The Library of Amorlin

The Age of Beasts #1

by Kalyn Josephson

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 . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Adult, Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Audiobook

448 pages, Hardcover

First published March 3, 2026

About the author

Kalyn 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).

Reviews

[Mai ༊*·˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[S.A. MacLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[vxmpslibrary [hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

.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🗣️

[Nicole is Reading Fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book of 2026 so far! Incredible. Review to come!

[Kalyn Josephson]

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

[Lana C · Rating 3 out of 5]

* 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.

[Jena · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Me, My Shelf, & I]

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.

[✨⚡ Kelcey (felinebooktrovert) ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

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...

[Tyffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Krissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Bazia · Rating 2 out of 5]

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💘

[Billie's Not So Secret Diary · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Nick]

Pre 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!

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Tanith · Rating 4 out of 5]

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...

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Library of Amorlin is Kalyn Josephson’s adult fantasy debut and the first book in the Age of Beasts series. Kasira is a con artist and thief who traded her prison sentence for service in Kalthos’s fanatical regime, hunting and killing magical creatures. When she is offered a chance at true freedom, she is sent to infiltrate the neutral magical institution known as the Library of Amorlin. Takibg over the identity of the new Assistant Librarian, she is meant to train as Librarian Allaster’s heir while secretly helping Kalthos oust him, seize control of the Library, and spread its anti-magical creature religion across the six kingdoms. This long con forces Kasira to question her loyalties as she finds a place where she might belong and a complicated connection with the prickly and overburdened Allaster, who is barely holding the Library’s magic and political obligations together.

First and foremost, this is not really a romantasy. Although it has been marketed as one, the romance is minimal, and even calling it a slow burn feels overly generous. Likewise, while it is categorized as adult fantasy, there is little that distinguishes it from YA; it lacks specifically “adult” themes or content and could comfortably sit in either category.

While I enjoyed the premise and parts of the story, I had significant issues with the execution. The book is far too long for the plot it tells, which makes it feel slow and occasionally dull, and its many twists just serve to extend it further. The initial setup alone takes up roughly the first 30% of the novel, and although there are some interesting moments, much of this section could have been streamlined.

The novel attempts to build a complex political and magical system, but the worldbuilding is undermined by internal logic problems. Amorlin is presented as politically neutral while also being central to inter-kingdom politics. It is the most powerful magical repository in the world and the source of mages’ abilities, yet Allaster who has the ability to grant or revoke magic is treated as uniquely vulnerable. These ideas do not fully cohere even when the book tries to explain them away, and similar issues arise with the timing and mechanics of the Librarian and Assistant Librarian succession.

Despite its title, the Library itself barely feels like a library. Characters spend time reading, but the books rarely seem to matter in concrete or meaningful ways. Instead, Amorlin functions more like a bestiary than a true center of knowledge, which makes its identity as a library feel oddly underdeveloped.

There are numerous plot holes and storytelling inconsistencies, and each new twist seems to strain the story further. The most glaring occurs midway through the novel: once Kasira is exposed, Kalthos no longer truly holds power over her, yet she continues with the original plan anyway. This choice reads less like coercion and more like Kasira’s pride in wanting to prove that her con worked. That interpretation feels unintentional and highlights a serious weakness in the narrative logic, one that ultimately diminished my ability to fully sympathize with her character. Allaster, by contrast, was more compelling to me. I appreciated the dual point of view and found his perspective added emotional depth and tension to the story.

The Library of Amorlin has an engaging concept and some strong ideas, but its storytelling missteps made it a mixed experience overall.

*Thank you Kensington Publishing for the eARC via NetGalley

[Beth | Bookwyrm.Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Kensington Pub and Erewhon for the gifted book, and Libro.FM for the gifted audiobook!

Rating: 4.5 Stars Rounded Up
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Audiobook duel narration by Jesse Vilinsky and Max Meyers

𝑷𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒖𝒑 𝒊𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆:
📚 Sentient Libraries
📚 Magical Beasts
📚 Secrets on secrets on secrets
📚 Found Family among books
📚 Advocating against prejudice

✨ 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ✨
The Library of Amorlin solidified my new found obsession with light academia. The immersive, inviting atmosphere is an enchanting combination of cozy, whimsical wonder and high stakes, mysterious tension. This is not a simple narrative. It is a deep dive into how religious fanaticism poisons empathy and replaces the quest for knowledge with a hunger for control.

Despite some occasional info-dumping, the meticulous world building was a huge highlight of this book, setting the stage for a memorable and epic series.

Lovers of a true slow burn will be completely entranced by the simmering chemistry between Kasira and Allaster. Their intellectual sparring and gradual building of mutual trust absolutely captivated me. That said, the romance is definitely a sub plot, so those craving a more traditional, high spice Romantasy will need to save this one for the right mood.

Overall, I highly recommend checking this one out, especially paired with the audio. The duet narration really enhanced my tandem reading experience, and performances from both narrators were absolute perfection.

[Allison Romeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

I loved everything about this book. I loved the library, the political intrigue, the super super super slow burn, the ending, the creatures, everything!

The characters are so well written, and they really "marinate" over time, to use a phrase here. Allaster and Kasira seem like such an unlikely pair, but the way they develop through the story is chef's kiss.

Yearning, tension, cute talking leopard, epic fantasy feel, magic within the library, all perfectly executed.

I am so happy to know this is a duology and I cannot wait to see how the romance and story builds in book 2.

Thank you to Erewhon for the early copy!

[☀︎El In Oz☀︎]

DNF at 18%

Unfortunately, I’m putting this book on pause. I really think the world is fascinating but I just can’t seem to get into the story itself. There isn’t anything wrong with it, I’m just not vibing with it personally.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Library of Amorlin is set in a beautiful world with beasts, magic, and mystery. I’ve had the opportunity to grab an arc copy of this through NetGalley and really enjoyed the world this is set in. I feel like I can see the colors and world so well - it gives a cozy & whimsical feel as you’re reading even with all of the lies, plotting and secrecy between Kasira and Allaster (both of whom are strong a FMC and MMC). While it’s not super action-oriented, the plotting and scheming were so good and kept me hooked the entire. I definitely recommend adding this to your TBR and getting your hands on a copy of the STUNNING deluxe edition ✨

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC of this book.
Unfortunately I ended up DNFing this book at the 30% mark. It seemed like more happened in the first 6% of the book than happened in the next 24%. Kasira is supposedly this exceptional con artist and through her inner monologue you find out just how amazing she is! Unfortunately she doesn’t quite show that in her actions.

This was pitched as a slow burn, and I guess I’m just used to slow burns having a little more of the love interest in the book by now. It seems most of what Alistair does through this point is just ignoring Kasira or actively finds ways to reduce interactions with her.

The beasts are interesting and if this were done in the style of Warrior Cats where it was a story only from the beasts points of view, I would be sold. Unfortunately we get Kasira’s single minded POV with little interest other than what makes a good con and I found myself forcing myself to continue this audiobook for my NetGalley stats.

The audio narration was solid. The female narrator had a range of voices and I loved her voices for the talking beasts!

[BonBon ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was truly a delightful fantasy that is full of well thought out cons, many twists, and amazing creatures. I love the world building in this one! We have a fantastical library set in a very political world where magic and beasts are the main topic. An fmc who is so clever, complex, and strong! We also have an mmc who is a brilliant and angsty immortal librarian.

The dual POV definitely helps to show our characters motivations, struggles, and how the relationships between them are developing. I also like that we get to learn the truth about the magic, political relationships, and the six kingdoms along side Kasira.

Definitely pick this one up if you are interested in
- An amazing world and a magical library with a cozy atmosphere 📖
- A fast moving plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat
- Well rounded characters and beautiful beasts
- A delicious slow burn romance 🥰

I cannot wait to discover more about this world and to continue this story, this was such a great start!

4 ⭐️
🖤Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

[Meghan JaMonkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s giving Fantastic Beasts with political machinations. Our FMC is a con artist placed in an impossible scenario that forces her to take a position at a library tasked with research and the upkeep of knowledge and the magical beasts of the world. The country she hails from took a religious extremist role in killing beasts and naming them sin. We see her heart warm against the indoctrination she was forced into. There are interesting tidbits woven into this first book that I can’t wait to unfold in the rest of the series. I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to Kensington and RBMedia for the ALC/ARC.

[Jessica Brusven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant story filled with complex characters, world building and a fast moving plot. The library itself feels like more than just a setting and takes on meaningful characterization. While this is a fun fantasy read, it also unpacks some timely topics that feel applicable to our current world. Specifically the large debate on the role of beasts brings up some ethical and political questions that are relatable. The writing is stunning and the plot kept me wanting to pick it back up. Really excited for more from this series!

