The Astral Library ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn
Cover: On GR Kate Quinn says "We finally have a cover for THE ASTRAL LIBRARY, readers--isn't it gorgeous?"
TBH it is okay but it's not my favorite.
TBH it is okay but it's not my favorite.
She did go on to say: "there will be a special deluxe limited edition that will knock your socks off: sprayed decorative edges, illustrated endpapers, jacket effects, and even more. These shelf trophies will go fast, so you definitely want to pre-order".
That sounds nice and probably is gorgeous. The arched bookshelf which is supposed to represent the magical, dream-like atmosphere is just not my cup of fantasy tea.
That sounds nice and probably is gorgeous. The arched bookshelf which is supposed to represent the magical, dream-like atmosphere is just not my cup of fantasy tea.
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| I do enjoy the back cover though |
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| And this overview found on Pinterest |
G👀dreads
Have you ever wished you could live inside a book? Welcome to the Astral Library, where books are not just objects, but doors to new worlds, new lives, and new futures.
Alexandria “Alix” Watson has learned one lesson from her barren childhood in the foster-care system: unlike people, books will never let you down. Working three dead-end jobs to make ends meet and knowing college is a pipe dream, Alix takes nightly refuge in the high-vaulted reading room at the Boston Public Library, escaping into her favorite fantasy novels and dreaming of far-off lands. Until the day she stumbles through a hidden door and meets the Librarian: the ageless, acerbic guardian of a hidden library where the desperate and the lost escape to new lives...inside their favorite books.
The Librarian takes a dazzled Alix under her wing, but before she can escape into the pages of her new life, a shadowy enemy emerges to threaten everyone the Astral Library has ever helped protect. Aided by a dashing costume-shop owner, Alix and the Librarian flee through the Regency drawing rooms of Jane Austen to the back alleys of Sherlock Holmes and the champagne-soaked parties of The Great Gatsby as danger draws inexorably closer. But who does their enemy really wish to destroy—Alix, the Librarian, or the Library itself?
Genre: Historical Fiction*, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Books About Books
*Since this is Fantasy and Magical Realism I had to look up what part is historical. See Extra Tidbit at the end of the review if interested.
The How/Why: First: Kate Quinn.💗 Second: Who doesn't want to step into a favorite book and live amongst the characters? 📚🏃Added bonus: Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, one of my very favs. 💕
I've had this one tagged with Libby since December 9th! It was prior to my account with NetGalley and by the time I became a member it was already retired as an ALC. It was just published 2-17-2026 and surprisingly only took a week to hit my shelf.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🎉 Overall Enjoyment? 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
🎣 Did it grab and keep my attention? 🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣
🗣️Would I recommend it to anyone? Yes ➕
🕮 Would I want a sequel? Maybe 🤷 I could see an opening for Book 2.
📚 Would I want to read more books by this author? Yes ➕
💣💥 📢 Content Warnings? Past Trɐumɐ
🌶 Spice? No, just a tiny hint of romance
🌪 Plot Twist? Sort of.
👟 Pace? Great
💻 Tidbits ~ This one circled me with a magical swoosh and drew me in faster than the snap of a dragon’s tail. 🪄🐲💫
TBH I like fantasy and time travel but they are not at the tippy top of my list of preferred genres. I *AM* a big fan of historical fiction. Who better to write a fantasy time travel historical fiction book than all-star HF author Kate Quinn? I love that fantasy and magic collided with historical fiction creating a perfect trio. And now, thank you Kate, I’m a big fan of this trifecta of genres!
Alix has had a difficult life. Her mother ran off and left her in the Foster system when she was eight where she bounced around until she aged out. Struggling to make ends meet with three jobs, she gets fired from one, has minimal hours with the other, and the third is just an occasional as needed with not much need. She has to move and someone hacked her bank account.
She seeks comfort at the library but wait... what’s that door? Well, a Reading Room Storage Closet PORTAL of course.
Always finding her escape in books and armored with Foster system survivor skills, it’s only natural she’d get invited (sucked into) The Astral Library where dreams come to life in books for those who are struggling in their real world. Will those dreams turn into a HEA, a nightmare, or a cliffhanger with unfinished business? NO SPOILERS!**
Kate takes us on a magical journey filled with history of books and art.
Regency England and the refined drawing rooms of Jane Austen's novels; Victorian London in the foggy back alleys of Sherlock Homes and Jane Eyre; The Jazz Age attending champagne soaked parties of The Great Gatsby; 19th Century Adventure of Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne and the world of Mark Twain.
Regency England and the refined drawing rooms of Jane Austen's novels; Victorian London in the foggy back alleys of Sherlock Homes and Jane Eyre; The Jazz Age attending champagne soaked parties of The Great Gatsby; 19th Century Adventure of Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne and the world of Mark Twain.
There are some Easter Eggs but not to worry if you haven’t read these classics. You won’t be lost as these books come to life.
It did breathe dragon fire into the politics of banned books. Protect and support your local libraries. Got it!
**Okay, baby spoiler in my reference to a cliffhanger. There is no announcement of a sequel at this time, however her next two books (2027 and 2028) have been announced. There is also no announcement of a movie deal (probably too soon) but I can totally see this one coming to life on screen. I’ve even already played casting agent in my head!
Favorite Thing: Book Ghost! No worries if your TBR is so long you’ll never finish it in this lifetime. You can hang out in the Astral Library as a Book Ghost. Sprits of the deceased who cannot move on because they died with unread books on their TBR list. Isn’t that fabulous? Pressure off!
🎧 Narrator: Saskia Maaleveld - Fabulous as always
🎧 9:15 hours 🕮 304 pages
Extra Tidbit: *Historical Fiction ~ Since this is Fantasy and Magical Realism I had to look up what part is historical. It's the settings as outlined above and in italics.
Extra-Extras - Kate's bio on GR includes her rating system.
"Most of my reads are 4 stars, meaning I enjoyed it hugely and would absolutely recommend. 5 stars is blew-my-socks-off; reserved for rare reads. 3 stars is "enjoyed it, but something fell a bit short." I very rarely rate lower because I DNF books I'm not enjoying, and don't rate books I don't finish."
Interesting. I'm not stingy with five star reviews. If I "enjoyed it hugely and would absolutely recommend" why wouldn't I give it five? I'm with her on not rating books I DNF though. Note to self: Don't feel bad if I don't give it a high five!
Update: No need to be troubled over stars. This one gets all the stars from me even though my socks are still on.
Update: No need to be troubled over stars. This one gets all the stars from me even though my socks are still on.
BTW, After the author's notes in the audiobook there was "Extra Conversation" with Kate, Saskia, and [I think it was] her publicist. It was really interesting. Her Mom came up with the title and asked her what she thought an Astral Library would be. And then her imagination took it from there. She said she wasn't sure if her fans would even be interested in reading it since it wasn't strictly HF.
It was also interesting to hear Saskia's *real* voice. I've listened to several books narrated by her and she's a master of vocal disguise!
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