In her debut novel, Pearl North takes readers centuries into the future, to a forgotten colony of Earth where technology masquerades as magic and ...
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Jan 05, 2011
Theresa
rated it: 
First 1/2 of Book: 3 stars
Second 1/2 of Book: 3-1/2 stars
The book has an interesting premise... a giant library that you can get lost in. What lover of books wouldn't love to go to such a place?
For the first portion of this book, my attention waned and I kept forcing myself to read. The story starts right off with the action... there is no build-up to the action and no introduction to the characters involved besides the bare minimum. I really didn't care at all for More...
Second 1/2 of Book: 3-1/2 stars
The book has an interesting premise... a giant library that you can get lost in. What lover of books wouldn't love to go to such a place?
For the first portion of this book, my attention waned and I kept forcing myself to read. The story starts right off with the action... there is no build-up to the action and no introduction to the characters involved besides the bare minimum. I really didn't care at all for More...
May 25, 2011
Written for ALAN's Picks, July 2009 (online at http://www.alan-ya.org/2009/07/alans-pic...)
"Humanity is divided into two rival cultures: the Libyrarians and the Eradicants. The Libyrarians are curators of humankind’s collected written heritage, preserved in the massive Libyrinth. The Eradicants preserve the knowledge of the Ancients in song, believing that the written word murders wisdom and separates humanity from the Song that unites and guides all living things. They wield te More...
"Humanity is divided into two rival cultures: the Libyrarians and the Eradicants. The Libyrarians are curators of humankind’s collected written heritage, preserved in the massive Libyrinth. The Eradicants preserve the knowledge of the Ancients in song, believing that the written word murders wisdom and separates humanity from the Song that unites and guides all living things. They wield te More...
Oct 20, 2011
Rebecca
rated it: 
Love, love love this book! It's about libraries and singing and magic and science and knowledge and...
It is set on a colony planet of earth. There is a Great Library where Libyrarians and their apprentices and clerks (even in the far, far future there is still a library staff hierarchy) keep the collected knowledge of all mankind. Not just scientific tomes, but literature and poetry and...well, everything. It is a building so vast that no one knows what all it contains or how t More...
It is set on a colony planet of earth. There is a Great Library where Libyrarians and their apprentices and clerks (even in the far, far future there is still a library staff hierarchy) keep the collected knowledge of all mankind. Not just scientific tomes, but literature and poetry and...well, everything. It is a building so vast that no one knows what all it contains or how t More...
Feb 03, 2011
Emily Michelle
rated it: 
I wanted to like this book. No, I wanted to love this book. I mean, it's about people who live in a library so large that some people get lost in the stacks and never come out. Nothing about that is not cool. Unfortunately, the book never really lives up to the coolness of that premise.
Actually, half the book is decent. After about the third chapter, the narrative splits and follows two characters. The first is Haly, the girl on the cover, and her story is all right, as she's capture More...
Actually, half the book is decent. After about the third chapter, the narrative splits and follows two characters. The first is Haly, the girl on the cover, and her story is all right, as she's capture More...
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Oct 31, 2010
Corinne
rated it:
In a future time, all the world’s knowledge is at risk. The books that hold the mysteries of the ancients are slowly being purposely burned and Haly and her fellow clerks are unable to stop it. Those who work at the Libyrinth, like Haly, hate the Eradicants who come to feed the flames with the texts that line the winding shelves. Haly, however, not only is able to read the words – she hears the words. The written word speaks its’ sentences into her mind and when she hears words that reveal More...
Sep 25, 2010
Chris
rated it: 
A nice mix of engaging characters and story with the theme of intellectual freedom. This story takes place during war between civilizations in a distant future, civilizations defined by their efforts to cling to the forgotten knowledge behind the technology remnants they still have. The Libyrarians and their allies revere books and hoard them in the fortress-like Libyrinth. The Eradicants believe the only reason to write something down is to hide it, wanting to burn all books after committing
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Jul 16, 2010
Jessi
rated it:
Summary: In a distant future where Libyrarians preserve and protect the ancient books that are housed in the fortress-like Libyrinth, Haly is imprisoned by Eradicants, who believe that the written word is evil, and she must try to mend the rift between the two groups before their war for knowledge destroys them all.
