The Invisible Library Series by Genevieve Cogman is an exciting and magical journey into a world of alternate realities and fantastical creatures. It is a series of novels that seamlessly blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and mystery to create a unique reading experience that will leave readers thoroughly engrossed.
The series revolves around the exploits of Irene Winters, a librarian working for the eponymous Invisible Library. The Invisible Library is an organization that exists outside of time and space, and its mission is to collect books from various alternate realities. These books are often unique, dangerous, or magical, and their acquisition is vital to the balance of power between the different realities.
In the first book of the series, The Invisible Library, we are introduced to Irene and her apprentice, Kai, as they are tasked with retrieving a book from an alternate London that is infested with chaos magic. Along the way, they encounter dragons, fae, and other magical creatures, and they are forced to rely on their wits and magical abilities to survive.
As the series progresses, Irene and Kai's adventures take them to various alternate realities, each with their own unique challenges and dangers. In The Masked City, they must infiltrate a city ruled by the fae to rescue a kidnapped friend, while in The Burning Page, they are forced to defend the Invisible Library itself from a powerful enemy.
One of the most appealing aspects of the Invisible Library series is its intricate world-building. Genevieve Cogman has created a vivid and detailed universe filled with alternate realities that are vastly different from our own. Each reality has its own set of rules and customs, and the descriptions of these alternate worlds are immersive and fascinating. From the steampunk-inspired world of The Invisible Library to the dragon-dominated world of The Lost Plot, readers will find themselves transported to new and exciting places with each new book in the series.
Another standout feature of the series is its cast of characters. Irene Winters is a compelling protagonist, a strong and capable woman who is always ready to face whatever challenges come her way. Kai, her apprentice, is a mysterious and enigmatic figure, and their relationship is one of the highlights of the series. The supporting cast is also well-developed, with each character having their own unique quirks and motivations.
The Invisible Library series also has a strong emphasis on books and the power of stories. The books that Irene and her colleagues collect are not just ordinary books; they have the power to shape the very fabric of reality. The series celebrates the importance of reading and the impact that books can have on our lives.
In terms of writing style, Genevieve Cogman's prose is engaging and well-crafted. Her descriptions are vivid and evocative, and her action scenes are fast-paced and exciting. The series is a page-turner, and readers will find themselves eagerly flipping through each chapter to see what happens next.
Overall, the Invisible Library series is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. With its intricate world-building, compelling characters, and thrilling action sequences, it is a series that will keep readers entertained from start to finish. Whether you're a seasoned fan of the genre or a newcomer looking for an engaging and immersive read, the Invisible Library series is definitely worth checking out.
Titles in This Set:
- The Invisible Library
- The Masked City
- The Burning Page
- The Lost Plot
- The Mortal Word
- The Secret Chapter
- The Dark Archive
- The Untold Story
Description from the publisher:
The Invisible Library
One spy. One dangerous book. One deadly mission.
Irene is a professional spy for the mysterious Library, whose staff are sent to different realities to harvest dangerous and mystical fiction.
Irene has been posted to an alternative steampunk London along with her enigmatic new assistant, Kai. Their mission: to retrieve a dangerous edition of Grimms' Fairy Tales. But it has already been stolen.
In London's underground, the laws of nature have been bent – supernatural creatures and unpredictable magic stalk the land. The city is home to vampires, werewolves – factions that are all prepared to fight to the death for this book.
Irene must face a web of deadly danger, deception and secret societies. Her new assistant is hiding secrets of his own. Yet failure is not an option – the nature of reality itself is at stake . . .
The Masked City
Librarian-spy Irene's assistant has been kidnapped by the Fae – a fairy faction who will stop at nothing to cause utter chaos.
Irene is working undercover when disaster strikes. Her assistant, Kai, is snatched away by the dangerous Fae faction, unveiling his secret identity. Kai is a dragon prince – with this act of aggression, the Fae are determined to trigger a war that will hurl all dimensions into havoc.
With the stakes higher than ever before, Irene must navigate a treacherous path into the heart of enemy territory – a dark, alternate Venice under the grim control of the Fae. To prevent the Fae from triggering armageddon, she must find and rescue Kai. She will be forced to blackmail, fight and make an unlikely alliance – or face death . . .
This book also includes a extra, bonus section – with fascinating insights into the library's intricate spy network.
