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 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.