Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
New York : Ace, 2018.
Pages
viii; 367
Description
"After being commissioned to find a rare book, Librarian Irene and her assistant, Kai, head to Prohibition-era New York and are thrust into the middle of a political fight with dragons, mobsters, and Fae. In a 1920s-esque New York, Prohibition is in force; fedoras, flapper dresses, and tommy guns are in fashion: and intrigue is afoot. Intrepid Librarians Irene and Kai find themselves caught in the middle of a dragon political contest. It seems a young Librarian has become tangled in this conflict, and if they can't extricate him, there could be serious repercussions for the mysterious Library. And, as the balance of power across mighty factions hangs in the balance, this could even trigger war. Irene and Kai are locked in a race against time (and dragons) to procure a rare book. They'll face gangsters, blackmail, and the Library's own Internal Affairs department. And if it doesn't end well, it could have dire consequences on Irene's job. And, incidentally, on her life."--… (more)
Awards
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Fiction — 2018)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2017-11-28
Physical description
viii, 367 p.; 8.3 inches
ISBN
9780399587429
Similar in this library
User reviews
LibraryThing member JJbooklvr
This series just keeps getting better and better with each new book. This time we come to our side of the pond in New York City. An alternative version of it set during the Roaring 30's with prohibition and gangsters front and center. And of course dragons. And Fae. And our favorite Librarian and
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her trusty assistant! Irene and Kai are such great characters and I love the how they interact. This time they face their toughest challenge yet with the future of the library at stake as Irene gets drawn into Dragon politics. Action, adventure, and plenty of humor ensue up to the ending that changes everything! I can't wait to see where the story goes next. Show Less
LibraryThing member rivkat
In this Invisible Library novel, our heroine is sent to investigate an apparent breach of Library neutrality in favor of a dragon engaging in political maneuvering. Danger in a Prohibition-era NYC follows, along with major changes in her relationship with her apprentice, the dragon Kai.
LibraryThing member Carolesrandomlife
I had such a good time reading this book! This is the fourth book in The Invisible Library series and while it tells its own story, I do think that this series is best if read in order. One thing that I love about this series is that each installment can be completely unique and the types of worlds
Irene finds herself in a difficult situation once again. She is approached by a dragon regarding a very important contest for a rare book. The Library does not get involved in dragon politics and must maintain their neutrality so Irene reports the incident to her superiors. Irene is given the assignment of investigating the actions of another Librarian and to find out what is going on with this situation.
Irene and Kai find themselves in a New York reminiscent of the 1920s complete with gangsters and other colorful individuals. Irene is in trouble right away once she enters the city and soon finds herself at odds with the local police. She must deal with them along with the local gangsters in addition to figuring out what is going on with the dragons and the other Librarian.
This was my favorite book in the series thus far. I was completely charmed by the whole story. I like how Irene is able to think quickly and can seem to get herself out of almost any situation. Kai spent a lot of time away from Irene in this book but we get to see that he is equally capable. I really like both of these characters a lot. They are both willing to make sacrifices if necessary in order to make sure that the right thing is done. Not to mention that dragons play a dominant role in this story which I found really interesting.
I would recommend this series to others. I found myself swept away in a wonderfully crafted world filled with a variety of interesting characters. I can't wait to read more of this delightful series!
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
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that they visit really has no limits. This was a very strong story that was incredibly entertaining from beginning to end.Irene finds herself in a difficult situation once again. She is approached by a dragon regarding a very important contest for a rare book. The Library does not get involved in dragon politics and must maintain their neutrality so Irene reports the incident to her superiors. Irene is given the assignment of investigating the actions of another Librarian and to find out what is going on with this situation.
Irene and Kai find themselves in a New York reminiscent of the 1920s complete with gangsters and other colorful individuals. Irene is in trouble right away once she enters the city and soon finds herself at odds with the local police. She must deal with them along with the local gangsters in addition to figuring out what is going on with the dragons and the other Librarian.
