.Hi Cara,
Today on my blog I am reviewing Garth Nix newest book, The Left-Handed Booksellers of London.
A girl’s quest to find her father leads her to an extended family of magical fighting booksellers who police the mythical Old World of England when it intrudes on the modern world. From the bestselling master of teen fantasy, Garth Nix.
In a slightly alternate London in 1983, Susan Arkshaw is looking for her father, a man she has never met. Crime boss Frank Thringley might be able to help her, but Susan doesn’t get time to ask Frank any questions before he is turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of the outrageously attractive Merlin.
Merlin is a young left-handed bookseller (one of the fighting ones), who with the right-handed booksellers (the intellectual ones), are an extended family of magical beings who police the mythic and legendary Old World when it intrudes on the modern world, in addition to running several bookshops.
Susan’s search for her father begins with her mother’s possibly misremembered or misspelt surnames, a reading room ticket, and a silver cigarette case engraved with something that might be a coat of arms.
Merlin has a quest of his own, to find the Old World entity who used ordinary criminals to kill his mother. As he and his sister, the right-handed bookseller Vivien, tread in the path of a botched or covered-up police investigation from years past, they find this quest strangely overlaps with Susan’s. Who or what was her father? Susan, Merlin, and Vivien must find out, as the Old World erupts dangerously into the New.
(Synopsis from Goodreads.com)
The Left-handed Booksellers of London is a magical mystery in 1980’s London.
First off I enjoyed that the story is based in 1980’s. I loved the detail of the fashion (which some surprising are back in fashion). As well of the trouble it is to find a phone, and hope someone answers it.
One of my favourite element is Merlin, a left-handed bookseller who now days would be seen as gender fluid. I really liked Merlin, he is very fashion-conscious. Who will wear what he wants it doesn’t matter which gender the clothes were originally created for. It’s also nice that all the other character accept it as just who Merlin is.
The leading lady in The Left-handed Bookseller of London is Susan Arkshaw. An 18-year-old girl who is looking for her father. Susan is smart and strong. She deals with the whole magic is real, really well. I like the bits of art knowledge she gave showing her intelligence and passion.
Another element I enjoyed was the bookshop family, how they’re connected, the school they go to. As well as how it’s decided if they are a left-handed bookseller (fighter) or right-handed bookseller (intellectual/investigation) I would love to see/read more about these booksellers.
The plot of the Left-handed Booksellers of London is engaging with drama. Interesting with the mystery. And the action keeps the plot moving at a good pace.
My rating for The Left-Handed Bookseller of London is 4 out of 5.
Thank you to Netgalley and Gollancz for gifting me an Ebook copy of The Left-handed bookseller of London for review.
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Thanks for reading,
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