The Library of Amorlin by Kalyn Josephson
With years left on her prison sentence, Kasira took the opportunity to work off her debt to society by joining the Malikinar, an elite group of warriors charged with hunting down dangerous creatures. She is an unwelcome addition, as far as her unit is concerned, but at least it keeps her out of solitary confinement.
Kasira used to run with a crew of criminals; her specific talents lay in conning people. She would ingratiate herself to a mark and then bide her time until the perfect moment to enact her plans.
Suddenly, she finds those skills have become politically useful. The king’s Ambassador to the Library of Amorlin offers Kasira a deal: she will infiltrate the Library and help Ambassador Vera unseat the current Librarian – transferring control of the Library to their nation.
The Library of Amorlin is a place where nations send their magically-gifted students to learn. The Library is overseen by the Librarian and the Assistant, who will become Librarian following the passing of the current Librarian. Each country takes turns sending representatives for these positions to ensure that no single country is favored over the others.
The current Librarian, Allaster, must choose an Assistant from Kalthos. He has been dragging his feet up to this point because Kalthos makes no secret that they view magic as evil and dangerous. The beasts that Kasira and the Malikinar hunt are all magical creatures.
Ambassador Vera is planning to do exactly what Allaster fears: take control of and destroy the Library of Amorlin.
Kasira is not a strong believer in Kalthos’ view on beasts, but her will to survive has always overpowered her reservations. Ambassador Vera has offered freedom for Kasira’s cooperation; how can she refuse?
The Library is very different from what Kasira expected. There, the very creatures she has been hunting are studied and protected. Their magical properties harnessed to benefit the other nations. Kasira finds herself warming to many of the creatures she has been taught to fear.
Not only that, but she finds herself accepted by the people here in ways that are unfamiliar. But do they like Kasira, or the mask that she has created? And can those relationships last if she betrays Allaster?
THE LIBRARY OF AMORLIN by Kalyn Josephson is the first book in a new fantasy series. Unfortunately, this means that some of my biggest questions are still unanswered. There is an ongoing mystery related to the Library’s catacombs that is not concluded in this book and a traitor among the students who is never unmasked.
I think Josephson really shines in her portrayal of Kasira. Readers are in her mind for a large portion of the book, but there is a lot of tension as the book wraps up about what Kasira will choose to do. As a reader, you have also grown attached to the characters of the Library alongside Kasira, but she has proven – time and time again – that she will make any choice necessary to survive.
Book review by Alyssa Berry, Technical Services Librarian
