2019 alternate-world fantasy, sixth of its series. The world where
Irene went to school is threatened by chaos, and only a particular
book will save it. But that means she's going to have to deal with the
Fae…
So on one level this is "the Library series does a heist plot",
which could be great fun. But Cogman seems determined that her
characters will never get a chance to enjoy their lives, and everyone
is betrayed from all quarters, with some characters changing sides
multiple times. Someone is introduced as a great traitor whom nobody
should trust… and turns out, with no complication at all, to be a
great traitor whom nobody should trust.
It's interesting to see more exploration of the idea of Fae gaining
power but losing freedom of action as they hew closer to their chosen
stereotypes, but it's a side note to the usual pattern of Irene
feeling inadequate, taking charge anyway because someone has to, and
ultimately prevailing. In this case the main stereotype is the James
Bond villain, complete with shark tanks.
It's OK? I guess? Cogman seems to be building a Spellman-style family
background of mutual distrust and spying for Irene, which Lisa Lutz
did better. There's nothing here that makes me especially keen to pick
up the next one, but the writing's decent and there are only two left
in the series. Still, if you start getting irked about book 4 or 5 as
many readers seem to have, it may be worth stopping there. (Future
Roger would like to point out that he felt things improved sharply
with book 7.)