Friday, July 1, 2016

Review: Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

Title: Paper and Fire
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Book Two in the Great Library Series
Published By: NAL (July 5, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 5 Stars!


Book Description:
In Ink and Bone, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine introduced a world where knowledge is power, and power corrupts absolutely. Now, she continues the story of those who dare to defy the Great Library—and rewrite history…

With an iron fist, The Great Library controls the knowledge of the world, ruthlessly stamping out all rebellion, forbidding the personal ownership of books in the name of the greater good.

Jess Brightwell has survived his introduction to the sinister, seductive world of the Library, but serving in its army is nothing like he envisioned. His life and the lives of those he cares for have been altered forever. His best friend is lost, and Morgan, the girl he loves, is locked away in the Iron Tower and doomed to a life apart.

Embarking on a mission to save one of their own, Jess and his band of allies make one wrong move and suddenly find themselves hunted by the Library’s deadly automata and forced to flee Alexandria, all the way to London.


But Jess’s home isn’t safe anymore. The Welsh army is coming, London is burning, and soon, Jess must choose between his friends, his family, or the Library willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control… 









I adored the first book in this series Ink and Bone, it was captivating. So well written and right up my wheel house. I loved the rich historic feel to it and the steampunk tendencies. It was everything I was looking for and more than I could have imagined, which, is why I jumped right into the sequel without hesitation and with expectations running high. 

I can say with absolute honesty that I adored Paper and Fire, maybe even more so than Ink and Bone. I don't even know where to begin with just how much more this book was.

Let's stop and appreciate the cover for a moment, it is gorgeous and I absolutely love it. It is the type of cover that demands attention. The kind that catches your eye and makes you stare at it. And wonderfully, the cover matches what is inside.

We get so much in this story, from the background of the library itself to the people that run it, to Jess, Santi, Wolff, and all the others. There are surprises around every corner, danger constantly in the foreground, and new wonders revealed. We truly just do get so much more. I don't even know where to begin to describe how great this sequel was.  

If you are on the fence about it, don't be. It has all the right elements and just the right blend of genres to make anyone want to read it and love it. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

71 comments:

  1. I just read Kim's review for this one and she loved it too. I will pick up this series once all the books are out, but I can't wait to discover the beauty that's inside these covers. I'm so happy you loved this sequel, Ali. :)
    Lovely review!

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    1. You will love it Nick, it is just fabulous. ;)

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  2. FIVE stars?!?! Oh man, what am I doing with my life that I haven't read Ink and Bone?

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    1. Read these both, trust me, they are worth it. ;)

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  3. Yes to five stars! I'm reading these back-to-back soon and I'm so excited to begin this amazing series. The covers and texture if you have the HB are stunning. I glad you love this one. I love world building and the whole library concept sounds so cool, lol.

    Hope you have a wonderful weekend and 4th of July, Ali!!

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    1. So excited you get to read these back to back, lucky girl, you are going to love them! Happy Friday!

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  4. I really need to pick up Ink and Bone! This series sounds so good!

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    1. I really hope you do, it really is something different from her other work and still so darn good.

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  5. I've seen this reviewed Kindlemom and I think I may try it even though there's a dreaded cliffhanger involved gahhhh ;-)

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    1. Yeah it isn't too bad though all things considered. More than Scythian it just really makes you want the next book. :P

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  6. YES...I am so happy you enjoyed the ride too!

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  7. I did totally stop to admire that cover - it is amazing!! Glad you loved this one!

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    1. It is and I've heard that the hardback is even more stunning in person.

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  8. This is the second brilly review I've read of this book. I still need to read that first one but I do think it has gone higher on my must have wishlist! :D

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    1. Oh definitely do, they really are worth it. ;)

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  9. New to me author but I've now seen several great reviews for this one. Thanks for the great review.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and checking it out. :D

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  10. I loved Ink and Bone so I'm glad the second was even better!

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  11. Oh, thank goodness! A couple of other bloggers I follow really didn't care for it. So I'm relieved to see that you really liked it! I can put it back on my must-purchase list for the month :)

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    1. Oh goodness, well I really hope you end up liking it too then.

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  12. Damn! I should be reading this series. I think the 1st book had a price drop on Amazon. I'll have to snag it.

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  13. I finished Ink and Bone a few days ago and loved it. Excited for this sequel!

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  14. I have the first book but I still need to read it

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  15. This sounds really good ! I will definitely check out the first book !
    Glad you enjoyed the book 😊

    "Book Addict"

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    1. Thank you and I hope you like them as well.

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  16. I love Rachel Caine books but for the life of me I couldn't get into this one. But maybe I should reconsider it! Haha! Great review.

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    1. I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone. ;)

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  17. I really need to get on with this series. Thanks for the nudge.

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  18. Wow! I'm glad you liked this one even more than the first. I still need to read the first one. I'm always behind. Haha!! :)

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  19. Great review Ali! I totally agree that book 2 is even better than the first -- both in action and the background! This series is turning out amazing and I can't wait for book 3 -- that ending!!

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    1. I know! I'm so excited for what that ending means. It will be fun to see what they do with where they go.

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  20. I loved the first book and can't wait to read this one! I'm so happy to hear that you loved it!

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    1. I really hope you do as well but I have a feeling you will. ;)

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  21. Wow five stars, a must read!

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  22. I gotta read the first one then, you know I love anything steampunk!

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    1. I know, you definitely need to try it, although it isn't huge in the steampunk department but it is there. ;)

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  23. Why I did´t know this was the second book T.T Now I need read the first~ Thank you for your review. Darling you should put like Goodreads second book.
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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    1. Sorry, I should, I did put that it was the second in the series though at the top. ;)

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  24. Okay I'm just glancing because I'm working on this one now but having a reading distraction moment this week. I've not finished a single book since like Sunday! Eeps! I'll sit down tonight and plow through though! I'm just at the point where they're on their test that may not be a test.

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    1. OH it's just getting good then. ;) Hopefully you can get through it. it definitely has a lot of detail so isn't always a fast read.

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  25. I haven't heard of this series but I'm so glad that I read your post. I'm into fantasy lately and this book sounds awesome.
    Eliza from mebookaholic.wordpress.com

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  26. Glad you really enjoyed this, just entered a giveaway for the first book. So I'm definitely interested in checking out the series.
    Tori @ In Tori Lex

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  27. I'm delighted (but very, very surprised) to see you loved this even more than the first! It's true we get lots of background and info about the characters and the writing is, as always, magnificent. I guess I just hated the romance. There, I said it.

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    1. The romance isn't the best I agree but I love everything else so much, all the details and the places and the conspiracies.

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  28. Glad to hear you liked this book - It's always encouraging when a series seems to get better and better. (The middle book in a series is always a worry) You've definitely inspired me to pick up book one... its been sitting on my TBR pile for so long!

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  29. I've definitely been on the fence about this one... but that ends now!! This sounds perfect!! :)

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    1. I really hope that you do end up liking them.

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  30. Well I'm going to have to check this series out! Great review!

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  31. I do need to check out this series. I'm not familiar with the person who narrates the audiobooks, but I will have to try to listen to a sample and give it a try. Great review.

    Melanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads

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    1. Thanks Melanie, I don't know who does either but hopefully they are good.

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  32. AH! I love it when a sequel is even better than the first book Ali! I have this series on my list, I can't wait to read it. And yes, that cover is gorgeous:)

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  33. I have been terribly disorganized lately, so I've still to read the first one (though I FINALLY managed to purchase it - yay!) It sounds like this series is just like wine - that much better the older it gets ;) But your glowing review makes me want to take a sip right away! Brilliant, Ali, thank you :) I hope your summer is going well.

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    1. Thanks so much Ramona and I hope your's is as well!

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  34. Oh yay!I haven't been able to try Ink and Bone yet and i can't wait to try it out since I've SO MANY GOOD THINGS about it! I didn't even know the author had a new book out in the series! I'm so glad you liked it girl and YEESSS that cover is gorgeous! <3

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    1. I really hope you try them and love them too!

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  35. The cover is amazing, happy the book was just as good. I can't believe I haven't heard of this one.

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  36. I enjoyed this one too, but I wished we got more character development.

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    1. I agree that part could have been better but at least we did get some development from some of the characters.

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