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morgie27's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is amazing!!! So unique and fun. I couldn't put it down. Ready to dive into book 2!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
julbel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.5
A fun, unique story of the battle between heaven and hell. The character dynamics are compelling, their individual qualms of what is right insightful, and their realizing their potential gratifying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Suicide attempt
allimann's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The premise of the book is wonderful, and my favorite part was learning more about the lore as the story went on. The writing was good, too, and it was easy to forget I was reading a book. Unfortunately, the story I found myself in was just… meh. On the surface, of course I loved the characters. A band of misfits, found family, secret past sins revealed? Absolutely. But I found I didn’t actually care about any of them. I would not care if they died. The pacing was also all over the place. I’m all for unique story structures, but this one felt more like the author was trying to use the plot to show off her rich world building. Which maybe that works for some people, but world building is never that integral to my enjoyment of a story.
Overall, it was fine! I wanted to love it, but I was at least entertained for most of it.
Overall, it was fine! I wanted to love it, but I was at least entertained for most of it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
chasetylerx's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
One of the most unique fantasy worlds I’ve ever experienced. The third act suffered some pacing issues, but the Lore is so rich that I didn’t mind trudging through it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Suicide
leafhead's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A love letter to those who write. Beautiful story with lovable characters. The only reason it did not get five stars is that the story is kind of all over the place with themes. Kind of like the author threw in everything cool they could think of. It's a lot of fun, but it's a lot. At times I found myself wishing it had a tiny bit more focus on just one character/theme.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death, Self harm, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Bullying
madzie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
just_jess02's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What a charming, whimsical, cozy read. It held just enough adventure and magic to hold my attention, great characters, and good world building. The historical context and lore was surface level but it really didn’t need to go any deeper to tell this story well.
I really enjoyed the balance of “bookish” ideas to the characters and plot. The themes and tropes are very obvious… but it’s not so in-your-face and cheesy to take away from the story. I found the transparent nature of the themes to push the story along smoothly and easily.
I’m excited to read the rest of the series. This book felt like a rich foundation that hopefully will open up into more complex, deep plot/relationships.
While I loved this story, it wasn’t one that really meant anything to me. It was like a sweet bedtime story almost. I like a book to follow me around once I finish it. I want to reflect, to slowly untangle my mind from the stories’ grasp. This is the only reason I am not giving it five stars.
I really enjoyed the balance of “bookish” ideas to the characters and plot. The themes and tropes are very obvious… but it’s not so in-your-face and cheesy to take away from the story. I found the transparent nature of the themes to push the story along smoothly and easily.
I’m excited to read the rest of the series. This book felt like a rich foundation that hopefully will open up into more complex, deep plot/relationships.
While I loved this story, it wasn’t one that really meant anything to me. It was like a sweet bedtime story almost. I like a book to follow me around once I finish it. I want to reflect, to slowly untangle my mind from the stories’ grasp. This is the only reason I am not giving it five stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Violence, Murder, and Death
Minor: Abandonment, Child death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
iris_lrf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is probably at least the fifth time I've read this book, and every time has been a delight from start to finish. Hackwith's beautiful style and well-rounded characters create an emotional roller coaster of love, heartbreak, redemption and family. Even with only two actual humans, all of the protagonists feel uniquely human in their own distinct ways, and it's impossible not to fall in love with the cranky old librarian or her anxious upstart assistants.
Like any good story about stories, The Library of the Unwritten plays with the concept of the roles we play, both by choice and by force, and what happens when those roles no longer suit us. Villains become heroes, sidekicks become leaders, guardians become caretakers. The stories we tell change, and those we lock away are brought back into the light.
It's not without its flaws, but what book isn't? Sure, there's some plot armour moments, but surely they're counteracted by Leto literally being unmade or Hero getting frequently beaten within an inch of his life . Sure, the ending is a little lacking, but with two more books to go, it isn't really the ending, is it?
I recently got the rest of the trilogy and I'm excited to see where the story goes from here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Suicide attempt, Child death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Confinement, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Grief, Torture, and Toxic friendship
Minor: War, Self harm, and Kidnapping
margaret_k30's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Death
Moderate: Violence, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Abandonment, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
librarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really loved this book. Parts are viscerally heart breaking, others peaceful, and others still are wonderfully human. This book has so many wonderfully integrated references to folklore, library history, and theatre.
God being a woman and making the arch angel who are working in her stead the antagonist of the novel is narratively, incredibly interesting, bringing into questions of biblical good versus moral good, and it acts as a reminder that being a hero does not necessarily imply goodness just as being a villain doesn't necessarily imply evil.
The novel's twists are artful. I had not expected Leto's suicidal ideation to have been pushed to it's breaking point by Andras, as had I not expected Claire to be a murderer, nor Leto to be Claire's grandson. Andrea's calculated betrayal was well crafted and the library's stand against him was glorious. Claire's willingness to unwrite the souls of those who are a threat to those she loves is a gorgeous character flaw. I'm glad she wasn't guilted out of it. I look forward to seeing more of Romiel in hell.
It feels like I've met a collection of pleasant new friends and I look forward to knowing them more as the series progresses.
The novel's twists are artful. I had not expected Leto's suicidal ideation to have been pushed to it's breaking point by Andras, as had I not expected Claire to be a murderer, nor Leto to be Claire's grandson. Andrea's calculated betrayal was well crafted and the library's stand against him was glorious. Claire's willingness to unwrite the souls of those who are a threat to those she loves is a gorgeous character flaw. I'm glad she wasn't guilted out of it. I look forward to seeing more of Romiel in hell.
It feels like I've met a collection of pleasant new friends and I look forward to knowing them more as the series progresses.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Child death, Religious bigotry, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood