The Library at Mount Char

By Scott Hawkins

Book Overview

"Wholly original . . . the work of the newest major talent in fantasy."--The Wall Street Journal

"Freakishly compelling . . . through heart-thumping acts of violence and laugh-out-loud moments, this book practically dares you to keep reading."--Atlanta Magazine

A missing God.
A library with the secrets to the universe.
A woman too busy to notice her heart slipping away.

Carolyn's not so different from the other people around her. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. Clothes are a bit tricky, but everyone says nice things about her outfit with the Christmas sweater over the gold bicycle shorts.

After all, she was a normal American herself once.

That was a long time ago, of course. Before her parents died. Before she and the others were taken in by the man they called Father.

In the years since then, Carolyn hasn't had a chance to get out much. Instead, she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient customs. They've studied the books in his Library and learned some of the secrets of his power. And sometimes, they've wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God.

Now, Father is missing--perhaps even dead--and the Library that holds his secrets stands unguarded. And with it, control over all of creation.

As Carolyn gathers the tools she needs for the battle to come, fierce competitors for this prize align against her, all of them with powers that far exceed her own.

But Carolyn has accounted for this.

And Carolyn has a plan.

The only trouble is that in the war to make a new God, she's forgotten to protect the things that make her human.

Populated by an unforgettable cast of characters and propelled by a plot that will shock you again and again, The Library at Mount Char is at once horrifying and hilarious, mind-blowingly alien and heartbreakingly human, sweepingly visionary and nail-bitingly thrilling--and signals the arrival of a major new voice in fantasy.

Praise for The Library at Mount Char

"An engrossing fantasy world full of supernatural beings and gruesome consequences."--Boston Globe

"Vivid . . . the dialogue sings . . . you'll spend equal time shuddering and chortling."--Dallas Morning News

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553418629
• ISBN13: 9780553418620
• Release Date: March 2016
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

One of my favorites of the last decade

I had a hard time putting this one down. Truly one of the greatest fantasy novels, in my opinion. I just want Hawkins to write another book already!

Unhinged weird magical I couldn’t put it down

I read this book and at first I was a little apprehensive with the first couple chapters then it really picked up and honestly it’s one of the most strange intriguing unhinged books I have ever read. I really hope they write a sequel. If you love, strange Mccabe twisted dark basically the kind of boat that makes you a little uncomfortable, but you can’t put it down. This is for you.

Comical

As I read this book, I could not understand how it was so well received. It is as if every chapter was written the day before it was due. One positive aspect of the book was that it definitely had a readability to it, which is difficult to achieve; if not for that, it would deserve no more than 1 star.