The Library of the Dead

 Book 2 of my 2025 Reading Challenge

read from January 1 - 4

The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu

published 2021

Summary (via the book jacket)

Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker - and she now speaks to Ediburgh's dead, carrying messages to those they left behind. A girl's gotta earn a living, and it seems harmless enough. Until, that is, the dead begin to whisper that someone's bewitching children - leaving them husks, empty of joy and life. It's in Ropa's city, so she feels honor bound to investigate. But what she learns will change her world.

She'll dice with death (not part of her life plan), discovering an occult library and a taste for hidden magic. She'll also experience dark times. For Edinburgh hides a wealth of secrets, and Ropa's gonna hunt them all down.

My Opinion

3 stars

Nothing to do with the book but the word "shit" was blocked out with green marker by a previous reader.  Either the book didn't have a lot of swearing or this one particular time was an issue because there weren't any other marks in the rest of the book.

I checked this book out based on the title and cover while browsing at the library.  It was in the Sci-Fi section and I really like sci-fi books that feel accessible; I'm not committing to 800 pages of world building by giving this a try.

It had a great start but the last half felt like it had too many "oops I don't know what happened but I'm ok" moments.  I did like the characters though.  I'm going to read the second book because I already have it checked out and I know it will be a quick read but if that hadn't been the case I don't think I would've sought it out to continue the series.