The reader cares what happens to the characters, whether it’s to cheer on Jess or wish for the Library’s demise. The characters are rich and vibrant, each with their own voice. He throws his chances of becoming a Librarian and his family business out the window in order to rescue his friend.Ĭaine begins each chapter with a correspondence between leaders of the Library, which gives the reader deeper insight into the corruption and history of the world she created. When his fellow student and friend, Thomas, creates a world-changing machine, Jess realizes how dangerous the Library can be. Jess, however, finds his loyalty is divided during his training. His father instructs Jess to spy for their family business, discover the Library’s secrets, and give word when there will be a raid on the warehouses. In the first book, Ink and Bone, Jess Brightwell is the oldest son of a book thief, yet he achieves a place as a student of the Library. They also have a monopoly on inventions and any such creations that do not fit their model are destroyed - along with their creators. The catch? The Library determines which books are allowed to be dispersed, and they hold back writings that are deemed dangerous. The general public makes do with copies that are magically duplicated into blank books.

Rachel Caine takes us into a world where books are so sacred that only the elite have access to the real ones. Now my children and I are listening to it on audiobooks in the car, and I believe they are hooked as well. I devoured The Great Library series by Rachel Caine last year and finished the last book of the series within a day of its release.

I also enjoy the genre as a quick escape from the adult world of bills and scheduling. For over ten years I have had at least one of my children in the target age range, and I like to know what they’re reading.

The great library series rachel caine