nonabgo's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Better than the first one, in my perception, or at least more entertaining. We have Irene travelling to different worlds, as opposed to having her stay in one world for an entire novel. We have exciting pursuits, we have interesting characters and a main character who gets a little bit more of a development.
There's also the plus of being given more details about the interactions between Library, dragons and fae and how each of them sees the world.
The setting is another plus, as most of the action is placed in Venice - be it a weird Venice where people wear masks all day long, but Venice nonetheless.
There are also points I'm not particularly happy with. First of all, I have not been able to engage with the Vale character. I have not been able to see it's particular usefulness, all his interventions seem forced. While in [b:The Invisible Library|21416690|The Invisible Library (The Invisible Library, #1)|Genevieve Cogman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1416823893s/21416690.jpg|40717845] he was sort of a Sherlock Holmes character, in this novel he is out of his world and completely out of place. I am pretty sure Irene could have been ok without him, maybe with the assistance of local characters (there's a whole bunch of them who were introduced but were given only marginal roles); and then there's the minor aspect of a human turning up in a world where he does not belong, after being told that he could not resist such a world, and magically not being affected by the high chaos of that world.
There's also a little bit too much action, to the point where it gets confusing. While I loved the alertness of the events, something that really kept me going, I feel it just went overboard a little bit. I'm in it for the fantasy, I don't want to be reading what is essentially a Sylvester Stallone movie with a female lead. More character development and less roller-coaster would be welcome.
Better than the first one, in my perception, or at least more entertaining. We have Irene travelling to different worlds, as opposed to having her stay in one world for an entire novel. We have exciting pursuits, we have interesting characters and a main character who gets a little bit more of a development.
There's also the plus of being given more details about the interactions between Library, dragons and fae and how each of them sees the world.
The setting is another plus, as most of the action is placed in Venice - be it a weird Venice where people wear masks all day long, but Venice nonetheless.
There are also points I'm not particularly happy with. First of all, I have not been able to engage with the Vale character. I have not been able to see it's particular usefulness, all his interventions seem forced. While in [b:The Invisible Library|21416690|The Invisible Library (The Invisible Library, #1)|Genevieve Cogman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1416823893s/21416690.jpg|40717845] he was sort of a Sherlock Holmes character, in this novel he is out of his world and completely out of place. I am pretty sure Irene could have been ok without him, maybe with the assistance of local characters (there's a whole bunch of them who were introduced but were given only marginal roles); and then there's the minor aspect of a human turning up in a world where he does not belong, after being told that he could not resist such a world, and magically not being affected by the high chaos of that world.
There's also a little bit too much action, to the point where it gets confusing. While I loved the alertness of the events, something that really kept me going, I feel it just went overboard a little bit. I'm in it for the fantasy, I don't want to be reading what is essentially a Sylvester Stallone movie with a female lead. More character development and less roller-coaster would be welcome.
bekkz27's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
jhurl's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
Spoiler
Irene has to go find Kai and rescue him from a Fae world. The powerful Fae want to start a war and auction off the dragon Kai. Then since the Dragons can't go to the chaos of the Fae outerworld they would take revenge where Kai was kidnapped. Irene has to find him, meet Kai's Uncle Dragon Royalty, sneak on the Train, survive in the Fae world, escape several attacks, find the prison, arrange an escape by freeing the Horse (from the Rider who won't be happy), rescue Kai before the auction at midnight. Fortunantly detective Vale also snuck on the train and somehow wasn't delbilitated by the Fae world even without Library protection??? but together they get Kai and make their escape. Close call with everyone chasing them but they get a bit of protection from the Dragons once they make it to neutral ground. Irene has to go before the Library inquisition and they negotiate with the Dragons not to start a war.... Will she get to come back and work with Kai - will have to read the next book to find out.karanextweek's review against another edition
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Delightful! A super fun read.
A little disappointed this book didn’t pick up on the intrigue that was hinted at during the last bit of the first in the series.
Again, the teacher/student sexual tension trope is gross and unnecessary.
I do hope we get to read about some worlds not wrapped in sexism later in the series.
A little disappointed this book didn’t pick up on the intrigue that was hinted at during the last bit of the first in the series.
Again, the teacher/student sexual tension trope is gross and unnecessary.
I do hope we get to read about some worlds not wrapped in sexism later in the series.
dlberglund's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't find this second book as compelling or well done as the first book. I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series. More dragons and Fae and magical Library language, but... I feel less invested, particularly in the repeated hints that perhaps Ms. Winters and Kai should be romantically involved.
pingu666's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kami_s_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely loved it! I’m very happy with the story and how it evolves. Very captivating and magical!