What a great conclusion to one of my favourite series of the last few years. I am a sucker for any book that is about books or libraries, so when I saw the first book, I knew I had to have it and I was hooked. I eagerly awaited every new book in this series, and I am sad to see the series end. I really liked that everything was not tied up in a nice bow at the end. I always like it when books that deal with war and battles result in endings like this, because loss is the reality of those situations. Even though the "good guys" win, it is not without loss and sacrifice. All in all, great conclusion to a great series.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

The Great Library series is on of my favorite series EVER. THis is the fifth and final book in the series and one that is quite hard to review because I can’t believe my favorite characters have come to a conclusion.

Each new book was better and better but I have to say this final one was the best. And that’s a rarity. You do need to read all the other books to understand the world building and characters but I promise you it’s worth your time.

I felt all the emotions I could feel while my beloved characters fought this war for what they believe in. There was death and sadness but I couldn’t of asked for a better ending than what was provided. If I could give this ten stars I would!

The final part of the epic of saga of the Great Library of Alexandria comes to a conclusion in Sword and Pen. I was eagerly awaiting this book after the tumultuous (and devastating) events of Smoke and Iron. As with the other books in this saga, we pick up right where we left off. But it's a calm before a storm. The epic battle at the conclusion of Smoke and Iron left a lot of holes to fill and political voids to fill. Sword and Pen begins with our familiar friends dealing with their new positions (or lack thereof) an the haste with which they need to establish control. Their are foreign powers outside the city and the former Archivist and his supporters within the city.

Sword and Pen begins slow, but the tension and stress of Jess and his compatriots is palpable. Everyone has their place and their roles, except Jess. Jess Brightwell, though he remains the thread tying everyone together, finds himself lost and yet still integral to the final outcome.

Sword and Pen is a story filled with assassins, thieves, traitors, betrayal, Poseidon rising, an epic battle between a minotaur and a sphinx. It's also a story about life, death, and saying goodbye to relationships that aren't quite right. It's about finding your place and stepping into power, whether you are ready for it or not. There's also a portion that reminds me distinctly of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as Indiana tries to reach the Holy Grail.

I enjoyed Sword and Pen immensely and found it a rewarding end to the four prior entries in the tale. It provides a satisfactory (in my view) ending, while also leaving the door open for more tales to come. I'd love to see more stories, perhaps stand alone tales from each character, as the Great Library moves into its new future.

If you haven't read any of these books, do yourself a favor and pick up Ink and Bone to get started. And if you've been anxiously awaiting Sword and Pen, it won't disappoint you.


Jess


Thomas
Glain
Khalila

Wolfe and Santi

Morgan

Dario

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This book was just amazing. I just lost myself in this story and didn’t want it to end. It was really well written and just drew in you into these characters lives. I look forward to seeing what’s next from this author.

This entire series needs more hype! It's beautiful, SET IN A LIBRARY, and utterly bad*ss. This may be the end but I'll absolutely dive headfirst into any of Rachel Caine's future books!

This is the fifth and final book in The Great Library series. I got this through netgalley to review. I loved this conclusion to The Great Library series but am very sad to see this series end.

The old Archivist has fled and is plotting a return to power while Jess and crew work to stabilize the city of Alexandria and forge a new and improved Great Library.

There's a lot of action and intrigue in this book and it does an excellent job of tying up the events that have happened throughout the series. It ended up being a quick read for me and I enjoyed it a lot.

This is one of those series and books that I love so much...I am just not sure what else to say about it. I loved the characters, the world, the action, the intrigue, the steampunk elements and will sorely miss these characters and this world.

Overall this was an amazing conclusion to an amazing series. I absolutely loved this and would love to see more books set in this world and/or about these characters. I highly recommend this series I think it is one a broad audience will enjoy!

Such a great ending to this series! This one definitely kept me guessing and wanting to read more. I'm slightly sad that this series has come to an end. The storyline was great and I wish we could have more time with these characters, but as they say all good things must come to an end.

Great ending to a wonderful series. I think all the loose ends were tied up and everyone had a wonderful ending to their story.

The final installment of The Great Library series by Rachel Caine does not disappoint. We are thrust back into the fight for the Great Library. Sword and Pen picks up where Smoke and Iron leaves off. Jess Brightwell has to live with the loss of his twin, Brendan. The rogue Archivist is still trying to retake the throne as Jess and his merry group of rebels: Scholar Wolfe, Captain Santi, Glain, Thomas, Morgan, Dario, and Khalila, fight to preserve the sanctity of what they believe in.

Caine tells the story so well, interspersing between chapters the epherma that keeps the reader abreast of the things going on about which the main characters don't know. In each chapter, she focuses on different character viewpoints - telling some sections from Jess's perspective, others from Wolfe, Morgan, Thomas, etc, so the reader gets the full effect of the intricacies of the fight that our fearless fighters intend to win.

Without spoiling the ending, I will say reading it involved tears, and it was as satisfying as the rest of the series.

This was seriously anticipated and did not disappoint in any way. I basically read the entire book through my fingers because I was so nervous for all of the main characters. The author managed to both meet and exceed my expectations every step of the way of this book. I love Khalila so much, she basically was the star, even though she technically isn't the main MAIN character.

Wow. Just WOW. This was such an outstanding and amazing finale to a GLORIOUS series. Yes, this will go down as one of my all time favorite book series.

There were so many plots and twists in this one and there was so much freaking action. I would go from anxious to angry to shocked to heartbroken within the span of a few pages and that cycle just repeated itself over and over and over again.

No spoilers, but man I was so worried for Jess through the entire book. And God, Khalila was a goddess. I LOVE HER. And can we talk about his amazing Wolf and Santi are as surrogate parents to that mismatched gang of friends?!?

The ending to this series was amazing and captivating and heartbreaking and SO SATISFYING. I can’t think of a single thing that I would change, which is why I am giving it five glorious stars!!!

AMAZING!!!

I received a free ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I cannot express just how excited I was to receive this book! I have absolutely loved The Great Library series over the last several years and this one did not disappoint.

This book picked up just where the last one left off with the old archivist on the run and the future of the library very uncertain. So much happens in this book that it is hard to give a full summary, but here's the basics by character.

This book more than the others really pulled at my heart. From the first moment the book opened it was a tear jerker with Jess in mourning and angry over the loss of his brother Brendan. On top of that he was then majorly wounded and spent the rest of the book basically slowly dying. It was done in a very tasteful, but agonizing way. Ms. Caine made me feel for him so much that even though he was coming to accept his death I was in no way ready for it. And on top of this...Morgan!

Morgan helped to do many great things that would not have been possible for her before the introduction of the ring by Eskander. She helped protect the harbor, translate her friends without need of a translation chamber, save Glain, stabilize Jess, and many other things like sensing the power used and finding people. She was very heroic in the Archives at the end, which I thought was fitting because of her near evil-ness several times by draining life forces.

Dario had an important role for more than just as a traitor to his friends or as the fiance of Khalila. In fact he made up for his betrayal of his friends by betraying Spain when the library needed him to and coming in defense of Jess and Wolfe, and defending Khalila very heroically from attack.

Glain was in her element as a soldier and put in charge of the blue dogs. She has a couple of close calls and came to be a little more in touch with her feelings and appreciating her friends more than ever.

Thomas was indispensible by coming up with the defenses for the harbor and lighthouse. Then he is kidnapped and ends up in the Tomb of Heron having to pass all those defenses to show he is worthy. He is able come up with the salvation for Jess and rejoins his friends just in time for the terrible-ness at the Archives.

Santi is Lord Commander of the High Garda in charge of the entire military which is very deserved. He has moments of doubt, but defends the city even after what he perceived as failure.

Wolfe was a very busy person during this book. He was looking for the old archivist for the whole thing with mainly Jess and Glain even though both of them were injured most of the time. He went to the old archivists office to get the necessary plans for the defenses Heron set in place in case of invasion, which led to Jess becoming very injured. He an the other two went on several adventures to find the old archivist, which led to Glain almost dying the second time in the masoleum of the old archivist. He also saved his students from a rogue automaton and helped Jess several times. We got to see inside Wolfe's head more than ever and realize just how much he cares about all of his students and sees them as his kids. His feelings about Jess were amazing to see because of the crap father Jess actually has it was good to see he at least has a surrogate father in Wolfe. WOlfe is also nominated to be the new archivist, but declines.

