I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. LindeSeries: The Oak and Holly Cycle #1
Published by Red Tower Books on June 4, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Urban
Length: 15 hours 15 minutes
Pages: 400
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
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Can you love the dark when you know what it hides?
Some things aren’t supposed to exist outside of our imagination.
Thirteen years ago, monsters emerged from the shadows and plunged Kierse’s world into a cataclysmic war of near-total destruction. The New York City she knew so well collapsed practically overnight.
In the wake of that carnage, the Monster Treaty was created. A truce...of sorts.
But tonight, Kierse—a gifted and fearless thief—will break that treaty. She’ll enter the Holly Library...not knowing it’s the home of a monster.
He’s charming. Quietly alluring. Terrifying. But he knows talent when he sees it; it’s just a matter of finding her price.
Now she’s locked into a dangerous bargain with a creature unlike any other. She’ll sacrifice her freedom. She’ll offer her skills. Together, they’ll put their own futures at risk.
But he’s been playing a game across centuries—and once she joins in, there will be
no escape...
I adored this book! I knew I needed to get my hands on this book as soon as I found out that one of the main characters, Graves, appeared in the Blood Type series. I honestly didn’t remember who Graves was in the series but I know that I liked that series a lot and had high hopes for anything new connected to it. Once I started reading, I did not want to stop, squeezing in a few minutes of reading whenever I had the chance. This was a very entertaining story with characters who I grew to care for.
Kierse meets Graves when she breaks into his library to steal from him. She knows that if she is caught it may mean her life but she is confident that she can get the job done. Graves is shocked to meet someone able to walk through his wards and decides to hire her for a very special job he is working on. Kierse moves into Graves’s home to train in the weeks leading up to their mission. The pair are drawn to one another and the chemistry between them is palpable at times. I loved that there was a healthy supply of action worked into the story which kept me glued to the pages.
I thought that the world-building is very well done. The story is set in a world where monsters exist and are bound to the rules of the Monster Treaty. New York can be a very dangerous place, a dangerous place that Kierse has learned to survive. We get a glimpse of the politics of the monsters and magic users, which I found very interesting. I thought that the characters in the story were incredibly well done, which added a lot to my enjoyment.
I would highly recommend this book to others. It has been a while since a story grabbed me like this one did, I devoured it. I was completely invested in Kierse and Graves’s story and enjoyed every moment I spent with these characters. The gorgeous hardcover seals the deal. I can’t wait to read more of this fantastic series.
I received a review copy of this book from Red Tower Books.
A monster treaty and a gifted thief? Oh, I am SO reading this one! 😀
This sounds wonderful, Carole! I haven’t read the the Blood Type series so may have to check that one out as well.
It’s awesome to hear how much you enjoyed the characters and the story, especially with Graves connecting back to the Blood Type series. The plot sounds super engaging with Kierse breaking into Graves’s library and all the action that follows. I’m a sucker for good world-building and character development, so this definitely piqued my interest.
Nice you got a spinoff series book that was unputdownable for you.
I want to read this one. I put in for the audio book at the library last night and I was number 1! But I don’t have time to read it this week so I pushed it out a week.
I needs something to grab me like that