Skip content
Celebrate indie bookstores with our limited-time sale! Shop the sale
The God of Lost Words by A. J. Hackwith
  Send as gift   Add to Wish List

Almost ready!

In order to save audiobooks to your Wish List you must be signed in to your account.

      Log in       Create account
IBD balloon logo

Shop the sale

In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, shop our limited-time sale on bestselling audiobooks from April 22nd-28th. Don’t miss out—purchases support your local bookstore!

Shop now

The God of Lost Words

$22.50

Get for $14.99 with membership
Narrator Bahni Turpin

This audiobook uses AI narration.

We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.

Learn more
Length 13 hours 18 minutes
Language English
  Send as gift   Add to Wish List

Almost ready!

In order to save audiobooks to your Wish List you must be signed in to your account.

      Log in       Create account

"Hackwith's poignant, imaginative series sends readers on an amazing journey, with profound prose that will capture hearts and minds."*

To save the Library of the Unwritten in Hell, former librarian Claire and her allies may have to destroy it first.


Claire, rakish Hero, angel Rami, and muse-turned-librarian Brevity have accomplished the impossible by discovering the true nature of unwritten books. But now that the secret is out, in its quest for power Hell will be coming for every wing of the Library.

To protect the Unwritten Wing and stave off the insidious reach of Malphas, one of Hell’s most bloodthirsty generals, Claire and her friends will have to decide how much they’re willing to sacrifice to keep their vulnerable corner of the afterlife. Succeeding would mean rewriting the nature of the Library, but losing would mean obliteration. Their only chance at survival lies in outwitting Hell and writing a new chapter for the Library. Luckily, Claire and her friends know how the right story, told well, can start a revolution.

*Library Journal (starred review)

A. J. Hackwith (she/they) is (almost) certainly not an ink witch in a hoodie. She's a queer writer of fantasy and science fiction living in the woods of the Pacific Northwest with her partner and various pet cryptids. A.J. is the author of a number of fantasy novels, including the acclaimed  LIBRARY OF THE UNWRITTEN fantasy trilogy. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise writer's workshop and her work appears in Uncanny Magazine and assorted anthologies. Summon A.J. at your own peril with an arcane circle of fountain pens, weird collections of rusted keys, and homebrew D&D accessories. Or you can find A.J. on Instagram, Patreon and other dark corners of the Internet as @ajhackwith.

IBD balloon logo

Shop the sale

In celebration of Independent Bookstore Day, shop our limited-time sale on bestselling audiobooks from April 22nd-28th. Don’t miss out—purchases support your local bookstore!

Shop now

Reviews

"The plot of this final volume has its exciting twists, but the real payoff is Hackwith’s complex characters...The character development throughout the series, the polyamory and queer representation, and convincing fears and desires all combine to make characters that feel real, and that will earn readers’ full investment."--Booklist

"Hackwith suffuses this story with love in many forms, deep thoughts on reading, and variations on reality...It’s the perfect finish to this inventive saga."--Publishers Weekly

Praise for A.J. Hackwith and the Novels from Hells Library series


"Hackwith literally brings books to life with her layered prose, emotional scenes, slow burns, and powerful connections among found family members."--Library Journal (starred review)

“This book pulls apart what a book is, what a book could be, and gets to the soul of what it means to tell a story, all while delivering queer chemistry and intricate worldbuilding.”—Booklist (starred review)

"Powerhouse fantasy...Writing in stirring prose, Hackwith imbues her high-concept, metafictional tale with color, action, and high-flying emotion."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"It's like The Good Place meets Law & Order: Bibliophile Crime Unit. Highly recommended. This book is so much fun, and you should be reading it. Trust me. Stories about story are some of my favorite kinds. This book definitely makes the list. I am so glad I read this."—Seanan McGuire, author of In an Absent Dream

“Clever, charming, full of intricate worldbuilding and delightful characters, The Library of the Unwritten is the first book in your new favorite series.”—Christina Henry, author of The Girl in Red

"A delightful romp through heaven, hell, and everything in between which reveals itself in layers."—Caitlin Starling, author of The Luminous Dead Expand reviews
Celebrate indie bookstores with our limited-time sale! Shop the sale