This was my favorite book in the series thus far. I was completely charmed by the whole story. I like how Irene is able to think quickly and can seem to get herself out of almost any situation. Kai spent a lot of time away from Irene in this book but we get to see that he is equally capable. I really like both of these characters a lot. They are both willing to make sacrifices if necessary in order to make sure that the right thing is done. Not to mention that dragons play a dominant role in this story which I found really interesting.
I would recommend this series to others. I found myself swept away in a wonderfully crafted world filled with a variety of interesting characters. I can't wait to read more of this delightful series!
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member dono421846
This series is delightful. The world Cogman is creating is credible, interesting, and full of potential story lines. Earlier we had a Fae-centered tale, and now we have one focusing on the dragons. I think the next one is likely to explore Irene's background. Events flow naturally and in that
What surprises me most is that the author still has to keep her day job.
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universe make a lot of sense. What surprises me most is that the author still has to keep her day job.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
It would be easy to dismiss The Lost Plot and the entire series as fluffy fantasy involving a weird Library, dragons, Fae, and dimensional time travel, and in some regards this assessment is true. It is rather fluffy in that the stories are not literary in nature but purely entertaining. You are
Like all good series, each story builds on the other. In this fourth novel in the series, we know more than we did about the Library. We understand Fae and dragon lands. We know about dragon politics. We understand Irene’s mission and her relationship with Kai. What The Lost Plot does is provide us with just a bit more knowledge about each of these areas to further solidify our understanding. Dragon politics is at the heart of this particular novel, and for the first time we see how Irene’s relationship with Kai and their relationship to the Library could be in jeopardy thanks to his family. In the previous novels, this was something hinted at more than explored, but now we get to see firsthand the high-wire act Irene has been performing to keep both Kai and the Library safe. Her willingness to do so speaks volumes about her feelings for her apprentice, and we finally see some movement in that area as well. In addition, the time spent in various dragons’ company affords us a greater understanding of their strict rules and hierarchy. Plus, there are mobsters, holier-than-though cops, and dragons flying around fighting each other. What more could you want?
After the heavy action in The Burning Page, The Lost Plot does feel rather slow and less informative than previous books. Yet, I suspect this was done for a purpose. There has always been more to the story than just Irene and Kai traveling to different lands to collect rare books for the Library. Book three brought us closer to understanding that overarching mystery, so book four is a time to pause and establish greater understanding of our heros and the political minefields that exist in their line of work. It is not a filler episode so much as it is a breather episode, there to remind us of simpler times when we first met Irene and Kai and to confirm all that we now know. All long-running series have such lulls in action, if you will, where the main story gets set aside for a bit while we reintroduce the characters, discover how much they have changed since we first met them, and get the chance to process everything that has previously happened. For any series to be successful, having this relative lull in the action is essential and welcome.
This is not to say that Irene becomes dull and safe in her efforts to fulfill her mission. It is rather the opposite in fact. If there is any impending danger, she will find it. If she can find a way to wreck havoc, she takes it. This is the Irene we know and love, the one who will do whatever it takes to keep her friends safe and complete her mission, the one who is afraid to jump but will do it anyway because she knows it is the only way. There is plenty of action and destruction to whet any Irene Winters fan.
After three books in the series, there is not much more to say except to remind people just how much fun it is. Irene is hilarious in her practical, no-nonsense way with her affinity for a warm fire, a snifter of brandy, and a pile of books at war with her propensity for danger and mayhem. Kai has a chance to shine on his own this time too, as we see him forced to make decisions without Irene’s guidance and apply his understanding of the politics at play to his decision-making. The Prohibition-era like version of New York City is amusing and adds an extra layer of intrigue to the whole story. The Lost Plot is immensely satisfying and thoroughly entertaining, as is the whole series. The only bad part is now having to wait yet again for the next book.
