nineteen-floor hotel called The Nine. It contains every kind of store or business needed for a puzzling plot. Zandar is staying with his grandmother, Zina, the owner of the hotel, and he, along with his new friend Natasha, solved the mystery of a missing sandstone plate in the previous book. They live on the nineteenth floor, with guests, employees, and merchants making up the cast of characters. The hotel’s long history includes drama that still affects events today. The husband-and-wife owners of The Nine a century ago were on opposing sides concerning the evil Darkbloom. Vladimir has left coded, secret messages for the characters to decipher.
The malevolent spirit named Darkbloom is determined to destroy The Nine. A mystery unfolds when Zander finds a hidden message that may stop Darkbloom. Readers will become suspicious of a man in a purple suit, especially when Zander sees him next to a disappearing stall selling fezzes. Curiously, Zander is the only character able to see the spirit, but his mind and willpower are strong enough to withstand its influence. Other characters become possessed and behave strangely, and Natasha is almost killed while performing in one of The Nine’s restaurants. The characters learn that Zander and Natasha are being targeted. Darkbloom’s manipulation activates a destructive spell that won’t take full effect until seven days have passed. This deadline adds a countdown clock to build suspense as the days pass.
The plot provides plenty of opportunities for creative thinking that puzzle and mystery lovers will enjoy. Zander discovers a message in a Kaminsky box that says to find the last letter. This cryptic message is an ongoing focus of the plot. Zander also enjoys reading hotel magazines created by Vladimir and solving different types of puzzles and codes. Readers will be able to try their hands at them, and thankfully, the book provides solutions and explanations too. Zander finally realizes that solving these magazine puzzles provides clues to help solve the mysteries of how to stop Darkbloom and how to reverse the spell destroying The Nine.
What didn’t work as well:
There are a lot of characters with uncommon names to remember in the nineteen-story hotel. Most books create mental maps of settings that are flat and horizontal, while the setting in this book goes up and down, vertically. This small difference makes readers change their thinking when creating mental images. It’s not hard, just different.
The final verdict
I haven’t read the first book, but it’s easy to enjoy this one independently. The whole plot is mystery and problem solving, with some supernatural thrown in. Zander leads the deep thinkers, and his bravery helps resolve the problem of Darkbloom. I recommend you try this book for yourself.
January 22, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Zander is still visiting his grandmother Zina Winebee at her department store, The World-Famous Nine. He and his friend, Natasha, are still worried about the threat of Darkbloom, and are trying to figure out how to finally disable the evil spirit. When Zander meets a man in a purple suit at a fez department he doesn't remember seeing, he isn't worried at first, even when the man gives him a coin with a mandala on it that looks suspiciously like the one on a box that Zina has. When he meets the man again, and learns his name, Mr. A.K. Blood, he realizes that the name is an anagram of his nemesis. Strange things keep happening all over the department store, and Natasha even almost plunges to her doom from her swing in the dining room, but is luckily saved by Uncle Francisco, the oldest Winebee, who is visiting. Zander and Natasha go through volumes of the 1920s store newsletter to try to figure out what Vladimir's message might be to finally contain Darkbloom. Using all of their code breaking and puzzle skills, will Natasha and Zander be able to finally find a way to keep The World-Famous Nine store safe?
There are lots of good puzzles in this, and it's a satisfying conclusion to the series. I'm still a little confused by the location of the store, and by the large number of quirky, Slavic sounding names, but only because I'm overthinking it. It was fun that Winterhouse was mentioned as one of the nine magical places in the world, and I wonder if there will be other duologies about some of the other places.
Zander is still visiting his grandmother Zina Winebee at her department store, The World-Famous Nine. He and his friend, Natasha, are still worried about the threat of Darkbloom, and are trying to figure out how to finally disable the evil spirit. When Zander meets a man in a purple suit at a fez department he doesn't remember seeing, he isn't worried at first, even when the man gives him a coin with a mandala on it that looks suspiciously like the one on a box that Zina has. When he meets the man again, and learns his name, Mr. A.K. Blood, he realizes that the name is an anagram of his nemesis. Strange things keep happening all over the department store, and Natasha even almost plunges to her doom from her swing in the dining room, but is luckily saved by Uncle Francisco, the oldest Winebee, who is visiting. Zander and Natasha go through volumes of the 1920s store newsletter to try to figure out what Vladimir's message might be to finally contain Darkbloom. Using all of their code breaking and puzzle skills, will Natasha and Zander be able to finally find a way to keep The World-Famous Nine store safe?
There are lots of good puzzles in this, and it's a satisfying conclusion to the series. I'm still a little confused by the location of the store, and by the large number of quirky, Slavic sounding names, but only because I'm overthinking it. It was fun that Winterhouse was mentioned as one of the nine magical places in the world, and I wonder if there will be other duologies about some of the other places.
May 16, 2025
This is such a fun series. My two favorite mystery solvers, Zander and Natasha, are back in this intriguing mystery series. I love the characters and the whimsical setting of the world-famous The Number Nine Plaza. This mysterious and enchanting department store has it all, including the dangerous and elusive Darkbloom who will stop at nothing to bring destruction to all who cross him.
As much as I liked the first book, I enjoyed this book even more! Guterson does a great job of pulling the reader right in the story and keeping the mystery and the fun engaging right until the end. This book picks up right where the first one ends and the action and twists are non stop. I appreciate and enjoy how resourceful Zander and Natasha are, but sometimes it is to their peril.
