The Great Library series is absolutely one of my most favourites, and guess who gets to be on the blog tour for the Smoke & Iron?!?
Meeee!! Your absolutely wildly enthusiastically delighted FAVOURITE FURY! (I am assuming you don’t have other Furies or, if you do, I am still the best of them.) I’m so ecstatic right now, ok. I absolutely loved this latest addition to the series and am screaming softly because this one wrecKED me just a little. As all good books should.
So coming up we have:
☆ an excerpt from Smoke & Iron by Morgan’s POV!
☆ some incredible giveaways, including a signed hardcover copy of Smoke & Iron
☆ me, gushing, in a review
☆ and, of course, NO SPOILERS!! so you’re safe to read on if you haven’t been keeping up with the series!
Smoke And Iron (The Great Library #4) by Rachel Caine is published July 2018!
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 Timesbestselling 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.
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Rachel Caine is the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of more than fifty novels in a diverse range of genres and categories. She’s been honored with multiple awards from RT Booklovers Association and the Texas Library Association, and was honored with two spots on the 2012 “Most Favorite Books of UK Schoolchildren” list. In 2006, she created the Morganville Vampires series in young adult, and premiered the TLA-listed novel Prince of Shadows in 2015, and the new Great Library series with Ink and Bone in 2016. Rachel and her husband R. Cat Conrad live and work in Fort Worth, Texas.
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May contain spoilers for past books so I’ve made it so you have to “show more” if you want to read the full chapter! ENJOY!
Find my reviews for Ink And Bone, Paper And Fire, and Ash And Quill!
Now this is going to come as a shock to you but…I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK.
The Great Library series is just one of my favourites (the covers are also so beautiful my eyeballs ran off and married them) and I should talk about it more because it’s inventive, unique, heartwrenching, full of family and friendship, the plots can get super schemey (which is the BEST kind of plot) and at the end of it all = it is about book appreciation.
BOOK APPRECIATION. There is nothing that’s going to make me fall in love faster than an entire series devoted to people who would die for books. I mean, same.
Since we’re at the 4th book in the series, the stakes are HIGH.
The last book ended in a wicked cliffhanger (!!) and this one just throws us back into the thick of it. Our book-loving-protection-squad are all split up and traumatised. And being, ya know, tortured. But rebellion is HERE. I lovelovelove how everyone’s lives were on the line and I didn’t feel like everyone was safe — which is super good. Although there was WAY more threats of terror than actually having it follow through. What can I say. I am a little dark. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I think we could’ve had a little more terror on-page to make things seem more real. But I still FREAKING LOVED IT.
Jess, Khalila, Wolfe and Morgan all narrate this time! I did miss not seeing as much of Jess, but everyone was so split up so this worked super well. Also Khalila’s narration was the utter best. I looove her so much.
- There is basic 100ft line of people wanting to smack Brendan and Jess into the middle of next week due to their schemes.
- Dario offers to do dirty work until he realises he can’t wear his tailored beautiful clothes. Then he retracts.
- KHALILA RULES AND SHOOTS BADIES AND PRAYS FOR YOUR SOUL AND IS SWEET AND KIND AND WILL ALSO END YOU. I FREAKING LOVE HER.
- Brendan. BRENDAN. Since he and Jess are swapping places he ends up writing Jess this letter that is basically: “I have to read books to pretend to be you. I hate reading. Pls let this be over before I end you and then myself and then the entire world.”
- #DramaQueenBrightwells
- I love Jess and Brendan and how they backstab each other occasionally but won’t let anyone else do it. Also whenever someone says, “Ah family bonds!” They both laugh and laugh and laugh. Their dad would sell them for a peanut.
- (Lowkey sad we didn’t get more of Brendan in this book, though. THE SLYTHERIN TO JESS’ RAVENCLAW. I love him so so much!! My Slytherin son.)
- Glain just hits people and like, I feel this.
- THERE IS A DRAGON.
- We go way more into depth about the Obscurists and Morgan’s corrupt power which was so interesting!
- As always the diversity is on point, with the leading characters being of all races, Khalila being a practising Muslim, one of the main couples being queer, and everything so respectful and amazing!
- Wolfe and Santi still steal the show every time they’re on page.
