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The Invisible Library #7
The Dark Archive
A professional spy for a mysterious Library which harvests fiction from different realities, Irene faces a series of assassination attempts that threaten to destroy her and everything she has worked for.
Irene is teaching her new assistant the fundamentals of a Librarian's job, and finding that training a young Fae is more difficult than she expected. But when they're the targets of kidnapping and assassination attempts, she decides that learning by doing is the only option they have left ...
In order to protect themselves, Irene and her friends must do what they do search for information to defeat the overwhelming threat they face and identify their unseen enemy. To do that, Irene will have to delve deeper into her own history than she ever has before, face an ancient foe, and uncover secrets that will change her life and the course of the Library forever.
Irene is teaching her new assistant the fundamentals of a Librarian's job, and finding that training a young Fae is more difficult than she expected. But when they're the targets of kidnapping and assassination attempts, she decides that learning by doing is the only option they have left ...
In order to protect themselves, Irene and her friends must do what they do search for information to defeat the overwhelming threat they face and identify their unseen enemy. To do that, Irene will have to delve deeper into her own history than she ever has before, face an ancient foe, and uncover secrets that will change her life and the course of the Library forever.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2020
478 people are currently reading
8029 people want to read
About the author
Genevieve Cogman
44 books4,566 followersGenevieve Cogman got started on Tolkien and Sherlock Holmes at an early age, and has never looked back. But on a perhaps more prosaic note, she has an MSC in Statistics with Medical Applications and has wielded this in an assortment of jobs: clinical coder, data analyst and classifications specialist. Although The Invisible Library is her debut novel, she has also previously worked as a freelance roleplaying game writer. Genevieve Cogman’s hobbies include patchwork, beading, knitting and gaming, and she lives in the north of England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 830 reviews
January 31, 2021
What a good day—my copy of The Dark Archive arrived and I dropped everything to plunge into it! Who needs clean floors or sparkly bathrooms? Those tasks will wait.
Irene is dealing with a new Fae apprentice as she oversees the new treaty between the Fae and the Dragons. Catherine, the new apprentice, and Kai, being the representatives of Chaos and Order, are obviously going to butt heads. This wouldn't be as big an issue if there wasn't yet another assassination attempt on all three of them.
Cogman is very proficient at setting up challenges for her characters. Irene has to have a particularly twisty brain to come up with the creative solutions required to extricate them from the traps and captivities. I was happy to have a bit more Kai page time in this installment. We get a bonus dragon when his elder brother insists on involving himself too. This sets the brother up for a whole bunch of learning that his royal self was not anticipating. Ha! If anyone can teach him, it'll be Irene.
Catherine is, of course, a relative of Lord Silver's. Unfortunately Lord Silver himself has skipped town to save his own hide. I miss having him oozing around Irene making suggestive comments and driving Kai crazy. Silver is such an excellent villain, it's a shame to hustle him out of town.
There are obviously more books planned. Irene and Kai's relationship is based on the shaky assumption that their superiors don't decide to send them in different directions. Catherine has potential to be an interesting choice of apprentice. Shan Yuan, Kai's brother, seems to have ulterior motives that would be fun to explore. Plus there are a couple of big reveals at the book's end that set things up nicely for the further adventures of Irene Winters. That is excellent.
Cross posted at my blog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
Irene is dealing with a new Fae apprentice as she oversees the new treaty between the Fae and the Dragons. Catherine, the new apprentice, and Kai, being the representatives of Chaos and Order, are obviously going to butt heads. This wouldn't be as big an issue if there wasn't yet another assassination attempt on all three of them.
Cogman is very proficient at setting up challenges for her characters. Irene has to have a particularly twisty brain to come up with the creative solutions required to extricate them from the traps and captivities. I was happy to have a bit more Kai page time in this installment. We get a bonus dragon when his elder brother insists on involving himself too. This sets the brother up for a whole bunch of learning that his royal self was not anticipating. Ha! If anyone can teach him, it'll be Irene.
Catherine is, of course, a relative of Lord Silver's. Unfortunately Lord Silver himself has skipped town to save his own hide. I miss having him oozing around Irene making suggestive comments and driving Kai crazy. Silver is such an excellent villain, it's a shame to hustle him out of town.
There are obviously more books planned. Irene and Kai's relationship is based on the shaky assumption that their superiors don't decide to send them in different directions. Catherine has potential to be an interesting choice of apprentice. Shan Yuan, Kai's brother, seems to have ulterior motives that would be fun to explore. Plus there are a couple of big reveals at the book's end that set things up nicely for the further adventures of Irene Winters. That is excellent.
Cross posted at my blog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
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January 15, 2020How can someone rate this book if it hasn't come out yet?
December 29, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love this series, mostly because of the really intriguing world building. The dragons and order, the Fae and chaos, the Library and their Language.... it's all so fun!
You know what wasn't fun? The first 60% of this book. I struggled through it. To be fair, it could have been my reading mood, but I always love these, even when I'm in a slump, so I don't think that was the case. I think it was just the slow start.
Luckily, the last half of the book kicked it up a notch, and really threw things into the fun chaos that follows Irene like a stalker. She's a trouble magnet, and the end of this book finally gives us a reason why.
Cogman, you wily minx, you've done it again. You upped the ante, raised the stakes, brought the thunder.
Overall, I give it four stars.
I love this series, mostly because of the really intriguing world building. The dragons and order, the Fae and chaos, the Library and their Language.... it's all so fun!
You know what wasn't fun? The first 60% of this book. I struggled through it. To be fair, it could have been my reading mood, but I always love these, even when I'm in a slump, so I don't think that was the case. I think it was just the slow start.
Luckily, the last half of the book kicked it up a notch, and really threw things into the fun chaos that follows Irene like a stalker. She's a trouble magnet, and the end of this book finally gives us a reason why.
Cogman, you wily minx, you've done it again. You upped the ante, raised the stakes, brought the thunder.
Overall, I give it four stars.
December 29, 2020
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM ACE BOOKS VIA NETGALLEY, AT THE BEHEST OF MY GOODREADS FRIEND STEVEN. THANK YOU!
I mean! Let me sit and catch my breath for a bit. Gracious me, this one was exciting times eleven. So are they all, yes, but there are stakes then there are stakes and the superlative of stakes is what we experience in The Dark Archive.
Comme d'habitude, Kai and Vale and Irene are in pursuit of a Book on Vale's home, and Irene and Kai's adopted favorite base-world, B-395. New character Catherine (where's Heathcliff, Author Cogman?) is a Fae (and the niece of powerful adversary Fae Lord Silver) who is to be trained as a Librarian. Hence her presence here.
But, I hear fellow fans complain, Fae can't go into the Library! They're Chaos on legs, they would be extinguished or combust or something! And you're correct, they can't. Catherine's tried with no success and a good deal of pain. Now she's on a Librarian spycrafty expedition, nursing a distinctly adolescent sense of being Hard Done By and making poor Kai pay for her inner crappy mood. Irene and Vale? Elsewhere. Being, in fact, booby-trapped into a submarine explosion and a major, major discovery. A Certain Someone is not as dead as Irene left him, and his Lady Wife seems to be ready to take on the Library to get revenge for Irene's dastardly nerve in killing him in the first place.
These are but the opening notes of the symphony. And I can assure you that the pace doesn't slacken, the chases are truly cinematic (one B-395 London library is *begging* to be filmed with its multi-story Guggenheim-esque open atrium architecture, only 18th century and marble not 1959 concrete), the characters constantly going to extremes in service of their families, their peoples (Fae, Dragons, Librarians...the odd human tempest-tost in the deep end of a cosmic pool they never suspected existed), and the Treaty that our intrepid gang damn near died to bring into effect. After all, a multiverse of opposing sides defined by antithetical modes of being needs rules or there's going to be lots of casualties.
I don't for a moment expect anyone who hasn't read the first six books to know what much of that really means. I hope you'll take this, the release day of The Dark Archive, to look over my reviews of The Invisible Library, The Masked City (alt-Venice!), The Burning Page, The Lost Plot, The Mortal Word, and The Secret Chapter to see if anything in those reviews grabs you. You know my taste by now...I don't tolerate boredom well, I don't want to read about eye-rolley majgickq that makes not one whit of sense, or kiddie-kinses as they Find Their Snowflake Selves...so you already know there's none of that here. There's also no sex, and apparently no one in the multiverse is queer, but nothing made by humankind can be perfect.
What I look for that Author Cogman delivers book after book is a group of people whose honor is stronger than their fear, whose shared values hold them up when they're so battered by enemies they just want to lie down and rest, and whose relationships adjust to Earth-shattering new information.
That last one? That's the Big Reveal. You'll think, "oh THIS is what he was on about!" And it will most definitely NOT be. And you won't know it until a book falls on your metaphorical head and rings your bells.
It's worth it.
I mean! Let me sit and catch my breath for a bit. Gracious me, this one was exciting times eleven. So are they all, yes, but there are stakes then there are stakes and the superlative of stakes is what we experience in The Dark Archive.
Comme d'habitude, Kai and Vale and Irene are in pursuit of a Book on Vale's home, and Irene and Kai's adopted favorite base-world, B-395. New character Catherine (where's Heathcliff, Author Cogman?) is a Fae (and the niece of powerful adversary Fae Lord Silver) who is to be trained as a Librarian. Hence her presence here.
But, I hear fellow fans complain, Fae can't go into the Library! They're Chaos on legs, they would be extinguished or combust or something! And you're correct, they can't. Catherine's tried with no success and a good deal of pain. Now she's on a Librarian spycrafty expedition, nursing a distinctly adolescent sense of being Hard Done By and making poor Kai pay for her inner crappy mood. Irene and Vale? Elsewhere. Being, in fact, booby-trapped into a submarine explosion and a major, major discovery. A Certain Someone is not as dead as Irene left him, and his Lady Wife seems to be ready to take on the Library to get revenge for Irene's dastardly nerve in killing him in the first place.
These are but the opening notes of the symphony. And I can assure you that the pace doesn't slacken, the chases are truly cinematic (one B-395 London library is *begging* to be filmed with its multi-story Guggenheim-esque open atrium architecture, only 18th century and marble not 1959 concrete), the characters constantly going to extremes in service of their families, their peoples (Fae, Dragons, Librarians...the odd human tempest-tost in the deep end of a cosmic pool they never suspected existed), and the Treaty that our intrepid gang damn near died to bring into effect. After all, a multiverse of opposing sides defined by antithetical modes of being needs rules or there's going to be lots of casualties.
I don't for a moment expect anyone who hasn't read the first six books to know what much of that really means. I hope you'll take this, the release day of The Dark Archive, to look over my reviews of The Invisible Library, The Masked City (alt-Venice!), The Burning Page, The Lost Plot, The Mortal Word, and The Secret Chapter to see if anything in those reviews grabs you. You know my taste by now...I don't tolerate boredom well, I don't want to read about eye-rolley majgickq that makes not one whit of sense, or kiddie-kinses as they Find Their Snowflake Selves...so you already know there's none of that here. There's also no sex, and apparently no one in the multiverse is queer, but nothing made by humankind can be perfect.
What I look for that Author Cogman delivers book after book is a group of people whose honor is stronger than their fear, whose shared values hold them up when they're so battered by enemies they just want to lie down and rest, and whose relationships adjust to Earth-shattering new information.
That last one? That's the Big Reveal. You'll think, "oh THIS is what he was on about!" And it will most definitely NOT be. And you won't know it until a book falls on your metaphorical head and rings your bells.
It's worth it.
December 15, 2020
What'd you expect? I rate a book in this series anything below 5 stars?
I love Irene, Kai and Vale (especially Kai). Catherine, bless her soul, grew on me as well as the book progressed. A retrieval of a rare book that should have gone smooth but ends with assassination attempts and a resurface old enemies. Pacing is as fast as ever. These books are such a blast to read.
I love Irene, Kai and Vale (especially Kai). Catherine, bless her soul, grew on me as well as the book progressed. A retrieval of a rare book that should have gone smooth but ends with assassination attempts and a resurface old enemies. Pacing is as fast as ever. These books are such a blast to read.
December 20, 2020
As a Librarian, Irene is more than used to her fair share of danger. But when she and her friends find themselves facing one attack after another, it is clear something out of the ordinary is at play. Is it another attempt to bring down the delicate peace treaty between the Dragons and Fae, or is it something more personal?
I discovered the Invisible Library series last year and eagerly devoured all 6 books, since which I have been highly anticipating this 7th instalment. Cogman has created a delightful heroine in the enterprising Irene Winters and over the course of the series, built up a stellar central cast with larger than life characters, as well as some great world-building. Furthermore with the mysterious Library at the story's heart, this series is a must read for all book lovers!
That said, I have to say The Dark Archive, for me personally, was not amongst the series' best. In many ways this felt like a necessary stopgap in the longer narrative, and I'm not sure the story was satisfying enough in itself. It was quite a short read, and much of the plot was driven by Irene and her friends being constantly threatened and having to escape, until the 'big reveal' at the end. Said 'big reveal' was actually something I'd worked out from the end of the very first book in the series, and sometimes I do think authors drag out these sorts of secrets for longer than is necessary. As such the plot really wasn't meaty enough for me here.
On to the positives, as always the story is action-packed and fast-paced, each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that has you eagerly moving onto the next. The central characters remain engaging, and by now returning to them is rather like meeting old friends, in that you just enjoy time spent in their company. Cogman does shake things up a little too, with new characters and dynamics.
The main new character was Catherine, Lord Silver's niece and Irene's new apprentice (unfortunately Lord Silver himself didn't make an appearance in this book, and was missed). Catherine has dreams of becoming a librarian, in more of an archetypal way than Irene, and their student-mentor relationship is not always plain-sailing, not to mention of course that as a Fae, there are tensions between her and Kai. I have to say it took me a little while to truly like Catherine, as for much of the story I found her a little too much the 'angsty teenager', however, by the story's end I had warmed to her.
The other new character was Kai's brother, who I actually enjoyed, in terms of his dynamic and interactions with Kai. Vale, who sometimes features more prominently in books than others, was quite central throughout this one. I liked that we got more chapters from Kai's perspective, as I do enjoy sometimes being privy to his point of view from a dragon perspective, as it can be quite humorous.
Perhaps there wasn't as much of Irene and Kai together in this one, as they were working separately for large chunks of the story, though we did still get some sweet moments between them. Still they work so seamlessly together as a duo, that I did feel the story missed something having them apart for so much of it.
The nature of the plot made aspects of this story quite repetitive, and just how many times is Irene going to talk her way out of dangerous situations? We didn't actually get that much time inside the Library this time either, or any other Librarians (I suppose technically we got one) featuring in the story, which again I missed.
What did really intrigue me was the epilogue, as this linked in with the interesting discovery in the 6th book, and tied in with some of the old mysteries of the Library itself, in terms of how did it come to be and who does it serve, is it truly as neutral as it purports to be and why did Alberich betray it? The book ends so teasingly, as we finally seem on the verge of these questions being answered, that I'm now frustrated at the wait till the next book. I actually don't know if the 8th book is the last to the series, but it certainly seems as if we are approaching end-game.
Overall, I can see why this book may have been needed as a stop-gap to the next and I'm still hugely invested in the series overall. It's fun and doesn't take itself too seriously and makes for great escapist adventure. 3.5 stars
I discovered the Invisible Library series last year and eagerly devoured all 6 books, since which I have been highly anticipating this 7th instalment. Cogman has created a delightful heroine in the enterprising Irene Winters and over the course of the series, built up a stellar central cast with larger than life characters, as well as some great world-building. Furthermore with the mysterious Library at the story's heart, this series is a must read for all book lovers!
That said, I have to say The Dark Archive, for me personally, was not amongst the series' best. In many ways this felt like a necessary stopgap in the longer narrative, and I'm not sure the story was satisfying enough in itself. It was quite a short read, and much of the plot was driven by Irene and her friends being constantly threatened and having to escape, until the 'big reveal' at the end. Said 'big reveal' was actually something I'd worked out from the end of the very first book in the series, and sometimes I do think authors drag out these sorts of secrets for longer than is necessary. As such the plot really wasn't meaty enough for me here.
On to the positives, as always the story is action-packed and fast-paced, each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that has you eagerly moving onto the next. The central characters remain engaging, and by now returning to them is rather like meeting old friends, in that you just enjoy time spent in their company. Cogman does shake things up a little too, with new characters and dynamics.
The main new character was Catherine, Lord Silver's niece and Irene's new apprentice (unfortunately Lord Silver himself didn't make an appearance in this book, and was missed). Catherine has dreams of becoming a librarian, in more of an archetypal way than Irene, and their student-mentor relationship is not always plain-sailing, not to mention of course that as a Fae, there are tensions between her and Kai. I have to say it took me a little while to truly like Catherine, as for much of the story I found her a little too much the 'angsty teenager', however, by the story's end I had warmed to her.
The other new character was Kai's brother, who I actually enjoyed, in terms of his dynamic and interactions with Kai. Vale, who sometimes features more prominently in books than others, was quite central throughout this one. I liked that we got more chapters from Kai's perspective, as I do enjoy sometimes being privy to his point of view from a dragon perspective, as it can be quite humorous.
Perhaps there wasn't as much of Irene and Kai together in this one, as they were working separately for large chunks of the story, though we did still get some sweet moments between them. Still they work so seamlessly together as a duo, that I did feel the story missed something having them apart for so much of it.
The nature of the plot made aspects of this story quite repetitive, and just how many times is Irene going to talk her way out of dangerous situations? We didn't actually get that much time inside the Library this time either, or any other Librarians (I suppose technically we got one) featuring in the story, which again I missed.
What did really intrigue me was the epilogue, as this linked in with the interesting discovery in the 6th book, and tied in with some of the old mysteries of the Library itself, in terms of how did it come to be and who does it serve, is it truly as neutral as it purports to be and why did Alberich betray it? The book ends so teasingly, as we finally seem on the verge of these questions being answered, that I'm now frustrated at the wait till the next book. I actually don't know if the 8th book is the last to the series, but it certainly seems as if we are approaching end-game.
Overall, I can see why this book may have been needed as a stop-gap to the next and I'm still hugely invested in the series overall. It's fun and doesn't take itself too seriously and makes for great escapist adventure. 3.5 stars
December 29, 2020
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
I loved this! I was so excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy of this book and I was not disappointed. I remember thinking that was going to be a fun series with limitless possibilities when I read the first book in this series and seven books in, I believe I was right. This is a series that I would recommend reading in order if at all possible since the character relationships have grown and changed and there are a few ongoing story arcs. Each book has been a lot of fun so you wouldn't want to miss one anyway!
It looks like an assassin is out to get Irene. At the start of the book, Irene and Vale are off on a quick mission together when things get messy. Irene sets through a magical door only to discover a man that she thought was dead. Meanwhile, Kai and Catherine are facing challenges of their own. Irene, Kai, Vale, and Catherine must work to find out who is behind the assassination attempts and learn exactly what is going on.
This book was exciting and the mystery kept me guessing. There were several times that I wondered if Irene would be able to find a way out of difficult situations. I had no idea who was behind everything which made the book very hard to put down. I liked what Catherine added to the story. I wasn't quite sure if she would be trusted but I thought that she grew a lot over the course of this story and eventually proved herself.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a very exciting and entertaining read filled with fantastic characters that I have grown to love. There were some pretty big revelations in this book which have left me incredibly eager to get my hands on the next book in this fantastic series!
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I loved this! I was so excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy of this book and I was not disappointed. Irene, Kai, and Vale are on the case once again and this time they have a couple of additional characters along to help. The story was exciting and intelligently written. There were some pretty big revelations toward the end of the story that has left me quite eager to see what will happen next in the series.
I loved this! I was so excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy of this book and I was not disappointed. I remember thinking that was going to be a fun series with limitless possibilities when I read the first book in this series and seven books in, I believe I was right. This is a series that I would recommend reading in order if at all possible since the character relationships have grown and changed and there are a few ongoing story arcs. Each book has been a lot of fun so you wouldn't want to miss one anyway!
It looks like an assassin is out to get Irene. At the start of the book, Irene and Vale are off on a quick mission together when things get messy. Irene sets through a magical door only to discover a man that she thought was dead. Meanwhile, Kai and Catherine are facing challenges of their own. Irene, Kai, Vale, and Catherine must work to find out who is behind the assassination attempts and learn exactly what is going on.
This book was exciting and the mystery kept me guessing. There were several times that I wondered if Irene would be able to find a way out of difficult situations. I had no idea who was behind everything which made the book very hard to put down. I liked what Catherine added to the story. I wasn't quite sure if she would be trusted but I thought that she grew a lot over the course of this story and eventually proved herself.
I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a very exciting and entertaining read filled with fantastic characters that I have grown to love. There were some pretty big revelations in this book which have left me incredibly eager to get my hands on the next book in this fantastic series!
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I loved this! I was so excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy of this book and I was not disappointed. Irene, Kai, and Vale are on the case once again and this time they have a couple of additional characters along to help. The story was exciting and intelligently written. There were some pretty big revelations toward the end of the story that has left me quite eager to see what will happen next in the series.
November 26, 2020
The Dark Archive is the seventh instalment in the magical and utterly beguiling (The) Invisible Library series by critically-acclaimed and mightily talented fantasy writer Ms Cogman, and despite the worry that the series may be beginning to flag by this point, I needn't have been concerned as this is the perfect escapist treat and antidote to these troubling times; it is every bit as enchanting as the previous books, if not more so. A professional spy for a mysterious Library which harvests fiction from different realities, Irene faces a series of assassination attempts that threaten to destroy her and everything she has worked for. Irene is teaching her new assistant the fundamentals of a Librarian's job, and finding that training a young Fae is more difficult than she expected.
But when they're the targets of kidnapping and assassination attempts, she decides that learning by doing is the only option they have left. In order to protect themselves, Irene and her friends must do what they do best: search for information to defeat the overwhelming threat they face and identify their unseen enemy. To do that, Irene will have to delve deeper into her own history than she ever has before, face an ancient foe, and uncover secrets that will change her life and the course of the Library forever. I cannot recommend this highly enough to fantasy fans, those in need of a richly-imagined world to run off to and/or those who enjoy books about libraries—the palaces of wonder and the gateways to our imagination and portal to alternate worlds; I couldn't think of a book I would've rather read.
But when they're the targets of kidnapping and assassination attempts, she decides that learning by doing is the only option they have left. In order to protect themselves, Irene and her friends must do what they do best: search for information to defeat the overwhelming threat they face and identify their unseen enemy. To do that, Irene will have to delve deeper into her own history than she ever has before, face an ancient foe, and uncover secrets that will change her life and the course of the Library forever. I cannot recommend this highly enough to fantasy fans, those in need of a richly-imagined world to run off to and/or those who enjoy books about libraries—the palaces of wonder and the gateways to our imagination and portal to alternate worlds; I couldn't think of a book I would've rather read.
April 16, 2021
Recycled villains and a moment, yet campy and mostly fun. Maybe worth reading for this scene alone:
I would buy tickets to that, and I'm not usually willing to spend money to hang out with other humans. Exceptions sometimes made for fellow science overenthusiasts, of course.
I don't think I need to keep reading this series, but it was fun while it lasted.
"The Grand Technological Exhibition is an annual celebration for, shall we say, overenthusiastic men and women of science. The police always attend as it could end with a bonfire, explosions, or even a riot. I've seen giant robots bounce through the streets - and once half the drains in London ran pink and grew fluorite crystals. One year, a new underground bullet train destined for Paris went to Edinburgh instead. But a particular favorite of mine, if you can call it that, was the personal glider-suit driven by underarm flamethrowers. You might also see devices for communicating with dolphins, and usually at least half a dozen machines that are supposed to end world hunger and enforce world peace. Those are usually the worst."
I would buy tickets to that, and I'm not usually willing to spend money to hang out with other humans. Exceptions sometimes made for fellow science overenthusiasts, of course.
I don't think I need to keep reading this series, but it was fun while it lasted.
April 2, 2021
One of my little guilty pleasures ...
There are bad-ass librarians everywhere, and let us just agree that The Invisible Library series is a tribute to them in its own YA/Steampunk/Fantasy/Sci-Fi way.
There are bad-ass librarians everywhere, and let us just agree that The Invisible Library series is a tribute to them in its own YA/Steampunk/Fantasy/Sci-Fi way.
February 18, 2022
Irene wouldn't know what to do if someone wasn't trying to kill her or her friends. This started out with a bang as Irene and Vale are under attack by some unknown assailants only to find someone who is supposed to be dead was behind it. But is he really behind it or is there something more going on.
Kai and Catherine are representatives of the the Dragon's and Fae and part of the treaty to keep everyone playing nicely. Catherine wants to be a librarian more than anything. But she is about to get a rude awakening to what a librarian in Irene's world actually is.
With someone out to kill all of Irene's companions she must find out who wants her alive and everyone she loves dead. It can't be the ghost from her past that just keeps re-emerging, can it. This will take us on an adventure where everyone will fight for their lives, save the day and make horrible mistakes. Just my kind of story.
I enjoy this series quite a bit. The beginning was pretty action packed but then there was a decent lull for awhile as all the characters regrouped and tried to figure out how to deal with the threats coming after them. I did like who the villain turned out to be as I was sure we hadn't seen the last of them.
Pacing was a small issue in this book but well worth the bigger reveals at the end. I was pretty sure I knew who Irene's true parent was a long time ago, but I like having my suspicions confirmed. It will make for some interesting possibilities going forward. Also delving into Kai's family opened up a few story avenues I think we will see more of later. His brother Shan Yuan I can see as trouble later on.
If you like this series I think you will be happy to see some of the developments. By book 7 you should have a good idea of what to expect and shouldn't be disappointed.
Kai and Catherine are representatives of the the Dragon's and Fae and part of the treaty to keep everyone playing nicely. Catherine wants to be a librarian more than anything. But she is about to get a rude awakening to what a librarian in Irene's world actually is.
With someone out to kill all of Irene's companions she must find out who wants her alive and everyone she loves dead. It can't be the ghost from her past that just keeps re-emerging, can it. This will take us on an adventure where everyone will fight for their lives, save the day and make horrible mistakes. Just my kind of story.
I enjoy this series quite a bit. The beginning was pretty action packed but then there was a decent lull for awhile as all the characters regrouped and tried to figure out how to deal with the threats coming after them. I did like who the villain turned out to be as I was sure we hadn't seen the last of them.
Pacing was a small issue in this book but well worth the bigger reveals at the end. I was pretty sure I knew who Irene's true parent was a long time ago, but I like having my suspicions confirmed. It will make for some interesting possibilities going forward. Also delving into Kai's family opened up a few story avenues I think we will see more of later. His brother Shan Yuan I can see as trouble later on.
If you like this series I think you will be happy to see some of the developments. By book 7 you should have a good idea of what to expect and shouldn't be disappointed.
June 6, 2021
This book has ALL THE THINGS as all the books in the series do. Here we have a new fae apprentice, assassination attempts (surprise!), more of Kate and a new dragon character, as well as all the usual chaos and shenanigans with some big reveals at the end. *sighs contentedly*. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
February 13, 2021
So I am torn over this review.... this is number seven in a series with a fun main idea - worlds that are along a spectrum from chaos to order - where, depending on the level of chaos, members live as archetypes (detective, master -criminal, politician, librarian, spy, lover, etc.c) - the more chaotic the world the more real the archetype. Dragons rule/define order - Fae rule/define chaos. The balance (worlds in the middle are maintained by the LIBRARY and Librarians). I like the world and the main characters -Irene, the Librarian in the stories, Kai -her lover, Librarian in training, and Dragon, Vale the 'Great Detective' in the world where Irene and Kai reside. There are others -Silver, the Fae who represents chaos in Irene's world -sometimes a minor adversary or reluctant assistant in the adventures. The problem is that this is book 7 - and there is a long convoluted complicated backstory running through the novels and quite frankly - it's getting a bit tedious - really - book 7 and it's not resolved - how many more to go?
The other issue with this story is that none of it is very remember-able from book to book. Oh, if you read them one right after another of course, but by the time the new one comes out I have completely forgotten the plots and characters of the other novels. This book (#7) referred to Kai's kidnapping (a vague memory) and the Fae who were behind the kidnapping (no memory) and that Irene killed the evil husband who kidnapped Kai (nope - can't remember). There was mention of a painting the gave hints of the Dragons true beginnings- kind of remember this when it was mentioned but the details - nope. This also brought back the return of Irene and the LIBRARY'S archenemy. I have a vague memory of him only because he is mentioned in every story - but the plot of those stories (I think, maybe, the first 2 books?) and how Irene defeated him, and what he did -can't remember. Let's see - one of the books had a long train sequence - one had a party ...a masquerade ? - HA - those could even be in the same book.
This book had a lot about the new treaty between Fae, Dragons, and The Library - which I remember there being a treaty but can't remember it's goals. And this book ended with three mysterious characters going over their 'master plan' and worrying about how Irene got hold of an Egyptian document/scroll when it was meant to be always hidden - what Egyptian scroll? Can't remember. But apparently it's going to be important to the next 7 books or however many it takes to resolve this story line.
So why do I keep reading them? Well I like the world and the main characters and there is enough plot/action in the story that so far not remembering the previous books hasn't been in the way - this one was the first time it was so noticeable. Let's see how I feel when I read book 8.
The other issue with this story is that none of it is very remember-able from book to book. Oh, if you read them one right after another of course, but by the time the new one comes out I have completely forgotten the plots and characters of the other novels. This book (#7) referred to Kai's kidnapping (a vague memory) and the Fae who were behind the kidnapping (no memory) and that Irene killed the evil husband who kidnapped Kai (nope - can't remember). There was mention of a painting the gave hints of the Dragons true beginnings- kind of remember this when it was mentioned but the details - nope. This also brought back the return of Irene and the LIBRARY'S archenemy. I have a vague memory of him only because he is mentioned in every story - but the plot of those stories (I think, maybe, the first 2 books?) and how Irene defeated him, and what he did -can't remember. Let's see - one of the books had a long train sequence - one had a party ...a masquerade ? - HA - those could even be in the same book.
This book had a lot about the new treaty between Fae, Dragons, and The Library - which I remember there being a treaty but can't remember it's goals. And this book ended with three mysterious characters going over their 'master plan' and worrying about how Irene got hold of an Egyptian document/scroll when it was meant to be always hidden - what Egyptian scroll? Can't remember. But apparently it's going to be important to the next 7 books or however many it takes to resolve this story line.
So why do I keep reading them? Well I like the world and the main characters and there is enough plot/action in the story that so far not remembering the previous books hasn't been in the way - this one was the first time it was so noticeable. Let's see how I feel when I read book 8.
December 8, 2020
This is the seventh book of an ongoing series.
For those that have not read the previous books...
Start at the beginning or you won't know who anyone is.
For those that have read the previous books...
You will love this one.
It has everything you expect and then some more.
There are Books, Librarians, Dragons, Fae, Explosions and Revelations.
Excellent fun.
For those that have not read the previous books...
Start at the beginning or you won't know who anyone is.
For those that have read the previous books...
You will love this one.
It has everything you expect and then some more.
There are Books, Librarians, Dragons, Fae, Explosions and Revelations.
Excellent fun.
February 16, 2025
the Dark Archive offers a thrilling and well-paced plot that grips you from the start. it centers around a mysterious and hidden archive with secrets that slowly unfold as the protagonist delves deeper. the plot is layered with intriguing twists and turns, keeping you guessing as new revelations about the archive's power and its dangers emerge. as the story progresses, the stakes rise and the characters' motivations become more complex, adding layers of suspense. the journey to uncover the truth is captivating with just the right mix of tension and discovery that makes it hard to put down. it’s a plot that keeps you engaged, leading to an exciting and satisfying conclusion.
September 12, 2020
This book is dedicated to librarians and I FEEL IT. <3
***
Irene continues to be my literary role model with her quick thinking, intense bravery, and stoic wit. She is remarkably unruffleable for someone who is frequently an assassination target.
The book begins with violent shenanigans that erupt while Irene and Vale are out on a shouldn't-be-especially-dangerous adventure. In her escape, Irene discovers an unexpected and magical door, which opens to reveal someone dangerous who should already be dead.
Much more violent shenanigans ensue. Spectacular escapes. Verbal sparring and fisticuffs. If Vale is fulfilling a Sherlock archetype, his Moriarty is emerging.
And of course, Irene, Kai, and Vale now have Lord Silver's niece Catherine tagging along as an apprentice. New characters into established series can be a gamble, but I'm looking forward to Catherine's contributions.
Overall, this adventure was another engrossing read with new and old characters and villains, and a big reveal at the end that helps propel the plot forward.
