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Adelina is a regular librarian with no magical ability whatsoever, unlike the handsome star student mage, Leon, who frequents the library. But one day, while shelving an errant spell book in the forbidden section she meets a strange creature guarding the books. Hesitantly, she befriends it and discovers an entire race of creatures called the Cervara who guard magical books. Little does she know that mundane as she is, she has changed the course of her own life, her country and perhaps the entire world.
This refreshingly imaginative tale is set largely within a library—a book-lover’s dream! Catholic and Christian readers may find the way that it touches on deeper themes of immortality and eternity of particular interest, as well as the portrayal of an arrogant society that has moved, as it thinks, beyond the need to believe in a creator. This aspect of the plot may also interest secular readers since it is a fantasy world with fantasy religion, and there is nothing heavy-handed or overtly Christian.
The relationship between Adelina and Leon is wholesome in the good sense of the word. Neither are perfect, and the ups and downs of their relationship are convincingly shown. Refreshingly, an anticipated love-triangle failed to emerge, and the book was the better for it. The novel is as much romance as it is fantasy, so readers need to enjoy both genres to get the most out of it.
The first half of the story is fairly slow-burn in terms of pacing, then things kick off and maintain a faster pace for the second half. Some suspension of disbelief is required to believe that a crucial, plot-dilemma-solving discovery at the end had never been made before, but it did provide a satisfyingly balanced resolution.
Although it has its serious moments and some characters die, it is quite a gentle story, without high levels of terror or intensity, and as such would be suitable for teens as well as adults, and would fit well in the cozy genre.
This book is not suitable for readers who are uncomfortable with traditional portrayals of magic, even when the magic is an inborn talent rather than a deal with the evil one. Most other readers, as long as they are comfortable with a strong romantic plotline, will find nothing objectionable.
A fun, imaginative romantic fantasy novel with brave and appealing, but grounded and realistic, protagonists. A particularly fun read for all lovers of libraries!
