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Smoke and Iron
(The Great Library #4)
by
To save the Great Library, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill put themselves in danger in the next thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.
The opening moves of a deadly game have begun. Jess Brightwell has put himself in direct peril, with only his wits and skill to aid him in a game of cat and mouse with ...more
The opening moves of a deadly game have begun. Jess Brightwell has put himself in direct peril, with only his wits and skill to aid him in a game of cat and mouse with ...more
Hardcover, 430 pages
Published
July 3rd 2018
by Berkley Books
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Sabrina
It will be published 3 july 2018
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

So I really absolutely adore this series and this was another excellent one. Also my current emotional state is:
scREEEAMMMINGGG
sCREEEaaamINgggGGGGGGG
SCREEEEEEEEEAMINGgggggg
Which is nice. Wholesome. Everything is fine.
Also before we go on, I had the epic honour of being on the blog tour! So stop by here if you want a snippet of the book and some epic pictures.!! 😏
Now this is going to come as a shock to you but…I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK.
The Great Library series is just one of my favourites (the c ...more
scREEEAMMMINGGG
sCREEEaaamINgggGGGGGGG
SCREEEEEEEEEAMINGgggggg
Which is nice. Wholesome. Everything is fine.
Also before we go on, I had the epic honour of being on the blog tour! So stop by here if you want a snippet of the book and some epic pictures.!! 😏
Now this is going to come as a shock to you but…I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK.
The Great Library series is just one of my favourites (the c ...more

Jul 05, 2018
may ➹
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
2018-reads,
3-and-a-half-star,
arc,
asian-rep,
asian-rep-main,
boring,
buddy-reads,
disappointing,
diverse,
dystopian
3.5 stars
Either I’m getting more critical or this series is lowering in quality just slightly?
This book is the fourth installment in the Great Library series, which is a fantasy series I think is EXTREMELY underrated and has been so much fun to follow. It’s got historical yet dystopian vibes, lots of diversity, and a cast of characters you get attached to easily.
But with each new installment I read, I get a little less engrossed in the series? It might be because it’s quite long; there are five ...more
Either I’m getting more critical or this series is lowering in quality just slightly?
This book is the fourth installment in the Great Library series, which is a fantasy series I think is EXTREMELY underrated and has been so much fun to follow. It’s got historical yet dystopian vibes, lots of diversity, and a cast of characters you get attached to easily.
But with each new installment I read, I get a little less engrossed in the series? It might be because it’s quite long; there are five ...more

Yes folks it’s that time of year again, time for my annual rant and rave for Rachel Caine’s young adult fantasy The Great Library series. For the past four years I have raved about how much I just love this series but I’ve also had to rant away that yet again I now have yet another year to wait until the next book and oh what a long wait it will be. Last year’s rant was a bit more memorable since I’d thought the series was going to be a trilogy but found out we had another cliffhanger and had be
...more

4 books in and I’m still head-over-heels for this series. I absolutely adore it! Having said that, Rachel Caine has consistently been able to wreck me at the end of each instalment…and this one is no exception. I AM DISTRAUGHT!!! I can’t even…AGHHH!
This book picked up right after the cliffhanger in Ash and Quill, and it was full-speed ahead for the duration of the novel. There are so many plots, deceptions, manipulations, and conspiracies as our favourite characters struggle to get the upper-han ...more
This book picked up right after the cliffhanger in Ash and Quill, and it was full-speed ahead for the duration of the novel. There are so many plots, deceptions, manipulations, and conspiracies as our favourite characters struggle to get the upper-han ...more

This series continues to improve and Smoke and Iron was for me a fast, action packed read.
A huge amount happened in the course of this story and relationships faltered and changed. At the start of the series I did not feel invested in any of the characters but that has changed totally. You have to be careful who you become attached to though because the author is not scared of killing
off quite prominent people!
Smoke and Iron finishes in a very open ended way with major events still hanging in ...more
A huge amount happened in the course of this story and relationships faltered and changed. At the start of the series I did not feel invested in any of the characters but that has changed totally. You have to be careful who you become attached to though because the author is not scared of killing
off quite prominent people!
Smoke and Iron finishes in a very open ended way with major events still hanging in ...more

