Review - The Ninja Librarians: The Accidental Keyhand

Though they were small, my local libraries were my best-friends when I was a kid. My love of reading has continued into my 30s, and of course when I saw a book titled The Ninja Librarians: The Accidental Keyhand, I eagerly signed up to review it on NetGalley.

This fantasy adventure centers on a young girl named Dorrie, who happens to love sword-fighting. Lets just say life is never boring for young Dorrie, who, along with her brother, Marcus, stumble into the Passaic Public Library. This isn't a regular library, as there is another library hidden within it. There is a magical portal that is the entryway to the Petrarch's Library.

You probably think that librarians are little old ladies wearing thick reading glasses, but that is not the case here, as they ( Lybrarians) are part of a secret society and are skilled at about anything imaginable. The magical portal, that they also protect, is a traveling gateway, where they travel through time to protect important historical figures.

One would think the two kids would be kicked out for finding the hidden library, but instead the Lybrarians decided to give them a internship (sort of) to see if they have the skills to one day become a Lybrarian themselves. They're not the only  Apprentices, as the Lybrarians have chosen a few select kids from throughout history to join them in their training.

You're probably wondering where the "Ninja" comes into play in the pot, well, the Lybrarians dress in black in a similar style to a ninja, plus, they are very skilled warriors. The author, Jen Swann Downey, has a wild imagination to create such an unique and exciting plot. It is kind a cross between Harry Potter, A Series of Unfortunate Events and The Spiderwick Chronicles. The young characters are likeable, fun and I think young readers can relate to them, especially the sword-fighting Dorrie. The Ninja Librarians: The Accidental Keyhand is a well-written, fast-paced adventure that both kids and adults will enjoy reading.

*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. 


About the Author:

Jen Swann Downey’s nonfiction pieces have appeared in New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Women's Day, and other publications. She’s never visited a library in which she didn't want to spend the night. Jen lives in Charlottesville, VA with her family.