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A review by neuroqueer
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Settings
- [ ] Typical setting for this genre
- [x] Unique setting for this genre
- [ ] Unique setting in general
Protagonists
- [ ] Hot garbage
- [ ] Boring boring boring
- [ ] Serviceable
- [x] Likeable leads
- [ ] I love them so much
Side Character
- [ ] Every character is terrible
- [ ] Characters commit sin of being boring/generic
- [x] Enough interesting characters to balance out the few terrible ones
- [ ] Likeable side characters
- [ ] Amazing characters all around
Antagonist(s)
- [ ] Hate them for the wrong reasons
- [ ] Cliché as hell
- [x] Serviceable
- [ ] Sympathetic or likeable enough that I don't want to hate them
- [ ] Love to hate them
Plot
- [ ] Average, generic plot
- [ ] Average plot made interesting with creativity
- [ ] Crazy plot that is either so bad it’s good or just plain bad
- [x] Unique plot that keeps you interested
Writing
- [ ] Terribly written
- [ ] Very simple but effective language
- [x] Average writing that does the job
- [ ] Beautiful but accessible writing
- [ ] Challenging
Short summary:
I liked this book. Alternate worlds are always cool. The idea of a secret library with people obsessed with books and hunting rare ones down is intriguing. I really liked Vale.
Only a few things irked me:
I liked this book. Alternate worlds are always cool. The idea of a secret library with people obsessed with books and hunting rare ones down is intriguing. I really liked Vale.
Only a few things irked me:
I didn't like the fact that the only seemingly POC character is murdered and skin worn by the villian. It happens to a non-POC too but it just kind of rubs me the wrong way. - Kai is inconsistent. At one point he tries to
sleep with Irene (and fails) then in another scene he is suave and cool as a cucumber and then in another scene is petulant and judgey. I still like him but his mood swings irked me. - There were some obvious moments where you could tell the identity of a couple of the bad guys quite easily
Still an entertaining book and may take a gander at the rest of the series.