Cheryl Smith
Cheryl Smith asked Genevieve Cogman:

Hi! Love your Library series! re-reading book 2, quick question: In the Venice sphere, what benefit to Lord Guantes if he starts this war? how does this help him? And, in general, why is the Library (Irene's supervisor esp.) so hard on Irene? aren't they more worried about the Library? why wouldn't they help her more? i know they have to stay "neutral" but at what cost? seems they leave her on her own! please answer!

Genevieve Cogman Hi Cheryl,

I'm glad you're enjoying the books.

Lord Guantes had a number of political allies who'd have benefited from a war, and they would have passed favours on to him.

As for the Library - there are reasons why they can't give Irene all the help they'd like. (They're understaffed, for one thing.) More information may also come out later in the series.

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