The Astral Library

by Kate Quinn

Have you ever wished you could live inside a book?

Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are doors to new worlds.

Alix Watson knows one thing: unlike people, books will never let her down. Working dead-end jobs to make ends meet, she takes nightly refuge in the reading room at the Boston Public Library, dreaming of far-off lands.

Until she stumbles through a hidden door and is transported to The Astral Library, a place where the lost find sanctuary within their beloved stories.

But when a shadowy enemy threatens to destroy the library, Alix must flee from danger through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen and the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes’ London as danger closes in …

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Magical Realism, Books About Books, Historical, Adult

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 17, 2026

About the author

--I use Goodreads to track and rate my current reading. Most of my reads are 4 stars, meaning I enjoyed it hugely and would absolutely recommend. 5 stars is blew-my-socks-off; reserved for rare reads. 3 stars is "enjoyed it, but something fell a bit short." I very rarely rate lower because I DNF books I'm not enjoying, and don't rate books I don't finish.--

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network”, “The Huntress,” "The Rose Code," "The Diamond Eye," and "The Briar Club." She is also a co-author in several collaborative novels including "The Phoenix Crown" with Janie Chang and "Ribbons of Scarlet" with Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie, Eliza Knight, Sophie Perinot, and Heather Webb. "The Astral Library," releasing in 2026, is her first foray into magical realism. Kate and her husband now live in Maryland with their two rescue dogs.

Reviews

[Kate Quinn]

Update! THE ASTRAL LIBRARY is available for early-read request on Netgalley and Edelweiss. May the odds be ever in your favor...

We finally have a cover for THE ASTRAL LIBRARY, readers--isn't it gorgeous? And I can tell you that there will be a special deluxe limited edition that will knock your socks off: sprayed decorative edges, illustrated endpapers, jacket effects, and even more. These shelf trophies will go fast, so you definitely want to pre-order here: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/t...

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted to live inside a book? Same. If you’re a fellow bookworm, you know the itch—to step through a portal an author built and wander a world where the prose does the set design, the lighting, the score, even the CGI. Kate Quinn’s latest scratches that itch in the best way. Known for her rich historicals and fierce women’s fiction, she takes a gleeful leap into fantasy—yes, with a dash of dragons—and delivers a story stuffed with Easter eggs, heart, and wonder.

Our heroine is Alexandra “Alix” (Alice) Watson, twenty-six and dealt the most lopsided hand. A childhood shuttled through foster care after her mother vanished to L.A.; college dreams traded for three jobs and mounting debt; a hacked bank account (hello, mysterious Libby); and an eviction that empties her pockets and her hope. Rock bottom sends her to the Boston Public Library—just to breathe. Instead, she finds a hidden door and tumbles into the Astral Library, a labyrinthine sanctuary run by an ageless, gloriously grumpy guardian. Here, readers can enter books—under strict rules: public-domain texts only, no rewriting the canon, and you’re never the story’s “chosen one.” There’s even a wardrobe room that outfits you to the era you’re visiting. Reader, I audibly squealed.

Quinn makes the rules feel delicious, not fussy. The council meetings hum with old-world ritual; the red-card warning system ratchets tension without killing the whimsy. And the portals! Alix sleuths in fog-soaked tunnels with Sherlock Holmes searching for the missing Sarah; rows through Huck-and-Tom swamplands; twirls at a Regency ball where Jane Eyre slips by with a knowing glance. Each chapter bows to the original authors while giving Alix just enough agency to matter. It’s catnip for lit lovers: respectful homage with propulsive stakes.

What surprised me most was the emotional core. Alix’s foster-kid armor, her money panic, the ache of being left behind—these aren’t window dressing. The Astral Library isn’t merely a playground; it’s a refuge for people who need one. As patrons arrive chased by the dangers of their real lives, the novel becomes a tender ode to chosen family and the radical safety of libraries. And when Alix suspects the rot is internal—that someone is hunting not just the patrons but the guardian herself—the book pivots from cozy adventure to clever, high-stakes heist. Saving this refuge will mean breaking a few “unbreakable” rules—and deciding what kind of heroine Alix is allowed to be.

Quinn’s craft sings: clean, vivid sentences; chapter endings that snap; clues tucked like marginalia; and playful dragon shimmer at the edges that teases a bigger mythos without overwhelming newcomers. Pacing-wise, it’s brisk but breathable—set piece, quiet beat, reveal, repeat—so you get both the dopamine of discovery and the exhale of character growth. If you’ve ever underlined Austen, argued with Holmes, or hid in a library on a bad day, this book will feel like being handed a key you’ve wanted your whole life.

Overall: Magnificent. Inventive. Unputdownable. A love letter to libraries, a playground for classic-lit fans, and a smart, emotionally generous adventure that celebrates the readers who call stacks and stories their sanctuary. Five “book-inside-a-book” stars—my early pick for one of the most delightful fantasy releases of 2026.

A very huge thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for sharing this marvelous fantasy’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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[Dorie - Cats&Books :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read almost all of Kate Quinn’s historical fiction novels and loved them! When I heard that she was writing a fantasy novel I was all in - with her imagination I knew I was in for a treat. Just look at that cover and printed edges!

Alix Watson had a rough childhood - her mother left when she was young and she grew up in the foster care system - moving through many homes until she was 18 and finally free.

From the blurb: “Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down.”

One of Alix’s part time jobs is working in the Boston Public LIbrary. She finds so much comfort as she escapes into her fantasy novels. She enjoys interacting with the patrons and others in the library.

One day a door opens at the top of the stairs - her life will never be the same! She meets the Librarian of the Astral Library and learns how they shelter people who need a place to flee from their troubles or other threats - they can be helped to live inside one of their favorite books!

That is all I will tell you about the plot - it's more fun to discover all the adventures yourself. Alix finds out a lot about herself and how strong she is. She meets great characters from the books that she loves and ultimately helps to keep the library safe from threats!

The plot moves quickly and the writing is bold, imaginative and truly fantastic.

I can recommend this book to everyone - if you are reading this review you are one of us – a bibliophile and lover of all things book related. You are in for a treat.

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel!

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️ Books are my portals to all the wonderful places, real or imaginary. They are my sanctuary, my world of dreams, possibilities, and a life full lived. I’ve always wished I had magical powers to transport myself inside a book and live a life full of adventures. So here is a tale that’s dreamy and whimsical—it’s an absolute gem full of surprises and warm hugs.

In The Astral Library, Kate Quinn decided to take a trip down literary historical memory lane, weaving hope with magical realism into her cozy story that will take book lovers on a literary journey through time.

The Astral Library is a sentient, hidden library (within a library!) that can open its doors from any library in the world. All of the books have opinions and are alive! It offers a sanctuary for anyone that’s looking for love, joy, hope and security. Alix Watson is a 26 year old who grew up in foster care and whose life seems to be going sideways. She’s always been a loner, carrying a low opinion of herself and struggling to get by. But she’s a dreamer like all book lovers and all she ever wanted was a different life, a different world to live in. So when she visits the Boston Public Library, she accidentally discovers the Astral Library and her world forever changes!

Stepping into the Astral Library was an escape into different literary landscapes. Think Austen, Brontë, Dickens, Conan Doyle, etc! Quinn takes you on a fun, adventurous journey where characters jump from book to book while solving a mystery that began from the moment Alix entered the library. She not only gets to book jump, but also able to transport herself through paintings! For someone who finished an art school, I appreciated that concept a lot and was pleasantly surprised by the chosen artists/paintings! I felt like I was dream walking from one world to the next. It was a lovely surprise.

For a short novel it packed on a lot—a lot of historical writers and painters, a lot of jumps through time, overuse of extended feelings of abandonment (Alix insecurities), easily prone to quick action with no in-between. I wish it explored certain worlds a bit more thoroughly but felt rushed on and off. I also wanted more emotional layers aside from Alix’s inner monologue and more from side characters. Hence why I’ve rated it much lower than I wanted to. Nevertheless, I’d still recommend this to anyone who loves the concept of time travel through history!

If you’re a fan of The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, you’re going to love this book. It’s a book for all the dreamers with themes of found family, gender identity (light), belonging. It’s funny, it’s playful, it’s just a feel good book to have for a cozy weekend.

If you’ve had a chance to step into a book, which one would it be? Share below!


Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow Publisher and the author Kate Quinn for this eARC!

Publication date: February 17, 2026

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4-5 stars rounded up

Have you ever wanted to live inside a book? Oh boy, I have. Eight year old Alix Watson ponders this as she enters her third foster home in six months, clutching her treasured copy of The Voyage of the Dawn
Treader. This home is not up to much either, so it’s pretty obvious to her that it’s inevitable she would want to escape into those pages and inhabit them. As a 26-year-old holding down three jobs, she does poverty maths at a grocery store and her card is declined. Sadly, things are only going to get worse for her. She heads to the Boston Public Library, which is one of her part-time jobs, but which is also her place of comfort and solitude. In order to avoid the officious security guard and head librarian Elizabeth, she steps into the Reading Room storage closet and enters… The Astral Library, with its ageless guardian of this magical space. The Astral Library chose her, there’s a first time for everything. However, something dark is lurking in its shadows threatening to destroy the library. Alix must find hidden strengths and considerable resourcefulness to vanquish this determined enemy.

First of all, the Boston Public Library sounds truly wonderful and would there were an astral library to escape into. This is Kate Quinn‘s first voyage into fantasy fiction and for me it’s a success but then I guess she’s speaking to someone who has been bookworm from the age of about five.

As you would expect this novel is so well written, it’s vivid, lively, engaging, pacey, clever, witty and funny. It’s such an imaginative and creative way of making a stand against library closures, book bans and so on. Readers leap from one book world to the next. From 221B Baker Street to Jane Austin‘s world, via Tom Sawyer, Dickens and the Three Musketeers and many more. It’s a brilliant allegory for outside attacks pulling characters inside books to the safety of its pages.

The characters are excellent. I love the whip smart repartee of Alix with an i (with many wry smiles from me) usually as a cover-up of the awful hand life, or more accurately her mother, has bequeathed her and as a result of her poverty. She grows and grows as time goes on alongside my admiration. The Astral Librarian is fabulous, Elizabeth less so and the pages are especially lively when Alix’s friend Beau Sato-Jones inhabits the pages. He’s such a colourful contrast to Alex although she does change from monotone to technicolour.

Overall, as someone who has long lived in the pages of books this strikes a chord. It drives home pertinent points in a smart and insightful way and I revel in the worlds this talented author transports me to.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[TheConnieFox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel took me on such an emotional journey! It is amazing, unique, magical and left a huge impact on me. It is a medium paced book that is a mix of both character and plot driven. It is about a girl named Alix and how she was struggling, so she turned to books. She trusted books more than people. She ends up discovering a secret library door, where she ends up in classic books worlds. It starts off a bit on the slow side, then quickly builds up. I really loved the themes in this book and found this book to be extremely unique.

Some of the themes include a found family, stories shaping identity, and libraries and why they matter. I found the plot to be clever and I absolutely loved the magical world in the book. The characters were lovable and strongly developed! It is easy to read, magical and also comes with a slow burn romance. Overall, I give this book a strong 5 out of 5 stars rating!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Kate Quinn and William Morrow for this incredible eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is set to be released on February 17, 2026!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We get it. Nobody likes book bans. Kate Quinn doesn't either.

*The Astral Library* imagines a world where broken people, the ones who rely on libraries when no one else will accept them, are transported into their favorite stories. We leap into Jane Austen’s *Pride and Prejudice*, wander through the world of Sherlock Holmes, and explore other literary classics. It’s a premise full of potential.

Unfortunately, instead of letting the magic unfold naturally, Astral Library leans heavily on telling rather than showing. We're repeatedly reminded how the downfall of uptight people who don’t read is somehow dictating what others are allowed to read, a message that quickly becomes more lecture than narrative.

“Are you one of those book burners who wants to ban every book they don’t like, all to *save the children*? One of those people who thinks libraries are corrupting our national moral fiber?” Kate Quinn knows exactly what she’s doing here.

Our main character, Alix, abandoned and raised in foster care, finds others with similarly painful pasts: abused wives, neglected kids, and lost souls all seeking refuge. Together, they fight to save one of society’s last truly democratic institutions, the free public library.

Astral Library relies too heavily on government disputes as the antagonist, while the ability to jump into books gets taken by the wayside.

“Public institutions have to remain controversy free, Alix.”

There’s something beautiful buried in here, but the agenda keeps overshadowing the magical realism. Instead of being immersed in a story, you’re constantly being reminded what you’re supposed to think.

Oh, and yes, Florida gets a special mention too:

“The great cesspool into which all loungers and idlers are irresistibly drained,” said the Librarian, coming to a halt at the nearest corner.
“Florida?” I guessed.

I wanted to love this. I really did. But in the end, the message outweighed the magic. While the message should always be important, it ended up not being what could have been.

[Monica Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love books, you will LOVE this book! This book is the fantasy of every book lover out there. A chance to go to a magical library where you can spend time in your favorite books.

Alix was abandoned by her mother and raised in the foster care system. Now in her twenties, she works several dead end jobs and is about to be homeless. Her identity has been stolen and she has nowhere to turn to. Feeling hopeless she takes refuge at the Boston Public library when a door opens for her and she finds herself in the Astral Library. She meets the Librarian who offers to take her into any book she wants to live for as long as she wants. This is a dream come true for Alix but before she can decide where to go, danger comes for other patrons of the Astral Library. Alix decides she wants to help and becomes entangled in an attack on the library. Alix must help the Librarian save the library before this magical place can be destroyed.

There were so many elements to this book and so much that I enjoyed. First of all let me say that I am a huge fan of Kate Quinn's books. I have read everything she ever read so I loved when she made a reference to one of her past novels. I also adored all of the references to books and other authors. The fact that reading this book turned me on to some other novels is such an amazing feat. What I loved best though was the action and how strong Alix was. I did tear up at one part. When a book can make you feel true emotion you know you have a winner. I cannot recommend this book enough and think anyone who is a book lover will adore this book!!!

Thank you to William Morrow Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Kate Quinn definitely knows how to navigate between the mundane and the marvelous; for a first foray into magical realism, this story is wonderful!

Quinn’s novel is built around the question: Have you ever wanted to live inside a book?

She’s created The Astral Library, where invitations are given as a sanctuary to book lovers who are desperate and need to escape into a new life. I was captivated by this intriguing premise, fully invested in a well-plotted story with great characters (Alexandria ‘Alix’ Watson and Beau Sato-Jones), and motivated by intriguing mysteries (Who is Libby Bibb? What happened to Alix’s mom?). Quinn excels at drawing her readers into the setting, and this one is no exception.

My highlighter was working overtime, marking fantastic quotable lines. I learned new vocabulary and realized that there’s a responsibility in letting magic into our lives. I smiled at the warning not to ‘invoke the Shush’ and the characters’ definition of ghosts. I will admit to being weary of spending too much time in The Astral Library, wishing it had been a more balanced book with less magical realism - just a personal preference.

Quinn is a masterful writer. You won’t be disappointed. Come slip between the pages of a captivating book!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ That was so much fun! Perfect after a harder read.

"The Astral Library" is a very whimsical story that invites readers to wander off in a world full of books and literatures. Have you ever dreamt of living inside of a book? Now you have a chance. With Alix you'll be able to travel through different stories and all in the names of saving The Astral Library. Doesn't that sound wonderful? And I assure you it is!

I've had so much fun reading this book like I hadn't have for ages! It perfectly balanced the humour and the uncertainty creating a very engaging plot. I was deeply curious about which book we'll visit next and how Alix will solve all her problems.

The pacing was another aspect that kept me invested in this story. It had a great amount of action, intertwined with the extraordinary world building - who wouldn't like to know all the mysteries behind such unusual library?

The only thing that I didn't like was the romance. It was barely a subplot but I didn't fell any chemistry between the characters. I think it would be better off if the author decided to leave them just as friends.

From the very beginning it is a warm and charming read that attracts with it's numerous references to modern and classic literature. A perfect read for a book-a-holic!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[❀ leah ❀]

NEW KATE QUINN BOOK I’M SO UP

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could pick, what book would I like to jump into? I have absolutely no idea. Love historical fiction but don't want to live in a world without electricity or indoor plumbing. Also, don't want to live in a cozy mystery where people are constantly getting murdered. Or a fantasy world with dragons burning down villages and such. So really not sure.

Do I love reading books about people jumping into their favorite books, though? Absolutely. Even if I totally disagree on some of her favorite books here (The Great Gatsy, really?), but there were so many that I loved, like Sherlock Holmes.

I was expecting a story about a woman who jumped into a book, and maybe found a romantic interest there, or discovered her real life was better. Something like that. This was so much more than a simple rom-com or cute story. It was so amazing and can't recommend it enough (already have to multiple people on several platforms, probably upsetting them because the book isn't out yet).

Although the book wasn't set up as a series, it could easily be turned into one. I truly hope the author decides to go in that direction. I would love to see more books about different people who visit the Astral Library.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

[Lee Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have read Kate Quinn's previous novels, this one is just a bit different as it's more magical realism and fun fantasy. Alexandra "Alix" Watson grew up in the foster care system after her mother abandoned her to follow a boyfriend to L.A. She is now twenty-six and finds herself doing poverty math, where she is financially struggling to make ends meet with $36.82 in her bank account. She receives a notice that her future paychecks will go to Libby Bibb and her roommate asks her to find another place to live. Her safe space is the Boston Public Library, so she heads there to escape and she finds a hidden door and stumbles into the Astral Library. The Astral Library offers sanctuary to people who have nowhere left to go but between the pages. When she steps into the library the books come alive and the patrons decide which public domain book they step into. Kate Quinn pays tribute to her favorite fantasy authors as well favorite classic novels as the patrons move from book to book. Alix encounters deception and the Astral Library is threatened. She has to save the library with the help of her friends.

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.
Publication Date : 2/17/26
Categories: Women's Fiction, Sci Fi & Fantasy, General Fiction (Adult)

[Tiffany]

I love Kate Quinn and her books. Super excited for this one. Thank you, William Morrow, for sending me this ARC. Can't wait to start it.

Pub Date: Feb 17, 2026

As always, all thoughts are my own. 💕✨

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn is a heartfelt, whimsical, and utterly captivating tribute to everything that makes libraries magical, both literally and figuratively. As someone who works in a public library, this book felt like it was written just for people like me: those who know the joy of connecting others with stories, who understand the quiet strength of knowledge, and who believe that libraries are far more than just buildings with books; they’re portals, lifelines, and sanctuaries.

From the very beginning, Quinn sets a tone that is lighthearted and charming, with just enough mystery and wonder to hook you in and not let go. The titular Astral Library is a brilliant concept, a celestial repository of all written knowledge, magical and otherwise, and its secrets unfold in ways that feel both surprising and familiar to any book lover. It’s clear that Quinn has tremendous admiration for libraries and librarianship, and that respect radiates through every page.

