The Invisible Library

Some ideas here, but in dire need of better editing. Too many meanderings, too much poor phrasing, too many stereotypes. The last chapter does nothing but set up for a sequel. Sigh. I finished it only because I fell for the Sunk Cost Fallacy (and I hoped it would get better).

When the book begins, it is hard not to be charmed by the main character. The scene opens with deep thought and long-winded detail. This amount of detail may become tedious in most books, but it is used perfectly in this instance, and it brings the world to life. The story is full of action but maintains a clear plot while ensuring room for the reader to think. I won't go into the story so as not to spoil it- but if you are a fan of fantasy rooted in the real world, you'll love this.

When we first meet Irene, she’s mopping the floors in a gothic boarding school. We learn she’s an agent for the Library, sent on missions to alternate dimensions to collect unique books and bring them safely back to the Library. Being a Librarian gives Irene some unique advantages, but collecting books can be a risky business. Saddled with a student, and sent to an alternate Victorian London, Irene finds herself in mortal peril, and must make some unlikely allegiances to survive… and (more importantly) bring back the book she’s been sent for.

More like a strong 3.5. This was actually a re-read for me. I read it at some point in 2017 and I don't recall it making a strong impression on me. I suspect that was largely due to the steampunk setting of a large part of the book. As I have gotten older, I have gotten grumpier about retrograde settings. I started re-reading it on a whim as a side filler on the phone when I had spare time in queues and such. My previous grumpiness with the setting had probably obscured that this was a well written romp with a nicely rounded protagonist. Certainly enough here to have me read the next one. I probably wouldn't go higher than 3.5 because Victorian wish-fulfillment makes me grate my teeth but others may not have that problem.

I'm going to grant Ms. Cogman some leeway because it's her first novel, and when it's your first novel, 87 becoming 88 ten pages later is just a thing that happens. But if you can't do detail, at least do variety. It's like a Doctor Who episode where they just chase Sherlock Holmes for a whole hour.

Alan K. Baker, Adam Christopher, Stephen Hunt. Enjoyable, all, but I've yet to find a great Steampunk story. And yet Cogman (clue's in the name, isn't it?) has managed to put her work up there with Jim C Hines, Max Barry and Daniel Brako, and produce a work which despite having the staumaz stigma kept me reading and interested all the way through. There's clearly a lot to add to this world and I look forward to future stories, especially if we see more magic or different technology.