The Library of the Unwritten is not a book I could have expected. Initially, I assumed that it was going to be similar to Jasper Fforde’s The Eyre Affair or another book where readers interact with characters. Nope. Hold on tight, readers; this is about to get WAY DARK.
Claire is the Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing; a place where stories that were never finished by their authors live for all eternity. Her job is to repair and organize them, but also to make sure that desperate characters don’t escape their books and go on a walkabout. However, the Unwritten Wing is in all places, HELL. Yes, that hell- the fire and brimstone kind. Claire is not thrilled to be there and is pretty clear that she doesn’t listen to Lucifer or whoever is in charge down there. Her assistant is a failed Muse named Brevity, and they are usually followed by a very anxiety-ridden demon courier named Leto. When a character escapes his book and goes earthside to talk to his writer, Claire, Leto, and Brevity head to earth to find him and bring him back. In true adventure fashion, the mission does not go as planned. One of the fallen Watcher Angels from the book of Enoch, Ramiel, attacks them and claims they are carrying a secret Devil’s Bible. This book is meant to be a powerful weapon in the war between Heaven and Hell.
I was expecting to just enjoy this book, but I adored it. A.J. Hackwith’s book is fun and creative, with the concept making the reader do an initial doubletake before diving in headfirst. It feels like Hackwith has created a whole other world and is more than delighted to share the characters with the world.
The Library of the Unwritten is available now from Ace books and should be read as soon as you’ve got space in your TBR pile.
