The Library at Mount Char

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I can honestly say this was one of the most bizarre books I've ever read! I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction, but this book was so unique and eccentric, it would blow the mind of even the most seasoned readers: In a way this can be classed as urban fantasy. It's set in fairly modern day America, but if certain kinds of magic were real but only available to a very limited number of people who had been carefully groomed for the roles to fulfill certain purposes. It's not urban fantasy in the noir-detective-but-with-magic vein. Those mythologies were written to explain the unexplainable workings of nature, weather, time, and humanity itself.

children are abducted by a powerful man and are tasked with learning his collected knowledge of the earth's secrets. Now, Father is missing--perhaps even dead--and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded. And with it, control over all of creation. Thanks, Kelley, for recommending this book to me. I didn't know it even existed until I got your recommendation. I also admired the way Hawkins does take the obvious solution to one plot (a solution I spotted from the beginning), yet shows more of its consequences and ramifications than I would’ve expected, indeed I can see why he made the book’s final third so quiet since exploring this revelation needed to happen in more depth, even though his offhand, rather cold dialogue wasn’t quite at the depth such an explanation needed. That being said, other aspects of Carolyn’s resolution seemed inconsistent, particularly in what atrocities she was prepared to accept, and what atrocities she felt a need to avenge. Yet, maybe this was absolutely intentional since one continual thread which runs through the book is the fact that the concerns of Father and the Pelapi are so far beyond the concerns of ordinary Americans, that even horrific torture and the scars it leaves cannot be approached in a human way.

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The most genuinely original fantasy I’ve ever read. Hawkins plays with really, really big ideas and does it with superb invention, deeply affecting characters, and a smashing climax I did not see coming." - Nancy Kress She did a good job differentiating character voices. She also did some very good subtle work with tone and inflection when reading the different character's thoughts. Carolyn and Steve, it transpires, had known each other as children. Father had also planned for Carolyn to depose him. David, in between life and death, and in agony, serves as Earth's new, dark sun, but Steve voluntarily replaces him. Carolyn, with the assistance of Michael and Erwin, will protect the Earth from Father's inhuman foes.

i think my obstacle is that with MR and slipstream, things are only just slightly tweaked, and what i relish is that unsettling feeling - that the possibility for fantastical occurrences is present, but there's still something concrete and recognizable to ground me. I highly, highly recommend Stephen King's The Long Walk. It's one of his first--he wrote it when he was (I think) an undergrad, well before Carrie. It's a little raw in terms of technique, but it's a sledgehammer of a book.

Title: The Library at Mount Char

Though he dresses in a purple tutu, David is anything but a sissy. In fact, he is a ruthless killer, with a helmet made of blood and hair, and a string of intestines slung over his shoulder. Lately, I've seen this book, with an interesting synopsis, reviewed by fellow Goodreads members, so I put a hold on it for Fantasy Month.

Freakishly compelling . . . through heart-thumping acts of violence and laugh-out-loud moments, this book practically dares you to keep reading. ” —Atlanta Magazine Freakishly compelling . . . through heart-thumping acts of violence and laugh-out-loud moments, this book practically dares you to keep reading.”—Atlanta Magazine Unfortunately for Carolyn, all her studying and all her planning has not accounted for one tiny little detail: she was once a normal little girl. Little girls, as we all know, are full of hopes and dreams and emotions. In addition – and I have two young daughters so I can tell you this – little girls are full of sass, have a temper, and will hold a grudge. That was a long time ago, of course. Before her parents died. Before she and the others were taken in by the man they called Father. In the years since then, Carolyn hasn't had a chance to get out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient customs. They've studied the books in his Library and learned some of the secrets of his power. And sometimes, they've wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God. Now, Father is missing—perhaps even dead—and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded. And with it, control over all of creation. although the majority of the characters are most unlikeable (which makes this story so engrossing), I did have an affinity for "Steve" and "Erwin"; and,Ohhh . . ." the old guy said vaguely. "Right." He glanced at her legs in a way that wasn't particularly fatherly. "Sure you don't want a lift? Buddy don't mind, do ya?" He patted the fat dog in the seat next to him. Buddy only watched, his brown eyes feral and suspicious. Yes, the attempt to outsmart the reader by far more twists and turns than necessary feels too clever by half, especially when VERY exotic physics give the easy way out. But it is still amazing.

Truthfully, that’s all I can really say about it without giving anything away. No spoilers for this book! The Library at Mount Char, by Scott Hawkins really scratched that itch for me. The plot and character arcs are completely unpredictable. From the get-go, you're just really intrigued with what on earth these characters are up to, and what their plans are. The events that occur are really, really wild. The book hits this coveted sweetspot between visceral horror and laugh-out-loud humor. I'm not exactly a prose guy (I like Sanderson, a lot) but I'm pretty sure this book read really well.

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Based on the first two thirds this was an EASY 5 star book. No doubts at all in my mind. But based on the final third? I'm so let down. And not in a "I'm not happy that x won" way, but in a "it's great x won but why did we find out they won by them sitting there explaining it all to us" way.