Paper and Fire (The Great Library)

The Library Controls what you can read, write, and own when it comes to books. The personal ownership of books is illegal. And The Library has no trouble dealing with those who break the law. Or anyone who threatens The Library's power.
After surviving as a postulant, Jess Brightwell has been placed in The Library's High Garda. After retuning from a dangerous mission in war torn Oxford, Morgan was taken to live in the Iron Tower and Jess' best friend Thomas has disappeared. Despite being told by The Library that Thomas is dead, Jess cannot believe it and begins looking for information to the contrary.
Jess and his friends embark on a mission to save their friend but are soon the target of The Library. Jess will soon have to choose between his friends and his family, and The Library is willing to do anything to stop them.
I enjoyed this installment of The Great Library series. The cover is very interesting with its image of the inside of one of the great libraries. I really like the burning paper imagery which foreshadows the possible use of Greek fire. I also like the fact that they tried to make the spine look like an old original in the story. I don't understand the images of the dragons on the front, as that have no ties to the story itself, but they fit with the rest of the cover and are very appealing to the eye. I personally simply love dragons as well, so I liked this small addition.
As for the story itself, I found it to be well written and constructed. the plot line was captivating and fast-paced. I found the action level a little tame at first, compared to the ending of the first book, but understandably so, and it did not stay that way for long. The mystery is confounding and the many twists to the plot keep you guessing and demanding more. I also enjoyed learning more about the Iron Tower where the obscurists and the automata.
The idea that the library could be a force of evil is an interesting and somewhat terrifying idea for me. I love the library and all of the possibilities that is holds. But the idea does hold water, for knowledge is power, therefore, whoever controls the knowledge holds the power.
I am eager to continue with this series, to see what becomes of Jess and his friends, as well as, what becomes of The Library. Rachel Caine is indeed a very talented writer. I am surprised it took me so long to read any of her works.
This book was terrific and I would recommend it to bibliophiles worldwide.
I received my copy of this book from the publishers, New American Library, an imprint of Penguin random House, for the sole purpose of an honest review, and have permission to use the cover image above.
stephanietiner.weebly.com

Even better than the first one! This book picks up only a few months after INK AND BONE, and now that the world and characters are established, it's nothing but adventure, intrigue, and unforeseen betrayals and consequences. I totally loved the story and how it led our beloved group to find each other again in the most dire of circumstances. There's still mistrust and unease within this makeshift family, which made it all the more engaging for me. It was great to delve deeper into the characters as their personalities clashed with different missions and objectives. I honestly have a hard time choosing my favourite part, though scenes regarding the Iron Tower left a haunting impression on me. There were some truly breathtaking moments in this beautifully written sequel, and I wished to spend more time in some of the locations. I keep falling in love with this series and am already reaching for the third book to keep going. A must read for all book lovers!

In Ink and Bone readers were introduced to a world where the Great Library of Alexandria was never destroyed. Now The Library is its own entity, spread all over the world. It sounds amazing…until you look beneath the surface. The Library controls the dissemination of knowledge, stifles innovation, and with brutal efficiency takes down anyone who seeks to escape its control. In Paper and Fire Jess and his friends have had their eyes opened; they see the rot within the Library. But there’s no such thing as an easy escape, even if one of their own wasn’t trapped in a gilded cage and another hidden in a secret prison. The clock’s ticking for Jess and all those he cares about: if they don’t find a way to break free of the Library’s hold their time will soon run out.

Paper and Fire takes us deeper into the incredible world of the Great Library that Rachel Caine introduced in Ink and Bone. Like Jess and his friends, I absolutely love what the Library could be, if greed and power hadn’t corrupted it at the highest echelons. The joy and love of learning is muted in Paper and Fire because the world has taken on a more sinister tone. Most of the book is centered around Jess, Glain, Dario, Khalila, Morgan, Santi, and Wolfe all doing their part to search for Thomas, their friend and a brilliant young inventor taken captive by the library for coming up with an idea for a printing press. With the wonder of discovery gone from the story, this book was a bit less exciting than its predecessor. I still really enjoyed it and the threats against our protagonists (especially the imminent threat to Morgan) made my gut clench at times, but the book suffers a bit from being a bridge book. We don’t learn much new about the characters either, and not even my mad love for Wolfe and Santi could blind me to the fact that there wasn’t much character growth to balance out the slow momentum of the plot. It’s a fairly slow read for most part and I’m honestly at a loss for what to say about story because it didn’t get truly interesting until the end. There’s nothing wrong with the book and I did enjoy it overall, but I wasn’t dazzled by it like I was Ink and Bone.

I cannot talk about the last part of the book without spoiling the story, but it’s where Paper and Fire shines the brightest. When everything comes together Ms. Caine’s writing is captivating. The action, adventure, and danger coalesce into a thrilling conclusion that had me eager to dive into the next Great Library novel. So while this book had some ups and downs for me, I still absolutely love the world Ms. Caine has created and I cannot wait to see what happens next in Ash and Quill.

