Who among us hasn’t wanted to jump into one of the books we’re reading? I grew up reading the Inkspell series and I have always been enamored with the idea of climbing into a book to take a look around, visit with characters, and see the fantastical scenery around me. Amelia Spencer has created an urban fantasy world where that’s not only possible, but where it’s regulated in secret by so-called “librarians” so that peons like us wouldn’t even know it existed. This premise is so promising and Spencer has delivered on most every point. “Secrets of the Catalogue” is a book that you both desperately want to be real and desperately hope is not; it will have you looking for gargoyles and lanterned dusty bookstores just like you waited for your letter from Hogwarts.

The Blurb:

Emerson Blackwell’s world shattered the night her mother perished when their cottage in Maine burned to the ground. Unable to face her new reality, Emerson booked a one-way train to New York City. For eight years, she found solace in New York’s bustling streets and tried to forget the trauma of her past, but it all comes rushing back when she discovers a hidden library deep within the heart of the city.

Guided by the cryptic Librarian, Ezekiel Glasberg, Emerson discovers that the books from this Library are not ordinary reading material. They are portals to parallel universes and the Library’s Catalogue allows readers to physically enter its books.
Inside one of the books, Emerson encounters her mother, Iris, and learns that she didn’t die in that fire eight long years ago. Iris reveals that the Catalogue is governed by The Central Library, which has been pursuing her for publishing supposedly dangerous and unsanctioned books.

Emerson finds herself thrown into an adventure where the books she reads often become too real for comfort and she is forced to confront her tragic past. Along the way, she rekindles a romance with her first love, who reveals that he is working with Emerson’s mother against The Central Library. However, tensions rise when Emerson finds herself drawn to the son of The Central Library’s Head Librarian.

It’s up to Emerson to determine whether her mother is a villain pushing dangerous books into the Catalogue, or whether The Central Library has something to hide.

Secrets of the Catalogue is an epic tale of adventure, love, and the clash between fiction and truth.

The Review:

Spencer really knows how to craft a captivating premise, that’s for sure. I loved the idea of the “worlds” we entered through the books, but I enjoyed the modern setting of the “real world.” If you like fae, dwarves, elves, and other realms, but still enjoy modern characters, then this book is for you. I actually enjoyed the main love interest, unlike some other reviewers. The main characters are flawed, but fit well together and work well together, too.

My primary complaint is that there were moments in this book that felt a bit derivative of other fantasy and sci fi media, particularly of Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments series in the Shadowhunters world. I had these thoughts before running into the character named Magnus Bane, of all things, and it only increased from there. There were other times where I felt similarities to other franchises, like Doctor Who and Harry Potter, but the Shadowhunters similarities were definitely greatest for me. All that being said, the story itself is mostly unique and the premise is truly engaging and interesting.

Though this book is an adult novel and the main character is supposed to be approximately 26, she felt much closer to around 19 – 21. While this didn’t bother me so much, I did age the character down in my head throughout the book. Also, while this is the first book in a series, I wasn’t quite prepared for just how giant the cliffhanger would be at the end of this novel. All in all, I really did enjoy this first installment and eagerly anticipate the next one!

Rating: 3.5/4 stars.

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I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.