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The Age of Beasts #1
The Library of Amorlin
A brilliant con artist and a secretive librarian collide in New York Times bestselling author Kalyn Josephson's enchanting adult fantasy debut packed with twists, tricks, slowburn romantic tension, and magical creatures -- perfect for fans of S.A. MacLean, Mai Corland, and K.A. Linde.
✳DELUXE LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER with stenciled edges, a beautiful foil-stamped hardcover, map insert, and exclusive interior design with full-color illustrated endpapers!✳
Kasira used to be a masterful con artist: choosing her target, building trust, judging the precise moment to make her move. Now, she's working off a lengthy prison sentence by hunting dangerous magical creatures on behalf of the fanatical kingdom of Kalthos.
But Kasira's past catches up to her when the ambassador from Kalthos arrives at her camp with a deal: her freedom in exchange for infiltrating and destabilizing the magical institution meant to protect all six kingdoms—the Library of Amorlin.
When Kasira assumes the role of the new Assistant Librarian, she enters an enchanting world brimming with books and beasts, tempting her with a life she can never have. But Kasira's real future depends on her long con to bring down the Librarian. Unfortunately, Allaster is as prickly as he is handsome, and his monstrous secrets are about to catch up with them both . . .
✳DELUXE LIMITED EDITION HARDCOVER with stenciled edges, a beautiful foil-stamped hardcover, map insert, and exclusive interior design with full-color illustrated endpapers!✳
Kasira used to be a masterful con artist: choosing her target, building trust, judging the precise moment to make her move. Now, she's working off a lengthy prison sentence by hunting dangerous magical creatures on behalf of the fanatical kingdom of Kalthos.
But Kasira's past catches up to her when the ambassador from Kalthos arrives at her camp with a deal: her freedom in exchange for infiltrating and destabilizing the magical institution meant to protect all six kingdoms—the Library of Amorlin.
When Kasira assumes the role of the new Assistant Librarian, she enters an enchanting world brimming with books and beasts, tempting her with a life she can never have. But Kasira's real future depends on her long con to bring down the Librarian. Unfortunately, Allaster is as prickly as he is handsome, and his monstrous secrets are about to catch up with them both . . .
448 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2026
About the author
Kalyn Josephson
10 books1,073 followersKalyn Josephson is the NYT bestselling author of THE STORM CROW duology, RAVENFALL series, and upcoming THIS DARK DESCENT. By day, she's a Technical Writer, which leaves room for too many bad puns about technically being a writer. She lives in the Bay Area with two black cats (who are more like a tiny dragon and an even tinier owl).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 881 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 ★— A former con-artist becomes a librarian’s assistant in a deception that could gift her a fresh start.
So, I feel a little conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I’m really appreciative of a lot of the aspects and attempts that were made here, because morally grey heroines with trust issues and trauma are near and dear to my heart, and Kasira is definitely that. I also liked the idea of her having to fool everyone as she essentially cons her way into the librarian’s assistant position and embodies a role meant to endear her to the people around her.
However, throughout my read, I had the pervading sense that this book didn’t do a good job of setting up its world or actually letting the reader explore the wondrous library of Amorlin, whose beauty and marvels we’re constantly told about but rarely get to truly experience. It doesn’t make full use of its genuinely cool setting, and it also didn’t manage to make me interested in the many beasts and fantastical creatures that are foundational not only to the story but to Kasira herself.
Another issue was that Kasira, as a character, never really lived up to the supposed master con-artist persona the author wants you to believe in. We are constantly told, through her self-narration, what makes a good “con” (by the way, I don’t want to hear the word con again for a LONG time!) and about her hard-earned abilities, but do we really get to see that in action? Does it feel like we’re following a masterful deceiver? No, not really.
Furthermore, this book takes a long time to get going. As a certified slow burn lover, I don’t have an issue with a gradually unfurling plot, but there’s a difference between that and a book just not doing anything to meaningfully further the plot or the character dynamics, which is exactly what we get here. Unfortunately, that same issue echoes in the story’s romance subplot.
That’s right, subplot. And it’s a very minor subplot. Alistair and Kasira’s romance has barely even found its footing in this book. Which, you know, could be so good. I love a solid foundation and some actual character work before two people get together. Here, though, I absolutely felt nothing between them. No real sense of tension, no meaningful moments of closeness that let me feel any sparks. For a solid 30% of this book, these two don’t even really interact, as Alistair ignores her. That could have worked if the book had padded out their dynamic and actually created the foundation for the sexual tension and attraction the author clearly wants the reader to feel, but their interactions feel sparse, and the buildup from those interactions doesn’t work in establishing their camaraderie.
Alistair and Kasira both don’t fully feel like realized characters, and I think that ultimately hindered any sense of genuine romantic tension for me. It’s part of the more glaring, fundamental issues of this story. It’s too long, it doesn’t flesh out its characters properly, and that leads to what’s meant to be the beginning of a clear slow burn ringing hollow.
Now, I did enjoy some parts of this. Like I said at the beginning, I do like heroines who aren’t bound by their morals, and I still think (or at least hope) that the next book could do something interesting with where this one leaves off. But I definitely recognize the issues here and kind of wish the ideas and setting had been given a second pass. My rating might honestly be a little influenced by the potential I wish had been realized and the weird curiosity I have for the sequel.
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
⭐ Listener Rating: 4.5/5
Most of this audiobook is narrated by the female narrator, with a male narrator stepping in for the few Alistair POV chapters. I thought she did a fantastic job, really enhancing many of the slower parts of the book and differentiating the characters through distinct accents and tones. The male-narrated chapters, though, sometimes sounded a bit more removed, with the audio not feeling quite as smooth. I’m not sure if that was more of a technical issue, and in the grand scheme of things it didn’t really affect my enjoyment, but it was something I noticed. Otherwise, I found the production really lovely and enjoyable!
______________
Thank you to Erewhon Books for the ARC and to RBmedia for the ALC.
So, I feel a little conflicted about this book. On the one hand, I’m really appreciative of a lot of the aspects and attempts that were made here, because morally grey heroines with trust issues and trauma are near and dear to my heart, and Kasira is definitely that. I also liked the idea of her having to fool everyone as she essentially cons her way into the librarian’s assistant position and embodies a role meant to endear her to the people around her.
However, throughout my read, I had the pervading sense that this book didn’t do a good job of setting up its world or actually letting the reader explore the wondrous library of Amorlin, whose beauty and marvels we’re constantly told about but rarely get to truly experience. It doesn’t make full use of its genuinely cool setting, and it also didn’t manage to make me interested in the many beasts and fantastical creatures that are foundational not only to the story but to Kasira herself.
Another issue was that Kasira, as a character, never really lived up to the supposed master con-artist persona the author wants you to believe in. We are constantly told, through her self-narration, what makes a good “con” (by the way, I don’t want to hear the word con again for a LONG time!) and about her hard-earned abilities, but do we really get to see that in action? Does it feel like we’re following a masterful deceiver? No, not really.
Furthermore, this book takes a long time to get going. As a certified slow burn lover, I don’t have an issue with a gradually unfurling plot, but there’s a difference between that and a book just not doing anything to meaningfully further the plot or the character dynamics, which is exactly what we get here. Unfortunately, that same issue echoes in the story’s romance subplot.
That’s right, subplot. And it’s a very minor subplot. Alistair and Kasira’s romance has barely even found its footing in this book. Which, you know, could be so good. I love a solid foundation and some actual character work before two people get together. Here, though, I absolutely felt nothing between them. No real sense of tension, no meaningful moments of closeness that let me feel any sparks. For a solid 30% of this book, these two don’t even really interact, as Alistair ignores her. That could have worked if the book had padded out their dynamic and actually created the foundation for the sexual tension and attraction the author clearly wants the reader to feel, but their interactions feel sparse, and the buildup from those interactions doesn’t work in establishing their camaraderie.
Alistair and Kasira both don’t fully feel like realized characters, and I think that ultimately hindered any sense of genuine romantic tension for me. It’s part of the more glaring, fundamental issues of this story. It’s too long, it doesn’t flesh out its characters properly, and that leads to what’s meant to be the beginning of a clear slow burn ringing hollow.
