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Girl Genius #16
The Incorruptible Library (The Second Journey of Agatha Heterodyne Volume 3)
Adventure, Romance, Mad Science! Agatha is the last of the Heterodynes-a notorious family of Mad Scientists that everyone had thought safely wiped out. When a rival scientist traps her family castle and the surrounding town in a time-freeze, Agatha must embark on a journey to find a way to reverse the effect and save the people she loves.
122 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2017
7 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Kaja Foglio
59 books133 followersAn artist and comics author, Kaja Foglio writes the Hugo Award-winning Girl Genius comics with her husband, Phil Foglio.
She has also produced illustrations for Magic: The Gathering and various fantasy novels.
Awards:
Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story (2009, 2010, 2011)
She has also produced illustrations for Magic: The Gathering and various fantasy novels.
Awards:
Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story (2009, 2010, 2011)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 11, 2022
Laugh out loud, share bits with others, and a lot more variety in the romances. I'd still like more variety in bodies and not all cis romances.
December 29, 2017
Another mixture of humour, excitement, intrigue, and action all rolled into one self-contained, steampunk world of mad science. The detail is so intricate, it’s reminiscent of the Harry Potter books. I often get lost amidst it, but never bored.
Readers were introduced to another aspect of this intricate world; the Library of Paris through more colorful characters. Jim and Aldin Hoffman, the gung-ho and the reluctant adventurers, whom reminded many of the Heterodyne boys (Agatha Heterodyne’s father and uncle) were delightful. Agatha continued to move the plot forward with her determination, heroism, and chaotic sparkiness.
In the meantime, Gil’s constant attempts to rescue Tarvek, balanced by Tarvek’s snarky damselling were hilarious, touching, and sweet. Their relationship with each other continues to develop, while they continue to crush on Agatha on cute, ridiculous ways, hip deep in females whom enjoy their shirtless moments with a robust enthusiasm they find themselves evading with varying degrees of success. Not Agatha herself doesn’t show a passing interest in such shirtless moments. :)
Character development was skillfully juggled with an action packed plot of booby traps, sneak attacks appearing in the context of this world’s mad science. All of this added detail to the same world’s texture.
Like I said, it reminds me of the Harry Potter’s attention and application to detail by using this methods. Unlike the wizarding world, this one is not unknown and isolated from the non-spark (‘spark’ is a term for fledgling mad scientists) population, much to that population’s general chagrin. :) The constant humour reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Vampire Game. If only there were more openly queer characters. The last is one of the few reasons why this book didn’t get five stars, along with my confusion in keeping track of everything. Nonethless, this graphic novel is a great read, set in a marvelous world, populated by colorful characters with a strong, well developed female protagonist holding court over them all.
If you like humour, alternative histories set in parallel worlds with a science that’s so far out there it’s almost like magic, you may want to give this a try. If you have a taste for traditional pulp fiction adventures which a touch of Indiana Jones style wonder set in a steampunk alternate world with a strong, yet loveably flawed female lead, pick this up.
Readers were introduced to another aspect of this intricate world; the Library of Paris through more colorful characters. Jim and Aldin Hoffman, the gung-ho and the reluctant adventurers, whom reminded many of the Heterodyne boys (Agatha Heterodyne’s father and uncle) were delightful. Agatha continued to move the plot forward with her determination, heroism, and chaotic sparkiness.
In the meantime, Gil’s constant attempts to rescue Tarvek, balanced by Tarvek’s snarky damselling were hilarious, touching, and sweet. Their relationship with each other continues to develop, while they continue to crush on Agatha on cute, ridiculous ways, hip deep in females whom enjoy their shirtless moments with a robust enthusiasm they find themselves evading with varying degrees of success. Not Agatha herself doesn’t show a passing interest in such shirtless moments. :)
Character development was skillfully juggled with an action packed plot of booby traps, sneak attacks appearing in the context of this world’s mad science. All of this added detail to the same world’s texture.
Like I said, it reminds me of the Harry Potter’s attention and application to detail by using this methods. Unlike the wizarding world, this one is not unknown and isolated from the non-spark (‘spark’ is a term for fledgling mad scientists) population, much to that population’s general chagrin. :) The constant humour reminds me of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Vampire Game. If only there were more openly queer characters. The last is one of the few reasons why this book didn’t get five stars, along with my confusion in keeping track of everything. Nonethless, this graphic novel is a great read, set in a marvelous world, populated by colorful characters with a strong, well developed female protagonist holding court over them all.
