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Hell's Library #3
The God of Lost Words
To save the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, former librarian Claire and her allies may have to destroy it first.
Claire, the rakish Hero, the angel Rami, and the muse turned librarian Brevity have accomplished the impossible by discovering the true nature of unwritten books. But now that the secret is out, Hell will be coming for every wing of the library in its quest for power.
Claire, the rakish Hero, the angel Rami, and the muse turned librarian Brevity have accomplished the impossible by discovering the true nature of unwritten books. But now that the secret is out, Hell will be coming for every wing of the library in its quest for power.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2021
183 people are currently reading
8990 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Hackwith
11 books1,503 followersA. J. Hackwith is (almost) certainly not an ink witch in a hoodie. She's a queer writer of fantasy and science fiction living in the Pacific Northwest, and writes sci-fi romance as Ada Harper. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise writer's workshop and her work appears in Uncanny Magazine and assorted anthologies. Summon A.J. at your own peril with an arcane circle of fountain pens and classic RPGs, or you can find her on Twitter and other dark corners of the Internet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 656 reviews
May 17, 2024
"History is told by the victors, isn't that how it goes? Fight for something and lose, you're insurrectionists, conspirators, terrorists. Fight for something and win, you're rebels, freedom fighters, founding fathers."
"A library's job is to be a place where the hopeless can feel seen and heard too."
"Every soul a story, and every moment fresh ink on the page."
"A library is people. Just as much as it is books and archives. You want to know the heart of a library, don’t look at its most famous books; look at the people it serves. Who it comforts, who it protects. The heart of a library may be its books, but its soul is its people. Humans and stories, impossible to separate the two."
"A library's job is to be a place where the hopeless can feel seen and heard too."
"Every soul a story, and every moment fresh ink on the page."
"A library is people. Just as much as it is books and archives. You want to know the heart of a library, don’t look at its most famous books; look at the people it serves. Who it comforts, who it protects. The heart of a library may be its books, but its soul is its people. Humans and stories, impossible to separate the two."
January 14, 2022
↠ 4 stars
The Library of the Unwritten has erupted in all-out war and former librarian Claire, angel Rami, librarian Brevity, and dashing Hero must face down Hell in the ultimate battle for its survival. Having learned the dangerous truth about the power contained within the pages of the books they have been sworn to protect, the group has accomplished what they set out to do, but the secret is out and now threatens the sanctuary they hold. To face down hell itself and its intent to harness the library’s power, all of the various wings must band together to fight back against a terrible onslaught. Searching for a way out of the war they now face, Claire is led back to the legacy of previous librarians and one who sought to create a separate realm. Surrounded by enemies on all sides, the group will turn to the past and to one another as they aim to find an unthinkable way to remake their world entirely.
The God of Lost Words is the pivotal finale to the Hell’s Library series, one that emotionally scarred me in ways I did not think possible. Ever since reading the first book close to two years ago, this series has laid claim to a place in my heart that it will never relinquish. While there were many ups and downs across all three books in the series, I am happy to say that the ending fit right into that. The previous two books appeared to be building up to an epic struggle between hell and the library, one that finally peaked in this finale. Relationships also grew here, taking root into something far more profound for our cast of characters. Found family has always been a trope that shone through in the story, but it took on a whole new level as the characters were called to fight for the library’s future. In conjunction with this, I loved the examination of the truth of the library and its potentially lasting consequences. A.J Hackwith has always been good at pairing the action and character-centric moments in step with one another, which was done exceptionally well here. The small kernels of romance incorporated throughout the story only uplifted this all the more. I really do love all the characters, and this felt like a fresh start for many of them, even though it was actually the end. My favorite character though will forever be Hero. His character arc completely took me by surprise and I adored all of his quips and jokes thrown into the melee. With the ending unveiled, it’s no surprise that this left me in a puddle of emotions. Hackwith has constructed a truly satisfying ending to this trilogy, full of all the wit, magic, and gravity that it deserves.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
Trigger Warnings:anxiety
The Library of the Unwritten has erupted in all-out war and former librarian Claire, angel Rami, librarian Brevity, and dashing Hero must face down Hell in the ultimate battle for its survival. Having learned the dangerous truth about the power contained within the pages of the books they have been sworn to protect, the group has accomplished what they set out to do, but the secret is out and now threatens the sanctuary they hold. To face down hell itself and its intent to harness the library’s power, all of the various wings must band together to fight back against a terrible onslaught. Searching for a way out of the war they now face, Claire is led back to the legacy of previous librarians and one who sought to create a separate realm. Surrounded by enemies on all sides, the group will turn to the past and to one another as they aim to find an unthinkable way to remake their world entirely.
The God of Lost Words is the pivotal finale to the Hell’s Library series, one that emotionally scarred me in ways I did not think possible. Ever since reading the first book close to two years ago, this series has laid claim to a place in my heart that it will never relinquish. While there were many ups and downs across all three books in the series, I am happy to say that the ending fit right into that. The previous two books appeared to be building up to an epic struggle between hell and the library, one that finally peaked in this finale. Relationships also grew here, taking root into something far more profound for our cast of characters. Found family has always been a trope that shone through in the story, but it took on a whole new level as the characters were called to fight for the library’s future. In conjunction with this, I loved the examination of the truth of the library and its potentially lasting consequences. A.J Hackwith has always been good at pairing the action and character-centric moments in step with one another, which was done exceptionally well here. The small kernels of romance incorporated throughout the story only uplifted this all the more. I really do love all the characters, and this felt like a fresh start for many of them, even though it was actually the end. My favorite character though will forever be Hero. His character arc completely took me by surprise and I adored all of his quips and jokes thrown into the melee. With the ending unveiled, it’s no surprise that this left me in a puddle of emotions. Hackwith has constructed a truly satisfying ending to this trilogy, full of all the wit, magic, and gravity that it deserves.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review
Trigger Warnings:anxiety
December 6, 2021
A very satisfying ending to an entertaining trilogy. Maybe not exactly the ending that I was hoping for, but the inevitable “this makes sense" ending. The author tells us in an afterword that this book was written during the craziness that has been covid-19. The result, she tells us, is more affection, love, and caring in this last installment.
Claire, our former librarian in Hell's Library, is a typical urban fantasy heroine. She gradually assembles a circle of friends-who-are-family, quite a collection, including Brevity the muse, Hero the escaped fictional character, and Ramiel the fallen angel. Because the library is a collection of the unwritten works of human kind. What a great idea this is—when you consider how many unfinished manuscripts must have existed during human history. I loved the other characters that don't rest easy, snoozing in their books, inhabiting the Damsel Room. This group of feisty female characters get starring roles in book three, as they should.
I love the character development as our four main characters face difficulty together. Hero isn't just a character trying to escape the Unwritten wing. He is a Librarian in his own right, as is Brevity. Brevity doubted the ability of a non-human to become a Librarian, but she has overcome her self-imposed limitations. Rami is finally finding a spot that he can call home and isn't quite so homesick for Heaven. Claire has first been transferred to the Archive of Hell, the Arcane wing, then watched as her new domain is burned by demonic intervention. Now she must decide if she will support the Library of the Unwritten or if she will undermine Brevity's tenure.
All the characters face situations that call on all of their resources and must decide what's most important to them. We get to witness their bravery and resilience. And their love. I don't know about you, but this is just what I needed right now.
Claire, our former librarian in Hell's Library, is a typical urban fantasy heroine. She gradually assembles a circle of friends-who-are-family, quite a collection, including Brevity the muse, Hero the escaped fictional character, and Ramiel the fallen angel. Because the library is a collection of the unwritten works of human kind. What a great idea this is—when you consider how many unfinished manuscripts must have existed during human history. I loved the other characters that don't rest easy, snoozing in their books, inhabiting the Damsel Room. This group of feisty female characters get starring roles in book three, as they should.
I love the character development as our four main characters face difficulty together. Hero isn't just a character trying to escape the Unwritten wing. He is a Librarian in his own right, as is Brevity. Brevity doubted the ability of a non-human to become a Librarian, but she has overcome her self-imposed limitations. Rami is finally finding a spot that he can call home and isn't quite so homesick for Heaven. Claire has first been transferred to the Archive of Hell, the Arcane wing, then watched as her new domain is burned by demonic intervention. Now she must decide if she will support the Library of the Unwritten or if she will undermine Brevity's tenure.
All the characters face situations that call on all of their resources and must decide what's most important to them. We get to witness their bravery and resilience. And their love. I don't know about you, but this is just what I needed right now.
December 2, 2021
NO ONE TALK TO ME I'M FRAGILE
November 27, 2021
While not my favourite in the series, it was still great! I wished it was longer because some stuff felt like it happened all too quick. But it filled my heart will so much warm fuzzy feelings.
This series has been wonderful to read, highly recommend!
This series has been wonderful to read, highly recommend!
January 1, 2022
"To win a war against Hell, you have to know what you are willing to lose."
TW: panic attacks, anxiety, gore
What better way to start the year than with an
Unpopular Opinion Time 🐸☕️
Actual rating: 2.5 ⭐️
Let’s see if I’m still able to write these Rather Random Reviews™️, shall we?
Hey there, long time no read, huh?
I have no excuses; it’s been a rough time. But hopefully things will improve in the reading department, and you will see my non-sensical and messy words on your screen a bit more often.
So, let’s cut the chase.
The God of Lost Words – last instalment in a trilogy that, until now, I thoroughly enjoyed – kinda let me down a bit.
I really do know how to truly cut the chase, right?
The first book (The Library of the Unwritten) completely stole my heart. There is no other way to say it. I was enamoured with that book - no shame whatsoever. Its sequel, The Archive of the Forgotten, as you can already read in my Rather Random Review™️, left me unsatisfied and underwhelmed. Indeed, my two main gripes were Claire, our main character, and the plot.
I then hope that nobody is surprised when I say that the two main problems that I encountered whilst reading The God of Lost Words were Claire and the plot.
I do not even know with what to start because both are very frustrating topics, and I don’t wanna feel those vibes just yet – you get me?
Thus, let’s start with the positive! (Yes, I am procrastinating, lemme live!)
Ramiel and Hero were the two bright stars of this book, and I am glad I managed to accompany them in this final adventure. Brevity, too, was an adorable character, and I truly liked her development and character-arc.
Moreover, the idea itself of a library in Hell, the demonic, human, and angelic figures that intertwined with one another, the religious/faith/damnation talks and the bookworm-ness of it all have deeply fascinated and captivated me since book one.
All these elements were (thankfully) present in this third and final book, and I was very pleased to experience once more the lure and the incredible atmosphere that this entire series managed to create.
Unfortunately, there were two other things that this series delivered till the very end. And those were a questionable plot and an even more questionable main character. And I don’t mean it in the good way.
The characters (mainly Hero and Ramiel) were charming as always, but I do gotta say that my issues with Claire (that started, as previously mentioned, in the second instalment of this trilogy) carried on and were very much present even in this last book.
I do not know why, but Claire just rubbed me the wrong way throughout the story. There was something about her behaviour (or the way her behaviour was portrayed) that simply bothered me. Actually, now that I have re-read my Rather Random Review™️ for The Archive of the Forgotten, I do know what bothered me in Claire’s character, because it annoyed me already.
She had absolutely no personality.
There, I’ve said it.
Her only traits were her stubbornness and how unwilling she was to share her emotions. That was that. Her personality was dull and strict and flat; her only features were how firmly she could clench her jaw and how sternly she could look at you. And I was not about that life.
I just very plainly did not like her. Her chapters bored me and made for a rather unpleasant reading experience. I struggled with her, her character, her emotions, her behaviour, her unwillingness to openly communicate, and her relationships.
But now, for a bit of a spoilers regarding said relations.
But enough with the relations.
Let me tackle the second point that really dipped my overall enjoyment of this last instalment: the plot.
As mentioned at the beginning of this Rather Random Review™️, I already had my issues with the plot, its content and the pace. These issues sadly were still very much present in The God of Lost Words.
The plot, in my opinion, lacked steam. Sure, the was the main problem, always present and always a threat, but also always slightly forgettable and uninspired. There were too many little side-quests that were, with all due respect, just underwhelming.
And that was because of the facility and ease in which these side-quests were resolved. It made me roll my eyes and made me somewhat question the whole plot of this novel.
Minor tensions and problems were resolved way too quickly and easily. Hence, apart from the core problem, there was actually very little that pushed the story forward, and indeed at times I found the plot slightly pointless and to be lacking something more.
Because of this missing, the parts of the story that should have been filled with action and friction were filled with overly worded descriptions and adjectives, and I was very simply just not a fan. I loved the characters (apart from Claire, but you know about it by now), do not get me wrong, but a book cannot live on characters alone, in my opinion.
It felt as if every issue started and ended in the span of one chapter (or two at most). It felt thus rather episodic and disconnected. The only thing keeping everything together was the distant and rarely mentioned threat that also functioned as the plot’s only push.
I cannot find the words (she said after a super long rant) to explain how disappointed I felt. The ease with which the side-quests and even the main issue (!) were resolved was upsetting and ludicrous.
But what enraged me even more was the swiftness in which everything was resolved. It was just unsatisfactory and underwhelming. Even more once I actually realised that the main, real, big problem also got the same treatment.
Moreover, precisely because of how rapidly all the problems were dealt with, the plot got repetitive and predictable. And that is never enjoyable.
The space that should have been left for a complex and tense plot was given to lines and lines and lines wasted (yes, you read that correctly) on descriptions and adjectives and deep-and-boring-and-repetitive-and-cheesy comments about what does it mean to be a reader and how important is a story to the reader (and vice-versa).
Now, The God of Lost Words had its positive aspects. But they were heavily overpowered by all the negative things that, in the end, ruined the book for me.
This novel was good and it was addictive, but simply because the characters (and I mean Hero, Ramiel and Brevity) were good and addictive. If I have to be objective and detach myself from them, this book was actually nothing special and very lacklustre – repetitive, uninspired and at times even overly cheesy and sappy.
The ending itself I found to be a bit confusing, and it also dragged a bit too much for my liking. And yet it also felt incredibly rushed and, hence, underdeveloped. Things – and I mean difficult, gigantic things – fell into place way too neatly, easily and rapidly to be satisfactory or even simply appreciated.
Towards the end, the repetition of the same ideas, the same speeches and the same metaphors regarding the reader, the story, the library and whatnot got heavy and made an already questionable ending even more mediocre – if not below average.
I am without a doubt a character-driven reader, but the plot has its importance, too. So what happens when both plot and characters disappoint me? Well… this happens.
The God of Lost Words was at times an average read with its shining moments, but all in all this was a very lacklustre, underdeveloped and unsatisfactory end to a trilogy in which I absolutely adored the first book.
"There’s a love between a reader and a story that no one can harm or possess."
TW: panic attacks, anxiety, gore
What better way to start the year than with an
Unpopular Opinion Time 🐸☕️
Actual rating: 2.5 ⭐️
Let’s see if I’m still able to write these Rather Random Reviews™️, shall we?
Hey there, long time no read, huh?
I have no excuses; it’s been a rough time. But hopefully things will improve in the reading department, and you will see my non-sensical and messy words on your screen a bit more often.
So, let’s cut the chase.
The God of Lost Words – last instalment in a trilogy that, until now, I thoroughly enjoyed – kinda let me down a bit.
I really do know how to truly cut the chase, right?
The first book (The Library of the Unwritten) completely stole my heart. There is no other way to say it. I was enamoured with that book - no shame whatsoever. Its sequel, The Archive of the Forgotten, as you can already read in my Rather Random Review™️, left me unsatisfied and underwhelmed. Indeed, my two main gripes were Claire, our main character, and the plot.
I then hope that nobody is surprised when I say that the two main problems that I encountered whilst reading The God of Lost Words were Claire and the plot.
I do not even know with what to start because both are very frustrating topics, and I don’t wanna feel those vibes just yet – you get me?
Thus, let’s start with the positive! (Yes, I am procrastinating, lemme live!)
Ramiel and Hero were the two bright stars of this book, and I am glad I managed to accompany them in this final adventure. Brevity, too, was an adorable character, and I truly liked her development and character-arc.
Moreover, the idea itself of a library in Hell, the demonic, human, and angelic figures that intertwined with one another, the religious/faith/damnation talks and the bookworm-ness of it all have deeply fascinated and captivated me since book one.
All these elements were (thankfully) present in this third and final book, and I was very pleased to experience once more the lure and the incredible atmosphere that this entire series managed to create.
Unfortunately, there were two other things that this series delivered till the very end. And those were a questionable plot and an even more questionable main character. And I don’t mean it in the good way.
The characters (mainly Hero and Ramiel) were charming as always, but I do gotta say that my issues with Claire (that started, as previously mentioned, in the second instalment of this trilogy) carried on and were very much present even in this last book.
I do not know why, but Claire just rubbed me the wrong way throughout the story. There was something about her behaviour (or the way her behaviour was portrayed) that simply bothered me. Actually, now that I have re-read my Rather Random Review™️ for The Archive of the Forgotten, I do know what bothered me in Claire’s character, because it annoyed me already.
She had absolutely no personality.
There, I’ve said it.
Her only traits were her stubbornness and how unwilling she was to share her emotions. That was that. Her personality was dull and strict and flat; her only features were how firmly she could clench her jaw and how sternly she could look at you. And I was not about that life.
I just very plainly did not like her. Her chapters bored me and made for a rather unpleasant reading experience. I struggled with her, her character, her emotions, her behaviour, her unwillingness to openly communicate, and her relationships.
But now, for a bit of a spoilers regarding said relations.
But enough with the relations.
Let me tackle the second point that really dipped my overall enjoyment of this last instalment: the plot.
As mentioned at the beginning of this Rather Random Review™️, I already had my issues with the plot, its content and the pace. These issues sadly were still very much present in The God of Lost Words.
The plot, in my opinion, lacked steam. Sure, the was the main problem, always present and always a threat, but also always slightly forgettable and uninspired. There were too many little side-quests that were, with all due respect, just underwhelming.
And that was because of the facility and ease in which these side-quests were resolved. It made me roll my eyes and made me somewhat question the whole plot of this novel.
Minor tensions and problems were resolved way too quickly and easily. Hence, apart from the core problem, there was actually very little that pushed the story forward, and indeed at times I found the plot slightly pointless and to be lacking something more.
Because of this missing, the parts of the story that should have been filled with action and friction were filled with overly worded descriptions and adjectives, and I was very simply just not a fan. I loved the characters (apart from Claire, but you know about it by now), do not get me wrong, but a book cannot live on characters alone, in my opinion.
It felt as if every issue started and ended in the span of one chapter (or two at most). It felt thus rather episodic and disconnected. The only thing keeping everything together was the distant and rarely mentioned threat that also functioned as the plot’s only push.
I cannot find the words (she said after a super long rant) to explain how disappointed I felt. The ease with which the side-quests and even the main issue (!) were resolved was upsetting and ludicrous.
But what enraged me even more was the swiftness in which everything was resolved. It was just unsatisfactory and underwhelming. Even more once I actually realised that the main, real, big problem also got the same treatment.
Moreover, precisely because of how rapidly all the problems were dealt with, the plot got repetitive and predictable. And that is never enjoyable.
The space that should have been left for a complex and tense plot was given to lines and lines and lines wasted (yes, you read that correctly) on descriptions and adjectives and deep-and-boring-and-repetitive-and-cheesy comments about what does it mean to be a reader and how important is a story to the reader (and vice-versa).
Now, The God of Lost Words had its positive aspects. But they were heavily overpowered by all the negative things that, in the end, ruined the book for me.
This novel was good and it was addictive, but simply because the characters (and I mean Hero, Ramiel and Brevity) were good and addictive. If I have to be objective and detach myself from them, this book was actually nothing special and very lacklustre – repetitive, uninspired and at times even overly cheesy and sappy.
The ending itself I found to be a bit confusing, and it also dragged a bit too much for my liking. And yet it also felt incredibly rushed and, hence, underdeveloped. Things – and I mean difficult, gigantic things – fell into place way too neatly, easily and rapidly to be satisfactory or even simply appreciated.
Towards the end, the repetition of the same ideas, the same speeches and the same metaphors regarding the reader, the story, the library and whatnot got heavy and made an already questionable ending even more mediocre – if not below average.
I am without a doubt a character-driven reader, but the plot has its importance, too. So what happens when both plot and characters disappoint me? Well… this happens.
The God of Lost Words was at times an average read with its shining moments, but all in all this was a very lacklustre, underdeveloped and unsatisfactory end to a trilogy in which I absolutely adored the first book.
"There’s a love between a reader and a story that no one can harm or possess."
February 20, 2022
“that was the power of stories, the ability to find a mirror when you felt invisible”
god i love this series and it’s characters so much and reading feels just like coming home <3
god i love this series and it’s characters so much and reading feels just like coming home <3
August 10, 2021
I need this.
ARC!! Thank you, Edelweiss.
There’s always something bitter sweet about finishing a trilogy full of characters I’ve fallen in love with.
I’ll be revisiting them again.
ARC!! Thank you, Edelweiss.
There’s always something bitter sweet about finishing a trilogy full of characters I’ve fallen in love with.
I’ll be revisiting them again.
May 29, 2022
For me, a trilogy that did not hold up after the initial book.
November 2, 2021
"It had been a revelation to come to the Unwritten Wing and see books - generation upon generation of books - telilng the story of people like her that had never been written. Or never been permitted to be written. Stories that had always been, of people that had always been, but never seen. That was the power of stories, the ability to find a mirror when you felt invisible."
I am in tears. This was such a satisfying ending for this series, and I'm so glad I decided to reread the first two books to fully appreciate the little details and callbacks to the first two books. I love this series so much - it's so hard to pinpoint what exactly it is about it, but it's just so comforting and it's a series that just feels so personal. I definitely think this is my favourite book of the trilogy.
One of my main criticisms (if you can even call it that) of the first two books is that the plot is a bit simplistic and that it really is very character-driven. I think The God of Lost Words is still primarily character-driven, but the plot for me is the strongest of the trilogy. I think the beauty of this series is that it really comes together as a whole really well, so this final installment serves as the third act of this story, and from start to finish, takes you on a bit of a ride. It's also the most high stakes of the three books, which I enjoyed a lot.
My favourite thing about this series is definitely the characters - Hackwith is a master at crafting nuanced and distict characters that you just can't help but fall in love with. More importantly, the way that she writes character relationships is top tier. Our dysfunctional little Library family is one of, if not my favourite found families in a fantasy series of all time. I love the individual relationships they have with each other, and how much they love each other and their family unit. I also think that when there's such a focus on relationships and group dynamics, individual storylines and characters arcs can sometimes take a back seat, but that isn't the case here. Each character has their own unique arc that stands apart from the others and their respective relationships, and I really appreciated this so much.
I love all the characters, but I do have to shout out Hero in particular. He is definitely my favourite character - I've adored his personal growth and journey throughout the series, and I love that he's the character that makes me laugh out loud the most, but also the one who makes me cry the most.
I really think Hackwith's writing is superb. It's not overly lyrical or anything like that, but it's just a writing style that I personally find resonates with me, and there's a lot of moments and sentences that I just felt deep in my soul, for a lack of a better phrase. I also think it takes a lot of skill to write scenes that make a reader cry one minute and laugh the next without it feeling awkward or out of place.
Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about this book at all. It exceeded every expectation I had of it - I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters and this world, but the ending was so satisfying and emotional, and I can't wait to revisit this series whenever I need a comfort read. At its core, this series is a love story to stories and libraries of all kinds, and I really just think it's such a wholesome, emotional, and fun ride. I highly highly recommend this series to fantasy fans and book lovers of any kind.
Thank you to Ace Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I am in tears. This was such a satisfying ending for this series, and I'm so glad I decided to reread the first two books to fully appreciate the little details and callbacks to the first two books. I love this series so much - it's so hard to pinpoint what exactly it is about it, but it's just so comforting and it's a series that just feels so personal. I definitely think this is my favourite book of the trilogy.
One of my main criticisms (if you can even call it that) of the first two books is that the plot is a bit simplistic and that it really is very character-driven. I think The God of Lost Words is still primarily character-driven, but the plot for me is the strongest of the trilogy. I think the beauty of this series is that it really comes together as a whole really well, so this final installment serves as the third act of this story, and from start to finish, takes you on a bit of a ride. It's also the most high stakes of the three books, which I enjoyed a lot.
