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onako's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
No time to write, I need to read the last book.
karenholmes's review against another edition
5.0
This one got into my favorite list already. Rachel Caine is slowly getting under my skin and making me care about all the characters that suround Jess (and Brendan) Brightwell.
In this one, as they are all scatered, we see different points of view and get to Alexandria and to war. But, ah, Rachel Caine doesn't let us win. She is tricky and has a new book about the new peace and how to make the Library great again, without corruption. Eager to read it, but will wait a bit. My heart is too tender right now. I need something with less whirlwinds and turns and heartache.
But really. If you love books and knowledge. If you search books with adventures. If you love great characters, diverse without being a punch in the face, with emotions and personalities you could take home... this is your series. Start from the beginning. And come to this one with open eyes. A-MA-ZING.
In this one, as they are all scatered, we see different points of view and get to Alexandria and to war. But, ah, Rachel Caine doesn't let us win. She is tricky and has a new book about the new peace and how to make the Library great again, without corruption. Eager to read it, but will wait a bit. My heart is too tender right now. I need something with less whirlwinds and turns and heartache.
But really. If you love books and knowledge. If you search books with adventures. If you love great characters, diverse without being a punch in the face, with emotions and personalities you could take home... this is your series. Start from the beginning. And come to this one with open eyes. A-MA-ZING.
ihateprozac's review against another edition
5.0
Smoke and Iron picks up where we left off, with
THIS WAS MY FAVOURITE YET.
There is so much adventure and so much growth in this story; such that you can’t believe the characters started out where they did - whether it be geographically or emotionally!
Each character has such a clear role and clear strengths, more so than ever, and they all contribute to the rebellion in their own ways. The twists and turns made sense and nothing ever felt too easy or convenient; Rachel Caine expertly laid all the groundwork and foreshadowing. There’s even more political intrigue with the Archivist being a real focal point of this story, and it’s such a delight to watch the surprises and reveals unfurl.
I really enjoyed getting to read from multiple perspectives in this story; the perspectives of Khalila, Morgan, and Wolfe make for a much better story than if it’d just been Jess’ perspective. We get to see the inside of the. It adds so much depth to the story and their struggle to reunite and advance the rebellion.
I particularly enjoyed getting to read from Morgan’s perspective in this book. I’ve been kinda “meh” on the subject of Morgan in the past, but I really empathised with her in this story and the complex range of emotions and problems she deals with in being stuck in the middle of a war. Not only is she navigating political intrigue and imprisonment, but she’s also dealing with issues that remind you that at the end of the day, these poor characters are teenagers.
Also Khalila? MY ABSOLUTE QUEEEEEEEN. She really comes into her own in this story and shows how she can be useful in turning the tide.
I really recommend reading Caine’s Wattpad short story, [b:Tigers in the Cage|31942436|Tigers in the Cage (The Great Library #0.1)|Rachel Caine|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480869545s/31942436.jpg|52600037] before picking up this story. It’s a prequel short story focused on Keria Morning and Wolfe’s father, and adds so much depth and back story for a new character introduced in this book. You can get by without reading it, but you won’t fully experience the heartbreak and feels knowing what they’ve been through.
Overall: THIS WAS FANTASTIC. Smoke and Iron is my favourite novel in the series to date, doling out equal parts plot and character-development and making me a very happy camper! I legit cannot wait to see where our heroes go from here.
Spoiler
Jess imitating Brendan, Morgan imprisoned in the Iron Tower, Wolfe imprisoned in the cells of Alexandria, and Khalila and co set to be sold out by Red Ibrahim and Daddy Brightwell. It’s up to Jess and the scholars to reunite and continue their quest to restore the original principles to the Great Library.THIS WAS MY FAVOURITE YET.
There is so much adventure and so much growth in this story; such that you can’t believe the characters started out where they did - whether it be geographically or emotionally!
Each character has such a clear role and clear strengths, more so than ever, and they all contribute to the rebellion in their own ways. The twists and turns made sense and nothing ever felt too easy or convenient; Rachel Caine expertly laid all the groundwork and foreshadowing. There’s even more political intrigue with the Archivist being a real focal point of this story, and it’s such a delight to watch the surprises and reveals unfurl.
I really enjoyed getting to read from multiple perspectives in this story; the perspectives of Khalila, Morgan, and Wolfe make for a much better story than if it’d just been Jess’ perspective. We get to see the inside of the
Spoiler
Alexandrian cells, Red Ibrahim’s boat, and the Iron TowerI particularly enjoyed getting to read from Morgan’s perspective in this book. I’ve been kinda “meh” on the subject of Morgan in the past, but I really empathised with her in this story and the complex range of emotions and problems she deals with in being stuck in the middle of a war. Not only is she navigating political intrigue and imprisonment, but she’s also dealing with issues that remind you that at the end of the day, these poor characters are teenagers.
Also Khalila? MY ABSOLUTE QUEEEEEEEN. She really comes into her own in this story and shows how she can be useful in turning the tide.
I really recommend reading Caine’s Wattpad short story, [b:Tigers in the Cage|31942436|Tigers in the Cage (The Great Library #0.1)|Rachel Caine|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480869545s/31942436.jpg|52600037] before picking up this story. It’s a prequel short story focused on Keria Morning and Wolfe’s father, and adds so much depth and back story for a new character introduced in this book. You can get by without reading it, but you won’t fully experience the heartbreak and feels knowing what they’ve been through.
Overall: THIS WAS FANTASTIC. Smoke and Iron is my favourite novel in the series to date, doling out equal parts plot and character-development and making me a very happy camper! I legit cannot wait to see where our heroes go from here.
brky1144's review
5.0
Even better than the last!
Rachel Caine had done amazing things with this series between character development and plot twists. Fantastic story-telling that makes it darn near impossible to put this book down.
Rachel Caine had done amazing things with this series between character development and plot twists. Fantastic story-telling that makes it darn near impossible to put this book down.
demigods's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
this book blew my expectations out of the water. I have no words — every character, every choice, every twist & turn was perfect. also a huge fan of the pov changing used for the first time in this book & how it was utilized. I wish I could experience this book again for the first time.
crankyoldnerd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
epilieaspiechick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My full review can be found on the Epilie Aspie Chick blog!
I love the way this story features the elements of found family, fantasy, and ethics. Knowledge shouldn't be owned by one organization but is it okay to hide away dark knowledge that could easily corrupt others? How do we keep an organization that's meant to spread information from becoming self serving? There are so many layers to the questions you could ask that I know they'll stay with me a long time.
I love the way this story features the elements of found family, fantasy, and ethics. Knowledge shouldn't be owned by one organization but is it okay to hide away dark knowledge that could easily corrupt others? How do we keep an organization that's meant to spread information from becoming self serving? There are so many layers to the questions you could ask that I know they'll stay with me a long time.
worldsunlikeourown's review against another edition
5.0
The story picks up right after the cliffhanger of Ash and Quill. The group is split in two following Callum Brightwell's betrayal, as per the risky plan put together by Jess, Dario, Morgan and Brendan. Khalila, Glain, Thomas, Santi and Dario are aboard a ship with Anit, notorious book smuggler Red Ibrahim's daughter, at the helm, supposedly heading for Cadiz where Dario has powerful family connections. However, they soon realize that they have been betrayed and are instead bound for Alexandria, straight into the Archivist's hands.
On the other hand, Jess, Morgan and Wolfe are back in the Archivist's clutches, playing a dangerous game. Jess, pretending to be his twin brother Brendan, hands over the other two and negotiates on behalf of his father, with the threat of a working printing press they now hold. Morgan is taken back to the Iron Tower, and Wolfe to prison - however, Wolfe has not been informed of the plan.
Spread out and with no way to contact each other, each group plots to raise support against the Archivist and spark a rebellion against the corruption in the Great Library, all the time not knowing who they can truly trust.
One of the best things about this series is that though there are so many central characters, all of them are extremely well thought out and have excellent development arcs and depth to them. The multiple POVs in this book lent very a interesting perspective to the story.
I wasn't all that happy when I realized this was going to be a five book series instead of a trilogy, but Smoke and Iron is definitely worth the read! Rachel Caine has written another amazing, suspenseful, fast paced novel, keeping the Great Library series at the top of my current favourites.
On the other hand, Jess, Morgan and Wolfe are back in the Archivist's clutches, playing a dangerous game. Jess, pretending to be his twin brother Brendan, hands over the other two and negotiates on behalf of his father, with the threat of a working printing press they now hold. Morgan is taken back to the Iron Tower, and Wolfe to prison - however, Wolfe has not been informed of the plan.
Spread out and with no way to contact each other, each group plots to raise support against the Archivist and spark a rebellion against the corruption in the Great Library, all the time not knowing who they can truly trust.
One of the best things about this series is that though there are so many central characters, all of them are extremely well thought out and have excellent development arcs and depth to them. The multiple POVs in this book lent very a interesting perspective to the story.
I wasn't all that happy when I realized this was going to be a five book series instead of a trilogy, but Smoke and Iron is definitely worth the read! Rachel Caine has written another amazing, suspenseful, fast paced novel, keeping the Great Library series at the top of my current favourites.
blove0312's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reread ending 8/9/24:
This is perhaps my favorite one. There is a lot going on, a lot of ground to cover as our crew was split up, but I love having a POV from Khalila who may be my most favorite of them all (Thomas and Jess of course being about even, or just below). Khalila has the ability to remain calm and level-headed in so far every shit show she’s been part of; she uses logic and reason instead of acting or speaking rashly. As opposite as I am, I love this. I love that she’s a woman, that she’s Muslim. It’s important to have diversity, but it’s more important to have real, fleshed out diversity. Though as I am not a religious person, let alone of her faith, I cannot swear that it’s an altogether accurate representation. But to have her be their collective voice of reason (though sometimes shared with Thomas), to put her in places of leadership (several times), it lends weight to real people of her various backgrounds, helps give the often voiceless a voice. All in my personal opinion, of course.
Well shit, and Wolfe of course; he is an Elder Emo and A Gay, and I love his dry sense of humor, his inability to stop plodding along (which is notably different than “his ability to continue plodding along” as there are many times he wishes he could just stop, be done), his wit, his unfaltering love and devotion to Santi. His POV are heart-breaking at times, back in the clutches of the people who’ve been trying to kill him for years, and without his mother to have his back. But he continues plodding along; he doesn’t give into the despair, the fear. But more than that, he lends his strength to his fellow prisoners, while they get the layout of the place and the names of others in there, so that they can be ready. For what, he doesn’t know, but he does know Jess, Santi, and he knows something is going to happen. And so he does what he can, because what else can he do?
Jess spends most of this book balanced on a precarious ledge, and without any of his people. But damn if he doesn’t still make shit happen. I won’t spend much raving about him, though I am awfully fond of him, because we’ve mostly seen things from his POV already. You already know he’s clever, willing to make sacrifices if and when they’re needed. You already know he’s come to view his friends as his family, despite not really having anything to compare up to this point. Just know Jess shows up, as Brendan, because he’s ready to see this to the end. Whatever it takes.
The tides are turning on the Archivist. The scholars aren’t stupid (hence being… ya know, scholars), they see people with opposing views being imprisoned, they see him tightening the reigns and seizing more control than his station typically allows, they see the monstrosity he unleashes… but will he realize before it’s too late?
Morgan… is playing her role inside the Tower, trying to make contact with Eskander, trying to gain allies, using her rebellious ways which I of course respect and encourage. She just doesn’t do it for me as much as she did on my first read, maybe even my second.
Long story short, I love this series. And when I love a series, and the characters within, I will always rate a 5. Not that this book is possibly less, I might’ve said that for book 2 but it still gets all 5 of them babies.
This is perhaps my favorite one. There is a lot going on, a lot of ground to cover as our crew was split up, but I love having a POV from Khalila who may be my most favorite of them all (Thomas and Jess of course being about even, or just below). Khalila has the ability to remain calm and level-headed in so far every shit show she’s been part of; she uses logic and reason instead of acting or speaking rashly. As opposite as I am, I love this. I love that she’s a woman, that she’s Muslim. It’s important to have diversity, but it’s more important to have real, fleshed out diversity. Though as I am not a religious person, let alone of her faith, I cannot swear that it’s an altogether accurate representation. But to have her be their collective voice of reason (though sometimes shared with Thomas), to put her in places of leadership (several times), it lends weight to real people of her various backgrounds, helps give the often voiceless a voice. All in my personal opinion, of course.
Well shit, and Wolfe of course; he is an Elder Emo and A Gay, and I love his dry sense of humor, his inability to stop plodding along (which is notably different than “his ability to continue plodding along” as there are many times he wishes he could just stop, be done), his wit, his unfaltering love and devotion to Santi. His POV are heart-breaking at times, back in the clutches of the people who’ve been trying to kill him for years, and without his mother to have his back. But he continues plodding along; he doesn’t give into the despair, the fear. But more than that, he lends his strength to his fellow prisoners, while they get the layout of the place and the names of others in there, so that they can be ready. For what, he doesn’t know, but he does know Jess, Santi, and he knows something is going to happen. And so he does what he can, because what else can he do?
Jess spends most of this book balanced on a precarious ledge, and without any of his people. But damn if he doesn’t still make shit happen. I won’t spend much raving about him, though I am awfully fond of him, because we’ve mostly seen things from his POV already. You already know he’s clever, willing to make sacrifices if and when they’re needed. You already know he’s come to view his friends as his family, despite not really having anything to compare up to this point. Just know Jess shows up, as Brendan, because he’s ready to see this to the end. Whatever it takes.
The tides are turning on the Archivist. The scholars aren’t stupid (hence being… ya know, scholars), they see people with opposing views being imprisoned, they see him tightening the reigns and seizing more control than his station typically allows, they see the monstrosity he unleashes… but will he realize before it’s too late?
Morgan… is playing her role inside the Tower, trying to make contact with Eskander, trying to gain allies, using her rebellious ways which I of course respect and encourage. She just doesn’t do it for me as much as she did on my first read, maybe even my second.
Long story short, I love this series. And when I love a series, and the characters within, I will always rate a 5. Not that this book is possibly less, I might’ve said that for book 2 but it still gets all 5 of them babies.