chloeinbooksland's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Another entertaining book in the Invisible Library series with a great narration!
Very enjoyable, great characters and thrilling action-packed story.
Very enjoyable, great characters and thrilling action-packed story.
belle_fiction's review against another edition
4.0
WOW! That was a tale of two halves, that's for sure.
The Burning Page reminded me how much I have missed Irene, Kai Strongrock, Peregrine Vale...and yes, even Alberich! The third installment follows Irene as she sets out to retrieve a book from the Ice Palace in St. Petersburg but encounters werewolves, a deceptive Fae and a fantastically thrilling showdown with Alberich along the way.
I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed with the beginning half - usually I can plough through a book this length in 3-4 days but I found that I read a couple of pages and put it back down. The first half is pretty slow - nothing much happens and there is a lot of discussion but relatively little action. I kept scanning the pages thinking 'when will it pick up?' and 'where is the Genevieve Cogman I know and love?'
My questions were answered halfway through when the book really started to liven up, the pace changed, the action was frequent, the sense of urgency and desperation reached new heights, and the doubt and suspicion pervaded every other page. THIS was the Genevieve Cogman I loved and she was back in full form.
The last hundred or so pages were magnificent and quickly made up for the disappointing beginning.
There are many more instalments to come in this fine series so if you like Librarian Spies, Dragons who also take human form and a villain (who is, quite frankly, a terrifying creation) who wears the murder victims' skin then this book is definitely for you!
The Burning Page reminded me how much I have missed Irene, Kai Strongrock, Peregrine Vale...and yes, even Alberich! The third installment follows Irene as she sets out to retrieve a book from the Ice Palace in St. Petersburg but encounters werewolves, a deceptive Fae and a fantastically thrilling showdown with Alberich along the way.
I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed with the beginning half - usually I can plough through a book this length in 3-4 days but I found that I read a couple of pages and put it back down. The first half is pretty slow - nothing much happens and there is a lot of discussion but relatively little action. I kept scanning the pages thinking 'when will it pick up?' and 'where is the Genevieve Cogman I know and love?'
My questions were answered halfway through when the book really started to liven up, the pace changed, the action was frequent, the sense of urgency and desperation reached new heights, and the doubt and suspicion pervaded every other page. THIS was the Genevieve Cogman I loved and she was back in full form.
The last hundred or so pages were magnificent and quickly made up for the disappointing beginning.
There are many more instalments to come in this fine series so if you like Librarian Spies, Dragons who also take human form and a villain (who is, quite frankly, a terrifying creation) who wears the murder victims' skin then this book is definitely for you!
saunteringvaguelydownward's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
cannedbread's review against another edition
4.0
I feel this one is a stronger predecessor from the previous two books and you can tell in her writing and world building. This was vastly improved.
She still needs to work on not over describing the world and some logic jumps fall flat. Still a strong 4 though
She still needs to work on not over describing the world and some logic jumps fall flat. Still a strong 4 though
readbooks_eatapples's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, this is probably three stars for me with a half star for potential depending on how Cogman resolves some of the ongoing plot. She needs to leave the "romance" with Vale alone or let it be casual, considering there is minimal to no chemistry there. It would help if Vale were not so flat yet contradictory. I have to go all in mentally to enjoy this, allowing the author's setup of story elements reflecting so-called reality to suspend disbelief in some of the events.
Taking a brief break from this series to focus on something else for a bit,
Taking a brief break from this series to focus on something else for a bit,
reasek's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
dannie86's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
theaprilwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5