A review by cassie7e
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I picked this only knowing it was dark and weird. It has similar dark vibes as Seanan McGuire's Alchemical Journeys series, which I loved! Creepy old abilities and beings in the modern day, but even darker and more morally twisted, and on a larger scale. It's meticulously elaborately plotted, especially leading up to the climax ~2/3 the way through, whereupon we get more character growth and trauma reckoning in the aftermath.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Homophobia, Car accident, and Death of parent