✨ Helena ✨'s Reviews > Paper and Fire

WOAH. Talk about fast-paced action! Needless to say, this book did not suffer from middle-book-syndrome. It was so exciting and had me at the edge of my seat! There were so many twists and turns, deceptions and betrayals! It was complete and utter perfection!

Jess was, as usual, the cinnamon roll we know and love. He isn’t a Scholar surrounded by the books he loves, but is a soldier in the High Garda, the Great Library’s army. His eyes have been opened to the cruelty and oppression that is the Library, and he needs to decide where he truly belongs…In the smuggling business, devoid of morals? As part of the Library, where he turns a blind eye to its injustices? Or is his future destined to be entirely somewhere else???

I also appreciate that this book has very little romance (with the exception of Wolfe x Santi <3). It’s completely driven by plot and action. Having said that, the stakes are SO HIGH. There is so much corruption within the Library, and no one knows who they can trust. Yet again, so much happens in such a short book!!!

Jess really steps up to the plate and uses his criminal mastermind genius to get the gang out of dangerous situations! He’s so commendably brave and hilariously snarky! We learn about the Black Archives of the Library (aka where all the “forbidden” books go), how alchemy is used in translation (aka teleportation), and how the automatons’ mechanics work! This is such a well-developed world! It’s a combination of Ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian architecture with steampunk technology…and I absolutely love it!!!

Paper & Fire was a fantastic sequel. So, bravo, Rachel Caine! If you haven’t yet begun this series…what are you waiting for??? Read it!!! :D

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and read Book 3, Ash and Quill!