Review of The Burning Page

Irene, the book stealing librarian, is off on another adventure to save the library and world as she knows it. Genevieve Cogman once again enthralls readers with a fantastical tale of danger and intrigue as Irene goes alone to discover the reality of Alberich plans.

In The Burning Page readers see Irene as a strong independent woman who is ready to take on the world to save her beloved library. Irene’s sense of independence draws readers into her tale of adventure and leaves them wanting more. With the turn of each page, I was waiting to see the next adventure she would embark on. This novel centered prominently around Irene alone, instead of providing her with an assistant in Kai or Vale, for those familiar with the first two books in the series. In this installment, Kai has become more protective of Irene and tries to protect her, while she proves her own abilities to protect herself. Vale’s character is revealed in his own failings because of Chaos poisoning but redemption does follow. While both make appearances and do appear for the final save, Irene manages to defeat her enemy alone and unaided.

TNT's The Librarians

I highly recommend this book, especially for those who enjoy The Librarians television series on

TNT. The book has a similar feel about it with its use of magic and a library which stows away information to better the world. Both sets of librarians are working to safeguard the world from destruction. This book is also great for those who enjoy mysteries because of the plots many twists and turns before revealing how much danger Irene truly is in. The entire series has been filled with a mix of steampunk and fantasy elements ranging from dragons and werewolves to zeppelins in Victorian England.

References

Cogman, G. (2016). The burning page. New York: ROC.

Goodreads. (2018). The buring page. (The invisible library #3) [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29496544-the-burning-page

Hulu. (2018). The librarians. Retrieved from https://www.hulu.com/the-librarians

TNT Drama. (2018). The librarians. [Image]. Retrieved from http://www.tntdrama.com/shows/the-librarians

The Masked City: A Review

I have just finished The Masked City, Cogman’s second book in her Invisible Library series. A few months ago, I reviewed the first book in this series, I’ll link it here if you are interested in that review.

I truly enjoyed the first book so much that I had to search for the second book. This second book did not disappoint in story or action. I find the use of magic and fantasy wonderful when set alongside the archetypes of the Fae. The main character, Irene, is a strong-willed woman who knows what she wants and is willing to risk it all for her student, Kai (who happens to be a shapeshifting dragon).

Cogman’s colorful storytelling draws readers into a fantastical world derived from a fairytale style Venice, where it is always Carnival! I truly loved the action-packed adventure of a Librarian spy working to thwart a war between chaos and order. Each character has a personality all their own and provides a unique perspective on events, though most of the story is discussed from Irene’s perspective. I found myself wondering about her companion Vale from the previous book when he turns up in a world which should have killed him, I hope to see more of him in the next book. Kai’s character is set in a different role, instead of being protector he is the one in need of rescue. The story is flipped, there is no damsel in distress instead Irene must rescue the dragon! This book is wonderful for those interested in fantasy action and tales of espionage.

Along with the main tale Cogman gives the reader more information about Irene and the library in a pair of appendixes entitled “Secrets from the Library.” Irene shares her top five most memorable heists and allows readers to peer into her personal background. This builds upon her as a character and shows she had an exciting life even before becoming the mentor to a dragon. The second discusses “Legends of the Library.” Here Cogman presents some of the stories told about the library and allows readers into the secrets of the Library. Learning about the world of the Library makes Cogman’s storytelling richer and fuller. The excitement of this novel is shared and expanded by these intriguing legends.

I highly recommend reading The Invisible Library series. Stay tuned for a review of Book three The Burning Page.

References

Cogman, G. (2016). The masked city: An invisible library novel. New York: Berkley.

Good Reads. (2017). The masked city (the invisible library #2) [Cover Image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25761086-the-masked-city

The Invisible Library [Review]

If you enjoy TNT's series The Librarians or steampunk this book is for you. (If you enjoyed The Invisible Library I would recommend checking out the series, it can be seen on Hulu). While there is not Flynn, Irene takes this place nicely and shows that a female librarian can do everything as well. I was excited to read this book, though not certain of what to expect. This is the first installment in Cogman’s The Invisible Library series featuring librarians who are spies, dragons, Fae, and much more. Cogman has included brilliant storytelling and adventure to make a book that I simply could not put down.

Cogman introduced readers to a group of librarian-spies who attempt to protect literature and preserve it, though not without difficulty and risk. The key character is Irene, a lower level librarian, who is sent out by her superior to retrieve a book from a world filled with chaos and Fae. However, unlike previous missions, she will not travel alone but with a trainee named Kai. Kai and Irene are thrown into a near impossible situation and uncertain of who to trust when their only contact turns up dead. Not only to they have to search for the book but worst of all Alberich is there, an evil former librarian who is also seeking the book for reasons of his own. Now they must decide what to do and who they can trust, can Irene even trust Kai, who is hiding secrets of his own.

The vibrant world created by Cogman uses elements of both Gothic and Steampunk tradition to envelop readers in the perilous story of the Library. Every page is filled with action or intrigue. This fantasy/sci-fi novel shows Cogman’s ability to pull readers into the world. Reading the book is like being there alongside the characters. One cannot help being drawn into this page turner, excitement awaits in the Library!

References

Cogman, G. (2015). The invisible library. New York: Tor.

Goodreads. (2017). The invisible library [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21416690-the-invisible-library

TNT. The librarians [TV series]. Retrieved from https://www.hulu.com/the-librarians