My favourite thing about this series is definitely the characters - Hackwith is a master at crafting nuanced and distict characters that you just can't help but fall in love with. More importantly, the way that she writes character relationships is top tier. Our dysfunctional little Library family is one of, if not my favourite found families in a fantasy series of all time. I love the individual relationships they have with each other, and how much they love each other and their family unit. I also think that when there's such a focus on relationships and group dynamics, individual storylines and characters arcs can sometimes take a back seat, but that isn't the case here. Each character has their own unique arc that stands apart from the others and their respective relationships, and I really appreciated this so much.
I love all the characters, but I do have to shout out Hero in particular. He is definitely my favourite character - I've adored his personal growth and journey throughout the series, and I love that he's the character that makes me laugh out loud the most, but also the one who makes me cry the most.
I really think Hackwith's writing is superb. It's not overly lyrical or anything like that, but it's just a writing style that I personally find resonates with me, and there's a lot of moments and sentences that I just felt deep in my soul, for a lack of a better phrase. I also think it takes a lot of skill to write scenes that make a reader cry one minute and laugh the next without it feeling awkward or out of place.
Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about this book at all. It exceeded every expectation I had of it - I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters and this world, but the ending was so satisfying and emotional, and I can't wait to revisit this series whenever I need a comfort read. At its core, this series is a love story to stories and libraries of all kinds, and I really just think it's such a wholesome, emotional, and fun ride. I highly highly recommend this series to fantasy fans and book lovers of any kind.
Thank you to Ace Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 19, 2022
Do we get the answers we’ve been yearning for? No! Do we at least get to see Lucifer or God? Nope! Will the ending satisfy the loyal readers of this series? Also no!
Here’s what I thought of The God Of Lost Words:
Story & Pacing
We’re shown if no place is hosting the Library, it will require a realm, gatekeeper, and a god to exist independently. We learn as we go:
Things that aren’t commonplace and would be difficult to find. Oh, goodie, I thought.
What our heroes are trying to do has already been tried and the then-librarian was taken down brutally. Woohoo, juicy!
Also, all deities have vanished and left their respective kingdoms to survive on their own. Noice, finding a god is going to take a miracle, I was thinking.
And then every problem the protags face gets resolved very very easily. What the? Remember how Claire had pet names for Lucifer, hinting to familiarity between them? Well, guess what? You won’t find out how that came to be or anything else that’s spicy because Lucifer NEVER shows up!
Characters
As surprised as I had been when Remi developed feelings for Hero, imagine how I felt when the author introduced polyamory into the plot. With *clap* no *clap* groundwork *clap*! To me, Remi and Hero seemed more like an actual couple than any of the mess that was the relationship between them and Claire. The thing is Claire is an extremely unlikeable character. She doesn’t believe in communicating or even opening up to someone. That was true for her in the first book and she spent most of it looking down her nose at Hero. She might not have been scoffing at him in this one, but all the hints that occur to Hero about what she’s actually feeling vs. how she’s acting outwardly come out of nowhere.
The evolution of Rosita — I forgot her name — into an annoying all-knowing oracle was yet another turn off. She seems to know the future but we don’t find out how or why, so she says prophetic stuff to get the characters to do her bidding and it is hella annoying!
Oh, and Brevity develops powers just in time to solve even more problems. Abilities that no librarian, including veterans like that guy from Valhalla and Claire, has even heard of.
Humor
There wasn’t much humor in this one, except for what we gleaned from Hero’s sunny personality.
Something Special
The quotes at the beginning of each chapter had worked for the first two books, but they seemed repetitive and held little to no value in helping the story move forward.
Final Word
A great premise that deserved a better conclusion.
October 2, 2024
A wonderful and fitting conclusion to the Hell's Library trilogy. It doubled down on the peril, the scope, and the sentimentality, and was better for it every step of the way.
April 28, 2022
A great ending to a wonderfully inventive trilogy — a love letter to libraries, authors, readers, and dreamers.
The God of Lost Words continues the story of Hell's Library and librarians and allies, Claire, Rami, Hero, and Brevity. As this dynamic quartet delves farther into saving the Unwritten Wing and all of the Library, they find themselves unsure of how far they will have to go and what they may have to sacrifice to save it all from invasion and coup.
This final book accomplished exactly what I hoped it would. Hackwith explored more of the Library and dove deeper into its secrets — about as deep as you can — and brought out something truly beautiful . . . something all readers I imagine feel for libraries, books, and the power of stories.
Hackwith approached her world-building in a fascinating way — with the swell of the most information coming in the second book, The Archive of the Forgotten. So in this book there's very little to have to introduce and instead Hackwith puts all the focus the story by tightening up the world created and giving even more room to her fantastic characters.
The characters really shine here — between their continued development and individual story arcs, the entire series rounded out nicely and even better than I could've planned. The focus remained on Claire, former librarian of the Unwritten Wing and curator for the Arcane Wing, but the other pieces of the main character puzzle rounded out the book nicely and made wonderful companions for this adventure: Brevity, current librarian of the Unwritten Wing and former muse; Ramiel, fallen Watcher and currently Claire's assistant; and Hero, a former book character from the Unwritten Wing and assistant librarian to Brevity.
Hackwith has such an organic feel for both plot and character development. Nothing ever felt forced, misplaced, or truncated. The dialogue was just as delightful as in the previous two books. Hackwith combines the witty with the emotional, the layered with the forthright, in a constant ebb and flow that feels as natural as the movement of water. I hope the storytelling continues soon for this author.
Every soul a story, and every moment fresh ink on the page.
The God of Lost Words continues the story of Hell's Library and librarians and allies, Claire, Rami, Hero, and Brevity. As this dynamic quartet delves farther into saving the Unwritten Wing and all of the Library, they find themselves unsure of how far they will have to go and what they may have to sacrifice to save it all from invasion and coup.
This final book accomplished exactly what I hoped it would. Hackwith explored more of the Library and dove deeper into its secrets — about as deep as you can — and brought out something truly beautiful . . . something all readers I imagine feel for libraries, books, and the power of stories.
