During World War II, Europe was a stick of dynamite threatening to go off at any moment. Everyone had their own loyalties and if you trusted the wrong person, you would end up dead.
This is the reality of two women in different countries as they work together to save innocent lives in Madeline Martin’s The Librarian Spy.
Overview
Genre: Historical Fiction
Ava Harper is a librarian at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. when she’s asked by the U.S. military to go to neutral Portugal to help gather information to use against the Axis.
Helene Belanger watched her beloved Lyon come under Nazi occupation. As injustice swirls, she joins the resistance. Now going by Elaine, she works as a printing apprentice helping put out an underground newspaper filled with truths the Nazis try to hide.
As both women work to turn the tide of the war, secrets abound and not everyone can be trusted.
My Thoughts On The Librarian Spy
I honestly didn’t get pulled into this book as much as I’d hoped I would. I almost gave up two-thirds of the way in because it just wasn’t working for me.
However, I did end up finishing it, and I’m glad I did. The last 150 pages or so finally got my attention and hooked me the way I wish the story would have back on page one.
I feel like story needed more depth and emotion earlier on to really drive the plot. Some of the details that made the story interesting were not given enough page space, particularly in Lisbon.
Character-wise, I didn’t care for Ava’s point of view, but I connected Elaine’s.
Ava’s naiveté is a large part of her character which added an interesting layer to the story, considering that she was working in Lisbon which was full of spies for both sides. But, I felt like there wasn’t enough time to really see her grow.
Elaine was a little more street-smart and headstrong. She is a woman full of grit who doesn’t shy away from a worthy cause. I liked her character because she knows the dangers of her work, but that doesn’t stop her from doing what’s right.
Both settings were well written and I which helped me visualize the locales. However, I adored Martin’s descriptions of Lisbon because she made it sound rich and exciting.
Final Thoughts And Rating
Overall, I’m glad I finished the book. It was not my favorite World War II story, but The Librarian Spy did have a lot of good things going for it. I just wish they’d came together sooner.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Would I Recommend This Book: Maybe.
I do a lot of reading and I appreciate the thoroughness of your review. I’ll know whether to purchase this book or not next time I’m looking for my next book. You definitely need to be in the mood to be reading historical novels.
Appreciate your honest review of this book! I’ll pass on reading.
Your review on this book is helpful. I would love to get it!
I have this book and it’s on my to-be-read list, but haven’t got around to picking it up yet. Sorry to hear it wasn’t that engaging; I might move it down my list then. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.