Her life was more than just airship chases, cyborg alligator attacks and hanging out with this alternate universe's nearest analogue to Sherlock Holmes.
The Invisible Library
by Genevieve Cogman
Genre: YA Fantasy
About: Irene is a Librarian but the Library she works for moves in multiple realities. It's purpose: to collect books of interest from any and all alternates. When she's assigned retrieving a book from a chaos-filled world, she learns the true meaning of the word 'chaos'. Murders, cat-burglars, the Fae and vampires... her work is anything but dull.
The Good
This has a very distinct humour that is consistent and makes for a fun, light read. I think the magic system is also very clever and intricate. The opening chapter was a great dive into story and a good enough reflection of the kind of adventures to expect. Irene is a likeable main character and there are some interesting characters that keep the momentum of the story going.
The Bad
The pace is a bit of a whirlwind, and yet I didn't find it a gripping read. Lots of things happen, it's very action packed, I just didn't necessarily care too much what was happening. The tone is a little too breezy for me to really get invested in the story. The dialogue doesn't help with this as it (intentionally) is very over-dramatic, making all the events read very much like a bizarre, fun-filled play. Unfortunately I couldn't suspend my disbelief to take in any of the stakes, because the characters themselves don't seem to.
The Somewhat Iffy
I wasn't very clear on some of the magic. I really loved the magic of the Language, and I found the Fae magic familiar enough. But the dragon magic and the necromancy went by me in a blur. Since both are heavily tied up to the climax, it made everything a little confused for me.
Overall
A fun, light read about the love of books and solving mysteries. Some light romance, some light murders, it's a cosy read of the magical variety that doesn't leave much of an impression.
Comments