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review!
This might be the best yet in the series, and I think it was definitely my favorite of the series so far. We come off of the cliffhanger of the next book with everyone in limbo, and the author uses her mighty pen to move and shift all of our players like pieces on a chess board, forcing them towards the huge clash that is destined to happen soon.
We get to read POVs from multiple characters in this one. ...more
This might be the best yet in the series, and I think it was definitely my favorite of the series so far. We come off of the cliffhanger of the next book with everyone in limbo, and the author uses her mighty pen to move and shift all of our players like pieces on a chess board, forcing them towards the huge clash that is destined to happen soon.
We get to read POVs from multiple characters in this one. ...more

I have been quite impatiently waiting for Smoke and Iron since finishing Ash and Quill over a year ago. And the wait was well worth it!
I’m going to keep this short and sweet to avoid spoilers for any books in this series. This particular installment was highly entertaining, with a fast paced plot that moved along at a nice clip from start to finish. It alternated between each character’s perspective every few chapters, which not only helped to pull the story tight from all angles, but also added ...more
I’m going to keep this short and sweet to avoid spoilers for any books in this series. This particular installment was highly entertaining, with a fast paced plot that moved along at a nice clip from start to finish. It alternated between each character’s perspective every few chapters, which not only helped to pull the story tight from all angles, but also added ...more

Loved this new instalment to The Great Library series and as always it left me wanting to read the next book right away.
This series is simply fascinating. Rachel Caine really knows how to spin a yarn and her characters are both delightfully intriguing and imperfect.
More thoughts & feels after the summer holidays.
This series is simply fascinating. Rachel Caine really knows how to spin a yarn and her characters are both delightfully intriguing and imperfect.
More thoughts & feels after the summer holidays.

Information is power, I’m a firm believe in that. The Great Library is a world where knowledge is held by a system, in this case The Great Library in Alexandria, and they chose what information is acceptable for the world at large. Printed books on paper are considered contraband and if you are caught with one it could mean your life.
I’ve liked the premise of the series since Ink and Bone, however the series lost a little momentum for me with the next two books in the series. But, I think that w ...more
I’ve liked the premise of the series since Ink and Bone, however the series lost a little momentum for me with the next two books in the series. But, I think that w ...more

What would be like if the Great Library of Alexandria had never burned down? Would all the amazing knowledge that was stored there and now is gone have enriched the world? Just imagine what a different world we could live in today. That is what Rachel Caine has done with The Great Library series. She created a world where the library never burned down and is now a presence in every major city in the world, controlling knowledge. Through alchemy, the library can deliver any of the content in the
...more

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Oh how I cannot wait until May for the final book! I absolutely love this series! It is fast moving with some amazing characters that readers cannot help but root for. The ending of this installment was crazy and a bit unpredictable. There is a heart wrenching moment at the end for readers. So ready for the final book now!
My quick and simple overall: cannot wait for May! 💓 ...more
Oh how I cannot wait until May for the final book! I absolutely love this series! It is fast moving with some amazing characters that readers cannot help but root for. The ending of this installment was crazy and a bit unpredictable. There is a heart wrenching moment at the end for readers. So ready for the final book now!
My quick and simple overall: cannot wait for May! 💓 ...more

The Great Library Series continues. Jess and his twin brother have swapped roles in an attempt to save those they care about most. They’re merely pawns in a giant chess game that they havent even begun to understand. In a world where the written word could very well mean a death sentence, Jess and his band of outcasts have challenged the authority of the Library by manufacturing a printing press.
Smoke and Iron proved to be my least favorite so far in the series. While I still enjoy the books, I ...more
Smoke and Iron proved to be my least favorite so far in the series. While I still enjoy the books, I ...more

Spoiler Free and Vague Thoughts
Smoke and Iron was suspenseful with nail-biting developments, new automations and great loss. We've got Jess, posing a Brendon his twin, Morgan is back in the Dark Tower a place she swore she'd never return to and Wolfe being held prisoner in the dungeon. The rest of our crew is aboard a ship manned by Ani. All have a part to play in the game to undermine and remove the archivist from power. Ahhhh.... it was all so stressful!
The story moved from POV to POV, some Je ...more
Smoke and Iron was suspenseful with nail-biting developments, new automations and great loss. We've got Jess, posing a Brendon his twin, Morgan is back in the Dark Tower a place she swore she'd never return to and Wolfe being held prisoner in the dungeon. The rest of our crew is aboard a ship manned by Ani. All have a part to play in the game to undermine and remove the archivist from power. Ahhhh.... it was all so stressful!
The story moved from POV to POV, some Je ...more

