The protagonist wore a “Christmas sweater, complete with reindeer, over Spandex bicycle shorts, red rubber galoshes with 1980s leg warmers” (26–7). In her defense, it was hard to blend into American culture after an unmeasurable amount of time spent in the library. Time works differently there.

Epic fantasy is usually the stuff of a multi-volume series. (The Wheel of Time, anyone?) Hawkins succeeds in fully realizing a world bigger than you can imagine in a mere 390 page single volume. Like all good fantasy stories, it begins with some familiar context before continually widening the scope of the action. From the Shire to Mordor—from Highway 78 to multiple universes.

The Library is also a gripping mystery story. Hawkins uses flashbacks not only to advance characterization but to drop clues. The way it all comes together is supremely satisfying. I’ll be the first in line for Hawkins’ next book.

Hawkins, Scott. The Library at Mount Char. New York: Broadway Books, 2015.