Jess Brightwell and his friends and family are back! Paper and Fire is the second book in The Great Library series by Rachel Caine.

In this fantasy world, owning books is banned and information from books is highly regulated. In Ink and Bone, the first book in the series, Jess went through the evaluation process to work for the Great Library. The Great Library is the organization that tracks and transcribes books. They are the group that determines which information gets out to the public. Jess and his classmates learned the Library was a lot more corrupt than they imagined. Paper and Fire starts with Jess working in his assigned job a short time after Ink and Bone ended.

Things really heat up in this second book! This book is exciting, but I did enjoy the first book a little more than this one. A fascinating fantasy world. A good series for fans of young adult stories set in dystopian worlds. I look forward to reading more of this series.

Title: Paper and Fire - The Great Library Book 2
Author: Rachel Caine
Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group / Penguin Group
Published: 7-5-2016
Pages: 365
Genre: Action & Adventure
Sub-Genre: Science Fiction; Thriller; Suspense; Dystopian; Teen & Young Adult
ISBN: 9780451472403
ASIN: B016JPTGZ4
Reviewed For NetGalley and Penguin/Berkley
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4.75 Stars

I had to borrow book one "Ink & Bone" from my local library to catch up on previous events that are mentioned in "Paper & Fire". After doing so I reread "Paper and Fire" and found it much easier to follow and enjoy.

Imagine if the Great Library of Alexandria survived and was still standing. In this alternate reality it has, but all the knowledge contained within is controlled and dispensed as they see fit. Jess Brightwell is in a fight to save Morgan from the iron tower and find his missing friend. Together he and a few friends continue the fight, hunted by the Library's army. Will they succeed or will the Library exterminate them all and finally hold the ultimate control over the knowledge held in the Library? My rating for this fast paced thrilling action adventure story is 4.75 out of 5 stars. With well developed characters and a thought out plot "Paper and Fire" is guaranteed to give the reader hours of pleasure.

Jess and his friends have targets on their backs. Having failed to kill them in Ink and Bone, the library is even more determined to do away with Jess in Paper and Fire, but they can't let the library to look bad. The deaths have to appear accidental or justifiable, which is probably the only reason any of them are still alive.

Jess is determined to save his friends and rescue Morgan. They undertake a dangerous mission to Rome. If they succeed, it could mean freedom a real challenge to the library’s power. If they fail, it will mean death or living as the library’s slaves.

My Take:
I'd rate it 3.5 if I could

Many second books in a trilogy are disappointing. The first book builds a world, the third finishes the story, and the second is often little more than a bridge to the third. Not so with Paper and Fire. It doesn't disappoint. Of course, it sets up the final book, but it doesn't feel like just a bridge. It is a full book on its own.

We already know the characters and underlying conflicts, which allows the story to start at a quicker pace. The spoiler material shows up early. It's a fairly classic YA storyline, but Caine keeps it interesting with the uniqueness of the world she's created and with a ton of cloak and dagger style intrigue.

It is not just the storyline that makes Paper and Fire enjoyable. Characters are every bit as important as story, and Caine does an excellent job of balancing the two. I cared about most of them. Jess is likable, I cheered for him, but he is not the best character to connect to. I found him more interesting in Ink and Bone. In this book, he is more of a good guy, less moral ambiguity. The ambiguity made him more compelling. He falls into the hero pitfall of being reactive instead of proactive. Other characters stood out though. I was angry and sad for Morgan, and Wolfe… Poor Wolfe, I don't even know what to say. He surprised me. I didn't connect with him in Ink and Stone but watching him deal his crappy childhood and seeing it all repeating made him more likable, tragic but likable.

Character growth is another strength. The time for deciding where one's loyalty lies is over. Everyone has hard decisions to make, and every decision has a high price. The various relationships grow, but love doesn't make all decisions easier. It makes some harder. It makes some hurt all the more.

There were a few disappointments in Paper and Fire. At the end of Ink and Bone, Jess is forced to become a spy. I was looking forward to how this played out and was disappointed at how little attention it received. There was a lot of untapped potential, but nothing developed.

Also, it would have been nice to see the cast expand. There are characters we don't see in Ink and Bone, but none join the core group. In a book that's all about loyalties and secrets, the introduction of a new person, a new set of skills for the group but also a potential traitor, can make things more interesting. Paper and Fire doesn't lack interest or intrigue, but this was still a missed opportunity.

The spy thing bugs me. It doesn't fit, can't explain without spoilers. Not expanding the cast isn't a big deal, just something I'd have enjoyed. Neither thing detracted from my enjoyment of the book, and I'm eager to read the third installment.

***I received an eARC of this book on Netgalley from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.***

What an intense read! Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine picks up where Ink and Bone left off. Jess and his friends are separated, assigned their duties and rank within the Library. Nothing is what it seemed to be. The disillusioned Jess has accepted the awful things the Library represents, but he hasn’t given up on his friend who is presumed dead, the girl he loves locked away in the Iron Tower, or the fact that books/knowledge should be free to everyone. An uprising is coming, but who will survive?

As much as I enjoyed Ink and Bone, I liked its sequel better. Paper and Fire does not suffer second-book syndrome, that’s for sure! The action immediately starts as Jess and Glaine are training with the Garda and their assignment leads them to Scholar Wolfe and a failed assassination attempt. Jess is still a favorite character of mine. He is brave, loyal, and despite his upbringing cares deeply for those that he survived with. He will fight for them, no matter the cost.

With the world building out of the way, the plot of this book is more character driven as Jess learns more about himself and the man he wishes to be, the things he is willing to give up, and what is worth fighting for. I loved seeing the Automata in a new light this book. They are introduced as the robotic guards of the library during the last book, but the author features them prominently in this one. I liked seeing how the characters feared and interacted with these metal creatures.

The plot of this book is that of a dystopian. The characters are trying to overthrow the library and get knowledge back into the hands of the people. They walk a fine line between heresy and loyalists, their actions and what drives them pure. There is more action in this book than the last (if that’s possible), it seems every page is littered with blood.

Overall I enjoyed this read, finishing it in under a day! It was addictive and I had to know what would happen. My only complaint was the love interest for Jess. I just didn’t feel the chemistry or understand the bond between the two. I had a few eyeroll moments when reading their “passionate” kisses, more like hormones in overdrive. If you enjoy alternate history and liked the first book, I highly recommend continuing with Paper and Fire.

Second in The Great Library alternate history science fiction series for Young Adults and revolving around Jess Brightwell and those left of his postulant group who have managed to survive their introductions to a world they thought they had known. And revered.

My Take

It's a tough question facing the group: to destroy the world as they know it or go along with repressing knowledge and progress. Yeah. Progress. Something as simple yet powerful as electricity that the Library has kept from the world for centuries. The arrogance of the Archivist and Artifex is incredible, let alone those that came before. A betrayal that is so horrendous — and not just to Jess and his friends but to the world.

It's a pattern. What they did to Wolfe is what they're doing to Thomas. Only, they'll never let the world know that Thomas is alive, but they will break him and use him. It's an attitude rife within the Library, of people who want to "own" you, to force you to comply with their demands, and Feng's "favor" is symptomatic...and killing Glain. Whichever choice she makes, it's the death of her dream.

I do enjoy alternate history stories, if only for the twists it puts on our past. There was one in Paper and Fire that noted how Julius Caesar saved the Library. I do love that part, for it's always seemed such a great tragedy that the Library of Alexandria was lost at all. And it reminds me of one of the points for which I'm enjoying The Great Library series so much: that love and focus on how important books are.

Jess always knew his family was business first, family second, but nowhere is that more true than when he and his friends need help when they finally reach London. It's a betrayal. It's not the only betrayal by family, for Wolfe's mother notes in her journal that the Obscurists were also betrayed by the Library.

And yet, Keria will still support the Library, hiding behind her hopes, keeping Morgan despite her hatred for the Obscurists and the Tower, their breeding program. Despite the luxuries of the Iron Tower, it's still a prison, and it seems that some are not happy there and poison is available.

It takes Wolfe, Jess, and the rest to make Keria realize the truth.

The Story

The order has gone out. The traitor is to be killed, for Wolfe's knowledge threatens all that the Library's hierarchy holds dear.

And Thomas is alive. It is more imperative than ever that they rescue him, and the Library is determined to murder them all.

The Characters

Jess Brightwell is now a private in the High Garda. His family are book smugglers with his immediate family in London: Brendan, a.k.a., Scraps, is his unscrupulous twin brother; Liam was the older brother who had been hanged; and, Callum is his bastard of a father. Cousin Frederick (Ink and Bone, 1) is safe in the north.

The inventive Thomas Schreiber had been Jess' friend until he was tortured and killed by the Archivist for his heresy in Ink and Bone. The other postulants in his group had included: Dario Santiago who is a Scholar now and works with the renowned Scholar Prakesh. Scholar Khalila Seif is a gold and has a permanent future in the Library. Both of them work out of the Lighthouse. Glain and Morgan are the remaining two. Scholar Christopher Wolfe, already on the Archivist and Artifex's black list, had been their trainer in Ink and Bone.

The Great Library hoards…

…all books, and therefore all knowledge from its base in Alexandria. All other libraries throughout the world are daughter libraries, Serapeum, although the one in Paris also rules France. Led by the Archivist Magister, the Library is divided into specialties which include the Artifex that deals in technology and maths and is headed by Artifex Magnus, the Archivist's bullyboy. There are also the Obscurists.

The Obscurists live…
…in the Iron Tower and are the ones who make the blanks, the automata, and the Codex work, but they are diminishing in numbers, imprisoned because of this ability, forced to breed. Obscurist Magnus Keria Morning is the head of the Obscurists and is also Wolfe's mother. Others include Gregory Valdosta, Keria's second-in-command, a predator who delights in torment, and who hates Keria; Sybilla is a young girl who fell in love with the wrong person; Dominic and Iskander have been chosen to mate with Morgan and Sybilla; and, Rosa who is pregnant and an absolute bitch.

