The Invisible Library (The Invisible Library, #1)

by Genevieve Cogman

[Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub]

I was immediately curious about this book: the title held so many possibilities! I’d just watched the TV show The Librarians (which I highly recommend, if you haven’t seen it), and this looked like a fun adventure in the same vein. Indeed, it was!

The main character is Irene, a spunky employee of the Library, a place that collects dangerous fiction from multiple realities and stores them. Honestly, I’m still a bit shaky on what makes a book “dangerous” enough to be added to the Library’s collection: if you’ve read this book and have the answer, please let me know!

This book already had a lot going for it: A unique premise, room for lots of creativity-after all, multiple realities can look any way an author wants-, and a female main character who is able to think quickly and act decisively. She’s very self-assured, despite being far from perfect.

In this first book, Irene is sent to a version of London with her assistant Kai to pick up a dangerous book for the library. Unfortunately, it turns out it’s already been taken. This particular version of London is full of magic, supernatural creatures, and some seriously interesting steampunkish critters (don’t mind me, I’m just over here inventing new words).

Add a nemesis for Irene, a quirky Holmes-esque helper, secret societies, and twists aplenty, and this book is just a blast to read. I liked that, while there’s a lot of action, there are also “Aha!” moments, as well as a slight splash of romance. It’s a fun combination of a “whodunnit” and an action novel.

This book is lighthearted, and a fast read. I’d suggest reading this after finishing a heavy book, as a fun detox before starting in on another complicated book. If you like quirky, this is for you.

https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2019/02/23/the-invisible-library-by-genevieve-cogman/