The Wren in the Holly Library

This review will be about The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A.Linde. It was published on June 4, 2024 and will be a continued series called; The Oak and the Holly Cycle Series. Its genre is listed as Adult, fantasy, romance. 


⭐⭐⭐⭐


Synopsis:


Can you love the dark when you know what it hides?


Some things aren’t supposed to exist outside of our imagination.


Thirteen years ago, monsters emerged from the shadows and plunged Kierse’s world into a cataclysmic war of near-total destruction. The New York City she knew so well collapsed practically overnight.


In the wake of that carnage, the Monster Treaty was created. A truce...of sorts.


But tonight, Kierse―a gifted and fearless thief―will break that treaty. She’ll enter the Holly Library...not knowing it’s the home of a monster.


He’s charming. Quietly alluring. Terrifying. But he knows talent when he sees it; it’s just a matter of finding her price.


Now she’s locked into a dangerous bargain with a creature unlike any other. She’ll sacrifice her freedom. She’ll offer her skills. Together, they’ll put their own futures at risk.


But he’s been playing a game across centuries―and once she joins in, there will be no escape...








Review with some spoilers: 


I saw this book in the store, and absolutely fell in love with the cover and the beautiful stencils! As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I had to get it though. Upon reading the first page, I knew I was in for a wild ride as it starts off with a Heist.


 I immediately liked the MC Kierse, just off of the first page, she seems like a strong-willed badass character who plans things out meticulously. While reading the book, you learn more things about Kierse, some things she didn’t even know. Learning new information with the MC always gets me because we’re both shocked by the revelations. 


The MMC, Graves, is a morally gray monster who catches Kierse red handed during a heist. But soon learns that there is more to Kierse than meets the eye. At first, I didn’t like Graves. His moods were all over the place, hot and then cold, a know-it-all, and kept vital information from Kierse. But then he starts to help Kierse and they start to feel things for each other but pretend they don't. 


There are 2 spicy scenes in this book, so just a heads up for those that don’t read that.


A few things I want to talk about; The Magic, the relationships, and some of the writing. The magic, I love me a good book with magic and information on how it came to be, how it works, etc. I felt like it was a bit glossed over in this book, though. Even with it being glossed over, I still appreciated what was given. The relationships, what makes a book even greater? Making characters have flaws and bad choices. I get that. But come on, the MCC’s past relationship ended because he cheated on her with her best friend who is a guy. Then she turned into his enemy, which I could see. The MC’s past relationship, well Kierse thought she was dead so that’s understable but when they finally see eachother again and Kierse saves her, they act more like awkward teenagers than lovers. But at the same time maybe the relationship died between them when they were seperated? What’s your take? 


I need a new paragraph for the writing, oh boy. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loved this book, I loved the writing style as it was unique to me and I loved the story plot etc.. BUT there were a few instances where I’ve cringed, literally cringed, and had a hard time finishing the book. There are a few spots in the book where I had a hard time connecting with the characters due to the immaturity they were displaying and how they were treating others. I think there were a few typos as well and a few scenes where it abruptly changes to a different scene. I would love to go into more detail about it but I don’t want to spoil the book anymore than I have. 


Overall, it was a very fun read and I’ll be keeping an eye out for the second book to see where Kierse and Graves end up and if it ends up being different from the first. I recommend this book if you like Magic, Monsters, Heists, Badass MC, morally gray MMC, romance with spice, and a snarky attitude!


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