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A review by memeraryfiction
Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I really struggled with this book. The main reason I've not given it a lower score is that I liked What the River Knows and enjoyed spending time in the same world - but that enjoyment was repeatedly tested while reading Where the Library Hides.
The first book in the duology was imperfect but very fun, so I expected something similar; however, the second book loses a lot of what made the first enjoyable. The fast pace where a lot of plot happens, the thrill of discovery and solving ancient mysteries, the big exciting plot twists, and the conversations about colonialism and cultural sovereignty are all largely shelved in favour of a tepid, medium-burn romance and repeated discussions of Inez's Big Feelings. (And I get it, she's 19, sometimes 19 year olds have Big Feelings; but maybe she could have them while also having an adventure?) At one point early in the book, it looked like it would be pivoting to a focus on female friendships, and I was very here for that shift - but that fizzled out, and I was left disappointed.
The book itself is also a mess. The pacing is awkward, the characters don't grow at all, and there are some massive plot holes. Multiple characters are introduced and shelved very awkwardly. One very likeable character disappears from the plot for ... reasons?, and all their work toward the crew's common goal is never ment oned again. Another, brand new character is introduced at the beginning of the book (where they sleep through the whole scene) and then literally not mentioned again until the epilogue. And it's worth noting that phasing out some of these characters limits the visibility of Egyptian characters in this novel about, you know, Egypt. As the wise friend with whom I buddy read this novel observed, the mysterious disappearing character appears to be there to set up a sequel to the duology; but based on my experience with Where the Library Hides, I won't be back for more.
The first book in the duology was imperfect but very fun, so I expected something similar; however, the second book loses a lot of what made the first enjoyable. The fast pace where a lot of plot happens, the thrill of discovery and solving ancient mysteries, the big exciting plot twists, and the conversations about colonialism and cultural sovereignty are all largely shelved in favour of a tepid, medium-burn romance and repeated discussions of Inez's Big Feelings. (And I get it, she's 19, sometimes 19 year olds have Big Feelings; but maybe she could have them while also having an adventure?) At one point early in the book, it looked like it would be pivoting to a focus on female friendships, and I was very here for that shift - but that fizzled out, and I was left disappointed.
The book itself is also a mess. The pacing is awkward, the characters don't grow at all, and there are some massive plot holes. Multiple characters are introduced and shelved very awkwardly. One very likeable character disappears from the plot for ... reasons?, and all their work toward the crew's common goal is never ment oned again. Another, brand new character is introduced at the beginning of the book (where they sleep through the whole scene) and then literally not mentioned again until the epilogue. And it's worth noting that phasing out some of these characters limits the visibility of Egyptian characters in this novel about, you know, Egypt. As the wise friend with whom I buddy read this novel observed, the mysterious disappearing character appears to be there to set up a sequel to the duology; but based on my experience with Where the Library Hides, I won't be back for more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Colonisation