One
of the strongest outings in the Great Library series, Smoke
and Iron continues the precarious adventures of the main characters
as they try to restore the Great Library to the ideals for
which is was founded. Over the generations, the original goal
of the library to preserve books and knowledge for all humanity
was corrupted by a thirst for power at the upper levels of
the library. In this series, magic lies in books and the creation
of them, so the Great Library limits the books that are disseminated
and secretly destroys writings it considers dangerous. Knowledge
must be rigidly controlled by the library since knowledge
is power. In this fourth installment, all of the main characters
are in precarious positions with no one comfortable or safe.
Also, characters doubt the motives and loyalties of friends
and allies, which adds to the tension. The viewpoint jumps
around, as it must with so many characters in different places
and situations, but it is done with enough skill to keep the
reader oriented without issue. The characters have been so
carefully crafted over the course of the series that when
tragedy strikes, we feel it deeply. As with the previous three
books, this is complexly told and engaging, not only moving
the greater arc with great skill, but making us eager to know
more. This is a world where it seems impossible that we could
ever get bored.
The
Great Library Series
Ash
and Quill #3
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