Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: Available Now
448 Pages
Synopsis: 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 mouth 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.
Smoke and Iron is the latest in a thrilling YA series that just keeps getting better and better with each installment! I know I’ve said this repeatedly, but in my humble opinion, the prolific Rachel Caine is a brilliant author, whether she’s writing for teens or adults. I’ve read everything she’s written over the years and have never been disappointed.
This picks up immediately where Ash and Quill left off. Our group of heroes are split up and each is facing more danger than ever before. As usual the story is told from multiple POVs which not only gives the reader a wonderful sense of the characters, but also adds to the fabulous world building.
In terms of action and pacing, I think this might be my favorite book in the series. It adds further complexity to both the characters and the story yet is tightly written. There’s plenty of blood, gore and heartbreak though, so be warned!
Smoke and Iron has left me feverishly anticipating the conclusion to The Great Library series. Sadly it will most likely be a year before fans see the as yet untitled book. On the plus side this gives readers who haven’t started the series ample time to catch up. Even if you don’t normally read YA, if you like fantasy, science fiction, thrilling adventure, and you’re a bibliophile, I guarantee you’ll LOVE these books!
shalini said:
Berkley rejected me all the time… Sighhh. This seems to be a great book. I want to read Fantasy and horror in August
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Boo! I know you don’t read a lot YA Shalini, but I think you’d really enjoy this series.
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shalini said:
I read but I haven’t reviewed in many months as I got approved for thrillers
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shalini said:
I just checked they are too expensive on Amazon now sighhhh
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😔😔😔😔😔
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shalini said:
Ink and bone is more expensive than the new released book… How is that possible?aaaaarrrrgggghhhhh
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
That’s so aggravating!😡 Have you checked on Book Depository? Their prices are usually really good and they provide free shipping everywhere.
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shalini said:
Babes I read only ebooks
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
😞
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shalini said:
I hope that prices come down on Amazon I will buy then I have put it in cart will look at prices everyday… The day it is affordable I am zapping it
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
👍🏻👍🏻
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beetleypete said:
It looks good, and the cover is excellent. But let’s face it, anything with ‘The Great Library’ in the title is definitely up your street! 🙂 🙂 x
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
So, so true!😁
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raistlin0903 said:
I really hope to have a few weeks off in September, so that I can finally get some reading done. I am so far behind right now, it isn’t even funny anymore (don’t laugh 😂😂). Seriously though..after reading this post I went to goodread to mark it as to read, only to already see your recommendation pop up there lol 😂😂 This does sound totally like my cup of tea. So really thanks for this…and of course the wonderful review😊
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fragglerocking said:
You’re on a roll with good books!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I’m blessed Fraggle!😁
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jennifertarheelreader said:
Fantastic review, Kim! You have me excited about this series! I have Ink and Bone and need to read it!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jennifer! I can’t wait to hear what you think.☺️
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thebookwormdrinketh said:
I’ve had the first one in this series (I’m pretty sure by your recommendation) on my list FOREVER!! I want to read it so badly!! I’ve just cleared out a huge stint of blog tours (I went a little crazy with sign ups for a while there) and I’m hoping to have a little more time to get to my own books in the next couple of months!! Great review! Now I just have to get through the first 3 to enjoy it! 😅💖🍻
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Nicole. I can’t wait for you to start these!😁
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Carrie said:
So glad you enjoyed this one Kim! I have the strange feeling we’re going to need more stars to give away for next year’s book. 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Carrie! I believe you may be right.
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Beware Of The Reader said:
OMG I NEED this one! Wonderful review Kim and I so love the cover!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie. All the covers are gorgeous and I 100% guarantee you’ll love this series!🤗
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James J. Cudney IV said:
Thx for the tag!
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thebookdutchesses said:
I really want to read this series. It sounds so good!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I can’t recommend it enough!
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thebookdutchesses said:
I put it on my wishlist!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yay!🤗
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
So glad to see so much positive words for this sequel. You’re definitely making me want to give this a shot ASAP. Thanks for sharing, Kim!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I think you and Trang would LOVE this series!
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Michelle Booksonthebookshelf said:
Great review. This book sounds very interesting and I think I would really enjoy it.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Michelle. Rachel Caine is a fantastic author, whether she’s writing for adults or teens.
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Michelle Morrison said:
Her books are on my TBR list…The fact that the storyline is about libraries and books is enough to make me want to read The Great Library series.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Awesome Michelle! I’ve read both adult and YA series by her and she hasn’t disappointed me once.
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lostartofreadingblog said:
Another series that you have recommended to me that I still haven’t picked up, I will eventually I promise.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
You must Asia! It’s one of my FAVORITE series!
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lostartofreadingblog said:
And that is saying something !!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
👍🏻👍🏻
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Jen said:
I have this series on my tbr and I’m so glad that each book continues to live up to the previous book and the hype! I hope you end up loving the final book next year!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Jen, you’ve got to read this. I guarantee you’ll love them!☺️
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