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not going to learn much about history, life, or yourself while reading them. To dismiss The Invisible Library series, however, is to ignore all that is right with storytelling for Genevieve Cogman tells one hell of a story.Like all good series, each story builds on the other. In this fourth novel in the series, we know more than we did about the Library. We understand Fae and dragon lands. We know about dragon politics. We understand Irene’s mission and her relationship with Kai. What The Lost Plot does is provide us with just a bit more knowledge about each of these areas to further solidify our understanding. Dragon politics is at the heart of this particular novel, and for the first time we see how Irene’s relationship with Kai and their relationship to the Library could be in jeopardy thanks to his family. In the previous novels, this was something hinted at more than explored, but now we get to see firsthand the high-wire act Irene has been performing to keep both Kai and the Library safe. Her willingness to do so speaks volumes about her feelings for her apprentice, and we finally see some movement in that area as well. In addition, the time spent in various dragons’ company affords us a greater understanding of their strict rules and hierarchy. Plus, there are mobsters, holier-than-though cops, and dragons flying around fighting each other. What more could you want?
After the heavy action in The Burning Page, The Lost Plot does feel rather slow and less informative than previous books. Yet, I suspect this was done for a purpose. There has always been more to the story than just Irene and Kai traveling to different lands to collect rare books for the Library. Book three brought us closer to understanding that overarching mystery, so book four is a time to pause and establish greater understanding of our heros and the political minefields that exist in their line of work. It is not a filler episode so much as it is a breather episode, there to remind us of simpler times when we first met Irene and Kai and to confirm all that we now know. All long-running series have such lulls in action, if you will, where the main story gets set aside for a bit while we reintroduce the characters, discover how much they have changed since we first met them, and get the chance to process everything that has previously happened. For any series to be successful, having this relative lull in the action is essential and welcome.
This is not to say that Irene becomes dull and safe in her efforts to fulfill her mission. It is rather the opposite in fact. If there is any impending danger, she will find it. If she can find a way to wreck havoc, she takes it. This is the Irene we know and love, the one who will do whatever it takes to keep her friends safe and complete her mission, the one who is afraid to jump but will do it anyway because she knows it is the only way. There is plenty of action and destruction to whet any Irene Winters fan.
After three books in the series, there is not much more to say except to remind people just how much fun it is. Irene is hilarious in her practical, no-nonsense way with her affinity for a warm fire, a snifter of brandy, and a pile of books at war with her propensity for danger and mayhem. Kai has a chance to shine on his own this time too, as we see him forced to make decisions without Irene’s guidance and apply his understanding of the politics at play to his decision-making. The Prohibition-era like version of New York City is amusing and adds an extra layer of intrigue to the whole story. The Lost Plot is immensely satisfying and thoroughly entertaining, as is the whole series. The only bad part is now having to wait yet again for the next book.
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LibraryThing member quondame
Finally! A fun book with interesting environments - libraries are always good, but 1920s NY on steroids isn't too shabby. Things in the library get tricky when more dragons attempt to suborn librarians. A Fae gunmoll is bizarrely charming.
LibraryThing member DanieXJ
I didn't seem to love this book as much as many of the other reviewers out there. Perhaps it was because I haven't read the other books in the series, but, maybe not.
I was never lost in the book even though I haven't read The Invisible Library #1-3. But, it always just seemed off. Perhaps it's
It was a fun plot for sure. Irene and Kai were super interesting characters, and I wound up caring about what happened to them. And the Dragons and Fae and such, oh my... It was an intricate plot too, and that's always fun. But, I just found that I could never fully get in it, for whatever reason.
Still, it was a fun read, and the first three are definitely on my TBR list now. Maybe if I try this again after reading those I'll love it more than anything.
I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Ace/Berkley Publishing Group
I was never lost in the book even though I haven't read The Invisible Library #1-3. But, it always just seemed off. Perhaps it's
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because I have read too many other books where the library is a thing (like Warehouse 13 and The Librarians), and so my brain was having a bit of cognitive dissoance while reading.It was a fun plot for sure. Irene and Kai were super interesting characters, and I wound up caring about what happened to them. And the Dragons and Fae and such, oh my... It was an intricate plot too, and that's always fun. But, I just found that I could never fully get in it, for whatever reason.
Still, it was a fun read, and the first three are definitely on my TBR list now. Maybe if I try this again after reading those I'll love it more than anything.
I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Ace/Berkley Publishing Group
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LibraryThing member m_mozeleski
Addictive as all the others in the series are, this is the most comolicated plot/experience by far for our hero Irene. As the first one involved, heavily, the Fae, this last one involved the Dragons. Unfortunately putting pressure on her junior assistant to remain non-partisan but needing his
My only minor haggle with this series is how it is very often shows Irene having moments of self-doubt based on her looks, which is inappropriate as she is a fully-fledged Librarian, in charge, and not because of her looks.
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expertise as a dragon--both for information and powers, as all of her plans go sideways, one after the other, Irene finally asks him to intervene.My only minor haggle with this series is how it is very often shows Irene having moments of self-doubt based on her looks, which is inappropriate as she is a fully-fledged Librarian, in charge, and not because of her looks.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
These books are perfect for what they are - fast, fun reads, set in a great universe. The characters make sense, make good decisions (mostly), and the plot is set up in a way that unfolds in a natural way, no coincidences (except for that parade... which was commented on). I did think the romance
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in the story was weird and I'm the author took it there, but it doesn't distract from the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member passion4reading
Irene Winters is approached by a strange dragon and learns that the neutrality of the Library has apparently been compromised and another Librarian is now the focus of internal dragon power struggles. Sent by Library Security to investigate and to put matters right again, Irene and Kai are sent to
This is the fourth volume in The Invisible Library series and I thought it didn't have quite the same spark as the other three, even though the events unfold at a rollicking pace – except it doesn't feel that way. I can't really explain what's lacking, but the story doesn't come across as tightly plotted, with Irene and Kai seemingly stumbling from one calamity to the next, and the sharp dialogue and sense of underlying wry humour are all but missing. Don't get me wrong: this is still one of my favourite series, and I will continue to follow Irene and Kai's adventures with interest, but to me it's the weakest in the series so far.
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an alternate 1920s America, where they not only arouse the suspicions of the New York police force, but also fall foul of the local crime lord. Can all three make it back to the Library without provoking an interdimensional political incident?This is the fourth volume in The Invisible Library series and I thought it didn't have quite the same spark as the other three, even though the events unfold at a rollicking pace – except it doesn't feel that way. I can't really explain what's lacking, but the story doesn't come across as tightly plotted, with Irene and Kai seemingly stumbling from one calamity to the next, and the sharp dialogue and sense of underlying wry humour are all but missing. Don't get me wrong: this is still one of my favourite series, and I will continue to follow Irene and Kai's adventures with interest, but to me it's the weakest in the series so far.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
I like this may be one of my favorite series that I've been reading lately - full of books and intrigue, this one has everything that makes a fun read. Irene and Kai journey to an alternative world of 1920s New York, where they are in pursuit of a (possibly) rogue librarian and attempting to
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curtail dueling dragons from using the Library for their own ends. As one might imagine, things don't go to plan and there ends up being plenty of involvement from gangsters and fae assassins. Overall, fun reading and I am reading to dig into the next book in the series! Show Less
LibraryThing member EmpressReece
The Lost Plot is the fourth book in The Invisible Library series and it was my favorite of them all. There was tons of action and overall it felt like the whole story was constructed better then the others. Plus, Albreicht didn't make an appearance- thankfully. That storyline is completely played
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out so I was glad to get a break from it. I wasn't ready for the ending though so I'm dying to see what happens with Kai. Show Less
LibraryThing member MickyFine
In this fourth outing in the series, Irene is tasked with determining if a librarian may have violated the Library's neutrality by offering his services to a dragon in the midst of a political struggle. Facing the risk of sullying the reputation of the Library, herself, and quite possibly Kai,
Having made it thus far in the series, any reader knows what they're going to get. Fun fantasy mashed with historical fiction and a healthy dose of book and library love, served with a side of heavy action in the last quarter of the book. This title doesn't disappoint and there are some shifts in character things here that I look forward to seeing developed in the next book.
