With series that have multiple books out, I find that it’s important to keep reminding people why they should start it. The Invisible Library is one of my favorite series for people who love books and espionage. The Dark Archive is the seventh in the series! And for those who haven’t started it, but want to know what the hype is about, keep reading! I’ll also talk about why The Dark Archive is special!
Why You Should Be Reading This Series!
Summary of The Invisible Library
Irene is a professional spy for the mysterious Library, which harvests fiction from different realities. And along with her enigmatic assistant Kai, she’s posted to an alternative London. Their mission – to retrieve a dangerous book. But when they arrive, it’s already been stolen. London’s underground factions seem prepared to fight to the very death to find her book.
Adding to the jeopardy, this world is chaos-infested – the laws of nature bent to allow supernatural creatures and unpredictable magic. Irene’s new assistant is also hiding secrets of his own.
Soon, she’s up to her eyebrows in a heady mix of danger, clues and secret societies. Yet failure is not an option – the nature of reality itself is at stake.
Why Exactly?
- The world building. There are multiple Worlds and so multiple editions of books. Part of Irene’s job is to extract and bargain for these books to facilitate order and reign in chaos.
- Espionage. In order to do this, the Library has to employ Librarians to search for these books. Often these missions have dangerous consequences. There are sticky situations to escape, disguises to be created, and books to save!
- Irene is a fantastic main heroine. She’s caring, clever, and dedicated. Over the course of the series, she goes through some intense growth, but I will always remember her fondly. If you ever knew a librarian who seemed to know everything then you will love Irene.
- Action all around. With a book that promises espionage, there must be action right? But there’s even more intrigue revolved in Library politics and higher order world building. What I mean by that, is that there are politics and manipulation at work outside of their main mission.
- The side characters. Cogman is a master at introducing some compelling and intriguing side characters. The ones who manage to join our main cast only continue to grow, evolve, and change before our eyes. You’ll be rooting and yelling at their betrayals, secrets, and decisions.
- *BONUS REASON* Who doesn’t want to fall into a series this year? I’ve been searching for all the escapism in fiction and Cogman has seven books for you to fall into! You’ll find yourself reading them obsessively back to back!
Find The Invisible Library on Goodreads, Amazon (US) (UK), Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.
Why Read Until The Dark Archive?
Summary of The Dark Archive
A mysterious archive. A powerful enemy. And a cunning plan.
Danger is part of the day job for a Librarian spy. So Irene’s hoping for a relaxing weekend. However, her jaunt to Guernsey proves no such thing. Instead of retrieving a rare book, she’s almost assassinated, Kai is poisoned and Vale barely escapes with his life. Then the attacks continue in London – targeting those connected with the Fae-dragon peace treaty.
Irene knows she must stop the plot before the treaty fails. Or someone dies. But when Irene and friends are trapped underground, in a secret archive, things don’t look so good. Then an old enemy demands vengeance, and a shocking secret is revealed. Can Irene really seize victory from chaos?
Why KEEP reading?
- Old enemies never stay in the past. Do you love those times when the past comes back to haunt us? When there is much more than meets the eye? Those fall senses of closure, those lingering doubts that haunt our nightmares?
- We remember what drew us to this series – our love of books and mystery. A new side character is introduced who reminds us of our passion for books. The desire to be immersed in a library of new worlds. But also the feelings of being wrapped up all over again! We get to be introduced to the danger all over again.
- The world continues to expand and everything we think we know is challenged. I love Cogman’s writing and how the world continues to morph and change. Just when we think we have a handle on the major forces and worlds, there’s always more to know.
- The Dark Archive, at times, almost felt self-reflective. Irene is asked some contemplative questions about what the role of the Library is. What does she want from her current life? Her life seems to be in constant danger and she’s taken on a much more serious role than she ever thought. Does Irene truly want to continue?
- You know those moments where a shock happens and you scream out loud? That was me when I was reading The Dark Archive. Not many authors do what Cogman does here, but it is SHOCKING. All I can tell you is if you love those META surprises that destabilize the entire series so far, then you need to make it to The Dark Archive.
Find The Dark Archive on Goodreads, Amazon (US) (UK), Bookshop.org, Indiebound, & The Book Depository.
Obsessed now with We hunt the flame and soon to be published We free the stars. Hafsah Faisal. Recently finished Melissa Caruso Swords and fire series.
But Cogmans Invisible Library has been a wonderful escape during this time. Finishing The Mortal Word. There were points where my mouth dropped open in shock. Her writing is quite riveting.
What did you think of the Swords and Fire Series? And OMFG I LOVE THE INVISIBLE LIBRARY! I love how action packed it is!