Unpopular opinion: I don't like Vale. It's based on my dislike of Sherlock Holmes, who Vale is modeled after. Since he is barely in this book, this was a very enjoyable read. As to be expected in a book from The Invisible Library series, this book is non-stop reading.

Thank you to NetGalley, Genevieve Cogman, and Berkley Publishing Group for allowing me to read and review The Lost Plot. This book is fabulous. I really enjoyed it. Must read for lovers of the genre. 5/5

This Invisible Library book is a lot more self-contained than the previous ones; the plot mostly revolves around Irene and Kai being drawn into a scheme by two high-ranking dragon nobles scheming for the same court position, and having to go 'undercover' in an alternate Roaring-20's America. And - I really liked it! The combination of twisty politics, Library worldbuilding, and Prohibition setting works well for me, and the various scrapes that the characters get into are well-crafted, both entertaining and thrilling.

Despite the very episodic feel of the book, there are a few little tidbits of information that come out but are not further explored, which suggest that the next (and I think last planned) book will involve Irene's parents and her past - which I'm definitely up for.

This is not a standalone and would be confusing to those who aren't already acquainted with the series. Which was me, but I still tried to read this story and enjoy it. This is the 4th part of a series involving agents for a library who try to obtain books from various worlds. Irene and her assistant Kai find themselves in the middle of a dragon contest in which two dragons are vying for a political appointment. The Fae and Dragon politics were so in depth that at times I wasn't even able to comprehend. I don't know if that's a good thing, but it’s impressive. To win, one of them must bring back a certain book that is located on a world much like Prohibition New York, Irene and Kai are trying to stop that, as well as rescue another librarian who is being threatened by one of the dragons. If you like the series so far, then, of course, The Lost Plot is a must read. Only this time, it has more action, faster pace, more dragons, and even more librarians! Not to mention the ending will give you all the feels. This is not one to miss!

I really enjoy the Invisible Library series, so I was ready to read The Lost Plot as soon as it downloaded to my Kindle app. This entry in the series is a little less action-packed than the prior books, but the story still moves along at a good clip. The depiction of Prohibition America is at times fun and charming and at times wears a bit thin - the usual mobsters in New York, etc. etc. The Lost Plot has a much simpler storyline than the prior installments as well. I'm hoping that this is a set up for more fast-paced action in later books, as I see one character in particular who I bet will be a recurring figure.

A very enjoyable read for those who like the prior books in the series!

Another Very Interesting entry in this series. The characters are becoming more complex and nuanced in every book. The plot is Not by-the-numbers in any sense. Altogether enjoyable.

I love this new series and it's reference to the Library world. The tension between Irene and Kai continues to build while 'real-life' adventures keep getting in their way. Again, I'm reminded of Jasper Fforde's series but on a less fulfilling level. I hope the storyline has some life left in it, but it's beginning to feel repetitive. Crossing my fingers for the next installment!

Irene has come across a new puzzle, one that may put the Library and all Librarians in harm. The Library is neutral in the struggle of Dragon and Fae, but someone seems to be trying to paint a Librarian as a collaborator. Irene and Kai must learn the truth, and do their best to extinguish this threat. Plenty of action, some humor, and the richly drawn worlds of Cogman keep you engrossed from the first chapter. I do wish there had been some resolution or more to the earlier story-line involving Alberich and Irene's own past, as they were mentioned a few times briefly. Another winner in the Invisible Library series.

The latest in Cogman's The Invisible Library Series, The Lost Plot is another fast-paced time travel extravaganza. It's a trip back to a world similar to ours of the 1930s, with a twisty tale of dragons, vampires, fae and the mob thrown in for extra good measure. I had read Cogman's other three books in this series so for me picking up the story wasn't difficult. If you haven't read anything by her yet you could certainly start here, but I definitely recommend going back to the first Invisible Library instead for an even richer understanding of the world of these librarians. Another good read!

To read this review online, visit www.mountaintimes.com and click on the books link:

Harvesting fiction from different realities, as British author Genevieve Cogman puts it so well in the first book of this series, “The Invisible Library,” is grueling work, and the next four books from the pen of this veteran role-playing game writer put the exclamation point at the end of that sentence.

Fans of Cogman’s first three books will welcome the fourth, “The Lost Plot: The Invisible Library Novel” (Ace), an adventure tale soaked in 1920s-esque Chicago.

Caught in the middle of a dragon contest — read the series, or at least this book and you’ll know the significance of this — Librarian Irene and assistant Kai — note the capital L and see the previous clause — become snarled in the flapper scene after a young librarian manages to insert himself into the conflict.

That this is a no-no goes without saying, and the repercussions for the mysterious multidimensional Library, not to mention their own lives and those of the entire world in this alternate reality could be monumental.

As always, the arc of the story is a race to procure a rare book from a time out of time where chaos reigns supreme and magic is almost as rampant as the supernatural creatures that populate the earth.

Knowing that Cogman has a fifth book in the series — she teases on her website, www.grcogman.com, that as of Jan. 21 she’s turned in the first draft, solidified the title and has seen the cover art — does nothing to dampen the ending of this novel, released Jan. 9 in the United States. With a penchant for unnerving plot twists, Cogman keeps her readers guessing.