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Irene must keep her wits about her as she heads to a world filled with 1920s gangsters and associated mayhem.Having made it thus far in the series, any reader knows what they're going to get. Fun fantasy mashed with historical fiction and a healthy dose of book and library love, served with a side of heavy action in the last quarter of the book. This title doesn't disappoint and there are some shifts in character things here that I look forward to seeing developed in the next book.
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LibraryThing member Shrike58
Although there were points in this installment in the perils of Irene Winters that I was wondering whether Cogman had gone to the well one time too many, I personally liked that this story hung on the doings of the dragons and I liked that this story represents something of an advance in Irene's
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career. How so? Well, the reward for a dirty job well done is often another dirty job and Irene has the charming task of acting as an agent of Library Internal Affairs to discover the truth as to whether another field agent has gone rogue. If you've enjoyed the series previous to this book you'll enjoy this one too. I do wonder how much Classic Trek's "A Piece of the Action" was an influence on the main setting! Show Less
LibraryThing member richardderus
Real Rating: 4.75* of five
The Publisher Says: After being commissioned to find a rare book, Librarian Irene and her assistant, Kai, head to Prohibition-era New York and are thrust into the middle of a political fight with dragons, mobsters, and Fae.
In a 1920s-esque New York, Prohibition is in
Irene and Kai are locked in a race against time (and dragons) to procure a rare book. They'll face gangsters, blackmail, and the Library's own Internal Affairs department. And if it doesn't end well, it could have dire consequences on Irene's job. And, incidentally, on her life...
My Review: Quite extraordinary. This is a high-stakes story within the Invisible Library series. Many, many things have changed since book one and in this story the changes truly come home to roost in the attic. Action, excitement, and several passages of astonishing violence are the key drivers of events down surprising channels.
It isn't often that I finish a series read, immediately procure the next, and devour that one in a day. I did that for this series because I am besotted with the idea of the Library and its multiverse-trotting spy/burglar/diplomats the Librarians. I am even, if you can believe this!, completely okay with the presence of magic in the series.
I know, right?!
I who lift my brow, crinkle my nose, draw my lips into a sneer, at the merest whiff of majgickq, actually *approve* of the system invented and presented in this series. It's actually inexplicable to me that I am not having literary hives every time the Language is used and at each Fae sighting. What has happened to me? I'm putting it down to the revolting fact, recently revealed to me, that I share an ancestor with *gag* Tom Cruise *retch*, which blow to my self-esteem causes me spiritual pain.
The story in this book is, from the opening scene, one of peril and menace to Irene. She is most often alone to face her adversaries. Kai is, as a developing theme in the series, going to have to learn to take action on his own behalf. Irene's worries that she isn't teaching him the skills she possesses so much as grooming him as her sidekick have been woven through the stories. It's a sign of the character's deeply seated identity, created by a talented and careful author. I buy into the characters's reality in this really quite daft alternative view of reality because Author Cogman spent the time to think through these small moments of self-reflection.
The main action takes place in a Prohibition-like New York after Irene and Kai land in the ruins of a library in Boston. Readers of the previous book will appreciate the emotional impact of this venue, and readers in general will share the appalled horrified revulsion that Kai and Irene express at the idea of a soul so bereft of respect as to perpetrate vandalism on a library. (As an aside, I note that [author:Susan Orlean|45374] just published [book:The Library Book|39507318] which non-fictional take on the subject I ended up abandoning as it was too painful to continue reading.)
The local mob boss, Giorgio Rossi aka George Ross, has a lady sidekick-cum-enforcer, Lily. Lily knows who, more accurately what, Kai is on sight. That's because Lily is Fae, and despite her chosen position as murderous muscle for the mob, is really the brains of the crime boss's operations. Irene's somewhat bizarre (and wholly unintentional) cover identity as an English crime boss visiting New York to drum up new business piques Lily's interest.
Crime boss Irene is hunting a vanished Librarian straight into the clutches of two dragons operating without sanction in this bizarre, lawless New York. They're aiming to win an internal political battle by supplying their dragon queen with a special alternative edition of an ancient Chinese novel. (She's interested in a re-read of this novel, a fondly remembered diverting entertainment from her past. That procuring this book for her amusement causes numerous deaths and a vicious war between her subordinates is...uninteresting.) Irene's hunted Librarian, Evariste, is doing his dead-level best to accommodate one of the dragons by procuring the book because his daughter is being held hostage by the dragon's clever henchman. Kai and Evariste, separated from Irene, go off and procure the desired book...but who receives it and how aren't in the least sure until the moment the event occurs.
The climax of the hunt for the book, for Evariste, and for justice (and Justice) takes place in the Court of the Dragon Queen. As always when the extremely Order-centered dragons are involved, there is a price to pay for the lies one tells, and a price to pay for telling the clear, unmuddied truth. Justice and fairness each have their innings, though neither one takes the field in unsullied glory at the end of the proceedings. The guilty...everyone is guilty, that's the nature of the world, the multiverse in fact, but here we mean "those whose actions and inactions caused irreparable harm" by it...suffer, and the wronged are made as whole as Justice can make them. Irene is required to suffer her personal agonies in the search for and service of Justice served to violators of Order.
But there is, as there always is, a reason in Author Cogman's relentless and grinding tale of Truth's victims. And it makes the ending of this book so very, very special. I seldom laugh with exuberant happiness as I read endings. That is exactly what happened here.
Author Cogman:
The Publisher Says: After being commissioned to find a rare book, Librarian Irene and her assistant, Kai, head to Prohibition-era New York and are thrust into the middle of a political fight with dragons, mobsters, and Fae.
In a 1920s-esque New York, Prohibition is in
Show More
force; fedoras, flapper dresses, and tommy guns are in fashion: and intrigue is afoot. Intrepid Librarians Irene and Kai find themselves caught in the middle of a dragon political contest. It seems a young Librarian has become tangled in this conflict, and if they can't extricate him, there could be serious repercussions for the mysterious Library. And, as the balance of power across mighty factions hangs in the balance, this could even trigger war. Irene and Kai are locked in a race against time (and dragons) to procure a rare book. They'll face gangsters, blackmail, and the Library's own Internal Affairs department. And if it doesn't end well, it could have dire consequences on Irene's job. And, incidentally, on her life...
My Review: Quite extraordinary. This is a high-stakes story within the Invisible Library series. Many, many things have changed since book one and in this story the changes truly come home to roost in the attic. Action, excitement, and several passages of astonishing violence are the key drivers of events down surprising channels.
It isn't often that I finish a series read, immediately procure the next, and devour that one in a day. I did that for this series because I am besotted with the idea of the Library and its multiverse-trotting spy/burglar/diplomats the Librarians. I am even, if you can believe this!, completely okay with the presence of magic in the series.
I know, right?!
I who lift my brow, crinkle my nose, draw my lips into a sneer, at the merest whiff of majgickq, actually *approve* of the system invented and presented in this series. It's actually inexplicable to me that I am not having literary hives every time the Language is used and at each Fae sighting. What has happened to me? I'm putting it down to the revolting fact, recently revealed to me, that I share an ancestor with *gag* Tom Cruise *retch*, which blow to my self-esteem causes me spiritual pain.
The story in this book is, from the opening scene, one of peril and menace to Irene. She is most often alone to face her adversaries. Kai is, as a developing theme in the series, going to have to learn to take action on his own behalf. Irene's worries that she isn't teaching him the skills she possesses so much as grooming him as her sidekick have been woven through the stories. It's a sign of the character's deeply seated identity, created by a talented and careful author. I buy into the characters's reality in this really quite daft alternative view of reality because Author Cogman spent the time to think through these small moments of self-reflection.
The main action takes place in a Prohibition-like New York after Irene and Kai land in the ruins of a library in Boston. Readers of the previous book will appreciate the emotional impact of this venue, and readers in general will share the appalled horrified revulsion that Kai and Irene express at the idea of a soul so bereft of respect as to perpetrate vandalism on a library. (As an aside, I note that [author:Susan Orlean|45374] just published [book:The Library Book|39507318] which non-fictional take on the subject I ended up abandoning as it was too painful to continue reading.)
The local mob boss, Giorgio Rossi aka George Ross, has a lady sidekick-cum-enforcer, Lily. Lily knows who, more accurately what, Kai is on sight. That's because Lily is Fae, and despite her chosen position as murderous muscle for the mob, is really the brains of the crime boss's operations. Irene's somewhat bizarre (and wholly unintentional) cover identity as an English crime boss visiting New York to drum up new business piques Lily's interest.
Crime boss Irene is hunting a vanished Librarian straight into the clutches of two dragons operating without sanction in this bizarre, lawless New York. They're aiming to win an internal political battle by supplying their dragon queen with a special alternative edition of an ancient Chinese novel. (She's interested in a re-read of this novel, a fondly remembered diverting entertainment from her past. That procuring this book for her amusement causes numerous deaths and a vicious war between her subordinates is...uninteresting.) Irene's hunted Librarian, Evariste, is doing his dead-level best to accommodate one of the dragons by procuring the book because his daughter is being held hostage by the dragon's clever henchman. Kai and Evariste, separated from Irene, go off and procure the desired book...but who receives it and how aren't in the least sure until the moment the event occurs.
The climax of the hunt for the book, for Evariste, and for justice (and Justice) takes place in the Court of the Dragon Queen. As always when the extremely Order-centered dragons are involved, there is a price to pay for the lies one tells, and a price to pay for telling the clear, unmuddied truth. Justice and fairness each have their innings, though neither one takes the field in unsullied glory at the end of the proceedings. The guilty...everyone is guilty, that's the nature of the world, the multiverse in fact, but here we mean "those whose actions and inactions caused irreparable harm" by it...suffer, and the wronged are made as whole as Justice can make them. Irene is required to suffer her personal agonies in the search for and service of Justice served to violators of Order.
But there is, as there always is, a reason in Author Cogman's relentless and grinding tale of Truth's victims. And it makes the ending of this book so very, very special. I seldom laugh with exuberant happiness as I read endings. That is exactly what happened here.
Author Cogman:
Show Less
LibraryThing member whatsmacksaid
Another great installment. The physical climax was a little chaotic, but Cogman is really good at exciting finales.
On to the next! (I'm so glad I don't have to wait.)
On to the next! (I'm so glad I don't have to wait.)
LibraryThing member Belana
I had preordered this book, then had forgotten about it and only realized I hadn't listened to it when the next book (The Mortal Word) was published the other day. So, in order to know what was going on in Kai's and Irene's world, I started listening. I was completely drawn in and finished it in
I was rewarded with a great story set in New York in 1920, and although the story isn't about that specific era, there's enough information in it that you get an impression of the atmosphere back then (think: Al Capone).
Once again, Irene is set a very difficult task with very hard consequences for her future should she fail. Of course she does her level best to save the reputation of the library, and the world she visits, but she can't win it all.
Susan Duerden's narration was great as always, and I look forward to listening to the next instalment.
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record time. I was rewarded with a great story set in New York in 1920, and although the story isn't about that specific era, there's enough information in it that you get an impression of the atmosphere back then (think: Al Capone).
Once again, Irene is set a very difficult task with very hard consequences for her future should she fail. Of course she does her level best to save the reputation of the library, and the world she visits, but she can't win it all.
Susan Duerden's narration was great as always, and I look forward to listening to the next instalment.
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LibraryThing member spiritedstardust
As someone who was rooting for Kai I was delighted with this book - but "there might even be time for more than that" as the ending? Not to sound like a perv but I was hoping we would have been able to see what that "more" was...
LibraryThing member catseyegreen
The Invisible Library book 4. Irene and Kai are involved with a power struggle in the dragon courts.
library book read 5/4/2023
library book read 5/4/2023
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Two dragons are vying for high office and it's a rare book that's their target. When this starts to intersect with the Library Irene and Kai are assigned to investigate and there are things that Kai can't really talk about but what he can is very relevant to the case, they have to deal with this
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and the repercussions of what has happened is going to linger for a while. It was interesting but there were moments where it lagged a bit and I easily put it down but overall it was an interesting read. Show Less