The Dark Archive by Genevieve Cogman is the seventh novel in the Invisible Library fantasy series featuring a feisty librarian, her dragon prince boyfriend and motley crew of allies who protect the worlds. You’ll want to curl up on the sofa and escape to this magical world filled with books, explosions and adventure.
by Genevieve Cogman
Series: The Invisible Library #7
Source: Library
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
A professional spy for a mysterious Library which harvests fiction from different realities, Irene faces a series of assassination attempts that threaten to destroy her and everything she has worked for.
Irene is teaching her new assistant the fundamentals of a Librarian's job, and finding that training a young Fae is more difficult than she expected. But when they both narrowly avoid getting killed in an assassination attempt, she decides that learning by doing is the only option they have left - especially when the assassins keep coming for them, and for Irene's other friends as well...
In order to protect themselves, Irene and her friends must do what they do best: search for information to defeat the overwhelming threat they face and identify their unseen enemy. To do that, Irene will have to delve deeper into her own history than she ever has before, face an ancient foe, and uncover secrets that will change her life and the course of the Library forever.
I am so glad I caught up on this series with the Finish a Series in a Month challenge. I also tied it to the Library Love Challenge by snagging these copies from my local library.
When our story opens, we discover that Irene, Kai, and her young Fae apprentice are all part of an assassination attempt. Indeed, from the very first page, their life is in peril. Their allies are also in danger from an unknown assailant.
I loved the tale that unfolded from a nemesis they thought was dead to a debacle villain they have faced before. We travel worlds and have to deal with Kai’s brother, poison, and plenty of explosions. The team is separated much of the time as they gather intel and try to remain hidden.
Vale and Inspector Singh are present, as well as others. I am hoping for more page time with Vale. Catherine, our young fae apprentice, proves to be resourceful, but also gets Irene into some tight spots.
This tale was fast-paced with plenty of twists and reveals. The ending has me counting down the days until my library hold comes in for the final book.
Fans of libraries, spies, mystery and magic will want to devour this story. It is really quite clever. Even prickly characters will grow on you as Cogman peels back their layers.
As with most fantasy, I recommend reading this series is the order of its release. Character interaction and overall series arc while revisited enhance the series. However, each tale deals with a particular case/problem and Cogman does a solid job familiarizing new readers.
About Genevieve Cogman
Genevieve Cogman got started on Tolkien and Sherlock Holmes at an early age, and has never looked back. But on a perhaps more prosaic note, she has an MSC in Statistics with Medical Applications and has wielded this in an assortment of jobs: clinical coder, data analyst and classifications specialist. Although The Invisible Library is her debut novel, she has also previously worked as a freelance roleplaying game writer. Genevieve Cogman’s hobbies include patchwork, beading, knitting and gaming, and she lives in the north of England.
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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
Lawrence Loveless
One of my favorite series. Thanks
Katherine
I really enjoyed the first book in the series and am so looking forward to reading more. I only skimmed this review because I didn’t want to spoil anything but I’m so glad to see it’s still going strong.
Kimberly
Yes, we are deep into the series at this point. I hope you continue them.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I’ve heard good things about this series. I might give it a try some time. Glad you have enjoyed it so much! Great review!
Kimberly
I have had a lot of fun with it Lisa.
Wendy
I love it when one book works for several challenges! This series looks really good.
Kimberly
Me too. LOL
Ethan
I may need to copy your Finish a Series in a Month goal. I have so many that I’ve never finished!
Kimberly
Yeah, I joined the challenge for that at Because Reading. They do it 2xs a year.
Nadene
It seems I need to add this series to my reading list.
Kimberly
Yes you do.
Sophia Rose
Man, I really need to get to this series, too. Double the pleasure when a book/series kills two challenges with one book. 🙂
Kimberly
Hehe…yes!!
Jan
Loved this series and so wish there was more. Are you gonna check her next series. One that i liked that reminded me a bit of this series was the unwritten library.
Kimberly
I probably will!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I enjoyed these books a lot and I’m glad you are finally getting to read them.
Kimberly
Thanks….it was the snowball effect. I missed one because I was sick, then didn’t read the others because I was behind.