“A bewitching gem...I absolutely loved every moment of this story.” —Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series “If you loved the Hogwarts Library…you’ll be right at home at Summershall.” —Katherine Arden, New York Times bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale
From the New York Times bestselling author of An Enchantment of Ravens comes an “enthralling adventure” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) about an apprentice at a magical library who must battle a powerful sorcerer to save her kingdom.
All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather.
Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire, and Elisabeth is implicated in the crime. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.
As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.
I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A library page uncovers a dark secret in this fantasy young adult romance.
*Le sigh* I didn’t connect to this book. It contained so many elements I usually enjoy – an epic romance, a world where libraries are integral to society, and an interesting magical system. And yet, the characters never pulled me into the story. Elizabeth annoyed me to no end. Instead of coming across as fierce and brave, she came across as brash and overbearing. Nathaniel wasn’t much better – he came across as a generic moody boy instead of a bad ass wizard. The world-building, action, and writing style couldn’t make up for my dislike of the characters.
It reads very similar to Naomi Novik’s Uprooted. I loved many elements of Uprooted, but the characters fell flat for me. The characters in this novel fell flat for me too. I think most people, particularly fans of fantasy romance, will probably enjoy this novel. Sadly, it just wasn’t for me.
tl;dr A fantasy romance that feel flat for me, but I’m sure others would enjoy.