The stakes are high and the pair and others try to stop Darkbloom and I was all in.
Along with the great story, there are amazing illustrations throughout that bring the story to life! I enjoyed what those brought to the story. I absolutely love this genre and I hope there are more books in this series coming.
I received a hardcover and a NetGalley link, #gifted copy, from the publisher. All views are my own.
As much as I liked the first book, I enjoyed this book even more! Guterson does a great job of pulling the reader right in the story and keeping the mystery and the fun engaging right until the end. This book picks up right where the first one ends and the action and twists are non stop. I appreciate and enjoy how resourceful Zander and Natasha are, but sometimes it is to their peril.
The stakes are high and the pair and others try to stop Darkbloom and I was all in.
Along with the great story, there are amazing illustrations throughout that bring the story to life! I enjoyed what those brought to the story. I absolutely love this genre and I hope there are more books in this series coming.
I received a hardcover and a NetGalley link, #gifted copy, from the publisher. All views are my own.
May 26, 2025
Even better than book 1! With all the puzzles and not to mention the risks/danger reach an entirely new level! Kids will love solving the riddles. My husband laughed at me more than once as he saw me trying to solve the puzzles. He would ask, “what are you doing with that book?” My reply, “I’m reading it while trying to solve the mystery as well.” He would say, “it sure doesn’t look like you’re reading a book!” Readers will be excited to get their hands on this sequel.
The setting of The Nine is certainly one of the more unique I have encountered in a book. I think many young readers are not even familiar with department stores, maybe malls, but this amazing department store will seem fantastical to them even before they get to the menacing spirit character. I love the way that the kids and adults work together to solve this mystery. It is a fantastic ride!
The setting of The Nine is certainly one of the more unique I have encountered in a book. I think many young readers are not even familiar with department stores, maybe malls, but this amazing department store will seem fantastical to them even before they get to the menacing spirit character. I love the way that the kids and adults work together to solve this mystery. It is a fantastic ride!
May 31, 2025
Thank you to Goodreads, the author and publisher for a copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this middle grade book. Some of the highlights included: the shopping mall setting, the diversity among the characters, the broad range of foods eaten, the music that they make reference to, and the sleuthing required to stop the supernatural force in order to save the store.
The interactive word puzzles really makes the reader feel engaged in the plot and the impressive skills of the young lead characters (such as aerial acrobatics and successful solving of word problems) gives a sense of confidence and autonomy that young readers can relate to.
The story wrapped up nicely at the end and only left me with one perplexing question…when all of the tremors started, why didn’t they just call a structural engineer?
I really enjoyed this middle grade book. Some of the highlights included: the shopping mall setting, the diversity among the characters, the broad range of foods eaten, the music that they make reference to, and the sleuthing required to stop the supernatural force in order to save the store.
The interactive word puzzles really makes the reader feel engaged in the plot and the impressive skills of the young lead characters (such as aerial acrobatics and successful solving of word problems) gives a sense of confidence and autonomy that young readers can relate to.
The story wrapped up nicely at the end and only left me with one perplexing question…when all of the tremors started, why didn’t they just call a structural engineer?
May 14, 2025
We find ourselves just days after the first book, The World-Famous Nine, ends. The story seamlessly picks up where it left off. So, if you haven’t read the first in this series, stop and read it now. Then, come back to enjoy this book.
Zander and Natasha are still looking for Darkbloom but it seems that he’s not waiting to be found! Mysterious things keep happening at the Nine, and Zander and Natasha are determined to find Darkbloom and stop him before someone gets hurt.
This book is full of adventure and the story is engaging.
4 stars
Publication date: May 13, 2025
** Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
Zander and Natasha are still looking for Darkbloom but it seems that he’s not waiting to be found! Mysterious things keep happening at the Nine, and Zander and Natasha are determined to find Darkbloom and stop him before someone gets hurt.
This book is full of adventure and the story is engaging.
4 stars
Publication date: May 13, 2025
** Thank you Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
May 9, 2025
The Shadow of the World-Famous Nine continues the adventures of Zander and Natasha. Together they are facing a new threat! The friendship between Zander and Natasha is wonderful. The story combines mystery, magic, and puzzles to create an engaging and entertaining read. This really was a great read! The friendship adds a little heart to the story and with the mystery and magic it adds a lot of fun so overall it's a great read for our young readers! Thank you Tbr and Beyond Tours and Ben Guterson for sharing this book with me!
August 24, 2025
A perfect story, adding to the mysterious ancestors of the World-Famous Nine Department Store. The intrigue starts with the very first antique coin handed to Zander from a mysterious gentleman at a counter that didn't exist in the store as far as he knew. The kids work with Zander's grandmother and Natasha's dad, along with store employees who are like family, to stop the foretold destruction of their magical store. Fantasy 'blooming' everywhere you look!
June 14, 2025
I think it’s the Chicago in me that is absolutely hammered with the idea of a book said entirely within a department store
July 2, 2025
I was so surprised when the book mentioned a hotel! I love the Winterhouse books! I wonder if he's planning to write a series for the remaining 7 places?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
If you liked Book 1, you will love Book 2, I felt it was tense, fast-paced, with lots of symbology and puzzles to solve, and the plot twist and mystery will keep us turning the pages. Love the illustrations and that this is all focused on the different levels, stores, and people of this huge, amazing department store.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews