The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman

The Invisible Library (The Invisible Library, #1)

by Genevieve Cogman

One spy. One dangerous book. One deadly mission. Discover the first book in this gripping fantasy mystery series – The Invisible Library is the astounding debut from bestselling author Genevieve Cogman.

Perfect for fans of Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, Jasper Fforde's The Eyre Affair or Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London.

'I absolutely loved this' – N.K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Season


Irene is a professional spy for the mysterious Library, whose staff are sent to different realities to harvest dangerous and mystical fiction.

Irene has been posted to an alternative steampunk London along with her enigmatic new assistant, Kai. Their mission: to retrieve a dangerous edition of Grimms' Fairy Tales. But it has already been stolen.

In London's underground, the laws of nature have been bent – supernatural creatures and unpredictable magic stalk the land. The city is home to vampires, werewolves – factions that are all prepared to fight to the death for this book.

Irene must face a web of deadly danger, deception and secret societies. Her new assistant is hiding secrets of his own. Yet failure is not an option – the nature of reality itself is at stake . . .

Continue the journey with the adventurous second title in the Invisible Library series, The Masked City.

Praise for the series:


'I absolutely loved this' – N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Season

'Irene is a great heroine: fiery, resourceful and no one's fool' – The Guardian

'Cogman keeps upping the ante on this delightful series!' – Charles Stross, author of the Merchant Princes series

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

3 of 5 stars

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Rating 3.5 stars

How does a bookworm resist a story with quotes like this?
We want books. We love books. We live with books.

Loved the concept. A library, which exists between parallel worlds, who travel to these different "alternates" to buy/steal particular works of fiction. I thought Cogman did an amazing job building this whole librarian culture and the alternates. Irene was fabulous, and when we finally saw Kai in all his glory, I was all in. I really liked the ending, because it made me look forward to more of these mysteries.

I leave you with another relatable quote:
Irene twitched at the very notion. Give books away?

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 10 April, 2017: Finished reading
  • 10 April, 2017: Reviewed