Character Roles 

By: Ann Timpone

       Throughout the course of the journey in which this novel takes us upon, we find that each and every individual character who is introduced to us plays a varying role.  The character's don't only bring this fictional story to life but they contribute to major turning points in the novel, such as the development of our plot, the climax, and our final resolution. Without main characters, any book would seem virtually lifeless. As readers, we need to see those character developments, the connections and relationships between one another, the character descriptions that allow us to ascribe faces to each pertinent scene and moment in the novel. The characters truly carry our imaginations across the story and entertain our minds, and as we approach the end of this novel, we find ourselves almost emotionally attached to our fictional characters, as though we traveled these various worlds with them. 

       The novel begins with our main character and protagonist, Irene. Irene is a timid and outgoing Librarian living out her days taking on missions to acquire extraordinary works of literature. Although some missions are a breeze, some require spy work and dangerous performances on her part. Needless to say, getting her hands on necessary literature isn't always the easiest of things. These so called missions are assigned by Irene's direct supervisor, Coppelia, an elder librarian. Irene was born into the world of the Invisible Library by two caring yet distant parents whom are also distinguished librarians. When Irene first introduces the concept of her mother and father, she lets us readers know they are somewhat estranged. 

       Next, we are familiarized with a young fellow by the name of Kai. This character is initially mentioned in an email to Irene via Coppelia stating that Kai is being sent to train alongside Irene and gain experience in the Library. Upon Kai and Irene's first encounter, Kai explains his five year study in the Library before being sent out to train with her. He is a very subtle and somewhat mysterious character and for quite some time in the novel and Irene expresses her skepticism of him. Later in the novel, a very interesting and unexpected fact is revealed about Kai, he is a dragon shifter. Throughout the course of the novel, we find that both Irene and Kai have conflicting personalities yet use it to their advantage and prevail regardless throughout the story.

       During one point in the story, we find ourseleves getting to know one of Irene's ex-colleagues, Bradamant. "EX" being the key word here, as Bradamant is a highly scheming woman who will break any barrier just to complete a mission. Bradamant can be suspected as the antagonist at times, as she does things to set Irene back and to help herself get ahead. Seen as Irene's nemesis throughout the novel, Bradamant possesses an incredibly selfish, manipulative, nosy and unpleasant personality. 

 Along one of Irene and Kai's travels to acquire a much needed book, they stumble upon a man by the name Sir Vale. Sir Vale is a well aclaimed and quite dignified detective and is described to have a somewhat Holmes-esque flare to him. 

 

     Lastly, we meet our antagonist. Our interest peaking villian! Alberich, a spine-chilling, blood-curdling and mysterious being. While Irene and Kai are on a serious mission, they find themeselves in confrontation with Alberich. He is infamously known in the Library as the one ex-librarian who betrayed the library and was able to get away with it. He is also known to possess high amounts of menacing powers that can vary in capability, such as shape shifting. Prior to being confronted directly by him, Alberich creates hair-raising hints that he is on their trail and after the same literature. This adds a sense of danger to this mission among other things. His specific location is unknown by anyone in addition to the records containing his true name. Alberich, is his chosen librarian name. Unlike the other characters we've gotten to know who heir on the side of Order, Alberich heirs on the side of Chaos, only to sustain his own immortality. 

       As we can see, this fictional journey would be deserted without our characters. Each one of our characters supplies us with something that adds to a turning point in the novel, such as our antagonist creating that plot. We see strong connections made, relationships between characters like Irene and Kai become a tight bond and we can almost visually see each character as we read on. In a personal sense, I found myself hanging on the thought of Kai and Irene as a couple and sad as we neared the end of the novel and parted with our characters. On a high note, Miss Cogman has set us up for a hopeful sequel.

FIN