Now, I did enjoy some parts of this. Like I said at the beginning, I do like heroines who aren’t bound by their morals, and I still think (or at least hope) that the next book could do something interesting with where this one leaves off. But I definitely recognize the issues here and kind of wish the ideas and setting had been given a second pass. My rating might honestly be a little influenced by the potential I wish had been realized and the weird curiosity I have for the sequel.
🎧 Audiobook Notes
🎙️ Narration Style: Dual
⭐ Listener Rating: 4.5/5
Most of this audiobook is narrated by the female narrator, with a male narrator stepping in for the few Alistair POV chapters. I thought she did a fantastic job, really enhancing many of the slower parts of the book and differentiating the characters through distinct accents and tones. The male-narrated chapters, though, sometimes sounded a bit more removed, with the audio not feeling quite as smooth. I’m not sure if that was more of a technical issue, and in the grand scheme of things it didn’t really affect my enjoyment, but it was something I noticed. Otherwise, I found the production really lovely and enjoyable!
______________
Thank you to Erewhon Books for the ARC and to RBmedia for the ALC.
July 30, 2025
The Library of Amorlin is the kind of fantasy book that reignites my love for the entire genre.
The world is engulfing, fantastical, I want to leap into the pages just to live in every nook and cranny. I could get lost exploring the grand halls of the library, snuggling with the menagerie of gorgeous/adorable/horrific beasts (even if some of them would rip my face off, that's fine, I forgive them), enjoying tea and scones made by a kind but cryptic snow leopard spirit.
Kesira is my favorite kind of FMC: fierce, clever, complex. I'm constantly pleading for more messy FMCs that make mistakes, and oh boy, Kasira makes so many ruthlessly intentionally awful decisions that knowingly harm the people she's coming to care for, but I can't even be angry at her because, yeah girl, you're in this hole so deep already that you've just got to keep digging until you tunnel your way through the molten core of the earth, I hate this for you, but I get it.
Watching Kesira lie and manipulate her way out of increasingly chaotic scenarios is like a car crash you can't look away from, and yet there's always an opponent ready to throw something even more ruthless at her. I lost count of the number of times these plot twists left me reeling.
And then there's Allaster. My beloved, angsty, immortal librarian. My pouty little sad boi genius who loves animals, wears guyliner and a million sexy rings, and is steadily descending into a beast with claws and fangs . . . like, HELLO? I have never had so many boxes checked IN MY LIFE.
The slow burn between Kasira and Allaster progresses at the speed of angsty molasses, like dropping two antisocial alley cats into a room and watching them hiss at each other from opposite corners, and I devoured every emotionally stilted second of it.
Thank you to Erewhon Books and Kalyn Josephson for the ARC.
The world is engulfing, fantastical, I want to leap into the pages just to live in every nook and cranny. I could get lost exploring the grand halls of the library, snuggling with the menagerie of gorgeous/adorable/horrific beasts (even if some of them would rip my face off, that's fine, I forgive them), enjoying tea and scones made by a kind but cryptic snow leopard spirit.
Kesira is my favorite kind of FMC: fierce, clever, complex. I'm constantly pleading for more messy FMCs that make mistakes, and oh boy, Kasira makes so many ruthlessly intentionally awful decisions that knowingly harm the people she's coming to care for, but I can't even be angry at her because, yeah girl, you're in this hole so deep already that you've just got to keep digging until you tunnel your way through the molten core of the earth, I hate this for you, but I get it.
Watching Kesira lie and manipulate her way out of increasingly chaotic scenarios is like a car crash you can't look away from, and yet there's always an opponent ready to throw something even more ruthless at her. I lost count of the number of times these plot twists left me reeling.
And then there's Allaster. My beloved, angsty, immortal librarian. My pouty little sad boi genius who loves animals, wears guyliner and a million sexy rings, and is steadily descending into a beast with claws and fangs . . . like, HELLO? I have never had so many boxes checked IN MY LIFE.
The slow burn between Kasira and Allaster progresses at the speed of angsty molasses, like dropping two antisocial alley cats into a room and watching them hiss at each other from opposite corners, and I devoured every emotionally stilted second of it.
Thank you to Erewhon Books and Kalyn Josephson for the ARC.
April 6, 2026
I absolutely loved this one! The Library of Amorlin is the kind of book that makes fantasy feel whimsical again. I loved the characters and the magical library setting, and I loved learning about the beasts and their significance in this world. The overall con and plot kept me on my toes and was well executed, and I’m excited to see what happens next!
April 8, 2026
”Dreams are unrealized stories.” Allaster’s voice was soft as the swish of the lake’s waters. Twice as alluring. “How can someone so passionate about stories not have a dream?”
i had high expectations for this and they weren’t exactly met. i wanted more from this library and it’s magical beasts.. but instead, i get the fmc Kasira who had me questioning if she was actually stupid the whole book. i also didn’t appreciate how she endangered and harmed the animals with little to no resistance, despite claiming to not agree with the treatment of them. i did like the side characters though and the talking tiger, the mmc Allaster was fine i guess. my biggest issue with this was also how much of a snooze fest it turned out to be, i’ll hold out hope that the next one will be better bc i didn’t fully hate this. there’s some potential, but we’ll see.
i had high expectations for this and they weren’t exactly met. i wanted more from this library and it’s magical beasts.. but instead, i get the fmc Kasira who had me questioning if she was actually stupid the whole book. i also didn’t appreciate how she endangered and harmed the animals with little to no resistance, despite claiming to not agree with the treatment of them. i did like the side characters though and the talking tiger, the mmc Allaster was fine i guess. my biggest issue with this was also how much of a snooze fest it turned out to be, i’ll hold out hope that the next one will be better bc i didn’t fully hate this. there’s some potential, but we’ll see.
April 8, 2026
Queernormative world. Hot librarian. Magical beasts. Political intrigue. Corrupt religious institutions. Plus an absolutely killer audiobook performance.
bonus awesome…
- ace fmc
- “who did this to you”
Audio Narration: 5/5 perfection
4.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Libro FM for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
bonus awesome…
- ace fmc
- “who did this to you”
Audio Narration: 5/5 perfection
4.75⭐️| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Libro FM for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
![Profile Image for vxmpslibrary [mental health break].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1776838907i/123295506._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
.Did not Finish. @175
💝 .3 stars.
.my thoughts.
I have never dnf'ed an arc before, so I just feel so bad dnfing this but this book is so heavy on plot and actually kind of boring I would say. i might come back soon enough to finish this, but I don't really think so.
don't let my ratings fool your judgement or make you hesitant to grab it. i just finished my exams so I can't take heavy books for now.
I loved the magic even if it was confusing for me, the characters were well written too. our main FMC is a second version of Kaz Brekker if he was a female. don't get me wrong, she's a strategist, a planner, just way more off track than kaz was.
moving on, Allaster was a great character too, I just didn't loved him like I was supposed to since I was having a hard time trying to really understand him.
I may pick it up again afterwards, but that is not today.
.pre read.
🍓- I got the arc! I'm gonna read this after exams🗣️
💝 .3 stars.
.my thoughts.
I have never dnf'ed an arc before, so I just feel so bad dnfing this but this book is so heavy on plot and actually kind of boring I would say. i might come back soon enough to finish this, but I don't really think so.
don't let my ratings fool your judgement or make you hesitant to grab it. i just finished my exams so I can't take heavy books for now.
I loved the magic even if it was confusing for me, the characters were well written too. our main FMC is a second version of Kaz Brekker if he was a female. don't get me wrong, she's a strategist, a planner, just way more off track than kaz was.
moving on, Allaster was a great character too, I just didn't loved him like I was supposed to since I was having a hard time trying to really understand him.
I may pick it up again afterwards, but that is not today.
.pre read.
🍓- I got the arc! I'm gonna read this after exams🗣️
March 20, 2026
3.25✨
The 3 stars reviews are always hard for me to write. Some things were sooo unique & interesting and right up my alley (the talking white tiger, magical library, redhaired mmc🤭, fmc with a tough past, sooo many animals!!) but some others needed major adjustment (the word ‘con’ must be used at least 2049392929 times, the romanced characters had no chemistry, telling rather than showing, we’re expected to take everything at face value, extreme religious aspect, etc.)
