Scan barcode
ccpprrjj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sunshine169's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a huge step up from Paper and Fire. I just have one question... Jess why do you keep calling on your family when they are so untrustworthy?!?!
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Ash and Quill picks up right where Paper and Fire left off with Jess and his friends on the run from the Library, finding themselves transmuted to Philadelphia, one of the top strongholds of the Burners—the group that highly opposes the Library.
Since rescuing both Morgan and Thomas from their respective prisons, and no longer suffering the disillusionment of the Library, one would think our group would be tucked away safely with the Burners. However, it seems they’ve basically traded on prison for another. Jess Brightwell and company will all have to make some tough decisions in the war that’s brewing ahead.
More recently it was announced that, at this point, there will be two more books in The Great Library series. Which is wonderful news for sure, but maybe it’s because of this that made Ash and Quill feel like it mostly bridged the gap between where we’ve been and where we have yet to go. There’s little to no buildup of the proceeding events from Paper and Fire. Instead the story jumps right in from where the previous left off. Despite this, it was extremely easy to put myself back into the story.
Ending with our group in America was exciting, and I was looking forward to exploring this new location in the series’ world. So, I was a little surprised by the direction the story decided to take. Instead of finding a refuge among the Burners, Jess and his crew find another tyrannical power they need to get away from. This ends up hitting home the idea that it’s the books and the knowledge they hold that Jess and his friends are fighting for and not the institutions that try to control them.
You can feel the looming conflict with the Library in the story. You know it’s coming, but it’s just not coming yet. Ash and Quill is the buildup to the final showdowns that I’m assuming will play out over the course of the remaining two books.
What happens instead in Ash and Quill is we see Jess having to make some tough decisions about where to go from here. How to proceed with bringing down the high powers within the Library structure. I think because we really only get Jess’ perspective this ends up feeling like a lot of weight is resting on his shoulders and his shoulders alone, and I just don’t think it should be that way. The group’s differing dynamic has worked for them in the past, they each bring something different to the table. But I somewhat felt a lack of camaraderie between them, and as the story moves along Jess kind of distancing himself from that unit, rubbed me the wrong way too, but I think that was probably the intention. It makes me wish the story was told from multiple points of view because I feel like there’s always more going on that Jess just doesn’t comprehend until the very end.
But of course that is the very point, and the very thing that helps drive the story along—not fully understanding the twists and turns until the finale.
For all that, however, Ash and Quill certainly leads readers on an interesting ride that perfectly sets us up for the next installment in the series. Caine’s writing and details draw you in, and the implications of certain actions will be interesting to see unfold in the next books.
Ash and Quill picks up right where Paper and Fire left off with Jess and his friends on the run from the Library, finding themselves transmuted to Philadelphia, one of the top strongholds of the Burners—the group that highly opposes the Library.
Since rescuing both Morgan and Thomas from their respective prisons, and no longer suffering the disillusionment of the Library, one would think our group would be tucked away safely with the Burners. However, it seems they’ve basically traded on prison for another. Jess Brightwell and company will all have to make some tough decisions in the war that’s brewing ahead.
More recently it was announced that, at this point, there will be two more books in The Great Library series. Which is wonderful news for sure, but maybe it’s because of this that made Ash and Quill feel like it mostly bridged the gap between where we’ve been and where we have yet to go. There’s little to no buildup of the proceeding events from Paper and Fire. Instead the story jumps right in from where the previous left off. Despite this, it was extremely easy to put myself back into the story.
Ending with our group in America was exciting, and I was looking forward to exploring this new location in the series’ world. So, I was a little surprised by the direction the story decided to take. Instead of finding a refuge among the Burners, Jess and his crew find another tyrannical power they need to get away from. This ends up hitting home the idea that it’s the books and the knowledge they hold that Jess and his friends are fighting for and not the institutions that try to control them.
You can feel the looming conflict with the Library in the story. You know it’s coming, but it’s just not coming yet. Ash and Quill is the buildup to the final showdowns that I’m assuming will play out over the course of the remaining two books.
What happens instead in Ash and Quill is we see Jess having to make some tough decisions about where to go from here. How to proceed with bringing down the high powers within the Library structure. I think because we really only get Jess’ perspective this ends up feeling like a lot of weight is resting on his shoulders and his shoulders alone, and I just don’t think it should be that way. The group’s differing dynamic has worked for them in the past, they each bring something different to the table. But I somewhat felt a lack of camaraderie between them, and as the story moves along Jess kind of distancing himself from that unit, rubbed me the wrong way too, but I think that was probably the intention. It makes me wish the story was told from multiple points of view because I feel like there’s always more going on that Jess just doesn’t comprehend until the very end.
