Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
Book 3 of the series and I have enjoyed every one. Genevieve has created a compelling multiverse with great central characters that continue to grow and change throw in various potential enemies in the Fey and an ongoing threat like Alberich and book 3 opens with a bang. With Vale contaminated with chaos after the events of book 2 The Burning Page is set up nicely and really delivers.
The central theme of this book is essentially Irene setting fire to things sometimes accidentally, often on purpose and in the end very dramatically to end the threat posed by Alberich to the library. This book is pretty much non-stop action and is a real page turner.
No spoilers in this review, if you have read books 2 & 3 pick this one up it's my personal favourite so far of the series. If not start at the beginning and get to this one this series is well worth picking up.
The central theme of this book is essentially Irene setting fire to things sometimes accidentally, often on purpose and in the end very dramatically to end the threat posed by Alberich to the library. This book is pretty much non-stop action and is a real page turner.
No spoilers in this review, if you have read books 2 & 3 pick this one up it's my personal favourite so far of the series. If not start at the beginning and get to this one this series is well worth picking up.
I didn’t enjoy some of the character choices in this book, especially with Vale, who I think is an interesting character but is just continually mean or rude in a way that makes me dislike him. However, I thought this had maybe the best ending of all the Invisible Library books I’ve read so far.
This one, like the ones before it, felt disjointed in places, but it was another fun fast-paced read!
This one, like the ones before it, felt disjointed in places, but it was another fun fast-paced read!
As always I find myself praising Genevieve Cogman with this excellent piece. Full of action and surprises. OH THE SURPRISES! I'M STILL EXTREMELY SHOCKED.
Just one quick question, extremely quick, just a tiny itty-bitty... WHEN IS IRENE GONNA CAVE?! I NEED KAI AND IRENE FFS
Just one quick question, extremely quick, just a tiny itty-bitty... WHEN IS IRENE GONNA CAVE?! I NEED KAI AND IRENE FFS
This is already a different read than the first two - you have established characters, known worlds, and our heroine is a lot more tried-and-tested than she was before.
Kai got on my nerves a bit. Irene is still a bad ass mofo. And our Big Bad was very compelling to read - isn't it always scarier when they are really smart bad guys? He's her Moriarty.
Kai got on my nerves a bit. Irene is still a bad ass mofo. And our Big Bad was very compelling to read - isn't it always scarier when they are really smart bad guys? He's her Moriarty.
The third in the Invisible Library series, The Burning Page does not disappoint! Alberich is back, bigger and badder than before, and the adventure required to stop him is filled with all the intrigue, excitement, heistyness, dragons, detecting, and humor I've come to expect.
The Fabulous
* The characters, as usual, are awesome. We don't encounter many, if any, new friends or enemies, not in a significant fashion. However, the whole gang of old friends and foes is here, and the result is generally fabulous.
* The effects of the last book are handled very well. No one gets off scot-free from their actions in The Masked City, whether in terms of punishment (Irene is feeling hers), emotional and mental consequences, . . . or magical repercussions. The last in regards to Vale is handled in an especially interesting way, in my opinion. Which brings me to my next point . . .
*So you remember how in my last review I said that if I can't be a Librarian, I want to be a Fae? Apparently humans can become Fae, or some can, if they're exposed to enough chaos forces. I'm guessing Vale already had a bit of Fae in him, but it's still very cool.
*And on the topic of Fae, I saw Zayanna's betrayal coming. What I didn't see coming was her death . . . Or how sad her death would make me. She was a grand character, and I wish I could've seen where her arc might've taken her after this.
* The final battle is absolutely epic. I'm going to have to reference it when I rewrite a certain final battle in one of my own stories. Simply superb use of world-shaping powers!
The Somewhat Less Fabulous
* One thing that's pleased me about this series up to this book is that language other than a very rare h-word or d-word is practically non-existent. However, a character in this book (minor, only introduced for a couple chapters) drops the f-bomb twice in one page. The rest of the book has roughly the same amount and type of language as the other books, but that instance was rather jarring, very disappointing, and quite unnecessary.
* There's also a scene shortly afterwards where one character kisses another character- which wouldn't be a problem, since there's not a lot of description, if not for the fact that the kisser was half-dressed and suggested fairly clearly that she'd be open to more. (The other character shut her down quite firmly.) No other significant scenes of that type are present, though there are occasional references to that sort of thing. It's also stated that dragons take a more liberal view of gender and sexuality, which I was . . . not entirely comfortable with, but it only comes up once.
* Seriously, though, what is it with awesome, fairly clean YA series becoming more liberal in the third book? First Jackaby, now this . . . It's getting tiresome.
Despite a few bits of rather unnecessary content, The Burning Page is another excellent installment in the Invisible Library series. I can hardly wait for the next book- but since I have no choice, I'll just have to hone my book-heisting skills in case the Library needs another Librarian. After all, you never know . . .
The Fabulous
* The characters, as usual, are awesome. We don't encounter many, if any, new friends or enemies, not in a significant fashion. However, the whole gang of old friends and foes is here, and the result is generally fabulous.
* The effects of the last book are handled very well. No one gets off scot-free from their actions in The Masked City, whether in terms of punishment (Irene is feeling hers), emotional and mental consequences, . . . or magical repercussions. The last in regards to Vale is handled in an especially interesting way, in my opinion. Which brings me to my next point . . .
*
*
* The final battle is absolutely epic. I'm going to have to reference it when I rewrite a certain final battle in one of my own stories. Simply superb use of world-shaping powers!
The Somewhat Less Fabulous
* One thing that's pleased me about this series up to this book is that language other than a very rare h-word or d-word is practically non-existent. However, a character in this book (minor, only introduced for a couple chapters) drops the f-bomb twice in one page. The rest of the book has roughly the same amount and type of language as the other books, but that instance was rather jarring, very disappointing, and quite unnecessary.
* There's also a scene shortly afterwards where one character kisses another character- which wouldn't be a problem, since there's not a lot of description, if not for the fact that the kisser was half-dressed and suggested fairly clearly that she'd be open to more. (The other character shut her down quite firmly.) No other significant scenes of that type are present, though there are occasional references to that sort of thing. It's also stated that dragons take a more liberal view of gender and sexuality, which I was . . . not entirely comfortable with, but it only comes up once.
* Seriously, though, what is it with awesome, fairly clean YA series becoming more liberal in the third book? First Jackaby, now this . . . It's getting tiresome.
Despite a few bits of rather unnecessary content, The Burning Page is another excellent installment in the Invisible Library series. I can hardly wait for the next book- but since I have no choice, I'll just have to hone my book-heisting skills in case the Library needs another Librarian. After all, you never know . . .
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
This has been an enjoyable series so far.
Another adventure in a fantasy library world. I appreciate the chill vibe of these because you know everything is always gonna work out.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4 ⭐ CW: Descriptions of large spiders, death, substance use
The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman is book three in The Invisible Library series. I just love how fun these books are with the over the top fantasy elements and wonderful characters, and an enigmatic villain. This series is great if you are reading to escape.
We pick up with Irene and Kai after the events of the last book. Someone is trying to kill Irene, and she ends up trusting a fae she probably shouldnt. Just like any good villain, Alberich doesn't stay dead, and he's back at it again and has it out for the Library. Unfortunately, Vale is suffering the consequences of going to a high chaos world, and has plunged into a depression and has gone back to using drugs.
Alberich has set his sights on destroying the Library, while trying to convince Irene to join him, saying that the Library shouldn't be a neutral force, but a uniting one. He's definitely got megalomaniac vibes. I really love all the characters we see more of in this book. The fae are so fascinating, mostly because they are archetypes, and as a reader we recognize that. We also learn that Kai's servant, Li Ming, is a trans man, and that dragons just believe people when they say what their gender is. I also love getting to travel to different alternate worlds to see how they are all different. We are starting to see more of a development of a love triangle between Irene, Kai, and Vale. Personally I'm rooting for polyamory there.
This is just a fun read with all the elements of fantasy we all love. We also get the start of themes around questioning authority and the status quo. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes over the next books.
The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman is book three in The Invisible Library series. I just love how fun these books are with the over the top fantasy elements and wonderful characters, and an enigmatic villain. This series is great if you are reading to escape.
We pick up with Irene and Kai after the events of the last book. Someone is trying to kill Irene, and she ends up trusting a fae she probably shouldnt. Just like any good villain, Alberich doesn't stay dead, and he's back at it again and has it out for the Library. Unfortunately, Vale is suffering the consequences of going to a high chaos world, and has plunged into a depression and has gone back to using drugs.
Alberich has set his sights on destroying the Library, while trying to convince Irene to join him, saying that the Library shouldn't be a neutral force, but a uniting one. He's definitely got megalomaniac vibes. I really love all the characters we see more of in this book. The fae are so fascinating, mostly because they are archetypes, and as a reader we recognize that. We also learn that Kai's servant, Li Ming, is a trans man, and that dragons just believe people when they say what their gender is. I also love getting to travel to different alternate worlds to see how they are all different. We are starting to see more of a development of a love triangle between Irene, Kai, and Vale. Personally I'm rooting for polyamory there.
This is just a fun read with all the elements of fantasy we all love. We also get the start of themes around questioning authority and the status quo. I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes over the next books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug use