Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Hidden Library! Today I'll be sharing my review of the book with you - and don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway! The tour schedule is posted at the bottom, so check out the other stops!
The Hidden Library (Collector's Society #2)
Author: Heather Lyons
Genre: Adult Romantic Fairy Tale
Release Date: February 26, 2015
Publisher: Cerulean Books
Description:
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.
Don’t miss the first book in this series, THE
COLLECTORS’ SOCIETY!
The Hidden Library is the exhilarating second book in an adult romantic fairy tale series. It picks up where the first book left off - with Alice and Finn, along with the rest of the Collector's Society, are preparing to hunt down a dangerous villain who is destroying other people's legacies. They will attempt to unravel the mysteries surrounding them, in an attempt to put an end to the villain's plans. Although working together on the case, it turns out that secrets abound. Alice and Finn each have secrets of their own that must stay hidden for various reasons, they have some that they can share with one another, and with this case, they find themselves falling deeper into all the secrets that Wonderland holds - ones that will ultimately test their loyalties, put them up against both new and old enemies, and worst of all - some will expose truths so dangerous that they put Alice and Finn (along with many others) in serious peril. What secrets are meant to be kept and which should they reveal? Can they trust each other - or anyone else - with the hidden knowledge they're harboring? Secrets - one way or another - might destroy them all in the end.
I absolutely adored the first book in this series and I couldn't wait to read this installment. I have to admit that the first novel gave me high expectations and hopes for this book - but I had nothing to worry about. It was just as good as the first with tons of action, adventure, some serious mysteries, and romance. I loved slipping back into the world the author created for the series; it was so easy for me to do that it happened without me realizing it. It felt as if no time had really passed since I 'left' and I was able to get completely lost in the story. Alice is still a fantastic female lead for the series. She's strong - both physically and mentally - and these only grow throughout the book. She's also practical, intelligent, determined, and devoted to their cause. Her character growth was easy to see as the story progressed, and I really liked watching Alice become more stable and confident in her roles in both the Society and in Wonderland. Of course, there's Finn - who also undergoes some character growth throughout the book. I loved watching Alice and Finn's relationship continue to develop as the story went on. It was a big part of the story and I feel that it was portrayed in a perfect way. (No spoilers here - you'll have to read it for yourself to find out what I mean!)
The setting continued to be utterly realistic and the vivid imagery and detailed descriptions - especially of Wonderland and it's inhabitants - had me literally enchanted during the entire book. I could easily close my eyes and see Wonderland come to life before me - and while I was reading the story, it felt like I was right there beside Alice the entire time. We get to learn more about the Collector's Society and Wonderland in this installment, which I loved. I was fascinated by any and all the information we're given about both - histories, secrets, hidden truths, scandal, inner workings. It gave me a better understanding of them both and I loved learning as much as I could about everything and anything concerning them. I hope that the author puts more of this type of information into the next book, so we can get an even clearer and more detailed picture of Wonderland and the Collector's Society, as well as everything that goes along with them. The writing, aside from the amazing descriptions and imagery, was fast paced but not rushed. I felt like the story had a natural flow to it - there were times when I could sit back and enjoy reading the story; while at other points I was on the edge of my seat, reading as fast as I could to see what was going on and what would happen next. Overall, this was a beautifully written and thrilling second book in a very unique series. I'm already counting down the days until the next book is released. I very highly recommend this book - and the series - to fans of fairy tales, fantasies, fairy tale retellings, action and adventure, mysteries, and romance. There's something for everyone to enjoy in the series, so I encourage everyone to at least give it a chance. It might surprise you and drag you into the story like it did with me.
Heather Lyons writes
epic, heartfelt love stories and has always had a thing for words. In addition
to writing, she’s also been an archaeologist and a teacher. She and her husband
and children live in sunny Southern California and are currently working their
way through every cupcakery she can find.
Links:
Allies, once inseparable, splinter until they break apart.