But of course that is the very point, and the very thing that helps drive the story along—not fully understanding the twists and turns until the finale.
For all that, however, Ash and Quill certainly leads readers on an interesting ride that perfectly sets us up for the next installment in the series. Caine’s writing and details draw you in, and the implications of certain actions will be interesting to see unfold in the next books.
castoffcreature's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
THESE DAMN ENDINGS - UUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Ash and Quill was a delight to read. Just ignore the first sentence of my review up top, because it really was a great book. Still don't know why it took me so long to dive into this series and I'm just hoping that I am never disappointed with it. Only two books left - so who knows!
I don't even know where to go with this damn review. Loved all of the characters and it amazes me how they grow so much within each book. No idea what Rachel Caine is on when it comes to writing these beautiful books - but I am all for it. Wasn't bored out of my mind or disappointed by anything happening in this book. Well, except for the ending because cliffhangers slowly kill me and it makes me mad when I don't have the next book handy.
That being said, I have the next book and after I finish this review I am diving TF in. Goodbye world.
Ash and Quill was a delight to read. Just ignore the first sentence of my review up top, because it really was a great book. Still don't know why it took me so long to dive into this series and I'm just hoping that I am never disappointed with it. Only two books left - so who knows!
I don't even know where to go with this damn review. Loved all of the characters and it amazes me how they grow so much within each book. No idea what Rachel Caine is on when it comes to writing these beautiful books - but I am all for it. Wasn't bored out of my mind or disappointed by anything happening in this book. Well, except for the ending because cliffhangers slowly kill me and it makes me mad when I don't have the next book handy.
That being said, I have the next book and after I finish this review I am diving TF in. Goodbye world.
jdromsky's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I picked up this series after having read the first one years ago and I love it!! I can’t wait to see what happens in the final book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: War and Islamophobia
At the very beginning, the Muslim character has her hijab forcibly removed by a prison guard, just as an fyi.judyapneeb's review against another edition
4.0
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? THAT'S HOW YOU END THIS BOOK? I MEAN, I'M GLAD I'M READING IN THE YEAR OF 2019 WHICH MEANS I HAVE THE FOURTH ONE READY TO GO. BLESSING TO ALL WHO HAD TO WAIT A YEAR JUST TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED AFTER BOOK THREE.
YOU'RE KILLING ME CAINE!
YOU'RE KILLING ME CAINE!
malreynolds111's review against another edition
4.0
wahhh... I thought this was a trilogy. Now to wait another year not fair.. Excellent series.
aina21's review against another edition
3.0
This is a YA series at heart. It is remarkable in the fact that the series doesn't get worse as you on and isn't a Trilogy (ik ik a YA series that isn't a trilogy, is that even allowed?).
It has a gripping plot and is good at building suspense. There is a convincing system that needs to be taken down. There is also a found family trope. There is also a considerable amount happening at all times. But my favorite part is the system, namely the concept of the great library, and what would happen if knowledge wasn't accessible and the necessity to democratize it. I think that in this way it makes an interesting reflection regarding power and knowledge, the link, and how books can become a scarce commodity and function in the same way they do. The idea that one institution can control all information and what is accessible and what isn't (google I mean what?) is something that should be reflected on. So anyway I really like the world-building and the themes it builds into it regarding ideas of accessibility of information and power.
There is considerable diversity.
Some other points. There is very little character development, with characters doing the same thing over and over again. The romance is also mediocre, cause it just kind of happens.
I think though that overall the concept is interesting and I do think it's something light to read, and very enjoyable if you aren't expecting something groundbreaking. It is a nice addition to the YA genera :)
Also, I love how the author includes a playlist that goes with the book.
It has a gripping plot and is good at building suspense. There is a convincing system that needs to be taken down. There is also a found family trope. There is also a considerable amount happening at all times. But my favorite part is the system, namely the concept of the great library, and what would happen if knowledge wasn't accessible and the necessity to democratize it. I think that in this way it makes an interesting reflection regarding power and knowledge, the link, and how books can become a scarce commodity and function in the same way they do. The idea that one institution can control all information and what is accessible and what isn't (google I mean what?) is something that should be reflected on. So anyway I really like the world-building and the themes it builds into it regarding ideas of accessibility of information and power.
There is considerable diversity.
Some other points. There is very little character development, with characters doing the same thing over and over again. The romance is also mediocre, cause it just kind of happens.
I think though that overall the concept is interesting and I do think it's something light to read, and very enjoyable if you aren't expecting something groundbreaking. It is a nice addition to the YA genera :)
Also, I love how the author includes a playlist that goes with the book.