The Black Market is a novel that stands out for its themes and emotional core. One of these themes centered on heritage, which resulted from the passing down of shadowy secrets and objects that were bought, sold, and passed on from one generation to another. Even the emotional core of the book proved to be unique and never melodramatic. The novel found solace in allowing younger readers to feel the loss and reconciliation in the plot without being forced to. This created a solid balance and made the book stand out.

Another thing I took note of while reading was how the book plot was driven by childish curiosity, and it leaned more toward an uneven pacing, making me feel each emotion without being rushed. I also noticed the kind of language used was one of the book's strengths; it had a bit of humor that balanced the mystery genre and prevented the tone from becoming flat.

Martin and Jess's collaboration as they searched for the market was more than just chasing through magical oddities; instead, it was about self-discovery and a connection that strengthened their bond. While Martin is a curious young boy who was eager to solve the puzzle related to the shoes, Jess was a brave character and her personality balanced their friendship. Still on the characters, Martin and Jess’s encounter with the “bag of dirty tricks” was more than just magical mischief. When they came across it, they thought it was somehow connected to one of the market's mysteries, but what they did not know was that the moment they took the bag, which they were not supposed to take, it would lead to something dangerous. Soon, the bag began to play pranks on them, making it hard for them to control. This scene in the plot added some humor and excitement, but also carried a moral lesson. One of these lessons centered on the fact that curiosity is valuable, but without a sense of responsibility, it can lead to something bad. Martin and Jess overstepped their boundaries, and such an act explored the results of wrongdoing and the reflection on how dangerous their action was.

A main attraction to the plot was the illustrations. The black and white illustrations infused in some pages of the book captured my attention. The art style was slightly sketchy, with lines that were layered into imperfections, just like a world drawn through a child's eye. It also added to the plot by sparking imagination in my mind, and as for the young readers, these artworks would act as a tool for storytelling, bringing the mysterious world to life and making it feel imaginatively vivid. It would also serve as a visual clue to help these readers think critically and follow along by solving the mystery alongside the characters.

The Black Market is a novel that will capture the hearts of young, imaginative minds and infuse them with the real emotion of growing up. It is quietly haunting and perfect for children who love to read about secret places and the magic that is hidden in our everyday life. Though the book focuses on readers ages 8-12 who love reading mysteries, it can also be recommended to nostalgic adults and parents who love a gentle, spooky plot, as they will appreciate this one. It is also a good pick for classroom reading.