The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith

The Library of the Unwritten (Novel from Hell's Library, #1)

by A. J. Hackwith

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren't finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing-- a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.

But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil's Bible. The text of the Devil's Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell….and Earth.

Reviewed by Terri M. LeBlanc on

4 of 5 stars

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I love this book to pieces. I can't stop talking about it!

It's clear that AJ Hackwith is fond of reading, writing and all the tropes that go with it. Some might find the references to reading and writing very meta, but I loved every minute of it because I felt like I had this connection with the author -- that little side eye-wink when those nods and references slipped out.

Readers who loved Rachel Caine's The Great Library series and Genevieve Cogman's The Invisible Library series, will definitely find a kindred spirits in The Library of the Unwritten.

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Reading updates

  • 28 June, 2019: Started reading
  • 8 July, 2019: Finished reading
  • 13 July, 2019: Reviewed