This one is complicated. The world building is intricate and sometimes confusing. As Claire and her posse travel through different realms to discover the truth behind hell's book, they meet many a terrifying character. I love the premise, but SO much was happening that it could be difficult to follow. I did, however, love the battle in Valhalla.

This was a great fun read. The author created their own unique world based on traditional mythos with a twist. Great characterization and the story never felt bogged down.

While the concept of this book was interesting, ultimately this book was not for me. I just could not get into it. Every time I put the book down, I felt no desire to pick it back up. I’m a mood reader, so I will potentially pick this back up at a later date, but for now, sadly, 2 stars.

This is my new all time favorite book! I felt such an instant connection to this world and characters. The idea of a library where unfinished stories go is so fascinating. I really loved this cast of characters so much. I had a hard time deciding who was my favorite because they are all such interesting characters. I really enjoyed how there was never a dull moment in the book. It was such a fun ride that I never wanted to end. My favorite scene in particular was the librarian duel. That was one of the coolest things I have ever read.
I can't wait for the sequel to see where the story leads to next!

I enjoyed every aspect of this book, enormously. Unfortunately, for me, those many pretty aspects did not form a synergistic whole. I can't tell you what went wrong, but this book was pretty meh for me, despite itself.

I am a member of the American Library Association Reading List Award Committee. This title was suggested for the 2020 list. It was not nominated for the award. The complete list of winners and shortlisted titles is at <a href="https://rusaupdate.org/2020/01/2020-reading-list-years-best-in-genre-fiction-for-adult-readers/">

Hell's librarian, a newly-minted demon, a muse and a hero sprung from the pages of his own story are tasked with collecting the pages of a book that could change the world if they fall into the wrong hands. This was a book I wanted to slow down and take my time reading while also eagerly gobbling up every single page. The worldbuilding is immersive without being too dense, and I'm also a sucker for those found family vibes that happen when a group of unlikely individuals come together (some of them very reluctantly) in pursuit of a common mission. And now there's going to be a sequel that I can't wait to get my hands on! Do yourself a favor and read this one yesterday.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As a librarian, "The Library of the Unwritten," is a thoroughly fun read. I'll be recommending this one to patrons and friends alike.

So much fun! I found it to be reminiscent of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series. I enjoyed the strong heroine and found my alliances shifting on occasion.

After about 180 pages of not caring one lick about any of the characters, I couldn't even force myself to read the last chapter to see how everything ended.

And this is from a librarian who used to joke she worked in hell. And I am so sad because I frikking love the idea and concept of this book, but it just wasn't in the cards for me. Maybe another time I can try it again.

DNF at 34%. For some reason, I felt like I should have more info about the main point of this mission...what are Claire and Leto and everyone up to? I just feel like there’s two plots (Claire’s and the angels) and they’ll probably overlap at some point but I’m not tryna wait for it.




Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review!

This is one that I contacted the publisher about and, happily, they sent along a finished copy to review after it released. This is no way affects my honest opinions. Nor should it affect yours!


I had the privilege of reading several fantasy books this year that dealt with magical libraries and the books therein. It’s one of my favorite tropes/themes, and I love all the creative ways various authors portray the awesomeness that is libraries, books, and their relationships with readers. This one was no different.

Actually, this book reminded me of several things in Good Omens. The TV show as I haven’t read the book. Here we have demons and angels exchanging witty banter or trying to work together to stop a world-threatening power. I enjoyed the portrayal of afterlifes and the gods that ruled over them. The idea of a library set aside, in hell, for books that have not or never will be written really put into perspective the story ideas percolating in my own brain that I haven’t been able to write down yet. (But I’m working on that, so they won’t always be in the Unwritten wing!)

One of the things I’d like to explore in future books of the series would be the other library branches, their workers, and what realms they reside in. They were only briefly mentioned in Claire’s story, and I think it would be fun to explore.

I think the pacing was well done and the characters full of sass and growth. The author did a great job describing the layers of the characters and building the world they share. I expect fabulous things to come!

The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith is the first book in a new series. Many years ago, Claire was named Head Librarian of the Unwritten Wing-- a neutral space in Hell where all the stories unfinished by their authors reside. Her job consists mainly of repairing and organizing books, but also of keeping an eye on restless stories that risk materializing as characters and escaping the library. When a Hero escapes from his book and goes in search of his author, Claire must track and capture him with the help of former muse and current assistant Brevity and nervous demon courier Leto. But what should have been a simple retrieval goes horrifyingly wrong when the terrifyingly angelic Ramiel attacks them, convinced that they hold the Devil's Bible. The text of the Devil's Bible is a powerful weapon in the power struggle between Heaven and Hell, so it falls to the librarians to find a book with the power to reshape the boundaries between Heaven, Hell….and Earth.

