Wednesday, August 2, 2017

4 stars-- Ash and Quill (The Great Library #3) by Rachel Caine

Yall. This series. It's so damn unique and seriously addicting! Ash and Quill was a non-stop gritty adventure! I've loved dang near every second as Jess and friends began training with the Library-- who's mission is to protect books at ANY cost (including death)-- and slowly realize that it isn't really a force of good anymore and set about taking the Library down.

So what made Ash and Quill awesome?


1. A change of pace! I love that Cain is keeping this series fresh! Moving the battle from the steps of the Library in Alexandria to the States and a Burner encampment. A different enemy in the same battle against the Library. It was grim to say the least. But so interesting seeing them deal with a different aspect of the battle and having to fight for their lives and find an escape route.

2. Things are pretty dang serious. These guys are constantly fighting for their lives and for the written word. Death and destruction. Heartache. Pain. It surrounds them. Which can be pretty heavy. But then little bits of humor are added in which I love.
"You must fancy yourself dangerous," Beck said.

Jess raised his eyebrows and looked at Thomas. "Do we?"

"Occasionally," Thomas said gravely. 
3. While Jess is the main character there's an amazing cast. From fellow trainees to their instructors. It's interesting seeing them grow and advance. Going from trainees to specializing and joining the ranks of guarda, scholars, etc. They're richly developed, interesting and have an incredible dynamic. I love their strength, resiliency and determination to do what they think is right.

4. The Library itself is fascinating. Something that started out as a force of good with the intent to protect books. You can't own a real book anymore. The Library owns them all and basically loans out info it feels safe in the form of Blanks (e-books). A noble cause originally but lordy a slippery slope that quickly tarnished. They'll stop at nothing to protect themselves. Murder, kidnapping, torture, etc.

5. Originally this was a trilogy but...there are going to be more books! So, yes, this whole series has some killer cliffhangers. Caine is brutal with them. She does do enough closure in each book's arc that it's satisfying even if the main series arc continues on to the next book.

Overall, The Great Library series is everything that's delicious about reading. It's exciting, unique, will keep you on the edge of your seat and anxious to see what happens next. Caine has a winner here and it's one everyone should experience.

Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny…

Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule.

Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies—and to save the very soul of the Great Library…

Amazon | Goodreads | Caine on HCBS
  
*covers link to Amazon


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