Kate Quinn has written a fun magical realism novel with “The Astral Library.” This book is quite a change from Quinn’s usual historical novels and she has filled it with nods to her favorite fantasy and classic books, as well as plenty of humor. It seems like ‘book themed’ stories are really popular right now, and this one lifts up libraries as safe places for all types of people.
Alix Watson is 26 years old and a product of the foster home system. She has never felt wanted or chosen by anyone in her life and is being dealt blow after blow with her job, her roommate and her finances. She escapes to the Boston Public Library because she has always loved books and feels safe in that space. While there, she discovers the magical Astral Library – where patrons can enter books of their choosing and live on the edges alongside the main characters of those novels. While Alix is learning how this magical system works, the Astral Library suddenly comes under attack and she must assist the Librarian in a fight to save the Institution. I chuckled many times and enjoyed the references to various books I had read. How will Alix and the Librarian save the Astral Library and will they survive the attack themselves? (Note: Alix is a contemporary young woman and when frustrated or angry, she does use some profanity.)
“The Astral Library” is a quirky fantasy-type novel that will mostly appeal to book lovers. The Prologue asks ‘Have you ever wanted to live inside a book?’ If the answer is yes… this novel might intrigue you!