by Genevieve Cogman
Series: The Invisible Library #4
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
After being commissioned to find a rare book, Librarian Irene and her assistant, Kai, head to Prohibition-era New York and are thrust into the middle of a political fight with dragons, mobsters, and Fae.
In a 1920s-esque New York, Prohibition is in force; fedoras, flapper dresses, and tommy guns are in fashion: and intrigue is afoot. Intrepid Librarians Irene and Kai find themselves caught in the middle of a dragon political contest. It seems a young Librarian has become tangled in this conflict, and if they can’t extricate him, there could be serious repercussions for the mysterious Library. And, as the balance of power across mighty factions hangs in the balance, this could even trigger war.
Irene and Kai are locked in a race against time (and dragons) to procure a rare book. They’ll face gangsters, blackmail, and the Library’s own Internal Affairs department. And if it doesn’t end well, it could have dire consequences on Irene’s job. And, incidentally, on her life...
Genevieve Cogman vivid imagination continues to enchant me in The Lost Plot, the fourth book in the Invisible Library series. Dragons, betrayal and multiple identities lead to exciting events as Librarian Irene Winters looks to thwart an attempt that may have dire consequences for the library. Every spoken word counts in The Lost Plot delivering non-stop action and entertainment.
If you have not begun this series, it is best, to start with, book one, The Invisible Library. It follows our heroine librarian, Irene Winters. While each book features a current case and danger the overall worldbuilding, characters and threats to the library are better enjoyed from the beginning.
Vampires, fae, and dragons all give Irene fits in The Lost Plot. Two dragons are tasked with a quest. The one who completes it gains favor with the Queen, and the one who does not faces a disgrace that will require sacrifice to atone. When a new Librarian finds himself tangled up in their quest to retrieve a book, Irene and her young dragon apprentice Kai must travel to an alternate 1920s New York to save him and protect the Libraries neutrality. Once again, Cogman pulled me in as we traveled to this alternate world with gangsters, flapper dresses, and prohibition to face a ruthless dragon determined to win.
From magic to worldbuilding Cogman holds me spellbound every time I step into the Invisible Library series. I love the idea of alternate worlds. Some are filled with chaos and others order. I can just picture the portals through libraries and the great library itself. A trip to security was fascinating as the inner workings of the library itself are still quite a mystery. Each piece of knowledge we gain in the series is a treat.
I enjoy spending time with Irene Winters. Her ability to access situations, devise plans and tapdance in high court never cease to amaze me. I loved meeting the Dragon Queen and pictured an Alice in Wonderland type court. I kept waiting for someone to shout, “Off with her head!”
We see some development between Kai and Irene. I wouldn’t call it a romance, and it is just a side thread to their friendship and partnership. I picture Irene with a much stronger, older man like a certain detective on Baker Street perhaps. Only time will tell.
Fans of fantasy, libraries, alternate worlds and supernatural creatures will love the imaginative world Genevieve Cogman has created with the Invisible Library series. The Lost Plot was all that I hoped for and left me looking forward to the fifth book which is still not titled.
Every spoken word counts in The Lost Plot by Geneive Cogman delivering non-stop action and entertainment. #mustread #booklove Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lexi
How have I missed hearing about this series! These books are getting added to my TBR list right away.
Debbie Haupt
I think I may have seen your previous reviews of this series cause I remember going yeah I would like this and I really think I would. I’m adding this to my audible wish list
Bookworm Brandee
This sounds like such an imaginative series and I love the sound of Irene as well…she seems like my kind of heroine. 🙂 You turned me on to this series, Kim, but I’ve yet to start it. (I believe this is a common theme with you and I haha!) I’m going to see if my library carries it. Great review!
Sophia Rose
You remind me to get my tush in gear and get this series going. I love the description of the world in this series.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
This is such a fun series! I think that this book is my favorite in the series so far probably because of all the dragons. I loved the development in the relationship between Irene and Kai which left me with a smile at the end of the book. I am so glad you enjoyed this one, Kimberly!
Lorna
So this is about an invisible library that can travel to other dimensions or alternate worlds(time travel?)or they enter a portal in the invisible library? I’m a bit cod used. Sounds like a fun series either way!
Jenea's Book Obsession
Magic, mystery and supernatural beings, count me in! Sounds amazing!
Angela Adams
Fantasy aside, this sounds like a great suspense/mystery. Thanks for the post.
Heidi
Book Four?? How did that happen? I am way back on book two. I swear I will never catch up. Glad this is still going strong, little disappointed the romance hasn’t solidified yet.
Melissa
This series sounds so tempting…but I’ve never been big on the 20’s as a setting…hmmm…
Ethan
The setting and content sound a bit similar to the Fantastic Beasts movie. I really like the idea of a history-tinged fantasy!
Jo
Recently I’ve become obsessed with stories about Fae, dragons and fantasy creatures. This book seems like a perfect fuel to my new obsession 🙂
Blodeuedd
This sounds amusing 😀
Nadene
This sounds funtastic. This one is new to me, but I do like the sound of it so I will be adding it to my TBR. Great review.
Ailyn Koay
I think the lost plot is telling us that poor Irene has lost the plot, and she needs to find it back XD awesome review and I do adore the simplistic cover.
kindlemom1
I love that you are still loving this series after book four and it is still keeping you entertained and excited for the next one!
RO
A suspense novel where a librarian is the heroine? That sounds so cool! Hugs…RO