The worst thing for me though was that the worldbuilding & the character buildup were given in *crumbs*. Pieces here and there… how are we supposed to follow and care? And I sincerely didn’t like how the fmc harmed (to then save) the animals in order to get the mmc to trust her. I know she was written as a morally grey character and I can appreciate that but PLEASE leave the animals out of it.
The 3 stars reviews are always hard for me to write. Some things were sooo unique & interesting and right up my alley (the talking white tiger, magical library, redhaired mmc🤭, fmc with a tough past, sooo many animals!!) but some others needed major adjustment (the word ‘con’ must be used at least 2049392929 times, the romanced characters had no chemistry, telling rather than showing, we’re expected to take everything at face value, extreme religious aspect, etc.)
The worst thing for me though was that the worldbuilding & the character buildup were given in *crumbs*. Pieces here and there… how are we supposed to follow and care? And I sincerely didn’t like how the fmc harmed (to then save) the animals in order to get the mmc to trust her. I know she was written as a morally grey character and I can appreciate that but PLEASE leave the animals out of it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
DNF 46%
I am sooooooo bummed 😭
This started out very promising. Badass FMC with a very interesting storyline and a really cool world.
But I was almost half way through the book and I did not care about any of the characters. The FMC, though she was obviously very good at cons, she had no other characteristics. No real emotional depth, no development from start to half way through even with all the information she is getting that SHOULD be starting to sway her and she's just like nah, I have a job to do, even though that job will end up with the world as they know it ending. But sure, feel good about your self by getting the job done...
And the MMC wasn't in it nearly enough to get any kind of attachment to him. We get just enough information on him to make him interesting, but then that doesn't really go anywhere the rest of the time...
So super bummed. Because the setting was so cool and I feel like there was a lot of potential, but being half way through and just not caring about the characters is a red flag for me...
DNF 46%
I am sooooooo bummed 😭
This started out very promising. Badass FMC with a very interesting storyline and a really cool world.
But I was almost half way through the book and I did not care about any of the characters. The FMC, though she was obviously very good at cons, she had no other characteristics. No real emotional depth, no development from start to half way through even with all the information she is getting that SHOULD be starting to sway her and she's just like nah, I have a job to do, even though that job will end up with the world as they know it ending. But sure, feel good about your self by getting the job done...
And the MMC wasn't in it nearly enough to get any kind of attachment to him. We get just enough information on him to make him interesting, but then that doesn't really go anywhere the rest of the time...
So super bummed. Because the setting was so cool and I feel like there was a lot of potential, but being half way through and just not caring about the characters is a red flag for me...
March 20, 2026
ARCs of Amorlin are beginning to enter the world <3 This is a story I hold very dear to my heart, one that explores the ways in which the world often forces us to forget our dreams and the magic that once enthralled us, and so while I would put it in the category of epic fantasy with some cozy and light academia vibes, there are some trigger warnings to be aware of:
- Animal death and violence
- PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Sexual themes
- Violence, trauma, and death
- Threat of SA (once, vaguely implied)
- Alcoholism
- Chronic pain
- Animal death and violence
- PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Sexual themes
- Violence, trauma, and death
- Threat of SA (once, vaguely implied)
- Alcoholism
- Chronic pain
March 30, 2026
This had a promising premise but a lackluster execution. I was hoping that the conman POV was just an artifact of this being a debut (whoops! apparently the author has written 10 books, so I'm gonna have to rethink a lot of opinions I had about the writing) and an easy entryway to start the book. But it frames how all of the exposition is plotted and delivered in a way that chafes for me (she is constantly talking about what makes a good con or how she could treat any given interaction as a way to serve a con and how great a conman she is... but it's a lot of telling -a LOT of telling- and very little showing).
Additionally, the library and the beasts and the research and the magic all feel underdeveloped for how much of a chonky tome this is. Rather, the book is mostly concerned with vaguely referencing her backstory, considering how to do cons, hinting at corrupting magic, and uninspiring political scheming. Was this supposed to be a prologue? This whole book could've been a prologue.
Lastly, it doesn't make sense why the main character is able to get into a position of power that she's always wanted but still allows herself to be manipulated unless
Overall this book is pretty average, held up by a premise that's more interesting than the book, and brought down by animal cruelty that's stated on page and was too visceral for me to stomach continuing to eye-read.
----------------------------------------
Thoughts from roughly 20-30% in:
I stalled on reading this because I really, really, REALLY didn't enjoy the animal cruelty/deaths on page. Other than that I think there are a few elements I find a little amateur, but otherwise it has the vibe of a new fav and a series I can be obsessed with.
So all that said, I want to finish it but I'm so averse to the animal cruelty that it's making me stop reading any books at all. I'll wait until it comes out on audiobook and finish it that way, but I just can't bring myself to spend the time eyeball reading more of it at this point.
Does the ~dog die?:
it is central to the plot that one nation is full of religious zealots who hate beasts and see them as a manifestation of sin. there are several beasts killed on page, and some pretty traumatic flashbacks of forcing the MC to kill them as a child.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Additionally, the library and the beasts and the research and the magic all feel underdeveloped for how much of a chonky tome this is. Rather, the book is mostly concerned with vaguely referencing her backstory, considering how to do cons, hinting at corrupting magic, and uninspiring political scheming. Was this supposed to be a prologue? This whole book could've been a prologue.
Lastly, it doesn't make sense why the main character is able to get into a position of power that she's always wanted but still allows herself to be manipulated unless
Overall this book is pretty average, held up by a premise that's more interesting than the book, and brought down by animal cruelty that's stated on page and was too visceral for me to stomach continuing to eye-read.
----------------------------------------
Thoughts from roughly 20-30% in:
I stalled on reading this because I really, really, REALLY didn't enjoy the animal cruelty/deaths on page. Other than that I think there are a few elements I find a little amateur, but otherwise it has the vibe of a new fav and a series I can be obsessed with.
So all that said, I want to finish it but I'm so averse to the animal cruelty that it's making me stop reading any books at all. I'll wait until it comes out on audiobook and finish it that way, but I just can't bring myself to spend the time eyeball reading more of it at this point.
Does the ~dog die?:
it is central to the plot that one nation is full of religious zealots who hate beasts and see them as a manifestation of sin. there are several beasts killed on page, and some pretty traumatic flashbacks of forcing the MC to kill them as a child.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for granting me an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 25, 2026
This is between a 3.5 & 4 for me. The prose is well structured, no question. And the descriptions are so vivid they are tangible. The plot develops slowly, though. It was a bit too slow for my tastes. This just wasn't a novel I felt driven to get back to reading. I think maybe it's a bit too exposition heavy and conflict light. It's probably a home run for readers who prefer slower pacing. I definitely wanted to finish it, and I never thought about not finishing. It just wasn't nearly as compelling as I assumed it would be. Her novels for younger age groups are so different, so I was just surprised by the way this turned out.
March 5, 2026
* Listened to through NetGalley*
I feel a little iffy about this book. The world itself sounds like it should be amazing. There are political tensions, rival royals, magical creatures that gave strong “Care of Magical Creatures” from Harry Potter vibes, and this massive magical library at the center of everything. It feels like there should be so much going on. But while reading, I kept feeling like I was stuck in a bubble, unable to really understand the full scope of what was happening.
Most of the book takes place inside the library, and we only occasionally go anywhere else. The bigger political stuff happening outside of it gets mentioned a lot, but we rarely actually see it. Instead we just get little snippets of information. For me, that ended up being frustrating. When a world seems this interesting, staying in one place the whole time starts to feel limiting instead of mysterious. Honestly, I almost wish the outside politics had just been left out so the focus could stay fully on the library and the magic there.
Kasira is supposed to be this well-known con artist, but sometimes that reputation doesn’t really match what happens in the story. If she’s famous enough that the ambassador already knows who she is, it kind of makes you wonder why she’s still alive. The way she ends up becoming an ally with Vera also felt a little too convenient, especially since she had already been saved from imprisonment three years earlier. I will say, though, I did like seeing her character grow. She slowly shifts from someone who is just focused on surviving to someone who actually starts thinking about living.
