The Magpie's Library

by Kate Blair

Silva and her family visit her grandfather, only to find his health has taken a bad turn. As they struggle with this news, Silva seeks escape in books – at the local library. But she gets more than she bargained for when a magpie guides her to a secret, magical room containing books that she can not only read, but that she can live. Silva finds herself in the worlds of the characters … who all turn out to be real people. People she knows. There’s a catch, she soon discovers that the magpie has lured her to these books for selfish and dark reasons. Going back to the books could mean losing her soul …

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Horror, Childrens, Juvenile, Canada

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2019

About the author

Born on a tiny island stuck to the south coast of England, Kate Blair has worked as a museum curator, a clown and at a theme park on the Jersey Shore. She's made furniture for the Sydney Olympic Village and been a cook on a ship on the Great Barrier Reef. She now lives in Toronto and is a young adult author, a mother of two small children, and very, very tired. Her first novel. Transferral, was nominated for MYRCA, Snow Willow Award and Sunburst Awards. It was optioned for TV and translated into French. Her second novel, Tangled Planet, is out in Canada in autumn 2017, and in the US in spring 2018.

I tend to only review books I've loved - which is why my reviews are mostly 5*.

Reviews

[Christina Janz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hard to describe because it is so deep, without being too complex. It is so well balanced and rounded out. It deals with difficult issues, and I don't mean just death, in a hopeful, embracing sort of way.
Some of these issues are introduced in a gradual, natural way instead of great explosions, that it brought tears to my eyes. The main character learns to approach all that is happening in her life in a healthy manner. Loved it.

[Rebecca Upjohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling story that blends fantasy and reality in a well- balanced mix for middle grade readers. Silva is dealing with big issues: her mother is constantly moving the family from place to place, her grandfather's health is declining with Alzheimer's, her father is absent, her brother is completely self-absorbed, her cousin has changed into an angry and cynical teen. So the door into a magic library seems like a welcome escape. But the library and its guide the magpie are not what they at first seem and the more Silva visits the more she learns how dangerous it is.

There are so many layers to this story woven skillfully together but ultimately it is about family connection and the right of each person to choose their own path within the realities of the world.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this one to Megan. It's on the Junior Battle of the Books list for 2020, but she wanted to have some help as there are a lot of words that are challenging. It's an intriguing read so far- we're about half way through. Very glad to have this one on Overdrive so we can look up words as we go!

[Larry Verstraete · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of 13-year-old Silva begins with a realistic problem – what to do with her ailing grandfather – then it spins in other directions when Silva discovers the magpie’s library, and its storehouse of books based on the stolen stories/souls of people past and present. From there, the plot veers into fantasy and the supernatural. Around every turn, there was a new problem to solve, one that meshed with the others, and a cast of characters worthy of the challenges the author presented.

I enjoyed the book, especially the final third where the momentum picks up, but there were so many characters and viewpoints that it took some effort to sort them out. Nevertheless, the author brings all the components to a satisfying end, and I liked that Silva solved the mystery in clever ways.

The book is said to be MY but, given its complexities, I think it would take a sophisticated reader to manage the story.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like A Monster Calls, a young child has to come to grips with the impending death of an beloved adult. However, this death doesn't just affect Silva. Her other family members are all scrambling to handle the problem. One person wants to make Grandpa comfortable. Another wants him to get the best care possible, extending his life even as he wants nothing more than to leave with dignity.

Death winds its way through the novel, touching Silva in far-reaching ways. The atmosphere of horror creeps upon the reader and her slowly, as we realize that the escape she seeks is actually a deadly snare, one that has snapped shut on other members of her family, reaching back throughout the centuries. Silva proves to be a redoubtable heroine, saving herself and her lost ancestors in a brilliant showdown that aches with tenderness and love.

This is a story that works on multiple levels. Its nod to Gothic horror is neatly embodied not just by Maghew but also by the sullen Goth girl Chloe—whose surprising revelation lends a deeper resonance to this tale. As in A Monster Calls, it gives no solution to death but offers the bittersweet solace of quiet, hard-won acceptance.