If you're not reading this series, you're missing out.
arc received from the publisher
***
Irene continues to be my literary role model with her quick thinking, intense bravery, and stoic wit. She is remarkably unruffleable for someone who is frequently an assassination target.
The book begins with violent shenanigans that erupt while Irene and Vale are out on a shouldn't-be-especially-dangerous adventure. In her escape, Irene discovers an unexpected and magical door, which opens to reveal someone dangerous who should already be dead.
Much more violent shenanigans ensue. Spectacular escapes. Verbal sparring and fisticuffs. If Vale is fulfilling a Sherlock archetype, his Moriarty is emerging.
And of course, Irene, Kai, and Vale now have Lord Silver's niece Catherine tagging along as an apprentice. New characters into established series can be a gamble, but I'm looking forward to Catherine's contributions.
Overall, this adventure was another engrossing read with new and old characters and villains, and a big reveal at the end that helps propel the plot forward.
If you're not reading this series, you're missing out.
arc received from the publisher
January 29, 2022
Yet again I have the impression that every time a 'personal character moment' is about to happen that it doesn't happen. Instead a life or death action scene intrudes and at a certain point I just get tired of not getting more depth in the relationships between the characters.
I finally came to the conclusion that I'm done with this series even if more books come out.
I finally came to the conclusion that I'm done with this series even if more books come out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2021
It pains me to say it, given I generally love this series and find it a lot of fun, but this one missed more than it hit for me.
I think there are two reasons for it:
1. It really felt like a set-up book, for the "big reveal" at the end. Essentially it felt like it was necessary to move the ongoing mythology of the series forward, but I didn't find it was super effective as a book.
Because...
2. It read like a string of scenes in which some combination of the characters were in mortal peril. The first chapter? Vale and Irene off on an errant... Random mortal peril! The second chapter, Kai and Catherine (Irene's new Fae apprentice) meeting someone at a coffee shop to get a book... random mortal peril! And this pattern continued (with a different combination of characters) in every subsequent chapter, sometimes multiple times in a chapter. And look, I get it, these books are massive book-finding adventure romps, involving much diplomacy on the part of Irene to balance all the opposing forces. But usually some sort of overarching narrative comes through.
In this book, no one ever seemed to have any idea what was going on, so it was just the characters running escaping from one perilous situation and falling into another, to very little purpose. And I got tired of it.
There wasn't really any opportunity for the charming character (or world-building, or whatever) moments, because all the characters were constantly escaping danger. In fact, the only character who experiences a real arc of any kind (the final revelation notwithstanding, but given that it's the end of the novel, you can't really call it an arc), is Catherine. And as a moody young Fae determined to assert her narrative archetype, she's more obnoxious than anything else for much of the novel. It's to GC's credit that there's some actual payoff to the arc, but given Catherine was (and still is) my least favourite character (though I no longer find her completely obnoxious), it didn't have a significant impact on my enjoyment of the novel.
There's a moment between Irene and Kai that I'm guessing was supposed to be a big deal, but it didn't land for me, because 1) they spend almost no time together in this beforehand, apart from escaping mortal peril, and 2) I am neutral on their romantic relationship, in general. I no longer actively dislike it, but it hasn't been developed enough that I'm hugely invested in their romantic arc. Their professional partnership is totally fun, obviously.
I've also thought of a third issue with this:
3. Along with the constant mortal peril, the antagonists in this feel fairly all-powerful and all-knowing, which I never find interesting.
This book always felt like a bit of a slog, which was disappointing.
I think there are two reasons for it:
1. It really felt like a set-up book, for the "big reveal" at the end. Essentially it felt like it was necessary to move the ongoing mythology of the series forward, but I didn't find it was super effective as a book.
Because...
2. It read like a string of scenes in which some combination of the characters were in mortal peril. The first chapter? Vale and Irene off on an errant... Random mortal peril! The second chapter, Kai and Catherine (Irene's new Fae apprentice) meeting someone at a coffee shop to get a book... random mortal peril! And this pattern continued (with a different combination of characters) in every subsequent chapter, sometimes multiple times in a chapter. And look, I get it, these books are massive book-finding adventure romps, involving much diplomacy on the part of Irene to balance all the opposing forces. But usually some sort of overarching narrative comes through.
In this book, no one ever seemed to have any idea what was going on, so it was just the characters running escaping from one perilous situation and falling into another, to very little purpose. And I got tired of it.
There wasn't really any opportunity for the charming character (or world-building, or whatever) moments, because all the characters were constantly escaping danger. In fact, the only character who experiences a real arc of any kind (the final revelation notwithstanding, but given that it's the end of the novel, you can't really call it an arc), is Catherine. And as a moody young Fae determined to assert her narrative archetype, she's more obnoxious than anything else for much of the novel. It's to GC's credit that there's some actual payoff to the arc, but given Catherine was (and still is) my least favourite character (though I no longer find her completely obnoxious), it didn't have a significant impact on my enjoyment of the novel.
There's a moment between Irene and Kai that I'm guessing was supposed to be a big deal, but it didn't land for me, because 1) they spend almost no time together in this beforehand, apart from escaping mortal peril, and 2) I am neutral on their romantic relationship, in general. I no longer actively dislike it, but it hasn't been developed enough that I'm hugely invested in their romantic arc. Their professional partnership is totally fun, obviously.
I've also thought of a third issue with this:
3. Along with the constant mortal peril, the antagonists in this feel fairly all-powerful and all-knowing, which I never find interesting.
This book always felt like a bit of a slog, which was disappointing.
January 2, 2021
This most recent book in the Invisible Library series features Irene, Kai, Vale, Irene's new apprentice (Catherine), and Kai's brother. It's a very Sparks Will Fly sort of arrangement, not least because Vale is pitted against an adversary, his criminal mirror. A mastermind. A Moriarty -- or so it seems. I was a little disappointed that certain characters didn't interact more (let's not be coy, I wanted more of Kai and Vale working together), and it feels like the particularly mixture of characters didn't really have time to mix up and cause mayhem before the book was suddenly over.
That's partly because recurring themes get tugged on again, and characters that had left the narrative triumphantly returned... some of them more predictably so than others.
All in all, the book sped by at the usual pace, and I ended up pretty happy with the explanations for the way characters are being moved around the gameboard. One very predictable outcome comes in almost at the end of the book, and honestly, it shouldn't have taken a genius detective to see it. At the same time, the epilogue gives us an intriguing glimpse at deeper machinations and stories yet to come...
Not a favourite in the series, I think, but one which moves the plot along -- and is as always a very absorbing and swift read.
That's partly because recurring themes get tugged on again, and characters that had left the narrative triumphantly returned... some of them more predictably so than others.
