When I came across this story, and read the basic description, I was a bit excited to start it. The first half of the book kept my attention, and the story seemed to be going well. Then about half way through, I felt it stalled. All the things going on just slammed on the brakes, even though things were still be developed leading to the conclusion. Once I got about 3/4 way through, things picked back up. I wasn't overly impressed with the ending, and thought it dragged just a bit (after the climatic finale). Overall, I loved the idea of the story, of how books and reading books create 'energy'. ( )

There was nothing wrong with this book that I can put my finger on but I just couldn't help but feel disappointed at the end and sad that I could have spent my time reading 400 pages of something more enjoyable. ( )

This was a quick, easy read for the train with books that can become charged when repeatedly read and people with secret psychic abilities when they read, as well as international attempts at conspiracy through the skills. ( )

I really enjoyed this book. It captivated me from the very beginning, a book fantasy to end all book fantasies. The suspense built to such a spell binding conclusion. It was wonderfully written and translated. The characters were so engaging...clear friends and enemies. Loved it. ( )

For some reason, the tone of this book reminded me of the 1970s TV horror movies: an ordinary person somehow gets drawn into a disturbing situation full of odd happenings and emotional betrayals. In the movies, the evil tended to win the day. That's not the case here.

A lawyer inherits a bookshop from his estranged father, and learns that some people possess strange powers related to reading. Transmitters can influence the listener, while receivers can get inside the head of anyone reading. While the bookstore has been the center of a local group of Lectors, there appears a different organization with malevolent designs. A showdown of readers drives the book toward its conclusion.

The abilities of Lectors puts a different spin on the imagined influence that libraries can have. While here the power involves actually reading, a different view is offered in the Invisible Library series in which librarians speak The Language to which the world must respond. These descriptions of the power hidden within the library and its books can be captivating to anyone that thinks libraries are special, even without the magic powers.

Plot-wise, the story probably doesn't survive close scrutiny, but that's beside. ( )