Alice Reeve and Finn Van Brunt have tumbled into a life of secrets. Some secrets they share, such as their employment by the clandestine organization known as The Collectors’ Society. Other secrets they carry within them, fighting to keep buried the things that could change everything they think they know.
On the hunt for an elusive villain who is hell-bent on destroying legacies, Alice, Finn, and the rest of the Society are desperate to unravel the mysteries surrounding them. But the farther they spiral down this rabbit hole, the deeper they fall into secrets that will test their loyalties and pit them against enemies both new and old.
Secrets, they come to find, can reveal the deadliest of truths.
Book One
So of course the crowning jewel of this series for me is Alice. I just love her character and the way she is written. It’s not just her but all the characters from Wonderland, which yes we get to see some of them again. There is something really great about the way they are loyal and bonded to each other. Even though there are some of the stranger ones, like the Mad Hatter. I just like how clever and observant Alice is. She has great instincts and her mind is so quick. Which I also love Alice’s spider army, I never thought I would say such a thing.
The Hidden Library really peels some layers of Finn back to expose them. We learn more about where he comes from (in case you didn’t read his adventures) and what caused the rift between him and Tom Sawyer. I like how his relationship with Alice is constantly evolving, allowing them to open up to one another more freely. They realize that they are both making sacrifices in the heart department and really respect the trust between them. I also really like how we have Finn’s perspective as well as Alice’s. It really helped me to connect with him.
Of course I love Jace though. How can you not love Jace. I love the way Alice and him love each other forever. No matter what and they realize that loving someone means loving them wholly. Including letting them go when you need to and protecting the things they love as well. I like how each book really puts true love out there.
The plot is crazy cakes. I loved it as I did with the first. Now with Rosemary in custody they are trying to figure who the mastermind is behind destroying timelines. Let me tell you it gets a whole lot more complicated. There were things I suspected and the things that surprised me. It was seriously a little Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at times. The blending of the books (timelines) is fantastic. I love the way that Heather is able to capture each world they go into fully. You really feel like you're traveling around.
A fantastic sequel to one of my favorite series. Are we left hanging? Well ya sort of but don’t worry Heather throws you a bone. It might be a little bone… I can not wait for the next installment.
“Was there any difficulty in obtaining 1847BRO-WH’s catalyst?”
I’m annoyed she asks such a thing, when I’m confident she already knows the answer. “Outside of the labor, none at all.”
She finally turns around and offers me a wide smile. She is truly beautiful, with thick dark hair and bright eyes more shrewd than kind. “Why, Alice. You and I both know you are no stranger to getting your hands dirty.”
“Contrary to what your crystal ball must tell you, until last night, I had never robbed a grave before.”
Her laugh fills the small room. “Could you relate to Cathy, though?”
It’s a challenge to hold back my irritation. “Dead and possibly a specter?”
“Torn between two loves.”
Honestly, the gall of this woman. I drop the handkerchief-wrapped locket in her outstretched palm, refusing to rise to her bait.
The Librarian unwraps the catalyst and pulls it up by its chain. The small locket is dirty, yet manages to glint in the bright light anyway. “Catalysts are always symbolic,” she muses. “This, for example, represents the enduring struggle between two lovers its owner was torn between during both life and death.” She picks up a small cloth conveniently sitting on her desk and begins to polish the stolen jewelry. “Did you see her ghost, perhaps?”
My answer is clipped. “No.”
“Some people believe that beloved objects such as this can be haunted by their owners.” She flashes me an indulgent smile. “Do you think that possible?”
“If it is,” I say tightly, “Mrs. Linton will be haunting you down here in the Museum.”
Another laugh. “She would have much company then.”
