Smoke and Iron is the fourth book in Rachel Caine's great library series and by this point I am Very Invested in the lives of this ensemble cast and their plight to 1) save the library from the evil Archivist and 2) stay alive. The last installment ended on a huge cliffhanger, with these 8 characters in dire situations, and this book picks the story back up right in the middle of that danger.

In this story we get four different POVs - Jess, Khalila Morgan and Wolfe - all separated from each other, and all but Khalila completely alone in hostile environments (she is in a hostile environment accompanied by Santi, Glain, Thomas and Dario). Jess, Khalila Morgan and Wolfe each has a different mission, and I was eager to watch everything unfold, and desperate for them to get back to each other. I really enjoyed reading from each of their perspectives, as we haven't gotten so much of that before. Have I said yet that I love all of these characters so much?

I admit that I had a little trouble getting into the momentum of this book, meaning that it wasn't a super fast read for me. But honestly, I think that'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 to take a breath and then come back later. And many difficult things did happen in this book - one that I'm still devastated about. But also exciting things happen too. Thankfully Smoke and Iron doesn’t end on a huge cliffhanger, although there is definitely a final book to come, and I cannot wait to read it.

In sum, this is one of my favorite series, and Smoke and Iron picks up where the last one left off and continues the overall storyline in thrilling - and devastating ways. This ensemble cast of 8 has stolen my heart, and I cannot wait to find out what next is in store for them. If you haven't started these books yet, do it now!

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: Low/Medium - not as harrowing as the end of the last book, but still a lot more to come.

This fourth heart-pounding installment of The Great Library series by Rachel Caine continues the adventures of core characters Jess Brightwell, Morgan Hault, Thomas Schreiber, Christopher Wolfe, Niccolò Santi., Dario Santiago, and Khalila Seif. as they struggle to save the Great Library..The drama unfolds through the eyes of different characters as the excitement and danger build. .

It is neither easy nor safe resisting the manipulations of the ruthless Archivist Magister and his supporters; they rule the flow of knowledge throughout the world. - and their decisions are enforced an army of soldiers, weapons of mass destruction and merciless ,mechanical beasts.

Stakes are high as the scholars risk everything in an attempt to correct this flawed system. Calling upon all their allies and utilizing every trick they can come up with - will it be enough; or will treachery and betrayal thwart their plans?

I have been thoroughly impressed with Rachel Caine's The Great Library series since it's inception, and I'm so happy that we have more books to come. The world-building is complex and detailed, and just superb from beginning to end. I also love the diverse cast of characters from just about every walk of life - there is someone for everyone to identify with.

The last installment of the series, Ash and Quill, ended on a cliffhanger that had me yelling at my Kindle. So without giving away what happened. I will just say that our group of revolutionaries is now separated. Jess and Dario concocted a crazy and dangerous scheme, one that will take all of Jess' cunning, bravery and skill. He also couldn't let his guilt or worry for the others cloud his judgment, as he was in the viper pit with danger at every turn. I was riveted as he attempted to beard a lion in it's den, and I couldn't quite believe that he was pulling it off. Of course there was a lot of action and several close calls that had me holding my breath and flipping the page as fast as possible.

The Archivist is just as ruthless, evil and power-mad as ever. Though his corruption now has some within the library questioning his motives and methods, though no one seems to be as brave or willing to speak out as our young revolutionaries. Another villain has moved into the role of Obscurist, following the death of Wolfe's mother. Gregory was very easy to hate - he came off as slimy and he delighted in his cruelty. I felt like he had the potential to surpass the Archivist in vile deeds if given the chance.

Jess was not the sole POV in this book, we swapped between the various main characters and were able to get a clear picture of what was happening with everyone else. Morgan had her own plan, and enlisted help from an endearing new character - Anissa. (I think she was new, I don't remember her from previous books.) I enjoyed their alliance and machinations within the Iron Tower. But I was also very intrigued by Eksander, another new (and powerful) character, that I hope plays a larger role in future books.

Khalila really stepped up in this installment, as did Dario. When separated, Khalila stepped up to become a leader. She shows great promise as a politician - a fair, honest and diplomatic one. Dario has also grown and matured as a character, and I attribute that largely to his love for Khalila. Glain, Santi and Thomas didn't have quite as much page time as the others, but continued to be strong supportive presences in the story. Thomas is our quiet inventive genius, who is still troubled by what he endured in previous books. Santi is our alpha male High Garda, who is so in love and worried for Wolfe that it blinds him at times. I love seeing Wolfe and Santi together, they have something truly special.

The tides are turning for the revolution and The Great Library, and I was not able to predict the final events of the story. I can't wait for the next installment!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Berkley.

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 fantasy stories set in a dystopian world. I’ve read the previous three books in the series (Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill), and definitely recommend reading them before this one. There is one more book to follow after this one, and I can’t wait to see how the series ends.

I received a digital ARC from Berkley and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I don't know.... On the one hand, I enjoyed this one, but after the ending of book 3 (Ash and Quill) I feel...that perhaps this one wasn't as...mind-blowing? Okay, sure there is an epic ending, and plenty of danger and suspense throughout, but I don't know, I kind of saw this ending coming? That said, it leave loads of potential for book 5, the finally of this amazing series!

I loved seeing the characters each find their place in this one, and enjoyed reading it overall, I just feel that this one is more of a bridge from book 3-5 than the others have been. A lot happens, but there is also a lot of planning, and strategizing going on from all sides. I was able to predict most of the surprises in this one, but there were plenty of places where I was cheering for Jess and his friends that it didn't bother me. I saw a lot of character growth in this one, as with the rest of the series, and I hope that continues into the final book.

I reviewed the previous novel in Rachel Caine's dystopian alternate history fantasy series back in April here and promised that I would get to Smoke and Iron relatively soon. The time got away from me. With the best of intentions, I become over-committed. Then I heard from the publisher wondering when I would review it. So I shoe-horned this Net Galley into my schedule as best as I could. Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC.

The central characters of this series are rebels, but they are rebels that are part of the Great Library. They are scholars, obscurists with magical abilities and High Garda military officers who want the Great Library to be restored to its original values without the authoritarianism and corruption that had crept in. They're something like the contemporary Americans who call themselves the Resistance except that the protagonists of this series are only a small group. They needed to gain more support or they couldn't possibly succeed. Smoke and Iron is the story of how they start to build a network. This isn't a simple process. It's difficult and dangerous. It also couldn't be completed in one book.

There is a belief that heroes are people who accomplish great feats on their own. This is a myth. Heroes have mentors and allies. Even an impressively strong character like the hijabi heroine Khalila couldn't do it all on her own. Even the powerful obscurist Morgan needed help from within her own order. Jess had connections from the criminal world where he originated. They all had people that they could call on. Some of those who responded were surprising. The inventor Thomas provided some astonishing innovations.

By the end of Smoke and Iron what had seemed like a quixotic mission began to look possible. This novel is the turning point. So it's definitely essential to readers of the Great Library series. Yet a positive resolution isn't guaranteed. Hold on to your metaphorical headgear. The fifth book in the series is likely to be hair-raising because the Archivist and his cronies won't give up their power without a tremendous struggle.

Jess Brightwell has deliberately put himself in danger by delivering himself to the Archivist Magister of the Great Library. Pretending to be his twin brother, he offers an intriguing business deal between the Library and his family of smugglers. Jess hopes to work from the inside of the library to bring its deadly reign toppling down. Meanwhile, Morgan is imprisoned in a tower in the library, their mentor Wolfe is a prisoner, and Dario, Thomas, Khalila, and Santi have been betrayed and are on their way to certain death. In this fourth book, our heroes have to convince others to join their resistance--they have seen the evil the Library can perpetrate. Will anyone join them to stand against the Archivist Magister?

