Ava Golde
asked
Kevin Sands:
This question contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[In The Traitor’s Blade, Isaac takes Sally in as an apprentice of sorts to help assist him in the library. Why did he not have an apprentice before this, especially given his own statements about the importance of the library’s preservation? What was his role in the secret alchemists? How did he and Benedict meet, and what was their relationship like? (hide spoiler)]
Kevin Sands
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Even more than the others, Isaac was concerned about keeping secrets. So much so that he put off what he should have done earlier, even though he knew it was a little irresponsible. (We all have our flaws, I guess.) He didn't think about it much, but with the coming of the plague and his worsening health, he realizes he can't put it off any longer.
His role was pretty much the same as any librarian: collect, sort, and collate information, and help whoever needs it to find what they're looking for (limited to his alchemist group, of course). He was also responsible for acquisitions. Whenever he or someone in the group heard of an interesting or potentially valuable work, it was his job to find and buy it for the library. He travelled a lot for this; for example, he's returning from one of these trips at the beginning of Mark of the Plague.
He met Benedict when Benedict was still an apprentice and Isaac was a young man, already in charge of the secret library. Isaac recognized Benedict's skill and interest in alchemy, and recruited him to the group. He became essentially Benedict's best friend; they discussed intellectual matters and even travelled a lot together when they were younger, though as a private and mostly solitary person, Benedict spent a lot of time by himself, working. (hide spoiler)]
His role was pretty much the same as any librarian: collect, sort, and collate information, and help whoever needs it to find what they're looking for (limited to his alchemist group, of course). He was also responsible for acquisitions. Whenever he or someone in the group heard of an interesting or potentially valuable work, it was his job to find and buy it for the library. He travelled a lot for this; for example, he's returning from one of these trips at the beginning of Mark of the Plague.
He met Benedict when Benedict was still an apprentice and Isaac was a young man, already in charge of the secret library. Isaac recognized Benedict's skill and interest in alchemy, and recruited him to the group. He became essentially Benedict's best friend; they discussed intellectual matters and even travelled a lot together when they were younger, though as a private and mostly solitary person, Benedict spent a lot of time by himself, working. (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions
Amy
asked
Kevin Sands:
I love that middle grade fiction is often smarter than most stories churned out for adults. It's able to tackle complicated topics without attempting to be gratuitously gritty, & usually weaves in humour. The Blackthorne Key works are right up there among other standout series like Nevermoor, Prosper Redding, and The Forbidden Library, to me! Wondering what worlds/books have been your own favourite to slip into?
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more