The Library of the Unwritten is a book that requires the readers full attention. It has a brilliant concept, complex characters, and a plot with action and foreshadowing to spare. I will admit the first few chapters started off rough for me, because there was so much that needed to be introduced, and characters to meet. Once the story got going however, I was intrigued and hooked. I loved Claire's character- she is complex with secrets and hidden sides at every turn. Brevity has hidden depths, Leto is so much more than he seems, and then there are Hero and Ramiel who are not really what you expect. I liked getting to see the story from multiple perspectives, how the characters see each other, and their vulnerabilities, was just as important to the story for me as the mystery of the codex and its importance to them all. I liked the puzzles and bits of religious lore woven through the story, from a variety of cultures. I really enjoyed the thoughts and questions about the possibilities and importance inherent in books, ideas, and stories. The action scenes were well written, and readers will be completely engaged in the wellbeing of the characters, physically and emotionally. The only trouble I had was more about my reading habits and life than the actual book. There are so many nuances and important hints through the bok that readers should really give the book their full attention while reading, but that is rarely possible for me. This meant that it took me a little longer to read the book than expected, because of the distracts of life. However, I am really glad that I had the time to finally give the read the attention it deserved.

The Library of the Unwritten is a well written and entertaining read. To really enjoy it and catch all the foreshadowing and character nuances, I highly recommend reading it when you can give it your undivided attention.

I love the premise of this book: Hell has a library, and a dedicated librarian! Yes! Claire is every librarian's dream: dedicated, focused, snarky as hell, and knowledgeable beyond. She has to track down a rogue character from the Unwritten Wing - the wing of books that's loaded with potential, but alas, unwritten - and finds herself in the middle of a mystery surrounding a scrap of parchment that's allegedly from Lucifer's own Bible. The Library of the Unwritten is a dark fantasy, the likes of which Neil Gaiman would be proud, but in spite of some pretty amazing characters and genius moments, it lags. It was too easy for me to put the book down and wander off, and when I picked it up again, it didn't pull me back in as much. Good worldbuilding, great characters, but something left me wanting.

The Library of the Unwritten, is the story of Hell's librarian, and a missing book. Claire is stuck with a missing book, who has manifested into a Hero and wandered off to find his author. She has also been saddled with a newly-minted and awfully skittish demon to help her bring the Hero back to the Unwritten library - the library for books whose authors have never committed their stories to page for one reason or another.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't a good fit for me. I had a hard time getting engaged in the story - I attribute a big part of this to a lack of connection with the characters. It could very well have also been a timing issue for me, as this novel has gotten plenty of other positive reviews, and I'd be willing to go back and revisit it at a later time.

I honestly expected to love this book but after getting to the 49% mark I just completely lost interest in it. I was finding the story really slow going and I didn't feel any kind of connection with any of the characters. I've spent several weeks trying to force myself to continue reading but I think I just need to accept that this book wasn't for me.

I'm definitely in the minority on this one though, it has loads of positive reviews so please don't let me put you off trying it.

I really enjoyed a great many things about this book. Characters were fleshed out and the plot was well spaced. Some of the secondary storylines could've used a bit more page space but all in all an enjoyable read!

I am about a third of the way through this novel. It is amusing but it reminds me too much of the Thursday Next series. I plan to keep reading and see if it finds its own path or continues to follow in another’s footsteps.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which has not altered my opinion of the book.

This book had my taste written all over it (no pun intended). I mean unwritten books who are all gathered in a Library in Hell, run by a sarcastic woman who has to keep track of all of them while fixing any broken ones and ends up having to go on a search for a runaway one? I mean add in the ex-muse assistant and the adorable cinnamon roll of a demon and I can't help but love it! This book has depth and complex characters that we learned more about even when it reached the end of the story.

I can't wait to see where this story goes! The storyline is pretty easy to follow and the characters are unique. Each one has a distinct personality and motivation and my favorite is Hero who is basically Loki if he looked like Thor. I love the rivals to friends relationship that he has with Claire. That and the cinnamon roll that is Leto, who just needs to be protected at all costs. Never to forget Brevity the ex-muse, who is the spark of sunshine who learns to believe in herself.

Honestly, I can't talk about this book enough, it made me so happy and I loved it. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book which I would love to know when it is coming! 5 out of 5 from me!