I have to confess I initially thought that Smoke and Iron would be the final book in this series and groaned a little when I saw that there would be a fifth book. But as I read the story, another one seemed like a great idea. Rachel Caine's world is so fascinating and it's easy to see how she could create another series or two about the origins of the Library and the people who swear to protect it.

Happily, this isn't a book where the epic creation of countries and societies makes up for lackluster characters. Caine has put together a large cast of characters, but it's never difficult to remember who is who and each one grows and changes as the story progresses. The characters have specific strengths, but they also have some big flaws that could ruin everything.

Rachel Caine has written a great series with a world that comes to life before your eyes and characters you have to cheer along their journey. I will certainly be reading the final book to find out what happens to this unlikely bunch of people who will fight to the end for the fate of the Library and for each other.

Smoke and Iron
The Great Library #4
By Rachel Caine
Berkley July 2018
448 pages
Read via Netgalley

SMOKE AND IRON is the fourth book in Rachel Caine’s <i>The Great Library</i> series and picks up right where the last book ended. Jess Brightwell and Dario Santiago have concocted a plan that they hope will take down the Archivist and restore the Great Library to its original purpose. But will they lose everyone they love in the process?

SMOKE AND IRON is definitely best appreciated in the context of a series as a whole. The character development along with their relationships and world building have already been well established in the three earlier books. SMOKE AND IRON is the beginning of the true rebellion and it helps to have an idea of the evil they are rebelling against in order to fully cheer on their endeavors. The characters have been separated in various directions to execute Jess and Dario’s dangerous plan, and Rachel Caine alternates between them so that we can see how the plot is unveiling on all angles.

Rachel Caine excels at character development and SMOKE AND IRON is no exception. We get to see a bit more of Jess’ brother, Brendan, and his personality grows on me as the story line progresses. And wow, Khalila Seif has always been a solid favorite of mine in <i>The Great Library</i> series but she really shines in SMOKE AND IRON! I also love that we get to see a bit more of the Obscurists and I hope we continue to see more of them in the next book as I’m fascinated by the revelations in SMOKE AND IRON.

SMOKE AND IRON is yet another stellar fantasy tale from Rachel Caine! I love some of the steampunk overtones, such as the automatons and SMOKE AND IRON delights with each and every new invention we see, both from the hand of Thomas and the machinations of the Archivist. <i>The Great Library</i> has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy series and each book only gets better and better. I can’t wait to see what Rachel Caine has in store for us next!

*review is in the editing queue at Fresh Fiction*

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 would continue, knowing its a re-readable plot that kept me complainting it long after I finished.

Wow! Just wow! Caine scripts a complex and tangled web that ensnares the reader into The Great Library's world.

I received this ARC copy of Smoke and Iron from Berkley Publishing Group. This is my honest and voluntary review. Smoke and Iron is set for publication July 3, 2018.

My Rating: 5 stars
Written by: Rachel Caine
Series: The Great Library
Sequence in Series: Book 4
Print Length: 448 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: July 3, 2018
Genre: Scifi | Dystopian | Fantasy

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4.5

Smoke and Iron opens with our group of rebels split up in different directions after the events of Ash and Quill and the subsequent betrayal by the Brightwell family.

Jess, who has assumed the guise of his twin brother Brendan has put himself right in the thick of things in Alexandria with the Archivist – hoping to glean what information he can in order to bring down the rot within the Library – while he’s seemingly also returned Morgan to the Iron Tower and had Scholar Wolfe thrown in prison.

Meanwhile, the rest of our group is captured aboard a smuggler vessel themselves waiting to reach Alexandria to be turned over to the Archivist.

Of course, no one is going down without a fight, and the battle for the Library is just beginning.

Smoke and Iron feels like the setting up of a game almost. Getting all the pieces set into place before the “fight” starts. I absolutely loved that this time around, with all of our characters split in different places, that Rachel Caine decided it was time to get other characters’ perspectives aside from Jess. I lamented about this very thing in my review of Ash and Quill, and honestly, I don’t think this book could have worked half as well otherwise because we are truly beyond the point where only Jess’s point of view is sufficient.

Plus, there’s the fact that these characters are all so rich and interesting. Wolfe and Santi continue to be my favorite couple in this series. I could read an entire book from their perspective alone. But then you throw in Kalilah whose cool-headedness and thoughtfulness makes people stop and listen to what she has to say instead of brushing her off as some hot-headed rebel. These are characteristics that Jess has seen from these people he calls friends, but I truly loved getting their side of things. I’m hoping Rachel Caine continues to use multiple points of view in the next book as well.

Even though this book spends an inordinately amount of time setting things in place, there’s also quite a lot of game-changers that happen by the end. While I initially found it difficult to pick up this book and begin reading, once I did, I didn’t want to put it down again. With the number of times I’ve guessed where the story was going and been wrong, I’m loath to even attempt to do so again, but the fight is not yet over for those who want to preserve the Library and all its glory.

I’ve been impressed with this series from the very first book, and Rachel Caine continues to surprise me as I read and see the story unfold with all its unexpected twists and turns. Next year can’t come soon enough.

The fight for the freedom and future of the Library is on and the stakes have never been higher than in Smoke and Iron. I didn’t think I could love the Great Library series any more than I already did, but Rachel Caine’s writing had me so engrossed in the story that I stayed up way too late reading and practically zombie-walked my way through work the next day, my biggest goal to get home and finish this book. It’s just that good.

Jess, Khalila, Morgan, Thomas, Glain, Dario, Santi, and Wolfe are locked in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the Archivist. And as certain members of the group are completely on their own as of the end of Ash and Quill, even just surviving is harder than ever. I’m not going to talk about the plot of Smoke and Iron because doing so even a little could spoil readers’ enjoyment of the story. I will say that we get more points of view in this story as everyone is spread out and I loved getting inside the heads of more characters. The first three Great Library books made me care about them all, but the more time I spend with each member of our main band of heroes, the more they grow, the more I adore them. Khalila in particular was the breakout star for me in this book and it was fantastic to see her fully come into her own. Her brilliant mind is matched only by her quiet strength and compassionate heart and, quite simply, she rocks.

In Smoke and Iron Ms. Caine weaves together multiple intricate plots, each with dire consequences. I absolutely loved that Ms. Caine constantly kept me guessing as to what would happen next and who would come out alive. I haven’t been this tense and uncertain about beloved characters’ fates since A Song of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones. Alliances are forged and broken, trust betrayed, love questioned, and more, and I am so there for all of it. The result is a pulse-pounding read that finishes in a spectacular climax.

If you haven’t read the first three Great Library books (Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill), then you definitely want to get caught up before jumping into this story. Smoke and Iron is an utterly enthralling read. The world of the Great Library is fascinating, the characters unique, and the action intense. The only downside of this book is that I finished it desperately wanting to know what happens next!

Smoke and Iron picks up right where Ash and Quill so cruelly left us, and it hits the ground running. In the previous books, we were treated to a story that moved at a nice pace with some very intense moments mixed in with a deliberate carefulness not to move too fast. Smoke and Iron throws that caution to the wind and we are treated to a mad dash as Caine builds us up to conflict. You only get a few breaks to catch your breath before you’re swept off again. I wish I could tell you everything that had me glued to the page, but you need to experience yourself…and believe me, this is an experience.

Our little group has gone through a lot and we’ve seen them grow stronger and smarter with each passing page…and it’s so satisfying to see just how much they have come into their own. Each character still shines right in their own ways: Jess with his cunning and drive, Khalila with her wit and politico charm, Dario and his roguish intellect, Glain her stalwart determination, Thomas and his eerie brilliance, and Morgan with her unbelievable power. The friendships and love we experience make it all the better, especially Wolfe and Santi who have a love that goes above and beyond words.

The world Caine has created is phenomenal. I have mentioned before my love for anything related to the Great Library of Alexandria, so part of this is like the historical rewrite I’ve always needed and more. A world where the Library not only survived but thrived and created, a world where the Library has become corrupt and dangerous. I will never get over how utterly amazingly terrifying the automation are. I adore a good villain, and I have to say the Library makes for one hell of a bad guy. There is so much at stake in this world and there are no easy answers, no black and white options to choose from. This is a world where morals can be skewed without a person ever knowing it, and that is such a refreshing change to the YA genre. I don’t want easy answers. I want answers that cause nightmares AND saves others, and Caine delivers that.

If you have enjoyed this series so far then Smoke and Iron is a must. It is without a doubt the best book in the series so far. If you are new to the series then I urge to pick up a copy of the first book, Ink and Bone!

Okay, so here we are again! When last we left Jess, he'd just risked the lives of just about everyone on a gamble that was... his best possible option, of a host of bad options. It divides his core group into four separate streams that are barely able to communicate with each other (if at all). Morgan and Wolfe are both in their own prisons, and we get to see from both of their points of view, as well as Khalila's over the course of most of the book (as well as snippets of a few others).

Something that I really like about this series is the sense of scale. The world is a BIG place, and everyone that the members of the core group meet holds a stake in what's happening. This rebellion is rapidly moving well beyond what Jess's band of friends and allies is able to control, or even be fully aware of. They're spread too thin, they've been kind of slap-and-dash throwing plans together as they face situation after situation in quick succession and haven't really had time to regroup and come up with a cohesive plan of vision as to what they're even going to be aiming for in terms of bringing down the power the Library holds, while also avoiding a power vacuum. Because they aren't trying to burn the Library to the ground and destroy everything about it, they're trying to save it from itself and the corruption that has taken root in it over the centuries. This is one of the bigger conflicts within the series, and a point where Khalila, with her combination of idealism and determined calm, really starts to flourish. As a long-term fan, I was pretty delighted. This plotline was something that also felt refreshingly nuanced as someone who has read A LOT of books where the approach to a damaged system is to just. Totally destroy it with no plan for managing the chaos that rises from the complete loss of order. (Granted: different situations require different approaches. I'm with our main characters on their approach to their situation: a burn-it-all-to-the-ground approach would have some VERY messy fallout and leave a power vacuum at risk of being filled by something even worse that what they're trying to rid themselves of.)

If you've seen any of my other reviews (they're linked below for anyone interested) you'll know that one of the sticking points for me with these books is my complete inability to become invested in Morgan as a character and... that remains true to a degree, even having seen from her point of view a lot more. I do like her more than I did in the previous books, though, so there's that at least. She's a bit more fleshed out here, once we've gotten an insight into her head. Her plotline was the one that felt the most like it was going around in circles and was the most interesting for me to read, especially with everything that was going on in Khalila and Jess's points of view. I feel like I keep... waiting... for something to click and that just doesn't happen. I think, compared to the other characters, she still feels kind of static, although I think seeing from her point of view definitely helped that.

Wolfe's point of view was not one I was expecting to get (him being an adult character and this series being YA), but it did offer some insight into exactly what a dangerous situation Jess had thrust them all into- Wolfe was out of communication and basically unaware of the plan. Much of his storyline is more builds tension as Wolfe tries to decide whether or not he can put his faith in a plan he knows nothing of, and I did like the insight into his head as he does his best to handle being back in a prison, much like the one that nearly broke him when he was younger. It also expands a bit more on his character, which is always nice.

Jess's point of view, along with Khalila's, carries most of the action as he frantically tries to gather information and organise people within the Library's home city of Alexandria. Over the course of this book we see how tenuous the plan that Jess has in place is and how he is in very nearly over his head- and the consequences that his miscalculations have.

This series handles a vast cast of characters with clear character traits and ideals, and their relationships with one another. Even within the core group, those relationships are constantly shifting. Especially in this book, after Jess has broken the trust of several members of his group- most especially Santi, as Jess's plan got Wolfe captured again. The book takes time to build relationships in a way that I find I really like, and for me they pull the story along quite as much as the plot does. There's such a great diversity in character dynamics throughout the book and I really like that I find almost everything these characters do to be believable, but not always expected.

Overall, this was a great book that escalates the story and continues to increase the complexity of the politics surrounding the story. If this series is a five-act play, this books is definitely the rising action, building tension to a climax, and leaving our main characters facing still more, and possibly greater, challenges in the final book which I, for one, am eager to read.

Smoke and Iron by Rachel Caine is the fourth novel in the Great Library series. As addictive as its predecessors. I could not set this down. Jess and his motley crew face their greatest danger yet. Jam packed from begin to end with plots, deception, danger and nail biting suspense.  Gads I love this series.

Full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer on July 3rd.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book: I have been a fan of this series since it started and I will be a fan even after it ends! This is one epic series that everyone should read!

Do I Recommend this book? This one is very involved with what is going one so take your time and you won't get lost! You will fall in love with this story and its characters and world!

Notes and Opinions: I was so excited when we were approved for this title via NetGalley! I about screamed so here we go! I love Rachel Caine's work so much and this is by far one of my fav series from her. The Great Library Series was one that I thought I wasn't going to love but that is so not what happened. I really hope that we get another title to this one because it just cannot end here!! And I have found out we are getting one more book to this series!!

This world is so beautifully written that you will wish you could jump into the pages and travel to the world of the Great Library! This is one book that took me back to the last three books and I didn't even have to reread them!! How cool is that?

I loved all the characters and the secrets that this world holds. The action and battles in this one leap off the page and you feel everything that is happening. I could see this becoming an epic movie in years to come which would be up there with The Lord of the Rings etc. We get some great battles in this one!

The world that this author has created along with the characters, story, and plot work hand in hand to bring us this magical creation that just keeps expanding as the books go by. I am so blown away by what this author has done with this world and story. I couldn't put any of them down and just need to rave about them from the highest mountains.

I know that when the next book comes out I will have to do a reread of all 5 books and read them back to back to get the full story all at once! This Great Library is a binge read worthy series!

Go Into This One Knowing: CLIFFHANGER!!

I was initially worried when I realized that this book was going to be told from different points of view. Jess was the sole narrator of the first three books and I had gotten use to his voice and perspective on things. I wasn’t sure hearing from the other characters was going to be a good thing. Also, I was a tad worried that it meant that Jess was possibly going to die in this book. He doesn’t. But once I got into the book and into the other character’s perspectives, I stopped worrying and really started to appreciate the other characters more. Hearing from the other characters made the story that much better.

Besides Jess, we also get the perspectives of Morgan, Wolfe and Khalila. There are also some chapters at the end from Thomas, Santi and Glain, but they were very short. I really enjoyed seeing things through Khalia’s point of view. What she thought and how she dealt with things was so different from Jess’s view. She is much more of a leader than you see in the first three books. She is also calculating and willing to take risks when need be. Morgan’s character was also interesting. She has more abilities as an obscurist than we know about and her understanding of her abilities becomes much clearer when we hear her thoughts about it. Wolfe’s character was about what I expected from him, but his ability to keep it together and gather intelligence when needed was amazing. I still enjoyed Jess and his smuggler training that lets him think things through. I also really like his relationship with his brother, who even though they don’t always get along or even like each other, they will always have each other’s backs.

Even though the group has been split up and many of them are on their own through out most of the book, the strong connection between this mismatched group of people remains strong. They are willing to do what it takes to change the world. They all believe that what they are doing is right and even though many don’t agree, they are able to accomplish much. Even though they come from diverse backgrounds, they have come together and have formed a sort of family that doesn’t always get along but will do anything for each other.

The world that the author has created here is still amazing and still holds some surprises. I especially love the automatons. They are certainly nothing I would like to encounter in real life, they are in fact terrifying, but amazing none the less. There are some new ones in this book that are outstanding, the Artifex and scholars have come up with improvements, and they are not for the better, at least when it comes to the general populace. It always amazes me how far evil is willing to go in order to win.

