Book Review: The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Series: Book 1 of The Oak and Holly Cycle

Publisher: Red Tower Books (June 4, 2024)

Length: 400 pages

Author Information: Website

The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde offers an intriguing concept of a romantasy set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world, and to that end, it delivered an entertaining read! While a more experienced reader with romance fantasy will probably find it pretty standard, for a dabbler like me it was a fun dip into a genre I don’t often explore.

The novel follows Kierse, a young woman who joined a thieving guild in order to survive a world devastated thirteen years ago by a cataclysmic war when monsters of all kinds emerged from the shadows. Navigating this new reality teeming with a variety of supernatural creatures like werewolves and vampires, she relies on her cunning and skills to make it through each day in the ruthless streets of New York City. For the last few years though, humans and their new monstrous neighbors have coexisted relatively peacefully thanks to a treaty that was negotiated to end the bloodshed.

However, all that is about to change when Kierse receives a mission that sends her into the home of a mysterious warlock named Graves. When she is discovered, thus violating the treaty, Kierse expects the worst—but instead, Graves offers her a job. There’s something precious he wants hidden away behind an unbreakable security system under the city, and he needs a thief to help him break in to steal it. Intrigued, Kierse agrees to his terms, unprepared for the journey that the contract would set in motion. The work plunges her into a web of magic, secrets, and chaos, challenging her abilities and forcing her to confront the feelings she’s developing for her new employer.

We see most of the story through Kierse’s eyes, though the chapters are occasionally punctuated by interludes that let us see things from other characters’ perspectives. Her close friends Ethan and Gen help fill out the rest of the cast, showcasing the deep bonds forged between them from years of mutual hardship. Although this is a book in which romance takes center stage, I’m glad the author hasn’t neglected developing Kierse’s friendships too.

World-building was also very cool. Name practically any magical creature you can think of, this book probably has it. Magic in Linde’ world is unique to each wielder, and often a guarded secret to hide any weak points to exploit. Then there’s also the lore which serves as a backdrop to the plot and adds detail and context to the characters’ motivations and actions.

That said, the story isn’t without its flaws. Pacing was uneven as we moved from the heist to an increasing focus on relationship drama between Kierse and Graves. I wasn’t entirely convinced of their romance either, possibly due to a lack of chemistry or the fact it happened too quickly and “textbook” for my tastes. In other words, it’s the same dance we see so very often in the genre, making the story somewhat predictable.

Still, speaking as a reader who takes romantasy in small doses, the feeling of “same old, same old” didn’t bother me too much, and despite the predictability and clichés, I was compelled to keep reading. There’s no doubt an audience for this book, which I consider myself a part of, and I’m on board for the next one!