The Library of Curiosities
Jenny Lundquist’s The Library of Curiosities is a fantastical novel that conjures a compelling magical world full of mystery and adventure.
Rowan, upon setting foot on Fitzgerald Manor, is plunged into a world of intrigue, magic, and animosities with roots longer than her memory. She winds up in the lush, atmospheric setting of the Library of Curiosities, where magical items are loaned to patrons. Strange visits from mysterious Silverjack set Rowan on edge. When several items from the library go missing, Rowan works to prove her innocence while grappling with her newly discovered heritage.
Descriptions of whimsical objects in the library’s collection, such as a set of playing cards that deliver messages to a compass that can find lost items, ground the world of the library and lend it a unique and charming quality. As Rowan navigates newfound friendships and animosities alike, she goes on daring adventures with bold determination. Her fearlessness colors her characterization throughout. Rowan’s history and her dreams for the future, as well as small details, as of her love of peppermint marshmallows, add depth, rounding out the book’s emotional landscape and foreshadowing its ending with a light, masterful touch.
The villain Rowan faces, while single-minded in his goal, is complex and painted in a sympathetic light. His actions are driven by a flawed moral compass, yet the goal that drives him is relatable and moving. Ever more dire stakes add both tension and urgency to the story, which draws to a close in a satisfying crescendo of action.
The Library of Curiosities is an enchanting fantasy novel in which a girl uncovers the magical secrets of her family’s history while making new friends.
Reviewed by
Caitlin Cacciatore
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
