Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine Published by Allen & Unwin on July 7, 2015
Source: Publisher
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopian
Amazon | Book Depository | Angus & Robertson
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Knowledge is power. Power corrupts.
In a world where the ancient Great Library of Alexandria was never destroyed, knowledge now rules the world: freely available, but strictly controlled. Owning private books is a crime.
Jess Brightwell is the son of a black market smuggler, sent to the Library to compete for a position as a scholar... but even as he forms friendships and finds his true gifts, he begins to unearth the dark secrets of the greatest, most revered institution in the world.
Those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life - and soon both heretics and boooks will burn...
Ink and Bone is about the love of books, and what happens when books get hoarded for their knowledge. In an alternate history where The Great Library of Alexandria exists, all the books in the world are stored and archived at libraries.
As fellow book lovers, what could possibly be wrong with a world where books are appreciated, hoarded, loved and archived by one of the most magnificent libraries of all time?
Well my friends, this is where Ink and Bone will shock and surprise you – knowledge comes at a price. Ink and Bone is set in a terrifying, bleak alternate history where The Great Library has an iron hold over absolutely everything – life, freedom, progress and livelihood. Having too much power has never been a good thing, and the Great Library abuses their power, by holding all of the knowledge to maintain control over its citizens. Books are the epitome of society, they are valued over innocent lives, and it is illegal to own one. Anyone found in possession of the contraband will be punished.
“I must acquire my own information, build my own knowledge, and, through experience, transform it to the treasured gold of wisdom.”
This is one of the most unique, genius high fantasies I have ever read, merging steampunk technology, magical abilities, in a dystopian setting. The world building does take a while to grasp your head around, as it’s complex down to the minute detail of a lifestyle of citizens at war, the competing ideologies of library loyalists, the radical Burners who want to burn all the books (the horror) and the powerful Obscurists who have otherworldly abilities but are kept captive in an iron tower. In Ink and Bone, eating pages, defiling books and burning them is the worst horror that could happen – even worse than dying.
I found the plot to be really fascinating, as the book weaves and advances the story through the trial while simultaneously building up this dark, gritty world so different from our own. London and Wales are at the brink of a war. Great iron beasts or automatons guard the gates to the library, and the obscurists are bred and born with a magical ability (which isn’t really explored all too deeply).
The complexity of the plot is expertly weaved into the tale of Jess Brightwell, book smuggler and contender for one of the most sought after places of all time – a role as a powerful Library scholar. Jess is a hero that I could really root for and get behind, he’s intelligent and cunning, loves and appreciates the finery of books and what they offer, and is loyal to his family despite how they use him. Most importantly, Jess cares about people, and the bonds that he’s built with his fellow students.
“The first purpose of a librarian is to preserve and defend our books. Sometimes, that means dying for them – or making someone else die for them.”
While the Great Library is set in London, the students are shipped off to the Library of Alexandria in Egypt for a time, showcasing the brilliant diversity in the story. They represent different cultures – French, English, Arab, Asian, Welsh and more. This is the diverse cast I’ve been looking for in a fantasy novel, and I loved how their personalities existed beyond their cultural identities. Each character is complex and although some are not immediately likable at the start, they’re each surprisingly unique and brilliant in their own way.
Jess and his fellow students are part of a trial testing their wits, knowledge and suitability for dangerous and rewarding library work. The students are tested by Scholar Wolfe, whose methods will also surprise you – there will be pain. There will be death. There will be brutal consequences to disobedience. Wolfe is a complex man, also hiding his own secrets, and I found his tale to be absolutely riveting.
Ink and Bone is a sonata to books, if you will, creating a fantasy world where books, libraries and knowledge hold absolute power. Every character here loves, appreciates, and even fears the power of books. And Rachel Caine constructs an expertly crafted world, filled with steampunk, dystopia, and magical elements that really brings a library dictatorship to life. I loved this exciting and uniquely crafted high fantasy and I hope that book lovers everywhere will appreciate her genius too.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Thank you to Allen and Unwin for sending me this book for review.
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This sounds so good! It had already been on my TBR, but your review just bumped it up to pretty much the top. Thanks for sharing!
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Yay! I'm glad you loved this one, too! I am absolutely dying for the sequel. I can't wait to see where the author takes this world, and I have such a soft spot for Jess.
Lovely review, Jeann!
Sounds amazing, seems like I definitely need to grab this book
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This sounds absolutely amazing! I can't imagine a world where books are respected so highly is bad,so I'm definitely interested in seeing how his would be explored in the book! I also really like the cover. Awesome review!
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Oh, well now I want to try this one again Jeann, you make it sound absolutely incredible. I tried reading and made it to a few chapters in and I just couldn't get into it at the time. In all fairness though, it was at the height of my slump so that might have had a bit to do with it too. It sounds absolutely magical. I'm so torn now. Okay, okay, you've convinced me to give it another go.
Witchy woman that you are 😀
Brilliant review Jeann, really enjoyed seeing how incredible it was through different eyes, just what I needed to convince me <3
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I hope you do give it another go when you're feeling like a heavy fantasy Kelly. I loved it so much!
I love the idea of this book with the big library and how they value knowledge. It also sounds like a very dark alternate reality with how the lirbary abuses that power. And I love it when the characters all have depth and are complex, this sounds like a book I woudl enjoy! Great Review Jeann!
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I know, it's really interesting just how twisted everything becomes! I hope you enjoy it Lola!
"This is one of the most unique, genius high fantasies I have ever read" NEED. Plus a diverse and complex cast? So excited. I just finished a book with like ZERO world building so this would be a welcome change. Definitely going to check it out, great review!
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There is SO much to love in this book Alise, I hope it works for you too!
Yes…I loved this one as well Jeann..and gads your cover is gorgeous!!
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I know, I love the colours in this one! The US version is pretty too though, especially the hardback.
I have a copy of this one and I'm really excited to read it with all the praise it has been getting. I'm so happy to see you enjoyed it as well, Jeann! It sounds like a VERY BLEAK world, especially for bookworms, but also very unique and interesting. And yes for different cultures and diversity! I hope I'll love this just as much as you did.
Wonderful review, Jeann!
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So glad to hear you have it already! It was just so amazing, I hope you do love it too Nick.
This seriously sounds so awesome! I need to read this soon. I like that you described it as a sonata to books (: High fantasy mixed with all these things sounds really interesting! Happy to see you enjoyed this one! Lovely review (:
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Thanks Cyn, I really loved the unique storyline in this one!
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I really enjoyed the premise of this book, and I agree that the world building was wonderful. However, I did think the book was a bit heavy handed on the whole knowledge = power = corruption theme. Like, it was repeated every second chapter — I GET IT, RACHEL CAINE.
I love the diversity, but for some reason I had issues with Jess as a narrator. I should have loved him, diehard bookworm that he is – but I felt he was a bit bland and he was SO PASSIVE. I don't like characters that don't directly engage or drive the plot.
Wow you've definitely given me a lot to think about Aentee, when it comes to some of the flaws of the books! I do agree it was a bit heavy handed there but as a Ravenclaw I loved it imo XD
Oh, I think you may have convinced me to give this one a go, Jeann! I wasn't really interested before, but once you mentioned the steampunk elements, I was pretty on board. And the fact that this is a book about a world where books are so important sounds awesome!
I have heard some mediocre things about this book as well, though. So if I do pick it up (which I might when there are more books in the series available), I'll just keep a bit of an open mind.
Lovely review, dear <3
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Yay, I'm so glad you're on board with this one! The steampunk elements are quite light, but it was interesting how they were used as security. Woah what mediocre? Uh oh! Thank you!
This just sounds like such a ME book. I really should have read it already but SOON. So glad you loved it!
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Yesss I hope you get the chance to read it Nicole! It was incredible!
So glad to hear you also loved this book, Jeann!
That moment when that creepy guy started eating that book… oh dear it was so horrifying for me! I cannot explain it!!
And the thought of burning books is painful to think of for me, so no matter how against the power of the Library I could be, I'd never go burning books!!
Great review!
Oh man, I totally know what you mean! AND THEN THEY WERE BURNING BOOKS AS WELL. It was painful!
Oh wow. I wish I got this now. I love her books especially the Morganville. I couldn't get into Prince of Shadows though. But I'm so so happy you enjoyed this. This is the perfect book for us book lovers with an awesome plot line. Great review.
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Ah, a shame you couldn't get into Prince of Shadows but this one was definitely an awesome nod to book lovers everywhere! Thanks Emma.
Wow, this book sounds amazing! I am really intrigued by the concept and love the complexity of it! I added it to my TBR, and will definitely check this out!
Wonderful review Jeann!
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Thank you Mishma, I hope you really enjoy it when you get the chance to read it! IT was sooo good
I already wanted to read this, and then you had to go and say "This is one of the most unique, genius high fantasies I have ever read" and now I NEED THIS BOOK ASAP!
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HAhha everyone is quoting that exact line! I LOVED IT AND YOU WILL LOVE IT.
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You had me at: "This is one of the most unique, genius high fantasies I have ever read, merging steampunk technology, magical abilities, in a dystopian setting" and now I must grab those book up!! *Sigh* This sounds like a perfect read for me – awesome review, Jeann 🙂
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Excellent, I just can't wait for everyone to lap up this book because it was amazing Kim!
What a cool sounding book! And I seriously love that cover.
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I know, it's so gorgeous isn't it? I love the colours!
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I've always been a fan of books about books, book lovers, book shop owners, and enchanted libraries! Still haven't read my copy, but your review is all the push I need, Jeann!
I totally agree Joy, we book lovers can really appreciate the uniqueness of this book!
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Abuse of power aside, it's so cool that bookworms rule this world! I hope my library gets this!
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I totally think it's awesome too Braine 🙂
How genius is it? I can't wait to see what happens next. The Alexandrian Library is so fascinating and I love that the author's created an alternate universe out of it. So clever 🙂
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I totally agree Emily! I love how the library was a big part of the book and the society. It was so fascinating!
I really love the cover of this book, and I hope to love its contents, too. Although Daniel didn't love this book, I am hoping that my experience would be different.
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I know, I just love the colours for it! I hope you enjoy it as well Dre 🙂
This sounds fantastic! And that cover – it's GORGEOUS!! I don't think I've ever seen that cover before. It sounds like such a complex story. Great review!! 🙂
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I know, it was a really fantastic fantasy Lisa! This cover is the UK one I think 🙂 Thank you!
Okay, I need to check this out. You have me very intrigued indeed!
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Yippee, glad to hear you're keen on reading it Anne!
I'm not really a big fan of dystopians but I love books with steampunk elements, so I think I'll have to give this a try. I'm also a big fan of books with heists and smugglers, and Jess seems like such an intriguing character!
Also, how can I resist a novel about books and knowledge? Great review, Jeann!
It was definitely a really fascinating book Jenna! There were so many fantastic elements in it, great if you like high fantasy.
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