Reviews

I have mixed feelings. There were many things about this book I really enjoyed. Ropa, the main character, is a cynical teen that has had to grow up too fast due to poverty. She can talk to ghosts and dropped out of school to earn money delivering their messages. I loved her and her Gran along with the spirit magic and world-building. Hints throughout the book of some major event that drastically affected this near-future Edinburgh (God save the King) were intriguing.

That said, it felt like there were too many random things mish mashed together into one story. The library in the title is barely relevant. It's mostly just used as a way to introduce this world's magic and meet new characters. One of the characters we meet in the library basically exists to conveniently provide money and magical items. Maybe this was a way to set up things that will be explored more in future books?

I think there is potential for this series to find its groove. I'm going to pick up the next book because I want to see what Ropa does next.

sunshine707's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

midnightgarden's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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? No

4.0

lyrrael's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Ropa doesn't do things for free. Nothing. She speaks to the dead and carries their messages, but only if they can pay. Why? She's trying to support her grandma and her little sister in a world gone dark. Only there's a ghost with a compelling argument for a pro-bono case, but there's no such thing as a free lunch.

the_immortal_library's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I have to admit I was confused for a good portion of this audiobook. I think it had a lot to do with the Narrators accent. Which is a good thing because she is supposed to be Scottish but I think she is also Zimbabwean. I very much liked Ropa, the main character, however, I think she needed to be a little more trusting and ask for help. maybe like that she wouldn't have gotten into all her shenanigans. When she decides to take on a job that might be a little out of her league she gets tangled in a web of magic she has trouble getting out of. And when kids start going missing, she decides it's up to her to figure out why.
This story is set in a weird, creepy future where universal healthcare doesn't exist anymore and magic is real.
The narrator brought Ropa to life, but I had trouble distinguishing between her and the other characters. The pace was great, even at 2x speed there were no muddled words, and provided great comprehension. The flow of the audiobook was very well done.

I received this audiobook via the publisher in exchange for an honest review in like 2021. Glad I finally got to it.

#YoungAdult #HighschoolDropOut #Magic #SpeakingToTheDead #Ghosts #Horror #Paranormal #UrbanFantasy #Adult #Murder #Kidnapping #Fiction #TheLibraryOfTheDead

More...