The Invisible Library

“The Invisible Library” is an entertaining and relatively quick read coming in at around 2.6 stars for me. Although it clocks in at 330 pages, I was able to read it in less than a day with a lot of sleep, errands, and a bit of yardwork thrown in.

I could not think of who the literary Irene was that inspired Librarian Irene to select her, which is quite disappointing for someone who considers themselves somewhat well-read. After a smidgeon of research, I learned that the character referenced is Irene Adler, an opera singer who appeared in one Sherlock Holmes story and who is used as a romantic interest in Holmes offshoots. This character choice for a long-lived Librarian name seems a little silly to me. Although we learn that the Librarian Irene enjoys working directly with a Holmes archetype (Vale) and that acting as detective interests her, it would seem that a book lover would choose a more interesting fictional heroine. I probably ought to reread the story in question as it's been over 25 years since my own Holmes frenzy. Homework!

Aside from that criticism, I rather liked seeing the Library and the alternate worlds through the eyes of an intelligent, analytical, average-looking, but somewhat flawed woman. However, I found her lack of follow-up after Kai's true nature was revealed a bit out of character; while it makes sense that some sense of privacy should be respected for her intern, shouldn't she have asked at least one of two questions? How can she teach him how to be a Librarian if she doesn't really understand all that much about dragons? Similarly, at the end, when Bradamant returns to being an ice queen, Irene asks her if they can stop hating each other. That just rang untrue to me, despite the idea of forgiveness more likely from a near-orphan to the mother figure/mentee who trained her.

I really dig alternate worlds and found this more successful than the recent “A Darker Shade of Magic” by V.E. Schwab, which I read last year and did not enjoy. Perhaps, that's due to Genevieve Cogman's superior (in comparison) writing talent. Certainly, there are some plot holes and steampunk creatures flitting about, but it's an interesting idea. Unfortunately, the next book returns to the same world, which may be helpful if Ms. Cogman plans to flesh out characters a bit more. If you like this book, a great series somewhat in a similar (but, nearly untouchable in it's genius) is the Tuesday Next series by Jasper Fforde.

Irene grew up knowing training to be a Librarian. Not just any librarian, but one for the mysterious Library. The Library sends their operatives out on missions to alternate worlds to retrieve books they deem to need protected. Normally, Irene's missions are pretty boring. Get in, retrieve the book, get out. Her latest mission is far from easy, and may be her last. This is a very unique book. I I like the idea of book lovers working for The Library and protecting all the wonderful books. I also enjoyed the characters. I look forward to the next book. I received a copy of this book from Edelweiss.

Pros: wonderful concept, interesting world, fun characters

Cons: minor quibbles

Irene works for the Invisible Library, an edifice that stands outside of time and space, with access to numerous worlds, each with different levels of chaos and order, magic and technology. Librarians enter theses different worlds and secure unique volumes of fiction in order to advance knowledge and prevent loss. Irene and her new trainee, Kai, are sent to London in a magic-dominant alternate with a high chaos infestation to retrieve a particular Grimm manuscript.

When they arrive, they find the manuscript has been stolen, and numerous interested parties are looking for it.

While you don't learn as much about the library in this book as I'd have liked, you do get some idea of how it and the librarians work. The magic surrounding the Language is pretty cool. The idea that words have power and names show truth is an old one, and used to advantage here. I really liked the idea that there are factions in the library, and you can't always be sure you're being told everything you need to know before a mission.

The world they're sent to has an interesting mix of fae, vampires, and zeppelins. I liked how magic effects how technology works, so that different worlds are forced to evolve in different ways.

The plot is pretty straight forward, with several mysteries introduced and events propelling the characters from one event to the next. There's enough downtime to get to know Irene and Kai a bit. You don't learn much backstory for them, the book stays pretty centered on the immediacy of the action.

I did find the antagonist a bit on the talkative side in a Bond villain kind of way. I also thought Irene gets a bit too lucky with regards to leads on the case and the experimental use of the language. Minor quibbles, though.

On the whole this was a fun romp with a great mystery that will keep you guessing about who you can trust and why everyone wants this book.

This debut novel about a spy who collects books from alternate worlds for the Library, an organization that exists outside time and space, is so much fun. I was very glad to see the announcement today that it will be released in the US next year!

Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2015/07/review-of-the-invisible-library-by-genevieve-cogman/