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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I read this book when it came out, and I’m still chilled by it. It defies explanations or references to what other book it’s like. It stands on its own, melding genres together.
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
weird as fuck and funkily written
The weirdness of The Library at Mount Char reminds one of the weirdness of American Gods, The Stand, or Annihilation. But in many ways it is a book that is far stranger that those three put together.
The book presents a world where even the readers and main characters only get a slight glimpse into the workings and rules of the universe. Events, characters, concepts that are important on a cosmic scale are only alluded to, mentioned, or hinted at, giving the reader a bewildering sense that far more is going on than we really know about.
Even the small part of this universe that is revealed to the main characters shows a cosmos with strange, almost unknowable rules (hence the giant library). While this certainly makes for a strange, memorable book, it also causes a lot of problems with the plot.
I can't echo all the rave reviews this book has received. The bizarre and seemingly random rules to the world of Mount Char means that its a world where almost anything can happen. So when the plot calls for characters to be restricted by something, it jostled my suspension of disbelief. One moment, characters are almost invincible, almost literally Supermen, the next they're hampered by the most mundane things. People who are knowledgeable beyond our most intelligent super-geniuses, suddenly become naive idiots, or simply don't know things, when the plot calls for it.
Also, I'm sorry, but this book is written in a dumb way. Certain scenes (without going into spoilers) would be impactful and moving, but instead the author writes them in a lazy, nonchalant way, or has them occur offscreen entirely.
Apparently weird is in, judging by all the rave reviews The Library at Mount Char has received. If you want weird, you'll certainly get it with this book. If you want weird, with a well-structured story, you might find this a little wanting.
The book presents a world where even the readers and main characters only get a slight glimpse into the workings and rules of the universe. Events, characters, concepts that are important on a cosmic scale are only alluded to, mentioned, or hinted at, giving the reader a bewildering sense that far more is going on than we really know about.
Even the small part of this universe that is revealed to the main characters shows a cosmos with strange, almost unknowable rules (hence the giant library). While this certainly makes for a strange, memorable book, it also causes a lot of problems with the plot.
I can't echo all the rave reviews this book has received. The bizarre and seemingly random rules to the world of Mount Char means that its a world where almost anything can happen. So when the plot calls for characters to be restricted by something, it jostled my suspension of disbelief. One moment, characters are almost invincible, almost literally Supermen, the next they're hampered by the most mundane things. People who are knowledgeable beyond our most intelligent super-geniuses, suddenly become naive idiots, or simply don't know things, when the plot calls for it.
Also, I'm sorry, but this book is written in a dumb way. Certain scenes (without going into spoilers) would be impactful and moving, but instead the author writes them in a lazy, nonchalant way, or has them occur offscreen entirely.
Apparently weird is in, judging by all the rave reviews The Library at Mount Char has received. If you want weird, you'll certainly get it with this book. If you want weird, with a well-structured story, you might find this a little wanting.
Just did not get into the story. Was confusing and not interesting. Honestly the last 30% I slept through and didn’t bother to go back to hear it again.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Struggled to put it down, haven’t devoured a book like that in a long time.
He fabulously pulls off something very difficult to do with fantasy novels, describing a chaotic universe while implying a whole host of rules and restrictions just behind the curtain without a huge amount of exposition and info-dumping. Also introduces a ‘magic’ system (more like arcane science) that I haven’t seen in any other fantasy setting, which at this point would be an achievement even if nothing else in the book lived up to it. Only negative point is that it’s made pretty clear early on that everything that is happening is according to the main character’s plan which removes some of the stakes, but it says a lot about how good the book is a as a whole that it didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all.
Beneath the insane fantasy dressing, it’s still a grounded story that has you invested in the these characters and ultimately shows that all the power all in the universe doesn’t provide shortcuts to dealing with trauma.
He fabulously pulls off something very difficult to do with fantasy novels, describing a chaotic universe while implying a whole host of rules and restrictions just behind the curtain without a huge amount of exposition and info-dumping. Also introduces a ‘magic’ system (more like arcane science) that I haven’t seen in any other fantasy setting, which at this point would be an achievement even if nothing else in the book lived up to it. Only negative point is that it’s made pretty clear early on that everything that is happening is according to the main character’s plan which removes some of the stakes, but it says a lot about how good the book is a as a whole that it didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all.
Beneath the insane fantasy dressing, it’s still a grounded story that has you invested in the these characters and ultimately shows that all the power all in the universe doesn’t provide shortcuts to dealing with trauma.
This is an unusual and original novel. It is not without flaws, but it is so delightfully fresh that I had no trouble overlooking them.
It's well-written, well-executed...The characters are well-developed and consistent. If you're a fan of modern fantasy/horror, this is a book you should read. It's one of the better things in the space.
It's well-written, well-executed...The characters are well-developed and consistent. If you're a fan of modern fantasy/horror, this is a book you should read. It's one of the better things in the space.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The world built by Scott Hawkins was incredibly interesting and a joy to explore. The only flaw was the characters felt two dimensional at times but overall a great book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated