The Lost Plot (The Invisible Library series)

So I get speakeasies, but no bigbands? Tsk, tsk, tsk...

I've always had my misgivings about the more "chick-lit-ty" moments/episodes in the books of this series - and this one wasn't an exception. The romantic/sexual undertones of the relationship between Irene and her apprentice, Kai, were, in my mind, always a bit uncalled-for, mostly due to the social relation of teacher and pupil (as well as one being a dragon prince who is at once a lot older and probably comparatively younger than his human teacher, and who was only recently deeply traumatized). But they were there, and at least didn't feel completely forced (though there seemed other characters with greater chemistry). They culminated in the two literally getting a room at Vale's place after Kai had valiantly severed his ties to the Library shortly beforehand to save its neutrality and Irene's standing at another dragon's court, in this novel.
Personally, I'd have preferred for this romance to be tragically cut short before it really began by Kai's choice. This would also have made it a greater gesture which would have felt more in tone with how I'd perceived the character in his more serious moments. But perhaps there's a not just soppy reason for the author to keep him around in some capacity.

What I really, really enjoyed was the more detailed glances this story allowed into dragon society, showing that the side of "order" is hardly the side of the "good guys" either (in case any readers had had any illusions about that left). Any dnd-players will, of course, long have known that lawful isn't necessarily followed by good, as neither of the other two are. And we get them all neatly displayed in the main factions in this series.
I also enjoyed the setting a lot and would have wished for some more "secenery" to play a role in the story. What I missed most, were "sound-bits" - there should have been a lot more jazz, to put it bluntly.

All in all, this one felt a bit weaker than its predecessors. But it was the usual fun and quick read, and I'll continue the series in time.

It's a sign of how much I adore Irene and company that this book when straight from doorstep to the top of my groaning TBR. For those that don't know, Irene is a Librarian who collects books from alternate worlds in order to strengthen The Library's connections to those worlds. Her apprentice is a dragon, Kai, who spends most of his time in human form.

The Library prides itself on its neutrality, not getting involved in fae or dragon politics (the fae thrive in high chaos worlds, and the dragons prefer high order). So when Irene is approached by a dragon with news of a Librarian helping a bid for the throne, she knows she must act fast to prevent the downfall of The Library. They cannot be seen to be for hire. And she'd be a handy scapegoat if anything went wrong...

This instalment takes Irene and Kai to an alternate prohibition America, where gangs and illegal alcohol are not hard to find. I loved this setting! A case of mistaken identity gives Irene a suitable disguise as they hunt down the rogue Librarian.

These books are loads of fun and they poke fun at tropes as well as being pacey fantasy adventures. There are cab chases, gangsters molls, speakeasies and a lot of books. Whilst the other books have focused a little more on the fae, here we learn more about the dragons, and how some of them go about their courts. I liked that Alberich didn't suddenly reappear this time and the story could go in a different direction, although I suppose he could still be alive...