The Library of the Unwritten – A.J. Hackwith

More October books!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

THE LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN – A.J. Hackwith (Released October 1st, 2019)

This is book one in the new Hell’s Library series

Book Description:

In the first book in a brilliant new fantasy series, books that aren’t finished by their authors reside in the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, and it is up to the Librarian to track down any restless characters who emerge from those unfinished stories.

Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing—a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto.

But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil’s Bible. The text of the Devil’s Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell … and Earth

My Thoughts: 4/5 stars

I’m always excited to see the beginning of a new series. Especially when this is about unfinished books that then go to the Library of the Unwritten, but this Library is located in Hell. I don’t even know where to begin with my review without spoiling anything in this unique and inventive read.

We meet Claire, who had been appointed Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing. Her job mainly consisted of normal things, like repairing and organizing the unfinished books that are sent to this section of Hell. Her other job requirements? Keeping an eye on those pesky characters that try to come to life and escape their books and then the library. When one escapes to find his author, Claire must team up with her fellow librarians to track him down. Things get complicated when angel Ramiel comes to them convinced they hold one of the most powerful and dark texts – the Devil’s Bible. Will they be able to track down this text before another war breaks out between Heaven and Hell?

This book was completely original and I loved the concept of unwritten and restless books residing in Hell. We get a good picture of all of our characters and I enjoyed the little snippets added in that explains how they all ended up in Hell. Plenty to keep you pulled into the story and while it did hit a slower point in the middle it didn’t last long! I cannot wait to see where the series brings us and I’m always game for a book about books or about librarians! Definitely recommend this to fans of the fantasy genre.