Paper and Fire - Book Review

Paper and Fire (The Great Library #2)
by Rachel Caine

What is it about:
Let the world burn.

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

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, doomed to a life apart from everything she knows.

After 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, and the Library, which is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone in the search for ultimate control...

What did I think of it:
It had been awhile since I read the first book in this series, but it didn't take me long to get back in the story.

The book starts out slow with Jess and his friends trying to gather information on a missing friend. Once they start putting pieces together they place themselves in danger and the action picks up. As the story develops, its speed increases as well until it all comes to a climax.

I really like Jess. He is practical and has a large sense of self-preservation. He is a criminal, but has a code of honor that keeps him from doing things that are unforgivable. I think that in this he has clearly grown compared to the last book. As he delves deeper and deeper into the library's dirty secrets, he will have to decide how he will deal with his new knowledge, and which people he can trust.

I loved the story and the interaction between the characters. The story is mostly straight forwards, but there were some things I didn't see coming. Even when I did see things coming I was still invested in the story and wanted to keep reading.

The ending is quite the shocker and you bet I'm eager to see what's next for Jess and his friends.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool YA Fantasy read.


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