The Burning Page
In an alternate St. Petersburg, librarian-spy Irene faces unimaginable dangers – as her arch-nemesis returns.
Librarian-spy Irene is on probation – and absconding from a mission doesn't look good. But when her escape route home goes up in flames, what's a spy to do?
It turns out, Irene's home, the trans-dimensional library, is under siege. Across dozens of worlds, its once-reliable Gates back to the library are malfunctioning. Irene's nemesis, Alberich, is responsible – with plans to annihilate the library itself.
To face the threat, Irene and assistant Kai are posted to St Petersburg. Here, Irene stumbles upon an incredibly dangerous – yet alluring – opportunity. It's a chance to save the library. Saving herself would be a bonus . . .
Brace yourself for an action-filled ride with stolen books, covert operatives, and clandestine societies!
The Lost Plot
Enter a world of dragon politics and missing librarians – in 1920s New York City.
A covert mission. A royal demand. And a race against time.
In a 1920s-style America, Prohibition is in force, fedoras and flapper dresses are in fashion – and intrepid librarians Irene and Kai find themselves caught in a fierce dragon duel.
A demanding queen has ordered her heirs to find a rare book, and it seems a young librarian has become tangled in the conflict. If Irene and Kai can't extricate him, there could be grave political fallout for the library. This could even trigger war.
Irene and Kai's quest: to outsmart gangsters, evade security, rescue the librarian and retrieve the book. If they can't, it could have dire consequences for Irene's job. And, incidentally, for her life . . .
The Mortal Word
In 1890s Paris, a librarian and a detective must track down a killer – before the city goes up in flames.
A corrupt countess. A spy in danger. And an assassin.
Peace talks are always tricky – especially when a key diplomat gets stabbed. This murder rudely interrupts a top-secret summit between the warring dragons and Fae, so Librarian-spy Irene is summoned to investigate. With her detective friend Vale, she must track down the killer – as peace hangs by a thread.
Accusations fly thick and fast. Irene soon finds herself in the seedy depths of the Parisian underworld on the trail of a notoriously warlike Fae, the Blood Countess. However, the evidence against the Countess is only circumstantial. Could the assassin – or assassins – be closer than anyone suspects?
The Secret Chapter
The trans-dimensional library teeters on the brink of catastrophe – and only one book can save it.
As Irene tries to manage a fraught truce between the warring Fae and dragon factions – not to mention her overbearing parents – she’s given a new mission. The world where she grew up is in danger, and only one book can save it. A book owned by a secretive Fae antiques dealer named Mr Nemo.
In 21st century Vienna, a painting holds an extraordinary secret from the past – and Mr Nemo wants it. To acquire the book and save the library, Irene and her assistant Kai must team up with an unlikely band of scheming dragons, Fae gamblers and outright thieves. Together, they must pull off an amazing art heist – and trade the painting for that book.
But some will kill to protect this painting. If Irene wants to save her world from disaster, it isn't going to be easy . . .
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 break in Guernsey, on the tail of a rare book. That's when her jaunt takes a dire turn.
Irene is 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?
The Untold Story
Return to the Invisible Library for Irene's most perilous mission yet!
For librarian-spy Irene, this could be her last mission. She has been sent on a terrifying, dangerous task – one which must be kept secret at all costs. To eliminate Alberich.
But even more troubling news emerges. Entire worlds are disappearing, and the Library itself may have something to do with it.
To uncover the truth of these vanishing worlds, Irene and her friends must descend into the unplumbed depths of the Library. What they find will change everything . . .
About the Author:
Genevieve Cogman is a British author who was born in 1976 in the city of Bradford. She grew up in Yorkshire and was an avid reader from a young age, devouring books from a wide range of genres. Her love of reading eventually led her to pursue a career as a librarian, and she worked in several libraries throughout her twenties.
Cogman's first published work was a short story called The Ghosts of Christmas, which was included in an anthology of Christmas-themed stories. Her first novel, The Invisible Library, was published in 2015 and marked the beginning of her popular Invisible Library series. The series quickly gained a following and was praised for its intricate world-building, compelling characters, and thrilling action sequences. It has since been translated into several languages and has been well-received by readers and critics alike.
Overall, Genevieve Cogman is a talented and versatile writer whose work has captivated readers around the world. With her imaginative world-building, engaging characters, and thrilling storytelling, she has established herself as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary fantasy fiction.