The Astral Library
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3.9 • 43 Ratings
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- $22.99
Publisher Description
From New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn comes a gorgeously written fantastical adventure which poses the question: Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.
Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.
The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself? Includes a bonus conversation with Kate Quinn, Saskia Maarleveld, and Tessa Woodward (editor of The Astral Library).
Customer Reviews
Lack luster plot
At the beginning of the book, I thought “wow, this is going to be a good book” - as it progressed, the half way and the ending few chapters got very dull talking of “library boards” and “bureaucracy”. I felt like I was sitting at a table of CEOs discussing “by-laws”.
There was no peak in the book, and could have been taken to so many different directions, but wasn’t. Too bad.
Kate Quinn+Magic=❤️
This book was not what I expected from her but it was AMAZING!! The kind of book where you slow down near the end because you don’t want it to be over… but you also can’t stop because you need to know how it all unfolds.
It’s like finishing a piece of your favorite cake…
It was delicious.
You are completely full.
And somehow still wanting more.
A book lovers dream!!
Kate Quinn has worked her magic again, this time with a bit of magic in the plot and I couldn’t put it down. I’ve already listened to the audiobook and am now reading the hardcover version. This book brings glee and giddiness to any current book lover. She weaves in subtle details that make a bookworm feel seen and know in beautiful little ways, all without sacrificing plot and suspense. This is quickly becoming my newest favorite book. Well done Ms Quinn!