Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1)

 Synopsis

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly- but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family. Jess has been sent to be his family's spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library's service.

 When his friend inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe knowledge is more valuable than any human life- and soon both heretics and books will burn . . . 

Loved

• A world revolving around books! All of us bookworms are complete suckers for books about books, and not only is this a book about books, it's a world about books. It's always fun for bookworms to read about characters who love books as much as they do, and every person in this world- villain and hero alike- is passionate about books. The concept of books being forbidden to own and everyone owning "blanks" instead of actual copies of works is very interesting, and served to paint a brutal and unique setting.

• The cozy school feel. I realized while reading this story that I always fall for any story that involves an academy or classroom type setting where the characters are learning and competing together, which we get here with the students competing to become scholars at the Great Library. The setting of this instruction gave me major Harry Potter vibes because of the students, the cozy common room, the mysterious instructors, and the alchemy that gives the story a thread of magic. I felt right at home reading and sipping a hot drink in the common room with these students.

• The students. Again, the classroom setting and students competing against each other is always fun and provides some interesting conflict and friendships. We quickly grow to love each of these students- each from a different part of the world- because they each have unique talents, quirks, and personalities that blend well together. Each of these characters develops throughout the story as each goes through traumatic experiences, but also comes to appreciate and care about people and loyalty instead of ambition and knowledge.

• The fast pace. From the first page of this story we are on our toes with a heart-pumping action scene, and the story never quite slows down. Just when everything seems to settle, another disaster happens and the plot becomes intense, moving at break-neck speed. 

Didn't Love

• The confusing time period. I spent the first chapter of this book trying to get my bearings because it feels like an 18th or 19th century setting- with carriages, lanterns, waistcoats, etc. But the year is dated at 2025. What?? I was really confused, so I decided to just pretend like I hadn't read anything about the year and treat this as an alternate history with steampunk vibes that takes place in the 18th-19th century. 

• The romance. I thought this story was very clever and original, but it almost felt like the author remembered at the last minute that YA readers like romances, so it felt like she tacked on a romance after the story was written. It felt very awkward, disjointed, and fast- without the characters really forming a connection and no talk of being attracted to each other, but then all of the sudden kissing. I was also very annoyed at the appearance of my least favorite YA trope: something happened and it wasn't my fault, but I'm not going to communicate to you that I didn't mean for it to happen, so now you hate me and I won't talk about it and there's all this extra drama for no reason. This happens in too many YA books and I'm done with it! Sorry, rant over :)

Content

• Language: 
• Frequent uses of "damn," "bastard," and "arse."
• Uses of the Lord's name in vain.

• Sexual content: 
• A few kisses, mostly described as arms around each other, wanting each other, hands in hair, etc. Nothing very intense.
• The characters involved in the romance sleep next to each other, but nothing sexual.
• A secondary romance implies that the characters sleep together, but nothing is described.

• Violence
• Radicals use "greek fire" to burn themselves to death in public to make a statement.
• Children are forced to run forbidden books to customers and some are found, beaten, and killed.
• Talk of past teens/adults being hanged for smuggling books- a character we've never met is hanged before the story begins.
• Talk of physical abuse from main character's father.
• Student is killed in an "accident" during transport.
• A student is stabbed and killed.
• Students spend time in a war zone and see many intense things: people being stabbed, shot, punched, trampled, and beaten. Descriptions of countless bodies, stepping over and on top of bodies, watching people die around them. Blood described.
• Hearing civilians die in a bomb explosion and hear the screams as the fire kills them.
• Train is hit with a bomb and students are all injured.
• A student is kidnapped and threatened with a knife to the throat and gun at the head.
• A student is supposedly killed for heresy.


• Other themes:
• LGBT Rep: Two male characters are in a relationship. Talk of being lovers and sacrificing for each other. Implied that they sleep together, but nothing described.

Overall Thoughts

This is a clever, fast-paced and unique story that hooks readers from the very beginning and keeps us on our toes through every chapter. This story is rich with intrigue, mystery, and brutality while complemented with a cast of lovable characters who form strong and loyal friendships. Although the magic is called "alchemy" in this world, there is a very magical feel woven through the story, giving off some Harry Potter vibes- just trade wizards and witches for aspiring librarians and alchemists. Although this book did have some flaws, it was a very enjoyable, engaging read and I can't wait to see what mysteries the rest of the series holds!