From the Bookshelf of Turn of a Page…

The Cartographers

Peng Shepherd

Start date: April 5, 2022

Finish date: May 5, 2022

Discussion: Buddy Reads 2022

Why we're reading this: April Buddy Read
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Buddy Reads 2022

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What Members Thought

Mar 23, 2022 Emma rated it liked it · review of another edition

I was so excited by the blurb for this but I have to tell you: it failed to deliver.

25 likes · Like · see review

Nov 10, 2024 ☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: memorabilia, favorites

Q: I hope the maps are good where you are. (c) And the books too... May your two libraries be full of wonders...

That's how cartography goes these days. I feel for this girl: it's all so hard on us all. ...more

15 likes · Like · see review

May 07, 2022 Lynne rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: dumpster-fire

I was drawn in by the cover and the premise and the promise of maps and libraries and dusty old things. I could not have been more disappointed.
I won’t go into all of the gory details, but here are the main issues I had:
- The plot depended on every character making really stupid choices all the time.
- The main romance was completely unnecessary and also poorly done.
- The magic system was illogical and inconsistent.
- Character motivations never made sense to me. Particularly the villain. But pre ...more

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Mar 07, 2022 Kerri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley, 2022-favorite, turn-the-page-tours

Thank you to Turn the Page Book Tours, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

It’s been awhile since I sat down with a 400 page novel and read it from cover to cover in one day. A loooong while. Books like The Cartographers, however, make it seem like the easiest thing to do in the world!

This story follows Nell, a struggling ex-scholar/cartographer who is trying to deal with her place in the world after her reputation was ruin. What makes Thank you to Turn the Page Book Tours, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

It’s been awhile since I sat down with a 400 page novel and read it from cover to cover in one day. A loooong while. Books like The Cartographers, however, make it seem like the easiest thing to do in the world!

This story follows Nell, a struggling ex-scholar/cartographer who is trying to deal with her place in the world after her reputation was ruin. What makes it worse is that is was ruined by none other than her father, a legend in the cartographer world. Nell tries to not be bitter with her lot in life, but she hasn’t spoken with her father in seven years and she plans to keep it that way. That is until her father’s body is discovered in his office at the New York Public Library. Suddenly, Nell finds herself thrust back into the world of cartographer and on the trail of a secret that could turn deadly.

Wow. That’s literally the word that crept out of my mouth as soon as I got to the end of this story. What. A. Ride! This novel somehow managed to capture things I love from different genres and mash them all into this incredible story. It has the plot of a mystery, the pacing of a thriller, and the spark of the magical you can find in fantasy. I absolutely loved the combination and instantly want more! I was enraptured with this story from the end of the first chapter and simply could not put the book down.

Yesterday was a rare day off for me. I had all these grand plans of tasks I needed to get done. I did absolutely none of them. That’s how good this book was!

Now, if you’ve been around the blog for any amount of time, you know my favorite thing about a book is well-written characters. This story has them in spades! Nell is fascinating to watch as she navigates the mystery surrounding her father’s death. Did she frustrate the @#$! out of me at times? Absolutely! But that happens a lot when I’m reading a mystery/thriller. I have the benefit of, ya know, not having my life directly threatened, so I can think much clearer 😂 So while Nell was mildly frustrating, I also understood why she was doing what she was doing. She reacted to the situation in a very real and human way and I loved that about her. I love characters that feel like you could actually meet them in real life. And though Nell was the central character, everyone else in this story shined, as well. I was so wrapped up in their lives and their tale that I may have gotten misty-eyed a couple of times. That’s always a good sign!

As much as I adored the character work, I think my favorite part of this novel, which goes against my norm, is the plot. I was enthralled with everything that was happening! That is the reason I finished this book in one day… I had to know what happened next! And when the more fantastical element crept in? *chef’s kiss* I was not expecting it, but I loved it! Not only was the plot fascinating, but the writing definitely sucked me in. There is something about Peng Shepherd’s writing that is so incredibly readable. I had no issue getting into the story and, by the end, I already knew I was going to read everything she had ever written. Which is, for now, just The Book of M and a short story called The Future Library, but I’m so excited to devour those, as well!

Final thoughts: This was a beautifully written, perfectly paced, and wonderful ride from beginning to end! I was captivated by everything about this novel, from the compelling characters to the unique storyline. The fact that this is a mystery wrapped in a thriller wrapped in a fantasy just made it that much better. If you enjoy a dark mystery with complex characters and a touch of the fantastic, I think you would enjoy The Cartographers! ...more

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