Reviews

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

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heyitsmehyuppers's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
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 was so incredibly interesting. So interesting that I’m actually having a hard time putting it into words. I never at any given time, knew where this book was going.

I think my only real complaint is that I would like to have seen more of the drama on the Librarian’s side in addition to the outsider perspectives we are given. There wasn’t really much explanation for how things went down and I would’ve liked to see more of that.

I will definitely be looking out for more Scott Hawkin’s books.

I will say that this book is not for the faint of heart, as one of the main plot points and character motivations is child abuse, and abuse in general. If you’re looking for something spooky / horror-eque, this book doesn’t really have that. It is almost a murder mystery with fantasy entwined.

Content Warnings

sindhuuura's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

4.75

I went into this book now knowing anything about it and I loved it. It was unlike anything I've read before. There was never any point where I knew what direction the story was going. It was very dark but done in an almost nonchalant way that was really entertaining.

My only complaint is Steve's end. I don't like that after all that she just turned him into the sun without his consent? I thought she loved him I don't really understand why she did that. Also I'm not sure how I feel about Father just being good in the end and having a redemption almost. But I guess I'm not too mad about it.

Overall I think this was such a well written book and I flew through it because of how engaging it was.

that_one_mike_guy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25

shakita45's review against another edition

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dark funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I really don't know what to make of this book. It was sold to me as a tale of a reclusive god and his twelve children who all study extensively an aspect of humanity and the world. What I got instead was....kind of a weird mess? Carolyn wasn't a particularly compelling heroine, and while the world was interesting, it felt really disjointed, like the stakes weren't really clear. We're told about how important all this is, but I felt really disconnected from like, what would actually happen if Carolyn failed and one of her other siblings took over the library.

I think I wanted this to be more.....I don't want to say dark academia, but I was expecting this to be a tale of deception that takes place in the library among these twelve siblings, their rivalries and relationships, their time with their father god, and the ultimate conclusion of all of that, perhaps some great plot to free themselves or something.

Like, I finished the book? But I can't say I enjoyed it.

agustinasabella's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

andrew_matteson's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious sad 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

5.0

Content Warnings

belle05's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

kateships's review against another edition

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3.0

I’m not sure I liked this.

It’s not a bad book at all, it’s just either not what I expected, or not what I was really looking for (or both?).

It’s a cool concept, weird and different and interesting. The characters are unique.

There was too many pages at the part where Steve killed the dogs, that could have been edited down???

.

Overall I had a hard time getting through it though. So it’s not a bad book, but maybe not for me.

brosborne's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious reflective

4.0

sapereaude's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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