The Library at Mount Char

Hardcover, 390 pages

English language

Published April 4, 2015 by Crown.

ISBN:
978-0-553-41860-6
Copied ISBN!
OCLC Number:
898029292

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4 stars (75 reviews)

Carolyn's not so different from the other human beings around her. She's sure of it. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. She even remembers what clothes are for.

After all, she was a normal American herself, once.

That was a long time ago, of course—before the time she calls “adoption day,” when she and a dozen other children found themselves being raised by a man they learned to call Father.

Father could do strange things. He could call light from darkness. Sometimes he raised the dead. And when he was disobeyed, the consequences were terrible.

In the years since Father took her in, Carolyn hasn't gotten out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient Pelapi customs. They've studied the books in his library and learned some of the secrets behind his equally ancient power.

Sometimes, …

7 editions

Compelling but so much torture

3 stars

So much about this book was great—the story, the characters, the slow but insanely compelling roll of it. But there is a huge amount of physical abuse in it and that abuse gets excused at the end too easily for me as something that was necessary for an end goal. So I devoured this book and then felt really gross when I finished it.

Review of 'The Library at Mount Char' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Until about half way through, I was pretty sure this was only going to get 3 stars from me. I already knew it was innovative and inventive (there is no other book quite like this) but it was just too dark and miserable and I couldn’t see a reason for that. BUT… the last half changed my mind. I’m still not entirely sure what the message is (something about power) but the sheer craft of the plot and ideas is truly amazing. I can’t think of any other book I’ve had quite this reaction to.

Let down by weak writing

3 stars

The writing isn't it's strongest part. The story is strong, the characters quirky, but the ending is weak if mostly satisfying. Resurrection seems to be the main fantastical tool used with few archaic Arabic sounding words that just feel thrown in. The size of the library becomes a little too Warehouse 13 or those TV movies and series 'The Librarian' or 'The Librarians' - where this story diverges is not in missing artifacts or books, but rather in the focus on 'The Librarians' being criminally insane and it's an adopted-family feud. I did enjoy this book, but it lacked something in the story, the writing was the weakest part, dialogue was fine, but the actual writing was the weakest part.

Review of 'The Library at Mount Char' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

Maybe I'm just a grumpy old man who doesn't care for speculative fiction anymore or I simply didn't read the same book as apparently everyone else on my friends list, but I simply did not have a good time with this book. I saw repeated warnings that "the first third/half is really weird, but just stick with it!" So I did, and occasionally I did catch small glimpses of what this book could have been, but unfortunately it never got there for me.

If nothing else, I can't deny that this was an ambitious book. This was the kind of story where domino pieces were set up very early, only to fall into place at just the right moment well after you'd forgotten about them. Which is awesome, I love a Push (2009) (god, does anyone even remember that movie?) kind of situation where the story hinges on this insanely …

Review of 'The library at Mount Char' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Amazing in scope, yet well edited and not long, an easy read without being simplistic. It has compelling characters, all with their own fascinating stories, and a gripping plot. It left me wanting more, immediately. The story also covers so much literary ground; it's thrilling and mysterious, at times horrific and hilarious, and always stunningly original. I've found myself thinking back on this book often, months after having completed it. It's definitely a book I'll read again - not something I do often.

Review of 'The Library at Mount Char' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I dunno how to rate this.

I mean, I guess if you like stories about people who rise from the ashes to do extraordinary things, stories about terrifyingly powerful magics that are hidden behind reality, maybe this is your jam? It reminds me a little of the Chinese 'cultivation' story, but I'm not familiar enough with that genre to really pick apart the similarities and difference, so just dropping that in there for people more familiar.

the blurb gives you an idea:

After all, she was a normal American herself once.

That was a long time ago, of course. Before her parents died. Before she and the others were taken in by the man they called Father.

In the years since then, Carolyn hasn't had a chance to get out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient customs. They've studied the books in …

Review of 'The Library at Mount Char' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I heard so much about this book and all of it good. People were describing it as thoroughly disturbing and very different. I was intrigued for a long time, until I finally picked it up a few days ago. And it pulled me in right from the start. It is a very good and entertaining book. I didn't think it was overly disturbing, after all it's just fiction. The story was actually fairly basic, even though it was of course hidden by over-the-top disturbed characters. But don't take that as criticism of the book, but rather of hyperbolic reviews. I liked Carolyn and her siblings. And I very much liked that the book didn't end and the end. I can't support the reviews that hype the book as disturbing and different. Yes, it certainly contains very disturbing images. But we should remember that it's just a book. A very good …

Review of 'The Library at Mount Char' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I am a big fan of fantasy on the weird side and this book is definitely in that genre. The world-building ideas (universe-building, really) are super interesting and new, but the book is structured in a way that reads to me kind of jerky and forced, and the first quarter or so is especially disjointed (it makes more sense if you go back after reading the whole thing). It feels like a first novel, which is is, and although I didn't totally love this book I'm interested enough in the author's talent with ideas that I'll keep an eye out for what he does next.

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Subjects

  • Libraries
  • Gods
  • Fiction