Libyrinth (Libyrinth Series #1) [NOOK Book]

The Legacy of Literature

Literacy should never be taken for granted and this novel exemplifies the premise.

Haly, the protagonist and reluctant redeemer of Libyrinth, "hears" books. She has flaws and dreams that most young adults would identify with. Young or old, futurist or not, this compelling story works on a number of levels; it is a fully realized world where characters discover their true destinies and reading becomes the song of life. Books themselves are depicted as the catalysts of universal harmony, global unity and environmental preservation.

If Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 were to continue its narrative even further into the future in an off-world setting, it would be this novel. In fact, it was no great surprise to come upon a quote from the aforementioned book in Libyrinth. This brief excerpt along with lines from other books are faithfully documented in a guide at the very end. Usually, when such extracts are taken out of context it destroys their intentional significance. In this case, however, we perceive them from a fresh perspective. Particularly touching are passages from Anne Frank's diary, which turn out to be well suited to the plot and characterizations. The symbolism behind these and other literary references are relevant to the general theme as well.

Anyone can start to read this book as a futuristic fantasy, but they will emerge from it with a better understanding of the written word's timeless power. That's Pearl North's gift to her readers.

A Well Done YA Debut!

The premise: Haly is a clerk in the Libyrinth, a library so big and so vast that people get lost and are never heard from again. Haly's got a particular talent in that she can hear the voices of books, literally. When she's close, the book in question tells its story to her and only her. This makes her role to protect the books even more personal when the Eradicants make their yearly pilgrimage to the Libyrinth to burn volumes of books. When Haly learns of a plot that will allow the Eradicants to burn every volume left in the Libyrinth, she'll do anything to stop it. But what happens next opens Haly's eyes to a world she's never known or understood, despite growing up with the voices of books guiding her her entire life. Not only does she learn who the Eradicants really are and what they really believe in, but she learns what her true purpose in life is. That purpose could unite the world if she plays her cards right, or destroy it if she lets others make her decisions for her.

My Rating: Must Have: what starts out as a deceptively and almost irritatingly simple book about the dangers of censorship blossoms into something much more complex and engaging once you hit the POV switch. The pace is fast through-out, but I found myself more invested as Pearl North allowed her characters to learn more about the world and the cultures that populated it, and how all of those cultures influenced the Libyrinth itself. Truly North does a fantastic job crafting not one, but two likable and relatable heroines in Haly and Clauda, both of whom have a more important story than merely falling in love with a boy (though one of them does, indeed, fall in love with a boy, that's not the POINT of her particular story). North also does a marvelous job creating not one, not two, but three separate and distinct cultures that have their own values and faiths that come across as believable and real and not one dimensional (though one of the cultures seems one dimensional from the start--bear with the book, you'll be glad you did). But one of the best things Pearl North does with this book is incorporate passages of books into the text, to the point said passages become a kind of commentary on what's happening or what's about to happen. Particularly impressive is North's use of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, and how it plays into the climax of the story, which is also very well done. I'll be more than happy to pick up the second book in this trilogy, though this book is tied up so well that I'm left wondering just what exactly a second book would be about! Whatever it is, I look forward to it. North has impressed me with her YA debut, and I think she'll impress you as well.

Its so edgy, and interesting.

I cant put it down. I got it, and really didnt get much into it, so I started it again. I was hooked. It is a great book. I havent finished it yet. I am about halfway but the whole setting, and concept of the book is great, and Pearl North really knows how to put on a story. I am a big fan of The Hunger Games and this is in that same futuristic category. I recommend it to anyone really. Awesome book. I think it is a trilogy? I am not really sure, but I really hope so. :)

nods to Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and Orwell's 1984

Every year the Eradicants, who believe the written word is evil, come to the Libyrinth to get a segment of books to burn in a bonfire. The Libyrarians believe the Ancients left the Libyrinth so that people can read land earn in order to keep civilization vibrant. Unfortunately, the Libyrinth only has two countries to guard the books and they have orders to sell books for food needed in the winter. They have nothing else of value to pay for sustenance.

The Libyrarian Selene, the clerk Haly who has the unique skill of hearing the books talk to her, and Claudia the servant leave to go to Ilysies in hope of getting help. Selene takes with her The Book of Nights containing the knowledge of the Ancients. The Eradicants want the tome to fulfill a prophecy and now have Haly, who can her the books talk, under their control. Their plan is to destroy all other knowledge except their Song which is their way of transmitting information. However, neither side appreciates Haly's strength and special skill as she becomes to understand the enemy is not evil and her side is inflexible and heading towards annihilation. Haly hopes to get the word out to both sides of the conflict to just listen to one another.

Peal North's world appears to be a former earth colony in which the Ancients were probably the aristocracy and the rest of the Eradicants slaves to them. Revolt led to the current rivalry over controlling knowledge. With nods to Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 and Orwell's 1984, high school science fiction readers will appreciate Ms. North's strong tale that shows miscommunication and misunderstanding the other side often leads to conflict; in this case a devastating civil war seems imminent unless the heroic Haly can pull off an Ancient miracle.

Harriet Klausner

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.