All in all, the book sped by at the usual pace, and I ended up pretty happy with the explanations for the way characters are being moved around the gameboard. One very predictable outcome comes in almost at the end of the book, and honestly, it shouldn't have taken a genius detective to see it. At the same time, the epilogue gives us an intriguing glimpse at deeper machinations and stories yet to come...
Not a favourite in the series, I think, but one which moves the plot along -- and is as always a very absorbing and swift read.
October 23, 2020
I know I am biased when it comes to this series, but I just loved The Dark Archive. Every time I think I've figured out the storyline, something unexpected happens and I just gobble it up. With the treaty in place from the previous books, Irene, Kai, and Vale are now joined by Catherine, the Fae niece of Lord Silver. When they go on a retrieval mission, everything goes to pieces and old enemies resurface. This was nonstop fun and mayhem and I am going to be in misery until book 8 comes out in a year. Fantastic read!
I received an advance reader copy of this title from the publisher.
I received an advance reader copy of this title from the publisher.
December 14, 2020
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Science Fiction / Time Travel
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
The Dark Archive, by author Genevieve Cogman, is the Seventh installment in the authors’ The Invisible Library series. Before I start my review, I need to issue a warning. While the author does a good job of telling you who key characters are, she doesn’t explain what those characters have been through. Second, sometimes authors choose to return previously killed off villains from previous novels going back 4-5 books. Some authors like Cogman have apparently chosen to plan things out long before we reached this installment and therefore one could call it author's prerogative in why villains don’t stay dead.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Science Fiction / Time Travel
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
The Dark Archive, by author Genevieve Cogman, is the Seventh installment in the authors’ The Invisible Library series. Before I start my review, I need to issue a warning. While the author does a good job of telling you who key characters are, she doesn’t explain what those characters have been through. Second, sometimes authors choose to return previously killed off villains from previous novels going back 4-5 books. Some authors like Cogman have apparently chosen to plan things out long before we reached this installment and therefore one could call it author's prerogative in why villains don’t stay dead.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
April 16, 2023
I smell conspiracy and intrigue
The librarian spy Irene is back, hunting library’s biggest enemy! All the gang is together in this one, plus the new Fae apprentice, Catherine.
Story: 4/5
Narrator: 2/5
Please note that the books must be read in order.
I believe there is only one book left in the series, so I’m planning to
January 2, 2021
In my review of the last book, The Secret Chapter, I hoped we'd see more of Vale in the next book and while Vale was in this book, I'd still like more of him. Maybe he needs his own short story. Although, he did provide a crucial revelation late in the book. It was one I'd already guessed but it was good to see it out in the open, and whoo boy, it is going to have ramifications. One thing about these stories is they are not stagnant; every book moves the overall series arc along. Developments in one book are seen and felt in the following books. Cogman is an incredible plotter; details are rarely unimportant or minor. She reminds me of Seanan McGuire in that regard. They both build complex, rich worlds where events have consequences and everything matters, nothing is unimportant.
In addition to the usual cast of Irene, Kai, and Vale, we see Inspector Singh but not Lord Silver. I actually missed him. Silver's niece Catherine, however, is Irene's new apprentice and ooo, she was annoying; so rude, and impatient, and entitled. I warmed up a bit during the story but she's not a favorite, not yet. We also have the return of several villains who kept Irene and companions busy trying to stay alive and mostly unharmed. It felt, this time around, as if Irene and gang were more reactive than proactive and when they were proactive, things did not go according to plan. Although, to be fair, they rarely do. Irene's life is spy first, then thief, then librarian, something that Catherine complains about extensively. Being a Librarian is not what she had imagined. Honestly, it's a lot more exciting that I ever expected, lol.
The story was exciting, with lots of action, some twists, intriguing characters, and politics, though less of that than usual. The epilogue was full of twists and I am anxious for the next book to see how they play out. I expect it will play out over several books. Cogman is keeping the series fresh and interesting. I'm looking forward to more.
In addition to the usual cast of Irene, Kai, and Vale, we see Inspector Singh but not Lord Silver. I actually missed him. Silver's niece Catherine, however, is Irene's new apprentice and ooo, she was annoying; so rude, and impatient, and entitled. I warmed up a bit during the story but she's not a favorite, not yet. We also have the return of several villains who kept Irene and companions busy trying to stay alive and mostly unharmed. It felt, this time around, as if Irene and gang were more reactive than proactive and when they were proactive, things did not go according to plan. Although, to be fair, they rarely do. Irene's life is spy first, then thief, then librarian, something that Catherine complains about extensively. Being a Librarian is not what she had imagined. Honestly, it's a lot more exciting that I ever expected, lol.
The story was exciting, with lots of action, some twists, intriguing characters, and politics, though less of that than usual. The epilogue was full of twists and I am anxious for the next book to see how they play out. I expect it will play out over several books. Cogman is keeping the series fresh and interesting. I'm looking forward to more.
December 31, 2020
The Invisible Library book 7. Spoilers ahead for the first six.
It opens with Irene and Vale under the English Channel to get a document -- for Vale. They run into nasty cerebral controllers that kill their victims and other issues. Such as -- Irene is very certain that Lord Guantes is dead, and yet meets him.
Meanwhile, Kai and Catherine are waiting for their contact, and Catherine is grumbling because it's not what she expects. Someone tries to poison them, and their contact has the book and is willing to deal, but other complications ensue.
It winds on involving an escape by zeppelin, and a failure to escape by zeppelin, Kai's brother, nuns who treat poison, high alcohol drinks, what Catherine wants and how old she is, werewolves briefly, something rather like necromancy, and more. Also a revelation that I have seen thundering down the tracks for some time, hitting like a freight train.
It opens with Irene and Vale under the English Channel to get a document -- for Vale. They run into nasty cerebral controllers that kill their victims and other issues. Such as -- Irene is very certain that Lord Guantes is dead, and yet meets him.
Meanwhile, Kai and Catherine are waiting for their contact, and Catherine is grumbling because it's not what she expects. Someone tries to poison them, and their contact has the book and is willing to deal, but other complications ensue.
It winds on involving an escape by zeppelin, and a failure to escape by zeppelin, Kai's brother, nuns who treat poison, high alcohol drinks, what Catherine wants and how old she is, werewolves briefly, something rather like necromancy, and more. Also a revelation that I have seen thundering down the tracks for some time, hitting like a freight train.
April 10, 2021
I find that I prefer the "Genre-of-the-Week" Library books more than the metaplot ones (the Mystery and Heist books were inordinately fun). Still, a good read, and as ever when we got to the end I was zooming through because I wanted to know what was next.
September 20, 2020
I just finished my ARC and fans of the series will be glad to know -
This is the "library book" you've been waiting for! Cogman has revitalized the series completely in 300 pages. After the sixth book, I wasn't sure I still cared about these characters, but "The Dark Archive" reminded me why I loved it to start.
