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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
A fun romp. Easy read with a fast-moving plot and an interesting world-building. You will likely enjoy this if you liked the Abhorsen series, light on romance, and heavy on adventure.
4 star due to the characters not really being that compelling for me, I enjoyed my time with them and will be reading the sequel, but I did not love it enough to re-read.
The main character, Susan, does not feel like a compelling character. Due to the fast-paced nature of the plot, she is often just dragged along. I never felt like I knew what her personality is, aside from little tidbits.
4 star due to the characters not really being that compelling for me, I enjoyed my time with them and will be reading the sequel, but I did not love it enough to re-read.
The main character, Susan, does not feel like a compelling character. Due to the fast-paced nature of the plot, she is often just dragged along. I never felt like I knew what her personality is, aside from little tidbits.
Spoiler
One of the big reveals mid-book is that Susan turns out to be the daughter of an elder magic being, and from then on she has instincts from her heritage that basically tells her what to do, and she sort of just does it. Needless to say a bit hard to get attached to her as a characterSpoiler
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Les libraires gauchers de Londres est un livre paresseux autant sur le récit que sur le style. Le récit est un ramassis de clichés piqués à d'autres fictions tandis que le style ne se compose principlament que de lignes dialogues rendant l'histoire assez imbuvables à suivre.
Dommage car le pitch était prometteur et j'attendais bien plus de fantaisie d'un roman qui promettait de lier libraires magiciens et Londres des années 1980. Passez votre chemin si vous attendez une balade enchantée dans Londres...
Dommage car le pitch était prometteur et j'attendais bien plus de fantaisie d'un roman qui promettait de lier libraires magiciens et Londres des années 1980. Passez votre chemin si vous attendez une balade enchantée dans Londres...
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Fun story, interesting worldbuilding.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Honestly, while the set up was there for a great fantasy adventure, this really did nothing for me. 90% of Susan's lines were variations on "what? what's happening? that can't be real!" and my god that makes for a boring character. Didn't help that the booksellers were allergic to explaining anything. Normally would have DNF'd this a handful of chapters in, but it was a present and I felt obligated to finish it
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Set in an alternate 1983 London, The Left-Handed Booksellers of London follows Susan Arkshaw as she searches for the father she’s never known. Her quest quickly entangles her in a world of hidden magic, ancient secrets, and dangerous enemies. After a run-in with a crime boss goes sideways, Susan is swept into the orbit of Merlin—a left-handed Bookseller with a flair for chaos and competence—and finds herself fighting for her life in a reality far stranger than she ever imagined. As Susan seeks answers about her father, Merlin is on a mission of his own to uncover the truth behind his mother’s murder. Together, they must navigate the Old World before its boundaries with the New begin to unravel.
This book has been on and off my TBR list for a while now. It kept catching my eye, but I hesitated after seeing reviews that framed it as a romance—which isn’t usually my thing. I’m glad I finally gave it a chance. The romantic elements are minimal and never distract from the heart of the story, which is rich, fast-paced, and thoroughly engaging.
The setting is a standout. I’m a sucker for urban fantasy that blends the familiar with the fantastical, and Nix does this beautifully. His version of London is layered with folklore and fairy tale influences, and the way the Old World spills into everyday life feels both imaginative and grounded. It’s a fresh take on familiar themes, and the world-building is easy to grasp without being simplistic.
The characters are another highlight. Susan is refreshingly practical and resilient, adapting quickly to the upheaval in her life. Merlin is a delight—equal parts capable and unpredictable—and Vivien, along with the other female characters, is strong, competent, and unapologetically direct. There’s a sense of agency and determination throughout the cast that I really appreciated.
Plot-wise, the book hits the ground running and doesn’t let up. It’s clear early on that Susan’s father isn’t an ordinary man, and the mystery surrounding him unfolds in compelling ways. The story kept me hooked from start to finish, with plenty of twists and glimpses into the wider world Nix has created. There’s so much potential here for future stories, and I’d happily return to this universe.
This book has been on and off my TBR list for a while now. It kept catching my eye, but I hesitated after seeing reviews that framed it as a romance—which isn’t usually my thing. I’m glad I finally gave it a chance. The romantic elements are minimal and never distract from the heart of the story, which is rich, fast-paced, and thoroughly engaging.
The setting is a standout. I’m a sucker for urban fantasy that blends the familiar with the fantastical, and Nix does this beautifully. His version of London is layered with folklore and fairy tale influences, and the way the Old World spills into everyday life feels both imaginative and grounded. It’s a fresh take on familiar themes, and the world-building is easy to grasp without being simplistic.
The characters are another highlight. Susan is refreshingly practical and resilient, adapting quickly to the upheaval in her life. Merlin is a delight—equal parts capable and unpredictable—and Vivien, along with the other female characters, is strong, competent, and unapologetically direct. There’s a sense of agency and determination throughout the cast that I really appreciated.
Plot-wise, the book hits the ground running and doesn’t let up. It’s clear early on that Susan’s father isn’t an ordinary man, and the mystery surrounding him unfolds in compelling ways. The story kept me hooked from start to finish, with plenty of twists and glimpses into the wider world Nix has created. There’s so much potential here for future stories, and I’d happily return to this universe.
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
Yes