If you like humour, alternative histories set in parallel worlds with a science that’s so far out there it’s almost like magic, you may want to give this a try. If you have a taste for traditional pulp fiction adventures which a touch of Indiana Jones style wonder set in a steampunk alternate world with a strong, yet loveably flawed female lead, pick this up.
February 10, 2019
Volume (*checks notes*) 16 (sixteen!) of the collected Girl Genius webcomic takes Agatha and her companions beneath Paris to some of the micro-kingdoms that lie beneath and on to the Immortal Library itself, in search of an expert in time who Agatha hopes can help her unlock her city from the time-bubble it's currently trapped in. En route, she finds heroes, villains, a new Muse and the Storm King.
Phew, there's so much going on now that even reading a whole volume at a time feels like it's difficult to keep track of what's going on. It's only a matter of time before I have to binge-read the whole thing again from the start. I'm still enjoying the story and the art and, of course, the Jägermonsters. The Beast and the Castle in miniature form are both adorably sociopathic and homicidal in their devotion to their mistress.
So yet more twists, more characters and more mayhem. Lots of fun, although I do wonder if there's an end planned for this series.
Phew, there's so much going on now that even reading a whole volume at a time feels like it's difficult to keep track of what's going on. It's only a matter of time before I have to binge-read the whole thing again from the start. I'm still enjoying the story and the art and, of course, the Jägermonsters. The Beast and the Castle in miniature form are both adorably sociopathic and homicidal in their devotion to their mistress.
So yet more twists, more characters and more mayhem. Lots of fun, although I do wonder if there's an end planned for this series.
February 27, 2019
REREAD 2019
When I can't sleep, I read!
Or, well, usually I also write, but not tonight. A lot is happening in my head so I need a distraction without killing anyone (characters in my story, I swear). So, yeah, I'm reading!
Ok, so what to say about this album?
It was fun enough, but building on what I've said in the last reviews of this series, I feel like I've read this before. I wish the story would actually move forward, as there is always something happening that keeps them from moving forward.
I've been following this series for 8 years, at this rate, I'll be following it for 8 more and won't be any closer to finishing. I'm actually a little afraid that they'll warp time and start another arc all over again. Can't say I wouldn't stop reading, but I would probably never give it a full reread.
When I can't sleep, I read!
Or, well, usually I also write, but not tonight. A lot is happening in my head so I need a distraction without killing anyone (characters in my story, I swear). So, yeah, I'm reading!
Ok, so what to say about this album?
It was fun enough, but building on what I've said in the last reviews of this series, I feel like I've read this before. I wish the story would actually move forward, as there is always something happening that keeps them from moving forward.
I've been following this series for 8 years, at this rate, I'll be following it for 8 more and won't be any closer to finishing. I'm actually a little afraid that they'll warp time and start another arc all over again. Can't say I wouldn't stop reading, but I would probably never give it a full reread.
June 29, 2019
At last, a story about the real power of libraries, and why they shouldn't be taken lightly. I've worked in one for many years, and they just don't take us seriously enough, not even the ghost...although that is her own fault, since she apparently only terrorizes bad cleaning crews, but I digress.
Of course there would be a wondrous library in a world with sparks capable of bending the very laws of nature on a daily basis. However, learning things like the Van Rijn genius having secret codes for everything, like his waffle recipe being disguised as being a different recipe entirely, showed a whole new level of strangeness even for a spark.
The "cast pin-up" pictures on the back covers of the books have been fun, but this one has what is my favorite so far. With all of the gadgets in the book, the apparently normal back-scratcher was so far out of the norm that it was disturbing.
Of course there would be a wondrous library in a world with sparks capable of bending the very laws of nature on a daily basis. However, learning things like the Van Rijn genius having secret codes for everything, like his waffle recipe being disguised as being a different recipe entirely, showed a whole new level of strangeness even for a spark.
The "cast pin-up" pictures on the back covers of the books have been fun, but this one has what is my favorite so far. With all of the gadgets in the book, the apparently normal back-scratcher was so far out of the norm that it was disturbing.
January 15, 2020
The Foglios are almost too creative: this has so many characters, schemes and clashing agendas, I almost lose track of who's who. Okay, not almost.
Still, it has the usual mix of steampunk and adventure, comedy and plot twists. As Gil continues trying to free Mechanicsburg, Agatha and her friends join forces with the eponymous library to hunt for McGuffins in the catacombs of Paris. Death-traps await. So do jokes, like a subterranean creature that scoffs at urban legends of humans living on the surface.
Still, it has the usual mix of steampunk and adventure, comedy and plot twists. As Gil continues trying to free Mechanicsburg, Agatha and her friends join forces with the eponymous library to hunt for McGuffins in the catacombs of Paris. Death-traps await. So do jokes, like a subterranean creature that scoffs at urban legends of humans living on the surface.
November 6, 2017
I gave this one a lower rating than the other Girl Genius books only because we're still at the stage where we're setting up the new story arc and introducing all the new characters. There's a lot to squeeze in and I found it getting rather nonsensical. It'll probably make more sense as the further comics come out and the new characters start showing up more.
January 15, 2018
It's more Girl Genius. This volume has some fun moments, particularly involving the Smoke Knights. Following the overall plot of these books is fairly difficult. But I don't know that you are exactly meant to. Just sit back and enjoy the ride!
October 4, 2019
A solid recovery from the previous volume, with interesting new developments, genuine surprises, and likable new supporting characters. They also clearly had a lot of fun developing the world beneath Paris... (B+)
April 16, 2021
This Girl Genius adventure takes us into The Incorruptible Library. Mad Science + Librarians = the perfect book. This is the third of the "reboot" of the series, and I think the authors have regained the madcap humor and adventure that really made the first few books shine.
December 11, 2017
Adventure! Romance! MAD SCIENCE! Seemingly innumerable subterranean kingdoms beneath Paris. And this time around, post-adolescent soap opera... never mind, the incomparable series continues.
December 11, 2017
Paris might have been unsurprising, but this library cult (while not entirely different from the train people, or Lemony Snicket's ideal world) is too awesome to be bored from the similarities.
January 12, 2018
A particularly fun and funny installment in a series that's always a good time.
May 11, 2018
More of the same.
March 29, 2021
Another excellent part of the series. If you want to start reading it to see if you like the comic,
go to https://girlgeniusonline.com/
go to https://girlgeniusonline.com/
August 8, 2024
Lots going on and left on a bit of a cliff hanger - as usual but this one is a big one.
April 14, 2018
Who is Higgs??!
April 4, 2021
Six stars! :D
I absolutely LOVE the library! Their style! Their philosophy! Their fighting cats! This is the library where the acquisitions department is armed and ready to use firepower to secure information and new books. (But it is forbidden to detonate explosives in the main stacks).
This is also the books that gives us Larana and Alvin and yet another Storm King. And it's the beginning of the 'Tarvek gets kidnapped a lot' plot. From this book on Tarvek is a damsel in distress/minion type character and he does both acts oh so well even if he hates it.
I reread the comics every now and then and recommend them to everybody! :D (Start at the beginning; don't confuse yourself).
I absolutely LOVE the library! Their style! Their philosophy! Their fighting cats! This is the library where the acquisitions department is armed and ready to use firepower to secure information and new books. (But it is forbidden to detonate explosives in the main stacks).
This is also the books that gives us Larana and Alvin and yet another Storm King. And it's the beginning of the 'Tarvek gets kidnapped a lot' plot. From this book on Tarvek is a damsel in distress/minion type character and he does both acts oh so well even if he hates it.
I reread the comics every now and then and recommend them to everybody! :D (Start at the beginning; don't confuse yourself).
December 17, 2017
The continuing adventures of Agatha! The plot has picked up to such a pace that it opens in mid-adventure, and ends there too, albeit on a cliff-hanger.
It occurs mostly underground at Paris, as Agatha looks for a way to help Mechanicsburg, with some Gil.
It includes a traitor Smoke Knight, two characters betrothed to each other but certain that the other loves someone else, a long-suffering brother, a startling discovery about the Storm King, Agatha's worry about something her mother did to her, Gil and Tarvek near Mechanicsburg, many traps, the weasel, and more.
It occurs mostly underground at Paris, as Agatha looks for a way to help Mechanicsburg, with some Gil.
It includes a traitor Smoke Knight, two characters betrothed to each other but certain that the other loves someone else, a long-suffering brother, a startling discovery about the Storm King, Agatha's worry about something her mother did to her, Gil and Tarvek near Mechanicsburg, many traps, the weasel, and more.
July 27, 2019
I continue to enjoy this series, but wonder where it's going. The first half of this volume is another quest with another set of quirky characters in another underground setting, and I feel like I'm reading the continuing novelizations of the Foglios' roleplaying campaigns. It's quite, quite funny, but I'm yearning for a different type of story to appear in these pages. Thankfully, the second half provided a good bit of plot advancement.
February 22, 2023
I can always count on Girl Genius to give me a good laugh. I love it and want to read more.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews