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The Librarians #1

The Librarians and the Lost Lamp

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The story toggles between the past, as Flynn Carsen tries to find Aladdin’s Lamp before an ancient criminal organization known as the Forty Seals gets hold of it, and the future, when Eve Baird and a new group of Librarians — protectors of ancient artifacts like King Arthur’s sword Excalibur — stumble on a mystery in Las Vegas that seems to relate to the Lamp and the powerful djinn it can summon.

286 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2016

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2847 people want to read

About the author

Greg Cox

150 books418 followers

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5 stars
280 (21%)
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543 (42%)
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375 (29%)
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73 (5%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
Profile Image for Bookwraiths.
700 reviews1,180 followers
October 17, 2016
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.

Based off the TNT tv show, The Librarians, this opening installment of the print series is a fast-paced, action-packed story. Even if you have never experienced the old TNT movies or the new tv show it spawned, The Lost Lamp is very immersing and easily accessible, sure to entertain any readers seeking a quick, fun read.

description

Shifting back and forth from 2006 to 2016, this tale centers around the search for the fabled lost lamp of Aladdin. Flynn Carsen, the one and only Librarian back in 2006, began this quest when he battled the vile 40 Thieves to keep them from accessing the magical powers of this very same lamp. Now, however, these same bad guys might have arisen again today, and, thankfully, a new generation of Librarians have been recruited and are busy investigating a strange run of luck in Las Vegas, which reeks of magic and perhaps the return of the 40!

But who are the Librarians, you ask?

description

Well, these guys are part of a secret society of librarians who date back centuries; their task to increase knowledge, aid mankind, recover magical artifacts and keep them safe from those who would use them for evil, and to constantly thwart the diabolical schemes of the Serpent Brotherhood, whom they have been battling since, at least, the days of the Library of Alexandria. In other words, these are some bad ass librarians!

description

Being familiar with The Librarians series, I went into this read concerned whether a novel could capture the quirky fun of people armed with vast knowledge of books tackling bad guys. My apprehension was unwarranted, however, because The Lost Lamp perfectly duplicates everything about the TNT show, delivering a cinematic experience in book format. Greg Cox is even able to add more depth to the narrative by excellent integration of historical facts as well as perfect use of exotic settings, making the magical and fantastical elements of The Librarians even more exciting.

To summarize, I’ll simply say that I enjoyed my time with The Lost Lamp. The book was an entertaining read which fans of the TNT The Librarians series and lovers of light, fast-paced stories with action, adventure, magic, and history will adore. Who knows, it might even encourage some people to finally start watching the tv series, because everyone needs another show to binge watch on the weekend, right?

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
Profile Image for Wanda Pedersen.
2,255 reviews347 followers
October 10, 2018
I read this book to fill the Relics and Curiosities square of my 2018 Halloween Bingo card.

The relic in play in this book is Aladdin’s lamp. Usually, someone creative takes a book and from it produces a movie or a TV show. This book is the reverse engineering of that process and I didn’t really warm up to it. It is a novelization of the TV show The Librarians. Now, as a library worker, I am predisposed to like things like this and maybe I would have enjoyed the TV show. But I found the book rather boring. I was chatting with a colleague over coffee this morning and she said that she’d seen a bit of the TV show, but hadn’t really been very interested in it either. Your mileage may vary.

There is a distinct difference between what comprises witty dialog in a book vs. on TV. Where I can see that some of this novel would have worked on the screen, it was definitely anemic on the page. Aladdin’s Lamp and the Genie should not have to work so hard to create some excitement—the rebooted Forty Thieves were bumblers, rather than sharp competitors for the Lamp.

I guess Genevieve Cogman has spoiled me for the plot device of a central Library that collects important works of fiction from many different realities. If the description of The Librarians and the Lost Lamp sounds the slightest bit enticing to you, do yourself a favour and pick up The Invisible Library and get to know Irene, Kai, and Vale. The fifth installment of that series comes out in late November of this year and I have it marked on my calendar to go purchase the book that day.
Profile Image for Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library).
4,889 reviews83 followers
September 26, 2020
How many of you have watched every episode of TNT's The Librarians?

I can say in all honesty that I have. It took me a few years and several checkouts of the DVDs from my local library, but, just before last Thanksgiving, I completed the entire series. Still, just like with Lizzie McGuire, I want to experience every story set in that universe, even the ones that aren't in audiovisual format. When I found out that The Librarians had some stories that were only in book form, I knew I had to get my hands on them; thanks again to my local library, I've already finished one of them.

While good for what it was, it could have been better. Though I appreciate the fact that this novel had a more convoluted storyline than the episodes usually did, jumping back and forth between timelines is a literary device that has always annoyed me. Here's hoping that the last two entries in the series are better.
Profile Image for nika.ex.libris.
223 reviews34 followers
August 23, 2025
You don’t have to read the book,
BUT YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE MOVIES AND THE SHOW!

Honestly, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever watched, a story about librarians, ancient and magical artifacts.

I watched the movies a long time ago, and rewatched the show last year. I don’t remember every detail clearly, but sometimes I feel like I’ve seen a similar storyline somewhere else… or maybe my imagination just made a whole new Librarians movie on its own.

Either way, watch the movies first, then the show!!!

4,5/5
Profile Image for Wendy.
620 reviews144 followers
October 10, 2016
With thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer! I am not a librarian and had not seen the television series prior to reading this book, but now that I have read it, I'm going to remedy at least one of these things!

Flynn Carsen used to be the one and only Librarian in a long line of those tasked with protecting the world from the magic hidden within the pages of our favourite books. Ten years ago, he went up against the villainous Forty Thieves to stop them from accessing the powers of Aladdin's Lamp. A decade later, Carsen is no longer alone in his duties, as he is joined by a new generation of Librarians, and their Guardian, who must once again save the world from the Forty and a djinn who'd really like to bust out of his cage...

I had not even heard of this series before (thanks a lot, Canadian television) prior to receiving this book, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but Cox quickly sets the tone with the introduction of Carsen, the quirky and charming Librarian who gallivants around the world in a tweed suit. He doesn't exactly sound formidable, especially considering what he's up against, and as the story progresses, we see that his skills are mostly limited to his vast knowledge of books. But we've all known how surprisingly cool librarians can really be and what they bring to the adventure table, after Evie made her proclamation and proved her worth in The Mummy.

Flip to the future, where the new group of Librarians bring some other interesting skills to their role, with characters that don't fit the typical mould of either the librarian, or art historian, mathematician, or world class thief. But of course they work together well enough to save the day and offer a lot of fun for the reader while doing so.

While I was expecting magic and fantasy to feature prominently in the story, what with Exaclibur showing up early on, I was extremely pleased with the inclusion of historical events and geographical details, many of which are very much relevant now. In particular, when Carsen's adventure takes him to Baghdad, there is ample time spent on the city's rich cultural history in juxtaposition with the destruction that has been wrought by war.

Like I said, I'm no librarian myself, but I'd like to think that actual librarians would appreciate the fun--which is why I've now suggested the series to my librarian friends and will definitely be checking it out myself.

www.bibliosanctum.com
Profile Image for Van (Short & Sweet Reviews).
651 reviews17 followers
October 10, 2016
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

The Librarians and The Lost Lamp is the first book in a planned trilogy based on TNT’s hit show, The Librarians; which follows a group of Librarians A.K.A protectors of humanity against magical artifacts such as Excalibur, The Golden Goose to The Spear of Destiny and Pandora ’s Box. I’m familiar with The Librarian films that aired back in the early 2000’s but I haven’t gotten around to seeing the show based on the movies. However, when I was asked if I wanted to review The Librarians and The Lost Lamp, I was immediately intrigued and jumped at the chance! I’m sure everyone is familiar with The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, ‘The Arabian Nights’ or at least heard of Aladdin and the magic lamp. It’s a very well known tale and one I enjoy hearing about so of course I wanted to read it. It sounded like a fun book…and I’m glad to say it absolutely was fun and so much more than I expected!

The book jumps back and forth between 2006 with Flynn, the sole librarian at the time and present day 2016 with a new group of librarian recruits as they search for the infamous lost lamp that belonged to Aladdin. Little did they know that their current case was a case that began 10 years ago when Flynn was in Baghdad in search of the Lamp and battling The Forty. This book was action packed right from the beginning and never let up once as readers jump back and forth between the past and present. Readers get to see Flynn and museum curator Sirin run for their lives in a bazaar in Baghdad to out flying a Roc on a magic carpet. But the action doesn’t stop there as we travel back to present day and find the newly minted librarians in Sin City investigating whether or not a man truly has Lady Luck on his side or some sort of magical advantage. This book was loads of fun and I loved how Cox weaved a wonderful adventure showcasing Aladdin’s Lamp and The Book of One Thousand and One Nights. Cox’s vivid imageries were so detailed that the book played out like a movie in my mind and has me curious and itching to start the TV show now!

All in all, The Librarians and The Lost Lamp was an excellent start to a brand new series and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for The Librarians. I highly recommend this book to everyone. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone such as: action, adventure, history, magic, a little romance and a whole lot of imagination. And in the meantime, I think I’m going to go check out the first season of The Librarians!
Profile Image for Kaotic.
440 reviews29 followers
July 5, 2017
This book was quirky and fun. Everything I was hoping to find in a novel based on the Librarians tv series. (Which I am caught up on, and am waiting for the new season.)

The story switches between 2006 and 2016 on a case involving Aladdin's fabled lamp from the Arabian Nights story. Humor, magic and wonder feel the librarians as they face what could be a cataclysmic event if the Djinn is released from the lamp.

It felt a lot like watching the show, and was a rather fast paced series, in which I hope to get to read the next and any other installments.
Profile Image for Justin (Bubbas_Bookshelves) .
353 reviews33 followers
June 9, 2025
This book is just as fun, campy, and magical as the TV series it’s based on, delivering a fast-paced adventure filled with ancient artifacts, witty banter, and delightfully over-the-top stakes. Cox captures the spirit of the show perfectly, with a tone that balances humor and wonder while staying true to the quirky charm of the original characters. It reads like a lost episode complete with globe-trotting danger, secret societies, and the kind of magical nonsense that makes you grin rather than groan. A must-read for fans craving more Librarians hijinks.
Profile Image for Soo.
2,928 reviews342 followers
January 26, 2021
Notes:

Good narration & fun story. Cool concepts but not enough zing in the story for it to stand out.
Profile Image for David Caldwell.
1,673 reviews34 followers
December 29, 2016
A novel based on the TV show (and the movies).

A mystery started by Flynn Carson ends up having to finished by the new batch of Librarians.

I really enjoyed the fact that the story went back and forth between the Librarian (Flynn) and the group of Librarians that are the main characters of the show. By dividing the mystery, each group got to shine without being overshadowed by the others.

This is a must read for fans of the TV show and the movies.
Profile Image for Shawn Deal.
Author 19 books18 followers
January 1, 2019
With this wonderful, family series cancelled the only thing left are these novels. This novel did a good job in capturing the adventure that is this series. The series is better but this book is a good addition to the stories overall.
Profile Image for Rif.
279 reviews35 followers
Want to read
December 15, 2015
Can it please have a better cover? I'm gonna buy this but I prefer having a nice cover, not ripped-from-tv-show cover ^^)"
Profile Image for Knigoqdec.
1,149 reviews182 followers
June 17, 2018
Аз вече си имам любима книга с подобна насоченост - Масата на цар Соломон.
Не може да се отрече, че подобни книги (пък и филми) са толкова много, че с лопата да ги ринеш, няма да ги изринеш. Някои от тях са добри, някои не особено. Жанрът е доста преситен. Въпреки това някои остават омагьосващи. Поредицата за "Търсачите" е пример за това. "Библиотекарите" не е на същото ниво. За да те заплени подобна книга, трябва да те изненада с нещо... или поне при мен е така, понеже съм се сблъсквала с много подобни заглавия. "Библиотекарите" не съдържа нито едно нещо, което да мога да нарека изненадващо. Отгоре на всичко - героите са представени на принципа "гениалните гении". На много места са същите, но някак това е поднесено, без героят да изпъква прекалено. "Търсачите" печелят точки и за това, че не са американци. В "Библиотекарите" пак американците спасяват света, ех... Все повтарям, че това не ми пречи... но не ми пречи само когато не се прекалява с него...
798 reviews25 followers
November 3, 2019
Well this is the third time I have tried to leave this review so let's just say if you enjoyed The Librarian movie - you will enjoy this book.
Profile Image for All Things Urban Fantasy.
1,921 reviews620 followers
October 27, 2016
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.

THE LIBRARIANS AND THE LOST LAMP, a book based off the popular TV show The Librarians is a fun, fast read that I really enjoyed. My only complaint is that readers who are not as familiar with the TV show as I am may not get the same level of enjoyment out of the book.

THE LIBRARIANS AND THE LOST LAMP jumps back and forth in time from 2006 to 2016, from the single Librarian, Flynn Carson, to the three new Librarians. Having seen two of the three Librarian movies, and the entire first season of the show, none of the characters were new to me. I already liked the Librarians, and I like the world they inhabit. I felt the characters held true to their TV counterparts, while still being fleshed out enough to be understandable without having prior knowledge.

Some of the writing felt a little flat. Those were the times when I felt the author was relying on his readers having previous knowledge of the TV show. While for the most part it didn't bother me, I assume a reader going in with no knowledge of the series might be a little frustrated. There were few references to past cases the Librarians had taken on, or previous events in the series, so that wouldn't be too much of an issue, which is good.

Overall, I very much enjoyed the plot line of the story. I liked how the two stories (Flynn's and the current Librarians') were woven together. It felt more like a movie than a TV episode, which is good, because it would be very hard to drag a TV episode out to almost 300 pages! There was humor, adventure and plenty of bad guys to outsmart. I liked the tie in with Aladdin and Scheherazade, and how the Librarians were outsmarting the Forty Thieves. It was all quite a bit of fun.

If you are a fan of the TV show, don't hesitate to pick this up! You will definitely enjoy it. If you don't watch the TV show - start! ;) But honestly, maybe try an excerpt before buying to see if you'll enjoy THE LIBRARIANS AND THE LOST LAMP.

Sexual content: N/A
Profile Image for Lis Carey.
2,213 reviews136 followers
March 15, 2020
For millennia, The Library, and its Librarians, have been safeguarding the world from dangerous magical relics, collecting, cataloging, and safeguarding them against those who would misuse them.

Flynn Carsen, the most recent Librarian, in 2006 heads to Baghdad to look into the disappearance of the oldest known manuscript of The Arabian Nights, which might be of magical significance. He meets a beautiful museum curator who had been translating it, and they have run-ins with the actual Forty Thieves, a ghoul, a roc, and the actual Aladdin's lamp, complete with genie.

He has very few options for keeping it out of the hands of the Forty, and chooses a drastic one.

In 2016, the lamp, the genie, and the Forty resurface.

With Flynn not having lost his taste for solo adventures just because a small crew of additional librarians have been recruited, it's up to the relatively inexperienced new team and their Guardian, Col. Eve Baird, to go off to Las Vegas to figure out what's responsible for a very odd run of "luck" in Vegas. Stone, Cassie, Ezekial, and Baird are all in for some startling and variously unsettling revelations.

There's adventure, close calls, ancient magic, and ancient literature. Is this great literature? No, but it's a lot of fun.

Recommended.

I bought this audiobook.
Profile Image for The Honest Book Reviewer.
1,508 reviews36 followers
January 29, 2024
I've not yet seen the TV show or movies that this book is based on, but I'm very interested in watching the TV show, and may do so soon since our library network has them on DVD. We don't have the TV show available on streaming services - not that I've seen anyway.

This book was great fun. It's full of adventure, daring, suspense, high stakes, and memorable characters. I'm aware the characters, the main characters anyway, are based on the TV show, but they are written so well in the book. Much of my interest in now watching the TV show is because of the characters in this book.

Split across two timelines, 10 years apart, the book details the Librarians effort to stop the 40 Thieves from getting their hands on Aladdin's lamp. Both timelines involve the lamp, and I liked how that was done. It shaped the villains in the present timeline well.

Another great aspect of this book is the inclusion of relevant geographical and historical detail. The author reminds the reader that many countries have rich cultural history that is in danger of being destroyed by war or by social change. To include that, without slowing the pace of the book, was a great choice.

Enjoyed this. It's fun. It's fast-paced. I have the other two books in the trilogy to read and hope they are just as good.
Profile Image for Ralitsa  Koleva.
382 reviews
June 20, 2018
Здравейте, приятели! Много се зарадвах, когато видях това заглавие на родният пазар по простата причина, че обожавам филмите и сериала посветени на приключенията на Флин Карсън и компания. Радостта ми естествено бе засенчена и от едно облаче, а имено, че до момента няма книга написана по филм или сериал, която да ме е впечатлила. Дали познаването на историята и приключенията на героите до момента ми е помогнало в процеса на четенето ще разберете след малко.

Поредицата „Библиотекарите“ показва историята на Флин Карсън, Ив Беърд, Джейк Стоун, Касандра Килиън и Езикиел Джоунс. Всички те са част от мистичната Библиотека, която под надзора на Дженкинс крие в недрата си магични артефакти и се опитва да предпази магията от това да попадне в лоши ръце.

Всъщност „Библиотекарите и вълшебната лампа“ съвсем не е началото на тези приклчения, всичко започва с първият филм „The Librarian: Quest for the Spear“, който излиза през 2004.

Последван е от още два филма, а през 2014 се появява и сериалът, където вече библиотекарят не е един, а четирима. Така де… Флин и трима нови!

Самата книга не проследява общите им приключения във времевата си линия е разделена на две, 2006 с приключенията на Флин Карсън около откриването на Вълшебната лампа и сблъсъкът на новите попълнения и техният пазител през 2016.

Имено тук идват моите колебания. В началото времевата линия следваща приключенията на полковник Беьрд и Библиотекарите за които тя отговаря са написани сухо, трудно е да усетиш героите и ако не си гледал сериала някои неща звучат доста объркващо. Всъщност точно в тези части на автора му бяга до някъде възможността да разкрие богатството и чарът на характера на героите на които трябва да вдъхне живот, за щастие това се изменя към края на книгата, но това не прави стартът ѝ по-труден.

Времевата линия следваща приключенията на Флин обаче е доста динамична, интересна и се чете бързо. И ако искате вярвайте, но това също затруднява четенето, защото когато свикнеш на интересно и бързо развитие на действието и изведнъж трябва рязко да спреш едва ли не, защото си се върнал към онази м��дност и лека стерилност на другата история малко или много убива ритъма на четене. Или поне го направи при мен.

Все пак с наближаването на средата на историята, авторът успява най-накрая да постигне баланс и двете истории да станат еднакво интересни. В крайна сметка чий инерес би избягал от историите за Аладин и вълшебната лампа в наше време. Кой не би затаил дъх, разбирайки че четиридесетте разбойници са реални?

Макар и да изпитвам смесени чувства към тази книга не мога да отрека, че ми хареса идеята, както и стила на автора в повечето моменти. Бих я препоръчала на хора, които харесват приключенски книги, хора които са расли с историите на Емилио Салгари, Карл Май и обичат приключенията на Индиана Джоунс. Не казвам да очаквате качество, като при техните истории, но със сигурност ще попаднете на повече от едно интересни приключения. И силно се надявам за втората книга да имаме оригинална корица!
Profile Image for Петя Николова.
86 reviews6 followers
February 11, 2018
Книгата е квалифицирана като приключенски трилър, но според мен е приказно фентъзи.
Хареса ми идеята за тайна организация - Библиотеката, чиито служители - библиотекарите, издирват отдавна изчезнали древни артефакти и ги съхраняват и завинаги скриват от света, респективно - от това да не попаднат в зли ръце.
Искрено се забавлявах с книгата, защото преводът беше добър и хуморът бликаше в изобилие.
Както е модерно напоследък, действието се развиваше в два времеви периода, с отстояние помежду си 10 години - през 2006 и 2016 г. Героите са страшни образи - интересни и колоритни. Хареса ми и това, че имаше една постоянна динамика, действието се прехвърляше на различни места - в Багдад, в планините на Иран, на тайнствен остров и прочие, както и че имаше намесени множество артефакти и приказни същества, каквито сюжети харесвам. Книгата пробуди у мен заспалия откривателски и приключенски дух, защото много ми приличаше на поредицата "Индиана Джоунс", само че с библиотекари. Последните обаче, бяха представени не като обичайно скучните и седящи единствено на работното си място образи, а като авантюристи, обучени за специалната си мисия да се борят с древни сили и същества, населяващи - по принцип - само приказките.
Силно препоръчвам тази книжка.
1,060 reviews13 followers
November 3, 2024
Our library announced that October was Library Month so the book display reflected that theme. I had recently discovered the tv series on which this book is based and I wondered if I could find out something about the mythos around which the series revolves. The great public library in New York, guarded by its pair of marble lions, turns out to be the base for The Library, which is many levels below the public facility. The second fact is that magic is real, but it is very dangerous in the wrong hands so we are treated to a mysterious organisation that is trying to get the great magical objects of the past into their own hands. Do I really have to explain which lamp we're talking about here? I thought not.
The team of librarians comprises an adept thief (a young punk), a girl with a mathematical visioning mind, a female security colonel from the British Army who is the designated Guardian of the team, and two clever, agile, and dangerous men , one of whom is THE Librarian who came first and would rather work alone and a later arrival with the same skill set but who can work as a team member and the mysterious Mr. Judson (?) who plays something of a Jeeves role and who apparently has lived for a very long time indeed.
It's fun as long as you don't stop to analyze too much. I did love the flying carpet and what happened to it. I do not like Excaliber being treated like a happy puppy and being called Cal. Oops, that might be only in the film Nevertheless, I don't like that.
Profile Image for Marne Wilson.
Author 2 books45 followers
July 18, 2017
I was in library school when the first Librarians movie came out, and while it was kind of silly fun, I never felt the urge to see any of the others. This book, the first of a tie-in series with the new Librarians TV show, was a lot of fun, if not anything profound. Trying to appeal to fans of both the movie series and the TV series, it alternates between a 2006 adventure with the original Librarian, Flynn Carsen, and a 2016 adventure of the new team. It wasn't clear at first how the two stories related together, but they finally did. All told, this novel was diverting enough to keep my attention on a recent plane trip, and I'd recommend it to fans of the movies and/or TV show.

