The Mortal Word (The Invisible Library, #5)

by Genevieve Cogman

In the latest novel in Genevieve Cogman's historical fantasy series, the fate of worlds lies in the balance. When a dragon is murdered at a peace conference, time-travelling Librarian spy Irene must solve the case to keep the balance between order, chaos...and the Library.

When Irene returns to London after a relatively straightforward book theft in Germany, Bradamant informs her that there is a top secret dragon-Fae peace conference in progress that the Library is mediating, and that the second-in-command dragon has been stabbed to death. Tasked with solving the case, Vale and Irene immediately go to 1890s Paris to start their investigation.

Once they arrive, they find evidence suggesting that the murder victim might have uncovered proof of treachery by one or more Librarians. But to ensure the peace of the conference, some Librarians are being held as hostages in the dragon and Fae courts. To save the captives, including her parents, Irene must get to the bottom of this murder--but was it a dragon, a Fae, or even a Librarian who committed the crime?

• ISBN10: 0399587446
• ISBN13: 9780399587443
• Publish Date: 27 November 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Ace Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 448
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780399587443

Reviews

[tweetybugshouse]

I love the idea of a series that centers around a library that is the neutral party between multiple worlds that have dragons, Fae, and humans living in them. The Fae thrive in chaos, so they tend to habitable worlds that can create their own stories and control them to shape that reality. Dragons thrive by order and tend to dwell in worlds that are oriented that way. Humans function best in worlds that are balanced nicely between the two.

Irene, our librarian in a residence that is the showcase of this series, has now moved to a librarian in place. Kai, who is a dragon and her apprentice, has left his position at the library. In this 5th novel, we have entered into a time of peaceful negotiation, and of course, they are a murder that needs to be solved. This one is by far the most enjoyable as it gets to the heart of what the library does and the importance of librarians staying neutral. The adventure that unfolds in this series is unique and enjoyable.

[bumblingbookworm]

This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Bookworm

This is book 5 in the series, so I'm just going to jump right into this - I adored the plot in this instalment.  With peace talks hampered by a murder, Irene has to step in to save the day and boy does she ever! I loved that this one had the feel of a traditional detective novel, with twists and turns everywhere you look.  I can sometimes be quite good at ruining books for myself by guessing the twist, but for this one I was kept guessing the whole way and it was fantastic.

My biggest criticism for this book is that it's just too long - it's the longest of all the books in the series and it really didn't need to be.  I feel that 50-100 pages could've been cut from this and it would've been a lot better.  But the mystery and political intrigue helped to make up for this, and I was super happy that Irene and Kai finally got together, even if it was mostly left up to the reader's imagination.  A solid addition to the series, I always look forward to the next one.

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

Irene's, Kai's and Vale's adventures continue to make me smile. I look forward to each release in this series and I'm mad at myself for not picking up book 5 sooner!

Irene is continuing to grow as a character and is becoming a respected Librarian. I look forward to reading her next adventure and seeing where it takes her.

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Mortal Word is the 5th entry in the Invisible Library series by Genevieve Cogman. Released 27th Nov 2018 by Berkley/Penguin on their Ace imprint, it's 448 pages and available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

This book combines everything I love about crossworlds fantasy, timeslip, and murder mystery with superb world building, well written dialogue, and suspense. The heroine, Irene, is a Librarian, imbued with limited power to bend reality in the alternate worlds to which she travels on assignment.

The book series has an overarching long term story arc, and though the books are all self-contained adventures, they wouldn't fare well as standalones. I heartily recommend seeking out the books in order. This is a superlative 'binge reading' series and to be honest, despite having a couple hundred books in my TBR pile, I took the time to read all 5 books in order again before starting a review.

One thing which emerged after re-reading them in order at once as opposed to reading the series piecemeal over a period of years is that Ms. Cogman has a near surgical control over the story arc. I don't have a clue what her plotting and story arc work looks like in her creative process, but there are foreshadowings from the first book on about things that eventually develop in later books. I hadn't really appreciated that when I was reading them one-per-year as they were released. I love and admire the control and expertise which this undoubtedly requires. On the other hand, the stories aren't rigid or tick-tock precise. There's a lot of suspense (and humor).

They're very well written with an ensemble cast of characters. The books are full of wit and humor and bookish in-jokes. Wonderfully intelligent entertainment.

Five stars for The Mortal Word, and five stars for the series. More, please!

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

[kimbacaffeinate]

While each book contains a clever, suspenseful mystery this series is best read in the order of its release. Complex story arcs, relationships and incredible world building are built upon in each title.

A couple of things you need to know. Worlds ruled by or where Dragons dwell tend to be filled with order. As one would expect worlds where the Fae live or dwell tend to be filled with chaos. The Librarians collect books that are dangerous or need protection to keep the balance between order and chaos. Dragons and Fae by nature are sworn enemies. There are many different alternate worlds to the one that you live in, each slightly different based on the level of order or chaos.

The Librarians, Dragon royalty and Fae royalty are holding secret treaty talks in a Neutral version of Paris and the Library is acting as overseers. When a dragon is found murdered, and both the library and Fae are suspects a team is put together consists of one librarian, dragon and Fae. Vale, a "Sherlock" investigator from Irene's current world is asked to investigate. Irene heads up their team.

Irene Winters, our brilliant protagonists is fearless and clever. A female Sherlock but one who is capable of working with the temperaments of the supernatural and navigating the political world. She is one of my favorite fictional characters. All of the secondary characters are developed and have unique personalities. As the series progresses we learn more about each. Kai, being a dragon is the most mysterious, but we know and understand the important things.

The stakes are high and the suspect list could tip the balance and end possible talks of peace. Oh, the excitement of it all. I loved the magic, the villains and even the creepy sweet princess of the Fae. Red herrings, twists and intense magic filled action-scenes held me captive. Cogman's stories are magic and she completely pulls me into the stories she creates.

I find the abilities of the librarians, Fae and Dragons most intriguing. The author has done an incredible job of putting her own twist on things. Without bogging the story down, Cogman brings the world(s) and action to life much like Rowling's Harry Potter Books but for adults.

Brilliant and addictive with a well executed murder-mystery, The Mortal Word left me hoping we will have more adventures with Irene and her motley crew. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer