It feels as if the author was writing out the story from the seat of her pants, and inadvertently changed the definition of certain concepts as she went, but never went back to correct for literary consistency. Very little actually makes sense in this book. And further adding to the headache of ill-explained pivotal concepts is a whole bevy of half conceived notions that change their intent and meaning as the story progresses. There’s no set definition for what these stories are, or why they exist. And still further on we’re given a strange quasi-existential explanation about how the stories don’t even need to be jotted down for them to be labelled as unwritten, or incomplete. But then, later on we’re told that the stories are there in the library before the authors are even born. At one point, it seems like the Unwritten Wing holds onto stories that Earthly authors never got around to finishing, as in physically penning. The Hangover: So… What are the Unwritten novels? I know this seems like a concept that would be thoroughly explained, but unfortunately this isn’t the case. I honestly felt like a tourist on a bus, whipping my head around to try and take it all in. From the familiar (if not somewhat exotic) vistas of Earth, to the waiting room of Heaven, to the endless hallways of Hell, and more, there’s never a shortage of fun places to look around. The realms and landscapes our ragtag squad visits are incredibly fun to witness. And the idea that books in The Library of the Unwritten actually come to life and cause mayhem is phantastic! Walk into a library or a bookstore and try to tell me there’s not something mystical, or damned near reverent about the place. I also loved that books in the Unwritten Wing are mischievious, and that they come to life! Every reader I know can attest to the magic-to the pulse of life-coursing through a book as they read it. As were the investigations into “dead” belief systems and what remains of the Afterlife when no one remains to believe in them. The redefinition of Hell and Heaven were interesting, as well. The written word is adored and respected within these pages, and whenever a book appears in a scene, it’s impossible not to see the author, Hackwith, smiling. Characters are constantly defending and seeking refuge in the Library of Hell, or in the vast halls of Valhalla where we get to hear bards weave spectacular tales. The Cheers: First off, who doesn’t love libraries? It’s easy to tell this book was a love story to libraries (as the book Libriomanceris a love story to books themselves), and that’s a love that comes across clearly throughout this novel. Still, this is a fun title with a lot of promise and moves along at a clip that fuels the intrigue of the central conflict. Not a great taste for a book to leave on your metaphorical tongue. But upon closing the book, it left me hoping, not to return to the world of Hell’s Library, but if the concepts presented in this book will be clarified in the followup novel. The Library of the Unwritten is an admirable first novel in a new series, and it gets many things right one of them being the pacing of the action scenes. A far step from perfection, and (in my opinion) in dire need of refinement of concepts and clarified direction, this was a book that held the promise of coaxing your interest close to its bosom. I didn’t hate it, and I’m certainly nowhere close to loving it, but I did like it. Overall Impression: Hmm… I liked this book. Racing against the clock and dodging threats-both fictional and ethereal alike-Claire and a group of misfits must charge across the Afterlife to solve the mystery of why the pages have resurfaced, and who is the mysterious force that is fighting so hard to obtain them? That is, until pages from a dangerous codex are discovered and set into motion a potential war between Heaven and Hell, with Earth being the preferred battleground. And though the occasional book may come to life and cause a bit of a stir, things are usually quiet in the Library. Claire heads the Unwritten Wing a sort of waiting room/final resting place for stories that have yet to be finished by their authors. Synopsis: While the rest of Hell is busy with subterfuge, temptation, and sending Hellhounds to tear apart lost souls, Claire busies herself with caring for the Library a dissociated section of Hell divided into two main wings.
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