Reviews with content warning for Murder - A Short Walk Through a Wide World

This was a delightful, page-turning adventure. It was a great amalgamation of world traveler, mysterious magic, and pure library fantasy setting. Following Aubrey through her exploits, almost always in how she related the stories to others she meets along the way, kept the story progressing not quite always linearly but certainly in a way that keeps the reader engaged. This is absolutely a book you’ll stay awake too long reading.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

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itsapaxycab's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

Oh, this story was fascinating. A woman, unable to stay in one place, is forced to travel, see everything, and witness things no one else ever will, as if the earth itself is telling her a story. I really loved the creativity of the author for this one, all of the stories, the way they were woven together it all worked so well. The chapters were short, which meant the book felt like it read quickly while progressing slower. This also meant I could read small portions when I didn't have much time. My only struggle was the ending.

I felt it could have ended with her in the library. It may not have been the most satisfying, but the ending now feels a little strange. Will she never travel again? What was the purpose of the puzzle ball coming back? just a callback to Qalima? I struggled with the ending, after how beautiful the writing was at the end in the eternal library. A lot of questions felt left unanswered, and in the end, her character feels detached, more than just she as a person is from the real world.

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