- It raises the stakes way way too high at the end — AND I JUST WANT TO SAY I’M SCREAMING A BIT OK.
- ALRIGHT FINE. A LOT. I’M SCREAMING A LOTTTTT.
Smoke and Iron is a masterfall addition to the series, where stakes are high, characters are screaming (or that’s me who’s screaming, IDK) and the story never lags as it races us towards the terrifying finale. The Library’s corruption is falling. There are monsters and murders. Betrayals and sacrifices for the ones you love so much. And it’s all so strongly rooted in friendship that I just ADORE EVERY PAGE.
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I can confirm that I know no other Furies, but you would still be my favorite if I did.
Just so you know, I legit started a “Cait recommends” shelf on Goodreads so I would remember which books you love and I should prioritize #sorrynotsorry ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ So now I’ve added Ink and Bone to it because I have it but I haven’t read it yet! (And also And I Darken lol)
I entered the giveaway but I’m INTL and no idea if I qualify. If I don’t please forgive meeee
Awww !!! *sniffles happily* YOUR FAVOURITE FURY. I should hopefully beat the Greek Furies too right?? I think I’m cuter.
Also omg a Cait Recommends shelf. This is the best news of my day.😂💛💛(I’m assuming the giveaway is INT haha. I didn’t get told it was US only?)
I`ll admit, I`m not that familiar with the author, but your comments make me want to pick up the series ASAP. It sounds great, and having a dragon is always a good idea.
EXCELLENT. My work here is done then! 💛😂😂Although I confess the dragon in here is not good news.😂
I just read Ink & Bone for the first time a couple weeks ago and absolutely loved it! Big fan of Rachel Caine’s Stillhouse Lake series and so thought I’d give The Great Library series a try – the 1st one did not disappoint! Now to get caught up…!!! SO MUCH PRESSURE.
AHHH I’M SO GLAD YOU LOVE IT TOO!! 💛💛 And it’s a good time to get caught up too, because I think there’s only one more book after this?!? I’m so nervously excited haha.
Ahhh, I know lots of people love the Great Library Series, but . . . but . . . I don’t. I love the idea! The way you write about it makes me want to jump into Book 2 to see if I like it any better than book 1! But I just didn’t care about the characters. Like, Jess is about to get mauled by an electronic lion? . . . Okay. Fine. Whatever.
I must say, though, the world was pretty brilliant.
😳😳Welllllll…I love it and care a lot for the characters!
I’m not trying to put you down or anything!! I respect that you care for the characters. Most people love the Great Library series. I’m so sorry if my comment came across as snappish or rude.
That’s okay! You’re fine!💛
This series sounds so good and yet here I am…having not read it…really wishing to read it but I’ve already got to many books on my physical library tbr.
I actually can’t think of a series that I’ve read that does bookish appreciation but I think Eliza and Her Monsters had a very good representation of what it’s like to read a series so good it destroys you. And that also had great fandom appreciation! And I just love that book! So much!
Honestly that’s just me with every series ever.😂My TBR softly screams, no please don’t, and I start a new series anyway. *flings confetti of destruction over self* Life is too short to be sensible.
Oh yes! Eliza and Her Monsters was amazing for being in love with book series.😭💛💛And for destroying our hearts.
Haven’t read this book before but I’m adding it to my TBR because DRAGON and BOOK LOVERS! I always love books that give appreciation to book lovers.
I love characters who are bookdragons (as I’d like to call book lovers) like Tessa and Will from The Infernal Devices. Then there’s Celaena/Aelin and Dorian from Throne of Glass. I love it when they go fangirl/boy mode when they read books. #relate
I’m looking forward to reading this series 😊
It’s the best right?! It’s the most RELATABLE thing ever ahhhh. I love bookdragon characters so much. (Also there is an actual dragon here, so that just counts for double points of awesome.😂)
You see that pile of bones and emotions in the corner? That’s me because I am DYING to read Smoke and Iron. My library does not have it yet, and therefore I am deceased.
P.S. Couldn’t tell if the Exclusive Blog was US or AU or Timbuktu only, so I entered, but if there is a specification I didn’t see, feel free to ignore me.