I still love this series! I'm kind of on the fence about whether or not everything could've been wrapped up in this volume, but I guess it will depend on what happens in the next book. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives, but at the end pretty much everyone had a perspective and that was kind of overkill.
Wolfe's perspective in this was probably the least useful. I think his could've easily been cut out so that Morgan's, Jess's and Khalila's perspectives could've been expanded. And it really pain ...more
Wolfe's perspective in this was probably the least useful. I think his could've easily been cut out so that Morgan's, Jess's and Khalila's perspectives could've been expanded. And it really pain ...more

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Jess Brightwell and his allies are now in direct danger from the Archivist Magister and his supporters in the Great Library. The world is about to catch fire in all out rebellion and printed words are the spark to ignite the blaze. They'll have to use everything they've got if they want any chance of surviving this fight. It's down to the smugglers, thieves, and Scholars to save all that's still good about the library.
Smoke and Bo ...more
Jess Brightwell and his allies are now in direct danger from the Archivist Magister and his supporters in the Great Library. The world is about to catch fire in all out rebellion and printed words are the spark to ignite the blaze. They'll have to use everything they've got if they want any chance of surviving this fight. It's down to the smugglers, thieves, and Scholars to save all that's still good about the library.
Smoke and Bo ...more

There's a lot to like with this series, with its cool world building, diverse cast of characters, and plenty of action. But the series has been inconsistent too, a roller coaster ride alternating between high excitement and low boredom. For me, the first book was great (after a couple of hundred pages), the second book I struggled with, the third book was the best of them all, and now with this fourth book I struggled once again.
When the series is at its best is when the group of teens (Jess, M ...more
When the series is at its best is when the group of teens (Jess, M ...more

Jess Brightwell comes from a long line of book smugglers. In a world where owning a book is illegal, Jess finds himself a spy in the Great Library He and his group of friends have pitted themselves against the library and archivists that control their world by controlling the access to knowledge (aka all the books).
Get ready for accelerating action when Caine pulls out all the stops in a this the fourth installment in The Great Library series. I found myself sucked into this world wishing it wou ...more
Get ready for accelerating action when Caine pulls out all the stops in a this the fourth installment in The Great Library series. I found myself sucked into this world wishing it wou ...more

The fourth book in The Great Library series by Rachel Caine. Jess and his friends are back, and trying to save the Great Library from evil and corruption.
This story is told using multiple points of view. That is different than in the earlier books, but it works for this one. The characters aren't all in the same location the entire time, and a lot is happening. It was nice to see all of the pieces coming together.
A creative and engaging fantasy world. A great series for fans of young adult fan ...more
This story is told using multiple points of view. That is different than in the earlier books, but it works for this one. The characters aren't all in the same location the entire time, and a lot is happening. It was nice to see all of the pieces coming together.
A creative and engaging fantasy world. A great series for fans of young adult fan ...more

3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2018/08/02/...
It probably comes as no surprise that The Great Library and I have had our ups and downs, given the precarious changes involved when a planned trilogy gets expanded to five books. Admittedly, my enthusiasm for the series took a hit after things slowed down in Ash and Quill, when much of the plot felt like mostly filler. As the fourth book in the series though, Smoke and Iron gave me high hopes that things will pick up ag ...more
It probably comes as no surprise that The Great Library and I have had our ups and downs, given the precarious changes involved when a planned trilogy gets expanded to five books. Admittedly, my enthusiasm for the series took a hit after things slowed down in Ash and Quill, when much of the plot felt like mostly filler. As the fourth book in the series though, Smoke and Iron gave me high hopes that things will pick up ag ...more

Rachel Caine is becoming one of my favourite authors! Especially with this series, which offers plenty of twists & turns and lots of characters that you wish could spend time with (after the crisis is over, of course).
I love this whole idea of the Library of Alexandria surviving into modern times and becoming an evil empire! The whole ecosystem of knowledge, with the Library controlling as much as they can, with protest movements like the Book Burners and Ink Lickers, and the criminal smugg ...more
I love this whole idea of the Library of Alexandria surviving into modern times and becoming an evil empire! The whole ecosystem of knowledge, with the Library controlling as much as they can, with protest movements like the Book Burners and Ink Lickers, and the criminal smugg ...more

