A review by jamesreads
The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-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

5.0

The Library of the Dead is about a girl trying to survive in a world that’s broken down. Ropa’s life is centered pretty much entirely on taking care of her sister and grandmother. When Ropa finds out someone is stealing children she decides to do what she can to stop it. They don’t have much, but Ropa is determined the home they’ve managed to metaphorically carve out for themselves. So she’s reluctant to get involved until her grandmother gives her a nudge in the right direction. 

Ropa’s world is not quite our own. I think it’s some sort of dystopian future after magic is revealed somehow. I think a better explanation is coming in the future books. At least I hope it does because I have a lot of questions. The places Ropa finds herself are all pretty well explained. I think the wider world just needs more explanation. The dark atmosphere of this story was absolutely perfect, though. I feel like the best way to explain it is a rainy/cold/snowy day where you just want to stay inside, but have to head out anyway. 

I think this is a good moment to talk about the main character of the story. Her name is Ropa and she talks to ghosts for a living. She’s the real deal, though. I thought it was so interesting how she used magic to be able to understand the ghosts. She’s also very strict and practical when it comes to her abilities. She’s always laying down the terms and conditions before anything else. She’s almost too pragmatic, but it’s her way of dealing with the pressure of her life. She’s pretty much the sole provider for her family and she’s a teenager. I think there’s some romantic potential for her in future books. Although if it does’t go that route I won’t be mad. Sometimes friends are just that and it’s good to see in books too. 

Ropa’s grandmother and sister were both great additions. I want to find out more about the grandmother. I’d love to see more of her magic. There’s just these small moments of it in this book. Her grandmother’s magic has an entirely different foundation and I’m curious about how that works. I really did not appreciate the horrible way a certain character treated Ropa’s family magic like it was less than. It seems more like two paths to get to the same result. 

I really liked the way the plot was handled in this. It’s primarily a mystery. A lot of the big pieces are all tied up at the end. However there were several things hinting at things to come. Ropa and her friends shrug them off, and I just know that’s going to be mistake. Still it’s got me ready for the next book in a couple months. 

So i don’t think I can talk about the theme much without spoilers. Ropa’s life has been all about her family. She’s technically a teenager, but she’s also the provider for her family. Her youth is seemingly over and she’s not even old enough to really be an adult.
I think this is being paralleled by things going on in this story. Particularly the way life and youth are literally being stolen from the children for the wealthy to relive their own youth. It may not be done magically, but it’s something that happens to kids all the time in situations like Ropa’s.

I’m also not entirely sure where this fits in young adult versus adult. I think either age group could read and enjoy it, though. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings