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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Hands down one of the best books I’ve read all year. Such an interesting idea of the Library of Alexandria and the censorship of knowledge. The characters and world building was amazing. I can’t wait to read the next two books in the series (although I’ve heard they’re not as good, hopefully this is proved wrong).
Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine
The library has taken over the world. Once a small organization, now the Library of Alexandria rules the world. There are no more paper books for the common folk, only scholars can access them on the Library's buildings and only after obtaining a certain degree within its ranks. People generally only have access to books (the ones that Library lets them read) in their Codex, a portable electronic device that lets you research and read, among other things.
Jess Brightwell was born in a family of smugglers in London. Contrarily on what the reader might be expecting, they sell books. Why would books be on the Black Market? Because they are illegal. Unlike most people, Jess values original copies, the smell of ink on the parchment pages. Even believing in the value of the library, most of his knowledge comes from the illegal books his family sells.
Jess's father sends him to the library. Having one of the Brightwells inside the library is supposed to be an advantage, maybe Jess can smuggle some books out and increase the profits. So he embarks on a journey to the Great Library of Alexandria to be trained and join the Library's Ranks. He finds a world of knowledge and order but he also realises that not everything is what it seems.
When a friend inadvertently commits heresy by doing something that would lead to the spread of printed books Jess finally sees what the Library is really able to do.
This is a book full of adventure and very interesting details. The thing that actually called to me the most of all was the underlying warning to the world. I am not going to disclose what this warning is but this book packs a punch. It has a deep meaningful message and, at the same time, it tells the tale of a brave group of teens that discover the world's horrors as they go along.
Another aspect to point out is that this book has a lot of representation for the various ethnicities in existence. That makes it a good and inclusive stories for younger audiences, helping the message of acceptance.
Even though all the characters in the main group come from different backgrounds each one of them knows different kinds of hardship and they all have something to teach one another. They teach the reader that everything that makes people successful requires effort and dedication. They teach the reader to accept and work hard and that life is not always fair.
The overall story has some holes in it, some parts are very slow and a bit tedious. Besides this, the characters all have their own voices and the story has an actual focal point and message.
I would advise everyone to read this book, it will teach you something meaningful. I really believe that this story touches a lot of people's hearts.
Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine
The library has taken over the world. Once a small organization, now the Library of Alexandria rules the world. There are no more paper books for the common folk, only scholars can access them on the Library's buildings and only after obtaining a certain degree within its ranks. People generally only have access to books (the ones that Library lets them read) in their Codex, a portable electronic device that lets you research and read, among other things.
Jess Brightwell was born in a family of smugglers in London. Contrarily on what the reader might be expecting, they sell books. Why would books be on the Black Market? Because they are illegal. Unlike most people, Jess values original copies, the smell of ink on the parchment pages. Even believing in the value of the library, most of his knowledge comes from the illegal books his family sells.
Jess's father sends him to the library. Having one of the Brightwells inside the library is supposed to be an advantage, maybe Jess can smuggle some books out and increase the profits. So he embarks on a journey to the Great Library of Alexandria to be trained and join the Library's Ranks. He finds a world of knowledge and order but he also realises that not everything is what it seems.
When a friend inadvertently commits heresy by doing something that would lead to the spread of printed books Jess finally sees what the Library is really able to do.
This is a book full of adventure and very interesting details. The thing that actually called to me the most of all was the underlying warning to the world. I am not going to disclose what this warning is but this book packs a punch. It has a deep meaningful message and, at the same time, it tells the tale of a brave group of teens that discover the world's horrors as they go along.
Another aspect to point out is that this book has a lot of representation for the various ethnicities in existence. That makes it a good and inclusive stories for younger audiences, helping the message of acceptance.
Even though all the characters in the main group come from different backgrounds each one of them knows different kinds of hardship and they all have something to teach one another. They teach the reader that everything that makes people successful requires effort and dedication. They teach the reader to accept and work hard and that life is not always fair.
The overall story has some holes in it, some parts are very slow and a bit tedious. Besides this, the characters all have their own voices and the story has an actual focal point and message.
I would advise everyone to read this book, it will teach you something meaningful. I really believe that this story touches a lot of people's hearts.
Review: Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine
Massive spoilers and philosophical guesses underneath the spoiler cut.
. (Or rather, restricting what they consider 'seditious' material.) Without this, all the scholars essentially do is repeat the discoveries that an ancestor has done, thereby rendering knowledge as moot.
It also says a lot that the Library are the same reasons the Library wants it so tightly restricted, forbidden. They don’t want knowledge to become widespread. They don’t want the public to have access to the same information they do. To them, the Librarians are so highly valuable because they are knowledgeable in the field; therefore they are educated – and wealthy in how they use that knowledge. They earn their status through rigorous testing that they wouldn’t have passed without access to that knowledge or tutors. Therefore, only those who can afford it (and who are educated enough) are allowed entrance to the library.