Alistair mostly just felt like the classic broody character. He keeps saying he doesn’t trust anyone, but then he keeps giving Kasira the benefit of the doubt, even when she definitely shouldn’t have it anymore. At the same time, the story pushes them toward romance, which felt a little forced to me. If he struggles that much with trusting people, it’s hard to believe he would fall for someone who keeps breaking that trust. He also spends the entire book holding onto this huge secret that gets brought up constantly. It’s mentioned so often that you can’t forget about it, but you don’t actually learn what it is until the very end, which started to feel a little dragged out.
I listened to this as an audiobook, though, and I do think the narrators did a great job. Every character had their own distinct voice, which made it easy to follow and added a lot to the story. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had just read it instead of listening.
I feel a little iffy about this book. The world itself sounds like it should be amazing. There are political tensions, rival royals, magical creatures that gave strong “Care of Magical Creatures” from Harry Potter vibes, and this massive magical library at the center of everything. It feels like there should be so much going on. But while reading, I kept feeling like I was stuck in a bubble, unable to really understand the full scope of what was happening.
Most of the book takes place inside the library, and we only occasionally go anywhere else. The bigger political stuff happening outside of it gets mentioned a lot, but we rarely actually see it. Instead we just get little snippets of information. For me, that ended up being frustrating. When a world seems this interesting, staying in one place the whole time starts to feel limiting instead of mysterious. Honestly, I almost wish the outside politics had just been left out so the focus could stay fully on the library and the magic there.
Kasira is supposed to be this well-known con artist, but sometimes that reputation doesn’t really match what happens in the story. If she’s famous enough that the ambassador already knows who she is, it kind of makes you wonder why she’s still alive. The way she ends up becoming an ally with Vera also felt a little too convenient, especially since she had already been saved from imprisonment three years earlier. I will say, though, I did like seeing her character grow. She slowly shifts from someone who is just focused on surviving to someone who actually starts thinking about living.
Alistair mostly just felt like the classic broody character. He keeps saying he doesn’t trust anyone, but then he keeps giving Kasira the benefit of the doubt, even when she definitely shouldn’t have it anymore. At the same time, the story pushes them toward romance, which felt a little forced to me. If he struggles that much with trusting people, it’s hard to believe he would fall for someone who keeps breaking that trust. He also spends the entire book holding onto this huge secret that gets brought up constantly. It’s mentioned so often that you can’t forget about it, but you don’t actually learn what it is until the very end, which started to feel a little dragged out.
I listened to this as an audiobook, though, and I do think the narrators did a great job. Every character had their own distinct voice, which made it easy to follow and added a lot to the story. Honestly, I’m not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I had just read it instead of listening.
March 9, 2026
I've been keeping an eye on Kayln Josephson and her writing since I read The Storm Crow back in 2020, and I'm so glad she's finally getting her flowers with The Library of Amorlin. This book is full of everything I love - fantastical creatures, political conflict, intelligent characters, a slow-burn romance, and tense secrets. I was originally planning on rating the book 4 stars, but the ending was so great that I have to bump it up to 5 stars. I really encourage everyone to give this author a chance, and by god, I cannot wait to read the sequel!
Thank you to Erewhon Books and RB Media for the eARCs in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Erewhon Books and RB Media for the eARCs in exchange for an honest review!
May 9, 2026
A fantasy that blends magical creatures and an unimaginable library
3,5⭐
My opinions on "The Library of Amorlin" are somewhat mixed. Although I enjoyed the book, especially at the beginning, I ended up focusing on some details that bothered me during the journey. Mainly, I found myself constantly thinking about how the universe had much more potential than the pages showed. I wanted, first of all, to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, which gives me the certainty that I have the freedom to be sincere about everything I'm going to say.
I loved how the magic system works, especially how magic is acquired and who can have it in the Library. Much of the universe was quite unique compared to what we find in fantasy today. Unfortunately, on the other hand, I missed seeing more of the magical universe itself, because so much was mentioned, and clearly thought out by the author in minute detail, but we barely saw it. I want to believe that, being a first book, we might end up discovering and seeing more in the sequel. The political issue, which is super interesting, is unfortunately only mentioned and had enormous potential, but I believe it could also be addressed later.
I didn't feel we needed Kasira's background so much at every moment, much less information that seemed repetitive or that we already knew existed (even if we only intuited that something happened or didn't happen in her past); perhaps we could shift the focus a bit and put more into the world, which is certainly the book's strength for me. Another thing I found unnecessary, despite trying to understand the author's intention in including it, is animal violence, something that always deeply bothers me and makes me want to give up on all the books in which it appears. I only didn't give up because the story was genuinely interesting.
I specifically felt very impacted by the excellent description of an anxiety attack. Just as context, I recently had to stop working in what I love so much because of recurring anxiety attacks, and that's why I've been anchoring myself so much in books, as I did so much when I was a teenager. Seeing a character experiencing the exact same things I feel during my crises was a mix of comfort and apprehension, and for me, it only further confirmed the quality of the writing.
The book has a very strong beginning, and up to about 50% I felt very immersed, very interested, but the 50% mark almost had a taste of the end of the first book in a saga, with things heading towards what we know needs to happen. However, the book continued for a long time and I didn't feel interested in all the scenes, nor all the characters. More specifically, I have the impression that I would have liked the story even more if the author had changed things a bit and, for example, if what happens in chapter 23 had been an event from the second book, where I would really care more about the character to see it happen. As it was, it didn't have as much impact.
I also don't know if I would specifically call this book a romantasy, because the romance was a subplot, but I believe they chose to categorize it as a romantasy because there are more books, I don't know how many books, and the romance will clearly have more focus later. To be honest, Allaster was barely in the book most of the time, appearing doing something or interacting with Kasira, so I don't know if I had time to care about him or the romance enough.
That said, I recommend reading it (taking into account the points I mentioned) for those who like fantasy with a romance subplot, and I certainly intend to continue the series.
Full review: https://youtu.be/FzsqSyWU558
Review: https://youtu.be/q-FuH9kz70I?si=yLkxm...
3,5⭐
My opinions on "The Library of Amorlin" are somewhat mixed. Although I enjoyed the book, especially at the beginning, I ended up focusing on some details that bothered me during the journey. Mainly, I found myself constantly thinking about how the universe had much more potential than the pages showed. I wanted, first of all, to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review, which gives me the certainty that I have the freedom to be sincere about everything I'm going to say.
I loved how the magic system works, especially how magic is acquired and who can have it in the Library. Much of the universe was quite unique compared to what we find in fantasy today. Unfortunately, on the other hand, I missed seeing more of the magical universe itself, because so much was mentioned, and clearly thought out by the author in minute detail, but we barely saw it. I want to believe that, being a first book, we might end up discovering and seeing more in the sequel. The political issue, which is super interesting, is unfortunately only mentioned and had enormous potential, but I believe it could also be addressed later.
I didn't feel we needed Kasira's background so much at every moment, much less information that seemed repetitive or that we already knew existed (even if we only intuited that something happened or didn't happen in her past); perhaps we could shift the focus a bit and put more into the world, which is certainly the book's strength for me. Another thing I found unnecessary, despite trying to understand the author's intention in including it, is animal violence, something that always deeply bothers me and makes me want to give up on all the books in which it appears. I only didn't give up because the story was genuinely interesting.
I specifically felt very impacted by the excellent description of an anxiety attack. Just as context, I recently had to stop working in what I love so much because of recurring anxiety attacks, and that's why I've been anchoring myself so much in books, as I did so much when I was a teenager. Seeing a character experiencing the exact same things I feel during my crises was a mix of comfort and apprehension, and for me, it only further confirmed the quality of the writing.
The book has a very strong beginning, and up to about 50% I felt very immersed, very interested, but the 50% mark almost had a taste of the end of the first book in a saga, with things heading towards what we know needs to happen. However, the book continued for a long time and I didn't feel interested in all the scenes, nor all the characters. More specifically, I have the impression that I would have liked the story even more if the author had changed things a bit and, for example, if what happens in chapter 23 had been an event from the second book, where I would really care more about the character to see it happen. As it was, it didn't have as much impact.
I also don't know if I would specifically call this book a romantasy, because the romance was a subplot, but I believe they chose to categorize it as a romantasy because there are more books, I don't know how many books, and the romance will clearly have more focus later. To be honest, Allaster was barely in the book most of the time, appearing doing something or interacting with Kasira, so I don't know if I had time to care about him or the romance enough.
