Book Review: The Library at Hellebore by Nicole Sellew


Today’s book is another audiobook. I’m a little bit unsure what to rate this book.
A deeply dark academia novel from USA Today bestselling author Cassandra Khaw, perfect for fans of A Deadly Education and An Education in Malice who are hungry for something more diabolical.
I’ve been drawn to Cassandra Khaw before, but have yet to read anything by this author. I’ll be honest. The title is the main reason I clicked on this book. Then I read the synopsis, and I was intrigued.
This book doesn’t waste any time; it throws you right into it, leaving you a bit stunned. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook narrated by the wonderful Natalie Naudus. This was the first time I heard Natalie do an array of characters. You are introduced to a list of characters along with our main character. Having a narrator who can perform different voices does enhance the story and helps keep the characters straight. However, there were a few times when I got a bit lost.
For the most part, I enjoyed the alternating timeline. Mainly switching between the “present/future” and the past. And I say, for the most part, as it often helps explain things, although it doesn’t always connect present moments closely to past moments that are related. If that makes sense, sometimes it wouldn’t explain something until halfway through. Or you would return to a moment later on. I would feel impatient at times; however, I still appreciate how this added to the story’s mystery and suspense.
Khaw also has a way with descriptions. I must say, there were some graphic depictions. Vivid, yet somehow also making them mundane for the character performing them. I can’t quite explain it. I do feel a bit confused by the ending. This is the type of book I feel like I have to reread to catch anything I might have missed. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy unusual books.
The publisher provided my arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
