About the Book
-
Author:
- Genevieve Cogman
- Genres:
- Adult
- Fantasy
- Historical Fiction
- Mystery
Cover Story: Collection
BFF Charm: Single White Female
Talky Talk: 1920s
Bonus Factor: Dragons
Relationship Status: Fellow Librarians
Danger, Will Robinson! The Lost Plot is the fourth book in the Invisible Library series. If you have not read the first three books—The Invisible Library, The Masked City, and The Burning Page—turn away now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. If you have read the books, however, feel free to continue below. As this is a review of the fourth book in a series, there will likely be a few spoilers.
Cover Story: Collection
I’ve said as much for the last three books, but I like these covers, and I appreciate that they continue to look like old books. I would like them better if they were leather bound and embossed—maybe with gilded page edges?—but I assume that’s probably prohibitively expensive.
The Deal:
After putting an end to Alberich’s campaign to end the Library, Irene was looking forward to a routine mission. Of course, Irene isn’t a routine Librarian, and she soon finds herself in the middle of a dragon political issue that’s literally life or death for those involved.
BFF Charm: Single White Female
Irene’s only a few years older than I am, but I totally want to be her when I grow up. To get to travel through alternate dimensions in search of rare books in the company of a ridiculously handsome young dragon who’s frequently expressed his interest in taking the relationship (way) past just colleagues? There’s very little not to want about Irene’s life, even when you take into account the extremely dangerous situations she often finds herself in.
Swoonworthy Scale: 2
Irene is adamant that she and Kai keep things professional. She knows the danger of getting involved with a dragon, including how some outside of the situation might perceive it being a case of Librarian non-neutrality. But Irene can’t help her emotions, or the way her body physically reacts to being around Kai. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure if I want the two to ever get together, as I’m wary of the many times I’ve been burned by some of my favorite platonic-partners-with-undeniable-chemistry taking things to the next level.
Talky Talk: 1920s
The alternate world Irene and Kai are in for most of The Lost Plot is a world much like our own, or, at least, the way ours was back in the 1920s. New York City is run by mobsters, Prohibition is in full effect, and prejudices against women and people who are not white men abound. But even though stories set in the 1920s are full of color and intrigue, I found the world to be a little boring in comparison to the more fantastical ones of the previous three novels.
Additionally, the plot of The Lost Plot, although entertaining and high-stakes, didn’t seem as exciting as the threads that led to Irene’s battle with Alberich. I guess I’d become accustomed to a lot of tension and action, and this one paled slightly in comparison. Don’t get me wrong, I still very much enjoyed it. But it felt a little bridge-bookish, and that’s not what I was expecting.
Bonus Factor: Dragons
I love the unique dragons Cogman has created for this series. Not only can they go around in human form, but they have very specific rules and traditions. I’d love to know more about dragon culture. I know that Kai keeps some of it secret from Irene, because Librarian neutrality, but we get to know more in The Lost Plot, and I’m even more intrigued than I was before.
Relationship Status: Fellow Librarians
I look forward to the day I’m asked to apprentice for the Library—it’s only a matter of time—and I get to live life as you’ve portrayed it, Book. I’m hoping that I have fewer life or death situations than Irene, but I’m willing to get my hands dirty. All in the name of literature love!
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Ace Books, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. The Lost Plot is available now.
