This book is something else.  It is not an easy read or listen to, because just like life, multiple things are happening all at once.  Ropa is just 14.  She lives in the poorest part of Edinburgh, in a caravan with her sister and her grandmother.  Time is a bit hard to tell.  It fells almost like an alternative universe, but Scotland is different from the one we know exists. 

 

First off, ghosts are real, and they can ask for help, and there must be people there to offer it.  Ropa end up on a journey to find not only a few missing children, but what the heck happened to the children that disappeared then returned looking old.  But there are other stories taking place at the same time.  Stories like the library and how Ropa makes friends and realizes she has some magic.  It’s just kitchen magic, not anything she could ever go to school for (not that she could pay for that anyway).  

 

To be honest, I don’t quiet get the title as very little take place in or around the library and it’s just a plot device.  However, I did enjoy this book once I got into it.  It was nothing like I thought it would be based on title and over, but once I was into the story I was hooked.  And you HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION.  The slightest thing may mean something and if you miss it you are lost.  I listened to this on audiobook and had to keep rewinding.  It took me like 16 hours to listen to a 12 hour audiobook.  (I don’t know the actual times).  But here’s the thing.  I wanted to.  That is right, I wanted to go back and get every relevant story point I missed.  

 

Is this the best story I have ever read, no.  In fact, I don’t even rate it high.  I finished this a few weeks ago, and the story has just stuck like molasses.  It is still here and with me.  I started book two right away after my pallet cleanser.  I am now addicted to this world and fell sorrow I must wait for book 3.  

 

While I don’t love this book, I find it comforting in that it feels very life like.  Ropa has a life just like all of us.  You finally think you get ahead and something else comes up.  You must cover more than just one story in life.  There are tangents and there are curves that happen while the rest of life if still going on, and I think this author does a better job showing that then any other book I have ever read.  

 

So, once again, I liked this book, I didn’t love it.  But I live in this story.  This story stays on my mind.  And I want the next adventure.  I want to see this alternative Scotland and know more about it.  So while it may not “score” well in ratings, it is entirely worth the read.  Be sure to have the next one ready.