The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman captures all the things I like to find in a book: a good mystery, action, books, and a hint of romance. From the beginning, I connected with the main character, Irene, who’s a Librarian. Except her job is much more complicated than how it sounds. She is a spy for the Library that exists between different dimensions of reality from which she acquires (buys, sometimes steals) books that are unique to that dimension. The purpose is to preserve these books and learn from them. In one particular mission, Irene and newbie assistant, Kai, are sent to an alternate London filled with chaos where supernatural things occur against the natural laws of that reality. That’s when things begin to complicate when different groups of people, and dark creatures, try to solve the mystery behind the stolen book Irene needs, and a person of myth threatens their life and that reality.

First of all, Irene is MAGNIFICENT. She’s smart, witty, reliable, brave, and completely kickass. When faced with a wall, she finds ways around it and even defies the things around her to do her job, and save those who have become her friends along the way.

I was completely amazed by the world(s) building in this book and the intricacies it involved, and it all made absolute sense. Someone, please take me to this wonderful Library. The writing style of the author allowed something so complex be so easy to grasp.

What I enjoyed the most of this book was that beneath the fantasy/sci-fi aspect of the book, this was a detective story, defying the first rules and bending them by having a female detective, the assistant, and unnatural things happening, investigating what happened to this book and who was responsible. I really wish I had read this for my Detective Mystery English course last semester. For someone who didn’t enjoy some of the classes (ugh The Maltese Falcon), this is a good way to enjoy the genre with mystery awaiting every corner with elements similar to Doctor Who and Harry Potter.

If you pick up this book, you won’t be able to put it down wanting to know more about our heroine who faces Fae, mechanical crocodiles, and even dragons. Genevieve Cogman wove a masterpiece that will resonate with everyone who loves books and a good dose of danger with the impossible. A must read. I’m anxiously waiting for the release of the sequels because I need more of Irene’s adventures and the Library.

Rating: 5 stars