Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Library of the Unwritten by AJ Hackwith Series: Hell's Library #2
Published by Ace on October 6, 2020
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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The Library of the Unwritten in Hell was saved from total devastation, but hundreds of potential books were destroyed. Former librarian Claire and Brevity the muse feel the loss of those stories, and are trying to adjust to their new roles within the Arcane Wing and Library, respectively. But when the remains of those books begin to leak a strange ink, Claire realizes that the Library has kept secrets from Hell--and from its own librarians.
Claire and Brevity are immediately at odds in their approach to the ink, and the potential power that it represents has not gone unnoticed. When a representative from the Muses Corps arrives at the Library to advise Brevity, the angel Rami and the erstwhile Hero hunt for answers in other realms. The true nature of the ink could fundamentally alter the afterlife for good or ill, but it entirely depends on who is left to hold the pen.
The Library of the Unwritten was a struggle initially to get into the world and characters in this Hell’s Library series. This can happen with the first book in a new series. I did become attached to the characters and enjoy their adventures.
The Archive of the Forgotten was a different style of story with less traveling, and more a mystery with mostly existing characters. Brevity is now the librarian for the Unwritten Library and Claire is the Arcanist. But there is a sad rift between them as Brevity has Claire’s old position. Hero is assisting Brevity and Rami is assistant to Claire.
There are some very clever concepts here with souls and creative spirit and books. The writing is poetic in feeling. While it is pleasant, I find its layer of complexity to be a distraction to solving the mystery.
Brevity has a fellow muse she mentored come to visit, Probity. I didn’t like her at all. She seemed to dislike Claire and was perhaps jealous of the relationship Claire and Brevity have, even though it is tattered now. Claire and Brevity take separate paths to solve the issue. This leads to some great dangers. Brevity is pushed beyond her comfort zone by Probity but wants to do something to solve things. I am just most attached to Claire so it hurts me to see her damaged and sacrificing herself to save others. She feels it is the right thing to do especially since she has made mistakes in her past.
About AJ Hackwith
A. J. Hackwith is (almost) certainly not an ink witch in a hoodie. She’s a queer writer of fantasy and science fiction living in Seattle, and writes sci-fi romance as Ada Harper. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise writer’s workshop and her work appears in Uncanny Magazine and assorted anthologies. Summon A.J. at your own peril with an arcane circle of fountain pens and classic RPGs, or you can find her on Twitter and other dark corners of the Internet.
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.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I’m curious about this series. Is there going to be a third book?
It’s not on Goodreads but a series usually has more than 2 books. I like the series but I find the writing style distracting somehow.
I do like pretty writing but not if it’s slowing and distracting from the main plot as you read. Glad to hear you enjoyed parts of the story, though.
I like the characters and story itself.
Too bad about the rift between the characters that forces them to go off and solve the mystery on their own. Interesting about the writing style being a bit flowery. I’ll watch for book one.
I liked it but it’s hard to describe the style other than it distracted me from the story itself.
I loved the first book in this series and am looking forward to reading this one. I am sad to hear Brevity and Claire’s relationship is strained in this one, but it isn’t really unexpected given their new roles. It was such an interesting twist at the end of the previous book. Not what I expected. I look forward to reading this one.
I really love these characters! I hope you enjoy it.
I have this on audio, I really enjoyed the first..so we shall see.
It’s possible I would have enjoyed the audio more. I often do if there are lots of names to pronounce.