(Note: I received my copy of this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.)
Profile Image for Lane.
178 reviews3 followers
July 15, 2021
This was so much fun and for days I’ve been wanting to read another. I absolutely love this show and it’s characters, despite it being unbelievably corny and honestly not top tier television. Generally when it comes to the show I couldn’t care less about Flynn and am really watching for the new librarians and Eve but when reading this I actually felt the opposite. Kudos to the author for making me like Flynn a little more and overall nailing all of the characters on the head. When reading a novel based on a movie or tv show I feel like there’s always the fear that the author won’t do the world and its characters justice but I think he really did here. I can’t wait to pick up another!
Profile Image for Corey.
599 reviews4 followers
December 9, 2024
So wonderful to re-enter this incredible world.
Profile Image for Becky Weddle.
41 reviews
December 14, 2024
If you’ve watched the show or movies, this is a must read. A perfect companion to the franchise. Even if you haven’t, just a fun treasure hunting book.
Profile Image for Beth.
367 reviews19 followers
March 27, 2025
This wasn't what I signed up for--it was a The Librarian story about Finn's adventures with a wrap up by The Librarians. You know how on AO3 sometimes you start a fic because it's tagged with a certain character and it turns out to be about a completely different character but you keep reading because the characterization is spot on and the plot is really good? That's this book.
I need to watch the show now, as I need more Stone, Ezekiel, and Cassie!
Profile Image for Loretta.
690 reviews19 followers
March 3, 2017
I think this showed up initially on the 'new books' page for my library's e-book app. I don't typically read books based on series, but I was bored and The Librarians is something my 12 year old and I like to watch together, so I decided to see how the book compared.

Initially I almost put it down, because I found the writing style incredibly overwrought and too reliant on describing rather than showing. I don't know if it evened out eventually or if I just got used to it, but by the end I didn't notice it so much. I will say that once I got into the book, I felt that it captured the voice of the characters perfectly as they appear on the show. I am not sure if I would have enjoyed it if I hadn't known the characters already.

I am somewhat amused by the author's inclusion of words that make me have to Google. I'm no slouch in the vocabulary area, but I had no clue what an orrery was, among other things. In some ways it annoyed me, because I dislike gratuitous use of obscure words, but it also seemed to echo the picture of the Library as a place of expanding knowledge. Clever device or pedantic? I think the individual readers will have to decide how they feel about that.

As far as plot goes, it was a fun little romp, alternating between the past, when Flynn was the only Librarian, and the present. Of course, as we know it eventually will, the past story sets the stage for the present crisis. It is fairly predictable, but still enjoyable.
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