About this book
(Book blurb from Pan MacMillan SA)
Set in an alternate day New York filled with monsters, The Wren in the Holly Library is a dark, spicy urban fantasy loosely inspired by Beauty and the Beast – perfect for fans of V. E. Schwab and Leigh Bardugo.
She stole from a monster . . . now she must pay the price
Street thief Kierse should have known something wasn’t right. Now she’s trapped in a library — with a monster. She can’t run. She can’t hide. And this man – this being, filled with terrible power and darkness — is well within his rights to kill her.
By trespassing, Kierse has broken the fragile peace treaty between monsters and humans. But instead of killing her, Graves does the unexpected: he offers her a job. A chance to find out who she really is.
Kierse has always known she’s different. That she can do things a little better, a little faster. And there’s that sense she has when danger is only a breath away. But if the old tales are true, there are worse things in the world than monsters.
Like a threat more ancient than legend. Like Graves. Or like Kierse herself . . .
From bestselling author K. A. Linde comes the start of an addictive dark romantasy series where monsters live among humandkind, and ancient secrets threaten to destroy everything . . .
400 pages
ISBN 9781035044863
My thoughts
My thoughts“I’m not a delicate flower that you should fear crushing in your palm.”
“No, you’re delicate like a bomb.”
The Wren in the Holly Library tells the story of Kierse, who finds herself entangled in a dangerous mission after entering the house of a monster. Despite a treaty that maintains peace, stealing is grounds for breaking it. The creature recognizes her potential and hires her for her most perilous task yet. Throughout her journey, Kierse unravels secrets and discovers answers that challenge her understanding of the world around her.
“To the girls who fell for the library before the beast.”
However, I have mixed feelings about this book:
What I enjoyed
What I enjoyed- Engaging World-Building: The dystopian setting, where monsters coexist with humans after a major war, is creatively imagined. The magic system is fresh, with each witch or warlock possessing individual powers.
- Compelling Secondary Characters: Kierse’s friendships with Gen and Ethan are heartwarming, showcasing strong, loyal bonds.
- Self-Discovery and Development: Kierse’s journey of self-discovery and her evolving relationship with Graves add depth to the narrative.
“All she wanted to do was pull them off the shelves just to smell them. Crack open those perfect spines and devour the contents. She wanted to live and breathe a different world. Something, anything, other than her own horrid reality. It would be easy to spend a lifetime in this room and never read every volume.”
What could have been better, in my opinion….
- Character Connection: I struggled to connect with the main characters, finding the protagonist, Kierse, less relatable or compelling.
- Predictability: The foreshadowing is often too obvious, making several plot twists predictable, which can detract from the suspense.
- Romance Execution: The romance between Kierse and Graves feels sudden and lacks a natural build-up, impacting the overall narrative flow.
- Heist Execution: While the build-up to the heist is intriguing, the actual event is anticlimactic and lacks the tension and challenge expected from a high-stakes operation.
The Wren in the Holly Library offers a wild ride filled with mystery, intrigue, and magic. Though the book has its flaws, including a somewhat predictable plot and underdeveloped romance, it still provides an entertaining read for those who enjoy fantasy and adventure. The rich world-building and the unique magic system stand out, making it a worthwhile read for fantasy enthusiasts.
“She was no longer a sapling constantly moved by the next heavy breeze. She was a mountain, immovable.”
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Thank you, Pan MacMillan SA, for the opportunity to read this book!
About the author:
@roelia_reads #Bookmail from @Pan Macmillan SA Welcome to my TBR!! Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune The Wren in The Holly Library deur K.A. Linde Which one to read first? #roeliareads #TJKlune #KALinde #PanMacMillanSA #Tor #booktok ♬ Instrumental – Vibe – pedrin cria