Morgan Hault, another of Jess' friends, had been trying to erase all record of her existence in Ink and Bone to keep from being imprisoned in the Iron Tower.

The High Garda are…
…the highest ranked military unit for the Library and is led by the High Commander. Elite Captain Niccolo Santi is Scholar Christopher Wolfe's lover and terrified that Wolfe will be murdered. I suspect Captain Feng is the one who gave orders to Tariq. Centurion Thabani Botha is one of the guards on the gate and trained in field medicine. Lieutenant Zara has a gold band and is under Santi's authority.

Squad Leader Glain Walthen is in charge of Jess' initial training unit, and she'll be demoted for her success in the exercise. Tariq Oduya, Garrett Wu and Violet "Violent" Bransom are Tariq's closest friends, Helva, Zelalem,and Shi Zheng are squad mates. Glain and Jess' battle unit will be Century Two Blue Squad, a.k.a., the Blue Dogs, under Santi. Those squad mates include Botha and Tom "Troll" Robinson.

Neksa Darzi is a silver-banded Scholar with whom Brendan is living. He intends to use her. Seems Brendan is staying in Alexandria because he lost a large shipment of rare books and needs to make a comeback or face their father's wrath.

The Black Archives are…
…where banned books, plans, and inventions are sent to die, millions of books with an entire level devoted to printing..

The Alexandrian black market
Red Ibrahim is a successful smuggler and a trade cousin to the Brightwells. Anit is his daughter, learning the trade. She had had two brothers.

Rome
Sergeant Reynolds of the High Garda is guarding a door into the tunnels. Glaudino repairs the Library's automata.

London
The Welsh have taken the City. The Riverrun Boys are a smuggling group. Captain Harte is Garda, but inclined toward the Brightwells. Scholar Naomi Ebele, the former head of the Oxford Serapeum, is now in London.

Burners are…

…against the Library keeping all books to themselves. In London, a group is working with Callum with Kate as their leader.

Pharaoh Ptolemy II kicks off the rebellion by the Great Library when he insists to the Archivist Callimachus that the Library serve Egypt.

An ink-licker is a pervert who eats books. Mesmerism is hypnotism, and Elsinore Quest is one of the best and quite shady to boot. A Translation Chamber teleports people.

The Cover and Title

The cover is the orange of fire against a textured background. At the top is the author's name embossed in brown. Just below it are the dragon heads from Ink and Bone as they preside over the burning center that reveals the title in a gold blackletter font. The burning hole sits atop a hall in The Great Library, more flames creeping up from the bottom. The series information is in the shaped, brown bookplate below the title.

Of all things, the title reminds me of the ultimate betrayal at the end, the conflagration of Paper and Fire.

Title: Paper and Fire

Author: Rachel Caine

Age Group: Teen/Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Great Library, book two

Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

I borrowed this book from my local library and reviewed it.

Ink and Bone was one of my favorite novels of last year. The premise of the novel enchanted me entirely. I mean, a worldwide, gigantic evil Library? Yes, sign me up. I've been anticipating the sequel ever since I finished the first book. And, for the most part, Caine delivered. The sequel was meaty and satisfying, full of action, thrills, and excitement, as well as a healthy dose of political intrigue and plenty of twists and secrets to keep readers turning the pages, until the terrifying, jaw-dropping conclusion.

As far as sequels go, this one wasn't bad--it was satisfying, for the most part. I was a little nervous at first, because sequels are so hit and miss with me. But this book was lovely. Not as good as the first book, unfortunately, but it wasn't bad. I really enjoyed it. Paper and Fire picks up where Ink and Bone left off--Jess is now a full-fledged member of The Great Library, in the thick of the seductive political game that runs the organization. Forced to go deeper into the Library, Jess discovers that secrets hide in the most unlikely places, and he must decide whether to dedicate his life to the tyranny of the Great Library, or fight to change the world, even if it means risking death.

Like I said, I really enjoyed this book, though not as much as the first one. It delivered in some ways and fell short in others. It was so satisfying and exciting, full of twists and turns and lots of context and continuation. I loved the way the worldbuilding was expanded, and the way that all of the characters were expanded on, especially Jess and Morgan. But I think my favorite part of the novel was the political intrigue. That's part of what really drove the novel, and it was wonderful. There were also so many twists and turns that I kept frantically turning pages, unable to put it down until the final page. But at times the narrative felt like it fell through a little bit. I feel like some of the magic that made the first one so awesome was lost in translation in Paper and Fire. The bottom line: A satisfying and meaty sequel, for the most part, Paper and Fire delivered--I can't wait for the third book! Next on deck: Three Sisters, Three Queens by Philippa Gregory!

*Review posted on Forever Lost in Literature book blog!*

Take the intensity of Ink and Bone, amp it up about ten times, and you have Paper and Fire. This second installment to The Great Library series is even stronger than Ink and Bone and adds even more depth and intrigue to this unique setting.

