Library at Mount Char

By: Scott Hawkins

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 16 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Carolyn's not so different from the other human beings around her. She's sure of it. She likes guacamole and cigarettes and steak. She knows how to use a phone. She even remembers what clothes are for. After all, she was a normal American herself once. That was a long time ago, of course - before the time she calls "adoption day", when she and a dozen other children found themselves being raised by a man they learned to call Father.

Father could do strange things. He could call light from darkness. Sometimes he raised the dead. And when he was disobeyed, the consequences were terrible. In the years since Father took her in, Carolyn hasn't gotten out much. Instead she and her adopted siblings have been raised according to Father's ancient Pelapi customs. They've studied the books in his library and learned some of the secrets behind his equally ancient power. Sometimes they've wondered if their cruel tutor might secretly be God. Now Father is missing. And if God truly is dead, the only thing that matters is who will inherit his library - and with it power over all of creation.

As Carolyn gathers the tools she needs for the battle to come, fierce competitors for this prize align against her. But can Carolyn win? She's sure of it. What she doesn't realize is that her victory may come at an unacceptable price - because in becoming a god, she's forgotten a great deal about being human.

©2015 Scott Hawkins. Recorded by arrangement with Crown, an imprint of Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc. (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Nothing out there like this!

This was one of the most bizarre books I’ve ever read. I really enjoyed it. That said, I need to think about how I’m going to review it. It won’t be easy, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget it.

Well, I’ve given it some thought, and I still have trouble articulating this review. It’s just unlike anything I’ve ever read before. There is “alternate universe”, there’s magic (I think), and cult behavior, physical and mental abuse, blood and gore, murder, resurrection, climate change, potential world ending stuff, and one hell of a plan that has been thought out to the Nth degree. Sounds like a hodge podgey story, but it all works. My mind is still trying to process. It was very unique and very clever. I cannot liken this to anything else. Bravo! This may be a classic in a couple decades. Just read it, keep an open mind, and enjoy.

Hillary Huber was excellent. She gave this story some extra life and dimension.

Interesting.....

Well... this book was interesting. I keep waiting for the bear to show up... you know, lions and tigers and bears.... Kinda disappointed that didn't happen. The world was described pretty well and most things were wrapped up in nice little bows but it took a bit to wrap my head around some of it. Pretty far out there. Overall, I did enjoy the book.

Great read!

I did not find this book to be nearly as confusing as some reviewers seemed to. This book is urban fantasy, and I feel the author did a great job of instantly transporting you to his world. The book does so many things so well. Only major downside is that the author hasn’t written a second book to allow us to go even deeper. (But this book is entirely self contained.)

tremendous world building

this book was fantastic. moments of intense revulsion, pushed an emotional and existential boundary but was consistent in tone. an entertaining and contemporary holy book with a tight, efficient world build.

Strange read.

This story ziged and zaged making it hard to keep up. The made up language, difficult characters and the amount of characters was frustrating at times.

Though the book was tough, the reader in this Audible made the book so much more bearable.

Bothersome narration, ok story

I had a big problem with the narrator's use of vocal fry, and some of the characters ended up whiny.

The story itself was decent enough.

Wow!

I have over 300 audiobooks in my library and this one is in the top 3. I listened almost straight through. It's hard to categorize the genre in a way that does it any justice at all. But get this book. It's amazing. Amazing enough I may start again right now.

Loved this book.

I will definitely listen to this book multiple times. I only wish this was part of a series!!!

I don’t know..... 10/10 just read it.

This is some of the craziest shit I have ever read. I don’t even know where to start for a review, but just read it. The story is batshit insane and I loved it.

All hail Erwin.

Also, honorable mention to Q 33 North.

Voice like nails on a chalkboard

My brother and I both read this title. He LOVED it while I only finished it at his request. The first half of this title dragged on and spent entirely to much time on one scenario. The last half did pick up, however, it was too late in the coming for me. Overall the concept of this tale is intriguing, but not that well executed. The narrator Hillary Huber's voice grated on me like nails scraping down a chalkboard. I realize that this is a personal preference, so I suggest that potential buyers listen to the sample to come to their own conclusions regarding the narrator's voice.