Starts slow, but reels you in! I recommended it to our library for purchase.

*I never got around to reading and reviewing this book. I may do so in the future*

Okay, all honesty here, I started this and almost abandoned it, because I just wasn't that engaged. But a few months down the road, I was cleaning out my kindle, and I couldn't remember this one but it showed I'd started reading...so I re-read a few pages and then kept reading. I'm rather glad I did.

This story is set in the future but feels like a historical novel, given that the Library has kept the world from much of the progress we know. It takes a group of students who are studying to work for said Library and throws them into trouble and a little bit of romance with each other. After the rocky start, I found that I was fairly engaged and eager to see how the story ended. And while I'm not thrilled at the outcome, I am ready to pick up the next book in the series, and that's usually a good sign.

I love books that are about books. Ink and Bone was specially incredible because of the idea that bookish people here really do run the world. Sort of like a bookish dystopia. The characters are diverse and likeable, in the sense that they're realistic with their goals and how they behave. I'm so excited to see where this goes.

In an alternate version of history, the Great Library of Alexandria was not destroyed and in fact became a powerful entity, hoarding all written materials and controlling the knowledge percolating down to the population. Ownership of books by an individual, for private use is forbidden.

As a book lover, with many physical books lining my bookshelves and pretty much on every flat surface around my home, I found the premise of this book utterly fascinating. Although taking place in 2025, the descriptions of this alternate world gave off a 18th century type vibe. I enjoyed the fantasy and magic of the time and found it all very engrossing. Although the first few chapters were a little slow, I'm glad I stuck to it because the second half of the book was a whirlwind ride, with action, adventure and unexpected twists. It caught my attention enough to want to read the next book in the series, Paper and Fire.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Berkley (NAL/Signet Romance) for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

I loved this dense book so much I added it as a last minute booktalk at my local middle school right after I finished it. It reminded me of Harry Potter, and the Magisterium series-but a slightly more mature and older school for teens in a world where such violence seems possible at any moment. I loved the tension with the ruby studded lion statues and learning about the world the character inhabited.