The Invisible Library

“The Invisible Library” is an entertaining and relatively quick read coming in at around 2.6 stars for me. Although it clocks in at 330 pages, I was able to read it in less than a day with a lot of sleep, errands, and a bit of yardwork thrown in.

I could not think of who the literary Irene was that inspired Librarian Irene to select her, which is quite disappointing for someone who considers themselves somewhat well-read. After a smidgeon of research, I learned that the character referenced is Irene Adler, an opera singer who appeared in one Sherlock Holmes story and who is used as a romantic interest in Holmes offshoots. This character choice for a long-lived Librarian name seems a little silly to me. Although we learn that the Librarian Irene enjoys working directly with a Holmes archetype (Vale) and that acting as detective interests her, it would seem that a book lover would choose a more interesting fictional heroine. I probably ought to reread the story in question as it's been over 25 years since my own Holmes frenzy. Homework!

Aside from that criticism, I rather liked seeing the Library and the alternate worlds through the eyes of an intelligent, analytical, average-looking, but somewhat flawed woman. However, I found her lack of follow-up after Kai's true nature was revealed a bit out of character; while it makes sense that some sense of privacy should be respected for her intern, shouldn't she have asked at least one of two questions? How can she teach him how to be a Librarian if she doesn't really understand all that much about dragons? Similarly, at the end, when Bradamant returns to being an ice queen, Irene asks her if they can stop hating each other. That just rang untrue to me, despite the idea of forgiveness more likely from a near-orphan to the mother figure/mentee who trained her.

I really dig alternate worlds and found this more successful than the recent “A Darker Shade of Magic” by V.E. Schwab, which I read last year and did not enjoy. Perhaps, that's due to Genevieve Cogman's superior (in comparison) writing talent. Certainly, there are some plot holes and steampunk creatures flitting about, but it's an interesting idea. Unfortunately, the next book returns to the same world, which may be helpful if Ms. Cogman plans to flesh out characters a bit more. If you like this book, a great series somewhat in a similar (but, nearly untouchable in it's genius) is the Tuesday Next series by Jasper Fforde.