Today I have a review of The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith and available from Berkley Pub/Ace on October 1, 2019.
My Thoughts:
An original book about books! The Library of the Unwritten is the first in a new fantasy series. The premise? Books that are not finished by authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell. The job of the Librarian? Tracking down any of the characters who may emerge from the stories.
Claire has been the Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing for many years. It’s her job to do the mundane mostly; repairing books and organizing them, but every once in a while, a character gets loose, and she has to find him or her. In fact, a Hero escapes from a book and is in search of the author. Claire has some help to assist her in tracking him down.
But things go awry in a very bad way…
Aww, I loved these characters! They were witty and clever with fun banter. The first half of the book clipped along and the ending? Well, it ended with a big ole bang! There’s so much to look forward to in the next installment and yet this book ended in a satisfactory way. Kudos to the author for that. Kudos to her for the whole thing!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Book:
In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.
Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing– a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.
But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil’s Bible. The text of the Devil’s Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell….and Earth.
Have you read The Library of the Unwritten, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
I love books about books. This one sounds brilliant especially with the well developed characters. Great review, Jennifer.
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Thank you, Diana! Me, too, and this was so unique!
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Well that sounds like quite the interesting premise. Glad you enjoyed this story, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! It was a different sort of read!
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Fantasy is normally out of my comfort zone but this sounds like my kind of story! I love your review, Jennifer💜 Off to check this out…
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Thanks, Jonetta! I don’t read much fantasy either, but I tend to enjoy Berkley fantasy books. The books about books part was a bonus! ♥️
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How unique, Jen! I’m going to have to look into this one. I’ve read a few where people go into books, but not many with characters coming out. Your pic is so cozy! Thanks for sharing. ❤🧡💜
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Thanks so much, M! It was such a unique read and I was lost in it! I’m happy you liked my picture too! ♥️
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I have a copy of this and I’m hoping to squeeze it in, it sounds wonderful. Thanks for your review!
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My pleasure, Tammy! I really hope you get a chance to read it! I think it’s right up your alley.
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It’s still up on Edelweiss, so I’m thinking about trying to squeeze it in before release date… Your review makes me think I may.
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I hope you can, Paul! It’s a good one!
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A book about books? What’s not to love! Awesome review Jen and lovely picture! Happy Friday my friend!📚🌻💖
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Thanks so much, Sus! Books about books are the best! ♥️
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interesting plot
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I thought so too!
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Adding this to GR, you sold it 😄
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Aww, thanks, Kelly! I hope you enjoy it too!
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Love picture with sweet kitty and great review, Jennifer! I added this one to my tbr list. Happy Reading to you!
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Thanks so much, Virginia! I hope you get a chance to check this one out. 💕
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This sounds so imaginative! And who doesn’t love books about books?
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Strange as it may be, usually I don’t like books about books (and I can’t understand why, but I have to accept the harsh reality of it!), but this one seems interesting and the idea is quite original! I would check it out, thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Never heard of it, but it sounds interesting. Thanks!
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Ha! What a pity it’s only unfinished characters who can escape – I wouldn’t mind if Darcy were to pop round for tea one afternoon… 😉
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Wow this truly sounds like a unique book about books! I never would have dreamed up a concept like this where unwritten characters may escape off the pages of their unfinished work. This kind of reminds me of the Pagemaster movie, except those characters were from finished stories.
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A book about books?? Yeah count me in! And I love witty and funny characters! Gonna look out for this book! Great review, Jennifer! ❤️
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Great review! I’m always drawn to books about books and this sounds like such an original one. I had requested an ARC of this one but got rejected so I’m anxiously awaiting the publication date so I can snag a copy.
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Wow! You have me so intrigued, I have not heard of this book. Great review, I will be adding this one!
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Thanks, Kim! It was such a fresh, unique read and you just fall right into the story!
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OK you’re smarter than me. I had to put it down and ponder it for 2 months before I could read the second half. It was very clever and now that I have the world in my head I’m excited about the next book. Wonderful review!
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Thanks, Anne! It was one I really had to focus on and I think some of it went over my head, but I loved it, and I’m so happy you did too!
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I’m reading this right now and I LOVE it!
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Yay, Jules! It’s so unique!
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