Khalila had an amazing journey in this book. She is engaged to Dario and it is amazing how much she cares for him and brings him back from the edge of despair. She is the assistant to the new archivist and is present when Murasaki is killed by an attack orchestrated by the old man. Then, she is made the new archivist, the youngest ever in history by a nomination by Wolfe.

The end of the book was explosive. They are in the city of Alexandria trying to stop an automaton when they find out they are needed to save Khalila from an attack. Dario takes off and Morgan translates the rest of them. This injures Jess enough he is left behind. He finds the old archivist, who is dying, while the rest are saving Khalila. Jess and Thomas hear of the attack planned for the Archives and everyone gathers to save them. Morgan and Glain make a mistake and Morgan has to sacrifice herself to save her friends and the archives. Jess is on deaths door, but Thomas saves him with Heron's recipe for a cure and his own genius at being able to recreate it. When Jess wakes up and remembers Morgan's death and his brothers and deals with his dad and his mom disclaiming his dad and Wolfe and Santi claiming him as a son and Anit and Khalila claiming him as a brother and Thomas being an amazing best friend and planning for their future and the brief closure of Morgan we get....man I had all the tears. Barely could see for all the crying. Very, very good resolution to the series.

I know I've heard other people saying they didn't fully like the ending, that it was bittersweet. Maybe because it wasn't a cookie cutter ending. But it was very real...there was death and loss and laughter and joy and sadness and it felt like life and that's why I loved it. The whole series was like this too; nothing is easy just as nothing in real life is easy. I don't think I would have liked or wanted a perfect cookie cutter type ending, it wouldn't have felt true to the series. What Ms. Caine did was perfect and it makes me sad the series is ended.

I received this book as an advanced digital e-copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a wonderful conclusion to this series! I've been reading The Great Library series since the first title came out and have anxiously awaited each new installment since. Everyone has been well worth the wait and I was honestly a little worried that the conclusion would fall flat. The author did not disappoint with this one though, from the first page I was pulled right back into the story, despite the fact that about a year has passed since I read the last book. I was kept on the edge of my seat for the book, unsure whether it would end in tragedy or there would be a happy resolution. Highly recommended for those who have been following this series or for those who are new and love dystopian novels or are lovers of the written word, go back and read from the beginning, you won't regret it.

The Great Library is such an amazing series and one that I cannot recommend enough. An amazing world with plenty of action and plotting, great cast of characters, and excellent writing. (Plus all the covers are gorgeous and I think I need to own print copies for that alone!)

Sword and Pen wraps up the series nicely. Like with the previous books, I had a lot of "OMG, how will they survive this?!" moments, which were both stressful and exciting to read. Luckily Caine is an author that I trust, because in the hands of some authors, this series would have ended far differently, with beloved characters dead. Not so with Sword and Pen. Well . . . mostly. But I won't spoil that loss for anyone.

I'm sad to see this series end but excited to revisit it again and again, because it's just that good.

My only complaint isn't so much a valid complaint -- as a die-hard romance fan, I was of course a bit sad that there's wasn't a stronger romance thread throughout, but since this series isn't a romance series, I can't really be upset about that! I'm just greedy and want satisfying love stories everywhere. Luckily a few characters do pair off, even if it's not really on page much, and of course my favorite couple was Wolffe and Santi.


4 1/2 Stars

Sword and Pen
(The Great Library #5)
by Rachel Caine 

Paperback, 368 pages
Expected publication: May 12th 2020 by Berkley Books (first published September 3rd 2019)




Goodreads synopsis:
With the future of the Great Library in doubt, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone must decide if it's worth saving in this thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.

The corrupt leadership of the Great Library has fallen. But with the Archivist plotting his return to power, and the Library under siege from outside empires and kingdoms, its future is uncertain. Jess Brightwell and his friends must come together as never before, to forge a new future for the Great Library . . . or see everything it stood for crumble.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fifth book in the Great Library series.

This is the first book I have read in this series and based on all that occurs I assume this is the final book in the series. It is a very complex read. Lots of characters to contend with not to mention awesome and intense. Definitely do not start with this book. I encourage you to begin with book one titled INK AND BONE. You will find this series much more enjoyable.

I spent a good portion of this book playing catch up and trying to get it all straight in my head. I can’t imagine what a task it must have been to create this world. It had aspects of Steampunk and Egyptian Mythology all surrounding the legendary Library at Alexandra. I have always been fascinated by this library and wondered if the secrets held within it would ever be discovered in a separate hidden location revealing truths that would blow our minds. If you have ever had a similar wish, this series is for you. It was an amazing read that I am prepared to read over once I get books one through four under my belt.

This series is on the level of the Rick Riordan Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series. The world building in these series is amazing and you have a similar level of awe in the Ink and Bone series conclusion. I am not sure if this is labeled middle grade but it seems an advanced read to me. Maybe more high school. I am sure I wouldn’t have understood half of this when I was a kid. But then again I didn’t grow up with the internet at my fingertips 24/7.

I am regretting reading this first. It kind of spoils it all for me know when I go back and start from the beginning. I can totally see this series as the next big movie extravaganza. Harry Potter better watch out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I absolutely loved Sword And Pen!  It was such a great read, and I'm sad to see this series end, but I'm also really glad to see how everything turned out.

This series is so worth reading, and ever since I started reading Ink And Bone years ago, I loved the series.  The world is amazing, and we see Jess and everyone else try to save the world they've lived in their entire lives.  They really are trying to make it a better place for everyone, and while we don't see all of the changes that are bound to happen, I feel like the library is going to be in a very good place.

I can't help but think that there will be a lot of really good changes but that there's also going to be some trouble as well.  I feel like people are going to have trouble with this new library, especially at first, but hopefully things will calm down and be okay.

While I was reading Sword And Pen, I was wondering who was going to make it out alive.  There was no way everyone was going to survive, but that's what I was hoping.  My hopes were dashed but in this world, I would have been surprised if everyone had survived.  With all of the battles and destruction, it just wasn't going to happen.  And I think I would have been disappointed too, because I don't think it would have been as realistic.

The characters were great, and I feel like, years from now, they'll still be talking to each other.  That's what I want for them.  I think they all have great things in store for them, and I wish we had some sort of epilogue that shows what happened several years later.  I can imagine, of course, which is fun but I also kind of want to know what Caine imagined for them.

I really liked Wolfe, Santi and Khalila in this book.  Khalila really came into her own in this book, and she's had a really great story line throughout the whole series.  Wolfe and Santi were protective adoptive dads, and I felt like they saw all of the kids as their own.  Especially Jess.  They seemed especially protective of Jess, which is understandable after everything Jess has been through.  I can't imagine losing a twin, and you really see how much it affected Jess.  I liked that you saw his grief and how he didn't want to lose anyone else while also going after the old Archivist.

There's a lot of action and destruction but there's also a lot of hope, and I really liked it balanced it was.  I really felt like things would be okay at the end of the series.  Even though a lot of really terrible things happens to the characters, I also felt like they made it through okay.  There may be some wounds and scars for them, but they survived and made it through.

My Rating: 5 stars.  I loved this book, and the world and characters are amazing!  I'm sad to see this series end but I thought Sword And Pen did a great job at wrapping everything up.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was an excellent continuation to this series. I very much have enjoyed the whole series this far. Rachel is an excellent author.

I really enjoyed this entry into the series, and I was fascinated with how our characters responded to the chaos/regime changes of the previous book. Really interesting political dynamics. Fans of the series are sure to enjoy this book.

I am a big fan of Rachel Caine. I have read all of the Morganville Vampire books so I was excited to read a book that was written by her for the middle grades! This book was wonderfully written and ties very nicely to the dystopian genre that my students are asked to read to go along with the unit. I love how most chapters are introduced with a letter explaining the circumstances and how it related to latter text. The characters are easily identifiable and can be read by either male or female. This book runs perfectly with our 7th grade curriculum because students learn about the Greek gods in their 6th grade social studies. I will eagerly be suggesting these books to my students, especially the ones who are historically inclined and those who want to read a good book without all the unnecessary language that middle school students may not be comfortable with. Loved the book and LOVE LOVE Rachel Caine!