The Secret Chapter

By: Genevieve Cogman

Narrated by: Kristin Atherton

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the sixth novel in Genevieve Cogman’s historical fantasy Invisible Library series, Irene and Kai have to team up with an unlikely band of misfits to pull off an amazing art heist, or risk the wrath of a dangerous villain in his secret island lair.

As Irene tries to manage a fraught Fae-dragon truce and her overbearing parents, she’s given a hot new mission. The world where she grew up is in danger, and only one book can save it.

This is held by Mr Nemo, secretive Fae villain and antique dealer, so Irene and Kai travel to his Caribbean retreat to strike a deal. But in return for the book, they must steal a painting from 21st-century Vienna. They’ll join a team of dragons, Fae gamblers and thieves, so their greatest challenge may be one another. And some will kill to protect this painting, which hides an extraordinary secret from a past age.

The Secret Chapter by Genevieve Cogman is a bookish adventure where a Librarian spy must fall in with a nefarious group to achieve her goals. Imagine Ocean’s Eleven meets James Bond with a pinch of magic....

©2019 Genevieve Cogman (P)2019 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd

One of the best in the series, if not the best

I thought this was great! I really enjoy this series but found the last couple of installments a little tedious to get through. Not so with secret chapter. Loved every minute. I didn't mind the previous narrator, but I think the new one is a great fit.

Amazing!

This is the best book in the series so far! It was a little jarring at first to not hear Susan Duerdan narrating but Kristin Atherton was excellent. This is everything I want from an Invisible Library novel: Stealing, new worlds, unpredictable fae that you like even though you know you can’t trust them, and Irene and Kai. Wonderful.

Another enthralling tale that draws you in!

I consumed this in one sitting! The story is as fantastic as always. The plot, the characterisations are spellbinding as always, winding their way around the imagination and bringing you to the heart of this detailed and engaging universe.

My only gripe is the changes in pronunciation and narrator who is not as natural as Susan Duerden. However, the story grabs you enough to overlook this.

It’s another 5 star review from me!

3 people found this helpful

Disappointing

After waiting impatiently for the new book it was devastating to hear that the voices the new narrator gave Kai and Irene completely changed the characters beyond recognition. Spoiled the whole series as Irene went from having a certain vulnerability about her to a strong almost uncaring character. Kai was portrayed as a somewhat naive minor. Story line was very confusing with too many characters

1 person found this helpful

Great story slightly awkward narration

At first you may, like me, find the narration a little flat, akin to a news reader in delivery, but after a while it settles and becomes more plausible. The characters are well voiced and overall it works well. The story is a great addition to the series

1 person found this helpful

Not bad, but...

I’ve really enjoyed this series so far. Yes, there are parallels with both the St Mary’s and the Tuesday Next series, but it’s a fun yarn with some good characters and ideas.

I must admit that I struggled a bit with this instalment, however. As others have noted, it’s a bit cliched. Bond-style baddies meet Ocean’s 11 with a large cast that could have been so much more interesting had the characters been better developed and more easy to distinguish.

To be fair to the author, a lot of that could have been down to the narration. I was quite a long way through the heist before I realised that the crew didn’t have two separate members called Felix and Phoenix... And that brings me to the biggest problem. The narration. I wasn’t a fan of Susan Duerdan if I’m honest and nearly gave up on the first book as I found her style immensely irritating, so I was looking forward to a different narrator. Unfortunately, Kristin Atherton is much, much worse. Dragon prince, Kai, sounds like a sulky teenager. Irene is like an extremely irritated (and irritating) schoolteacher and Vail sounds like an upper class twitty. Never thought I’d say this, but I really hope Susan Duerdan is back for the next instalment.

Life for Irene and Kai is never simple

Since Kai became Irene's assistant in the library, they just can't catch a break, and as much as that sucks for them, I can't get enough. Bring on the next one soon!

Side note, the new narrator for this book was odd after binging on the previous books. I don't dislike the new one, but some very different pronunciation is jarring. I will reserve judgement on my preference until I have listened again.

The Secret Chapter.

As usual enjoyable tale. can't wait for the next book to come out. Very good audio extremely good reading.

Another stunning book in this series!

Possibly Genevieve Cogman’s best book yet! Loved the storyline, was on the edge of my seat. Narration has dramatically improved from the other books. Can’t wait for the next one!!