Monday, December 18, 2023

A.J. Hackwith - Hell's Library - The Library of the Unwritten

Audiobook Review.

Books about libraries will always have a special place in the SF / Fantasy reader’s heart. In most novels featuring libraries these ‘arcane’ (in the most loose sense of the word) collections of books allow access to other places or alternate realities. I think my first encounter was via Pratchett’s librarian, but there are many more.

So, here's another one to add to the list 😏


The Library

After reading quite a few bad novels (well, I started reading them, but couldn’t finish) I’m always happy to find something that is a well written, entertaining, decent read.

The Library of the Unwritten is such a read. Quick plot: Claire is the librarian of the aforementioned library – a library located in hell – and is tasked with retrieving a (character from a) book that escaped. To do so she’ll have to visit earth, Valhalla, and a few other places, and deal with a demon, an angel or two, a failed muse and a lost soul.


Narration

Good!

(Sneak preview: book two is narrated by another voice, and the narration there isn't as good as for this one.)


The Verdict

Good read. Let’s try the sequel!


Some other library stories I’ve read…


Some I haven’t read (yet)...

  • Neil Gaiman – Preludes & Nocturnes
  • Matt Haig - The Midnight Library
  • Frank Herbert – Direct Descent - interesting, never heard of it
  • Erin Morgenstern – The Starless Sea
  • Susanna Clarke – Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
  • The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss
  • Haruki Murakami – The Strange Library
  • Jasper Fforde – The Eyre Affair
  • Garth Nix – Lirael
  • Jim C. Hines – Libriomancer
  • Margaret Rogerson – Sorcery of Thorns
  • Carlos Ruiz Zafon – The Shadow of the Wind
  • Brenda Drake – Thief of Lies


So, which titles have I missed, and do you know which of the above I definitely should read? Your suggestions are welcome!

Thus far, all the books involving libraries proved to be a decent read, so maybe I should investigate a little more 😏


More


Dapper / TellTales #118


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