Published by Macmillan Tor/ Forge Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, young adult
Format: ARC, eBook
The Library of the Dead is the first book in the Edinburgh Nights series, and I guarantee that if you read this book, you will be dying to read the next!
Fourteen-year-old, Ropa sees dead people! No, she is not that kid from The Sixth Sense, she is a ghostalker. What!?! Yes, she does not just see them, she communicates with them as well. Ropa has dropped out of school and speaks to the dead of Edinburgh with the help of her Mbira (African Musical Instrument). She carries their messages to their living relatives who pay her for her services. Sounds easy enough right? Wrong, there are obstacles in her way and she often has to leave her physical body behind to travel to other realms…. How!?! You will need to read to find out more! Why drop out of school to become a ghostalker? Why not? No, seriously, rent is expensive, and bills must be paid! Ropa pays for the caravan that she, her Gran and younger sister live in.
When the dead begin to whisper about someone taking children on her turf, Ropa feels obligated to investigate. If you think this is going to be an easy feat – THINK AGAIN! Along the way she will journey deeper into Edinburgh’s underbelly, visit an occult library, rely on Zimbabwean magic, and rely on her courage. She will come up again things that will make dementors look docile. She is on the hunt for answers but along the way will the hunter become the hunted.
This was such an immersive and fun book. If you read the synopsis and think that this might not be your cup of tea, please stop and reconsider this book. Ropa is such a spunky, tough, sarcastic, funny and street-smart character. She thinks fast on her feet, shows bravery and warmth. This book is also full of interesting and quirky characters -including her Gram, her fox (YES!), her friends and even the not so pleasant characters.
The Author builds mounting tension at the same time building alternative realms. This book is atmospheric and dark, yet not too dark. It will please both YA and Adult readers. This book is interesting, and I could not quite figure out when it takes place, is this an alternate Edinburgh or Edinburgh set sometime in the future after a catastrophe. Either way, when Ropa mentions old movies it is hilarious. Her sarcasm and whit really bring some light and fun to this darker book. Another plus of this book is how the Author was able to create the location and other realm without being too wordy or losing me in the process. I could imagine just what the author was describing in chilling detail.
I read most of this book in one day as I did not want to put this book down. It is a little bit different, who am I kidding, it is a lot different, and I loved turning out my world to enter this one. Imaginative, creative, dark, creepy and sinister. What a great start to a new series! I cannot wait to see the main characters of this book again! If you don’t want to start a series, this book does work as a standalone. It’s magical!
This book was highly entertaining and pray you do not get lost in the alternate worlds as you leave your world behind to enter The Library of the Dead!
Thank you to Macmillan – Tor and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
