REVIEW: Paper & Fire by Rachel Caine

*Thank you, Netgalley, for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: July 5, 2016

Jess Brightwell and his allies are back in this second installment to Caine's Great Library series.  Paper and Fire jumps right back into the action. The Great Library continues its stranglehold on knowledge throughout the world as it stamps out any notion of rebellion. Serving in the army is nothing like Jess expected as he and his friends are still reeling from the violence and loss surrounding events at the end of Ink and Bone. He believes he's lost his best friend, Thomas, forever and the girl he loves, Morgan, is locked away in the Obscurist's Iron Tower.

After learning some surprising information, Jess and the others embark on a dangerous mission to save one of their own, secretly plotting to thwart the Library in an action packed narrative spanning not only Alexandria but Rome and even London. Dodging automata creatures and betrayal at every turn, Jess and his friends soon learn that even the places they've once called home aren't safe and that the Library is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to retain its unrelenting power.

What I continue to love about this series is the extended discussion of the power of knowledge and the effect on the world concerning what happens when that power is corrupt. There is this broader exploration of Intellectual Freedom and what can happen in a world where thought and creativity is stunted.  I won't give a lot away but one moment of significance is the discovery and outcome surrounding the Black Archives and the parallel  with our world's fate of the Library of Alexandria.

Overall, great pacing and characterization with plenty of action, a dash of romantic angst, some humor and surprising twists.

Final rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @rachelcaine




#PaperandFire #TheGreatLibrary #netgalley #InkandBone #YAlit #IntellectualFreedom #teen #adventure #alternatehistory #intrigue #adventure #review

REVIEW: Sword in the Stacks by Jen Swann Downey

*Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

Expected publication: June 7, 2016

Sword in the Stacks is the second in the juvenile/tween fiction Ninja Librarians series.  Dorrie and her brother, Marcus, have been recruited as apprentices to the Petrarch Library. They'll train to become Lybrarians, a secret society that transcend time and space in order to protect the world from nefarious forces.  The apprentices balance their classwork while assisting the Lybrarians in their quest to find a missing key that might destroy their fortress and place foe, the Foundation, in power.

Dorrie soon learns that a training expedition to 1912 London brings her dangerously close to the enemy and is determined to spy and help the cause; however, any misstep might lead the villains right to the people and places she and her friends are determined to protect.

A drawback is that the series and individual book title are misleading based on what actually transpired throughout the narrative. The cover is eye catching but there aren't actually any ninjas and swordplay is occurs in just a fraction of the story--I can't speak for the first entry in the series. While appealing, readers might experience some letdown if they are hoping for stealthy ninjas. The writing and world building are engaging and deceptively sneaky (which I love). Readers learn about historical figures and events in a fun and creative way.

Check out ALA's Intellectual Freedom Blog for my upcoming post about the book's connection to the larger conversation regarding intellectual freedom.

Overall, this is a cute book for middle grade readers (grades 5 thru 8). There is a great sense of adventure and mystery plus a good deal of humor which will appeal to many young readers. Any history buff or library lover will get a kick out of the premise. I remain of the mindset that anyone who knows a librarians and what we do would consider us superheros and this book does just that. I'd recommend this as a read-a-like for anyone who loved the Magic Tree House or Time Spies books as a younger reader or who enjoy Rick Riordan or even Ink & Bone by Rachel Caine.

Final rating: 3.75/5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @jenswanndowney



#ninjalibrarians #swordinthestacks #intellectualfreedom #libraries #middleschool #adventure #humor #history #netgalley