By: Peggy Sue Wood | @pswediting

While preparing a panel on free-to-low-cost sources of anime and manga for Anime Town Greenville, I came across a new series called Magus of the Library. I actually read the first chapter back in my review of the Kodansha Samplers, and so, with the reminder from revisiting those samplers in my panel, I decided to officially pick up the series and read.

Let me just say—it’s been a great read so far. I’m about 20 chapters in, and it’s easily one of the most interesting series I’ve picked up recently. The story is packed with lore, often dropping new details that may not always seem connected at first, but they create a rich and immersive world.

What stands out about Magus of the Library is how it weaves together so many layers. From themes of inclusion and the process of book-making (with some historical parallels, though this is a much more fictionalized world) to nuanced storytelling about this world’s history that ties into the main character’s journey, it’s a deeply engaging read.

The protagonist isn’t just a bookworm—he’s also navigating life in a culture where he faces significant disadvantages. The story explores heavy topics through him and those around him, like classism and racism in a diverse world inhabited by different “species,” and sexism. At times, this combination of themes can feel a bit overwhelming, but it’s refreshing to see a fantasy series explore these ideas with such depth.

Typically, you might expect one or two of these topics to be lightly touched on in a fantasy setting but here they’re not just present, they’re central to the story and truly impact the plot and characters in ways that the main character is really beginning to learn beyond his narrower view from youth.

Magus of the Library has been a compelling and thought-provoking read so far, and I’m eager to see how the story unfolds from here. While I’m not entirely confident it will be able to explore all its themes in a way these topics deserve or reach satisfying conclusions for every thread, I’m intrigued enough to continue reading. My plan is to stick with it until at least Chapter 50, as the sheer number of ideas packed into the story makes it dense and occasionally overwhelming. The abundance of information can feel like too much at times, but it also contributes to the story’s unique depth and complexity, making me curious to see how it all develops… So, I want to see if the story can handle what it’s thrown in, if you know what I mean!

I think that if you liked Ascendance of a Bookworm, you’ll probably enjoy Magus of The Library too. It’s what I like to call “high minded,” which kind of matches the vibe of the early chapters in Ascendance of a Bookworm that were interesting. By “high-minded,” I mean it offers a lot of world-building and does a great job of making the main character endearing right from the beginning so that slower parts with less focus still keep you engaged. So far, it hasn’t lost my interest the way Myne sometimes did in Ascendance of a Bookworm, which is why I feel confident recommending it here. Of course, that might change as I get closer to Chapter 50—who knows!

If you’ve already read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Did you enjoy it? If not, what didn’t work for you? See you all next post!

Copyedits by: Krow Smith | @coffeewithkrow