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Dystopian
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Smoke and Iron is the fourth installment in The Great Library series by author Rachel Caine. Smoke and Iron is a heart-pounding, alternate history novel set in a world where book ownership is forbidden. The story is filled with action, adventure, romance, betrayal, and magic. This is also a series that revolves around a rather large group of teens, and their adult mentors. The characters include: Jeff Brightwell, Khalila Seif ...more
*Genre* Young Adult / Dystopian
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
Smoke and Iron is the fourth installment in The Great Library series by author Rachel Caine. Smoke and Iron is a heart-pounding, alternate history novel set in a world where book ownership is forbidden. The story is filled with action, adventure, romance, betrayal, and magic. This is also a series that revolves around a rather large group of teens, and their adult mentors. The characters include: Jeff Brightwell, Khalila Seif ...more

Jun 25, 2018
Mlpmom (Book Reviewer)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arc-book-read,
kindle-books
4.5 Stars!
The Great Library series has been a favorite from the very first, action packed story and with each new installment Caine has upped the greatness more and more until it feels like the very pages will explode with it.
This thrill ride of a read never fails to leave me with my heart pounding and on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen to this rag tag group of friends next and most of all, wishing like heck that by the end, the bad guys will have seen better days.
Filled with non ...more
The Great Library series has been a favorite from the very first, action packed story and with each new installment Caine has upped the greatness more and more until it feels like the very pages will explode with it.
This thrill ride of a read never fails to leave me with my heart pounding and on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen to this rag tag group of friends next and most of all, wishing like heck that by the end, the bad guys will have seen better days.
Filled with non ...more

This book was utterly fantastic! It was fast paced and spectacular and AHHHHHHHH!!! I absolutely ADORE these characters, and I love this series, and AHHHHHH!!!! This book was one wild ride!
Okay but seriously, I am just complete trash for these characters, and I cannot be made speak about them sensibly! MY HEART!! I LOVE THEM!!!!
Sort of forget what happened in this book to be honest, but I loved it! BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS!!! And I know the plot was fast paced and kept my attention from the very f ...more
Okay but seriously, I am just complete trash for these characters, and I cannot be made speak about them sensibly! MY HEART!! I LOVE THEM!!!!
Sort of forget what happened in this book to be honest, but I loved it! BECAUSE THE CHARACTERS!!! And I know the plot was fast paced and kept my attention from the very f ...more

I love all of these characters so much and I enjoyed getting all of their perspectives in this installment, which I’m not sure we’ve had before. I had a little trouble getting into the momentum of this book, but honestly, I think it’s mostly because of my own fears of what would happen to all of these dear characters - I was so worried about them that I kept stopping. And many difficult things did happen. But also exciting ones too. Thankfully this doesn’t end on a huge cliffhanger, although the
...more

* * * * *
5 / 5
~review to come~
http://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.com
Best of the series to date! Tension! Intrigue! Plot twists! Dragons!
5 / 5
~review to come~
http://atlasrisingbooks.wordpress.com
Best of the series to date! Tension! Intrigue! Plot twists! Dragons!
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Nothing But Readi...: Caine, Rachel-Smoke and Iron informal buddy read starts July 8, 2018 | 28 | 156 | Jul 12, 2018 10:51AM | |
Predictions for Smoke and Iron | 5 | 10 | Apr 20, 2018 06:16AM |
Rachel Caine is a pen name of Roxanne Longstreet Conrad.
She has also published as:
Roxanne Longstreet
Roxanne Conrad
Julie Fortune
Ian Hammell
Her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/rachelcainef...
She has also published as:
Roxanne Longstreet
Roxanne Conrad
Julie Fortune
Ian Hammell
Her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/rachelcainef...
Other books in the series
The Great Library
(5 books)
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“Women watched their allies as much as their enemies, if they wished to prevent trouble and keep their power. Especially if all of their subordinates and peers were men. Unfair, perhaps, but practical.”
—
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“You think you’re fighting for freedom. Freedom is dangerous. Give humankind freedom, and they will inevitably fall into chaos and war, religious zealotry and senseless violence. We have kept the peace. And we’ve done it by giving the people what they need, when they need it. Not what they want. Want is nothing but blind and selfish greed.”
—
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