Initially, I was worried that I wouldn't understand what was going on since it feels like I read Ink and Bone so long ago, but fortunately I was able to fall right back into the world with great ease.World-building within the world of Paper and Fire is incredibly detailed and somehow even more thrilling than I remembered from Ink and Bone.

The world itself is so intricate and unique - what book lover wouldn't love a premise in which the Library of Alexandria still exists? But then there's that flipside where, oh yeah, no one is allowed to read a majority of those books. No one is even allowed to own physical books for that matter - everything is all on a tablet device with a somewhat limited collection - you know, limited to what the government deems appropriate.

The first thing that stands out to me about Paper and Fire is how much I love learning about the various positions and roles that people can take within this society, such as the High Garda and working in the Iron Tower. These roles tell so much about the strict world Jess lives in and to what extent the Library will go to in order to make sure their rules are followed.

Where Paper and Fire fell flat for me, however, was the lack of connection I felt towards some of the main characters and story itself. I'm not sure how this is possible, but I feel like I'm losing my grip on Jess. He has a very distinct, sharp character, but he's not exactly interesting - or overly likable, to be honest. There is often so much else going on with other characters that it almost appears as if he is left behind. He's become a rather bland, emotionless character that, quite frankly, I didn't find myself caring much about. However, one thing I did notice and appreciate about Jess was how much he seemed to mature from the first book, and even throughout Paper and Fire. He is no longer as rash and naive, but instead knows how to handle himself and take things more seriously.

I'm much more interested in some of the secondary characters, such as Kahlia, who is quiet, intelligent, and fierce, and Glain, a hard-nosed leader who takes everything she does very seriously. Santi and Wolfe are also still fascinating characters that bring so much depth to every scene they are in; they have such conflicting ideas about what they should sometimes do, but every argument or uncertainty is a direct result of the deep love they have for one another.

The weirdest aspect of reading Paper and Fire was that I never felt overly excited while reading this book, but I somehow couldn't stop reading it. I would put it down and think, 'hm, I guess I'll come back to it sometime later,' with very little emotion, but somehow I always seemed to pick it right back up and be unable to put it down. Caine has a way of using her words just right to keep you ever so slightly hooked at all times, regardless of your feelings about the book. Her prose is smooth and flows effortlessly, which leads to a thrilling reading experience.

Overall, I am giving Paper and Fire three stars, because despite the writing talents of Caine, the characters and overall story fell a bit flat and left me rather disappointed with this series.
*ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Book: Paper and Fire
Author: Rachel Caine
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank NAL for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did enjoy the first volume of this series and knew that I had to read the second book. I just had no idea that I would be selected to get an ARC. When the email came, I will admit that my heart did stop. I have been a huge Rachel Caine fan for years and this did not disappoint.

The biggest difference that I noticed from this second book and the first book was that things were a bit more intense. It was so much darker than the first book, which is something that I did enjoy. There was so much more action and so much character growth. I found myself reading page after page-the only regret that I have with this book is that I got really sick about halfway through and did not feel like reading.

I did enjoy all of the characters. I love how diverse they are, so there is surely a character that everyone will fall in love with. Another thing that I liked about the characters was that there is a good mix of both male and female characters, which will draw in all readers. I love how they all have each other's backs, but I did also enjoy the sense of mistrust among them. It's like they want to trust all parts of the gang, but just can't bring themselves to. I still did find Jess, the main character, kind of difficult to like. He's just so passive about everything. I will be honest: he probably is my least favourite of the mix.

The plot really did move along. However, I still could not shake this middle of the series feeling. I am not sure if this is the middle book, but it just felt like it. It is this feeling that caused me to give it a four star instead of a five star. I am still in love with the idea of the Great Library still being around. Rachel does just do a wonderful job with the plot and giving us a good mix of Harry Potter meets science fiction. It is still unlike anything that I have read and for that, this series does have a special place in my heart.

I just cannot wait to see how the rest of the series plays out. Rachel Caine does have a gift words and is a very talented author. She is for sure a young adult another that everyone should check out.

Paper and Fire, the second book in The Great Library series, picks up some months after Ink and Bone, and we are thrust right back into the fold with Jess. Jess, now a part of the library army, must balance his duties and training as a library servant with embarking on a deadly secret mission in direct opposition to the library.

I continue to enjoy Jess's voice as our main protagonist. He is a great combination of analytical and thoughtful with the right touch of compassion and loyalty. Continuing on this journey with him and his friends/former classmates kept me attentive and dedicated to the path they were taking. With the variety of personalities in this group, it felt like there was something for everyone, and each character had something unique and individual to bring to the table. The cast of characters is definitely a strength of this series.

As for action, even though the ultimate goal of this particular book was singular, getting there held much adventure. No path was straight-forward, no choice direct. Despite me taking longer to read this than usual, simply because life has been busy, the pacing and changes in action and suspense kept me engaged and intent on the outcome. I enjoyed the different twists and turns. Even the ending left me satisfied until the next book, but still eager to what would happen next.

Obviously I'm being vague because I don't want to give much away. That's part of the adventure. But overall I definitely enjoyed this sequel. The world-building continued to grow, and I love that we are being taken even deeper into this world. The characters are moving in interesting directions and continue to be a highlight for me. And the future of this story leaves me excited to see what's in store next.

