Scan barcode
A review by monalyisha
The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0
It’s been a while since I’ve read a YA novel; this one was more New Adult than YA, which suited me fine. I picked it up because the premise sounded, to me, like Buffy with booksellers (basically, booksellers patrol the Hellmouth). The fantasy focus in this was more fey than demonic (which isn’t typically my jam). Points added for the obvious Ursula K. Le Guin homage. Points detracted for the author’s weird obsession with the tv show The Professionals (is this just a weird British thing I don’t get?) & for falling into that fantasy-genre trap of too much plot/fighting, too little character/dialog.
I’ve read other reviews with comments to the effect of “there’s just something special about Merlin.” I don’t entirely agree. I think too much of his personality was devoted to his fashion obsession. My favorite characters were Susan and the even-handed booksellers. It’s possible that I’ll read the sequel…but it’s more likely that I’ll skip it.
I’ve read other reviews with comments to the effect of “there’s just something special about Merlin.” I don’t entirely agree. I think too much of his personality was devoted to his fashion obsession. My favorite characters were Susan and the even-handed booksellers. It’s possible that I’ll read the sequel…but it’s more likely that I’ll skip it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Death of parent