[thebookish.dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 Kensington Books and an ALC from RB Media to read/listen and give my honest review.

[2raccoonsinacoat · Rating 4 out of 5]

My adrenal glands are tired.

A magical library? Perfect. Religious zealots? Fantastic (I hate them). A curmudgeonly, bookish sorcerer? If you insist. Ecological impacts of magical beasts on their environment? Why does this feel personal?

Our FMC is a con woman—and she makes sure you never forget it—on literal work release from prison. She’s assigned to infiltrate a magical library and con a disheveled wizard-librarian who is honestly just doing his best, okay? The library exists to study and care for magical beasts, while a cult violently opposes them. Naturally, our heroine is trapped in the middle, and chaos ensues.

The absolute standout of this book is Amorlin, the library itself. Everything about it was a delight, and the supporting cast felt refreshingly unique for a fantasy novel. I would die for May and Iylis. Our MMC, Allaster, isn’t quite as distinctive, but I still enjoyed him and his quieter quirks were genuinely charming. The magical beasts and their ecological role were another highlight, though I did wish their physical descriptions had been more vivid.

This would have been a solid five-star read for me if not for the FMC. I understand she’s been through a lot, and I’m fully on board with morally gray characters. What didn’t work for me was the lack of sufficient backstory to justify her repeatedly making the worst possible choices. “I can’t go back to jail!” only carries a character so far, and I found myself wishing her motivations had been more nuanced or less self-serving. I nearly DNF’d around the 80% mark out of sheer frustration.

That said—the payoff was excellent, and it absolutely won me back. I’ll definitely be continuing with the series.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing/Erewhon Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

Thank you Netgalley & Kensington Books for the early copy to review. All opinions are my own.

The world building is really where this book shines and I can totally see why people are recommending this one for lovers of Howls Moving Castle for all its whimsical, fantastical vibes. I loved reading about all the different creatures in this world, especially Gievra who has a special place in my heart🥺

(Be warned: there is a depiction of animal harm at the very start and I very nearly didn’t continue because of this) but I’m so glad I did!

The story follows Kasira, an ex con artist tasked with infiltrating the enchanted Library of Amorlin to earn her freedom. To do so, she must gain the trust of its wary guardian, Allaster.

Allaster is tightly wound, deeply mistrusting, and slowly succumbing to a curse that will turn him into one of the very creatures he’s sworn to protect. Desperate to save Amorlin, he reluctantly hires Kasira as his assistant, hoping she might replace him before it’s too late.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching both Kasira and Allaster’s walls slowly crumble as they grew closer whilst simultaneously trying to protect their own hearts. The slow-burn romance is subtle and quiet rather than swoony or lustful, unfolding through small, everyday moments that make their connection feel genuine and earned, without detracting from the main plot.

Beyond the romance, I also really enjoyed the exploration of identity, redemption, and what it means to protect something bigger than yourself. I would have loved to see a bit more of Kasira’s emotional growth as her feelings toward the library and Allaster evolved, though I can see why some of that ambiguity was intentional.

Overall this was a really enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds in book 2!

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a breath of fresh air and I loved everything about it. It’s the type of magical fantasy that has you transported right into the story alongside the characters.

Kasira is a con-artist turned prisoner turned beast slayer. She has spent her entire life in the kingdom Kalthos, the only kingdom where magical beasts are feared and constantly hunted. She is an incredibly flawed main character and is constantly making misguided and selfish choices. Becoming the assistant librarian gives her the opportunity to deconstruct the prior indoctrination and begin to understand the truths of the six kingdoms and the magic within.

Allaster is the head Librarian of the Library of Amorlin. He has devoted his entire life researching, understanding, and protecting the magical creatures of the six kingdoms. He is another flawed main character, constantly trying to shield his mages and Kasira from some of the dark truths lurking beneath the library’s surface. The dual POV allows us to see the different dynamics and relationships developing between the characters.

The world building is excellent. There is enough discussion of the six kingdoms to gain a basic understanding of the political relationships and set up for the series to continue. The descriptions of the library create such a cozy and magical atmosphere that I wish I could curl up there with a book myself. I’m so excited that there will be more to the series and already can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.