Reviews tagging 'War'

The Library of the Unwritten by A.J. Hackwith

4 reviews

jessicalarson125's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Suicide

Minor: Violence, Blood, and War

iris_lrf's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

This is probably at least the fifth time I've read this book, and every time has been a delight from start to finish. Hackwith's beautiful style and well-rounded characters create an emotional roller coaster of love, heartbreak, redemption and family. Even with only two actual humans, all of the protagonists feel uniquely human in their own distinct ways, and it's impossible not to fall in love with the cranky old librarian or her anxious upstart assistants. 

Like any good story about stories, The Library of the Unwritten plays with the concept of the roles we play, both by choice and by force, and what happens when those roles no longer suit us. Villains become heroes, sidekicks become leaders, guardians become caretakers. The stories we tell change, and those we lock away are brought back into the light. 

It's not without its flaws, but what book isn't? Sure, there's some plot armour moments, but surely they're counteracted by

Leto literally being unmade or Hero getting frequently beaten within an inch of his life

. Sure, the ending is a little lacking, but with two more books to go, it isn't really the ending, is it?

I recently got the rest of the trilogy and I'm excited to see where the story goes from here. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Self harm, Kidnapping, and War

secondhandbookshelves's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I absolutely adored this book. 
Every single character is fantastic and varied and wonderful. 
I loved that there were little tidbits from past Librarians scattered throughout the book.
This story has a hold on my heart and I have already ordered a physical copy (I listened to the audiobook) and the next book in the series. 
There were magnificent twists, a handful a surprises, and I will be in denial that it is over for quite some time. 
"You save yourself. You write your own story here." 
A heartbreaking, beautiful, wonderful book that I will reread many times.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Violence, Grief, and War

greatexpectations77's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

The plot of this book is really interesting, and I'm really not sure why I didn't find it engaging. I hope lots of other people like this because I think it's well done! I maybe just couldn't get into the world-building?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Confinement, Death, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Classism

Minor: Religious bigotry