The Great Library controls what knowledge seeps into the world. The vast archives are guarded by automatons, automatons that Jess Brightwell fears will attack him every time he's forced to walk past one. Jess comes from a family of book smugglers and the most recent book he's acquired changes everything. Somewhere out there exists the Black Archives, a treasure trove of all the forbidden books filled with the dangerous knowledge the Library seeks to protect. However, knowledge that the Black Archives exists isn't the only secret the Library is hiding. Will Jess and his friends survive, even as the world around them appears to be crumbling?

PAPER AND FIRE is the second book in The Great Library series and I highly suggest reading both books in order. PAPER AND FIRE picks up right where INK AND BONE ended. The world building and relationships are crucial to understanding PAPER AND FIRE as much of the initial development of both is done in PAPER AND FIRE. PAPER AND FIRE is darker than INK AND BONE, as we begin to delve into the conspiracies that underlie the entire Library system. No one is to be trusted as even the closest of alliances can falter in a world as dark and entrenched in its system as this one. We see betrayal after betrayal as our heart breaks for Jess and his allies.

Rachel Caine does a marvelous job with character development, showing us that a character can be likable and still do despicable things. I think that is part of the magic of Rachel Caine's world, however, as she shows us the difficult choices that the characters face in a world as dark and scary as the one found in PAPER AND FIRE. Khalila is by far my favorite character but I'm almost afraid to see what Rachel Caine will throw at her in future books!

PAPER AND FIRE is another stunning installment in The Great Library series. Be forewarned, however, as the cliffhanger ending will have you wanting the next book! If you love steampunk packed with action as well as a darned good conspiracy plot, then give PAPER AND FIRE and The Great Library series a try. You won't regret it!