I’m actually not sure about the giveaway tbh😂😂I assume it’s INT since it doesn’t say US only? (YES I’M VERY ORGANISED.😂) But yes yes you need Smoke and Iron because you need this kind of trauma in your life. <3
I’ve never heard of this author! Glad I’ve been introduced, her books sounds amazing and right up my alley! Thank’s Cait!
Ahhh I’m glad I was able to introduce you to a new potential series, right?! 😂
I haven’t read this series yet, sounds really good!
I love it sooo much!! I don’t get obsessed with a lot of series, but this one: MY LIFE.
Oooh I definitely need to try these!!!! I love their matching titles and covers – they’re so perfect! 😍😍
Thanks for yet another fabulous review, Cait!
The covers are SO GORGEOUS.😍😍I can’t even get over how pretty they all are AHHH!!
This series. I SHRIEK. Until I finished this one I actually for some reason had it in my head that there another two books to come out after Smoke & Iron but. Nope EVERYTHING IS COMING TO A HEAD IN ONLY ONE MORE BOOK.
This series startled me by becoming one of my favourites, honestly. I didn’t expect that after reading the first book but I feel like each book gets better and better (and they’re so pretty. So so pretty). They went and brought in interesting characters and compelling arcs and moral ambiguity and fraught politics. I do love fraught fantasy politics. I’m so excited/fearful to see what the last book has in store for us.
OMG WE ARE NOT READY FOR THE FINALE. IT’S GOING TO EAT OUR HEARTS OUT, I’M SO SURE OF IT AHHH. And omg I’m so obsessed! I love the characters and I think about them all the time. 😍And not a single book seemed to drag or be unnecessary to the plot?! Pure talent I am SO excited about them. Plus the gorgeousness.😍😍
I really admire the plotting of this series! There isn’t a point where anything that happens feels like it doesn’t contribute in some way to the story (either the plot or characters or worldbuilding… usually more than one of those things, actually) and I find I really go through them fast. It’s like there’s not good place to put the book down so I just keep reading. (Even the ending of the book… is not a great place to put it down. Rachel Caine really has a thing for tense endings, huh?)
MY GOD! I love The Great Library! IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY SANTI AND WOLFE, I WILL SELL MY SOUL TO HAVE THEM HAPPY! I swear, I am filled with dread at how the final book will turn out. My favorite character is Khalila. She is just the sharp edge between tenderness and danger. I can’t decide if I want to be her and be with her. I’m so glad to find a wonderful character development in Dario, btw. My fashionable cutthroat. *sigh* I have so much to say about this book, but I just…I think my review is going to be long and full of shrieking.
I KNOW RIGHT?! It’s like, ok fine, mess up all the other characters but hOw dARe WOLFE AND SANTI noT GET theIR HAppILY EVER aFTER. (I’m rooting for them to survive all of this and not, also, murder Jess out of annoyance. 😂) Khalila is so perfect I love her so much. She’s so sweet and kind but never lets that take power away from her?! SO well written omg.
Um, Lazlo (best name ever!) from Strange the Dreamer. That kid. I just <3 <3 <3
The book is beautiful and full of books and everything that I needed in life (tho I seriously need to read Rachel Caine's books, so)
I know right?! I LOVE Lazlo. He’s so absolutely perfect.
I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH!!!! AND AAKDSHDFJHGFDHJADHGAFDHSGD WOLFE AND KHALILA HAVE PERSPECTIVES?!?!?!?!?! I DID NOT KNOW THIS AND I AM FLAILING SO MUCH!!!!!!!
(Are the giveaways open internationally?)
ISN’T IT THE BEST NEWS EVER?!? And honestly Khalila’s chapters are so perfect. 😍😍Also I assume the giveaways are INT, since they don’t say US only. 😂 (Sorry I should’ve clarified with the publisher haha, but enter anyway!)
Hahaha, no worries! I entered!
(And yes, OMG I’m so excited that they get perspectives!!)
I haven’t read this series yet, but I have a copy of the first book and am looking forward to starting it. So glad to hear that you love it!
Ahhh I hope you like it when you start it. It’s SO tight and clever and complex and just thoroughly engaging the whole time.😍 And why yes I will gush forever. 😂😂