SMOKE AND IRON is the fourth book in Rachel Caine's
The
Great Library series and picks up right where
the last book ended. Jess Brightwell and Dario Santiago
have concocted a plan that they hope will take down the
Archivist and restore the Great Library to its original
purpose. But will they lose everyone they love in the
process?
SMOKE AND IRON is definitely best appreciated in the
context of a series as a whole. The character development
along with their relationships and world building have
already been well established in the three earlier books.
SMOKE AND IRON is the beginning of the true rebellion and
it helps to have an idea of the evil they are rebelling
against in order to fully cheer on their endeavors. The
characters have been separated in various directions to
execute Jess and Dario's dangerous plan, and Rachel Caine
alternates between them so that we can see how the plot
is unveiling on all angles.
Rachel Caine excels at character development and SMOKE
AND IRON is no exception. We get to see a bit more of
Jess' brother, Brendan, and his personality grows on me
as the story line progresses. And wow, Khalila Seif has
always been a solid favorite of mine in The
Great Library series, but she really shines in SMOKE
AND
IRON! I also love that we get to see a bit more of the
Obscurists and I hope we continue to see more of them in
the next book as I'm fascinated by the revelations in
SMOKE AND IRON.
SMOKE AND IRON is yet another stellar fantasy tale from
Rachel Caine! I love some of the steampunk overtones,
such as the automatons. SMOKE AND IRON delights with
each and every new invention we see, both from the hand
of Thomas and the machinations of the Archivist. The
Great Library has quickly become one of my favorite
fantasy series and each book only gets better and better.
I can't wait to see what Rachel Caine has in store for us
next!
To save the Great Library, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill put themselves in danger in the next thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series. The opening moves of a deadly game have begun. Jess Brightwell has put himself in direct peril, with only his wits and skill to aid him in a game of cat and mouse with the Archivist Magister of the Great Library. With the world catching fire, and words printed on paper the spark that lights rebellion, it falls to smugglers, thieves, and scholars to save a library thousands of years in the making...if they can stay alive long enough to outwit their enemies.