This book will have a lasting impact with both book lovers and activists for personal freedom. The thread that is woven between both books is about the power of knowledge and its connection to personal freedom. It is a resounding call that few would dare to ignore.

Reading this book you are pulled emotionally in different directions. You are entranced by the world building of the libraries and other centers of knowledge and you want, no truly desire for someone to care for those beautiful books. You understand why the Burners want the Library to end its control, because if we were in that world we would also want our freedom. There are also the smugglers, would we, as book lovers become one of those. Heck, I know that I covet my books and if I were denied them I would have to find a way to have them. So who are truly the good guys and who are the bad guys because we can relate to all the groups, it is hard to take sides.

For me I felt that the book was predictable but I enjoyed the ride. The Archivist is still a bad guy, we knew that; Jess is still Jess. Glain has some character growth but she is still the girl we knew from the first book. The same goes for Khalila, Wolfe, Santi and the Brightwells. Jess’s family just sucks BUT there was a spark with Brendan that made me think that he may, in the next book, come off the “I suck! shelf.”

There was character development with Dario and he made some surprising choices that made him more interesting and Morgan has not really changed but it is her situation that will grab you. I think you can guess through the synopsis who the “one of there own is” and I am so glad for this because I loved the big oaf’s character.

So what is this book really about? Elements of danger, subterfuge, mysterious interactions, and more danger, no one is immune and you will feel for all the groups represented. Well except for the Archivist, let that guy suffer, no one is going to feel for him. It is a well-written book and leaves you “burning,” lol, for the third book in the series.

*Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for this ARC of Paper and Fire*

INK AND BONE, the first book in the Great Library series, was one of my favorite books last year. I’ve been looking forward to the continuation of Jess’s story ever since, and PAPER AND FIRE did not disappoint.

I described INK AND BONE as a book lover’s nightmare. PAPER AND FIRE is a herd of nightmares trampling over every page.

Now that Jess is part of the Library proper, in the High Garda (the guard for Scholars and the Library), he sees even more of the horrors initiated by the Archivist and those under his control. Every move he makes is like a chess match, as the Archivist is watching for Jess to put half a toe out of line. But Jess, being Jess, doesn’t hesitate to throw himself into danger to save others. I really liked how he protected his chosen family, and how the author showed blood isn’t always thicker when it comes to families.

The main story in PAPER AND FIRE is the rescue of Thomas. In INK AND BONE, the postulants were told Thomas had been killed, but Jess discovers otherwise. If you’re dangerous but still useful, the Library takes you, tortures you, and exploits you. The first half of the book is a little slow, but looking back, I saw the Archivist’s trap closing around Jess and his friends as they tried to find whatever information they could. The second half is action-packed, with Jess, Glain, Santi, Wolfe, Khalila, Dario, and Morgan. It was great to see the “crew” again, as well as see how the decisions of the Library and fighting against it impacted each of them.

I had absolutely no idea what would happen in PAPER AND FIRE, and I loved that. I always enjoy when a book is unpredictable. I also liked getting to see more of the world of the Library; I think this is one of my favorite worlds, ever. There are some scenes near the end, where you see how much the Library has hidden and controlled people, and I had a moment.

And that ending! Oh my, oh my. Waiting for the next volume in the Great Library series is going to be rough.

TL;DR version: Alternate history, where books are more important than a single life. The Library is all-powerful and all-seeing, but Jess can’t let it keep his friend. Full of action, thinky moments, and great characters.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Great Library saga continues with this second installment, which is even more dangerous and action-packed than the first.

Our recruits are down in number from their starting class, and they have just started their official positions with the library. Morgan is a pampered prisoner in the Iron Tower. Khalila and Dario are scholars. Glain and Jess (the main protagonist) are in the Garda. Poor Thomas, thought murdered, is locked up and being tortured in a secret Library dungeon.

The objective for most of this book is to find the secret prison and rescue Thomas. Thwarting the Library in such a way is a very dangerous endeavor so this book is full of action sequences, heart-pounding moments, close calls and narrow escapes. I loved the fast-paced plotting and scheming, as well as the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, making-it-up-as-you-go decisions of last resort. I continue to be impressed by Jess Brightwell. He is such a capable young man, and the perfect underdog to cheer on against the big bad governmental entity.

Speaking of the big bad, the focus moved away from the Library as a whole for the antagonist. We are really now seeing the corrupt few emerge, namely the Archivist, Archivist Magnus, and Gregory (whatever his position is). I still find the use of the automata fascinating, and we learn more about how they work in this installment. A good amount of the edge-of-your-seat action sequences saw Jess going up against the automata... and there were lots of near misses. Jess definitely has some kind of luck to make it through all these scrapes by the skin of his teeth.