That said, I recommend reading it (taking into account the points I mentioned) for those who like fantasy with a romance subplot, and I certainly intend to continue the series.
Full review: https://youtu.be/FzsqSyWU558
Review: https://youtu.be/q-FuH9kz70I?si=yLkxm...
March 29, 2026
I find that reviewers often accuse plainspoken writers of violating the concept of "show, don't tell." They'd rather an author write "Sally shivered, pulling her shawl closer around her frostbitten shoulders" rather than "Sally was cold." I think those reviewers are wrong and don't understand what "show, don't tell" should actually mean, which is this:
we are TOLD that Kasira is an experienced con artist and natural liar. We are SHOWN that Kasira has to constantly verbally remind herself to stick to her story lest she forget she is in the middle of the most important con of her life. We are shown that Kasira forgets to lie constantly. We are shown that she constantly fucks up her own con due to her ineptitude, though we are TOLD that she is always pulling strings and planting evidence for her own ends.
We are TOLD that the Library of Amorlin is the most important diplomatic entity in this world, capable of uniting every country. We are SHOWN that the Librarian occasionally meets diplomats for unimportant chats and the library mostly exists as an animal shelter/magic storage facility/school/etcetcetc. We are TOLD that magic is vital to the functioning of the world and it is going haywire. We are shown that magic means teleportation, super strength, mind-reading, geolocation services(??), all of which is limited to the Librarians, and one (1) weather event per country. Oh, yeah, and on page 300 or so we get into some stuff about magic crystals that doesn't come up again.
The point here is that you can tell the audience whatever you want, but you have to show them stuff to make them believe you. You can't rely on your reader just taking your word for it when you say your character is preternaturally talented; you need to give them the satisfaction of seeing that character do something well. You have to actually, you know, set up a story with problems, relationships, and all that shit that's hard to write--and this book did none of that beyond telling the reader that these things exist.
This was a long-winded way of saying that this book sucked. The writing was bad, the story was convoluted, Kasira was a painfully flat protagonist, and the romance has absolutely no heart or substance whatsoever. No need to waste your time.
we are TOLD that Kasira is an experienced con artist and natural liar. We are SHOWN that Kasira has to constantly verbally remind herself to stick to her story lest she forget she is in the middle of the most important con of her life. We are shown that Kasira forgets to lie constantly. We are shown that she constantly fucks up her own con due to her ineptitude, though we are TOLD that she is always pulling strings and planting evidence for her own ends.
We are TOLD that the Library of Amorlin is the most important diplomatic entity in this world, capable of uniting every country. We are SHOWN that the Librarian occasionally meets diplomats for unimportant chats and the library mostly exists as an animal shelter/magic storage facility/school/etcetcetc. We are TOLD that magic is vital to the functioning of the world and it is going haywire. We are shown that magic means teleportation, super strength, mind-reading, geolocation services(??), all of which is limited to the Librarians, and one (1) weather event per country. Oh, yeah, and on page 300 or so we get into some stuff about magic crystals that doesn't come up again.
The point here is that you can tell the audience whatever you want, but you have to show them stuff to make them believe you. You can't rely on your reader just taking your word for it when you say your character is preternaturally talented; you need to give them the satisfaction of seeing that character do something well. You have to actually, you know, set up a story with problems, relationships, and all that shit that's hard to write--and this book did none of that beyond telling the reader that these things exist.
This was a long-winded way of saying that this book sucked. The writing was bad, the story was convoluted, Kasira was a painfully flat protagonist, and the romance has absolutely no heart or substance whatsoever. No need to waste your time.
March 13, 2026
Narrated by Max Meyers, Jesse Vilinsky
Presented by RB Media
This was an interesting new fantasy, but didn't totally sell me.
There's a magical library that is home to a multitude of beasts (as opposed to a multitude of books, which was half of why this title interested me), and a con artist is signing up to be the assistant librarian to escape being sent back to a cell.
Naturally, the head librarian is handsome, looks to be slightly older than our protagonist (though in reality he's really, really old) and is ridiculously powerful. Plus he's brooding and moody and he doesn't trust her but wow she really intrigues him like no one is his hundred years has.
So the cliches bothered me a bit.
The protagonist, Kasira, is not a particularly likeable anti-hero. Her whole thing is how she's a masterful con artist, and she's a brilliant liar, everything is lies, lie lie lie, etc. So much deception (so very 'not like other girls'). To the point that it was like, please show some growth at any stage now. She just stayed in this same character mold for the entire book and it got really tiring. It also, as a consequence, grated on me the longer it lasted and made her a rather unappealing lead.
Allaster, the head librarian, also didn't do much for me, though I liked him more. I think the narrator did him a little dirty because the 'growls' were whispered and in general I feel things were delivered with the wrong inflections. But same kinda deal where there just wasn't a lot of character growth beyond him coming to like (like, like) Kasira.
I DID however love the beasts and the variety of them. I think a read would have given me a better visual of them all, but I still enjoyed their presence in this book. They add a lot of light and heart, and for that reason I do wish they'd been better utilised. They're a fun, unique pull for this story and they would have been a more interesting focus than all the con-artist-this and brooding-librarian that.
As far as the audio goes, I did really enjoy both narrators, though Kasira's narrator was the better of the two. Perfect delivery, excellent inflection, and presented in such a way that I could become absorbed in the story without really hearing the voice as a separate thing. Would happily listen to either of these narrators again.
An interesting idea, but it did feel a little long and monotonous by the end. I think fantasy fans needing a mythical creatures kick might enjoy this one more than the romance fans, as the relationship is VERY slow-burn and PG. Nothing really much there at all, to be honest. But the world-building is pretty cool and the creatures are fun so there's still some points of interest. I'll probably still recommend it, as there's enough different about it that I think it's worth giving a go.
With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC
Presented by RB Media
This was an interesting new fantasy, but didn't totally sell me.
There's a magical library that is home to a multitude of beasts (as opposed to a multitude of books, which was half of why this title interested me), and a con artist is signing up to be the assistant librarian to escape being sent back to a cell.
Naturally, the head librarian is handsome, looks to be slightly older than our protagonist (though in reality he's really, really old) and is ridiculously powerful. Plus he's brooding and moody and he doesn't trust her but wow she really intrigues him like no one is his hundred years has.
So the cliches bothered me a bit.
The protagonist, Kasira, is not a particularly likeable anti-hero. Her whole thing is how she's a masterful con artist, and she's a brilliant liar, everything is lies, lie lie lie, etc. So much deception (so very 'not like other girls'). To the point that it was like, please show some growth at any stage now. She just stayed in this same character mold for the entire book and it got really tiring. It also, as a consequence, grated on me the longer it lasted and made her a rather unappealing lead.
Allaster, the head librarian, also didn't do much for me, though I liked him more. I think the narrator did him a little dirty because the 'growls' were whispered and in general I feel things were delivered with the wrong inflections. But same kinda deal where there just wasn't a lot of character growth beyond him coming to like (like, like) Kasira.
I DID however love the beasts and the variety of them. I think a read would have given me a better visual of them all, but I still enjoyed their presence in this book. They add a lot of light and heart, and for that reason I do wish they'd been better utilised. They're a fun, unique pull for this story and they would have been a more interesting focus than all the con-artist-this and brooding-librarian that.
As far as the audio goes, I did really enjoy both narrators, though Kasira's narrator was the better of the two. Perfect delivery, excellent inflection, and presented in such a way that I could become absorbed in the story without really hearing the voice as a separate thing. Would happily listen to either of these narrators again.
An interesting idea, but it did feel a little long and monotonous by the end. I think fantasy fans needing a mythical creatures kick might enjoy this one more than the romance fans, as the relationship is VERY slow-burn and PG. Nothing really much there at all, to be honest. But the world-building is pretty cool and the creatures are fun so there's still some points of interest. I'll probably still recommend it, as there's enough different about it that I think it's worth giving a go.
With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC
April 25, 2026
3.5 ⭐ "A unique world, atmosphere, and narrative approach… It’s just too bad that the character development doesn’t quite match the ambition."
