bookheaven | The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London (Left-Handed Booksellers of London, #1)

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As much as I like Garth Nix I missed this and came to it via a reading challenge I'm doing and boy am I glad I did. It hits the ground running from the get go. Susan was raised by her hippie mom who might actually not even remember who Susan's father is due to all the LSD she dropped (though she claims she didn't do any). Before starting art college, Susan tries to track down her father in London, leading her to Uncle Frank who was far more criminal and far less human than Susan knew.

Merlin, one of the left handed (which are more of the battle ready side of the booksellers while the right handed are the magical researchers side), has deal with Frank for breaking the supernatural laws they have to follow. Susan finds herself swept up with the handsome, gender fluid Merlin and his/her sister Vivian (who is right handed). Someone is after Susan, maybe to kill her or at least to kidnap her for nefarious reasons.

The book sellers are trying to determine why and just who Susan's father might be. If they're right about her parentage Susan could even be in trouble from their own organization. The book is steeped in British folk lore and is non stop action. Susan and Merlin especially are good characters, strong and intelligent. Doing foolish things is not a mechanism for plot advancement as we so often see. their choices are at least planned briefly.

There is plenty of danger and action and a hint of romance. I loved this book. I wish I had found it a couple months sooner when I was on sabbatical so I could have sat down and read this cover to cover in one sitting. I don't often get book hangovers but this one gave me one in all the best ways. I can't wait to read the next book.

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