I am still enjoying Rachel Caine's world-building for the series. I find the premise to be unique in the fantasy/steampunk genre... and I like that it's a "meaty" story. There are lots of details and historical facts to sink your teeth into... not to mention all the political intrigue, plots and betrayals. Sometimes this amount of detail can bog a book down and slow the pace, but Caine packs in enough action to counter this effect. So I thought the pacing and intensity were quite good. It still has an Orwellian feel to me, so I think it will be a hit with fans of political plots, conspiracy theories, and the like.

The books don't end on a cliffhanger per se... but its clear they are stopping in the middle of the overall story, just after a pivotal development. I look forward to the next release in the series.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Berkley Publishing via NetGalley.

Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine is the second book in The Great Library series. Paper and Fire picks up where Ink and Bone ended. Jess Brightwell and his friends find out that their friend, Thomas was not killed (as they were told). He is rotting in prison, and they are determined to help him. The group sets out to find his location and rescue him. It means that all of them will be forfeiting their positions within the Library. They are willing to risk their lives and positions to help Thomas. The Artifex Magnus is out to stop them and he will do whatever it takes. Will they succeed in rescuing Thomas and what price will they pay?

Paper and Fire is a good book, but a little slow in places. It gets bogged down in details and descriptions (helped establish the world but also slowed down the pace). The writing is good (as with all of Rachel Caine’s books) and there is a lot of action (fighting scenes and running). I give Paper and Fire 4 out of 5 stars. I liked it, but did not love it. Paper and Fire ends with a cliffhanger. We have to wait for the next installment (which means we will have to wait a year) to find out what happens to Jess and his friends. Will they ever be free and can they change the Library? I am not sure if I will read the next book in the series. I probably will just to see how the series ends (if they can change the Library’s ways).

I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Paper and Fire is a steampunk fantasy adventure taking place in an alternate world where the great library of Alexandria never fell and has become the main governing power. The Library controls all books, all knowledge in the world. Anything they deem to be too dangerous is quickly dealt with and swept under the rug, so to speak, never to be seen again. This is the second book in The Great Library series. In this story we get to see a young man by the name of Jess and his comrades searching high and low for a missing friend all while trying to stay out of the ever-watchful eye of the Library. Danger abounds as we see their adventure unfold, spanning Egypt, Rome, and London. Will they find the answers they seek or will they become more casualties of the Library's inexorable resolve to maintain power?

I would first like to state that I recieved this free through a Goodreads giveaway. Although this was the second in a series, there were enough details woven in that I did not feel lost. The characters were well-defined with an in depth storyline that was both engaging and suspenseful. I really enjoyed this tale and am looking forward to reading others in this series.

This was a solid second book. You definitely need to read them in order.
The Archivist is still putting power ahead of all else, disregarding the necessity of change. The main characters are sent their separate ways, although still in Alexandria. If he had really wanted to mess with them, I think he would have sent at least a couple of them out of town.
There are a lot of moving pieces in here, and at times they don't know who to trust, sometimes quite rightly. It doesn't always go their way. They do get lucky a few times though.
There were several things touched on and not resolved, like Wolfe's time in prison and the pain is still evident.
I have high hopes for the 3rd book tying everything together.

*claps hands together*

I NEED MORE.

I’m almost giddy about how good this series is. I have so many other things I should be doing instead–like getting ready to move–but I CANNOT PUT THIS DOWN. (Of course by the time you read these posts, I’ve probably already moved.)

The drama really amps up in Book Two. We don’t really get introduced to too many new people, which sometimes happens in sophomore books, but some of the secondary characters do get some development.

Also, there’s quite a bit of trauma in this one. Adding a trigger warning for PTSD, especially for imprisonment and some references to rape (though it isn’t shown). Even though these are technically YA for the age of the characters, these are war-ridden books and so are violent.

I Loved Loved Loved Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine. The entire premise of The Great Library - both the good of it and the evil - left chills running up my back. The story ran along at a great pace and I never got bored with it. The characters seemed to real to me and I was able to connect with each of them. By far my favorite character in both this boo and the first are Jess and Morgan. There is something so beautiful and fragile with each of them individually and together. They seem to push and pull a certain innocent energy between them that I look forward to seeing blossom into a full blown relationship that will make them strong.

I certainly cannot wait for the release of Book 3.

I highly recommend this series. It is a bit descriptive for the fighting scenes so middle school and older seems the right age group for these stories. If you read Divergent and the Hunger Games, you will love this series too.

Happy Reading!

What a terrific adventure tale! Jess works for an organization, the Library, that controls and preserves all the knowledge of the world. He is dispatched on a mission to rescue one of their own, but rapidly falls into the hands of the evil ones including the Library's guardians who are automated killers. Fans of the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series should be attracted to this series too. Absolutely no disappointments here. My thanks to the author and the Penguin First to Read program for a complimentary copy.

This is the second book in the Great Library Trilogy. Jess and his comrades have been promoted to full positions within the Library. Jess has been chosen to work as a guard, a position he has little interest in. When rumors that their friend was not killed surfaces, Jess and his comrades do everything they can to uncover the truth and rescue him.

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, interesting and presented a realistic world. Jess and his friends are easy to like and route for. I do wish we had learned more about Morgan and her life in the Iron Tower, but perhaps that will be another series. I am very excited to read the next book in the series.

