Scan barcode
hardtofthelibrary's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
maegan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bookishnicole's review against another edition
3.0
Switched to the audio which I enjoyed more.
I struggled with this book a little. It was slow but sometimes it felt strangely quick. Like slow build up to the CIA, but then she just takes their word for it (where are the credentials?!)
The ending left me curious about book 2, and I might come back to the series.
I received this book as part of a First Reads Giveaway.
I struggled with this book a little. It was slow but sometimes it felt strangely quick. Like slow build up to the CIA, but then she just takes their word for it (where are the credentials?!)
The ending left me curious about book 2, and I might come back to the series.
I received this book as part of a First Reads Giveaway.
maggie56's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!!!! For a first book of a new series I was overwhelmed with the great plot, characters, time line it was superb and I hate it because it ended....with a cliff hanger which I'm betting leads into book 2. Omg, Joss Walker (JT Elliott) hurry up I'm not sure I'll be able to contain myself til it comes outs. If you like magic, modern twist to investigating, in I would think this time line....you'll live the book as much as I did.
Great job guys!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Great job guys!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
an_idiots_diary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
dhasenkampf's review
3.75
I listened to this on audiobook and greatly enjoyed the narration. I liked the narrator's accents, though I can't speak to her accuracy. The story itself was fun. It's light, popcorn style fantasy with a dose of romance. The magic system is too soft for me and not adequately explained in my opinion. The characters are interesting enough but nothing amazing. The world building is similarly of average quality. The pacing moves very quickly and never left me bored. Honestly, my favorite parts are the literary references sprinkled throughout the story. This is a good palate cleanser book, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
constant2m's review against another edition
5.0
Well, this was sure fun. A little Warehouse 13, a little The Librarian, a little Stargate - all things I love the most. They even snuck in a werewolf, which I usually hate, and made me not hate it. And the magic system was so fascinating, it's called the Torrent and those who have access to it can reach into it or go into it, like a magical river running near them. And there needed to be a series made with a librarian as the main character a very long time ago, so I'm thrilled.
Jayne didn't realize magic was real until she touched an old book and started to see and feel strange things. Then someone "appears" in the library and offers her a job working for the secret branch of the CIA. There are two organizations, neither of which seem fully on the up and up, but one is at least trying to save the world. When ancient legends cross realms with magic, anything is possible. Good thing Jayne loves learning and can think on her feet because she's about to get thrown in deep end headfirst with little time to learn and curveballs being constantly thrown her way. It's a heck of an adventure. And I loved every moment of it.
Also, Jayne is such a nerd in the best way. I kept giggling at all of her "literary" references to Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice and Robin Hobb. She and I would totally be friends. Why oh why can't magic be real!
I received a free arc from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
Jayne didn't realize magic was real until she touched an old book and started to see and feel strange things. Then someone "appears" in the library and offers her a job working for the secret branch of the CIA. There are two organizations, neither of which seem fully on the up and up, but one is at least trying to save the world. When ancient legends cross realms with magic, anything is possible. Good thing Jayne loves learning and can think on her feet because she's about to get thrown in deep end headfirst with little time to learn and curveballs being constantly thrown her way. It's a heck of an adventure. And I loved every moment of it.
Also, Jayne is such a nerd in the best way. I kept giggling at all of her "literary" references to Harry Potter and Pride and Prejudice and Robin Hobb. She and I would totally be friends. Why oh why can't magic be real!
I received a free arc from the author and have reviewed it willingly.
dvester's review
4.0
I really like Jane’s personality, she’s quirky, nerdy and sounds like someone I would enjoy talking about books with. I do feel the book dragged on in some places but overall I enjoyed the book. My biggest complaint is Sofia. I read the Prequel first and really liked her character. I was disappointed that she was whiny and seemed a little childish for Jane to think it’s typical Sofia to be mad and not answer the phone.
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
4.0
Librarian, witch, and spy? Perfect combination, and oh so much fun to read!
see_sadie_read's review against another edition
2.0
I think My Goodreads comments, written as I read this book, will give a good idea of how I felt about it.
Do you think I was bored? I was bored. I forced myself to the end by pure determination alone. The whole thing is too slow, bogged down in dialogue, explanations of what is to be done, rather than doing, weak characterization, and cutesy book/movie references that did not endear me to the character as intended. Honestly, I felt more for the small, relatively unimportant side character Gerard than ANY of the main characters. And NONE OF IT IS BELIEVABLE, no matter how I suspended my disbelief.
Jayne learns magic is real (and that keeping her in the dark was the decision her sister made is already questionable) and instantly believes, she’s instantly recruited by and joins the CIA, she’s instantly sent into the field (despite being untrained), she instantly meets the love interest and is instantly attracted, she instantly blends in undercover, she instantly finds and is recruited by the baddies she’s supposed to infiltrate, she instantly raises to power and importance, etc. etc. etc. She’s the smartest, most powerful, wittiest, of them all, etc. I found her utterly insufferable. And the CIA librarian department? They’re so slipshod I wouldn’t trust them to run a boy-scout troupe, let alone a government agency. They seem to be an agency by dint of “let me speak to the higher-ups” alone.
I liked Cillian well enough, though he’s a bit of a cardboard cut out. I loved the IDEA of a magical librarian department within the CIA. I think the book had a good idea. But the honest, brass tacks truth is that I didn’t like the book. The mechanical writing is fine and it’s well enough edited, but I was just bored and stuck reading about people I didn’t enjoy spending time with.
Sadie Forsythe is 80% done
Have I been reading this book for 18 decades?
I kind of feel like I've been reading this book for 18 decades.
— 20 hours, 29 min ago
Sadie Forsythe is 70% done
I'm booooooored and I think I've been reading this book for an eternity.
— Jun 20, 2021 03:40PM
Sadie Forsythe is 65% done
Ok, I guess. I'm not loving it. I kinda feel like I've been reading it forever because I'm kinda bored.
— Jun 16, 2021 07:50PM
Do you think I was bored? I was bored. I forced myself to the end by pure determination alone. The whole thing is too slow, bogged down in dialogue, explanations of what is to be done, rather than doing, weak characterization, and cutesy book/movie references that did not endear me to the character as intended. Honestly, I felt more for the small, relatively unimportant side character Gerard than ANY of the main characters. And NONE OF IT IS BELIEVABLE, no matter how I suspended my disbelief.
Jayne learns magic is real (and that keeping her in the dark was the decision her sister made is already questionable) and instantly believes, she’s instantly recruited by and joins the CIA, she’s instantly sent into the field (despite being untrained), she instantly meets the love interest and is instantly attracted, she instantly blends in undercover, she instantly finds and is recruited by the baddies she’s supposed to infiltrate, she instantly raises to power and importance, etc. etc. etc. She’s the smartest, most powerful, wittiest, of them all, etc. I found her utterly insufferable. And the CIA librarian department? They’re so slipshod I wouldn’t trust them to run a boy-scout troupe, let alone a government agency. They seem to be an agency by dint of “let me speak to the higher-ups” alone.
I liked Cillian well enough, though he’s a bit of a cardboard cut out. I loved the IDEA of a magical librarian department within the CIA. I think the book had a good idea. But the honest, brass tacks truth is that I didn’t like the book. The mechanical writing is fine and it’s well enough edited, but I was just bored and stuck reading about people I didn’t enjoy spending time with.