The Library of Light and Shadow
The Library of Light and Shadow
Author: M. J. Rose
Series: Daughters of La Lune 3
Genre: historical fiction, fantasy/ magick
Buy From: The Secret Language of the Stones, | The Secret Language of the Stones,
Random Thoughts
My local library has an updated version of the checkout machine. It is definitely cool, as I can use my library card bar-code in the phone. This new toy is also efficient, in and out in under a minute. However, I really miss having small talk with my local librarians. They usually would recommend me nice books to read, whatever happened to the human touch?
I know that we are going into the age of robots and devices, shying away from manual labor. But is manual labor really that bad? Thinking back, even though I got my book quicker, the library feels a little colder without having someone to say hello to.
Thoughts?
Previous books
Witch of Painted Sorrows comes first, where her mother Sandrine starts the story as Daughters of La Lune embark on a journey to break a curse. In The Secret Language of the Stones, Opaline worked a jewelry store in Paris during World War I, La Fantasie Russie’s clientele were widows and mothers of dead soldiers.
Why I include the link and this summary, is because you kind of have to read the previous two books before starting this one. Not only the stories are linked, there is a time line and background story progression for the series. Even though you can still read it as a standalone, it is much nicer and easier to follow the books chronologically.
What is it about
The book is about Delphine, younger sister of Opaline and daughter of Sandrine. Her background story is repeated several times (it got tiresome), as it was the basis of her decisions and actions in the story. Delphine was in America, making a name for herself painting “shadow” pictures. She was blinded for a brief period of time, and when she regained her sight, Delphine also gained the ability to see people’s secrets.
After an incident, when she revealed a dark secret involving two brothers, Delphine swore off using her powers. There is more to the story than what she was willing to divulge in the beginning, but it was enough to entice me into reading more. She was brought home, and coerced into doing a painting for a house.
The mystery of the house is quite interesting, but the ending is creatively done, allowing the series to progress. By the end of the book, Delphine grew into her own ability, and matured into a woman with a force to reckon with. I love the whole thing, the betrayal to the reconciliation! That is one way to end things, I guess…
The Characters
Delphine Duplessi is the daughter who inherited Sandrine’s ability to paint and more. She also has abilities that had managed to ruin her life a few times, but she also cannot resist using them. As a daughter of La Lune, the curse placed upon her bloodline is strong.
Sebastian Duplessi is another constant character in the book, he is actually Delphine’s twin brother. He is a charismatic art manager and gallery owner for the Duplessi works. There is another younger sister, whose story will be up next I believe and hope.
Mathieu is Delphine’s ex-lover, who is somehow tied into the story through her diary and memories. Of course there is a reason for that. He is a war veteran with a career in book binding.
Of course, family is a theme in this book, so other members of the family like Great Grandmere and mother Sandrine still appears from time to time.
The Verdict
What can I say about this book? I don’t like the cover, it is weird. It is also slow, the book took a few chapters to actually arrive at the main point of the story: looking for a book via shadow painting a house. Seriously, I was beginning to wonder why the book was written… Delphine was adamant that she would not do it, but her brother Sebastian managed to persuade her.
“It’s a house.” he said….
Aside from the slowness of progression, I actually loved the book. The Library of Light and Shadow is quite well planned, and M J Rose is a writer after my own heart. Her words are sexy in a way of an artist, a skill that I would like to one day have. I am willing to forgive a lot, because it was such a joy to read it.
Not to mention the hardcover I got was pretty resistant to babies.
The Library of Light and Shadow will drag you into a mysterious place, leaving you breathless for more before spitting you back out. Curses! Share on XThe Snippet
Copyright © 2017 Ailyn Writes. All Rights Reserved.
This sounds so lovely and lyrical going by that snippet Ailyn, I haven’t heard of this series before. I love books that focus on family which seems such a rarity in YA especially. Looking forward to checking out book one of the series and hope I’ll enjoy it as much as you have. Wonderful review Ailyn <3
right? M J Rose is an artist herself before she ventured into writing, trust her to know how sexy it feels to draw.
Ah no it’s not YA, Delphine’s an adult =d
I do like this author and I haven’t read that one before. I also worried that the machine would reduce the number of librarians but with all the new stuff coming in, they actually need them more in some cases.
actually the staff numbers stayed the same, they get rerouted to do different things like education and promoting library events. The only difference is the less waiting in line time if that makes sense. I am still wary about these machines though
You would like MJ Rose a lot of dying but no murders, magic and a lusty ghost.
I would reserve a book online and pick up at the library, I chose which one I want to book to go to as well. In Adelaide I get to pick from around a few hundred locations/ libraries. The librarians I know would recommend me books, so you’d probably be loving them too
I have read several of her books and enjoyed them. You have me wanting to add these 🙂
hahaha i understand what you mean, the covers are so far pretty interesting
I read the first book in this series and have no idea why I haven’t tried to read the others. I do remember enjoying the writing. Cool new library machine 🙂
it is pretty cool! I think the first book was a little draggy, or your TBR is longer than expected… there’s always nicer books out there
So there are no people working in the library anymore, at all? I see how it’s pretty sad. Although in the library we have here, the ladies are old, crochety and mean. So I don’t really enjoy talking to them much, I would rather have a machine, really xD
The book sounds kind interesting though!
nah the librarians are still around for a chat, except not at the front counter. the machine reduces some work, but not all