This is a hard book to review: I’m glad I experienced it. Honestly, it’s one of those stories where you admire the creativity and ambition yet still feel a certain distance while reading. Even though I enjoyed being immersed in this world, the lack of connection with the characters made it hard for me to stay invested.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC
✨ What worked for me:
• The worldbuilding & atmosphere
The book immerses you in a unique setting. The atmosphere is distinct, with animal and word-based magic intertwined within a political and religious conflict (without going back to Narnia-type vibes). The library itself, along with the mage system tied to it, creates a strong backbone for the story. It’s a fascinating concept and overall, well executed, even if I would have liked to see the animals more developed. I would also have loved to see more intrigue within the library itself; elements like the catacombs hinted at strong potential but weren’t explored as much as I expected. That said, the ending suggests this may be developed further in book 2.
• The originality
I genuinely appreciated the ambition behind the story. The concepts and narrative approach stand out, and you can feel the creativity throughout. It uses some familiar fantasy codes, but the book almost feels like a cozy fantasy disguised beneath layers of epic fantasy—and I found that contrast interesting.
⚠️ What didn’t work for me:
• The characters & their development
This was my main struggle. I couldn’t like or identify with any of the characters. They felt underdeveloped, and we only get fragments of who they are, with very little evolution or surprise. I didn’t particularly enjoy the female lead, and I had mixed feelings about the male lead. He has a bit of that “villain’s assistant” energy, which could have been compelling, and I did enjoy his sense of humor, but his lack of drive and rather depressive tone made it hard to stay engaged.
We know from the beginning that we’re following a con artist, and we’re quickly made aware of her manipulative approach. Strangely, that doesn’t make the journey more engaging—instead, it makes it easier to anticipate a twist. The execution and resolution of the scheme weren’t developed enough for me. I think it would have been more impactful if we had known less about her intentions. Following her perspective while being kept slightly in the dark could have created real surprise. It would have allowed for stronger emotional reactions, even betrayal. The kind where you think: “Wait… I liked her. How could she do that? She hid this from me, even as I was following her at the first person?....”That tension could have added a much stronger layer to the story. It was only used at the end, but by then it felt too late and somewhat expected, in my opinion.
• Emotional connection & romance 💔
The writing itself feels quite mature, and some of the themes and discussions reflect that—but at the same time, the overall very YA tone creates a contrast that didn’t fully work for me. I’m not saying I wanted an overly physical or intense romance, but nothing in their interactions felt truly magical. Their connection came across as more juvenile than emotionally compelling, which made it harder to believe in the relationship or feel invested in it.
This is a hard book to review: I’m glad I experienced it. Honestly, it’s one of those stories where you admire the creativity and ambition yet still feel a certain distance while reading. Even though I enjoyed being immersed in this world, the lack of connection with the characters made it hard for me to stay invested.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC
✨ What worked for me:
• The worldbuilding & atmosphere
The book immerses you in a unique setting. The atmosphere is distinct, with animal and word-based magic intertwined within a political and religious conflict (without going back to Narnia-type vibes). The library itself, along with the mage system tied to it, creates a strong backbone for the story. It’s a fascinating concept and overall, well executed, even if I would have liked to see the animals more developed. I would also have loved to see more intrigue within the library itself; elements like the catacombs hinted at strong potential but weren’t explored as much as I expected. That said, the ending suggests this may be developed further in book 2.
• The originality
I genuinely appreciated the ambition behind the story. The concepts and narrative approach stand out, and you can feel the creativity throughout. It uses some familiar fantasy codes, but the book almost feels like a cozy fantasy disguised beneath layers of epic fantasy—and I found that contrast interesting.
⚠️ What didn’t work for me:
• The characters & their development
This was my main struggle. I couldn’t like or identify with any of the characters. They felt underdeveloped, and we only get fragments of who they are, with very little evolution or surprise. I didn’t particularly enjoy the female lead, and I had mixed feelings about the male lead. He has a bit of that “villain’s assistant” energy, which could have been compelling, and I did enjoy his sense of humor, but his lack of drive and rather depressive tone made it hard to stay engaged.
We know from the beginning that we’re following a con artist, and we’re quickly made aware of her manipulative approach. Strangely, that doesn’t make the journey more engaging—instead, it makes it easier to anticipate a twist. The execution and resolution of the scheme weren’t developed enough for me. I think it would have been more impactful if we had known less about her intentions. Following her perspective while being kept slightly in the dark could have created real surprise. It would have allowed for stronger emotional reactions, even betrayal. The kind where you think: “Wait… I liked her. How could she do that? She hid this from me, even as I was following her at the first person?....”That tension could have added a much stronger layer to the story. It was only used at the end, but by then it felt too late and somewhat expected, in my opinion.
• Emotional connection & romance 💔
The writing itself feels quite mature, and some of the themes and discussions reflect that—but at the same time, the overall very YA tone creates a contrast that didn’t fully work for me. I’m not saying I wanted an overly physical or intense romance, but nothing in their interactions felt truly magical. Their connection came across as more juvenile than emotionally compelling, which made it harder to believe in the relationship or feel invested in it.
March 9, 2026
I adored this story. I was approved for the ARC at the last minute right before release, and it completely made my weekend. I picked it up expecting to read a few chapters and ended up devouring the entire thing in one weekend because I simply could not put it down.
The story had me stressed in the best possible way. The kind where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter” while the tension keeps climbing. I especially loved Kasira and Allaster; their dynamic was full of tension but also compelling and kept me invested the whole time.
One of my favorite things was the concept of the library itself serving as a politically neutral center between the kingdoms. It’s such a fascinating premise and really added a little something extra to the worldbuilding.
Overall, this was an incredibly fun and immersive read, and I’m already impatiently waiting for the sequel. Also, I would very much like a magical library of my own, thanks.
Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhorn Books for the ARC
The story had me stressed in the best possible way. The kind where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter” while the tension keeps climbing. I especially loved Kasira and Allaster; their dynamic was full of tension but also compelling and kept me invested the whole time.
One of my favorite things was the concept of the library itself serving as a politically neutral center between the kingdoms. It’s such a fascinating premise and really added a little something extra to the worldbuilding.
Overall, this was an incredibly fun and immersive read, and I’m already impatiently waiting for the sequel. Also, I would very much like a magical library of my own, thanks.
Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhorn Books for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a good start to a new fantasy tale. The main characters were full of personality and molded well together. It was also atmospheric putting you directly into the story as you read along. There is political intrigue, action, magical creatures, and some romance. Definitely worth the read and I will be picking up a physical copy.
This was a good start to a new fantasy tale. The main characters were full of personality and molded well together. It was also atmospheric putting you directly into the story as you read along. There is political intrigue, action, magical creatures, and some romance. Definitely worth the read and I will be picking up a physical copy.
April 10, 2026
I hadn’t planned on reading this book, mainly because the cover doesn’t give off the same vibes as the actual story. But I’m glad I did, because this was very fun. Although it’s a bit forgettable, as I’m writing this review a week after finishing and there’s a lot I don’t remember.
But what I do remember it that it’s not your typical romantasy, the actual romance is moving pretty slowly. Instead there’s focus on political intrigues, fantasy creatures and well-built characters. It’s definitely a story that kept me invested, although I do wish we had some more world building.
I liked both the main character Kasira and Allaster and their growth throughout the book. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
But what I do remember it that it’s not your typical romantasy, the actual romance is moving pretty slowly. Instead there’s focus on political intrigues, fantasy creatures and well-built characters. It’s definitely a story that kept me invested, although I do wish we had some more world building.
