Legacy of the Lynx

An interesting read with some truly heartrending moments. The characters are varied and engaging, and the ending is surprisingly satisfying.

From the cover to the description of the story I was ready to dive into this new book whole-hearted. A historical fiction story with a lost library and some fighting in the Irish Rebellion, sign me up. Though it isn't a very long book, at 368 pages, I almost felt that I was reading something that might have been better divided into two books. It was less about the lost library and more about our two main characters' journeys. The story throws in different characters to create a more complete tapestry that, at times, doesn't always make sense to me. I found myself trying to speed read through certain passages to get back to other characters who I found more interesting.

I did find author Clio Gray’s style and characterization welcoming. Instead of writing simple characters that can be pigeon-holed into good versus bad, or lovable and annoying, we see characters that grow into themselves as the story progresses. The readers are left wanting the best for the characters, instead of hoping they get killed off à la George RR Martin. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy adventures, coming of age stories, and historical fiction. It is not one of those books you can speed through and I would suggest this with a cup of tea and a cozy chair. Get comfortable and let it wash over you.
*eBook was provided by NetGalley and Urbane Publications in exchange for an honest review.*

I love my historical fiction, particularly with a mystery element, so I was immediately drawn to this book both by the cover and the description. Despite having a large and imaginative cast of characters and lots of action, the novel just didn’t work for me. The author is particularly ruthless with her characters, many shortly after they have been introduced, and one of the main characters, Ruan Peat, comes across as a stroppy teenager who is difficult to warm to or care about. Although there are lots of action scenes, a large section of the book is based around events in the Irish Rebellion which seemed extraneous to the main plot, the search for the lost library. Throughout the book, I found myself waiting for more information about the history of The Lynx but when some colourful details were eventually given these were recounted very briefly by a minor character. This is clearly a well-researched book inspired by historical fact and most of the writing evokes the period in which it is set. However, there were some modern phrases that jarred (such as “keeping his mouth zipped”, “plonked himself down”, “split early doors”). I felt the book did pick up towards the end as the individual threads were woven together.

A throwback to classic grimly adventurous novels that occasionally lives up to its ancestors

tl;dr at Overall

Filled with the spirit of freedom and new experiences that runs wild in R. L. Stevenson's novels, and as expansive and gritty as Charles Dickens' epics, Legacy of the Lynx shifts between narrative strands and places of interest, from one character to another. And while this is not a minus in and of itself, at times it becomes somewhat tedious and breaks the novel's pace as an introspective dialogue takes up as much space as the description of an important battle.

Gray is not afraid to challenge the narrative expectations and write characters that aren't fully pleasant, but it's not always enough to pique a reader's interest. The plot feels a bit thin at times and overbearingly cumbersome right afterwards. The book isn't dual in nature, it has as many sides as any classic story of war, adventure, and death. But while some of the images and parts are great, the novel doesn't shine as bright as it could when you look at it as a complete work.

Perhaps this is just a case of "not my cup of tea" as I'm not the biggest fan of Dickens and the novels of Stevenson draw me in with moral ambiguity, originality, and relentless action instead of his plentiful descriptions and such.

Overall, not what I expected, but perfectly suitable for lovers of old tales about travel, thrills, and suspense. The writing is somewhat divisive, but the twisty story smoothes the issues partially.

Golo Eck’s dream of reunited the Lynx library is finally on a roll. He sets off on this adventure of a lifetime with Fergus and Ruan. It’s 1798 and while Golo and Ruan have boarded their ship and sail away to the Netherlands, Fergus is thrust into turmoil that is Ireland under British rule. Will they be able to see a fruitful end to their adventure?
Gray has created a complex adventure filled with heartbreak and disappointment, friendship and family. The story is richly filled with historical events. Scenes of battles and confrontation is detailed and brutal. Historical detail of life and social behavior is realistic. Readers who enjoy historically rich adventure laced with intrigue and murder will gladly open this and want to never come out.