The plot and pacing of this book was faster than some of the previous books. Things are quickly coming to a head and things are changing. Some of the characters have to overcome their pasts in order to face their futures and make the necessary changes. I really liked that all of the realize that it is not the library that is evil, but the people running it. They want to save the library, just change how it is being used by those in power.

A great addition to this amazing series. It was certainly a page turner and makes me want so much more. One more book to go, though I will be sad when it is over.

I am so invested in this story, I'm sure it's not healthy. The ideas Caine puts forth are SO important and SO relevant everyone should be reading this series. Even just the discussion about censorship makes it worth the time, never mind abuse of power, cultivated ignorance, classism, slavery, etc.

Important social and philosophical elements aside, I really like the characters in this story. And though I'm STILL not convinced of Jess and Morgan's pairing, I think Caine is staying very true to her characters while still developing them. I am growing to like Dario, even if I don't trust him fully; I'm terrified of what is lurking inside Thomas; Glain is so, so fierce; Morgan is brave and clever; Jess is just a little dark and twisty but also badass; and Khalila is undeniably the lynch pin holding them all together. Santi and Wolfe are less prominent in this story, but still present, and still awesome (though I get a *smidge* annoyed at Santi now and again for treating Wolfe like a child...)

I love watching the lengths these kids will go to in an effort to save something they love - in this case, the heart of the Library and all it stands for. They know how much danger they're in, and are simply not willing to give up. They know the importance of what they're fighting for. Nothing is straightforward; there are double-crosses within machinations on top of deceptions wrapped around secret plans, and it's delightful.

My heart is with these characters, and so often I want to shout, "Excelsior!" I am eagerly awaiting the finale.

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, Glain Wather, Dario Santiago, Thomas Schreiber, Morgan Hault, Captain Niccolo Santi, and Christopher Wolfe.

In this story, Jess, Khalia, Christopher, and Morgan are the main catalyst for what happens overall, while the others get brief control over the story. Caine's world is one in which the Great Library exists and controls all of the books of the world, while using a sort of alchemy to distribute the books as they see fit. Those working for the library track down anyone with any in their possession and confiscate the materials since ownership of books is expressly forbidden and anyone violating this law could even be sentenced to death.

For this story's sake, it has been 5 days since Jess arrived back in Alexandria posing as his brother Brendan. He has betrayed his mentor and the girl he loves, but thinks he has a plan to pull off the biggest miracle in history. He is trying to save the Great Library from the Archivist. Jess's plan involves Scholars, thieves, burners, and Garda soldiers who are tired of watching the Library spiral out of control. But, with the so called Feast of Great Burning happening soon, and the Archivist a master in the cat and mouse game, Jess will need to use some wit and imagination and luck in order to survive being one of those who's disposed of by the Archivist.

Onboard a ship heading back to Alexandria, as well as a brief stop in Spain where the King of Spain has plans of his own, Khalila, Thomas, Glain, Dario, and Niccolo are in deep trouble. Some of them are marked for death by the Archivist, others are apparently useful. There there is the wild card, Anit, daughter of the Red Ibrahim. Everyone except Dario believes that Jess betrayed them. If they find out what his plan entails, will they ever forgive him for what he did, or will there be hell to pay? There's just so much a person can do when facing nearly insurmountable odds.

Meanwhile, Morgan is back in the Iron Tower where she has escaped from several times, but this time she's facing the most difficult challenge of her life. She has to face off against a new Obstrurist who has it in for her, while working with allies who may have a common goal of gaining more freedoms for the Obstrurist's who are not allowed to leave the Iron Tower, and are required to have children with whomever is chosen for them. Morgan is also experiencing the most twisted story of all characters. She has power that is so strong, I'm not sure if anyone can survive if she turns against her friends. Her savior might be a man who hasn't been seen in a very long time.

