The Librarian’s Key to Deadlines and Dragons
Author: Mary Ashe
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B-
What I’m Talking About:
In her will, Agnes, aka Granny, tasked her two granddaughters, Fia and Nivan, with finding the magic books that function as Keys and restore the magical, yet never seen Rowanwid Library. Newly retired and ready for a rest, Nivan doesn’t want to start this impossible task, but gives in to her sister’s relentless requests. Using a magical map, they find their way to the hidden island, only for Nivan to make it ashore while the rest of her family is lost as sea. Saved by a tall, dark, and handsome stranger, Nivan feels a connection to this mysterious man and the Library, and she agrees to help him track down one of the Keys.
The Librarian’s Key to Deadlines and Dragons is a dangerous, high stakes adventure with fated mates and a magic library. The story kicks off a new fantasy romance interconnected series, each book with a standalone romance and adventure. The book sets up the series, outlining an interesting mythology based on magic and a hidden Library filled with knowledge and power. Unfortunately everyone who knew about the Library has died, except for its Guardian, Conall. We get very little of the overall world, with hints and glimpses of what is to come.
The questing starts as a group of four human siblings, but quickly changes to an adventure for only Nivan and Conall, with some help from a mated pair of talking otters. I loved the camaraderie between Nivan, Fia, Rob, and Lochlan. And although the otter pair was a great addition to the journey, I really wanted more of the foursome working together.
Conall is dragonkin and has basically been asleep for the last 100 years, which puts him a bit out of touch with “modern” society. At first he comes off a bit like a caveman (understandably so!) but soon learns to keep up with Nivan. He knows from the moment he senses her that Nivan is his mate. Meanwhile, Nivan feels a strong pull and attraction (to the point of her distraction) to Conall, not really understanding why. They have amazing chemistry, and over the short course of the quest, Nivan realizes Conall and the Library are important pieces of her life. The story is nearly insta-love, which is fitting for a fated mates story.
While overall I enjoyed the story and mythology, I found myself a bit frustrated with a few points. I wanted to understand how the Library Keys are used to unlock the library. Is finding each one enough or does it need to be returned to the Library like an overdue book? I also didn’t like the lack of explanation of what happens to Nivan’s sister and crew after they are separated. Maybe it will be addressed in a subsequent story, but some level of detail would have been appreciated.
In the end, I recommend The Librarian’s Key to Deadlines and Dragons for fans of paranormal or fantasy romance. I want to know more and look forward to the next adventure and getting more answers!
My Rating: B- Liked It — But I had a few small issues
Jen
About the Book:
When an injury forces her early retirement, ex-Highland Ranger Niven Dunbar is determined to make the most of it. Time for a new chapter, a quiet, safe one filled with gardening, baking, and reading. So there’s no way she’s going to give in when her sister dangles a high-risk quest in front of her. Right?
Turns out Granny left behind a formidable task for her collect a set of uniquely powerful books and return them to an ancient sentient library, one that vanished along with its island behind a magical barrier over a century ago.
Sounds awful. How can she resist?
But then she’s separated from her party, washing up at the feet of the last remaining Guardian of the Rowanwid Library. Handsome and intense, Conall blackmails her into joining him on a desperate mission to revive the library’s spark before it’s extinguished forever.
Together, they must face ravening dark beasts, a devouring blight, sorcerous traps, and the undeniable pull of attraction as they race to save a legendary library and restore magic to the world.
Niven’s retirement — and her heart — will never be the same.
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Publisher: Merry Spinster Studios
Series: Rowanwid Library #1
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Format(s): paperback (286 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author