I liked both the main character Kasira and Allaster and their growth throughout the book. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
March 24, 2026
If it’s already going to have a sequel, you’re allowed to make book 1 shorter 😭😭
It wasn’t THAT long but it felt never ending
It wasn’t THAT long but it felt never ending
December 21, 2025
i wanted to like this book, but the execution didn’t hold up…
after multiple bloody lashes, FMC somehow walks for hours, disguises herself, infiltrates a new place without suspicion, changes her own bandages with ease and shows no real consequences of her injuries… also she can also stand her ground against an experienced MMC who instantly recognizes strength and training…
it felt so unrealistic and convenient
plot-helpers appears out of nowhere, information is dumped in overwhelming amounts and despite detailed descriptions i struggled to connect with the characters
ironically, kasira’s past was far more interesting than the main storyline
interesting concept, but disappointing delivery
thank you to kensington books and netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review💘
after multiple bloody lashes, FMC somehow walks for hours, disguises herself, infiltrates a new place without suspicion, changes her own bandages with ease and shows no real consequences of her injuries… also she can also stand her ground against an experienced MMC who instantly recognizes strength and training…
it felt so unrealistic and convenient
plot-helpers appears out of nowhere, information is dumped in overwhelming amounts and despite detailed descriptions i struggled to connect with the characters
ironically, kasira’s past was far more interesting than the main storyline
interesting concept, but disappointing delivery
thank you to kensington books and netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review💘
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2026
The Library of Amorlin
by Kalyn Josephson
The Age of Beasts #1
Fantasy Cozy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Mar 3, 2026
Kensington Publishing/Erewhon Books
Ages: 16+
Instead of being locked in a small and windowless cell, Kasira is serving her prison sentence as a soldier, hunting down magical creatures for the kingdom of Kalthos, a city built on the zealous religious belief that all magic is sin, and all magical creatures need to be killed.
But the Kalthos ambassador has her eyes set on the biggest magical sin in the world, the Library of Amorlin. A library that protects and studies the magic and the animals in the six kingdoms. In exchange for her freedom and a full pardon, Kasira needs to pose as the library's new Assistant and spy for the ambassador so she can get rid of the Librarian, Allaster, and bring the library and all its magical secrets under Kalthos' control.
Knowing the lengths the ambassador will go to destroy magic, Allaster does not trust Kasira, and it's going to take all of her skills as a Con to find the evidence the ambassador needs to get rid of the library and magic.
This is one of those books where the reader hates and likes the MC. Deep down, you know she is doing an evil deed, but at the same time, you understand why she feels she has to. There were many times I wanted to reach into the story and strangle her to save the library.
I did enjoy this story and its world, though the other five kingdoms need some more history. Sure, they were visited and talked about, but not enough so I could see their name and instantly know why they were important.
Kasira was very well developed, though she did repeatedly dwell on her past, mistakes, and knew she was doing something wrong, but was only thinking about herself. When she lied and wormed her way into the library, I hated her, but also admired her for her skill.
Allaster did irritate me, and he wasn't that well developed, but then again, he was basically a hermit and kept everyone at a distance, so there was a point.
The magic and animals, loved them and...spoiler....
There is violence, towards humans and animals, but the adult content is more on the cozy side, making this suitable for readers sixteen and older.
I will be looking for the next book in the series.
4 Stars
by Kalyn Josephson
The Age of Beasts #1
Fantasy Cozy
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Mar 3, 2026
Kensington Publishing/Erewhon Books
Ages: 16+
Instead of being locked in a small and windowless cell, Kasira is serving her prison sentence as a soldier, hunting down magical creatures for the kingdom of Kalthos, a city built on the zealous religious belief that all magic is sin, and all magical creatures need to be killed.
But the Kalthos ambassador has her eyes set on the biggest magical sin in the world, the Library of Amorlin. A library that protects and studies the magic and the animals in the six kingdoms. In exchange for her freedom and a full pardon, Kasira needs to pose as the library's new Assistant and spy for the ambassador so she can get rid of the Librarian, Allaster, and bring the library and all its magical secrets under Kalthos' control.
Knowing the lengths the ambassador will go to destroy magic, Allaster does not trust Kasira, and it's going to take all of her skills as a Con to find the evidence the ambassador needs to get rid of the library and magic.
This is one of those books where the reader hates and likes the MC. Deep down, you know she is doing an evil deed, but at the same time, you understand why she feels she has to. There were many times I wanted to reach into the story and strangle her to save the library.
I did enjoy this story and its world, though the other five kingdoms need some more history. Sure, they were visited and talked about, but not enough so I could see their name and instantly know why they were important.
Kasira was very well developed, though she did repeatedly dwell on her past, mistakes, and knew she was doing something wrong, but was only thinking about herself. When she lied and wormed her way into the library, I hated her, but also admired her for her skill.
Allaster did irritate me, and he wasn't that well developed, but then again, he was basically a hermit and kept everyone at a distance, so there was a point.
The magic and animals, loved them and...spoiler....
There is violence, towards humans and animals, but the adult content is more on the cozy side, making this suitable for readers sixteen and older.
I will be looking for the next book in the series.
4 Stars
March 16, 2026
A fab introduction to the series.
The build up alone—
I’m soooo excited for book 2 now 😭🤍
Definitely for the Howl’s Moving Castle girlies!!
This was soo good lol. I’m not a typical cozy reader, but this had so much mystery, romance (tension), and political intrigue going on that I was hooked.
Kasira is so clever and so cunning. She’s so quick w/ it, just the way she’s able to outwit certain obstacles, I loved every second of it lol.
Allaster was such a fave too. I love a grumpy MMC and he’s a librarian? (She’s an “assistant”)
Hawt. (Think Howl vibes, but broodier)
Immediately invested lmfao.
The ending was UGH. So much was going on, and the things that came into play 🤯
Book 2 can’t come any sooner.
Max Meyers and Jesse Villinsky did a good job narrating this 🎧🤍
The build up alone—
I’m soooo excited for book 2 now 😭🤍
Definitely for the Howl’s Moving Castle girlies!!
This was soo good lol. I’m not a typical cozy reader, but this had so much mystery, romance (tension), and political intrigue going on that I was hooked.
Kasira is so clever and so cunning. She’s so quick w/ it, just the way she’s able to outwit certain obstacles, I loved every second of it lol.
Allaster was such a fave too. I love a grumpy MMC and he’s a librarian? (She’s an “assistant”)
Hawt. (Think Howl vibes, but broodier)
Immediately invested lmfao.
The ending was UGH. So much was going on, and the things that came into play 🤯
Book 2 can’t come any sooner.
Max Meyers and Jesse Villinsky did a good job narrating this 🎧🤍
Want to Read
February 5, 2026Pre read:
Yayyyyy an arc! Honestly I know nothing about this... I just liked the cover and title lol 😭 We'll see when I get around to reading this!
Yayyyyy an arc! Honestly I know nothing about this... I just liked the cover and title lol 😭 We'll see when I get around to reading this!
April 2, 2026
(3.5 stars rounded up)
The highlight of this book for me was Kasira’s character arc. I was immediately drawn to her—a con artist trying to navigate the beliefs she’s been raised with while questioning the circumstances of her life. Her inner monologue and internal struggle felt compelling and layered, and watching her growth over the course of the story was easily my favorite part.
That said, I didn’t connect as much with Alister, and unfortunately, the romance didn’t fully land for me. I usually enjoy romantic subplots, but here the chemistry felt lacking. For a significant portion of the book, it felt like Kasira and Alister barely interacted or were simply ignoring each other, so the emotional payoff toward the end didn’t feel as earned as I would have liked.
However, I have to give major credit for that twist—because wow. It was so well executed, and I genuinely did not see it coming at all. Kasira’s full-circle moment was incredibly satisfying and one of those twists that makes you rethink everything in hindsight.
My only other small gripe is pacing. If there’s a sequel (which it definitely seems like there will be), I do wish this book had been a bit tighter. There were moments where the story felt like it slowed down and not much was happening.
Overall, despite a few issues, I had a great time with this and will absolutely be picking up book two when it releases.
Thank you to Kensington for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The highlight of this book for me was Kasira’s character arc. I was immediately drawn to her—a con artist trying to navigate the beliefs she’s been raised with while questioning the circumstances of her life. Her inner monologue and internal struggle felt compelling and layered, and watching her growth over the course of the story was easily my favorite part.
That said, I didn’t connect as much with Alister, and unfortunately, the romance didn’t fully land for me. I usually enjoy romantic subplots, but here the chemistry felt lacking. For a significant portion of the book, it felt like Kasira and Alister barely interacted or were simply ignoring each other, so the emotional payoff toward the end didn’t feel as earned as I would have liked.
However, I have to give major credit for that twist—because wow. It was so well executed, and I genuinely did not see it coming at all. Kasira’s full-circle moment was incredibly satisfying and one of those twists that makes you rethink everything in hindsight.
