The Library After Dark Author Ande Pliego
Audiobook Review
5 out of 5 stars!
Narrators:
Xe Sands, Euan Morton, Brittany Pressley,
Susannah Jones, Hillary Huber, Saskia Maarleveld,
Andre Santana, Allyson Ryan, Jay Ben Markson, Philip Hernandez
(Whew! We get a FULL cast with this read!)
So, who wouldn't want to go on a romantic Valentine's date to a library!? Regardless of whether you read or not, this library has breathtaking architecture, things designed by gamers and engineers, and a massive collection of various historical macabre items! Not to mention there's some potential supernatural twists. There's definitely places to sneak into for a quick, passionate moment before returning to the tour. All of this should appeal to bookseller Aria, but when she's face to face with the Deadalus Library it all comes back.
This structure is steeped in bad memories and blood for Aria, and she wishes not to relive any of it. But her date is everything and when you FINALLY connect with someone after so long it's hard to say no. Their private tour is short lived when the couple find their group quickly multiplying up to seven people, eight including the librarian/tour guide. More people than anticipated won't be the worst thing that happens this night. You can ignore others but ignoring malfunctions that lock you in and newly dead bodies is another story. . .
"Not all fairytales were meant for children."
If we stop and be so for real right now the majority of us started out with Disney Fairytales. The sweet, fluffy, and moral/warning of the story being drowned in the sparkly sauce. Meanwhile the true fairy tales of the brothers' Grimm and the world of "The Witcher" do not sugar coat things. And I've found myself drawn more and more to the creepy, eerie, and deadly tales than the whimsical. This read is centered around dark fairy tales that you may not be familiar with. The reason why is such a cool and unique twist!
I enjoyed Aria but she definitely had an air of self-sabotage around her. I get it, that constant holding your breath until the other shoe drops feeling. She had been doing alright and making her way through life whilst blocking out her past. But the universe has a funny way of coming full circle and forcing us to face things and ourselves. Aria's came in the form of a gorgeous man who batted away all her attempts to push him away with ease. And when she is presented with her dream date with her dream guy how could she walk away?!
I really adored listening to the male narrator as he read some of The Dark Hearth's Tales before chapters. Catching on quickly that these tales can also be linked to certain characters within the read! The eerie twists in this book and the creepiness of it all was fantastic! How you were trying to figure out what's behind all this mystery or is it just a supernatural entity focused on revenge. Dark family histories and secrets threatening to be exposed as the stakes rise throughout the night. One source linking all but multiple motives driving people.
Want to also state that the descriptions of the library and different rooms the cast went into had me drooling! The author did such a great job surrounding you with the uniqueness of this library. It would be very difficult to leave the library once you went into it. Exploring every inch just to admire the craftsmanship and the older nuisances you no longer see in modern structures! Not to mention the historical books collected and some of the craziness people did to showcase status and wealth that are highly unsafe nowadays!
The read does contain language and genuine fear. Like many old structures there is history and it's unpleasant. FMC has dealt with traumatic events leading to self-sabotage of her body along with PTSD and hallucinations in adult life. Bloodshed, violence, thriller/suspense moments, and terrible deaths on page. Touching something toxic and having to deal with it throughout the read. Trapped and unable to escape, anxiety, tensions, and more.
We do get some romance and butterflies from a date. The budding relationship isn't the main focus of the story though the two lovebirds will really be put to the test! The most that happens on page is passionate kissing.
Conclusions are given and not all of the ending twists I got! There may be a couple of HEAs, and I really loved the final chapters after the big climax of the story. And oh, the last words of the book had me exclaiming yes alongside another character! The multiple POVs helped to add to the mayhem and wonderment of what is going on. The narrators pull off all the respective roles beautifully! I cannot wait for another audiobook from this author or maybe a novella of The Dark Hearth Tales!
Enjoy the read and don't forget to give the author some stars!
Thank you so much Libby for having this audiobook available!
The Library After Dark: A Novel | Barnes & Noble®
The narrator's links. Sorry not sorry but without ALL of them this audiobook wouldn't have fully come to life and they deserve recognition!
Voice Artist | Xe Sands, Audiobook Narrator
The Euan Morton website: Broadway Actor, Singer, Voice Artist
Saskia Maarleveld | narrator.page
André Santana | Award-Winning Audiobook Narrator & Voice Actor
Allyson Ryan – Actress, Voice Actress, Audiobooks
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