Review: Delightful Urban Fantasy!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 13, 2014
Lost Library is a charming introduction into the world of magic where we meet Lycan, shape shifters who become wolves (NOT WEREWOLVES!) and spell casters (and I suspect vampires, but it’s never confirmed). The Lycan, much like the dreaded “W” word live in packs, but within a more structured community than we’re used to reading about. Our hero, John, is the Alpha of the Texas pack, the largest in the U.S. He’s looking for our heroine Lizzie in hopes that she’ll become the pack’s Record Keeper, a spell caster who can read spelled books containing the pack’s history. Only problem: Lizzie has no idea she’s a caster and can’t read the book. John shows up on her threshold two years after his pack’s book mysteriously arrives on Lizzie’s doorstep (with no instructions, letter of introduction, nothing to indicate what the book’s purpose is) demanding answers. This begins the self-proclaimed normal, boring Lizzie’s adventure into the world of magic, and John’s arms.Through a series of kidnappings and run-ins with bad guys, road trips in pop-up campers, and quiet mornings sharing cups of coffee and tea, John and Lizzie get to know each other while slowly falling in love. When Lizzie’s life is seriously threatened by a powerful caster who has abducted her, John pulls out all the stops to find and rescue his love and potential mate. Unbeknownst to him, Lizzie, with the help of a fellow imprisoned caster, has released her magic and saves herself just as John shows up, demonstrating a strength she’d unknowingly been looking for.There were so many things I liked about this book. Lizzie is a delightful heroine, funny, pretty, and unassuming. She’s not looking for love, happy to enjoy life as a web designer with her two dogs and her best friend Kenna. John is his pack’s Alpha, but far from the overbearing, chest-thumping Alphas we so often see. The supporting characters live up to their title, playing important roles in the development of the story. There’s even a secondary romance, but it would be unfair for me to give names, spoiling the surprise. John and Lizzie share a quiet chemistry, affirming their believability as people we could easily find ourselves having a weekend barbecue with. Baray chooses to leave the couple’s sexual adventures behind closed doors, which was refreshing. It also proved that her story could stand alone as a romantic adventure without pages of thrusting, moaning, and gasping in ecstasy.With the release of the second book in the Lost Library series just this week (Spirited Legacy), this is a book you definitely want to grab up quickly. Even if magic isn’t your cup of tea I honestly believe you’d still enjoy Lost Library with its theme of self-discovery, laugh out loud moments, adventure, and refreshing romance.