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jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book has our intrepid Librarian spy Irene and her friends saddled with two obnoxious and obstreperous newcomers to the group: Shan Yuan, Prince Kai’s brother, and Catherine, Irene’s Fae apprentice. I find annoying characters quite annoying - a little goes a long way - but luckily for Irene (and this reader), they become less ornery and more helpful, especially in the final act.
As in the earlier books, it’s almost agonizing to see beloved characters in danger and distress. I’m about to read the last book in the series and I don’t want it to end because I’m so fond of Irene, her dragon lover Kai, and the Holmesian detective Vale. In this story they’re threatened by repeated assassination attempts and the appearance of Alberich, Irene’s terrifying nemesis.
This series is a good reading companion - entertaining, tense, and gripping, plus a mirror to our own world.
As in the earlier books, it’s almost agonizing to see beloved characters in danger and distress. I’m about to read the last book in the series and I don’t want it to end because I’m so fond of Irene, her dragon lover Kai, and the Holmesian detective Vale. In this story they’re threatened by repeated assassination attempts and the appearance of Alberich, Irene’s terrifying nemesis.
This series is a good reading companion - entertaining, tense, and gripping, plus a mirror to our own world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
OMG how does this series just keep being this good??
Going to add my live reactions from reading below! Buddy-reading with a friend so wrote them down! Major spoilers for this book below!
THOUGHTS:
IRENE/VALE BUDDY ADVENTURE
But Guantes is DEAD?!
is he a zombie fae now? Did this Professor bring him back?
Kai being poisoned reminds me of Olaf: "Oh look, I've been impaled" XD
Poor Catherine, this is definitely trial by fire
Oh boo I was hoping to see Silver lol. There's always a trip to Hawai'i, I guess
Damn someone REALLY wants to kill them
Lol Sterrington picked the shadiest building ever
CATHERINE, THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE INDEPENDENT
Wait so Guantes is ACTUALLY alive?? He wrote her a letter?
Uh oh, more of Kai's totally-not-dysfunctional family...
OMG she's a baby Fae >.<
Only Vale would enter a poisoner's garden through the roof XD
Did someone magically clone Guantes? If so, before or after his death?
OH SHIT Guantes/Professor HAS to be somehow connected to Alberich. That's how he tracked her!
I WAS RIGHT. Didn't expect confirmation a few pages later lol
I don't like Shan Yuan
Ugh he got Catherine captured?? worst brother ever
Welp, there's Alberich
Catherine is faking, right??
Omg I love Irene so much
I have suspected for the whole series that Irene and Alberich are related, am I right????
OF COURSE VALE KNEW
That's genius, Irene getting Catherine into the Library!
THAT EPILOGUE
Okay my guess is the three people at the end are the original Dragon guy (the extra one from the painting), some high Fae, and maybe Coppelia??
Going to add my live reactions from reading below! Buddy-reading with a friend so wrote them down! Major spoilers for this book below!
THOUGHTS:
IRENE/VALE BUDDY ADVENTURE
But Guantes is DEAD?!
is he a zombie fae now? Did this Professor bring him back?
Kai being poisoned reminds me of Olaf: "Oh look, I've been impaled" XD
Poor Catherine, this is definitely trial by fire
Oh boo I was hoping to see Silver lol. There's always a trip to Hawai'i, I guess
Damn someone REALLY wants to kill them
Lol Sterrington picked the shadiest building ever
CATHERINE, THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE INDEPENDENT
Wait so Guantes is ACTUALLY alive?? He wrote her a letter?
Uh oh, more of Kai's totally-not-dysfunctional family...
OMG she's a baby Fae >.<
Only Vale would enter a poisoner's garden through the roof XD
Did someone magically clone Guantes? If so, before or after his death?
OH SHIT Guantes/Professor HAS to be somehow connected to Alberich. That's how he tracked her!
I WAS RIGHT. Didn't expect confirmation a few pages later lol
I don't like Shan Yuan
Ugh he got Catherine captured?? worst brother ever
Welp, there's Alberich
Catherine is faking, right??
Omg I love Irene so much
I have suspected for the whole series that Irene and Alberich are related, am I right????
OF COURSE VALE KNEW
That's genius, Irene getting Catherine into the Library!
THAT EPILOGUE
Okay my guess is the three people at the end are the original Dragon guy (the extra one from the painting), some high Fae, and maybe Coppelia??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
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