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The Invisible Library #3
The Burning Page
The third title in Genevieve Cogman's clever and exciting The Invisible Library series, The Burning Page is an action-packed literary adventure!
Librarian spy Irene has professional standards to maintain. Standards that absolutely do not include making hasty, unplanned escapes through a burning besieged building. But when the gateway back to your headquarters dramatically malfunctions, one must improvise. And after fleeing a version of Revolutionary France astride a dragon (also known as her assistant, Kai), Irene soon discovers she's not the only one affected. Gates back to the Library are malfunctioning across a multitude of worlds, creating general havoc. She and Kai are tasked with a mission to St Petersburg's Winter Palace, to retrieve a book which will help restore order.
However, such plans rarely survive first contact with the enemy - particularly when the enemy is the traitor Alberich. A nightmare figure bent on the Library's destruction, Alberich gives Irene a tainted 'join me or die' job offer. Meanwhile, Irene's old friend Vale has been damaged by exposure to Chaotic forces and she has no idea how to save him. When another figure from her past appears, begging for help, Irene has to take a good hard look at her priorities. And of course try to save the Library from absolute annihilation. Saving herself would be a bonus.
Irene's adventures feature stolen books, secret agents and forbidden societies - think Doctor Who but with librarian spies!
Librarian spy Irene has professional standards to maintain. Standards that absolutely do not include making hasty, unplanned escapes through a burning besieged building. But when the gateway back to your headquarters dramatically malfunctions, one must improvise. And after fleeing a version of Revolutionary France astride a dragon (also known as her assistant, Kai), Irene soon discovers she's not the only one affected. Gates back to the Library are malfunctioning across a multitude of worlds, creating general havoc. She and Kai are tasked with a mission to St Petersburg's Winter Palace, to retrieve a book which will help restore order.
However, such plans rarely survive first contact with the enemy - particularly when the enemy is the traitor Alberich. A nightmare figure bent on the Library's destruction, Alberich gives Irene a tainted 'join me or die' job offer. Meanwhile, Irene's old friend Vale has been damaged by exposure to Chaotic forces and she has no idea how to save him. When another figure from her past appears, begging for help, Irene has to take a good hard look at her priorities. And of course try to save the Library from absolute annihilation. Saving herself would be a bonus.
Irene's adventures feature stolen books, secret agents and forbidden societies - think Doctor Who but with librarian spies!
358 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2016
About the author
Genevieve Cogman
43 books4,410 followersGenevieve 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,673 reviews
August 31, 2019
"Panic is the antithesis to good organization. Panic is messy. I am against panic on a point of principle.
Another fantastic book by Genevieve Cogman in the Invisible Library-series with the extraordinarily ordinary, uncommonly common, exceptionally unexceptional, anti-kickassly kickass (or is it all the other way-round?) Librarian-Heroine, Irene.
Alberich, The Library's arch-enemy is back on the scene with an Ultimatum: If they don't hand over the management/leadership of The Library to him, he will destroy it. And this is not an empty threat either. Librarians get killed, doors (traverses) connecting The Library to alternate worlds get annihilated and the Alberich-generated chaos threatens to usurp everything. The balance between chaos-forces (fae) and order-forces (dragons) is put into jeopardy alongside the internal balance of The Library itself with bickerings breaking out among the different factions.
We get more actions, more intriguing world-building, internal Library-politics, Kai in his true dragon-shape and a moment bw Irene and Vale that had me both cheering and groaning with frustration. :) Some light is getting thrown over Irene's family history, or maybe just more questions emerge about it, connecting Books 1 and 3 more closely to each other.
Irene is pretty much one of the the coolest and smartest heroines I've come across in a book to date without any superpowers as such (and for this particular category I do not consider the use of the "Language" as superpower, "only" a "common", but very handy librarian-tool). In this day and age of special-snowflakes or the-one-and-only-saviours, her ability to get out of predicaments (mostly) on her own by using common sense is practically innovative. :)
I loved how Irene's (both professional and personal) relationship with Kai progressed and got a bit disheartened how the one with Vale did and did not do so at the same time . The friendship between all three of them was something truly amazing to behold, so I am actually resolved wherever they are or aren't going with it. I am sooo ready for BOOK 4.
Ah, but wait, -WAIT???!!!- the next book is not yet out until the end of the year. *CRYING with unlibrarian-like uncoolness and DON't CARE!*
Another fantastic book by Genevieve Cogman in the Invisible Library-series with the extraordinarily ordinary, uncommonly common, exceptionally unexceptional, anti-kickassly kickass (or is it all the other way-round?) Librarian-Heroine, Irene.
Alberich, The Library's arch-enemy is back on the scene with an Ultimatum: If they don't hand over the management/leadership of The Library to him, he will destroy it. And this is not an empty threat either. Librarians get killed, doors (traverses) connecting The Library to alternate worlds get annihilated and the Alberich-generated chaos threatens to usurp everything. The balance between chaos-forces (fae) and order-forces (dragons) is put into jeopardy alongside the internal balance of The Library itself with bickerings breaking out among the different factions.
We get more actions, more intriguing world-building, internal Library-politics, Kai in his true dragon-shape and a moment bw Irene and Vale that had me both cheering and groaning with frustration. :) Some light is getting thrown over Irene's family history, or maybe just more questions emerge about it, connecting Books 1 and 3 more closely to each other.
Irene is pretty much one of the the coolest and smartest heroines I've come across in a book to date without any superpowers as such (and for this particular category I do not consider the use of the "Language" as superpower, "only" a "common", but very handy librarian-tool). In this day and age of special-snowflakes or the-one-and-only-saviours, her ability to get out of predicaments (mostly) on her own by using common sense is practically innovative. :)
I loved how Irene's (both professional and personal) relationship with Kai progressed and got a bit disheartened how the one with Vale did and did not do so at the same time . The friendship between all three of them was something truly amazing to behold, so I am actually resolved wherever they are or aren't going with it. I am sooo ready for BOOK 4.
Ah, but wait, -WAIT???!!!- the next book is not yet out until the end of the year. *CRYING with unlibrarian-like uncoolness and DON't CARE!*
February 12, 2017
This is turning into an excellent series. Our super smart librarian/spy manages to survive through another frightening ordeal involving magic, double crossing fae, dragons and of course the acquiring of rare books from other worlds.
It sounds outrageous but is actually good fun. It is well thought out by the author too with a very clever magic base and good world building. I like the feisty female main character. She keeps the men in their place and gets herself out of her own pickles. Mostly.
I always enjoy fiction set in libraries or based around books and this series certainly fits the bill.
It sounds outrageous but is actually good fun. It is well thought out by the author too with a very clever magic base and good world building. I like the feisty female main character. She keeps the men in their place and gets herself out of her own pickles. Mostly.
I always enjoy fiction set in libraries or based around books and this series certainly fits the bill.
January 22, 2020
I really love this series! It has the perfect mix of fantasy and humour with infinite alternative worlds, a Sherlock Holmes-like character, wily fae, handsome dragons and best of all a witty, feisty librarian who rescues rare books from dangerous situations.
Genevieve Cogman really has created a wonderful Universe of alternative worlds where anything can happen depending on the amount of chaos and order in that world. That the Invisible Library, where rare books are collected for preservation by daring field librarians, can connect with any library on any world, is a stroke of genius and allows for plenty of adventure.
In this third novel of the series librarian Irene discovers a plot by the Library's arch enemy Alberich, an ex librarian himself gone rogue, who wants to take over control of the Library or he will destroy it. Irene and her assistant Kai, a dragon in human form, must find him and thwart his plan before too many more librarians are killed. Irene and Kai are such delightful characters with a wonderful relationship - Irene strong willed and willing to rush into danger while Kai wants only to protect her and is always pulling her out of dangerous situations. The secondary characters are also wonderful and developing strongly along with the series. Highly recommended for all lovers of quality fantasy.
Genevieve Cogman really has created a wonderful Universe of alternative worlds where anything can happen depending on the amount of chaos and order in that world. That the Invisible Library, where rare books are collected for preservation by daring field librarians, can connect with any library on any world, is a stroke of genius and allows for plenty of adventure.
In this third novel of the series librarian Irene discovers a plot by the Library's arch enemy Alberich, an ex librarian himself gone rogue, who wants to take over control of the Library or he will destroy it. Irene and her assistant Kai, a dragon in human form, must find him and thwart his plan before too many more librarians are killed. Irene and Kai are such delightful characters with a wonderful relationship - Irene strong willed and willing to rush into danger while Kai wants only to protect her and is always pulling her out of dangerous situations. The secondary characters are also wonderful and developing strongly along with the series. Highly recommended for all lovers of quality fantasy.
February 7, 2017
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
This was a great book! The whole series has been wonderful so far. Librarian spies, dragons, and alternate worlds are just some of the things that make this series great. This book gave me exactly what I have come to expect from this series. There was so much going on and I couldn't wait to see how things would turn out.
This book starts shortly after the events of the previous book. The action starts right away and I knew that this story would be a lot of fun to read. Irene and Kai are in trouble again and things look pretty serious. The library is in danger and a lot of that danger seems to be aimed directly at Irene. To make matters worse, someone is trying to kill Irene and Vale is in danger of losing his mind. There is no shortage of excitement in this book but there is an equal amount of smart problem solving that adds a nice element.
I love the characters in this series. Irene is smart and isn't afraid to make decisions. She is tough and can quickly analyze a situation to figure out the best option to achieve her goals. Kai is amazing. I mean he is a dragon so of course he is amazing just because of that. He doesn't hesitate to follow Irene's lead. He is highly competent and sometimes add the key piece to their plans. Each of the characters in this series are well developed and quite colorful.
The world building in this series continues to be top notch. We get to see some parts of the reality that Irene and Kai spend most of there time in that we haven't had a chance to see before. We also get a chance to see how some of these realities are connected in a way that I had never imagined. One of the best things about this series is that every time Irene and Kai go on a new assignment, we get a chance to see a unique world.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This is the third book in The Invisible Library series and I do recommend that this series be read in order. This book does have its own plot but so much is built upon events from the earlier books that I think readers new to the series will be at a disadvantage if they haven't read the earlier books. I can't wait to see what happens to Irene and Kai next!
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
This one was pretty exciting with a few new developments. There are definitely a few questions that remain unanswered so I am looking forward to more in this series.
This was a great book! The whole series has been wonderful so far. Librarian spies, dragons, and alternate worlds are just some of the things that make this series great. This book gave me exactly what I have come to expect from this series. There was so much going on and I couldn't wait to see how things would turn out.
This book starts shortly after the events of the previous book. The action starts right away and I knew that this story would be a lot of fun to read. Irene and Kai are in trouble again and things look pretty serious. The library is in danger and a lot of that danger seems to be aimed directly at Irene. To make matters worse, someone is trying to kill Irene and Vale is in danger of losing his mind. There is no shortage of excitement in this book but there is an equal amount of smart problem solving that adds a nice element.
I love the characters in this series. Irene is smart and isn't afraid to make decisions. She is tough and can quickly analyze a situation to figure out the best option to achieve her goals. Kai is amazing. I mean he is a dragon so of course he is amazing just because of that. He doesn't hesitate to follow Irene's lead. He is highly competent and sometimes add the key piece to their plans. Each of the characters in this series are well developed and quite colorful.
The world building in this series continues to be top notch. We get to see some parts of the reality that Irene and Kai spend most of there time in that we haven't had a chance to see before. We also get a chance to see how some of these realities are connected in a way that I had never imagined. One of the best things about this series is that every time Irene and Kai go on a new assignment, we get a chance to see a unique world.
I would highly recommend this book to others. This is the third book in The Invisible Library series and I do recommend that this series be read in order. This book does have its own plot but so much is built upon events from the earlier books that I think readers new to the series will be at a disadvantage if they haven't read the earlier books. I can't wait to see what happens to Irene and Kai next!
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
This one was pretty exciting with a few new developments. There are definitely a few questions that remain unanswered so I am looking forward to more in this series.
April 26, 2019
2019 Re-read
When life gets complicated, my reading needs simplify. Ms. Cogman’s Invisible Library series had seen me through a challenging week of no running water and cat care duties.
This is the book where Irene earns her Librarian stripes, confronting the traitor, Alberich, and emerging to tell the tale. I think Irene also voices the opinion of many book worms when she says the following:
Irene has found “her people” and is tremendously loyal to them. That’s how I’ve run my life, so I really identified with her.
Ms. Cogman, I will read as many of these adventures as you choose to write. I hope there are plans for several more, as this is too good a fantasy world for me to abandon it happily.
Original review:
I was so frustrated with the ending of The Masked City, I could hardly wait to get my hands on this, book three of the series. The Burning Page answered the hanging questions from TMC and plunges the reader into more Library adventures with Irene and Kai.
Thankfully, this volume ends on a better note for me—the story is wrapped up, although there is definitely room for more adventures (which I shall await impatiently). This installment has fewer Fae in it (a minus for me) but gets Irene back to the fundamentals of being a Librarian, i.e. the pursuit of rare books (definitely a plus).
I love the Library’s determined neutrality—they refuse to support either the forces of Chaos or those of Order, knowing that the optimum state is a balance in between those two poles. Like real libraries do, actually, trying to support the needs of their community, no matter which political party is currently forming government, while defending free speech, free flow of information, and freedom from censorship.
I do hope that Irene and Vale manage to overcome their issues to become a couple in the next book (although if he is a Sherlock-Holmes-kind-of-guy, this may be a doomed relationship). Four books is an awful long distance to draw out the suspense of this courtship. And Kai is hinting that he’s in the running too, so will Irene have to deal with some awkward workplace romance? And will she regain her standing within the Library hierarchy, or is she doomed to probation forever? Perhaps The Lost Plot will answer some of my questions.
I’m ever so glad that I discovered this series—it is highly entertaining and I will be sad when I’ve finished reading it. Thankfully, that point seems to be some distance in the future right now, with books 4 and 5 promised, but no dates for publication yet available.
When life gets complicated, my reading needs simplify. Ms. Cogman’s Invisible Library series had seen me through a challenging week of no running water and cat care duties.
This is the book where Irene earns her Librarian stripes, confronting the traitor, Alberich, and emerging to tell the tale. I think Irene also voices the opinion of many book worms when she says the following:
“I have spent most of my life preferring books to people,’ Irene said sharply. ‘Just because I like a few specific people doesn’t change anything.”
Irene has found “her people” and is tremendously loyal to them. That’s how I’ve run my life, so I really identified with her.
Ms. Cogman, I will read as many of these adventures as you choose to write. I hope there are plans for several more, as this is too good a fantasy world for me to abandon it happily.
Original review:
I was so frustrated with the ending of The Masked City, I could hardly wait to get my hands on this, book three of the series. The Burning Page answered the hanging questions from TMC and plunges the reader into more Library adventures with Irene and Kai.
Thankfully, this volume ends on a better note for me—the story is wrapped up, although there is definitely room for more adventures (which I shall await impatiently). This installment has fewer Fae in it (a minus for me) but gets Irene back to the fundamentals of being a Librarian, i.e. the pursuit of rare books (definitely a plus).
I love the Library’s determined neutrality—they refuse to support either the forces of Chaos or those of Order, knowing that the optimum state is a balance in between those two poles. Like real libraries do, actually, trying to support the needs of their community, no matter which political party is currently forming government, while defending free speech, free flow of information, and freedom from censorship.
I do hope that Irene and Vale manage to overcome their issues to become a couple in the next book (although if he is a Sherlock-Holmes-kind-of-guy, this may be a doomed relationship). Four books is an awful long distance to draw out the suspense of this courtship. And Kai is hinting that he’s in the running too, so will Irene have to deal with some awkward workplace romance? And will she regain her standing within the Library hierarchy, or is she doomed to probation forever? Perhaps The Lost Plot will answer some of my questions.
I’m ever so glad that I discovered this series—it is highly entertaining and I will be sad when I’ve finished reading it. Thankfully, that point seems to be some distance in the future right now, with books 4 and 5 promised, but no dates for publication yet available.
March 23, 2023
The witticism and the characters draw me in and I am always left wanting to read more.
Even if some parts seem a bit slower than I would like.
The witticism and the characters draw me in and I am always left wanting to read more.
The possibilities of the worlds are endless and I love the creative little details that Cogman adds into them, Such as air flight by reindeer and the different alternative timelines ending up in chaos/order ruling of each location!
A solid 4.5 star for me.
Even if some parts seem a bit slower than I would like.
The witticism and the characters draw me in and I am always left wanting to read more.
The possibilities of the worlds are endless and I love the creative little details that Cogman adds into them, Such as air flight by reindeer and the different alternative timelines ending up in chaos/order ruling of each location!
A solid 4.5 star for me.
February 27, 2017
Most readers love to read about characters that love books - because we can see ourselves in them. Initially, that's what drew me to the Invisible Library series - it's a well constructed world about librarians (and fae and dragons), with a strong female protagonist and...well, what's not to love about that? Turns out, in this book, quite a bit...
This book was my night time reading and for two months, it's put me to bed quicker than a baby with a hot bottle of milk. I struggled to finish it. God, it was boring. I don't remember the characters being this unlikeable in the previous two books. Irene, the protagonist, continually runs headfirst into danger without a scrap of a plan and continually refuses the help of her friends (I'm still not entirely sure WHY they're her friends as she doesn't give them a lot of consideration) and still emerges entirely unscathed. Oh, I'm sorry, she ruins a few dresses. And gets a few headaches. Winning is so tiring. :/
But hey, who needs a plan or friends when you have "the Language"? That was perhaps my biggest gripe with this book. Magic should have limits. Magic should have a set of rules that govern it like anything else. And magic should not be an instant solution to all our problems. Because how boring is that? At no point in this book, did I ever get the impression that Irene was actually in danger. Part of that was ineffectual death-plots, but really it was that she waved her hand and everything was fixed. Killer spiders, monstrous bees, doors on fire, werewolves, imprisonment, even Alberich; just say something in the Language!
Kai was barely in this book and just really served to save Irene when she was too headstrong to include him in her plans. Irene and Val had a brief, forced moment of romance that left me cringing. Vale, too, is barely included in this book as he's in a morphine-induced stupor the whole time (as I often wished I was while reading this). Maybe I just miss the simpering, flamboyantly sinister stylings of Lord Silver. Zayanna was the only remotely likable character in this whole book and *spoiler* she was trying (well, sort-of trying) to kill Irene.
And is it bad that I'm starting to feel like Alberich (the antagonist) has a point? Irene doesn't actually enjoy the books she steals from other worlds. None of the librarians do. They don't read them or share them or use the knowledge to improve anything between worlds. They just collect 'em all into a giant warehouse where no one else can read them. And that knowledge - which no one actually does anything with - is valued above friendships, above relationships, above human life.
For all Irene's talk about Fae not caring about humans, Irene and her fellow librarians sure are willing to sacrifice Vale's life (and everyone else's around them) for the library.
Call me when Lord Silver's in town. At least he was flashy enough to hold my interest (unlike this book).
This book was my night time reading and for two months, it's put me to bed quicker than a baby with a hot bottle of milk. I struggled to finish it. God, it was boring. I don't remember the characters being this unlikeable in the previous two books. Irene, the protagonist, continually runs headfirst into danger without a scrap of a plan and continually refuses the help of her friends (I'm still not entirely sure WHY they're her friends as she doesn't give them a lot of consideration) and still emerges entirely unscathed. Oh, I'm sorry, she ruins a few dresses. And gets a few headaches. Winning is so tiring. :/
But hey, who needs a plan or friends when you have "the Language"? That was perhaps my biggest gripe with this book. Magic should have limits. Magic should have a set of rules that govern it like anything else. And magic should not be an instant solution to all our problems. Because how boring is that? At no point in this book, did I ever get the impression that Irene was actually in danger. Part of that was ineffectual death-plots, but really it was that she waved her hand and everything was fixed. Killer spiders, monstrous bees, doors on fire, werewolves, imprisonment, even Alberich; just say something in the Language!
Kai was barely in this book and just really served to save Irene when she was too headstrong to include him in her plans. Irene and Val had a brief, forced moment of romance that left me cringing. Vale, too, is barely included in this book as he's in a morphine-induced stupor the whole time (as I often wished I was while reading this). Maybe I just miss the simpering, flamboyantly sinister stylings of Lord Silver. Zayanna was the only remotely likable character in this whole book and *spoiler* she was trying (well, sort-of trying) to kill Irene.
And is it bad that I'm starting to feel like Alberich (the antagonist) has a point? Irene doesn't actually enjoy the books she steals from other worlds. None of the librarians do. They don't read them or share them or use the knowledge to improve anything between worlds. They just collect 'em all into a giant warehouse where no one else can read them. And that knowledge - which no one actually does anything with - is valued above friendships, above relationships, above human life.
For all Irene's talk about Fae not caring about humans, Irene and her fellow librarians sure are willing to sacrifice Vale's life (and everyone else's around them) for the library.
Call me when Lord Silver's in town. At least he was flashy enough to hold my interest (unlike this book).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2020
4.5 stars.
Do you know the feeling when you close a book and only then realise you have been holding your breath through the last umpteen pages? [Prtf]
Do you know the feeling when you close a book and only then realise you have been holding your breath through the last umpteen pages? [Prtf]
February 14, 2019
Real Rating: 4.75* of five
The Publisher Says: Librarian spy Irene and her apprentice Kai return for another “tremendously fun, rip-roaring adventure,” (A Fantastical Librarian) third in the bibliophilic fantasy series from the author of The Masked City.
Never judge a book by its cover...
Due to her involvement in an unfortunate set of mishaps between the dragons and the Fae, Librarian spy Irene is stuck on probation, doing what should be simple fetch-and-retrieve projects for the mysterious Library. But trouble has a tendency of finding both Irene and her apprentice, Kai—a dragon prince—and, before they know it, they are entangled in more danger than they can handle...
Irene’s longtime nemesis, Alberich, has once again been making waves across multiple worlds, and, this time, his goals are much larger than obtaining a single book or wreaking vengeance upon a single Librarian. He aims to destroy the entire Library—and make sure Irene goes down with it.
With so much at stake, Irene will need every tool at her disposal to stay alive. But even as she draws her allies close around her, the greatest danger might be lurking from somewhere close—someone she never expected to betray her...
My Review: Irene Winters is, comme d'habitude, in the stinky stuff up to her modest pseudo-Victorian neckline. We join Kai, the elegant and toothsome dragon prince and Irene's apprentice Librarian, as they receive desperate new instructions from the Powers That Be. The Library is not aligned in the power struggle between the orderly dragons and the chaotic Fae, officially anyway, but it seems that the battle is joined...many worlds not safe for Librarians (a combination of spy and thief and bibliophile...I want to be a Librarian so bad I can taste it) to traverse. Something is clearly up. Irene and Kai are damned near killed by the Something, in fact, as a door into the Library from their current assignment literally bursts into flames as they try to use it.
Well, I ask you, is there any more exciting a way to bring a reader into the book's world?! And to set the stakes as high as they can be (personal survival)? I was prepared for a rollicking good time. I got one.
Vale, Irene and Kai's good friend in the alternate London where they are stationed as Librarians in Residence, is a relatively high-chaos world...magic works, there are werewolves all over, that kind of thing...whose life is analogous to Sherlock Holmes's in Conan Doyle's novels. The poor man, in the last book, was exposed to an EXTREMELY high-chaos world while rescuing Irene and Kai. (He nurses Feelings for...well...I suspect for both of them.) As a result his morphine addiction is in high gear. Since he's using the drug to self-medicate his inner demons, it makes sense that a chaotic world would cause his turmoil to reach a boil. It does...and in the universe of these novels that means he's literally, physiologically infected with chaos, to his severe detriment. Irene and Kai are desperately worried about him, but forced to focus on their Librarian issues.
It seems that the Big Baddie of the series, Alberich, has his sights on Irene again. He wants her to join him in his war to replace the Library with his own Chaotic sphere. Failing that, he wants her dead, because she's just too adroit and clever to allow to continue opposing him. He even takes on the bodies of others, killing them in the process, to reach her.
*shiver*shudder*twitch*flinch*
Their battle runs across multiple dimensions, includes innocent and not-so-innocent bystanders, and causes Irene to do something...a desperate survival tactic in the face of imminent death...that will cause her endless nights of grief and remorse.
Kai, in this story, turns himself into his draconic form for the first time. He's magnificent as one would expect. Author Cogman describes his dragon form in lavish, luxurious terms though not at any great length. The real focus is that he has the power to fly across the multiverse! This is new, or it was to me. He takes acrophobic Irene into the space between the worlds where she can see alternate realities as if she was in a jetliner. It's horrible for her, but amazing for the reader. It becomes urgent for Kai to do this multiple times and in some very high-stress situations.
Vale, meanwhile, is sinking fast. His save-the-day actions in The Masked City are reaping the whirlwind of his addiction. He spirals deeper and deeper into depression. Vale's best friend Inspector Singh of Scotland Yard (how you can tell it's an alternate London, South Asian inspectors?! Yeah, not so much in reality) is frantic with worry. He and Kai and Irene are locked in conflict about how to save their friend, with no good options appearing and the bad ones piling up. Ultimately, the problem of how to help someone in self-destruct mode is resolved...but having known self-destructive people well, I don't entirely buy it. The ultimate resolution is one I truly wish we had a way to implement in reality.
It's an exciting ride to get to the ending, and the fact is that it's a middle book so that's not as easy as one might think. I felt that this book was a step UP from its predecessor in action and excitement. That's a good, good thing. Series reads are deeply satisfying, as I've said elsewhere. I'm a happy boy when I'm among familiar faces doing fun things while thinking interesting thoughts, and that's how series reads are at their best. I was pleased enough with the last book to read this one, but it suffered from a, well, a bagginess at the knees that wasn't a good omen. This book didn't have that issue. The action was well-grounded in the reality of the series and the characters weren't Playing Parts...which might have been the point of the last book but wasn't to my taste.
Irene and Kai and Vale emerge from this entry in the series as a stronger team and a better bunch of individuals. Their interdependence is coming clearer and making them all stronger. I'm thoroughly hooked on these reads and can't wait to get to The Lost Plot.
The Publisher Says: Librarian spy Irene and her apprentice Kai return for another “tremendously fun, rip-roaring adventure,” (A Fantastical Librarian) third in the bibliophilic fantasy series from the author of The Masked City.
Never judge a book by its cover...
Due to her involvement in an unfortunate set of mishaps between the dragons and the Fae, Librarian spy Irene is stuck on probation, doing what should be simple fetch-and-retrieve projects for the mysterious Library. But trouble has a tendency of finding both Irene and her apprentice, Kai—a dragon prince—and, before they know it, they are entangled in more danger than they can handle...
Irene’s longtime nemesis, Alberich, has once again been making waves across multiple worlds, and, this time, his goals are much larger than obtaining a single book or wreaking vengeance upon a single Librarian. He aims to destroy the entire Library—and make sure Irene goes down with it.
With so much at stake, Irene will need every tool at her disposal to stay alive. But even as she draws her allies close around her, the greatest danger might be lurking from somewhere close—someone she never expected to betray her...
My Review: Irene Winters is, comme d'habitude, in the stinky stuff up to her modest pseudo-Victorian neckline. We join Kai, the elegant and toothsome dragon prince and Irene's apprentice Librarian, as they receive desperate new instructions from the Powers That Be. The Library is not aligned in the power struggle between the orderly dragons and the chaotic Fae, officially anyway, but it seems that the battle is joined...many worlds not safe for Librarians (a combination of spy and thief and bibliophile...I want to be a Librarian so bad I can taste it) to traverse. Something is clearly up. Irene and Kai are damned near killed by the Something, in fact, as a door into the Library from their current assignment literally bursts into flames as they try to use it.
Well, I ask you, is there any more exciting a way to bring a reader into the book's world?! And to set the stakes as high as they can be (personal survival)? I was prepared for a rollicking good time. I got one.
Vale, Irene and Kai's good friend in the alternate London where they are stationed as Librarians in Residence, is a relatively high-chaos world...magic works, there are werewolves all over, that kind of thing...whose life is analogous to Sherlock Holmes's in Conan Doyle's novels. The poor man, in the last book, was exposed to an EXTREMELY high-chaos world while rescuing Irene and Kai. (He nurses Feelings for...well...I suspect for both of them.) As a result his morphine addiction is in high gear. Since he's using the drug to self-medicate his inner demons, it makes sense that a chaotic world would cause his turmoil to reach a boil. It does...and in the universe of these novels that means he's literally, physiologically infected with chaos, to his severe detriment. Irene and Kai are desperately worried about him, but forced to focus on their Librarian issues.
It seems that the Big Baddie of the series, Alberich, has his sights on Irene again. He wants her to join him in his war to replace the Library with his own Chaotic sphere. Failing that, he wants her dead, because she's just too adroit and clever to allow to continue opposing him. He even takes on the bodies of others, killing them in the process, to reach her.
He swept her round another turn, his hand warm on the small of her back, gloved in a dead man's skin.
*shiver*shudder*twitch*flinch*
Their battle runs across multiple dimensions, includes innocent and not-so-innocent bystanders, and causes Irene to do something...a desperate survival tactic in the face of imminent death...that will cause her endless nights of grief and remorse.
Kai, in this story, turns himself into his draconic form for the first time. He's magnificent as one would expect. Author Cogman describes his dragon form in lavish, luxurious terms though not at any great length. The real focus is that he has the power to fly across the multiverse! This is new, or it was to me. He takes acrophobic Irene into the space between the worlds where she can see alternate realities as if she was in a jetliner. It's horrible for her, but amazing for the reader. It becomes urgent for Kai to do this multiple times and in some very high-stress situations.
Vale, meanwhile, is sinking fast. His save-the-day actions in The Masked City are reaping the whirlwind of his addiction. He spirals deeper and deeper into depression. Vale's best friend Inspector Singh of Scotland Yard (how you can tell it's an alternate London, South Asian inspectors?! Yeah, not so much in reality) is frantic with worry. He and Kai and Irene are locked in conflict about how to save their friend, with no good options appearing and the bad ones piling up. Ultimately, the problem of how to help someone in self-destruct mode is resolved...but having known self-destructive people well, I don't entirely buy it. The ultimate resolution is one I truly wish we had a way to implement in reality.
It's an exciting ride to get to the ending, and the fact is that it's a middle book so that's not as easy as one might think. I felt that this book was a step UP from its predecessor in action and excitement. That's a good, good thing. Series reads are deeply satisfying, as I've said elsewhere. I'm a happy boy when I'm among familiar faces doing fun things while thinking interesting thoughts, and that's how series reads are at their best. I was pleased enough with the last book to read this one, but it suffered from a, well, a bagginess at the knees that wasn't a good omen. This book didn't have that issue. The action was well-grounded in the reality of the series and the characters weren't Playing Parts...which might have been the point of the last book but wasn't to my taste.
Irene and Kai and Vale emerge from this entry in the series as a stronger team and a better bunch of individuals. Their interdependence is coming clearer and making them all stronger. I'm thoroughly hooked on these reads and can't wait to get to The Lost Plot.
March 16, 2024
I just love listening to Kristin Atherton's narration for these books! She's so talented. The story continues with the big bad ex-librarian Alberi (I've no idea how to spell it!) and he's determined to destroy the Library. Lots of action and I love all the characters. The ending
Read
February 9, 2017The third volume in Cogman’s excellent Invisible Library series sees the return of Irene’s archnemesis and librarian-gone-wrong, Alberich. While Irene struggles to save the Library from total destruction, she also has other problems to contend with, mainly that someone is trying to kill her. And there’s a whole host of drama revolving around Vale–Irene’s alternate world version of Sherlock Holmes–her apprentice, Kai, and an all-too-convenient visitor from their last adventure. While I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as Masked City (hard to beat Venice as a setting!), there is one scene between Irene and Vale that made The Burning Page more than worthwhile. Bring on book four asap, please.
— Tasha Brandstatter
from The Best Books We Read In December 2016: http://bookriot.com/2017/01/03/riot-r...
— Tasha Brandstatter
from The Best Books We Read In December 2016: http://bookriot.com/2017/01/03/riot-r...
October 29, 2016
Me after finished The Masked City: I WANT MORE!!!
Me found out about The Burning Page: Ooooh, more troubles.... MY TYPE!
Me realized me still have to wait till December: 9 more month?! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THAT TIME??
Me found out about The Burning Page: Ooooh, more troubles.... MY TYPE!
Me realized me still have to wait till December: 9 more month?! WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITH ALL THAT TIME??
January 16, 2017
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/01/16/...
I have to say this series is really starting to grow on me. While it’s still true that the books are more about the entertainment factor over the substance—not that there’s anything wrong with that, I might add—there’s no denying how great it feels to watch a series evolve over time. I for one can always go for a bit of fluffy fun, but I’m also enjoying how the story and characters have all come such a long way, making The Burning Page my favorite book in The Invisible Library sequence so far.
Last time we saw Irene and Kai, our two secret librarian agents have managed to survive a harrowing foray into the worlds of dragons and Fae, even if it’s only by the skin of their teeth. There have been repercussions, however. The higher-ups have placed Irene on probation, relegating her back to grunt work like simple fetch-and-retrieve missions for the great interdimensional library. Everything seems to be falling back into a routine—that is until one day Irene and Kai find themselves stymied when, after completing their latest assignment in an alternate world, their way back home inexplicably goes up in flames. It seems someone has been deliberately sabotaging the portals that lead in and out of the Library, and Irene has a good idea who that person might be.
If you have not read the first two books, I recommend now that you skip to the end of this review to avoid possible spoilers. Still, even from the beginning we’ve been hearing about Alberich, the mysterious arch nemesis of our protagonist. Back then, he may have been nothing more than a “bogeyman” myth used to frighten young librarian agents-in-training, but he has since grown more powerful, becoming a very real and very dangerous threat to the Library. Alberich has been playing the long game, patiently carrying out plans that have been laid down long ago right underneath the librarians’ noses. Now the time has finally come for him to reveal himself, and he will not stop until the Library is destroyed.
All throughout this book I wanted to cheer and shout, “Now we’re getting somewhere!” Genevieve Cogman has been teasing the Alberich angle for the last two books, and The Burning Page is where we finally get to have some answers. I also like how we’re seeing more threads come together. Instead of being presented with more throwaway scenarios, the story here actually builds upon events that came before so that the series as a whole is feeling a lot more cohesive and complete. Cogman is throwing out plenty of twists and surprises as well, definitely raising the stakes. For a “middle book” of a series, this one is surprisingly full of new and thrilling plot developments.
I also felt more invested in this book than the two that came before, and I’m sure character growth had a lot to do with it. While it’s clear Irene, Kai and Vale are still based on literary ideas, they’re gradually filling out their personalities and becoming more than just their archetypes. And it’s not just the characters either. Overall there are steady improvements in every area, including world-building. In my reviews of both The Invisible Library and The Masked City I talked about the lack in the role of the Library itself. Not that I didn’t enjoy zipping to and from all these different, interesting worlds with our librarian protagonists, but at the end of the day I would have liked to learn more about the inner workings of their headquarters. The Burning Page offered a lot more on that front, giving readers a look at the hierarchy and politics within.
All told I’m glad I’ve decided to continue with this series, as it’s only getting better and better. Not gonna lie; being a book lover, I might have initially jumped on board for the cool premise about a secret library and its network of universe-hopping librarian spies, but now I’m staying for the excitement and the awesome characters. It’s a very addicting series, and I can’t be more pleased to hear there are at least two more installments incoming.
Audiobook Comments: Acting on the recommendations of a few audiophile friends, I decided that for this installment to also give the audiobook edition a try. I’ve heard some amazing things about narrator Susan Duerden, and it wasn’t until afterwards that I realized I’ve actually listened to her work before (for the audio of Daniel O’Malley’s The Rook). In my opinion she does an even better job as the narrator for this book because her voice is just so perfect for Irene, and when she reads her dialogue I can even picture the character’s mannerisms in my head. If you get the chance to listen to this series in audio, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
I have to say this series is really starting to grow on me. While it’s still true that the books are more about the entertainment factor over the substance—not that there’s anything wrong with that, I might add—there’s no denying how great it feels to watch a series evolve over time. I for one can always go for a bit of fluffy fun, but I’m also enjoying how the story and characters have all come such a long way, making The Burning Page my favorite book in The Invisible Library sequence so far.
Last time we saw Irene and Kai, our two secret librarian agents have managed to survive a harrowing foray into the worlds of dragons and Fae, even if it’s only by the skin of their teeth. There have been repercussions, however. The higher-ups have placed Irene on probation, relegating her back to grunt work like simple fetch-and-retrieve missions for the great interdimensional library. Everything seems to be falling back into a routine—that is until one day Irene and Kai find themselves stymied when, after completing their latest assignment in an alternate world, their way back home inexplicably goes up in flames. It seems someone has been deliberately sabotaging the portals that lead in and out of the Library, and Irene has a good idea who that person might be.
If you have not read the first two books, I recommend now that you skip to the end of this review to avoid possible spoilers. Still, even from the beginning we’ve been hearing about Alberich, the mysterious arch nemesis of our protagonist. Back then, he may have been nothing more than a “bogeyman” myth used to frighten young librarian agents-in-training, but he has since grown more powerful, becoming a very real and very dangerous threat to the Library. Alberich has been playing the long game, patiently carrying out plans that have been laid down long ago right underneath the librarians’ noses. Now the time has finally come for him to reveal himself, and he will not stop until the Library is destroyed.
All throughout this book I wanted to cheer and shout, “Now we’re getting somewhere!” Genevieve Cogman has been teasing the Alberich angle for the last two books, and The Burning Page is where we finally get to have some answers. I also like how we’re seeing more threads come together. Instead of being presented with more throwaway scenarios, the story here actually builds upon events that came before so that the series as a whole is feeling a lot more cohesive and complete. Cogman is throwing out plenty of twists and surprises as well, definitely raising the stakes. For a “middle book” of a series, this one is surprisingly full of new and thrilling plot developments.
I also felt more invested in this book than the two that came before, and I’m sure character growth had a lot to do with it. While it’s clear Irene, Kai and Vale are still based on literary ideas, they’re gradually filling out their personalities and becoming more than just their archetypes. And it’s not just the characters either. Overall there are steady improvements in every area, including world-building. In my reviews of both The Invisible Library and The Masked City I talked about the lack in the role of the Library itself. Not that I didn’t enjoy zipping to and from all these different, interesting worlds with our librarian protagonists, but at the end of the day I would have liked to learn more about the inner workings of their headquarters. The Burning Page offered a lot more on that front, giving readers a look at the hierarchy and politics within.
All told I’m glad I’ve decided to continue with this series, as it’s only getting better and better. Not gonna lie; being a book lover, I might have initially jumped on board for the cool premise about a secret library and its network of universe-hopping librarian spies, but now I’m staying for the excitement and the awesome characters. It’s a very addicting series, and I can’t be more pleased to hear there are at least two more installments incoming.
Audiobook Comments: Acting on the recommendations of a few audiophile friends, I decided that for this installment to also give the audiobook edition a try. I’ve heard some amazing things about narrator Susan Duerden, and it wasn’t until afterwards that I realized I’ve actually listened to her work before (for the audio of Daniel O’Malley’s The Rook). In my opinion she does an even better job as the narrator for this book because her voice is just so perfect for Irene, and when she reads her dialogue I can even picture the character’s mannerisms in my head. If you get the chance to listen to this series in audio, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
January 7, 2017
They were safe in the Library, and the Library would endure.
The Burning Page was a return to form with this series, and had everything that I didn't like about The Masked City, mainly that there was more of the actual Library.
The Library is a place outside of time, it is neutral, and is home to millions of different books stolen across thousands of different worlds. What I love about this idea is that the possibilities are endless in terms of story, but more than that, it is the idea that books are something to be cherished, to be fought over, and are just as important than the lives of those who inhabit those worlds. Irene is a dedicated Librarian, despite her recent indiscretions, and she wants to try and make up for her past mistakes. Rescuing her apprentice, Kai, who also happens to be dragon royalty, from a high chaos world cost her a lot in the eyes of the Library, but also for the people who tried to help her. Now Irene feels responsible for what has befallen her small group of friends, but there is a new danger arising from the traitor Alberich and it is direct threat to everything that Irene holds dear.
I felt that the storyline was superior in this addition to the series. There was more on the line, not just for the Library, but for Irene, as she decides what matters to her and what she may be willing to sacrifice. There were multiple trips to the Library itself, and we met some new Librarians, which could have wider implications for the story later. Irene's use of the Language (which is basically her ability to alter people and objects around her) wasn't overused either, or if she did rely on it, it seemed that there were no other options so it wasn't a quick out. And I really do love Irene, she is so prim and proper at times, but then gives into her feelings in moments that show her true personality.
Irene had never particularly liked fire. More than that, the idea of fire getting loose among her books was a particular nightmare.
All that being said, I was a bit disappointed by the ending in that Irene just seemed to cure Vale of his chaos infection(?) rather simply. Since it was a major subplot in the novel, I expected something a little bit more.....creative in how to deal with it. Something else I will mention is the continuation of some elements of past books. For example, at the end of the first book (which I read in 2014 when it was initially released) Irene comes into possessions of a rare book of Grimm's fairytales that has a entirely new story, which is what Alberich wants, but I couldn't entirely remember what it was about and why it was so important. This is why a little bit of an overview would have been good, to refresh my memory if anything else, just to remember what is on the line.
There were some new questions raised at the end of the book which would completely justify a continuation of the series, and despite the conclusion, I don't think we have seen the end of Alberich and his quest to destroy the Library.
The Burning Page was a return to form with this series, and had everything that I didn't like about The Masked City, mainly that there was more of the actual Library.
The Library is a place outside of time, it is neutral, and is home to millions of different books stolen across thousands of different worlds. What I love about this idea is that the possibilities are endless in terms of story, but more than that, it is the idea that books are something to be cherished, to be fought over, and are just as important than the lives of those who inhabit those worlds. Irene is a dedicated Librarian, despite her recent indiscretions, and she wants to try and make up for her past mistakes. Rescuing her apprentice, Kai, who also happens to be dragon royalty, from a high chaos world cost her a lot in the eyes of the Library, but also for the people who tried to help her. Now Irene feels responsible for what has befallen her small group of friends, but there is a new danger arising from the traitor Alberich and it is direct threat to everything that Irene holds dear.
I felt that the storyline was superior in this addition to the series. There was more on the line, not just for the Library, but for Irene, as she decides what matters to her and what she may be willing to sacrifice. There were multiple trips to the Library itself, and we met some new Librarians, which could have wider implications for the story later. Irene's use of the Language (which is basically her ability to alter people and objects around her) wasn't overused either, or if she did rely on it, it seemed that there were no other options so it wasn't a quick out. And I really do love Irene, she is so prim and proper at times, but then gives into her feelings in moments that show her true personality.
Irene had never particularly liked fire. More than that, the idea of fire getting loose among her books was a particular nightmare.
All that being said, I was a bit disappointed by the ending in that Irene just seemed to cure Vale of his chaos infection(?) rather simply. Since it was a major subplot in the novel, I expected something a little bit more.....creative in how to deal with it. Something else I will mention is the continuation of some elements of past books. For example, at the end of the first book (which I read in 2014 when it was initially released) Irene comes into possessions of a rare book of Grimm's fairytales that has a entirely new story, which is what Alberich wants, but I couldn't entirely remember what it was about and why it was so important. This is why a little bit of an overview would have been good, to refresh my memory if anything else, just to remember what is on the line.