The characters are colorful, layered, and immensely likable, especially for readers who enjoy stories where intellect, curiosity, and compassion are treated as heroic traits. Watching the characters navigate the rules and magic of the Astral Library, while also grappling with real-world emotions and choices, made for a fun but meaningful ride. There are clever nods to literary history and the challenges libraries face in today’s world, but nothing ever feels heavy-handed. Instead, there’s a sense of play and possibility throughout the story.

What makes The Astral Library especially wonderful is how it reads like a love letter to everyone who’s ever fallen in love with reading. Whether it’s the thrill of opening a book for the first time, the comfort of rereading an old favorite, or the power of finding yourself in a story, Quinn captures those emotions with ease. It’s a celebration of the people who guard these stories—the librarians (book dragons?)—and of the places where magic truly happens every day.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow Publishers, and Kate Quinn for granting me access to an ARC of this title.

[Jessica Strawser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book was absolutely irresistible to a lifelong book-lover like me. A magical library that invites you to spend a year inside any story as a supporting character? Sign me up! I was sympathizing with Kate Quinn's down-on-her-luck protagonist from Page 1: Her voice was fantastically relatable, grabbed me from the start, and didn't let go. Having read Kate Quinn's other historical page-turners, I wasn't expecting the story to take such a turn into higher fantasy -- librarian dragons, anyone? -- but even though that isn't my usual genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend it to anyone looking for something a little different and a whole lot of fun.

[Kristine]

I love Kate Quinn 💕📚💕📚💕

This is her First with Magical Realism. Life is Set Inside a Library. Sounds So Good.

Beautiful Cover 💙



Coming February 17, 2026

Definitely, Looking Out For This One! Please Give Me an Early Copy. I will of Course Buy the Book if I can See Kate on Tour! I want to so very bad. 🩵

Since her next book, The Woman on the Mountain, which obviously sounds Fantastic, isn’t publishing until 2027, I can’t access it here, so just thought I’d mention.

Kate Quinn is Collaborating again with Jamie Chang and that book is Coming Out in 2028. She is a Busy Woman. Don’t Want her Overdoing it since want her to always be ok, but she is Incredible and will read all these Books. 📚

Love You 🩵🩵🩵 Kate Quinn

[Reading Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down all the stars, I absolutely would sale my soul to live in this book! A woman gets invited into a mysterious library and is offered sanctuary. She is able to pick any public domain book to live in for awhile if she wants to. Do I need to say anymore? What an opportunity. I can't for the life of me decide on what my book would be. I'm too mean to live in Little Women but what fun it would be to know the March sisters...
Anyway all kinds of adventures happen in this book as the library is attacked before she can enter her book. So magical things are not my jam usually but this is just done so well I couldn't help but to devour it!
Did I also mention our main girl is plus size? Yes ma'am she is and she rides dragons, dresses well, has a tiny nip of romance, and she is amazing.
Can I say I'm 40 and representation absolutely matters! What I wouldn't have give to read about a plus size heroine at age 16 when everyone was supposed to look like Paris Hilton. Would have meant the world to me.

[Emilie Margolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a masterpiece.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This newest from Kate Quinn is unlike anything she's written before! It's unforgettable, completely FANTASTICAL and utterly timely. The book follows a struggling young former foster kid, Alix, who is completely down on her luck and finds herself whisked off into the magical realm of the Astral Library where lost souls can find refuge from their real lives in fictional books.

Full of adventure, snark, passion for books and an indomitable love for libraries, this book will have you cheering, crying and rooting for the underdog and was an ABSOLUTE delight to read. I sped through these pages so fast and was DEVASTATED to see it come to an end. Book dragons real and fictional will DEVOUR this and be left wanting more.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I couldn't flip the pages of this book fast enough and am eternally grateful for Kate Quinn's wonderful imagination. This is the perfect love letter for bibliophiles the world over and fans of stories like The ten thousand doors of January.

[Louis Muñoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prior to this book, I'd only read one book of Kate Quinn's before, her most recent title, "The Briar Club," which I liked. I've only known this author to be primarily a historical fiction writer, so it was interesting to see her delve into magical realism. In any case, a book about books is always going to capture my interest, and a book where people get to live INSIDE books? GOAL! I know a lot of my fellow book peeps and fellow librarians will love this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for a pre-publication digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Prior to reading this book I loved every single book Kate Quinn had written. But this? The author clearly used this book to rant and lecture about various societal and political issues. She inserted her personal opinions about gender ideology, removing age inappropriate books from elementary schools, religion, and even threw in a knock against the state of Florida . There were so many ridiculous assertions that it completely distracted from any storyline or theme. I like to be educated on diverse viewpoints but this felt like preaching on a grand scale in a condescending and mean way. And mocking religion and God? Just wow.

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ew. Are all her books raging liberal like this? Had high hopes for this author but all the political undertones she kept throwing unnecessarily into this story ruined it. For example the MC throws an insult at a minor character about having a KKK meeting to a security guard she didn’t like. Then a poorly veiled reference to the Little Mermaid and Snow White recast controversy (where Quinn attempts to insult people who weren’t in favor of the recasting). Or the unnecessary feminist quips that all men are violent and war mongering. Yeah no. It was obvious Quinn used this book as a rant on various societal issues. There’s enough strife and discord in reality, I personally don’t want to see it in the books I’m reading. I read as a chance to escape that for a bit not have an authors personal opinions thrown in my face. Write a blog post or non fiction book if you have something to say. Sneaking it into your works is a manipulative way to blast your views.

A free arc was received via netgalley in exchange for an HONEST review.

[thebookishhalfling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Astral Library only shows up for those who most need an escape. After losing a job, getting kicked out of her apartment, and having her identity stolen, Alix definitely needs it. A magical library that allows its patrons to live in a book (public domain only). Alix ends up helping the librarian with an emergency that might threaten the library before she even gets to choose a book.

I love Kate Quinn’s historical fiction books and I was really excited to read this new genre from her. The Astral Library was a really fun read. I absolutely loved the premise. I wish there was more time spent in and with the characters from the books Alix dives into because those were the most enjoyable parts. I loved many of the side characters like Dennis the ghost. I didn’t care for the romance though, it just felt unnecessary. The message of the book was pretty heavy and not subtle which might not be for everyone. Overall an enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the E-Arc.

[MrsHarvieReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced reader copy of The Astral Library by Kate Quinn in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I should preface this review with the caveat that I’m a biased reader. Kate Quinn is one of my all time favorite authors. I anticipated excellent storytelling in her latest novel, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun it was.

The Astral Library is a magical realism novel featuring Alix, a scrappy book lover who was abandoned as a child, and raised in the foster system. Now 26, she is unable to afford college, has few friends, and is barely making ends meet. She has always found solace in fantasy books and working part time as a page in the Boston Public Library. One day she stumbles through a hidden door at the library where she is invited by the centuries old Librarian to escape into any book of her dreams.

What begins as a magical escape into her favorite novels turns into an epic quest to rescue the library and its patrons who have sought refuge there. It's both thrilling and funny at times to watch Alix outmatch the bureaucrats who are after the library, using her extensive knowledge of books as her weapon. I loved all of the references to classic and contemporary novels. And the fact that she’s no damsel in distress, but gets a chance at romance with a nontraditional suitor. I cheered for her as she finds strength in the power of books.

The novel allows the author to showcase her imagination and sense of humor. I got the sense that she had fun writing it. For any reader who has ever dreamed of stepping inside their favorite book, this one is for you! 4.5/5⭐️

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Astral Library” by Kate Quinn is a fantasy adventure that highlights the importance of libraries, librarian's and books. It is also a social commentary on the state of budget cuts and censorship that Libraries are facing today.
The story revolves around a young woman who hasn’t had an easy life, her mother abandoned her when she was 8, and she has been shuffled through the foster care system ever since. She is alone, distraught, and seeks refuge in the Boston Public Library because books have been her only friend. While there, she walks through a door into the Astral Library where she finds she can create a new life for herself by jumping into one of the world greatest story’s.
As an avid reader, I have always had the thought that escaping into the world of one on my most treasured books would be a way to remove myself from life’s difficulties so the premise really intrigued me. While the book turned out to be too much of a fairy tale for me, I do think it will have great appeal to fantasy and magical realism readers. I also think it would be great book for the YA market as the message within the story is an important one.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew Kate Quinn, famous for her 500+ World War 2 epic stories, had a 300 page contemporary fantasy/magical realism book in her? She steps into a new genre with an unputdownable story that serves as a love letter to libraries and librarians and a condemnation of monetization of public services.

Alix Watson aged out of the foster care system and is living in poverty in present day Boston. The library has always been a sanctuary for her and she picked up a side gig at the Boston Public Library. As her financial and home situations crumble, she seeks a little break in the BPL's gorgeous reading room and manages to find a door into The Astral Library, where readers in desperate situations jump into life in beloved books. When you have nothing good in your life, your favorite book can be a literal, not just figurative, escape.

The Astral Library is being threatened by a board that seeks profitability and Alix finds herself jumping through books with the head librarian to find a solution. Along the way, we get to see that artists and gamers have their own versions of the library - the Astral Gallery and the Astral Game Room. (I wouldn't mind books that put those at the center of a story!)

The pace is lightening fast here and we cover a huge amount of ground in just over 300 pages. There's humor, a little romantic subplot, and even some self-deprecation on Quinn's part at the end.

[Bright Star · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.


“Have you ever wished you could live inside a book?”

The Astral Library was a very creative story with a lot of books' references, but it didn't fully live up to my expectations. The first half intrigued me and I was curious to see where the story would go. Alas, it became a bit repetitive after a while, with the characters jumping/traveling from one book to another for plot's reasons. I wish instead we had explored the literary worlds a little more. Plus, I also expected the story to go in a certain way (but it didn't) and the shadowy enemy was a letdown.

All in all, it was a good story with book worlds and quotes, but it could've been better with some changes and different choices.

[Danielle Bouldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

BRB. Heading to the library stat!

Kate Quinn is a magician with words. She beautifully describes books and plots as she takes you on an adventure through timeless tales. Her voice is playful and reflective. She mixes modern fantasy with classic tales. I have read Kate Quinn’s historical fiction books and I was excited to read her magical realism and fantasy work! She blends these two worlds together nicely. You get the historical facts but with dragons! What more could one want?

The main character, Alix, is reliable and relatable. She struggles with abandonment as she was raised in foster homes. Her life is not easy and she was not granted many privileges as she grew up. She did however always have the library. Quinn portrays the library for what it is but in a romanticized way. She reminds us the true purpose of the library. Alix grows as a character throughout the story and realizes what she really wants.

This book left me with three questions:
Which book would I live in?
Who are my book besties?
What does my dream library look like?

Also… when will I receive my invitation to the Astral Library and get to become my own book dragon?

Thank you NetGalley for the chance at an early read! I can’t wait to add this beautiful book to my bookshelf!

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Quinn is one of my must-read authors and I was definitely intrigued to learn she had moved away from her usual historical fiction and chosen to write magical realism for her latest book. There is a lot to enjoy here, as a book lover and a librarian myself. Kate’s devotion for libraries really shines through, and I love the idea of books offering literal sanctuary. There were a few places the rules of the world didn’t quite make sense and completely line up for me and I still feel unclear on the villain’s motivation. But it was absolutely a very fun romp through many beloved stories. Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy.