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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
A library where an open book can come to life and illuminate your imagination, who wouldn't love that! Johanna is stuck in a dead-end job, the only good thing is that she gets to work with books. When she is asked to make a special delivery to the strange Library of Illumination, she sees way more than she bargains for. Since Johanna seems to be the only one to gain entrance to the Library, she gets more deliveries to the library and gets to know the curator, Mal. Mal trains Johanna to take care of the abundance of books and all the wonders that they contain. As Johanna gains confidence as the new curator and begins to work with curator-in-training, Jackson, she will find plenty of adventure within the books themselves as well as the magical library.
I absolutely loved the concept of The Library of Illumination! Who wouldn't want a chance to see some of their favorite scenes from books spring to life? Or have a chat with some famous (or infamous) people and characters? Johanna's character is intelligent, loyal and most of all, a lover of books. For a woman of eighteen, her character is very mature and shows great problem solving skills whenever she or Jackson gets into a bind. I'm on the fence a bit about Johanna and Jackson's romance right now, it seems a little forced, but it might grow on me. The adventures that can take place in the Library of Illumination are limitless, Cassanova was my favorite and I wish he could have stayed in the Library longer, despite his womanizing ways. I also loved the ideas of the portals, eleven more Libraries of Illumination in different realms. I wish they all could have been explored.
I absolutely loved the concept of The Library of Illumination! Who wouldn't want a chance to see some of their favorite scenes from books spring to life? Or have a chat with some famous (or infamous) people and characters? Johanna's character is intelligent, loyal and most of all, a lover of books. For a woman of eighteen, her character is very mature and shows great problem solving skills whenever she or Jackson gets into a bind. I'm on the fence a bit about Johanna and Jackson's romance right now, it seems a little forced, but it might grow on me. The adventures that can take place in the Library of Illumination are limitless, Cassanova was my favorite and I wish he could have stayed in the Library longer, despite his womanizing ways. I also loved the ideas of the portals, eleven more Libraries of Illumination in different realms. I wish they all could have been explored.
Amei este livro. Sempre achei que bibliotecas fossem lugares mágicos, este livro segue exatamente este princípio. Maravilhoso. Espero conseguir ler o restante da série.
This tale about 17 year old Johanna, who is given the job of curator to a magical library where books literally come to life was entertaining, despite the improbability of anyone entrusting such a place to a teen. Most of the book is about her struggles to solve problems that she and her 16 year old assistant create, while the adults in their lives prove even more inept. The transitions between various plot lines are abrupt and choppy. Despite these, I found this YA tale a quick enjoyable read.
Rating: 3.5
I won a copy of this book for an honest review. This will never effect how I like or rate a book.
Well this book certainly was a mixed bag. I have to say though that overall I enjoyed it.
The book is made up of five stories, including the prologue.
Prologue: The Curator
1st: Doubloons
2nd: The Orb
3rd: Casanova
4th: Portals
Most of the stories are relatively short up until the last one which is the longest. The book is only 315pgs long though so overall none of the stories are really that long.
I say this to give me somewhere to start with this review and to point out how quick of a book this really is.
I really enjoyed the opening to this book. It really helped to set up and give you the feel of what you're getting into. The best part of the book was the Portal's story but that's just because it adds so much more to the story's world and I really liked what was added. It gave much more to explore; which is saying a lot since the book's main idea alone leaves much that can still be explored.
I'm going to have to say that the Casanova story line was probably my least favorite. It's true Johanna eventually came to her senses but it felt a bit strange of her character to fall so hard of him in the first place considering that smart personality of hers. That and the story just overall didn't seem to add much to the rest of the book.
Throughout it all though I found myself unable to put the book down. It was easy to get lost into it and the world. Still even as I say that I'll admit each story ending left me feeling slightly unfulfilled. As if there was a lot more that could of been done if the book had been longer and more focused.
Also the characters didn't really feel their age, or maybe it was how the story was told around them. It just felt like they were fifteen or sixteen all the way through it. (Excluding Jackson at the point where he was sixteen in the book) The story felt more like it was for kids or younger teens. Which isn't bad but left the book feeling a bit disjointed. Since it had the feel of being made for a younger crowd but the slight swearing and subtle suggestive themes obviously weren't, along with the older ages of the main protagonists. It could also possibly explain why the romance between the two felt unbelievable to me. The book just never quite sold me on their relationship.
Other than that though I really did enjoy the character of Johanna. That small thing with Casanova aside she was a very solid and smart character that I could easily get behind and root for.
Jackson, well not so much. It's true he was brave and did care but it can't be overlooked that he caused two of the bigger problems with his actions. He always made it sound like he learned better at the end but I couldn't be sure if he did.
One thing I really wish is that there had been more detail for the characters. It was sometimes frustrating to read about them but not be able to really picture them since there was a lack of descriptions for them.
With all that though I really did enjoy myself while reading this book. I just flew through it. It just had such a great and enjoyable premise and I liked seeing the different stories that unfolded. Sure the book had some issues but overall it was a very fun read. I wouldn't rush out to buy the next installment of this series but at the same time I wouldn't mind picking it up at some point and giving it a read.
I'd recommend this book to YA fans and Fantasy fans. It's an easy read and there really is a sense of fun when reading this, especially if you're a person who loves reading there's a certain enjoyment that comes from books like these.
I won a copy of this book for an honest review. This will never effect how I like or rate a book.
Well this book certainly was a mixed bag. I have to say though that overall I enjoyed it.
The book is made up of five stories, including the prologue.
Prologue: The Curator
1st: Doubloons
2nd: The Orb
3rd: Casanova
4th: Portals
Most of the stories are relatively short up until the last one which is the longest. The book is only 315pgs long though so overall none of the stories are really that long.
I say this to give me somewhere to start with this review and to point out how quick of a book this really is.
I really enjoyed the opening to this book. It really helped to set up and give you the feel of what you're getting into. The best part of the book was the Portal's story but that's just because it adds so much more to the story's world and I really liked what was added. It gave much more to explore; which is saying a lot since the book's main idea alone leaves much that can still be explored.
I'm going to have to say that the Casanova story line was probably my least favorite. It's true Johanna eventually came to her senses but it felt a bit strange of her character to fall so hard of him in the first place considering that smart personality of hers. That and the story just overall didn't seem to add much to the rest of the book.
Throughout it all though I found myself unable to put the book down. It was easy to get lost into it and the world. Still even as I say that I'll admit each story ending left me feeling slightly unfulfilled. As if there was a lot more that could of been done if the book had been longer and more focused.
Also the characters didn't really feel their age, or maybe it was how the story was told around them. It just felt like they were fifteen or sixteen all the way through it. (Excluding Jackson at the point where he was sixteen in the book) The story felt more like it was for kids or younger teens. Which isn't bad but left the book feeling a bit disjointed. Since it had the feel of being made for a younger crowd but the slight swearing and subtle suggestive themes obviously weren't, along with the older ages of the main protagonists. It could also possibly explain why the romance between the two felt unbelievable to me. The book just never quite sold me on their relationship.
Other than that though I really did enjoy the character of Johanna. That small thing with Casanova aside she was a very solid and smart character that I could easily get behind and root for.
Jackson, well not so much. It's true he was brave and did care but it can't be overlooked that he caused two of the bigger problems with his actions. He always made it sound like he learned better at the end but I couldn't be sure if he did.
One thing I really wish is that there had been more detail for the characters. It was sometimes frustrating to read about them but not be able to really picture them since there was a lack of descriptions for them.
With all that though I really did enjoy myself while reading this book. I just flew through it. It just had such a great and enjoyable premise and I liked seeing the different stories that unfolded. Sure the book had some issues but overall it was a very fun read. I wouldn't rush out to buy the next installment of this series but at the same time I wouldn't mind picking it up at some point and giving it a read.
I'd recommend this book to YA fans and Fantasy fans. It's an easy read and there really is a sense of fun when reading this, especially if you're a person who loves reading there's a certain enjoyment that comes from books like these.
This book falls into a mostly delightful category of books in which the stories are about the stories. This is where the novel is strongest--when characters and scenes from other stories leap out from their own pages and come to life in this world.
As for the curators within the Library of Illumination, they are likable, but not memorable. The same could be said about the world-building: while it is somewhat enjoyable at times, it lacks the substance to really pull you into the novel.
As for the plot, I think the verdict will vary from reader to reader. The book is split into episodes, making it feel like you're reading lengthy short stories rather than a full novel.
The writing style makes the book feel more suitable for a middle school crowd. However, there is some cursing and references to sex that would most likely make it be marked for a older crowd. These instances feel so out of place that it feels like the author put them in there solely to gear the book towards the young adult crowd.
***I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.***
As for the curators within the Library of Illumination, they are likable, but not memorable. The same could be said about the world-building: while it is somewhat enjoyable at times, it lacks the substance to really pull you into the novel.
As for the plot, I think the verdict will vary from reader to reader. The book is split into episodes, making it feel like you're reading lengthy short stories rather than a full novel.
The writing style makes the book feel more suitable for a middle school crowd. However, there is some cursing and references to sex that would most likely make it be marked for a older crowd. These instances feel so out of place that it feels like the author put them in there solely to gear the book towards the young adult crowd.
***I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.***
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated