So this one starts out with Kai getting kidnapped because he is a certain type of royalty and the Fae are not fans of them and they are trying to start a war. Irene is responsible for Kai as he is her apprentice and so she has to go talk to Kai's uncle and try and figure a way out of things without getting killed or losing her Librarian status.

Irene knows who is behind things but getting to where they are keeping Kai means going to a high chaos alternate world and getting there is going to require her asking Lord Silver for help which she really hates. He is a Fae and seems to be partly against those who have Kai and is willing to help but there is always a lot of Fae drama with him. I think he is a character you are meant to love to hate!

Once Irene gets to her destination she is suppose to try and blend in while trying to figure out how to get to Kai. Silver has given her something that has some of his power in it so she seems like Fae and not human, but it doesn't always work. Which gets her into a lot of trouble, which seems to be something that happens frequently with Irene.

So I am going to just say that I really missed Kai! You only got a little bit of him at the beginning, then a small bit in between and then at end. :( I hated him being kidnapped! Also Vale wasn't in this one much either and I found I kind of missed him a bit too. I think maybe because this one was mostly Irene on her own that I found it a bit slower and boring in spots, not that I don't like Irene I just really like Kai...lol.

The escape seemed a bit long while the ending seemed pretty abrupt and left me wondering if we were suppose to draw our on conclusions. It wasn't that it was cliffhanger or anything just I think I was expecting a bit more on the library end. Can't really say what cause I don't want to spoil.

I did enjoy this one and I am so curious about the next one!

Cogman did a fantastic job, once again, expanding on the fantasy world, she began in book one of the Invisible Library series. As I mentioned before, touches of steampunk, and the way she set up the series means she can write about whatever genre she wants in future books, and it will fit in perfectly. And the way she ended this one, made me excited to see how the series continues in book three.

She developed her characters very well in the first, book and we continue to get to know them even better in this one. Cogman also brings in new characters that have as much depth as already familiar characters. I was so happy that she was able to expand on Kai's character. I've always enjoyed stories with dragons, and this one does not disappoint! And she once again, does a fabulous job in describing the architecture and sense of place in an alternate Venice.

I do appreciate the main character, Irene's, level-headedness. It's a nice break from main characters who are ditzy. But with her steadfastness, comes a character who acts slowly. Whether it been in situations where she needs to help someone, or with the budding romance. While it was okay for me in book two, I hope Cogman speeds it up with the next book.

There is also a central mystery that runs throughout the book, and Cogman does a terrific job of dropping little hints along the way. I am looking forward to the next book in the series, The Burning Page, and seeing how Cogman continues to develop the universe and characters.

This was a world full as masks, in more ways than one. It delved into common thems for the time it was set in, and used them in a different light.

ARC Provided by Publisher for Honest and Unbiased Review Purposes

In the sequel to the incredible The Invisible Library, we have our favorite Librarian spy on the hunt for the abduction of her apprentice, Kai, which could unfold a war between the reality loving Dragons and chaotic Fae. Armed with her wits and skills, Irene will have to travel between dimensions, face off formidable foes, and perform a rescue mission. Reading a book in a cozy chair would be preferable.

The Masked City has all the elements I loved in The Invisible Library but adding more intrigue and mystery to the recurring characters and bigger plot in the series. We have characters such as the Detective Vale, the Fae Lord Silver, dragon Kai, as well as newer ones that help build up the tension. Each one flies off the page with their unique personalities, purposes, and interactions that make it simple to hold them close to heart or stab them in theirs.

One of my favorite things about this series is that it follows a lot of the classic Detective Fiction rules while bending others. There is also my absolute favorite, Irene, who is extremely brilliant, independent, loyal, kind, cunning, and fearless. Even if she is in the direst of situations, she overcomes possible nausea and panic to get back to work and get things done. She is admirable and inspiring, as well as easy to relate to.

I have to applaud Genevieve Cogman in her brilliance in descriptions. The vivid imagery would make it effortless to recreate the settings, characters, and other fantastical things from the story. I particularly loved the descriptions of the Chaos-filled world of Venice. The architecture, the smells, the sights, the people, I could feel myself between those streets admiring it all or running for my life behind Irene.

But the very best among these is the Library itself. Intriguing, bewildering, fascinating, and complex. Where can I sign up as a Librarian? It is not on a physical plane like our own world, and it allows, through the acquisition of certain books, to connect other worlds and realities. If you are passionate about books, you will love this unique and creative idea Genevieve Cogman created.

Tensions are running higher from beginning till the end, and I was quite literally at the edge of my seat dreading the worst. One-of-a-kind, adventurous, and gripping, The Masked City is a must-read. Its variety of settings, periods, intrigue, and themes will keep you entertained for long hours and desire long after for it to be real. Who knows, maybe it is.

Rating: 5 stars

Another wonderful adventure with the resilient Librarian Irene, her dragon apprentice Kai and the unflappable detective Vale - this time in an alternate Venice!

Irene and Kai are back in an alternate version of Victorian London where they are collecting works for the Library and are working with Vale. Kai’s sudden abduction by the Fae, leaves Irene in a precarious situation. Kai is her apprentice and a dragon of royal decent as well. If she must find him at all costs.

An insert from the book that I really liked and felt relates to every world was, “People want stories…. They want their lives to have meaning. They want to be part of something greater than themselves.” I really felt that this line spoke to me and made the connection with the story and characters stronger. Cogman has done a splendid job of painting a picture of her characters that can really be visualized. An imaginative read that is worth your time.

I was over the moon when I read Genevieve Cogman’s The Invisible Library last year, because it took so many of the things I loved, and moulded them into a fantasy world in which I could gladly lose myself. I was already eager to get my hands on the sequel, when I found out that it is set in Venice, another thing that I love. At this point I’m wondered if the author has access to my brain, (because wow!) and grabbed at the chance to read and review the ARC.
In this second instalment, Kai, Irene’s mentee is kidnapped, and Irene must partner with a local Fae leader, Lord Silver, to travel to an alternate, Fae-ruled Venice, where it’s always Carnival. If she doesn’t succeed soon, a war will erupt between the dragons and the Fae, raising the stakes all the more.

Just like the first book, The Masked City too is fast-paced and full of action. Irene’s adventures keep the reader engaged and make the book quite unputdownable. Character and world-building are both just as good as well. We learn a bit more about the Library itself, but there are also enough questions raised to keep the reader wanting more. Irene spunky as always, and the reader really roots for her.

I personally thought that The Invisible Library was a better book. That is not to say that The Masked City is bad. It certainly is entertaining and gripping. However, there was a certain ‘x’ factor to the first book that this one lacks. I wish the book were a bit more tightly plotted, because there are times when too much seems to be going on.

That said, the action sequences are perfectly written, especially the scene where they break out of the prison. Also, it is pretty exciting that the book has turned the ‘damsel in distress’ trope around, and has the girl rescuing the guy instead–full marks for that! And, more dragons-yaay!

The ending is not quite cliff-hangery, but it comes to a sudden stop, leaving the reader desperate for the story to continue. In this, The Masked City does a great job as a sequel to The Invisible Library and as the precursor to The Burning Page. This is definitely a series I am going to keep my eyes on.

FTC disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Genevieve Cogman does an excellent job of world building, creating complex and evolving characters, and a plot that is truly engaging. I can not wait for the next title in this series.

How lucky could a blogger get? I was happily approved for The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman which I enjoy quite a bit and then the publisher surprisingly approved me for book two, The Masked City, which I delayed reading for no good reason.

Where The Invisible Library fell short—lots of world building explanations that drug down the action bits—The Masked City soared. The Masked City doesn’t waste anytime jumping right into the action with Kai and Irene who are immediately swept up in dastardly Fae plot to start a war. Kai, Irene’s apprentice, is missing for most of the book and this allows Cogman to explore Irene’s character and motivations in a deeper fashion. Throughout the story, Irene is challenged and becomes quite resourceful in this latest installment in The Invisible Library series.

There are just two bits about this latest installment still niggling in the back of my head.

In book one, I caught hints that the Library’s power was perhaps too powerful—that there was a bigger story behind the story. I was hoping Cogman would explore that a bit more in book two, but it was missing.

Sometimes Cogman uses big words that are archaic. It is almost as if she is showing off her knowledge of the English language. I wouldn’t mind this so much if one of the Library characters, such as Irene, was using these words, but since it happens in the general text and not character dialogue or thoughts, it feels snooty.


Despite these two points, I did thoroughly enjoy Cogman’s romp through a magic-infused Venice with its gondolas, masks and conniving Fae. Irene is becoming a fleshed out strong female character who is starting understand her power and place in the world. And with the world building out of the way, The Masked City flies with action and adventure.

Another great installment of the Invisible Library. I was really glad to see that this book doesn't suffer from second book syndrome.

I also loved the attention to detail. Like when Irene comes to a new world to meet a character that is established in that world with a position of power, she doesn't get the proper clothes right away. No,, she gets some to blend in (and easier to get) and then uses her blended persona to get proper clothes to the important meeting.

Some books have continuity issues. and sometimes a book contradicts something said in the very previous one. I was very please not to notice that fact here. It blended quite good with the previous, and explored the events further.

I'm really looking forward to read the next in line.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman, book two in The Invisible Library series. Irene and Kai are still working together as senior and junior librarian. This book gives more background information on the characters, which is helpful in understanding them and the story. Kai is kidnapped and Irene spends her time trying to find and rescue him. Detective Vale helps Irene in this endeavor. One of my favorite lines in the book describes a prisoner so ominous that Irene knew she could not free it because even the fae were afraid of the creature; "...so letting them out might be the sort of really bad idea that finished with a scream and a crunch." This statement made me laugh and cringe at the same time. The "language" librarians use helps with the rescue of Kai. In fact, Irene and Vale couldn't have saved Kai without it. I enjoyed the sections "Irene's Top Five Book Heists" and "Legends of the Library" at the end of the book. These sections were both charming, entertaining and enlightening. The author interview, after these two sections, was insightful into the author's mind and creativity, as well as the library background for this series. I rate this book 4 stars for an enjoyable, clean read!