All your favorite characters are back for a fast-paced adventure that will change everything. This book feels like the start of a series rather than the 7th installment. There are multiple plots, narrow escapes, mad scientists, and more to keep the pages turning. Plus, a game-changing secret (the one you guessed several books ago) is finally revealed and a larger plot/arc is teased in the epilogue.
I do wish the romance would kick up a notch or several. A good love scene couldn't go wrong at this point. AND there is still so much more plot to explore! For instance, have you ever wondered what is UP with whoever is running this library? It's always seemed shady. What do we really know about the politics of the library itself or those who run it? We only know what Irene knows. Very little has ever been revealed....
This is the "library book" you've been waiting for! Cogman has revitalized the series completely in 300 pages. After the sixth book, I wasn't sure I still cared about these characters, but "The Dark Archive" reminded me why I loved it to start.
All your favorite characters are back for a fast-paced adventure that will change everything. This book feels like the start of a series rather than the 7th installment. There are multiple plots, narrow escapes, mad scientists, and more to keep the pages turning. Plus, a game-changing secret (the one you guessed several books ago) is finally revealed and a larger plot/arc is teased in the epilogue.
I do wish the romance would kick up a notch or several. A good love scene couldn't go wrong at this point. AND there is still so much more plot to explore! For instance, have you ever wondered what is UP with whoever is running this library? It's always seemed shady. What do we really know about the politics of the library itself or those who run it? We only know what Irene knows. Very little has ever been revealed....
January 1, 2021
Another highly entertaining and well written Invisible Library book -- the stakes are high, peace and life in danger, and Irene has to fix this mess -- again!
When Irene is forced to take on a Fae apprentice, she doesn't know that she would soon be hunted -- by whom, she doesn't know, but they're trying their best to kill her -- or rather: her friends? Irene has to take care of a teenage Fae apprentice, her dragon lover, and London's best detective who's investigating a criminal mastermind. A lot of chaos & drama ensues!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, read it in two sittings. Of course it isn't super deep high brow literature, but it doesn't have to be! And even though I saw the plottwist coming for aaaaages, I liked how the book ended! Looking forward to the next one!
4.5 Stars
When Irene is forced to take on a Fae apprentice, she doesn't know that she would soon be hunted -- by whom, she doesn't know, but they're trying their best to kill her -- or rather: her friends? Irene has to take care of a teenage Fae apprentice, her dragon lover, and London's best detective who's investigating a criminal mastermind. A lot of chaos & drama ensues!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, read it in two sittings. Of course it isn't super deep high brow literature, but it doesn't have to be! And even though I saw the plottwist coming for aaaaages, I liked how the book ended! Looking forward to the next one!
4.5 Stars
March 12, 2022
This brilliant series just gets better and better. I adore reading about Irene, Kai and Vale's adventures to get hold of books. I loved the addition of Catherine here too.
If you've been with The Invisible Library since the beginning then this instalment gives you some satisfying answers to those things that have been hinted at throughout but still manages to surprise you. There's one more book to come and I'm sure that will be full of tremendous twists and turns.
If you've been with The Invisible Library since the beginning then this instalment gives you some satisfying answers to those things that have been hinted at throughout but still manages to surprise you. There's one more book to come and I'm sure that will be full of tremendous twists and turns.
January 11, 2021
I really, really love the prior books in this series. But, this is one of those books late in a series, where basically nothing happens. You can skip to the last chapter + epilogue, and you will get all the plot elements you actually need to read.
I love the characters, love the author's writing (usually), but this book was just so blah, not exciting, not fun, it's almost like someone else wrote it, and just filled the middle with a bunch of "stuff" that doesn't matter and doesn't go anywhere.
I love the characters, love the author's writing (usually), but this book was just so blah, not exciting, not fun, it's almost like someone else wrote it, and just filled the middle with a bunch of "stuff" that doesn't matter and doesn't go anywhere.
September 8, 2023
Rezension: (kann Spoiler enthalten)
Nicht mehr lange und dann ist die Reihe vorbei. Und ich muss sagen, ich bin schon ein wenig enttäuscht. Den sechsten Band fand ich ein wenig schwächer als seine Vorgänger, daher hatte ich gehofft, dass Band 7 das wieder aufwiegen kann.
Und naja, ich würde sagen, auch Band 7 kommt nicht unbedingt an die ersten fünf Bände heran, aber er war auf jeden Fall besser als der sechste.
Ich habe die Aufklärung der Anschläge gerne gelesen, wir können wieder viele Details der Welt aus Drachen, Elfen und Bibliothekaren kennenlernen und befinden uns mal wieder inmitten von Intrigen und Politik. Hach, es ist schon irgendwie schön, wie man irgendwie immer ein wenig raten muss, wer eigentlich welche Motive hat. Zum Glück sind Irene und ihr Team immer unschlagbar.
In diesem Band bekommen wir Informationen über Irenes Vergangenheit, die uns bisher gefehlt hatten, auch wenn man davon ausgehen konnte, dass es da noch einige wichtige Details gibt. Und siehe da, wir bekommen sie. Es war gar nicht soo überraschend für mich, sondern hat eine Vermutung meinerseits bestätigt, ich habe mich aber sehr gefreut, dass sich auch dahingehend mal etwas entwickelt hat.
4 Sterne
Nicht mehr lange und dann ist die Reihe vorbei. Und ich muss sagen, ich bin schon ein wenig enttäuscht. Den sechsten Band fand ich ein wenig schwächer als seine Vorgänger, daher hatte ich gehofft, dass Band 7 das wieder aufwiegen kann.
Und naja, ich würde sagen, auch Band 7 kommt nicht unbedingt an die ersten fünf Bände heran, aber er war auf jeden Fall besser als der sechste.
Ich habe die Aufklärung der Anschläge gerne gelesen, wir können wieder viele Details der Welt aus Drachen, Elfen und Bibliothekaren kennenlernen und befinden uns mal wieder inmitten von Intrigen und Politik. Hach, es ist schon irgendwie schön, wie man irgendwie immer ein wenig raten muss, wer eigentlich welche Motive hat. Zum Glück sind Irene und ihr Team immer unschlagbar.
In diesem Band bekommen wir Informationen über Irenes Vergangenheit, die uns bisher gefehlt hatten, auch wenn man davon ausgehen konnte, dass es da noch einige wichtige Details gibt. Und siehe da, wir bekommen sie. Es war gar nicht soo überraschend für mich, sondern hat eine Vermutung meinerseits bestätigt, ich habe mich aber sehr gefreut, dass sich auch dahingehend mal etwas entwickelt hat.
4 Sterne
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