I have loved this Invisible Library series with various levels of obsession. It’s a series that not only takes place with a library, but also with this almost meta perspective of character tropes. The Untold Story is the latest in the series and delves both in the future and the past. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
In this thrilling historical fantasy, time-traveling Librarian spy Irene will need to delve deep into a tangled web of loyalty and power to keep her friends safe.
Irene is trying to learn the truth about Alberich-and the possibility that he’s her father. But when the Library orders her to kill him, and then Alberich himself offers to sign a truce, she has to discover why he originally betrayed the Library.
With her allies endangered and her strongest loyalties under threat, she’ll have to trace his past across multiple worlds and into the depths of mythology and folklore, to find the truth at the heart of the Library, and why the Library was first created.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I have thoroughly loved the Invisible Library series. These characters have made such a home in my heart and it’s in my top list of longer fantasy series to recommend. It’s perfect for new fantasy fans, for ones who love mystery almost spy-like stories, and who enjoy an episodic approach (like a TV show). One of my favorite elements have to be this world of archetypes and stories. How we, even in our lives, want to believe in character types. In sweet and noble heroes, in grump and gruff but secretly sweet love interests.
And I love that Cogman not only leans into this idea – this premise of us all wanting to be the main character of our story – and the ways our lives deviates. From a world building perspective, I am obsessed. In The Untold Story, Irene, Kai, and Vale have to face the wide reaching consequences, danger, and intrigue from the previous books. This latest installment delves into Irene’s revelations about her parenthood and her relationship with Kai. It also deeply dives into the past, into the very foundational building blocks of our world, selves, and loved ones.
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If you are a longtime fan, you’ll know you have to read this series. But if you are unsure, just know that this is the best TV show-esque fast paced fantasy series I know. The Untold Story asks questions that have been echoing and ones that will unsettle the world. Find The Untold Story on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.
I’ve wanted to try this series. Glad to hear it is good! Great review!
yay! it’s one I just totally fell into