Misshelved Magic

The Liminal Library, Book 1

By: S. R. Crickard

Narrated by: Amanda Troop

Adelina is content to be a humble librarian with no magic, organizing ordinary books and leaving the magical section of the library to the management of the mysterious creature called a cervara . . . until she finds a misshelved spellbook that refuses to stay in its proper place. Despite warnings from the College of Magic and her superiors, she decides to return the book to the magical section, where she befriends the mysterious creature. Contrary to what she's been told, the cervara is trying to protect humanity from dangerous magic by hoarding it in the library. But is it also hiding an even greater danger?

Leon is a mage in his final year at the college who needs to write something impressive for his final thesis. But when he meets the charming Adelina, and she confides her discovery to him, Leon's world turns upside down. He's forced to try to mediate between the mysterious creature and the power-hungry magi who surround him, all while trying to pursue his favorite librarian.

Can Adelina and Leon protect the cervara from the world—and the world from the dangers of the library? Or will both sides be destroyed by the secrets they hide and the greed that drives them to seek forbidden knowledge?

©2024 S. R. Crickard (P)2024 Tantor

Lovely, light, cozy, magical.

If you enjoyed The Spellshop or The Enchanted Greenhouse, you should like this title.

This is a lighthearted magical mystery with a sprinkling of romance (no spice). Very good narration, although I didn’t love the narrator’s voice for the Cervara (magical guardian). Everything else was perfect. I enjoyed the setting, a place with similar fashion and social norms as early 1900s Earth, with some light steampunk vibes. Think early Industrial Revolution, with magic.

Great characters, great story.

Although it’s labeled as the first in a series, this book works as a stand-alone novel. It has a tidy ending without any loose ends or cliffhangers.

Lovable characters and a unique story

I enjoyed how the author blended a magical world in with a realistic seeming world. She created memorable characters that you would root for and a story line that kept you interested! I liked how it was relatable and magical.

love story

Cute story but more for tweens than adults who enjoy stories of magic and wizardry

Great characters

I love that the narrator is so good at all the different characters. Such a good performance for a wicked good story.

Cute

Initial feelings: meh, cute, easy listen, somewhat engaging, but shallow character development
However some positive points:
- Magic has consequences
- Romance was cute and clean (no ridiculous literary porn)
- immortality is not something to grasp at here on earth
- interesting purgatory-like existence /state of being when you try to grasp for what is not gifted to you from above (God)