The Librarian’s Ruse
The Librarian’s Ruse (Adventures in Eldnaire #1)
By: Thirzah
So I’m not typically a fan of novellas, and this book kinda confirmed that feeling. Not because the writing was poor— I didn’t have issue with the writing— but because I need more information!
Novellas are so short that there can’t be a lot of world building, background or context. Problems tend to get solved quickly and the plot moves fast. It’s harder to get connected to the characters or the story because the time investment is so short.
It’s harder for novellas to make a lasting impression.
This novella seems to be in a series which helps because the story will continue and build on itself. I am just the type of person who would prefer it all in one book rather than three or four novellas.
This is definitely a YA book and would probably fit younger readers better because there is not a lot of complexity to the plot, plus it’s clean so young readers won’t have to worry about language, sexual content, or violence being an issue here.
I think younger readers also won’t mind the shorter format. Sometimes bigger books can be too daunting for young readers and they would prefer it to be in smaller chunks. I can respect that.
The premise is this:
Amelia and Leon, librarians and siblings, are traveling to Eldnaire to bring some books to the library there. But on the way they inadvertently hear a murder in the woods and stumble across the victims’ abandoned campsite. They help themselves to the goods, including the unique white fur coats.
But when they enter the city, they are approached by an official of the emperor who mistakens them (because of the coats) for those were killed. To avoid punishment of stealing goods, their ruse is to continue to pretend to be whoever the emperor was expecting even though if they’re caught they could face death anyway.
They are then thrust into the politics and secrets of nations at odds and those who would rather have war than peace. The people who killed once may be coming for them next.
There is also a romantic thread that will continue in the series as well.
Now, one thing that did disappoint me a bit was the lack of tension or danger.
The Goodreads summary reads:
“as the secrets and scandals continue to pile up and danger closes in on all sides, Amelia must decide once and for all what matters the truth...or her life?”
This reads like there must be a lot of suspense and danger, but I didn’t really feel that as I read it. We know from the start that a couple people were killed and there was an attempt on Lia and Leon’s lives via poison, but I just didn’t feel this desperate place or impossible decision. A lot of their path seemed too easy.
There was a secret or two, but not the amount I was expecting.
I didn’t feel the looming implications of war because I didn’t understand the history of the different nations. The nation of Ivanyar, where they are pretending to be from, is a mysterious place that no one knows much about. But we don’t know why that is. Lia and Leon have a grandma from there which seems significant but there’s not much background there and we know of no stories from her or her past.
We don’t really know anything about Lia and Leon’s lives. We don’t even know what it means to be a librarian in this world. What is their family or living situation? What is the kingdom of Myanar, where they are from, even like? And they didn’t actually get the books to the library like they were supposed to- is that significant?
We know that Eldnaire is known for its thirst for war, but you don’t really get to know how being in that village is different than any other.
And again, I think a lot of that is because the book is short; you can’t draw those things out.
I like the plot. I like that the main characters are siblings and so we get to see the ups and downs of that relationship.
I like that there is a mysterious place that we may find out more about and that perhaps the two siblings are in a special place to bring peace between the nations. I like that there might be something significant in the journal they found and that the other journals may still be out there somewhere and didn’t actually get burned like they thought. I like that their being librarians may give them particular skills or knowledge that others don’t have that will help solve the problems that come up.
But as you can see, many of the things I like are potentials that have been set up but not followed through on yet. I just had so many questions and wanted more out of the book in the right now.
Again, it’s a novella, so it wasn’t intended to do all the things I wanted it to do, so I can hardly blame it for that. And for the target audience— younger readers— I think it still works just fine. But I just prefer… beefier books!
**Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
[Content Advisory: none]
This book released August 7, 2023. You can order a copy of this book using my affiliate link below.
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