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A review by theinquisitxor
Sword and Pen by Rachel Caine
3.0
3.5 stars/5
This has been a series I've read over the course of a year. I've really enjoyed it and found it to be a good bit of good ya fantasy fun. I read the first four books in the span of several months, and then waited (about 6 months) for the release of this last book. The first book, Smoke and Bone, was probably the strongest and best of the series, but the rest of the books have held up well and been enjoyable reads. I think the world building and characters are the two best parts of the series.
The concept of a world in which the Library of Alexandra never burned down and how our world would look different is fascinating. Even though there are the same counties and borders as today, the political dynamics and relationships between countries and the Library is so cool and unlike anything else I've ever read. The characters are also special. There is such a diversified cast of characters that is very refreshing.
I also thought that this was a good ending for the series. It's not a super long book, and there is a lot that happens in a short amount of time. I felt like the stakes were appropriate and the character's handling and dealing with the stakes was good. It's still a general happy ending and a good wrap up to the series. The reason why I gave it 3.5 stars is that because there was about a six month gap between reading, I felt a disconnect and a bit of a general lack of interest. If I read the series all at once I probably would have enjoyed this last book more, but reading it now after so many months felt a little off.
Either way, I'm glad I read this series, I've really enjoyed the books and it will be a series I'll be recommending in the future!
This has been a series I've read over the course of a year. I've really enjoyed it and found it to be a good bit of good ya fantasy fun. I read the first four books in the span of several months, and then waited (about 6 months) for the release of this last book. The first book, Smoke and Bone, was probably the strongest and best of the series, but the rest of the books have held up well and been enjoyable reads. I think the world building and characters are the two best parts of the series.
The concept of a world in which the Library of Alexandra never burned down and how our world would look different is fascinating. Even though there are the same counties and borders as today, the political dynamics and relationships between countries and the Library is so cool and unlike anything else I've ever read. The characters are also special. There is such a diversified cast of characters that is very refreshing.
I also thought that this was a good ending for the series. It's not a super long book, and there is a lot that happens in a short amount of time. I felt like the stakes were appropriate and the character's handling and dealing with the stakes was good. It's still a general happy ending and a good wrap up to the series. The reason why I gave it 3.5 stars is that because there was about a six month gap between reading, I felt a disconnect and a bit of a general lack of interest. If I read the series all at once I probably would have enjoyed this last book more, but reading it now after so many months felt a little off.
Either way, I'm glad I read this series, I've really enjoyed the books and it will be a series I'll be recommending in the future!