AD – GIFTED | When the press release for The Library of the Unwritten popped into my emails, I was reeled in immediately. A story about books, a head librarian, and characters who escape from their plots? With a liberal sprinkling of fallen angels, demons, and ex-librarians? Set in Hell, Valhalla, graveyards, and crowned with a visit to Mdina on one of my favourite holiday islands? Oh, absolutely, yes please.
The Library of the Unwritten
Every book left unfinished by its author is filed away in the Unwritten Wing, a neutral space in Hell presided over by Claire, its head librarian. Along with repairing and organising books, her job consists of keeping an eye on restless stories whose characters risk materialising and escaping the library.
When a Hero gets out of his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant, Brevity, and nervous demon courier, Leto. But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong. Their paths cross with a fallen angel on a mission that threatens to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell… and Earth.
A.J. Hackwith takes readers on a page-turning race from the pits of Hell to the pearly gates of Heaven, the beer halls of Valhalla to the bones of long dead pagan gods, and beyond. A clever and entertaining read that will delight fans of Jasper Fforde and Neil Gaiman, The Library of the Unwritten introduces a colourful cast of heroes, renegade damsels, hell beasts, divine beings, and the longest-suffering librarian in this world, or the next.
The Library of the Unwritten is available in paperback from Waterstones and Amazon UK.
A.J. Hackwith is a queer writer of fantasy and science fiction living in Seattle. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise writer’s workshop and her work appears in Uncanny Magazine and assorted anthologies. She tweets @ajhackwith.
First impressions
The Library of the Unwritten has each chapter open with a quote from a librarian – both past, present and future, so there’s no escaping who’s driving the story. When Claire sets out to retrieve Hero, she and her companions end up with a scrap of paper from Hell’s Bible, a book that both Lucifer’s demons and God’s angels are both equally keen to retrieve. Claire, however, is of the opinion that the book, when found, belongs in the Library and refuses to give it up. Their subsequent quest, and both physical and witty verbal battles with all those whose help they need, forms the main plot of the book.
I particularly loved the way Claire’s relationships are put to the test and undergo changes. None of the characters turn out to be who she (or I) thought they were, there are some real surprises here. And the way she has to adjust her preconceptions is sometimes hilarious and sometimes painful to read. Additionally, I adored how Mdina, the Silent City in Malta, is a safe space, warded against all incursions, and where entry is only allowed by invitation. Mdina is also home to my favourite character in the book. Someone that really turns things upside down for Claire and forces her into some long-overdue self-examination.
Much as I loved the story, I did find it a little difficult to follow at times, there is a LOT going on here. Both in terms of character development and allusions/references in the prose that readers of other tales will no doubt pick up on too. Sadly, my reading these days is confined to 30 minutes in bed before lights out. I think this story deserves more focussed attention than I was able to give it, but I still enjoyed it very much.
Other thoughts
I’m a huge fan of both Jasper Fforde and Neil Gaiman – The Eyre Affair remains one of my all-time favourite books, and both Coraline and Stardust are among the films I will happily watch again and again. Another author that sprang to mind when I started reading this book was V.E. Schwab and her The Dark Vault series. It must be the characters and stories connection, I suppose, even though Claire is certainly no Mac.
The Library of the Unwritten is one of those fantasy books that you just KNOW would make a fantastic film. I know exactly who I’d cast as Bjorn the Bard, Brevity, and Uriel, although I must admit I’m struggling to think of the right actress for Claire and actor for Hero. And a cinematographer would have an absolute ball with all the fabulously different locations in the novel as well.
At just under 450 pages long, The Library of the Unwritten makes for a brilliant weekend read. If you can lock yourself away for a few hours with a snuggly blanket and hot chocolate on demand, I think you’d feel it was time very well spent.
Would I recommend it?
If I can’t stop thinking about a book for a few days or even weeks after I’ve finished it, I know it’s a good ‘un. And A.J. Hackwith sums it up perfectly when Claire describes a book hangover as “living someone else’s thoughts.” I’ve been living with Claire’s thoughts for a while now, and I’m in no particular hurry to step away.
Thank you very much to Titan Books for my copy of The Library of the Unwritten. I understand it’s the first in a new trilogy set in Hell’s Library and I’m very much looking forward to the sequel when it comes out. Fingers crossed that one of my favourite characters will make a reappearance too – no spoilers here though, I promise 🙂
Does the thought of characters escaping from books intrigue you? Are you a fan of fantasy tales? Does this sound like the kind of book you’d enjoy?
* This post features some affiliate links (please see my disclaimer).
* This book was sent in exchange for a review but all opinions are my own. Please do feel free to check out my other book reviews too.
A great review I love the thought of being in someone else’s thoughts and mind! I will look into adding this to my reading list later this year when my baby sleeps longer and I can concentrate!
Sarah
http://Www.simplysarahjayneloves.com
Thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed it – and yes, I remember those days when Flora would sleep, I got a LOT of reading done!
This is not my usual genre of choice! But this actually sounds really good. I don’t know why but I thought of the movie Night in the museum style! I usually read romance. But this book sounds great! I am going to put it in my to be purchased list! Thank you for sharing a great review Lisa xxx
Oh I can totally see where the Night of the Museum idea came from, everything coming to life and lots of fantastical beasts! I hope you do enjoy it if you read it, please let me know what you think too! xxx
This sounds so compelling! Literally adding it to my TBR right now. B x
http://www.babblesnbooks.wordpress.com
Yay, that’s great to hear, I hope you enjoy it 🙂 x
Lisa your photography here is absolutely stunning! You make the book look so pretty. That aside it really sounds like a read I would love. Thanks for sharing x
Oh wow, thank you so much, that’s so kind of you, I actually struggled with the photos so that’s wonderful! I hope you do enjoy the book if you read it, I loved it 🙂 x
This book sounds right up my alley. As I was reading your description of it, I thought to myself “this sounds like a mix of ‘The Eyre Affair,’ and ‘Good Omens.'” And lo and behold, you mention yourself how fans of Jasper Fforde and Neil Gaiman would enjoy this book. I’m a big fan of both, so you can bet I’m adding this to my reading list. Thanks for the review!
Oh how funny, that’s such a coincidence! It sounds like this book would be perfect for you then – let me know what you think if you do read it 🙂 x
Great review – very detailed.
Love the cover of the book, very striking!
Thank you – and yes, the artwork is gorgeous!
Great review, I haven’t heard of this book yet but it sounds like a great read ♡
—Athena Christy
Thank you – it really is a fab read 🙂
A book hangover – that’s a perfect phrase for what a good book does to you. Stays with you for a while after you are done. Great post!
Ha, thank you, yes, it’s a great phrase, perfectly summing up how a book stays with you!
I had not heard of this book, but after reading this review, I will definitely add it to my reading list. It sounds intriguing.
Excellent, that’s what every reviewer wants to hear, thank you!
This sounds like quite an interesting read!
Thank you, I’m glad that came across 🙂
This book sounds amazing, I completely agree that the concept of it would make a fantastic film. Hearing you got a book hangover from it also to me shows a good sign for how much I’ll enjoy it as I love dark sort of fantasies like this. I really love the detail of the quote to start each chapter too, will definitely be trying to pick up a copy x
Bumblingalong.co.uk
Oh yay, that’s wonderful, I’m so pleased you might read it too – please let me know what you think if you do pick up a copy, we can share our thoughts! x
This isn’t really the genre of books that I usually read but this book sounds really interesting! I love the idea around it and it sounds like a real page turner! X
It’s such a page turner, and yes, it was the concept that made me really want to read it! x
The thought of characters escaping a book is very interesting! Especially because I like to write short stories. I loved romance but I have been getting into fantasy books recently so this is up my alley. The concept of heaven and hell works really well in books! Thank you for this detailed and fun review!
I’ve loved stories with escaping characters, it’s such a fun concept and you’re right, heaven and hell work perfectly in this book, the first of a trilogy, how exciting! 🙂
Oooh this book definitely sounds right up my street! I’m going to give it a go!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Lovely, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Such a brilliant & well written review Lisa!
Aw, thank you, Jess, that’s very kind 🙂
Oh I love the sound of this, it sounds like so much fun! Even if there is a lot going on at times… thanks for the great recommendation!
You’re welcome, and yes, it’s lots of fun, I wish I could have devoted some more concentrated reading time to it 🙂
This sounds like such a great book! I love the term “book hangover” too. That is perfect. I haven’t heard of that before but it’s so true. Those are definitely the best books if they leave you with a hangover for sure!
It’s a great phrase, isn’t it? Sums up perfectly how a good (or bad, but thankfully not in this case!) book leaves you feeling 🙂
This looks so good! I’m in need of some new books so I’m definitely adding this to my list x
Yay, I hope you enjoy it too! x
It is great that you got to review The Library of the Unwritten! It is interesting to learn about Claire’s character arc. Pretty cool that there is a quote at the beginning of each chapter. Glad that this was a great read overall! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this book :).
Nancy ♥
I loved the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, they were such a great insight into the characters and really set the scene for a fab book – thank you, I’m glad you liked the review 🙂
I want to read it:)
I hope you get the chance 🙂
I’ve never read this title before, but it sounds like something I would enjoy xo
MakeupMuddle.com
I hope you do enjoy it if you read it 🙂
This is a brilliant post Lisa, you always give such interesting, detailed and well-written reviews but leave out enough to make me want to grab the book and read it myself! I love the idea of characters escaping from unfinished books, and especially how all the characters turned out to be something you didn’t expect. It sounds like a real page turner with an entertaining, action-packed and unpredictable storyline. This seems like the perfect weekend read, plus you can never go wrong with a snuggly blanket and allll the hot chocolate. Fab post and gorgeous photos! <3 xxx
Oh my goodness, Bexa, that is SUCH a lovely thing to say! Honestly, writing book reviews without giving anything away is so much harder than I ever thought it was, I couldn’t do it all the time, haha. But this is a really great book, and if you do read it, I’d love to know what you think too. Thank you for such a lovely comment! xxx
That sounds like a lot of fun to me! I am always looking for entertaining books to take camping with me so that I can stretch out in my hammock and enjoy an afternoon. I’ll have to get my hands on this one before camping season.
I think this would be perfect for camping, as long as you don’t mind bumps in the night…! 🙂
It sounds really interesting and it’s great you enjoyed it and are looking forward to others in the series! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Hope that your week is starting well 🙂
It’s such a good read, I can’t wait for the sequel, I’m sure it will be equally fab – and thank you, same to you 🙂
This wouldn’t be my usual choice but the plot sounds so intriguing! I love how the author has created a story about unfinished stories and their characters. Sounds like such an interesting read.
It’s a great read, the author really keeps you guessing, and the concept is so unusual too 🙂
This is not my usual genre for reading but some how it sounds interesting especially to see it as a movie. Lovely review Lisa. Will add to my list. 🙂
Thank you, Via, that’s very kind of you to say so 🙂