By Rachel Moore

“Radcliffe Prep. The third most haunted school in the country, where a student disappearance isn’t uncommon and no one dares stay in the library after dark. And Este Logano enrolls with the hopes of finding her dead father. Not literally, of course. She doesn’t believe in ghosts. Going to her dad’s school just seems like her best hope at figuring out who he was. But then Este meets Mateo, who is maybe—probably—definitely—a real ghost. And an annoying one at that. When Mateo frames Este for the theft of a rare book from the library’s secret spire and then vanishes, Este will have to track him down or risk being expelled and leaving Radcliffe early just like her father did. Except following her father’s footsteps might be more dangerous than Este ever anticipated. As she investigates the library with its secret passageways, hidden tunnels, and haunted halls, she learns that the student disappearances aren’t just myth. And if she isn’t careful, she’ll be next.” – Goodreads

I really tried to enjoy this one. I do love a good dark academia vibe. The Library of Shadows was not that. This felt like one of those books that the author put together after slamming their favorite stories from the genre into one subpar wish fulfillment novel. The main character was annoying and had no personality, the love interest was the same, and the characters were supposedly at school but only attended classes when it was convenient for the plot. When I’m in a reading slump and need a quick, simple standalone to get sucked into, I love book without a complex plot or too much exposition. But this book just had too many plot holes and random anachronisms that I couldn’t stay compelled.

The plot was simple enough – Este goes to school, figures out there are ghosts, and has to save herself and the school. The problem was how much the author put in and then seemingly forgot in service to the plot. As previously stated, the characters were supposed to be at school, but Este somehow stayed up all night every night and went to classes. When did she sleep? When did she do homework or even attend classes other than the two class periods described? The school aspect just felt like it was there to fulfill the “academia” part of “dark academia.” Moore didn’t seem to understand how teenagers actually act or think. Every character was reduced to what they’re into or some specific characteristic. Posy, for example, was a peppy ghost hunter, and that was the only thing we really learned about her. She and her friends also decided to go to Paris? For fall break? You know, just a bunch of high schoolers, jumpin’ over the pond for a good time (I don’t want to spoil it but I’m going to anyway so stop here if you don’t want them). The worst part was they ended up canceling the trip right before they left and then didn’t explain why they left other than wanting to fight ghosts? Even though they didn’t know there were actually ghosts at that point? It just didn’t make any sense. I could go on and on, (I actually recorded quotes that didn’t make sense) but it’s unnecessary. The point is, the plot holes were so distracting that it was hard to read.

The plot holes weren’t the only distractions. The author’s style was all over the place. In one paragraph, she would write these deep and winding monologues about ghosts or love or Este’s dad, and then in the next she would make an anachronistic reference to something in pop culture or something there’s no way a teenager would know or care about. Or the narrator (who seemed to be third person limited to Este’s perspective) would mention something there’s no way she could know – for example, the specific contents of ancient books covered in dust that she had not looked at yet, on shelves far away. Characters did not talk like normal teens, especially Mateo. Sure, he’s a product of many different time periods, but he talked so strange and like a mixture of various YA “cute boys.” I’m getting off track though – her style was just distracting. One of the draws of dark academia is the immersive atmosphere. The best authors make you feel like you’re studying in the library in the middle of fall, wearing a cozy sweater, and full of angst over the bad boy/academic rival in your class. This book would start a sentence with that vibe and then suddenly switch to a cringy adventure novel or sarcastic coming-of-age. Every time it happened it annoyed me and pulled me out of the story.

Este was very selfish. Everything was about her and her dad. She only agreed to help Mateo because it would benefit her. She constantly took Posy for granted and pushed her to the side. She immediately assumed the worst about everyone around her.

Honestly I can get past a lot of what Este did, but I can’t stand the books that introduce a female friendship just to tear it apart and then put it back together at the end with no actual resolution process. Posy became Este’s friend originally from being her roommate, but Este acted rude in the only scenes they interacted in. We’re told that they’re friends and Posy tells her a lot of things (Este is confused later when Posy doesn’t tell her about her new boyfriend) but their relationship is never actually shown. You can’t just say something is true without establishing that it actually is true. Later on, Posy finally seems fed up with her roommate. They have an argument (one that, again, doesn’t make a lot of sense – there seems to be a theme here) and Posy goes off to Paris with her actually good friends. Spoiler alert – she doesn’t! She comes back to help Este? It’s not really clear why she stays back, but it is clear that suddenly she and Este are best friends again even though they hadn’t talked since the fight and never mention it again. Another instance of the author forgetting what happened previously just to keep the plot moving. Posy deserved better.

Also, I knew who the bad guy was as soon as I met them.

I’m giving The Library of Shadows a three out of five stars because I feel bad for saying so much against it in my review, and I’m sure other people who enjoy spooky, cozy fall reads will love it. It has a sweet romance and the main character’s grief for her father is represented well. Unfortunately, the inconsistent writing style and plot holes kept me from feeling immersed in the story and really affected my enjoyment.