Reviews

Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

hbbtfdlr's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

alapinski's review

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3.0

The story is really good, but I found it was really slow, nothing happened for three quarters of the book, and if something did happen it felt as if the author skipped action descriptions and I found it kind of hard to follow. In the end im really confused as to exactly what happened in London.

mccallistert61's review

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5.0

This series gets better and better!

jrathburn's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

gabmc's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first in the series. The series is set in an alternate world, and I can't quite figure out the time period. There are steampunk elements, which make me think of the past but there are also alchemical and magical elements which seem more futuristic. The world is ruled by the Great Library of Alexandria. Jess Brightwell and his friends have just finished their training and been allocated to their roles within the Library. Jess discovers that his friend Thomas did not die in an accident as they were told by the Library. He asks his friends whether they would be with him in a mission to rescue Thomas - but this would mean going against the Library and leaving their lives, families, and friends behind. This story is mainly set in Alexandria and Rome, and the next book in the series seems like it will introduce a new city - Philadelphia.

rinku's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

elletrixie's review

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0


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nyeran's review

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2.0

Hard habit to break, friendship.” 

Va bene, diciamo che Eona mi aveva chiaramente illusa.

♠ Possiamo concordare tutti sul fatto che se un autore mi spoilera palesemente avvenimenti futuri non ha senso continuare la lettura?
Che senso ha farci leggere estratti di un diario personale dove leggiamo che Persona A aiuterà i protagonisti o che Persona B inizierà a mettergli i bastoni tra le ruote 4 capitoli prima che questa persona faccia la sua comparsa nella storia? Almeno un minimo effetto sorpresa lasciamelo, che senso ha leggere un libro se già 50 pagine prima so cosa succede? Un po’ di tensione, almeno.

♠ Come se non bastassero gli spoiler volontari ci si mette anche la totale mancanza di empatia con i personaggi. Non ricordo se Jess fosse così noioso anche nel primo libro ma ricordo chiaramente di averlo adorato. Qui no. La sua narrazione è di una noia mortale, pensieri e pensieri sulle qualità di Morgan (che, onestamente parlando, vede solo lui), su Glain a cui lui, ci tiene a ribadire spesso, non è affatto attratto che però non perde mai occasione di guardarla e di commentare il suo aspetto che anche sticazzi. Glain tra l’altro è anche l’unico personaggi un po’ interessante e che almeno porta un po’ di vita in questo libro. Santi e Wolfe sono lì giusto per essere la coppia gay che però rispetto al primo libro non affrontano alcuna crescita caratteriale, Morgan e Thomas sono fondamentalmente inutili, il loro unico compito è far sentire la loro mancanza a Jess.
Tra l’altro, a differenza del primo libro,in questo non c’è la minima azione, è sempre la stessa scena che si ripete la squadra deve difendersi/nascondersi/scappare dagli automi. Un sacco di corsa e di sudore ma niente che porti qualcosa.

♠ Possiamo concordare tutti anche sul fatto che non è obbligatorio inserire la storiella d’amore patetica in TUTTI i libri? Se c’è ben venga, ma che sia almeno ben sviluppata, non 'stà minestrina riscaldata, triste e noiosa che non trasmette la minima emozione. Pure incoerente perché Jess è innamorato di Morgan ma non si fida di lei, che è un inizio perfetto per una relazione sana.

Ma poi perché l’America? 

amybraunauthor's review against another edition

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5.0

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!

rvmama's review

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5.0

Very good book. Exciting.