[Kristin Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Blair has chosen an ages-old trope for the premise of this novel, but by applying a unique twist, she has made it new again. I'm sure it will feel especially fresh to the middle-grade audience for whom the book is intended. It certainly kept me guessing.

Though it has many characters, as well as a complicated plot that is revealed gradually, the story is clearly told, and readers will easily follow the thread. Kudos to Blair. She didn't leave any unanswered questions or loose ends.

My only criticism--and this is admittedly picky--is that I wasn't quite buying into the idea that so many members of one family got caught in this trap. I also thought the ending dragged on longer than necessary and was a tad maudlin.

But that is an adult view of things, and this novel is intended for a much younger, less jaded audience. I'm sure the pre-teen set is going to love it.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to rate. Most of the book was a solid 2 for me; it just felt a bit dull and circular, and never became "unputdownable" like so many books are.
The ending was great, though, and very satisfying. I liked the realism (such as it was), where Silva realized that the Whisper was always going to be there for her and for all people, trying to claw its way back to power. It wasn't a pat "happily ever after," and that was pleasing. I guess the endings I tend to like best are those that have our protagonists finding their way out of their troubles to a world that's much changed and not so simple, but alight with rays of hope. If the rest of the book had been as good as the ending, this would have been a favorite, for sure.

[Gabriele Goldstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't quite work for me. It has a complex plot with many characters and several time changes. On the other hand, young readers might love the challenges of such a plot. I didn't appreciate the clever narrator who at thirteen becomes the wise parent to her troubled mother. Seemed to me that the teenage narrator and the author confused their roles at times. The font changes were mildly annoying. Some beautiful language and many readers have obviously loved the book. Perhaps I'm just jealous because I never had grandparents and couldn't relate to yet another story of aging, dying grandparents creating emotional havoc on their vulnerable grandchildren. Warning: there's much crying.

[Leah Bobet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book absolutely: its gorgeous prose; its emotion and heartbreak and clear-eyed understanding of how our edges can cut each other all unintending; its understanding of both why we love stories, why we escape -- and how the beautiful, imperfect people around us bring us back.

This felt like a Madeleine L'Engle novel: a universe of loss, healing, dark and bright magic, wonder, and kindness. Highly, thoroughly recommended.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a scary, emotional, deep and sad story... something completely different from my usual reads. The story had a magical element to it, but it was sinister and sad at the same time. The plottwist was shocking and emotional and also beautiful in a way. This book made me really think and had a very important message. It was all about family and appreciating them. Beautiful and emotional ending.

[Sera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the mix of present and past character issues colliding with a bit of magic and mystery. This has a Narnia/wardrobe feel but is definitely not your typical Narnia/wardrobe novel. I think it was the “soul” factor and the way it was handled that made me feel a bit uneasy. But overall it was a quick fun read.

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most unusual take on grief and mistaking one emotion for another. Both are tools used by the magpie and the entity controlling it . This is the third book I've read by the author and her style, creativity, and imagination are top notch. While this is billed as juvenile fiction, young adults as well as adults will find themselves pulled in quickly.

[Stephanie Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was definitely not what I thought it was going to be. I found it very depressing and morose.

[Karri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful thought provoking and touching book. A must read for everyone.
Never believe the lies. Don’t give into the whisper. Reach out and unite in Love for one another.

[Sana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! So many plot twists and surprises!
Definitely suggest reading

[Phil Dwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compassionate and wise. A book that is needed, now more than ever.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many reviews touch on how the book is dark and sinister (leaving me reluctant to purchase) but upon completing the novel, I personally don't agree. I think it's realistic rather than dark. The book centres around how easy it can be to fall into a toxic relationships when dealing with personal loss and how misery can drive families apart. Even with all the grief throughout the novel, it still has an incredibly heartwarming ending. It was the ending that brought my rating from three stars to four. It was heartwarming but not cheesy and the author was able to touch on subjects such as depression without sounding naive or ignorant.

Overall, I likely would not read again but I would recommend this book to anyone who's looking for novels with more adult themes but not inappropriate/triggering subject matter and easy to understand language. This is the type of book you could read in a day, it's interesting and easy to follow (both in language and story line).