From School Library Journal
Grade 9 Up—Despite her seemingly humble role as a library clerk in a forgotten colony, Haly is the keeper of a remarkable secret. In a world in which books are both revered and feared, she has the power to hear the words of the tomes around her. When a rival group called the Eradicants, who believe that the books are evil, plots to destroy the ancient library where she lives and works, Haly is forced to make difficult choices to protect the lives of those around her. This debut novel is based on the premise of librarians as the protector of knowledge, defending literature from those who have abandoned the written word. With many references to well-known young adult works (listed in an appendix), particularly Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, the author tries to create a world of magic, adventure, and mystery. Some of the faster-paced scenes have the potential to captivate readers, but becoming completely absorbed in the story is a challenge. How well this book succeeds will depend on whether teenagers are able to bond with the main character, and how much interest they have in the world of librarians.—Caryl Soriano, New York Public Library END
My review...
Libyrinth picks up speed as it rolls along. It gathers a lot
of detail, connecting amazing ideas as it moves faster and faster towards the
end. The farther into it I read, the harder it was to set down. Within 300 some
pages, it boasted big plans or threatened war, and the author delivered. I
thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!!
This is a book surrounding a library and knowledge. There is
history between the ancients and lingering memories of old earth and it’s
deeper for being divided at a point in history where two great friends had a
misunderstanding. Their descendants carried that misunderstanding until it grew
into large prejudices. I enjoyed the intricacy of the large scope of history.
The idea of people protecting a library is intriguing, too.
There is an entire culture within the Libyrinth completely separate from the
Ilysies and Singers. The Ilysies had such an interesting grasp on light and an
overwhelming number of women. The
Singers worshipped their ancestor Yamon and men were priests to a twisted degree.
And the misunderstandings between all of them including the Thespians, who we
didn’t hear as much about, was very complicated. Enjoyable.
I really liked the characters. Haly is fun. She is humble
and creative, a survivor, but not what I would initially think of as hero
material. She reacts to painful torture
very humanly, realizing her own weaknesses. Clauda is so interesting, too. She
also has weaknesses she accepts in order to overcome them, working around
debilitating paralysis, even. Selene had
moments of greatness. She saved her companions selflessly and anticipated her
Queen Mother’s motives. She disappeared
into the background for the grand finale, but she could have directed it,
instead. As could have Siblea, who was downright creepy with his ability to
administer torture as he saw necessary. He thought quickly to avert disaster
and might have orchestrated the ending more than was obvious to the two main
girls.
My favorite part is where the books talked to Haly, and that
surprised me. When I read the cover, I pictured random readings going on the
poor girl’s head, but the books respond to her thoughts, which is neat idea.
She carried out conversations with written words, any book in the vicinity,
while talking with people around her. I can’t even imagine how she kept her
ability secret growing up. The description of her not having many friends must
have exaggerated in how ostracized she must have been by keeping silence so much.
It was hard to keep track of the different conversations inside and outside of
her head, but in a great way. I felt as if good strong thinking minds were
working hard at every turn in the book and I enjoyed keeping up with all of
them. I especially enjoyed all the quotes. I didn’t expect to enjoy the quotes
so much, but I read them again after finishing when the author sited where each
quote had come from.
This book took the idea
making books I didn't know and turning them into good friends that I remember. I will never think
of Anne Frank the same again and not just because her persecution coincided
with themes in this book. Libyrinth made
The Diary of a Young Girl one of my friends, and that’s amazing.
My rating: Love it!
