Series: The Great Library, Book 1
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher: New American Library (NAL)
Release Date: July 7, 2015
Genre: Young Adult Alternate Fantasy
Told: Third Person (Jess), Past Tense
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, death, war, intense situations, kissing)
Format Read: ARC (trade)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:
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 his friend 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…
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Ink and Bone was one of those books I really enjoyed but can't put my finger on exactly why. It was just a really good read as a whole: an engaging voice, a strong cast of characters I (mostly) kept straight, vivid settings and description, and an intriguing alternate history and story. If there was one thing that did stand out for me though, it was a lack of foreshadowing. I had little idea what would happen next at any given moment, but I enjoyed it that way as I shared in Jess's surprise, shock, and anguish. It wasn't a light story with its smugglers and book burners and countries at war, but I wouldn't call it a heavy story either. It had the comfortable weight of Harry Potter, an elite society with a full history and world power, and the boy who joins its ranks and discovers the light but also very dark sides of it. The book ended on a complete arc with no cliffhanger, although there is definitely more to Jess's story. Like what came before I have almost no idea what to expect from the next book or the rest of the five-book series, and very much look forward to finding out what happens to Jess and the Great Library in Book 2, Paper and Fire.
Series: There are 5 books in The Great Library series. As of this review, 4 are currently available, with the 5th and last releasing September 3, 2019. You can check out the entire series, along with a few short stories, on Goodreads here.
Scribble Rating:
4.5 of 5 Scribbles
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