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The Astral Library

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The Astral Library

By: Kate Quinn
Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld, Kate Quinn
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This audiobook contains a special bonus conversation between author Kate Quinn and narrator Saskia Maarleveld.

A GOODREADS READERS' FAVOURITE OF 2026 SO FAR

Welcome to the Astral Library, where books open up new worlds…

Alix Watson knows one thing: unlike people, books will never let her down.

Night after night she takes refuge in the Boston Public Library, shutting out the struggle to make ends meet with her favorite fantasy novels.

Then she stumbles through a hidden door and is transported to the Astral Library, where the lost find sanctuary in stories.

But when a shadowy enemy threatens to destroy the library, Alix must flee through Jane Austen’s Regency world and Sherlock Holmes’ London as danger closes in…

‘A bookish delight, with a heroine readers will root for … Give to fans of Matt Haig's The Midnight Library’ Booklist

‘Quinn infuses her first fantasy with a joyful love for libraries and their custodians … Its charm is boundless’ SFX Magazine

(P)2026 HarperCollins Publishers Action & Adventure Coming of Age Fantasy Genre Fiction Science Fiction Time Travel Boston
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Critic reviews

'A bookish delight, with a heroine readers will root for … Give to fans of Matt Haig's The Midnight Library ' Booklist
‘Quinn infuses her first fantasy with a joyful love for libraries and their custodians … Its charm is boundless' SFX Magazine
'If you’ve ever wished to tumble straight into your favorite novel, here’s your chance … Bound to be one of the biggest books of the year' Sarah Penner
‘Bookworms will be enchanted’ Publishers Weekly
‘[Those] who long to disappear into a secret book world will enjoy the escape in this love letter to public libraries’ Kirkus Reviews
All stars
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3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I really wanted to enjoy this more than I did, it started strong but I lost interest about half way through.
The story did have lots of lovely things about it, the idea and references to popular books was sweet and the situation of the main character and transition to the ending was heartwarming, I thought the librarian was great.
I just felt there was quite a bit of repetition, obvious parts and it didn’t pull me as the story unfolded as much as I like a book to.

I listened to the audiobook and didn’t really warm to the main narrator, also mixed with a super busy summer holidays and struggling for time to listen I possibly wasn’t in the right frame of mind, so being more generous with the rating!

Great idea, lots to enjoy

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The story wasn't what I expected (in a good way). I found the main character slightly annoying at the beginning but she grows on you and her relationship with the other characters feels more believable as the story unfolds.

I loved the dipping in and out of the books but what I loved most is how it made me feel! I'll be visiting my local library this week!

If we don't use them we will lose them!

Makes you think!

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There are insufficient superlatives to describe this book, initially I struggled. I found the early chapters immature but it grew on me, so clever and compelling, incredible detail, and lush descriptions building to the altogether amazing Chapter 19 - utterly brilliant!

A rallying call for books!

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I had very high expectations of this book. I had been waiting for it for about a year. But it turned out to be unlike Kate's other work. I just forced myself to finish it halfway through just to get to the end. There was no strong story, no proper or interesting villains and ever so many plot holes. The performance of Saskia was top notch as usual, and Kate's writing was good, but the story was very slow, uninteresting, unhooking, and at some points made no sense. I was disappointed. I really expected much better work and story of Kate. No special thing was happening at all. It was hardly even entertaining.

Not her best work

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