Although this is marketed as a teen book, it seems it was really written to entice teen librarians to purchase it. The initial idea held some merit - what reader can resis More...
Although this is marketed as a teen book, it seems it was really written to entice teen librarians to purchase it. The initial idea held some merit - what reader can resis More...
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Oct 04, 2009
Lexie
rated it:
Pearl North is the pseudonym of another author, but this is apparently her first young adult novel. Thought I'd make that distinction since on Amazon it claims its from a debut author, technically true, but not really.
For a book nut like myself Libyrinth was a really fun read--the book has dozens of quotes from all sorts of famous literary works (The Diary of Anne Frank, Tale of Two Cities, Life of Pi) and technical manuals (Glenn's Complete Bicycle Manual). For the most part the quo More...
For a book nut like myself Libyrinth was a really fun read--the book has dozens of quotes from all sorts of famous literary works (The Diary of Anne Frank, Tale of Two Cities, Life of Pi) and technical manuals (Glenn's Complete Bicycle Manual). For the most part the quo More...
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Feb 14, 2010
Monica
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If the heart and soul of librarianship were made into an epic story, a mythology that captured the nature of stewardship with its problems and its joys, it would be Libyrinth. Haly is a clerk in the Libyrinth, a massive library with the knowledge of the ancients from Earth stored inside it. Her friend Clauda is a kitchen girl with a taste for gossip; she's also the only one who knows that the books literally speak to Haly. For the Libyrarians, the people who forcibly burn their books are villain
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Oct 22, 2011
Natasha
rated it:
Truth to be told. How can I not like this story? I've been dreaming of becoming a librarian since I was small. Haly's adventures are something that any book lover ever dreamed of. To be surrounded by shelves of books is heaven! And the girl is blessed with the gift of being able to listen to any books or written objects even without actually seeing them.
Alas..the great Libyrinth where dear Haly work as a clerk is being threatened by the illiterate Eradicants with their far superior t More...
Alas..the great Libyrinth where dear Haly work as a clerk is being threatened by the illiterate Eradicants with their far superior t More...
Dec 23, 2010
Aurora
rated it:
Libyrinth by Pearl North trips a bit, but it's going places, and I enjoyed the ride. I think the major flaw is that North is either not so good of an author yet, or she mistrusts her audience a bit much. The concept and plotting of the book are great, the characters are believable and likable, and the ride is enjoyable. The only issue I had was with foreshadowing. It was laid on a bit thick, like the author wanted to be sure we saw where she was going, when in fact it was telegraphed with a huge
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Jul 27, 2009
Jean
rated it:
I stumbled across this book while looking for another book in the Just In section of the Young Adult shelves. The title and absolutely gorgeous cover caught my eye, and the summary sold because it sounded like the kind of story a friend of mine would write.
It has a bit of a rough start, and at first glance seems like a cliché censorship-is-evil story, but then it quickly opens up with twists and revelations until even the antagonist are truly sympathetic. I'd compare it to origami, w More...
It has a bit of a rough start, and at first glance seems like a cliché censorship-is-evil story, but then it quickly opens up with twists and revelations until even the antagonist are truly sympathetic. I'd compare it to origami, w More...
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Dec 27, 2009
Cindy
rated it:
I have mixed feelings about this book. I don't know if it was that my expectations were higher then what the book delivered or if it just was that this wasn't what I was expecting.
The story and plot line is great for people who love books and it's fairly easy to follow. However I thought there were a few issues that really prevented me from enjoying it. First, the little nod thing was a little ..... odd. Another odd and completely out there item was the massage segements those were More...
The story and plot line is great for people who love books and it's fairly easy to follow. However I thought there were a few issues that really prevented me from enjoying it. First, the little nod thing was a little ..... odd. Another odd and completely out there item was the massage segements those were More...
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Feb 16, 2010
Beth
rated it:
Haly has spent her entire life in the Libyrinth, a maze of books tended by the dedicated Libyrarians. While those around her are dedicated to the preservation of knowledge and the written word, Haly has one special distinction: she can hear the books speak their texts. This talent brings her to the attention of the Eradicants, who believe that written words are "dead" and must be "liberated" by burning.
