Helpful Score: 1
This book wasn't exactly what I was expecting, which is a very, very good thing. The world building was much more intense, complex and made me slow down and actually read through certain passages to get what the author was trying to do and trying to tell me the reader. Irene is a librarian for not just a regular library, but the Library. She goes on missions to alternate worlds to capture key works for fiction for storage at the Library. Irene is unique as she comes from Library stock, this is all she has ever known. Her superiors give her an apprentice and what seems to be a relatively easy mission. Course not. From the get go Irene and her apprentice are met with Fae magic, vampire, werewolves and the baddest guy of all, the Librarian who turned evil. I'm not much for steampunk, but I enjoyed the mystery, the characters and the world building. Who couldn't love a book built on the foundation that great fiction works should be cherished? This seems to be the start of an exciting new series.
Thanks FirsttoRead for the opportunity to read this galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks FirsttoRead for the opportunity to read this galley in exchange for an honest review.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed The Invisible Library (Invisible Library, Bk 1) on + 1452 more book reviews
I like unusual approaches to fantasy and the idea of an invisible library existing is fascinating. Not certain about stealing rare manuscripts from other universes but that is the core of this tale. Irene is a junior librarian who has been assigned to do just that from a chaos/tech alternate universe. She has been assigned a handsome young man, Kai, to tutor and train about how librarians complete their tasks.
The two reach their location safely but soon discover violence and opposing individuals who are also seeking this manuscript. First, the man/vampire is killed. Second, to make matters worse a rogue librian responsible for missing librarians appears to make the situation even more dangerous. Third, the technical creatures and machines and the choas driven inhabitants provide more challenge than they had hoped. Finally, Irene realizes that Kai is not who she thinks he is but he has gained her trust and watches her back.
There is considerable action and situations from which Irene and Kai must escape before the climax is reached. I did enjoy this read and will look for the next book to see how Kai and Irene manage their next adventure.
The two reach their location safely but soon discover violence and opposing individuals who are also seeking this manuscript. First, the man/vampire is killed. Second, to make matters worse a rogue librian responsible for missing librarians appears to make the situation even more dangerous. Third, the technical creatures and machines and the choas driven inhabitants provide more challenge than they had hoped. Finally, Irene realizes that Kai is not who she thinks he is but he has gained her trust and watches her back.
There is considerable action and situations from which Irene and Kai must escape before the climax is reached. I did enjoy this read and will look for the next book to see how Kai and Irene manage their next adventure.
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman is the first book in The Invisible Library series. Irene (not her real name) works for the Library. The Library is a special place and it is hidden from most people. Irene gets sent out on assignments by Senior Librarians. She obtains books from alternate worlds or realities (there are many different versions) for the Library (books that are special and unique). Irene just returned from a three-month assignment and is being sent out immediately by Coppelia (Irene's supervisor and mentor). Irene is also getting an assistant to help her. Kai is an apprentice in the Library and this is his first fieldwork assignment (he is anxious to escape the confines of the library). Irene and Kai are going to London (actually London parallel B-395). This is going to be a dangerous assignment though. It turns out that this London is infected or contaminated by chaos. They have to be careful that the chaos does not enter the Library. Their contact in London is Dominic Aubrey. Aubrey guards the entrance to the Library (which is housed in the British Library) and will provide assistance to the pair. Irene goes to retrieve the book from Lord Wyndham's safe and discovers that it is gone. Someone beat them to it. Irene and Kai need to obtain it and get back to the Library as quickly as possible. They are not, though, the only people after this special book. Will Irene and Kai succeed in their mission? They will have to battle Fae Folk, a cat burglar, a former librarian that sold out to chaos, and Bradamont (a senior librarian with her own agenda) to succeed. Join Irene and Kai on their adventure in The Invisible Library.
The Invisible Library sounded like a fascinating story, but it does not live up to its description. There is way too much going on in this novel (especially for just the first book). You know the phrase "they put in everything but the kitchen sink"? That phrase definitely applies to The Invisible Library (and I believe the author threw in the kitchen sink as well). It is hard to get into this story because of all the activity, descriptions, etc. (too much). We have dragons, Fae, vampires, books, steampunk devices, Victorian-type England, Zeppelins, and strange magic (this is not all). I think if the writing had been better (instead of bland), the author could have pulled it off. Instead of being fascinating and spellbound, I was bored and uninterested (the book just dragged because of all the details and descriptions). The Invisible Library is convoluted and confusing (Irene spent too much time speculating--pages and pages). It made for a hard to read book (which made it is difficult to enjoy). I give The Invisible Library 3 out of 5 stars. It was just okay for me. I like the concepts but not how it was put together. The Masked City is the next book in the series (and I will not be reading it).
I received a complimentary copy of The Invisible Library in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
The Invisible Library sounded like a fascinating story, but it does not live up to its description. There is way too much going on in this novel (especially for just the first book). You know the phrase "they put in everything but the kitchen sink"? That phrase definitely applies to The Invisible Library (and I believe the author threw in the kitchen sink as well). It is hard to get into this story because of all the activity, descriptions, etc. (too much). We have dragons, Fae, vampires, books, steampunk devices, Victorian-type England, Zeppelins, and strange magic (this is not all). I think if the writing had been better (instead of bland), the author could have pulled it off. Instead of being fascinating and spellbound, I was bored and uninterested (the book just dragged because of all the details and descriptions). The Invisible Library is convoluted and confusing (Irene spent too much time speculating--pages and pages). It made for a hard to read book (which made it is difficult to enjoy). I give The Invisible Library 3 out of 5 stars. It was just okay for me. I like the concepts but not how it was put together. The Masked City is the next book in the series (and I will not be reading it).
I received a complimentary copy of The Invisible Library in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman had me at the title. Like many a bibliophile, I love books about books. This book is a fun and light read. Too many plot elements and underdeveloped characters keep it from being a truly compelling read for me. Note that this is first book in a series; the ending is clearly not an ending.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016/06/the-invisible-library.html.
Reviewed based on a publisher's galley received through NetGalley
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2016/06/the-invisible-library.html.
Reviewed based on a publisher's galley received through NetGalley
