Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Masked City by Genevieve Cogman Series: The Invisible Library #2
Published by Roc on September 6, 2016
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 336
Length: 10 hours, 39 minutes
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm
Working in an alternate version of Victorian London, Librarian-spy Irene has settled into a routine, collecting important fiction for the mysterious Library and blending in nicely with the local culture. But when her apprentice, Kai, a dragon of royal descent, is kidnapped by the fae, her carefully crafted undercover operation begins to crumble.
Kai’s abduction could incite a conflict between the forces of chaos and order that would devastate all worlds and all dimensions. To keep humanity from getting caught in the crossfire, Irene will have to team up with a local fae leader to travel deep into a version of Venice filled with dark magic, strange coincidences, and a perpetual celebration of Carnival—and save her friend before he becomes the first casualty of a catastrophic war.
But navigating the tumultuous landscape of fae politics will take more than Irene’s book-smarts and fast-talking—to ward off Armageddon, she might have to sacrifice everything she holds dear...
The Invisible Library sounded exciting. I mean who doesn’t like libraries and books and adventures with spies? And I liked it. But The Masked City was better – a fast paced, thrilling ride from start to finish. The two seem very different in some ways. The first had the initial world-building, a large cast of developing characters, and lots of book stuff, in addition to the mystery and action adventure. The latter was full-on action adventure which barely stopped to take a breath.
Our knowledge, as well as Irene’s knowledge, of the world continues to expand as she travels to a new dimension which is far on the chaos spectrum. The Fae are the chaos; the dragons are the order. War is being provoked between them. The Library sits in the balance, being Switzerland. Kai, Irene’s apprentice, is a dragon.
Primarily, we learn mostly about Irene with some development of Kai, Vale, Lord Silver, and the Library. There is a bit more about the Fae and the dragons, their politics and SOP (standard operating procedures). Irene is one determined lady with some mad skills. I love this. I was terrified much of the time and rightfully so.
The ending was too fast. It’s not a cliffhanger but I want to know more. What is going to happen to Irene now? I plan to review the next book, The Burning Page in December. Happily , there are at least two more books, as yet untitled, planned in the Invisible Library series. I’m excited to continue these adventures.
About Genevieve Cogman
Genevieve Cogman got started on Tolkien and Sherlock Holmes at an early age, and has never looked back. But on a perhaps more prosaic note, she has an MSC in Statistics with Medical Applications and has wielded this in an assortment of jobs: clinical coder, data analyst and classifications specialist. Although The Invisible Library is her debut novel, she has also previously worked as a freelance roleplaying game writer. Genevieve Cogman’s hobbies include patchwork, beading, knitting and gaming, and she lives in the north of England.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Sunday Post – 19 January 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - January 19, 2025
- 🎧 Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan @DervlaMcTiernan#AoifeMcMahon @HarperAudio #LoveAudiobooks - January 18, 2025
- Read-along & #Giveaway:On the Edge by Ilona Andrews @ilonaandrews @ilonaandrews.bsky.social @reneeraudman @AceBooksPub @acebookspub.bsky.social @TantorAudio @tantoraudio.bsky.social #Read-along #GIVEAWAY @victoria7401.bsky.social - January 17, 2025
You had at me at librarian-spy! I’ll have to add this series to my TBR
heather – it is really fun. I think the series improves with the second book, but both are good. Anne
I wished for the third book on NetGalley I am loving this series..the imagery alone is spectacular!
kimba- I wished for it too. I didn’t think that the steampunk style would suit me but I’ve been enjoying this genre a lot this year. Anne