To me, that’s particularly dangerous because the Library keeps those who could be potential threats closer through these tests. It’s a bit of a honey trap, because when they publically offer prestige, they’re actually keeping those who could be a threat closer at hand, to be supervised and monitored. (I figured the Library head staff assumed all entrants as threats until proven otherwise.)
It was particularly nice to see the Burners – the obviously good guys in here. Since the Library is in full control of the knowledge, they are in turn manipulating the reputation of the Burners and what they’re fighting for. They’re essentially fighting to gain that knowledge – which is so admirable to me. I’m looking forward to see how the conflict with the Library turns out.
Vive la révolution!
Spoiler
Caine’s “Ink and Bone” is essentially an alternative history that brings up the question of whatSpoiler
if the printing press was never invented by Johannes Gutenberg – one of which was a great advancement of knowledge for the world, particularly in terms of information and access to that informationIt also says a lot that the Library
Spoiler
considers Thomas’ version of the printing press a threat. To me, it says several things, particularly the reasons how the (actual) printing press became so popular so rapidlyTo me, that’s particularly dangerous because the Library keeps those who could be potential threats closer through these tests. It’s a bit of a honey trap, because when they publically offer prestige, they’re actually keeping those who could be a threat closer at hand, to be supervised and monitored.
Spoiler
That’s why I wasn’t particularly surprised to see Jess’s codex had been mirrored.It was particularly nice to see the Burners – the obviously good guys in here. Since the Library is in full control of the knowledge, they are in turn manipulating the reputation of the Burners and what they’re fighting for. They’re essentially fighting to gain that knowledge – which is so admirable to me. I’m looking forward to see how the conflict with the Library turns out.
Vive la révolution!
This was excellent. Started a little bit slowly but became really interesting once Jess reached Alexandria. Fascinating concepts and world-building, can't wait to read the next one!
“The first purpose of a librarian is to preserve and defend our books. Sometimes, that means dying for them - or making someone else die for them. Tota est scientia.”
Wow. This book. This bloody book. I had no idea that I would fall deeply in love with a novel right from the very first page. The concept was outstanding. The idea that the Great Library was never destroyed, that books were more important than human lives and the fact that there was alchemy as well - my heart was racing when I read the blurb in Waterstones months ago.
It was very difficult to shelve this book. Is it historical fiction? Dystopian? Fantasy? Who knows. So I decided on all three. This story follows the life of Jess Brightwell. He is a runner. His entire family smuggles original books from one place to the next and escaping the grasp of the High Garda, Library soldiers. Basically, in this dystopian world it is illegal to own original books, they must all be electronic. Sounds very similar to this world today, doesn't it?
There is plenty of action and minimal romance. There is politics and war and magic and books. So many books. England is at war with the Welsh and that has disastrous consequences. For books and for humans. The characters are all very intriguing and unpredictable to say the least. Everyone has something to hide.
"We're nothing but secrets."
There are diverse set of teenagers all fighting for the six spots to be employed by the Great Library in Alexandria. There's plenty of humour and sarcasm, particularly from Dario Santiago and Jess Brightwell. There is intelligent and strong girls and mysterious, secretive boys.
This is a world where your own thoughts are monitored. Where all form of communication is intercepted, unless you are so very careful. This is a world where even the Bodleian Library should not even exist. People burn books as political protests. People eat pages of books. It is insane but very thrilling. I urge you to read this book and you will not be disappointed. Delve into a world where you will question who can be trusted, whose intentions are true. Wander through underground passages, run your fingers along the spines of books as old as time itself and drink in the beauty of the buildings. Let's face it, there's ink flowing through all of our veins and not just Jess's.
“You have ink in your blood, boy, and no help for it. Books will never be just a business to you.”
Wow. This book. This bloody book. I had no idea that I would fall deeply in love with a novel right from the very first page. The concept was outstanding. The idea that the Great Library was never destroyed, that books were more important than human lives and the fact that there was alchemy as well - my heart was racing when I read the blurb in Waterstones months ago.
It was very difficult to shelve this book. Is it historical fiction? Dystopian? Fantasy? Who knows. So I decided on all three. This story follows the life of Jess Brightwell. He is a runner. His entire family smuggles original books from one place to the next and escaping the grasp of the High Garda, Library soldiers. Basically, in this dystopian world it is illegal to own original books, they must all be electronic. Sounds very similar to this world today, doesn't it?
There is plenty of action and minimal romance. There is politics and war and magic and books. So many books. England is at war with the Welsh and that has disastrous consequences. For books and for humans. The characters are all very intriguing and unpredictable to say the least. Everyone has something to hide.
"We're nothing but secrets."
There are diverse set of teenagers all fighting for the six spots to be employed by the Great Library in Alexandria. There's plenty of humour and sarcasm, particularly from Dario Santiago and Jess Brightwell. There is intelligent and strong girls and mysterious, secretive boys.
This is a world where your own thoughts are monitored. Where all form of communication is intercepted, unless you are so very careful. This is a world where even the Bodleian Library should not even exist. People burn books as political protests. People eat pages of books. It is insane but very thrilling. I urge you to read this book and you will not be disappointed. Delve into a world where you will question who can be trusted, whose intentions are true. Wander through underground passages, run your fingers along the spines of books as old as time itself and drink in the beauty of the buildings. Let's face it, there's ink flowing through all of our veins and not just Jess's.
“You have ink in your blood, boy, and no help for it. Books will never be just a business to you.”
I liked it a lot but idk how to rate it yet tbh its either 4 or 3,5??
Always remember the words of Descartes: The reading of all good books is like conversion with the finest men of the past centuries.
This was not at all what I expected, in the best possible way.
I didn't feel a huge connection to the characters at first because it was a little hard for me to place them/picture the world. However, I loved Jess-- even though I had been anticipating this book, I didn't know a whole lot about it aside from the fact it revolved around some sort of library (and that was enough to make me curious).
The first purpose of a librarian is to preserve and defend our books. Sometimes, that means dying for them - or making someone else die for them. Tota est scientia.
I love how reverently they talk about books, these are my kind of people. It's funny though, it's almost a reimagined debate between e-readers and physical books-- which is super cool. The personal journal idea was intriguing, it's like the alternative to social media, except it's private. In this case, it's your legacy after you die. It gets archived. It's a super fun concept because it's something book lovers can relate to & it more easily puts the reader in the world of The Great Library. We can understand the character's desire to change the world because it's so different from the world we know where books are everywhere.
"A blank isn't the same. He remembered holding this book, feeling the history of the leather cover someone had tanned and stretched and cut to fit. The paper that someone had laboriously filled by hand and sewn into the binding. Years, heavy on the pages. ... An original. It felt like the old monk's story was part of his own.
But when he read it in the blank, it was just words, and it had no power to carry him away."
Christopher Wolfe, the name doesn't entirely fit his description. He's complicated. I don't really know how I feel about him & Santi. They're good for the kids but there's so much uncertainty wrapped around them at first, they're hard to like.
Jess is unique. He's a fun main character. I certainly wasn't expecting him but by the end of the book, I didn't want to let him go. I liked his character growth and his struggle with family. I can't wait to see what the second book brings his character. Speaking of family, Brendan disappeared, is there really a point to his character? 200 pages in and I don't see it which is annoying. Update, finished the book and I STILL don't see a book to Jess's twin. I'm sure it's something that's going to come back in some sneaky way in the following books.
"I suppose you want me to apologize for calling you a bastard."
"No need," Santi said. "You should hear what his friends call him."
"I have friends?" Wolfe said.
"They don't care to admit it in public."
"Did it ever occur to you that I might not care to admit to them, either?"
Dario and Khalila have a weird relationship. I almost don't believe it but we'll see where it goes. Dario is sly. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him but I knew he would make it to the end because that's just what happens with rude roommates. Khalila has a very Hermione vibe. She's smart as hell but still needs to grow.
I love Jess & Thomas's friendship. They are #goals. I love how much hope Thomas has. It's almost contagious but it's also like watching a train wreck (no pun intended). You know what the outcome of his story will be because there are clues along the way but when it happens, you still can't believe it.
Morgan is a bit of a mystery. I didn't like her at first, and I certainly didn't trust her. But I totally warmed up to her in the end. I like her & Jess as a couple but none of the pairs were really OTP for me. They worked but I wasn't IN LOVE with any of them.
"Kiss could lie as well as words."
These characters get into your head by the end. I feel like I've been through war with them. Speaking of war, my goodness! The adventure never ends. I shouldn't really call it adventure but it's non-stop action towards the second half of them book.
The conspiracy! I can't! This book is so good. The Library is so well, creepy & controlling. But I love this story--I love the concept, I love the book, I love the characters, and I highly recommend! I had no idea where this story was going. There were pieces I could see coming together but overall, this story was fresh and interesting.
I don't think I've read any other books by Rachel Caine, but I certainly can't wait to read Paper and Fire which comes out a few days after my birthday, happy happy to me!
Have you read Ink and Bone? If so, what are you waiting for?!