Review of ‘The Library of Fates’

The Library of Fates by Aditi Khorana is a romantic coming-of-age fantasy tale steeped in Indian folklore.

Compelling From Beginning to End

What’s remarkable about The Library of Fates novel is how it stands out. Expectation leaves the reader wondering if this is going to be another tale of a princess who is trapped in a marriage to an evil king as if that’s the only thing foreign literature can give us. But no, instead this story follows the fables, it follows its own destiny in a remarkable way to weave an amazing story not about a girl challenging her destiny, but of a girl willing to risk it all to save the lives of those she loves and change their destiny’s. There is so much mythology and symbolism in the tale that takes a step back from religion to focus on the fantastical. Because of this, the tale is fresh and as colorful as the cover itself.

Admittedly the beginning of the story shows another direction the story could have taken, but the way it moves, the way it functions, and evolves suck the reader in by taking them by surprise. It’s emotionally gripping and captivating. And the way it flows, like a stream in the forest, is enchanting.

Personally, I think there is something so remarkable about a tale that starts off one way and ends in a completely different and unexpected way. Usually, there are always bumps on the road in a story like that, but here, everything was thought out so well that it’s not even something the reader even thinks about. It’s almost effortless how it moves along, how it throws in the twists and turns into the story without detracting from the story. Nothing comes out of left field here, it fits the narrative and builds it up.

As far as characters go, Amrita and Thala are both beautiful characters, and they complement each other very well. One is hardened by slavery and heartbreak while the other is only now experiencing pain. But together they grow through the events. They change, they find hope in a world that has taken it from them. There are times in the book they could have been written just a tad stronger given the circumstances they are in, but nevertheless, they are a remarkable team.