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cgj13 's review for:
The Library of the Unwritten
by A.J. Hackwith
Finally finished slogging my way through this infuriating and headache inducing book. I was hoping for redemption for making it through, but that was lacking as well. Review coming tomorrow.
**Update** I received this book via Net Galley from the publisher. The thoughts are all mine.
Ugh. The premise of this book was sooooooo good. I was really excited to read it. A library of unwritten items located in Hell. Where characters in the books sometimes come to life.
I felt there wasn't much of a back story to give motivation as to why the library was so important to Claire--what brought here there. If the idea that you/your soul determines where you go in the afterlife, then, who decides how long you need to be there. Also, if you think you belong to heaven, you just end up there, but if you feel you need to atone, then to hell you go.
***** Spoilers****
My brain was reeling trying to keep up with all the rules, and characters. And so many hints given to who Leto was, and possibly his relation to Claire--Not resolved. Hinted at, but not resolved
Inconsistency-- Realms only exist as long as there are people around to believe in them. Then how come they had to pass through/and be judged by a dead realm. How did Leto make it from there to a place where Rami could save his soul?
I feel that we really needed Claire's backstory. It was hinted at several times, but it didn't connect us to her character.
Brevity-- What was her purpose, what brought her to hell as well, why can't she leave. Of all the characters, I actually wanted more Brevity.
The unwritten books themselves-- are they sparks of what the author has thought of as potential stories, or are they ideas that are pre-conception in the author's mind. That avenue, I am okay with, but how the characters that escape the books and develop free thought? how is that possible?
In the author's note, she mentioned that this had been a short story, that made it's way into a novel. I think this would have been a brilliant short story. I can see how this will transition into a series, the work is laid out for that, however, I will not be sticking around for it.
**Update** I received this book via Net Galley from the publisher. The thoughts are all mine.
Ugh. The premise of this book was sooooooo good. I was really excited to read it. A library of unwritten items located in Hell. Where characters in the books sometimes come to life.
I felt there wasn't much of a back story to give motivation as to why the library was so important to Claire--what brought here there. If the idea that you/your soul determines where you go in the afterlife, then, who decides how long you need to be there. Also, if you think you belong to heaven, you just end up there, but if you feel you need to atone, then to hell you go.
***** Spoilers****
My brain was reeling trying to keep up with all the rules, and characters. And so many hints given to who Leto was, and possibly his relation to Claire--Not resolved. Hinted at, but not resolved
Inconsistency-- Realms only exist as long as there are people around to believe in them. Then how come they had to pass through/and be judged by a dead realm. How did Leto make it from there to a place where Rami could save his soul?
I feel that we really needed Claire's backstory. It was hinted at several times, but it didn't connect us to her character.
Brevity-- What was her purpose, what brought her to hell as well, why can't she leave. Of all the characters, I actually wanted more Brevity.
The unwritten books themselves-- are they sparks of what the author has thought of as potential stories, or are they ideas that are pre-conception in the author's mind. That avenue, I am okay with, but how the characters that escape the books and develop free thought? how is that possible?
In the author's note, she mentioned that this had been a short story, that made it's way into a novel. I think this would have been a brilliant short story. I can see how this will transition into a series, the work is laid out for that, however, I will not be sticking around for it.