The Hidden Library by Heather Lyons Pages: 311
Published by Cerulean Books on February 26, 2015
Series: The Collectors' Society #2
Genres: Fairy Tales & Folklore, Fantasy & Magic, Love & Romance, New Adult
Source: eARC from Publisher
Sometimes, the rabbit hole is deeper than expected . . .
Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.
On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.
Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.
Note: I will try my best, but there will probably be some spoilers from the first book. If you are new to the series, check out my review of The Collectors’ Society HERE. These books need to be read in order.
The Hidden Library is the second book in the New Adult Fantasy Series, The Collectors’ Society. And I have to first mention how much I love these covers. I think they are beyond beautiful. Ok, on to the review. The First book, The Collectors’ Society, was one of my favorite books of 2014, so I beyond excited to get my hands on the second book. And even more excited when I opened the book on my kindle and saw that I was quoted from my review of the first book. (This has to be the most epic week on the blog EVER! I believe that there are 3 five star reviews in one week and I am quoted in 2 books. Neither of those things have happened before!) This is an amazing follow up to the first book. I have no idea how Heather Lyons manages to do it, but this book really has it all. The characters are even more complex and rich, the storyline keeps getting better and better and the writing is thoughtful, funny, and so very emotional.
The Hidden Library picks up right where the first book left off, but this time we get to see so much more of Finn’s point of view! I loved it. The writing switches off between Alice and Finn every couple of chapters, and everything was very labeled and the POV shifts flowed along with the storyline very well. For the first 20% of the book I was a smidge worried that The Hidden Library was going to be a slower read than the first book, but I was completely wrong. The story zips along. Not only do Finn and Alice have their hands full with villains, but they also go into many more timelines than they did in the first book. I loved that because I got to travel to more book worlds, which was one of the things that drew me towards this series in the first place. 
Heather Lyons writing is something to talk about. This lady knows how to write. I love how she doesn’t just use twists and turns for shock value, she uses them to layer on complexity and detail into her story. Not to mention she can make you feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster ride. She will have you grieving on one page and laughing on the next. Every single sentence and character of hers evokes emotion. I can’t emphasize how much I love that about this series. Her writing is masterful, and the Collectors’ Society is a series that I can’t get enough of. I need the next book right now. I want to go back to wonderland. 🙂 This is not a series for fantasy lovers or new adult lovers. This is a series for all book lovers.
Other books in the Collector’s Society Series:
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kindlemom1
I just scanned your review since I haven’t read the first book yet but I couldn’t not comment on that cover, it is gorgeous! It alone makes me want to pick this series up!
Jessica @ a GREAT read
OOh nice! Wasn’t really aware of how awesome this series sounded! Immediately bought the first book just last weekend! Cannot wait to give it a go!
Jessica @ a GREAT read
And now I see that there was a question to answer in said “Leave a Comment”! LOL!
Classic I’d like a retelling of…hmm…there have been so many lately it seems. Even if they weren’t all in books. SyFy did that awesome Alice mini series and a Peter Pan one too! And even with books, those are ever popping up with new retellings/reimaginings/or sequel-esque!
But one I’d like to see retold or reimagined like might be Beauty and the Beast! I loved that Disney movie as a kid and I enjoyed the original fairy tale too!
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
Ooo. I love the title and the look of this book. Sounds like a lovely series too. Thank you for sharing about a new (to me) series. 🙂
Kathy Church
How about Anne of Green Gables?
Heather Langston
My favorite (or at least one of them) when I was younger that I may like to see would be the 12 Dancing Princesses…oooo or maybe Princess and the Pea? Haven’t seen any retellings on those (well, I think I’ve seen one for 12 Dancing Princesses)… 😀
Megan McDade
I would love a good retelling of Little Red riding hood in a modern way.
Jothee
She writes awesome books!!!