The Cartographers: A Novel

Helen "Nell" Young is a young, upcoming cartographer who hails from two very respected and honored cartographer parents. She fell out of favor from a successful career due to an incident involving a "junk box" from the Uncatalogued Archives that crushed her career and destroyed any relationship with her father. Felix Kimble is a computer genius working for Haberson Global's mapping division (different from cartography). He is personae non-gratae status in the cartography industry, especially museums, and has a troubled past/history with Nell after the infamous "Junk Box incident." POV: third person POV, omniscient, multi-character POV Location: New York City (specifically New York Public Library, "NYPL") The Carotographers follows Nell searching for answers to the connection between her father's passing, a robbery without anything stolen, an ordinary map hidden away in his most prized portfolio, and a few more stolen/destroyed maps in the mix. She enlists a few "trusted friends" who help her navigate the cartography world, discover clues and shed light on an even bigger conspiracy the world has ever known. The writing and tone are befitting of a suspenseful theme. The world-building of New York City, especially the NYPL, is as detailed as if I was there listening to a guide showcasing the library's splendor and history. Even with all the world-building exploration, the author did an excellent job focusing on the mystery of her father's demise with a peculiar map. However, readers will still get tidbits of Nell's childhood, family, and the Cartographer's backstories (hint hint). I want to highlight the ingenious plot twists! When I thought I had it all solved, just when one clue is "solved," another one pops up and shatters the theory and instead brings more questions and uncertainty into the situation. This book made me stop and ponder the whys and hows instead of speeding through to find out more about the Cartographers. I like books that make me feel "bothered" and puzzled. The characters' internal conflicts, distrust, deceit, and lies due to proximity and secrecy echo a "Lord of the Flies" feel. I enjoyed how the author unraveled layer-on-layer secrets from each of these "members" that heightened the story's tension and later ties it all together in one central purpose. Nell's character development was exceptional. Her personal development was realistic, raw, and explored in detail without giving too much until the end. Even if the book is from a third party, the author disclosed enough of Nell's thoughts and feelings to provide enough "hook" to keep readers glued and addicted enough to keep turning the pages. I was amazed at how persistent and determined Nell was. Even if she's been out of the cartography industry, she found the clues and "hidden meanings" to help solve the past and present mysteries. After that, the truth could not stop itself from seeping out to be pieced together for an epic ending. Overall, I cannot stop raving about The Cartographers! It will make you think, stop, ponder, reread, rethink, and assume, BUT you will NOT be able to "piece anything" until the end. It is an engaging and captivating read. It will grip you in with the mystery and suspense from start to finish. The world-building is captivating and infused with the history of New York, the science of drafting, and the intricacies of cartography. This book is a class of its own by infusing mystery and suspense with magic/fantasy—a real treat for avid readers who want something unique, different, and refreshing.