Title: The Wren in the Holly library
Author: K. A. Linde, narrated by Stephanie Nemeth-Parker
Length: 381 pages (hardback copy), 15 hours, 16 mins (audio)
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adult
Is this part of a series? Yes, this is book one of The Oak and Holly Cycle.
I discovered this series… at my local book store- another case of falling for a book due to it’s beauty.
Published: June 4th, 2024
Summary (Courtesy of Goodreads)
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.
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…
My Thoughts:
Please be advised, there are some spoilers ahead though I tried to keep them light.
I finished this audiobook last night and I am currently obsessed. The narrator did a fabulous job, the characters are fire, the world building was great, and the story was fast paced and interesting. My only complaint? The next book, The Robin on the Oak Throne, doesn’t come out until June 17th. I might die lol.
Let’s dive into characters first. Kierse is amazing. She’s smart, strong, loyal and protective. The best part- girl’s ready to save herself. Even when she was overwhelmed and wanted Graves, she wasn’t just passive. She accepted that she’d be doing this herself and she did. Her childhood would have broken some, overwhelmed them. Instead we have a master thief skilled with at least two weapons already, who will literally kill to protect the people she loves. Even as she starts to fall for Graves, and when she starts training her new found skills, this doesn’t go away. Smart, sassy, strong, loyal, sexy as sin. Did I just find my first book-girlfriend? I kid…. mostly.
Graves is hardened by time, all cold control and knowledge. He’s been alone with only his staff and cat for a long time, accepting that this was his life. Until a thief broke through his wards and entered his world. She’s the last piece he needs in order to pull a job he’s been working on- he just needs to train her. Except the longer they are together the more he cares. He went crazy the first time he saw her sick. Protective in his own right, I loved how much he cared about Kierse even when it sometimes upset me. He’d always be like, “I would have killed them for you”… thank you, but she’s obviously already taken care of business. I understand he wants to be sure she knows she isn’t alone, that he can help her. It was good for her, it just made me feel like the bestie staring daggers at a guy that “just doesn’t get” her girl. Then there’s the secrets. Even after they fell for one another he kept so many- secrets she deserved to know. It’s something I come across often, and I hate it every time. You love her, you’ll burn the world for her, but you can’t tell her your secrets? Or worse, what you know of her secrets?
As for the other side characters, I loved Gen, Ethan and Nathan. I don’t like Lorcan, but I want to know more about him. I am hoping book two might delve into his character a little bit. The communities and the world building were just amazing and these characters were part of that.
This was an intense, fast paced read. I absolutely loved it. I am, in fact a bit obsessed. For me, this is a five star book.
As far as adult content, there’s language, violence and sexual content- I would say level four spice. Something that might be a trigger, there’s discussion of past physical and emotional abuse as well as instances of drugging.
The book is out! Have you read it? I absolutely recommend the hardcover copy- it’s gorgeous!
Book two is due out June 17th, 2025.
Happy Reading! See you next time.
Gwen