In one of the more heart broken stories, Christopher is back in prison. It is a place he is familiar with, but he's not the only one. There are very important other scholars, soldiers, and researchers who have apparently made an enemy of the Archivist that are there with him. Christopher of all the characters in this book has a pretty good idea of what is happening and why he was led back to the library to wait his execution. He also believes, "A broken bone heals twice as strong." Doesn't mean that he will easily forgive, but when the chips are down, hard choices must be made.

As readers, you have to ask yourself how things are going to play out when all is said and done. Will Dario and Khalila's bond grow stronger? Will Jess and Morgan figure out whether or not they actually love each other? Or, will Jess be the odd man out? I say that because only Jess is one without any magic, or powers, or prestige. He is a boy who grew up as a book runner for his father, and later found himself as a soldier with the Library's Garda. He carries the most weight of any character in this book, except perhaps Morgan, and we shall see what the author does with her powers in the final installment.

This is a story that is action packed, but also has a very emotional ending. Each of the characters in this series has shown unique abilities. Example: Santi is strength, Jess is inspiration, Thomas is the future, Glain is protection, Khalia is brilliant, Dario I haven't exactly found an easy path to liking yet. He is too much of a character who has had the world handed to him on a silver plate, and still treats Jess as though he is a scrub. We shall see if that changes in the final installment.

It’s hard to believe it’s already time for the fourth book of the Great Library series! Last year I freaked out when we realized that the series was going to be five books instead of three, and that cliffhanger… gah! But now the wait is over, and we finally get to know what happens next to our favorite book loving rebels. And unlike the other books, Smoke and Iron introduces multiple perspectives so we can follow everyone as they are split around the world. Spoilers for the first three books from here on out!

Right from page one, we’re thrown back into the action. Jess is in Alexandria, under the guise of his brother Brendan; Khalila is on Anit’s ship, waiting for the sword to drop; Wolfe is in the prisons, alone and losing his mind; and Morgan is back in the tower, trapped, but ready to fight. The Archivist will stop at nothing to kill them: already he doesn’t trust Jess/Brendan, who must play the role perfectly or risk meeting a terrible death. But to save his friends, and the world, Jess will do anything. New alliances need to be forged. Weapons built. Friends betrayed.

Smoke and Iron is incredibly exciting. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, worrying about this crew, hoping they can make it out. At the same time, some of their plans were pretty… bad. That’s something I quite like about this series, as Jess is a YA hero who doesn’t have things miraculously work out for him every time. The stakes are real, and they’re high.

The writing is perfect in that it never impedes the plot. The world has been so strongly established and built now that Caine can take us on an adventure without having to stop and introduce us to new elements. Adding this to the already fast-paced story, I feel like I read this book in a blur: it feels shorter than the other books despite being just as long, if not longer. Everything fits together perfectly to bring us to the grand finale, the epic ending that leaves you breathless. How can I wait another year for book five?

While things went by so fast, a few plot points kinda fell to the side. Morgan’s storyline was fascinating, but I felt like there was quite a lot of deus-ex-machina on her end. She’s just so incredibly powerful. That, and her relationship with Jess seemed added a little like an afterthought? Maybe I’m just being nitpicky, or maybe I just missed them working together. But one thing’s for sure, the Iron tower needs to fall.

Thrilling and fast-paced, this book left me breathless. I cannot wait for the next one!

Expected publication: July 3rd 2018 by Berkley Books
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Berkley Books, for providing me with this ARC!

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-stop action, decent, lies, and murder, this series is one that is sure to keep you on your toes and wanting more with each turn of the page.

This time told in alternating point of views, this was another fun filled ride that I didn't want to end. It might be over 400 pages but it will go by way too quickly and leave you craving the next book. I can't wait to see how it all comes together and can't help but be nervous for all their fates.

A group of smart, fast thinking characters that leave me breathless with their cunning ability to be brave and selfless in the face of danger. These characters not only stand out because of their diverse personalities and background but because of the wonderful almost family like dynamic that has breed and grown between them all. It truly makes them stand out and shine and not only make this series original but unique and addicting as well with it's steampunkish feel set in a world very much something of the past and yet inventive of the future.