Review: Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2) by Rachel Caine

Title: Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2)

Author: Rachel Caine

Published: 27 August 2016
Publisher: Faber Factory Plus Ffp
Source: Allen and Unwin in return for an honest review
Aust RRP: $16.99
Reviewed: Sapphired Dragon
Rating: **** 1/2  

My Review:

I am completely loving this series. I adored book 1 and raved about it in my review last year so I was both eager to get my hands on book 3 but also apprehensive as it had been a year since i read the first book, and I wondered how I would now connect with book 2. I needn't have worried as the moment I opened it and started reading the first page, I was right back in to the story.

Now that we know just how corrupt the library is, and that there is a figurative axe above the heads of Jess, Scholar Wolfe and Jess' fellow recruits, it was hard not to feel the air of malice and mistrust dripping off every page as the characters constantly worry about whether they are making progress in their mission or are heading for a trap. The pace of the story worked well with a good mix of action, character interaction and story progression.

I also loved Ms Caine's world building. The mix of old and new due to the library holding back or suppressing certain technologies made for an interesting world and Ms Caine's writing painted vivid pictures of the main locations of Alexandria, London and others to make the reader feel like they are really there in the moment. In a world where Knowledge (and the library) hold all the power, things like religion and technology have not made their mark as strongly and Ms Caine reflects this wonderfully in her world building, which gives the story all that much more authenticity.

I also think I love pretty much all the main characters in this book; Jess, Glain, Khalila, Scholar Wolfe, even Dario. They are also drawn so vital and alive and real, that you cannot help but connect to them. The only one I had trouble connecting to in this book was Morgan but that cpould be a by product of the estrangement between jess and Morgan and the beginning of the book as Jess struggles with his guilt about being the one to put Morgan in the Iron tower.

Overall, I was just as riveted in book 2 as I was in book 1, and the story just keeps getting better and better. I cannot wait for book 3.

I have no hesitation in giving this book 4 1/2

Sapphired Dragon xx

About The Book:

Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2) by Rachel Caine

In Ink and Bone, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine introduced a world where knowledge is power, and power corrupts absolutely. Now, she continues the story of those who dare to defy the Great Library—and rewrite history…

With an iron fist, The Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion, forbidding the personal ownership of books in the name of the greater good.

Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart.

Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.

But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control…


Purchase: Angus & Robertson Bookworld  | Booktopia  | Book Depository

Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

Title: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

Author: Rachel Caine

Published: 26 August 2015
Publisher: Faber Factory Plus Ffp
Source: Allen and Unwin
Reviewed: Sapphired Dragon
Rating: **** 1/2  

My Review:

Even though I loved the Morganville Vampires Series and probably would have read this anyway just because it was written by Rachel Caine, it was actually the premise of this novel and series that made me eager to read and review this title.

In this brand new series from Rachel Caine, not only did the great library of Alexandria survive, it has flourished and become the major power in the world in the present. Set in the year 2031, in an alternate future, the owing of books is illegal and punishable by death and all knowledge is controlled by the great Library.

The story is seen through the eyes of Jess, son of a book smuggler who is ordered to undergo the training to be a scholar in the library as his father wants to have a spy on the inside. This suits Jess with his love of books and knowledge and not wanting to go into his father's business.

However right from the beginning, things are not what they seem nor is anyone he meets and suddenly the line between right and wrong is not as clear cut as it used to be and he is no longer sure who is on which side.

I loved this book from the very different premise, to the direction the story took to the characters in the novel. I found myself in the story from the beginning and intrigued as to how the story would play out.

In a well paced novel with action all the way through, I loved the intrigue of the sub plots and counter plots and the twists and turns. Some of which I saw coming and others which came as a surprise. All served, however, to make this a very compelling and exciting novel.

I love stories about libraries and books (funny that :-P) and I loved the way Rachel Caine turned the whole premise of Knowledge is Everything on its head and showed the darker underbelly of a world where knowledge surpasses everything else.

On a completely aesthetic note, I absolutely adore the covers for this novel both the paperback cover and the hard cover, of which I own both. The hard cover has been created in the style of the leather bound books of old. Even the feel of it is gorgeous! And I love the design on the paperback also.

This book combines action and adventure with a well written, incredibly intriguing story and interesting characters, none of whom are what they seem.

An awesome start to a brand new series. I give this story 4 1/2 stars


Sapphired Dragon xx

About The Book:

Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.….


Purchase: Bookworld | Amazon | Booktopia  | Book Depository