My only other small gripe is pacing. If there’s a sequel (which it definitely seems like there will be), I do wish this book had been a bit tighter. There were moments where the story felt like it slowed down and not much was happening.
Overall, despite a few issues, I had a great time with this and will absolutely be picking up book two when it releases.
Thank you to Kensington for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 17, 2026
Format: 🎧 & 📖
Spice: N/A
This was such an incredible reading experience for me. I live for big, verbose Fantasy books filled with PLOT and world building, and The Library of Amorlin delivers in spades. This is the first book in the series, and like a lot of established fantasy series it follows the world building standard of info dumping and plot heavy character development (which is my jaaaaaaam!!). I love the brick-laying of this world, with its fantastical (and a lil scary) beasts and a magical library setting? It drew me in immediately.
Religious zealotry and an ominous threat of theocracy is the Big Plot driving book 1, and it is a real gut punch as it hits a little too close to home these days.
Our FMC is a former inmate, forced into the crusade of killing the magical beasts (the “cursed” beasts) to cure the world of sin. After sparing the life of a baby monster, Kasira is pulled into a plot to infiltrate the Library of Amorlin and usurp the current Librarian, Allaster, for the Kalish Ambassador who is hell bent on taking over the kingdom of Kalthos and spreading her fanatical religious views to the entire continent.
Book 1 has a minor romance subplot, frankly tertiary to the story but a lot of set up for more of a spotlight in the next book. I’m looking forward to how Kasira & Allaster come together in the future after this foundation of attraction has been laid. It’s not even out yet and I’m ready for book 2! 😂
The audio — dual narration, Max Meyers & Jesse Vilinsky. Jesse did the majority of the audio, with Max doing the few Allaster POV chapters. They had great pacing and inflection and I was able to listen on 1x speed without issue!
Notable tropes & themes —
📚 Con Artist FMC
📚 Grumpy, introverted MMC
📚 Magical library
📚 Political Intrigue
📚 Plots against political leaders
📚 Espionage
📚 Found Family
📚 Talking snow leopard butler
I received a gifted early proof copy from Erewhon / Kensington Books and an ALC from RB Media to read/listen and give my honest review.
Spice: N/A
This was such an incredible reading experience for me. I live for big, verbose Fantasy books filled with PLOT and world building, and The Library of Amorlin delivers in spades. This is the first book in the series, and like a lot of established fantasy series it follows the world building standard of info dumping and plot heavy character development (which is my jaaaaaaam!!). I love the brick-laying of this world, with its fantastical (and a lil scary) beasts and a magical library setting? It drew me in immediately.
Religious zealotry and an ominous threat of theocracy is the Big Plot driving book 1, and it is a real gut punch as it hits a little too close to home these days.
Our FMC is a former inmate, forced into the crusade of killing the magical beasts (the “cursed” beasts) to cure the world of sin. After sparing the life of a baby monster, Kasira is pulled into a plot to infiltrate the Library of Amorlin and usurp the current Librarian, Allaster, for the Kalish Ambassador who is hell bent on taking over the kingdom of Kalthos and spreading her fanatical religious views to the entire continent.
Book 1 has a minor romance subplot, frankly tertiary to the story but a lot of set up for more of a spotlight in the next book. I’m looking forward to how Kasira & Allaster come together in the future after this foundation of attraction has been laid. It’s not even out yet and I’m ready for book 2! 😂
The audio — dual narration, Max Meyers & Jesse Vilinsky. Jesse did the majority of the audio, with Max doing the few Allaster POV chapters. They had great pacing and inflection and I was able to listen on 1x speed without issue!
Notable tropes & themes —
📚 Con Artist FMC
📚 Grumpy, introverted MMC
📚 Magical library
📚 Political Intrigue
📚 Plots against political leaders
📚 Espionage
📚 Found Family
📚 Talking snow leopard butler
I received a gifted early proof copy from Erewhon / Kensington Books and an ALC from RB Media to read/listen and give my honest review.
February 5, 2026
This ended up being super good! I was unsure of it when I started, but it hooked me just enough to keep going. I grew very attached to the characters and invested in the story. Kasira’s character is very morally grey, and I love the themes that her character development explored (choices, lie vs truth, etc). I also liked that we were rarely told Kasira’s whole plan about anything. There were definitely a lot of surprises! And Allaster was such a sweet character. I did have a hard time picturing the different beasts (maybe there will be diagrams in the finished copies??) but overall I really enjoyed this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Netgalley ARC!
3.5, but rounded up because of the fantastic job Kalyn Josephson did with the magical creatures. They were thought out to an incredible extent, with carefully crafted roles. Seriously great job with the care taken to create an immersive world that satisfies the evolutionary biology student in me. I want to learn everything about all of the animals.
A few typos that hopefully will be caught before publication, but tbh I have no idea what stage of the process ARCs come at, so ?????
Also REALLY enjoyed the main character. At times she was sincerely despicable, but all of her choices made sense in the end. I would have loved for her to share some of her insights on other characters before the big reveal, as for a little while I was genuinely upset at some of her decisions. It's possible she did and I just didn't pick up on them, though. Who's to say...
3.5, but rounded up because of the fantastic job Kalyn Josephson did with the magical creatures. They were thought out to an incredible extent, with carefully crafted roles. Seriously great job with the care taken to create an immersive world that satisfies the evolutionary biology student in me. I want to learn everything about all of the animals.
A few typos that hopefully will be caught before publication, but tbh I have no idea what stage of the process ARCs come at, so ?????
Also REALLY enjoyed the main character. At times she was sincerely despicable, but all of her choices made sense in the end. I would have loved for her to share some of her insights on other characters before the big reveal, as for a little while I was genuinely upset at some of her decisions. It's possible she did and I just didn't pick up on them, though. Who's to say...
March 3, 2026
This book left me worn out from stress- but in the best way! This book has the slowly building kind of tension that leaves you thinking there’s absolutely no way out of the absolute hot mess the characters find themselves in. Will the con-artist pull off the ultimate con? Oh, and I can’t forget the slow. Slow. SLOW burn! Tie that in with some crazy good world building and you’ve got a big nail biter that will have you questioning absolutely everything until the end.
Kasira is a former con artist turned soldier that once again finds herself once again thrust into conning her way into hopefully becoming the new Assistant Librarian at the Library of Amorlin. In a world where magic is considered sin and magical beasts are routinely slayed, the library that houses all sorts of magical creatures is the last place Kasira thought she would end up. The Librarian, Allaster, is a cold, untrusting man who will try anything to keep Kasira from becoming Assistant. Kasira is convinced she can pull off this con- her life depends on it. Will the con be worth it? Or will it make things worse?
Yall. This is epic fantasy that doubles as a handbook to magical beasts and “how to be a con artists.” Kasira is absolutely awful. She’s tangled herself in so many lies. But I couldn’t help but root for her to redeem herself. Allaster is one of those characters you just know right off the bat has a really deep backstory. I loved slowly learning the pieces of his life.
The narrators were excellent. I particularly enjoyed Allaster’s voice. No notes!
The only drawback was the amount of info dumping in the beginning. Be prepared to process a lot of information.
THANK YOU to Recorded Media for the ALC!
Kasira is a former con artist turned soldier that once again finds herself once again thrust into conning her way into hopefully becoming the new Assistant Librarian at the Library of Amorlin. In a world where magic is considered sin and magical beasts are routinely slayed, the library that houses all sorts of magical creatures is the last place Kasira thought she would end up. The Librarian, Allaster, is a cold, untrusting man who will try anything to keep Kasira from becoming Assistant. Kasira is convinced she can pull off this con- her life depends on it. Will the con be worth it? Or will it make things worse?
Yall. This is epic fantasy that doubles as a handbook to magical beasts and “how to be a con artists.” Kasira is absolutely awful. She’s tangled herself in so many lies. But I couldn’t help but root for her to redeem herself. Allaster is one of those characters you just know right off the bat has a really deep backstory. I loved slowly learning the pieces of his life.
The narrators were excellent. I particularly enjoyed Allaster’s voice. No notes!
The only drawback was the amount of info dumping in the beginning. Be prepared to process a lot of information.
THANK YOU to Recorded Media for the ALC!
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