I was really looking forward to reading A Stranger in the Citadel given its broad theme and the idea that reading is forbidden in exchange for the gift of plenty.

I enjoyed it in parts, but felt some of the book was too rushed and that we weren't fully allowed to learn more about the characters and their motivations. I feel like I would probably enjoy this a lot more with more detail in world-building and even as a longer book that allows the post-apocalyptic world to fully unfold.

Ratings
Cover: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Initial Draw: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Characters: ⭐
Plot and Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐
Last Page Feeling: ⭐⭐⭐

Note: For transparency - I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley. This will not impact my review.

Synopsis
A young royal "musketress", Lilith, lives an isolate life in a citadel with her family controlling an infinite source of resources, created by the gods as well as sole control of muskets/firearms giving them military might over other classes of citizen.

Reading and writing are forbidden acts in this world. "You shall not suffer a librarian to live"; but, one day a librarian shows up at the citadel and Lilith discovers her families secret which changes her perception of her family and the world forever.


Review

Cover

The cover is beautiful and represents the plot well with the frequently chanted slogan "You shall not suffer a librarian to live" emblazoned on the front.

Initial Draw
The initial draw for me was the premise of a fantasy retelling of the true history of book burning and the suppression of knowledge transfer between classes keeping a status quo that keeps the powerful in charge and the poor under their foot.

Characters
The characters were simply... not interesting and not well described. I could not explain to you what anybody looks like or any of their characteristics except the guardians dress in green and the ruling class carry muskets around.

I ultimately didn't care about any of the characters and most of all found Lilith, the focus of the narrative, extremely dull. She had no growth across the entire book and instead just served to pull the plot along.

<Spoilers removed>

Plot and Pacing
Firstly be warned it takes until almost exactly the 50% mark for anything to truly progress the plot.

You spend the first half of the book being introduced to Lillith, her teacher/guard captain Kira, and the Librarian. As mentioned in the character section though I don't think the book is any better off character development wise for such a long on ramp. At 50% Lillith finally reveals the big secret to Kira and that is where the plot finally leaves what is already covered in the official synopsis and jumps into new content.

The content from the 50% mark takes a fairly meandering path.

<spoilers removed>

Last Page Feeling

Ultimately it was a quick and enjoyable enough read - I just felt unfulfilled at the end. I assume this is lining up for a sequel as by the end I still didn't know the real answer behind the big questions like why literature/writing/reading is banned <spoilers removed>

Is freedom from suffering worth the loss of literacy? A STRANGER IN THE CITADEL is a powerful fable on the power of myth, and the importance of finding your own truth. Lilith is born to power and privilege as a daughter of the Lord of Ninetha. Yet, despite having the responsibility of defending the city as a musketress, she is closely watched by guardians, and not allowed to walk unescorted in its streets. The walled city and its citadel, as well as the mysterious workings of the bountiful cornucopia that provides but which no one understands, are strong metaphors of the power of knowledge, and the reverse of its dearth. Fear, blasphemy and doom haunt Ninetha, but the real curse and heresy may be closer than they think.

It had a slightly slow start, but definitely had me towards the second act. I love books about books, and this one delivered. Thanks Tachyon and Netgalley for the free e-galley.

In the kingdom of Ninetha, Lilith, the youngest musketress and a member of the royal family, is well aware of the prevailing decree: "Thou shalt not suffer a librarian to live." This ominous warning has been ingrained in her from a young age. However, when a weary traveler is brought into Ninetha's gates, clutching a forbidden book, Lilith defies the instinctive call for his immediate execution. Instead, she pleads for mercy, advocating that he be given a chance to explain why writing and literacy hold such significance and danger. Unfortunately, her compassionate plea falls on deaf ears, and the traveler is subjected to torture and imprisonment. Yet, Lilith's curiosity remains undeterred, compelling her to seek conversation with the imprisoned librarian, yearning to comprehend the immense value he places on knowledge and why it has the potential to undermine her entire world.

Within the confines of this concise novella, readers are offered a gripping glimpse into a post-apocalyptic realm where cities have crumbled and become isolated, reverting to a state akin to the medieval era, complete with corresponding mindsets. In this world, the possession of knowledge beyond the basic essentials for survival is deemed perilous for humanity. However, there is always an individual whose insatiable curiosity rebels against such restrictive mandates. Initially, Lilith appears naive, her beliefs carefully molded to conform to the limited perspectives demanded by her society. Yet, as she engages in conversations with the librarian and embarks on a quest for answers, her eyes are opened to the vast vault of hidden knowledge that has been intentionally withheld from her. This revelation shatters the narrow confines of her understanding, leaving her world in a state of upheaval. Reading this novella elicits undeniable parallels to our contemporary society, where limited access to information and education, or the lack of acceptance of these vital components, fosters a rigid mindset that stifles alternative perspectives and inhibits personal growth.

In this mesmerizing tale, the world-building transports readers to the desolate kingdom of Ninetha, painting a vivid picture of a fragmented civilization grappling with the consequences of a cataclysmic event. The remnants of once-great cities, now reduced to ruins, stand as stark reminders of the world's former glory. The author masterfully weaves together elements of medieval aesthetics, infusing the narrative with a palpable sense of both nostalgia and foreboding. The decimated landscapes and isolated communities serve as a haunting backdrop for the exploration of a society governed by fear and ignorance.

The character development in this novella is equally captivating. Lilith's transformation from a sheltered young musketress to a courageous seeker of truth is skillfully rendered. The internal conflict she experiences, torn between her loyalty to her people and her thirst for knowledge, is palpable and relatable. As the layers of her conditioning peel away, readers witness her evolution into a fierce advocate for the emancipation of the human mind. The librarian, too, emerges as a complex figure, embodying the resilience and unyielding spirit of those who refuse to be silenced. Through their interactions, a profound connection forms, transcending the barriers imposed by their respective stations in life.

As the story unfolds, the narrative deftly navigates themes of censorship, intellectual freedom, and the power of information. The stark dichotomy between the confined world of Ninetha and the expansive possibilities presented by knowledge is presented with thought-provoking clarity. The author's exploration of the profound impact that limited access to information can have on society serves as a poignant reflection of our own world, urging readers to question the status quo and champion the unquenchable thirst for enlightenment.

In conclusion, this tightly woven novella transports readers to a world ravaged by calamity, where the thirst for knowledge is suppressed in favor of a rigid, narrow-minded existence. Through the eyes of the determined Lilith, we witness the transformative power of curiosity and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to challenge oppressive systems. This thought-provoking tale serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers inherent in restricting access to information, compelling readers to reevaluate the value they place on intellectual freedom in their own lives.

I don’t read fantasy. I don’t much care for the genre, Game of Thrones notwithstanding. But I do love books about books, libraries, librarians, etc. So I figured why not take the genre for a spin on the plot-based appeal and see how I like it.
Sure enough, the book angle was great and definitely carried the novel, but there was also plenty more to enjoy, from compelling, interesting characters to immersive world-building. The latter was particularly cleverly done. Difficult to talk about without giving something away, but very clever. Timeline distortions and all that.
The tone put me in mind of a fairy tale for adults, which I do associate with the fantasy genre.
So, I’m not converted, nothing like that, fantasy still doesn’t much work for me, but apparently it was just bibliocentric enough for my reading enjoyment.
Fans of the genre presumably would love it all the more. A quick read. Does have a proper ending, but laves off like it might be serialized. Fun as had. Thanks Netgalley.

This book is strange. With ties to Fahrenheit 451 and the Count of Monte Cristo, the story nicely incorporates the major themes of those stories here. With the speculative touches of an omnipotent, ancient menace, the book also has distant ties with 1984 by George Orwell and superficial elements with Angel Mage by Garth Nix. All in all, it’s a tale that questions the sentimentality of the human spirit, the relationship between reality and knowledge, and our passion for stories and meaning.

Thanks to Netgalley and Tachyon Publications for providing me with the e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.

As the youngest musketress and royal in Ninetha, Lilith has always been warned "Thou shalt not suffer a librarian to live." But when a wandering traveler is dragged through Ninetha's gates, in possession of a book, she speaks out against his immediate execution. When he is tortured and imprisoned instead, Lilith finds herself drawn to speak with him, to understand why writing and literacy are so important to him and why they are so dangerous. What she doesn't expect is for his presence to undermine her entire world.

This tight novella provides a compelling view of a potential post-apocalyptic world in which cities are decimated and isolated from each other, reverting to almost medieval conditions and worldviews. In this world, knowledge of anything but the most basic information needed for survival is considered too dangerous for humans to handle, but of course there's always someone whose curiosity pushes against that kind of stricture. Lilith comes across as initially naive, her beliefs molded into the limited shape demanded by her society, but as she talks with the librarian and looks for answers, she quickly discovers that the knowledge that has been kept from her blows her world wide open. It's difficult to read this and not make parallels to today's society and the way limited access to information and education (or limited acceptance of those things) creates a rigid mindset that leaves no room for other views.

Thank you, Tachyon Publications and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.