There were some new questions raised at the end of the book which would completely justify a continuation of the series, and despite the conclusion, I don't think we have seen the end of Alberich and his quest to destroy the Library.
February 18, 2018
I would have preferred to read book two, The Masked City before I read this book. But, it just didn't turn out that way. Did the mentioning of the events from The Masked City make me want to read that book? Oh yes, so I will definitely try to get the book one day.
I found this book's story just as captivating as the first book in the series The Invisible Library. All my favorite characters are back in this book Irene (of course), Kai and Vale. Vale has been to a chaotic world in the previous books and it's affecting him badly and Irene ponders over how she could help him without damaging him in any way. I have a favorite scene in this book where they are discussing his condition and, well let's say the tension rises between them. It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for them.
The Burning Page is a wonderful mix of adventure and humor. I love the characters, and I love the idea of an invisible library that collects books from alternative worlds. In this book, the Library is in danger from an old foe and Irene, of course, happen to cross path with this old foe and perhaps she is the one that could save the library? There is never a dull moment, it's action from the beginning until the end. And, it was with a feeling of bittersweetness that I came to the last page. I want more!
Can you read this book as a stand-alone? Well, yes, but I think reading the first book will make it easier to come to grips with the story in this book.
This series is fantastic, it's thrilling, humorous and adventures and I just saw that book four is going to be released in December. Can't wait to read it!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
I found this book's story just as captivating as the first book in the series The Invisible Library. All my favorite characters are back in this book Irene (of course), Kai and Vale. Vale has been to a chaotic world in the previous books and it's affecting him badly and Irene ponders over how she could help him without damaging him in any way. I have a favorite scene in this book where they are discussing his condition and, well let's say the tension rises between them. It will be interesting to see what the future has in store for them.
The Burning Page is a wonderful mix of adventure and humor. I love the characters, and I love the idea of an invisible library that collects books from alternative worlds. In this book, the Library is in danger from an old foe and Irene, of course, happen to cross path with this old foe and perhaps she is the one that could save the library? There is never a dull moment, it's action from the beginning until the end. And, it was with a feeling of bittersweetness that I came to the last page. I want more!
Can you read this book as a stand-alone? Well, yes, but I think reading the first book will make it easier to come to grips with the story in this book.
This series is fantastic, it's thrilling, humorous and adventures and I just saw that book four is going to be released in December. Can't wait to read it!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
August 1, 2017
Installment # 3 ...
Irene and Kai on new adventures in time and space alternate.
Still a fine and well written experience, but... the plot wears thin.
I was looking forward to a tour de force in St. Petersburg while picking up - well stealing - "The Manuscript Found in Saragossa", a book I could have handed over to The Library against a handsome sum, paid i gold.
It didn´t go that way. Of course a lot of other interesting things happened, but some nicely wrapped YA ethical questions sneak in along the road and I´m just too old a dog to appreciate that.
Final judgement, nice try, but no cigars. If I´m in a good mood I might extend my verdict to 3½- starish.
Irene and Kai on new adventures in time and space alternate.
Still a fine and well written experience, but... the plot wears thin.
I was looking forward to a tour de force in St. Petersburg while picking up - well stealing - "The Manuscript Found in Saragossa", a book I could have handed over to The Library against a handsome sum, paid i gold.
It didn´t go that way. Of course a lot of other interesting things happened, but some nicely wrapped YA ethical questions sneak in along the road and I´m just too old a dog to appreciate that.
Final judgement, nice try, but no cigars. If I´m in a good mood I might extend my verdict to 3½- starish.
April 11, 2024
This novel is the third in the Invisible Library fantasy/adventure series. It was a welcome return to this world as I greatly enjoy the duo of librarian Irene and her assistant (and dragon) Kai. Often accompanying them is Detective Vale who has a striking similarity to Sherlock Holmes. Enemy Alberich also makes a return appearance leading to an action-filled confrontation with Irene. Libraries, stolen books, spies, detectives, Fae... there's a lot to love in this series. Elements of this story seem to set the scene for future novels, particularly in relation to Irene's family background.
I would highly recommend this series but you absolutely should read it in order so make sure you start with book one, 'The Invisible Library'.
I would highly recommend this series but you absolutely should read it in order so make sure you start with book one, 'The Invisible Library'.
June 2, 2017
While I'm not ready to declare abandonment of this series, I am going to have to break-up with it for a while. It's not you, it's me. I need to spend some time with other books.
The main issue I have with this book has leaked into a problem I have with the entire series, up to this point: I really want to like it, but between roughly 25-85%, I find the book to be fairly boring and disappointingly predictable.
The premise of the series, the overlay of the project, is—at a distance—so intriguing and brimming with possibilities. The spheres/alternate worlds seem to have such potential, and a seemingly innocuous career choice as a librarian becomes a book thief and spy and transforms that title with a capital L to Librarian. Then add into that both Fae and Dragons, and you've either got a recipe for fantastic adventures or ingredients you don't intend to use properly. Every character, with the possible exception of Irene, seems to have fallen into a slump and become cardboard, one-dimensional and irritatingly predictable. Irene, while not truly one-dimensional and flat, is also predictable and lacking.
Another thing I want to address is this categorization as steampunk. This is my first foray into this genre, but I don't think it exemplifies what defines the genre itself. I'll have to try others. Other than brief mentions of long skirts, fog, zeppelins, and such, I don't get much of a steampunk feel at all. The use of magic and Language seems to push aside any actual need for gadgetry or industrial.
All-in-all, for a book whose action seems to go on and on without pause, this is a startlingly boring and monotonous story.
The main issue I have with this book has leaked into a problem I have with the entire series, up to this point: I really want to like it, but between roughly 25-85%, I find the book to be fairly boring and disappointingly predictable.
The premise of the series, the overlay of the project, is—at a distance—so intriguing and brimming with possibilities. The spheres/alternate worlds seem to have such potential, and a seemingly innocuous career choice as a librarian becomes a book thief and spy and transforms that title with a capital L to Librarian. Then add into that both Fae and Dragons, and you've either got a recipe for fantastic adventures or ingredients you don't intend to use properly. Every character, with the possible exception of Irene, seems to have fallen into a slump and become cardboard, one-dimensional and irritatingly predictable. Irene, while not truly one-dimensional and flat, is also predictable and lacking.
Another thing I want to address is this categorization as steampunk. This is my first foray into this genre, but I don't think it exemplifies what defines the genre itself. I'll have to try others. Other than brief mentions of long skirts, fog, zeppelins, and such, I don't get much of a steampunk feel at all. The use of magic and Language seems to push aside any actual need for gadgetry or industrial.
All-in-all, for a book whose action seems to go on and on without pause, this is a startlingly boring and monotonous story.
April 27, 2019
The Burning Page was published in 2016, it is the third book in the Invisible Library series.
In the beginning, we find Irene on probation because of events from the previous book, The Masked City.
This book has another battle with Alberich, who is a former librarian. I enjoyed the battle between him and Irene and the revelations that were brought out.
My favorite part of this series is the different species and their cultures. You get a real understanding of the Fae and dragons. The mystique of the library and its function in the universe is also a favorite part for me.
The supporting characters are becoming more intricate and surprising. I love especially the character of Vale who is obviously a Sherlock Holmes pastiche.
Kai is Irene trusted friend and apprentice, I wonder if romance is coming in the future. Although it is hard to imagine a dragon who comes from a world of order, giving into love. I would actually like to see a romance happen between Irene and Vale, but I guess that is probably not in the cards, considering he is so similar to Sherlock Holmes.
Anyway, I enjoyed the third book in this series very much😃, can't wait for the next.
In the beginning, we find Irene on probation because of events from the previous book, The Masked City.
This book has another battle with Alberich, who is a former librarian. I enjoyed the battle between him and Irene and the revelations that were brought out.
My favorite part of this series is the different species and their cultures. You get a real understanding of the Fae and dragons. The mystique of the library and its function in the universe is also a favorite part for me.
The supporting characters are becoming more intricate and surprising. I love especially the character of Vale who is obviously a Sherlock Holmes pastiche.
Kai is Irene trusted friend and apprentice, I wonder if romance is coming in the future. Although it is hard to imagine a dragon who comes from a world of order, giving into love. I would actually like to see a romance happen between Irene and Vale, but I guess that is probably not in the cards, considering he is so similar to Sherlock Holmes.
Anyway, I enjoyed the third book in this series very much😃, can't wait for the next.
January 17, 2020
The best book of the series just yet. Irene is such an incredibly interesting character, the villain is to die for and mystery after mystery they plot thickens and makes this book as incredibly entertaining as I hoped!
April 20, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It is the second of a series and proved to be even better than the first. I recommend this book to all.
June 12, 2017
Absolutely loved this book, the more I read of the series the more it reminds me of another favorite of mine, Zelazny's Amber Series, with multiple alternative worlds. In this book
December 30, 2023
3.5 stars.
An entertaining read, but I'm still not that invested in the main protagonist, Irene, and find her mildly uninteresting. The supporting characters were the highlights for me, especially her apprentice, Kai, for a very obvious reason which I can't mention here because spoilers.
An entertaining read, but I'm still not that invested in the main protagonist, Irene, and find her mildly uninteresting. The supporting characters were the highlights for me, especially her apprentice, Kai, for a very obvious reason which I can't mention here because spoilers.
April 17, 2017
This is most definitely my favorite of the series, so far.
Irene is really coming into her own as a confident and capable agent. Kai and her have formed a much more cohesive (if not overly-protective) partnership...the only cog slightly out of alignment is Vale. I'm hoping this is just a plot hiccup and will be solved in the future book...four books is WAY too long for my heroine to wait for some action....just saying.
Alas, I realize this is not a romance...and that this book is adventurous, smart and witty...but listen...women have needs. She mentions them frequently enough, and I KNOW she has a working libido, because no one is ignoring the shape of that dragon...if you get my meaning.
Oh yeah this book...
I love that we always start exactly where we left off. The library is under threat by it's long feared foe. Irene battles werewolves, giant spiders, wasps, tigers, and yes...there are bears, oh my! We get to go to a few new worlds, learn more about the mysterious library and even more about Irene and the other MCs. This one truly builds on the world we have fallen in love with! Definitely recommend this series. Its for the bibliophile that loves Sherlock Holmes, and Dr. Who!
Irene is really coming into her own as a confident and capable agent. Kai and her have formed a much more cohesive (if not overly-protective) partnership...the only cog slightly out of alignment is Vale. I'm hoping this is just a plot hiccup and will be solved in the future book...four books is WAY too long for my heroine to wait for some action....just saying.
Alas, I realize this is not a romance...and that this book is adventurous, smart and witty...but listen...women have needs. She mentions them frequently enough, and I KNOW she has a working libido, because no one is ignoring the shape of that dragon...if you get my meaning.
Oh yeah this book...
I love that we always start exactly where we left off. The library is under threat by it's long feared foe. Irene battles werewolves, giant spiders, wasps, tigers, and yes...there are bears, oh my! We get to go to a few new worlds, learn more about the mysterious library and even more about Irene and the other MCs. This one truly builds on the world we have fallen in love with! Definitely recommend this series. Its for the bibliophile that loves Sherlock Holmes, and Dr. Who!
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February 24, 2017Meh. I'm done with this series. In the first book, it had hints of Jasper Fforde's excellent Thursday Next series, but it's kind of burned itself out. Aside from a somewhat lackluster plot this time around, this is the second book where the author has brought in a non gender-binary character (the character in question identifies as male and requests the use of male pronouns, but looks physically female, according to description) and then treats that character with disrespect. This happened in the second book, and it made me really uncomfortable. I attributed it to the narrator rather than the author, but when the character returned in the third book and the same discomfort and disrespect was shown again, I can't help but feel the author doesn't know how to handle writing this type of character, in which case, she should have left the character out. It really ruined my ability to enjoy the book, and I won't be continuing the series.
October 20, 2018
There isn't much to say about this book without spoiling one thing or another. So let's just say that it has everything I liked and have started expecting from The Invisible Library books. Actually I enjoyed this one more than the previous one, mostly because it included more Kai and Vale. Also Alberich makes a much better adversary than the Guantes. Everything else you will need to find out for yourselves!
December 15, 2019
A lot of fun and chaos, as always in this series Irene, Kai and Vale save the day; in which we discover a fae who isn’t all bad; Catherine the great has some strange bed time reading; one library destroyed while another is saved.
January 4, 2018
I guess the first one of these didn't blow me away but I enjoyed. I enjoyed that one enough to make me read the 2nd one. I enjoyed that one enough to make me read this one :) And I'll read the 4th one sometime too.
I like Irene as a character though she is probably the only really good one. Alberich is getting more and more interesting though. Not my favourite in this genre - I guess the Thursday Next early ones would be that - however these really are very readable. Well paced and tense enough with some good humour and I do like the whole Library idea. Read the first one first though.
I like Irene as a character though she is probably the only really good one. Alberich is getting more and more interesting though. Not my favourite in this genre - I guess the Thursday Next early ones would be that - however these really are very readable. Well paced and tense enough with some good humour and I do like the whole Library idea. Read the first one first though.
December 20, 2016
Great as always! Looking forward to the next adventure.
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I am beyond excited for this!!!
And books 4 and 5 have already been confirmed!
http://www.torbooks.co.uk/blog/2016/2...
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I am beyond excited for this!!!
And books 4 and 5 have already been confirmed!
http://www.torbooks.co.uk/blog/2016/2...
December 23, 2021
Exactly what I was looking for. A light-hearted, fast-paced story. The third book in this series, so by now we all know what to expect. There’s a little less Kai here than some may like; but I really enjoyed the side story of Vale (aka THE detective) that carried over from book 2. Eventually it’s (almost) all Winters and Albreich at one another in a unique setting with some (slightly) new magical rules. Aspects of the big climax reminded me of the end of S1 of Lock and Key Netflix episode. Which wasn’t a bad thing just worth noting. It’s highly possible this was even written before that (I think it was actually), lol.
I’ll definitely be continuing with this series. It’s a great fun, light, quick read (the only reason my day count is so high is I sporadically picked it up this time).
I look forward to more antics of Winters, Kai, Vale and others (like Silver please!).
I’ll definitely be continuing with this series. It’s a great fun, light, quick read (the only reason my day count is so high is I sporadically picked it up this time).
I look forward to more antics of Winters, Kai, Vale and others (like Silver please!).
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