For those who like their fantasy infused with science fiction, or vice versa, Cogman’s series is a win-win. This series is not merely entertaining with its snappy dialogue, clever characterization and vast world building, it does much to entertain the subtexts of friendship, loyalty and curiosity.

Because of this, it’s in the books that “The Lost Plot” will find a solid home in the very visible libraries of her growing readership.

Librarians, dragons, the Fae, and an alternate 1920's New York, what more could you ask for? This series is wonderful!
Highly recommended!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I usually love Cogman’s writing style but this book feels like it’s shoehorned in on the rest of the series so far or meant to be a side story in the universe that she’s already created. This was a good story but I didn’t feel like it fit in with all of the other novels. I did miss the Vale character but understood why he wasn’t there. And while I did like the backdrop of this novel I didn’t really feel like I enjoyed this book the way I did with the ones before it. The love interest thing also took an interesting turn and I’m not sure how to feel about that but at the same time some of it seemed foreshadowed in other books. Overall, not as good as the others but still mildly enjoyable even if it feels disjointed.

The neutrality of the Library is at stake as Librarians Irene and Kai find themselves smack in the midst of things. The Queen of the Southern Lands is forced to quickly find a suitable dragon to replace her deceased Minister and her challenge for the candidates has the potential to upset the balance the Library has so carefully crafted. Irene and Kai will have to risk everything if they are to save the Library. Will it be worth the cost?

Oh my! THE LOST PLOT has catapulted <i>The Invisible Library</i> to my list of favorite series! While set in a very 1930s gangster-style world (a setting I normally avoid like the plague), THE LOST PLOT keeps readers on the edge of their seats as gangsters, mob bosses, prohibition, dragons, and even the fae all collide in one heck of a tale. Irene and Kai are caught between various factions as they try to resolve the sticky situation in a manner that doesn’t compromise the Library, even if it means sacrificing their own lives.

I can’t rave enough about Irene as a hero! I love her spunkiness, particularly in the face of mind-numbing odds. One of the things I liked best in THE LOST PLOT is that Irene is put in positions where her power as a Librarian isn’t available to her and we get to see her ingenuity and intelligence in action. Her loyalty to the Library, as well as to her mentee Kai, is also admirable. And oh… who doesn’t love Kai? I have to admit I missed seeing Vale however and I hope we get to see more of him in future installments in the series.

THE LOST PLOT is the fourth book in <i>The Invisible Library</i> series and one that is best appreciated in the context of the series as a whole. The plot twist at the end has me quite anxious to see where Genevieve Cogman plans on taking this series and you can bet I’ll be reading it as soon as it’s available!

*review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

I really like this series. I love time travel stories in general. It's a series I continually recommend to patrons who are fans of scifi and fantasy. Can't wait for the next installment.

The Lost Plot by Genevieve Cogman is the latest in the wonderful The Invisible Library Series. For a fourth installment, I thought this book held its own. For this adventure, Irene and her apprentice Librarian, Kai, are sent to a world where Prohibition still rules over an America overrun with gangsters in order to find a book two rival dragons are racing to find. I really enjoyed how the dragon culture took center stage in this one. We've seen glimpses of them in the previous three books, but this one puts them front and center and raises the stakes in the relationship between Irene and Kai. All I can say is that I am hoping it doesn't take too long for the next book! This is a fantastic series!

Oh my, what another fantastic book in this series! We have Irene Winters and her assistant Kai (dragon) off to look for another “special” book in the 1930’s era. I love the various interesting characters she has to outsmart along the way, because there is never anything easy when it comes to procuring these “special” books. You have the Fae, dragons, vamps and mob, just to name a few she has to sidestep while working for the interdimensional library. Lots of action and adventure; I highly recommend!

4.5 Stars.

I think this might be my favorite book of the series so far.

When Irene and Kai find themselves in the middle of dragon political intrigue that threatens the neutrality of The Library, they must travel to an alternate world where it's 1930's America complete with gangsters and speakeasys.

Already under threat from conniving dragons, now Irene must deal with over zealous police who think she's a British gangster and local gangsters who want her dead in case she 's trying to take over their territory. Irene and Kai run for their lives as goons with Tommy guns shoot at them, all while searching for a missing librarian who may hold the key to the entire mess.

This was action packed from beginning to end! And I loved the continuing romantic tension between Irene and Kai. It was a nice change of worlds as well, from a steampunk Victorian setting to 1930's America.

Gangaster Fairy Tale with twists. This is the fourth installment of this series and each one only gets better.

The fourth installment in the Invisible Library series was everything I love about the series! Irene was genius thinking on her feet when she got into predicament after predicament. There was action, adventure, danger, and lots of dragons. I love the dynamic between Irene and Kai. I missed Vale, but there were a lot of interesting new characters to keep me occupied. When I finished the last page I closed my Kindle, hugged it to my chest, and sighed a happy sigh.

If I had to describe this book in 3 words... Gangster Urban Fantasy, and one of the best urban fantasy's i have read in awhile. It was a nice change of pace from the three previous books, but I really missed a few of the characters only mentioned in passing or in the last few pages.