Irene is back at it but this time she is testing just how far she will go to for the library. What would she do and where will she draw the line? In this installment by Genevieve Cogman's Invisible Library Series the characters grow and test their commitment to their long held convictions, views and commitments to one another.
The story
The book begins with Irene and Kia at a party hosted by Lord Silver as they work to settle into their new roles as ambassadors for the new treaty between Dragons, Fae and The Library. Can they walk the balance without harming anyone and survive the night? The book begins with [spoilers ahead] an assassination attempt by a Fae on Kia, the Dragon prince, which luckly is stopped by Irene.
The next test for Irene is that her parents show up but not for the talk she was hoping for. They are discovered in the home which Kia and Irene share after having searched the house causing Kia to go all protective and blame the Fea again. This however quickly passes and he excuses himself from the awkward situation of meeting the older Librarians as they “discuss “ things with their daughter. The news they share is not about the adoption , learned of in the last book, but for a new mission to save Irene’s childhood homeworld.
Irene quickly returned to the library where details are shared from her boss. Copiella has an assignment that is difficult and requires diplomacy and her new position will allow her access to one of the most difficult/dangerous Fae mob boss, Mr. Nemo, to secure a book without stealing and using all her skills learned by years of dealing with Fae.
Upon arrival back at her home she finds Kia brooding and tells him of her mission, of course he insists on going, this is when the plans start to go downhill because they argue over putting the treaty at risk. The next things that happen are general chaos which surrounds any interaction they seem to have on these missions. Kia and Irene make a first contact but are on the midst of a firefight in the airport on their way. Here they do make it to their destination but only after being drugged and “kidnapped” which of course makes them both angry and they find their contact was behind it. The first of their convictions are tested and they must decide who to trust and if they are willing to stay.
That night they are dragged into a crazy scheme to steal an expensive and highly protected piece of art. Being forced to work with a team of thriving Fae and a surprising old acquaintance of Kia’s, she causes problems later between them. The majority of the book deals with them trying to work as a team and steal this painting. They must decide what they are willing to do as thieves and who to trust. Each member of the team has personal goal and desire to win a prize from their employer. The team is constantly running into problems first because of in fighting, particularly between Kia and the other dragon [spoiler] who turns out to be his half-sister that disgraced his father. They finally manage to steal the art after a few run ins with local law enforcement and an elderly local dragon.
The final strain comes when Irene discovers that the stolen art could be devastating for Kia’s family and she asks him not to look but tells him she won’t stop him. Each has to decide what to do, however this is not the end. The team has fallen apart because the true mastermind was never MR. Nemo but Indigo. The plan all along was to hurt her father and break the dragons. The end comes and a dragon fight breaks out though not in their true forms. They each receive their own prize, with Irene sacrificing her prize that the Library wanted to save Kia’s family. However one of the Fae offers a surprise by selecting the book that Irene needed to save her home simply for a promised talk of the treaty with his employer.
So, after taking time to test their boundaries Kia and Irene were able to save the day, keep the peace and stay together.
My opinion
I enjoyed this book and found it a great addition to the world. Each element of the story helped the characters to grow and learn more about what they believe. Cogman tells a wonderful story of adventure and moral dilemmas. I recommend reading the entire series and found this book exciting. This was one of my first books in a while that I found to keep my attention and I couldn’t put down.
Reference
Cogman, G. (2020). The secret chapter. New York: Ace.
Image from Goodreads.com