Adventure and suspense blend with science fiction as Haly and More...
Adventure and suspense blend with science fiction as Haly and More...
Oct 28, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
(review originally posted on my livejournal account: http://intoyourlungs.livejournal.com/244...)
I've never heard of Pearl North before, so when Libyrinth was selected as [info]calico_reaction's Dare for the month of October, I was intrigued, but I also had zero expectations; I had no idea what the book was about or even what genre it was (though from the cover, I had initially guessed Fantasy -- I was half right.) It really helped that this book was on sale at work for $7.99 for the h More...
I've never heard of Pearl North before, so when Libyrinth was selected as [info]calico_reaction's Dare for the month of October, I was intrigued, but I also had zero expectations; I had no idea what the book was about or even what genre it was (though from the cover, I had initially guessed Fantasy -- I was half right.) It really helped that this book was on sale at work for $7.99 for the h More...
Nov 29, 2011
Michelle
rated it: 
Haly is a clerk in a massive library and she has a secret. The books talk to her, no matter what language they are written in. The librarians struggle against the Eradicants, who demand a tribute of books to burn every year. There is one book that could give them the upper hand in their struggle and the librarian Haly clerks for may have discovered its location. When the Eradicants follow them, hoping to destroy the book, Haly gets kidnapped. [return][return]I really wanted to like this boo
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Jul 17, 2011
Hilary
rated it:
Haly is a Libyrarian, dedicated to the preservation of the future world s dwindling stock of books, constantly under threat by the Eradicants, who believe that words should be free (cue, horror of horror, book burnings, oh noes!). She also has a secret: the books talk to her. I m glad my books don t talk to me, they would say things like Dust me, please, and Can you stop that damn cat eating our corners? Anyway: decent concept, dull execution; the title ( Libyrinth cos it s
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Oct 06, 2009
Patrick
rated it:
Great Potential... Didn't Live Up To It
I can't tell you how excited I was in the beginning of the book: an enormous library that people can get lost in; a girl who can hear the mutterings of books, as though they are reading themselves to her; an ancient race who used music/song to activate their technology (ancient in terms of the time period in the story, but it's far in our future). They are the makings of a really interesting tale... but they just never took off.
Ther More...
I can't tell you how excited I was in the beginning of the book: an enormous library that people can get lost in; a girl who can hear the mutterings of books, as though they are reading themselves to her; an ancient race who used music/song to activate their technology (ancient in terms of the time period in the story, but it's far in our future). They are the makings of a really interesting tale... but they just never took off.
Ther More...
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Sep 14, 2009
Nikki
rated it:
I have to say that i really enjoyed this book. It probably is not something that I would read over and over again, but it was good. As a person who loves the written word I was really drawn to the idea of a library as large as a city and the fact that though Earth was gone all our knowledge and literature lived on through the preservation of books. The story was different than I expected, the overall theme of peace and anti-censorship was heartening. It drew on the idea of valuing people despite
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Aug 26, 2009
Andrea
rated it:
Original post at The Little Bookworm
Haly is a clerk to Libyrarian Selene in the Libyrinth, a vast library containing just about every book ever written. Haly is unique though since she can hear the books talk, they read themselves to her. When she is taken by the Eradicants, an illiterate people who believe words are murdered once they are written down, she is thought to be their Redeemer, the one who can unite the Word and the Song. In their city, Haly realizes the truth of her wor More...
Haly is a clerk to Libyrarian Selene in the Libyrinth, a vast library containing just about every book ever written. Haly is unique though since she can hear the books talk, they read themselves to her. When she is taken by the Eradicants, an illiterate people who believe words are murdered once they are written down, she is thought to be their Redeemer, the one who can unite the Word and the Song. In their city, Haly realizes the truth of her wor More...
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Sep 27, 2010
Kereesa
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 30, 2011
Cindy
rated it:
Pearl North's identity was a little mysterious, so after some digging, I found that she is also Anne Harris. I'd liked two out of three of her books that I'd read - only remembering that they were kind of awesomely weird. So is this one. On a far away planet in the far future, there is an enormous library crippled by failing high tech and threatened by book burners. Its books speak inside the head of one girl clerk. Somehow most of the books featured seem to be from the author's personal li
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Dec 26, 2009
meeners
rated it:
neat concept, but underdeveloped. i mean, come on! it's supposed to be about a giant labyrinthine library but you don't actually get to see much of the library?! that's wack. also random men vs. women element is random, and the whole anti-censorship/literacy issue heavyhanded (though cool). ALSO, while i loved all the book quotes, it was frustrating that in this world, earth = america + western europe, YET AGAIN. there is no excuse for this, guys, no excuse.
i am complaining a lot More...
i am complaining a lot More...
Jul 21, 2009
Kristen
rated it:
This is a young adult fiction, so it was a pretty quick read. Set in the distant future where books are tools of the Ancients, three factions face off on how story should be spread - by written word or lyrical singing. A young clerk turns into a heroine to unite the two.
Fun book because the main character, Haly, can hear books and therefore the entire text is peppered with passages she hears from contemporary books - from Charlotte's Web and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, to Bic More...
Fun book because the main character, Haly, can hear books and therefore the entire text is peppered with passages she hears from contemporary books - from Charlotte's Web and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, to Bic More...
Dec 29, 2009
Summer
rated it:
A friend loaned this book to me with a bit of amusement. The author's name sounds very much like a penname I might come up with, and the story - a young girl raised in a library-centric culture who can hear books speaking to her and must bring together two opposing cultures before one destroys the other - sounds like something I might come up with. As it turned out, I did enjoy the book very much.
I didn't fall into it easily/immediately. The voice of it just wasn't one I attached to More...
I didn't fall into it easily/immediately. The voice of it just wasn't one I attached to More...
Jan 19, 2010
Mrs. Schatz
rated it:
Unique tale set on another, different world but very similar problems we face today in our global society. Many references to Earth's books (especially The Diary of Anne Frank), history, and songs. Has many quotes from books and a listing in the back of where they came from. Strong girl leaders/heroines, adventure, killing, maiming, daring feats, mystery, and good vs. evil. One of my favorite songs from Earth found on page 15 sung to the ABC song we learned as children:
"ABCDEFG , More...
"ABCDEFG , More...
Mar 15, 2010
Wendy
rated it:
Better written that most of the teen books I've been reading lately but still, I am sick of fantasy so I couldn't enjoy it much. The book is about a world in the future that has a huge library full of all the books from earth. There is a group that doesn't like the written word that is trying to destroy it and 3 girls go on a mission to save them. One girl is a lesbian but nothing happens. One "f" word. A few other scattered profanities. Somewhat violent. It turns out that this
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Nov 27, 2011
Lauryn
rated it:
I wanted to like "Libyrinth" much more than I did. The idea of books actually speaking to someone was extremely interesting to me. In general, I think the biggest problem that I had was the pacing. Too much happened too fast. Before I had a good feel for the characters, they were being violently separated. Then there were other points in the story were it felt like too much of nothing was happening. Perhaps it was because the book is targeted at young adults, but I felt like most every
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Dec 13, 2011
Dang
rated it:
I like this book, it was a seemingly superficial overview of racial, religious and gender stereotyping with an overarching message of unity and achievable universal utilitarianism. However, I found the Nod characters superfluous because they seems to similar to that dwarf creature from Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Furthermore, the insertion of that annoying quote from the Bible that she plundered from Ray Bradbury was annoying because it completely ignores the blatant xenophobia, homophob
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Sep 25, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
“When a word is spoken, it is born, when it is written, it dies. Sacred fire of life, free the shackled dead. The meaning of the murdered word, by Yammon may it be.”
I picked this book up several weeks ago and devoured it immediately. A world built around books; is there anything better? Wouldn’t that be a dream come true for many of us book-loving divas?
Pearl North’s ‘Libyrinth’ is an extraordinary fantasy that will easily pull at the heart of any book lover. I was captivated More...
I picked this book up several weeks ago and devoured it immediately. A world built around books; is there anything better? Wouldn’t that be a dream come true for many of us book-loving divas?
Pearl North’s ‘Libyrinth’ is an extraordinary fantasy that will easily pull at the heart of any book lover. I was captivated More...