This sequel was full of excitement and was better than I expected. The stakes were higher and the plot was much more intense than Ink and Bone. Every time a book was destroyed, you could feel the characters' pain and love for books, and it was heartbreaking. One of my favorite components of this story is Jess and Glain's friendship. I love seeing the opposite sex only being friends and not a couple. The one downside was that I don't totally buy Jess and Morgan's romance, it seems fairly forced. I cannot wait for the conclusion.

Rachel Caine's new world continues it's depth and intrigue in this sequel to Ink and Bone. The characters are rounded, mysterious, and conflicted. The plot thickens, albeit a bit more slowly than in the first book, simply because there was a whole new world to unravel in the introductory novel. In this tome, like many middle books, the mood is dark and thick because the characters are in the central part of their journey. But action, character development and world building continue, and the book ends nowhere near where you think it will.

I love this world and can't wait for book three!

I have been waiting very impatiently for this one. I loved Ink and Bone, which I listened to as an audiobook. And now, having read Paper and Fire, I still love this series. I pre-ordered both the hardcover and the audiobook.

Paper and Fire continues a few months after the end of Ink and Bone, with Jess and Glain in training for the High Garda. But things are not quiet and as they seem. Someone in the Library lied to Jess, and it sets a whole slew of events in motion.

I could not put this book down. It's not often that I decide to play hooky at work just to finish a book. But that happened. Oops? A real page turner, this one. I loved the character development we saw from all of our characters, including Jess and especially Scholar Wolfe. We learn so much about his and Santi's past. It's heartbreaking at times, but it's refreshing to see them out of the role of teacher.

There is so much action, some romance, and really a bit of everything in here. And that ending? Ouch. I'm now sitting on the edge of my seat crying having to wait for the next book.

Overall
I loved it. I could not put it down. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll want to see what happens to everyone next.

Well written. Characters and dialogue almost always ring true. Lots of action, yet there's still time for some inner dialogue on the part of the likeable book thief cum scholar cum library guard. If you don't hate cliff hangers, go ahead and enjoy this second in The Great Library trilogy. Otherwise: you've been warned.

This is a wonderful second book in a series. The characters get more fleshed-out and we really get the chance to know them all, not just Jess. I love how they pull together and stand up to the tyranny of The Library. I highly recommend this series to all lovers of fantasy, alternate history, dystopian novels, and anyone who just plain loves an action-packed read.

As I started reading Paper and Fire, I immediately fell in love again with the fantasy world of Jess Brightwell and his friends. A world where The Great Library rules and is not the benevolent benefactor that it pretends to be!

I was mesmerized by this book and still a bit in shock even though it's been a year since I read Ink and Bone. How could one survive in a world where personal ownership of books is a criminal act?

I really enjoyed this book and Ms. Caine did a superb job in writing it. I want to write SO much more but I have no wish to ruin your reading pleasure. So, I will leave it at this ... I loved this book!

Thank you to NAL publishing and Netgalley for a gift of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Scholastic Siren - Sara:
*Copy gifted from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

This is a series with very complex characters, plot and world building. Therefore, I highly suggest reading these in order. This review may contain spoilers for the first book.

Jess is back in Alexandria at the library and has been assigned to a guarda company. Morgan is still locked away in the tower, but she has found a way to safely communicate. When Jess and his company are almost killed in what is supposed to be an exercise, he realizes none of them are safe. Can Jess, Scholar Wolfe, Morgan, and the rest escape the library while the rest of the world is at war? Can they even keep each other safe?

This is a strong entry in the series. There is even more character development than Ink and Bone. The story is full of action, but also a great depth. The theme of the story is very timely even though this is a fictional version of our world. Knowledge may be power, but should that knowledge be shared?

Great book! I read Ink and Bone for summer reading but got stranded at overnight camp without a book when I finished it so I bought this as soon as I got home and I loved it! I am a HUGE mythology nut and loved all the references to the great library, Greek fire, and all the other cool things abput mythology.

Even better than the first one! This book picks up only a few months after INK AND BONE, and now that the world and characters are established, it's nothing but adventure, intrigue, and unforeseen betrayals and consequences. I totally loved the story and how it led our beloved group to find each other again in the most dire of circumstances. There's still mistrust and unease within this makeshift family, which made it all the more engaging for me. It was great to delve deeper into the characters as their personalities clashed with different missions and objectives. I honestly have a hard time choosing my favourite part, though scenes regarding the Iron Tower left a haunting impression on me. There were some truly breathtaking moments in this beautifully written sequel, and I wished to spend more time in some of the locations. I keep falling in love with this series and am already reaching for the third book to keep going. A must read for all book lovers!

Khalila is Hermione for me. After the third book, I would not be surprised to see her become Minister of Magic (not what it's called, but Archivist is essentially the same thing).

Jess is under Glain. Their squad has a traitor, and Wolfe is at risk. They are forced to flee and realize that they have to leave the Library behind. It's a very exciting adventure.