Reviews

The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

lightningstruckboy's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

timinbc's review

4.0

There are SO many fantasy-magic books set in libraries that an author has to go a ways to be unique. Hackwith has done it. The basic premise is a real stretch, and occasionally it nags at the reader, but we just have to use the "I know, but what if anyway?" approach.

The plot is your basic problem-requires-quest-then-returns-for-showdown, but that's a solid plot so why not? We've also seen quite a few variations of "supreme being is missing and I am in charge" but I'll let it go.

The characters are all flawed and thereby interesting. And they cover a wider range than usual. For all their flaws, each has something they are true to. Except maybe %#$@ Andras.

Andras and "pup" - grrr. This is the same trope that usually has older characters calling everyone "child." For me, it's the same as "he said condescendingly." I hated and distrusted this character from the start. AND he wouldn't stop doing it when asked! Hope he isn't in the sequel.

There's a good tone to the writing. The characters had a bit of snark and humour, but not so much as to distract.

Didn't care for the whole concept of the codex, any fragment of which seems to be immensely powerful. That sort of thing has allowed many other authors to write themselves into a corner.

Claire's actions in the showdown required something that the author had set up many pages ago and then never mentioned again. Good.

mada7badescu's review

adventurous hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

majavink's review against another edition

adventurous challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

booksandcatsgalore's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

casc8a's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

katelyn_ann's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.25

itsme_hi's review

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

koalachick's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A unique adventure in a fantastical place. The characters are rich and vibrant and diverse. I will be continuing this series.

bostonchai12's review against another edition

This book was just abominably slow. I was hoping I’d love it, but the dense writing combined with slow pace put me in a massive reading slump.