Hackwith approached her world-building in a fascinating way — with the swell of the most information coming in the second book, The Archive of the Forgotten. So in this book there's very little to have to introduce and instead Hackwith puts all the focus the story by tightening up the world created and giving even more room to her fantastic characters.
The characters really shine here — between their continued development and individual story arcs, the entire series rounded out nicely and even better than I could've planned. The focus remained on Claire, former librarian of the Unwritten Wing and curator for the Arcane Wing, but the other pieces of the main character puzzle rounded out the book nicely and made wonderful companions for this adventure: Brevity, current librarian of the Unwritten Wing and former muse; Ramiel, fallen Watcher and currently Claire's assistant; and Hero, a former book character from the Unwritten Wing and assistant librarian to Brevity.
But the one thing stories proved, to anyone willing to see it, was that humanity held the endless power to change.
Hackwith has such an organic feel for both plot and character development. Nothing ever felt forced, misplaced, or truncated. The dialogue was just as delightful as in the previous two books. Hackwith combines the witty with the emotional, the layered with the forthright, in a constant ebb and flow that feels as natural as the movement of water. I hope the storytelling continues soon for this author.
February 25, 2025
If you enjoyed The Library at Mount Char and The Shadow of the Window, I would recommend this series to you.
This is a high-concept metafictional tale with quirky characters, action, and unexpected emotional depth.
This entire series has been an exploration about the power of fiction and the purpose of storytelling.
History is a story told in past tense, the best kind of propaganda. What everyone forgets is that, at one point in the story, every villain thinks they are the hero. History happens in the edit.
Whilst this was my least favourite of the series (I am definitely an outlier), it delivered a rounded ending that was emotionally draining and satisfying.
The found family is this one was at its peak.
Bookstagram
This is a high-concept metafictional tale with quirky characters, action, and unexpected emotional depth.
This entire series has been an exploration about the power of fiction and the purpose of storytelling.
History is a story told in past tense, the best kind of propaganda. What everyone forgets is that, at one point in the story, every villain thinks they are the hero. History happens in the edit.
Whilst this was my least favourite of the series (I am definitely an outlier), it delivered a rounded ending that was emotionally draining and satisfying.
The found family is this one was at its peak.
Bookstagram
November 1, 2021
Claire, Brevity, Hero, and their friends and foes are back in the conclusion to the Hell's Library trilogy!
When readers left them at the end of book two, they had discovered the dangerous truth behind the unwritten books lining the library shelves.
Now they must band together with every wing of the library to fight back against Hell's top general Malphas, who is thirsty for the power unleashed from souls. On their quest to save the library, they must attempt to create a new realm based on vague notes left behind in the Librarian's Log centuries ago.
I'm so sad to reach the conclusion of this incredibly original tale but at the same time, readers truly get a fantastic ending! There is so much that has been building and we get to see a revolution take place in Hell thanks to the power of words. Action with a hint of romance keep this book at a pace above the previous two and reminds us regularly what's at stake.
I don't want to give too much away but I'll just say I highly recommend this trilogy to all book lovers who enjoy reading about the magic and power of words!
Thanks to Ace and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The God of Lost Words is scheduled for release on November 2, 2021.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
When readers left them at the end of book two, they had discovered the dangerous truth behind the unwritten books lining the library shelves.
Now they must band together with every wing of the library to fight back against Hell's top general Malphas, who is thirsty for the power unleashed from souls. On their quest to save the library, they must attempt to create a new realm based on vague notes left behind in the Librarian's Log centuries ago.
I'm so sad to reach the conclusion of this incredibly original tale but at the same time, readers truly get a fantastic ending! There is so much that has been building and we get to see a revolution take place in Hell thanks to the power of words. Action with a hint of romance keep this book at a pace above the previous two and reminds us regularly what's at stake.
I don't want to give too much away but I'll just say I highly recommend this trilogy to all book lovers who enjoy reading about the magic and power of words!
Thanks to Ace and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The God of Lost Words is scheduled for release on November 2, 2021.
For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
July 23, 2021
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, I absolutely loved the premise of this entire series. Truly an ode to readers, writers, and stories everywhere on such a massive level.
Specifically, The God of Lost Words follows the Hell’s Library gang we’ve grown to love, Claire, Brevity, Rami, and Hero, as they face down Hell itself in an ultimate battle for the Library. Malphas, the demon general and regent of Hell, has set her sights on the Library and wants to possess the true power it holds. And it’s up to the gang to bring all of the separate Library wings together in order to defeat her and preserve the Library itself.
I loved the first book, though the second felt like it had middle book syndrome to me. I remember slogging through it a bit, though it could have been a reading slump, I’m still not sure. So I was slightly uneasy going into the third and final book but I am pleased to report it did not feel like a drag. I read it quite quickly and sometimes felt like I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
All in all, I loved the found family and poly trio thing we had going on. No straight characters to be seen (as it should be) and loved seeing how all the relationships developed over the course of the trilogy and ended in this final novel. Although there were many, many “JUST KISS” exclamations on my part.
While I didn’t LOVE-love this, I think it had a very fitting, heartfelt ending that had me tearing up at the end. (Especially during the acknowledgments)
Definitely a series I will think of fondly for years to come, recommend wholeheartedly, and hope that when I die, I get to be a Librarian in the Library.
Firstly, I absolutely loved the premise of this entire series. Truly an ode to readers, writers, and stories everywhere on such a massive level.
Specifically, The God of Lost Words follows the Hell’s Library gang we’ve grown to love, Claire, Brevity, Rami, and Hero, as they face down Hell itself in an ultimate battle for the Library. Malphas, the demon general and regent of Hell, has set her sights on the Library and wants to possess the true power it holds. And it’s up to the gang to bring all of the separate Library wings together in order to defeat her and preserve the Library itself.
I loved the first book, though the second felt like it had middle book syndrome to me. I remember slogging through it a bit, though it could have been a reading slump, I’m still not sure. So I was slightly uneasy going into the third and final book but I am pleased to report it did not feel like a drag. I read it quite quickly and sometimes felt like I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
All in all, I loved the found family and poly trio thing we had going on. No straight characters to be seen (as it should be) and loved seeing how all the relationships developed over the course of the trilogy and ended in this final novel. Although there were many, many “JUST KISS” exclamations on my part.
While I didn’t LOVE-love this, I think it had a very fitting, heartfelt ending that had me tearing up at the end. (Especially during the acknowledgments)
Definitely a series I will think of fondly for years to come, recommend wholeheartedly, and hope that when I die, I get to be a Librarian in the Library.
April 25, 2022
I'm not crying, you are.
November 5, 2022
HELL'S LIBRARY TRILOGY by A.J. Hackwith
1. The Library of the Unwritten
2. The Archive of the Forgotten
3. The God of Lost Words
The God of Lost Words provides a satisfying and logical conclusion to the Hell's Library trilogy, even a bit bitter-sweet. I loved the concept of the different library wings and what they guarded, but the librarians of those wings need a good shake! I also loved the character dynamics and Walter. However, the plot and pacing were somewhat fuzzy/disjointed with too many, easily accomplished and rushed "side-quests" that detracted from the main story. I still enjoyed this novel (especially the concept), but not as much as the first two.
1. The Library of the Unwritten
2. The Archive of the Forgotten
3. The God of Lost Words
The God of Lost Words provides a satisfying and logical conclusion to the Hell's Library trilogy, even a bit bitter-sweet. I loved the concept of the different library wings and what they guarded, but the librarians of those wings need a good shake! I also loved the character dynamics and Walter. However, the plot and pacing were somewhat fuzzy/disjointed with too many, easily accomplished and rushed "side-quests" that detracted from the main story. I still enjoyed this novel (especially the concept), but not as much as the first two.
May 21, 2022
I guess I got detached from the story ever since the second book.
I agree with the finale chosen and I was happy and sad at the same time. It was indeed a good ending.
However, sadly, I have to say that I got a little bit bored with the writing at some parts (it was kinda repetitive). And I had the same problem that I’d had in the second book. The romance.
I don't mind that there's a (love) relationship around three people. But don't create one where there isn't even a romantic thought steming from the characters. Plain and simple. Yes, there's different types of love/caring stuff, but that didn't show out in the book.
Anyway, in the end I liked the concept and it was a nice experience.
I agree with the finale chosen and I was happy and sad at the same time. It was indeed a good ending.
However, sadly, I have to say that I got a little bit bored with the writing at some parts (it was kinda repetitive). And I had the same problem that I’d had in the second book. The romance.
I don't mind that there's a (love) relationship around three people. But don't create one where there isn't even a romantic thought steming from the characters. Plain and simple. Yes, there's different types of love/caring stuff, but that didn't show out in the book.
Anyway, in the end I liked the concept and it was a nice experience.
November 23, 2021
As great as the ending is, I'm sad this is the end of the series. I loved immersing myself in this fantastical world that feels like a love letter to reading, books, and libraries. It's a world where books have souls, where characters can transform themselves into something more than their creators imagined, and where a shared love of the written word brings together a group of outcasts. I loved seeing all the different elements and friendships from the previous books come together for the conclusion. It's a series I'll definitely re-read in the future.
December 9, 2021
I requested this ARC a long time ago, fully not comprehending that it was the third book in a series. Of course I went out and bought the first two books so I would be all caught up. Seriously, best "Ooops" ever.
The Library of the Unwritten (a.k.a. Hells Library) is where all the unfinished books from Earth live. Unwritten books are a pure potential and tend to wake up when they get restless--stories are meant to live in the world not on a shelf.
The concept of sentient books and libraries isn't exactly new, but the way its done in this series was completely original. A book can literally walk around in the form of a character. Not only do stories have power, but they are woven into the heart of the libraries as well. Without spoiling it for you, I'll just say that throughout the series there are several ways in which different types of stories are honored that are quite touching.
A God of Lost Words gave me the tender moments between the characters I needed, with some added romance that I was absolutely was dying for. Not all of these characters are easy to love. They're complex and flawed but that is exactly what draws me in.
A.J. Hackworth is a brilliant wordsmith. I breezed through the first two books and purposefully savored this finale. It might not have been the ending that I picked but it felt right once I sat with it. I'm going to miss this world and these characters now that it's over.
Thank you so much to @netgalley and @berkleypub for this ARC, A God of Lost Words is out now!
Why you should read this series:
✨Fresh takes on conventional archetypes
✨Imaginative sentient libraries (plural!)
✨Angels and demons
✨Cinnamon rolls
✨Queer love stories
✨Found family
✨Books that literally have a life of their own
The Library of the Unwritten (a.k.a. Hells Library) is where all the unfinished books from Earth live. Unwritten books are a pure potential and tend to wake up when they get restless--stories are meant to live in the world not on a shelf.
The concept of sentient books and libraries isn't exactly new, but the way its done in this series was completely original. A book can literally walk around in the form of a character. Not only do stories have power, but they are woven into the heart of the libraries as well. Without spoiling it for you, I'll just say that throughout the series there are several ways in which different types of stories are honored that are quite touching.
A God of Lost Words gave me the tender moments between the characters I needed, with some added romance that I was absolutely was dying for. Not all of these characters are easy to love. They're complex and flawed but that is exactly what draws me in.
A.J. Hackworth is a brilliant wordsmith. I breezed through the first two books and purposefully savored this finale. It might not have been the ending that I picked but it felt right once I sat with it. I'm going to miss this world and these characters now that it's over.
Thank you so much to @netgalley and @berkleypub for this ARC, A God of Lost Words is out now!
Why you should read this series:
✨Fresh takes on conventional archetypes
✨Imaginative sentient libraries (plural!)
✨Angels and demons
✨Cinnamon rolls
✨Queer love stories
✨Found family
✨Books that literally have a life of their own
October 13, 2023
If Library of the Unwritten was the original Star Wars - a rag tag bunch from various corners of a massive universe explaining only what's necessary to understand who's shooting and why - then Archive of the Forgotten and God of Lost Words are The Phantom Menace - plodding, political, trying way too hard to give the series a profound and foundational message.
Maybe the author ran out of adventures and compensated with philosophy. But mentally returning to the first book, it feels like they always intended to spend too much time later on asking "what is the nature of a story", "what is the purpose of a library", "what is the nature and purpose of the afterlife".
I said it last time, and I swear it only got worse: the narrator does not do a good job. I can hear the effort, and I cant distinguish the characters' voices. That's bad, and it wasn't a problem in the first book.
I'll always appreciate the first story for what it was, but if you have a hard time leaving something unfinished, I wouldn't pick it up.
Maybe the author ran out of adventures and compensated with philosophy. But mentally returning to the first book, it feels like they always intended to spend too much time later on asking "what is the nature of a story", "what is the purpose of a library", "what is the nature and purpose of the afterlife".
I said it last time, and I swear it only got worse: the narrator does not do a good job. I can hear the effort, and I cant distinguish the characters' voices. That's bad, and it wasn't a problem in the first book.
I'll always appreciate the first story for what it was, but if you have a hard time leaving something unfinished, I wouldn't pick it up.
April 1, 2022
I thought that as the final book in the trilogy it would be epic but it fell really flat and was rather anti climatic
March 19, 2025
This is a love story.
It is a story about found family. Sacrifice, library’s, but most important of all, it is a story about story’s.
I love books about library’s . If there is a magic library in your work i will read it, because they can be so creative and fun.
But Library of the unwritten is something else. It is more than just a magic library. It is a love letter to libraries, and what they can be. How they make people change and grow. How they can be a sanctuary in a harsh world. How they can be a candle in a dark time, a struggle against the dark.
I could go and on about how the characters are wonderful, how it is such a creative and wonderful setting. But i dont have the words to decried my love for this series.
If you want a series that is just a lover letter to telling story’s, then read Library of the unwritten.
5 out of 5.
It is a story about found family. Sacrifice, library’s, but most important of all, it is a story about story’s.
I love books about library’s . If there is a magic library in your work i will read it, because they can be so creative and fun.
But Library of the unwritten is something else. It is more than just a magic library. It is a love letter to libraries, and what they can be. How they make people change and grow. How they can be a sanctuary in a harsh world. How they can be a candle in a dark time, a struggle against the dark.
I could go and on about how the characters are wonderful, how it is such a creative and wonderful setting. But i dont have the words to decried my love for this series.
If you want a series that is just a lover letter to telling story’s, then read Library of the unwritten.
5 out of 5.
December 9, 2022
Ein tolles Ende für diese einzigartige Geschichte! Voller Herz, Schmerz und unglaublich viel Liebe.
November 21, 2021
When I went back to look at how I rated the previous books in this series, I was surprised I had rated them so highly, since I genuinely do not remember anything about them. I didn't hate this book, or any of the books in this series. I just think they are truly and incredibly boring.
But I am also a reader that doesn't like books about books, or books that spend a lot of time navel gazing about what it means to be a reader or a writer. And it was my dumbass that's kept reading a series that I didn't really care about!
But I am also a reader that doesn't like books about books, or books that spend a lot of time navel gazing about what it means to be a reader or a writer. And it was my dumbass that's kept reading a series that I didn't really care about!
December 26, 2022
It was fine.
August 7, 2022
Despite the fact that I can barely see the screen for tears, I want to write my review now so that none of the raw emotion fades.
Gods this was spectacular. It was everything I could have hoped for in a conclusion to what is now one of my most beloved trilogies of all time. It was stunning and heartbreaking and beautiful and terrible all at once.
Hackworth’s characters are by and far the strongest part of this series, in particular the final addition to it. Claire, Hero, Rami, Brevity and so many others form the integral, oftentimes underlying portion of this narrative. We need their warmth, their love, their faults, their vices, we need to see all facets of their characters for the story to fully pull together. I adore them all - some more than others I freely admit - and honestly they killed me a bit. It’s because of the characters that I’m a snotty mess right now.
I also adore Hackworth’s writing style: part lyrical part simple storyteller, it walks a delightful line between almost-pretentious and warmly available that really just did it for me.
Now, it’s worth noting that this series is not without its flaws. It is also worth noting that I simply could not give a single fuck about them. They were perfect to/for me.
Would I recommend this series? A thousand times yes. Especially if you are a life long reader and book lover. And if you loved The Magnus Archives. And if you love a diverse (queer and BIPOC) cast of characters, and if you love beautiful storytelling.
Anyway, I’m off to cry more now. Happy reading!
Gods this was spectacular. It was everything I could have hoped for in a conclusion to what is now one of my most beloved trilogies of all time. It was stunning and heartbreaking and beautiful and terrible all at once.
Hackworth’s characters are by and far the strongest part of this series, in particular the final addition to it. Claire, Hero, Rami, Brevity and so many others form the integral, oftentimes underlying portion of this narrative. We need their warmth, their love, their faults, their vices, we need to see all facets of their characters for the story to fully pull together. I adore them all - some more than others I freely admit - and honestly they killed me a bit. It’s because of the characters that I’m a snotty mess right now.
I also adore Hackworth’s writing style: part lyrical part simple storyteller, it walks a delightful line between almost-pretentious and warmly available that really just did it for me.
Now, it’s worth noting that this series is not without its flaws. It is also worth noting that I simply could not give a single fuck about them. They were perfect to/for me.
Would I recommend this series? A thousand times yes. Especially if you are a life long reader and book lover. And if you loved The Magnus Archives. And if you love a diverse (queer and BIPOC) cast of characters, and if you love beautiful storytelling.
Anyway, I’m off to cry more now. Happy reading!
August 12, 2023
A fantastic finale to an absolutely epic series. This series takes place in Hell's Library and sees Claire, Hero, Brevity and Rommiel battle once again against the forces of hell to save the library. Claire on her team on earth. A very important secret behind Hell's Library which puts all the books, damsels and team at risk of the wrath of the demons of hell. The pace of this book was absolutely perfect. Claire has evolved over the series to adapt to the changing needs of the library and her friends. It's great to see the developments of Claire's character and the impact of her character on the other supporting characters in the book. My favourite character is Hero. He is a morally grey individual, formally a book and now an unknown which is what draws the attention of the demons of hell to understand what he is and what that means in the wider context of the library. We see characters from the previous two books featuring in this finale and it's great to see all the wings of the library come together to face evil. I also really love the character of Walter who is Death disguised as a cockney ogre, like that of the Discworld series, Death is also one of my favourite characters. Great series and a must read 😄
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