Book 4: I'm reading this series in search of escapist entertainment, but people in high positions of power willing to destroy not only people but the original goal of their government to stay in power is too close to reality.
This book shares the point of view with the main characters instead of focusing on Jess. ( )

What would be like if the Great Library of Alexandria had never burned down? Would all the amazing knowledge that was stored there and now is gone have enriched the world? Just imagine what a different world we could live in today. That is what Rachel Caine has done with The Great Library series. She created a world where the library never burned down and is now a presence in every major city in the world, controlling knowledge. Through alchemy, the library can deliver any of the content in the library directly to anyone. However, it's forbidden to own books. Anyone threatening the power of the Great Library is put down.

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The fourth entry in the Great Library series sees our heroes split up as they continue overthrow the corrupt leadership headed by the Archivist. Jess is in Alexandria pretending to be his twin while negotiating for his father with the Archivist. Morgan is back among the Obscurists while Wolfe is back in prison, and both are struggling with their demons. Meanwhile, the rest of their cohort is on a ship and trying to figure out how to help their friends in Alexandria. Plenty of mayhem and conspiring ensues, as the whole group tries not only to remove the rotten head but find a new leadership who will adhere to the true mission of the Great Library.

Despite several months gap between reading the previous book and this one, I was able to drop back in with the cast of characters quite smoothly. As with previous entries in the series, there is plenty of adventure and suspense with a dash of political intrigue mixed in. I do love that the perspective here is divided between several of the main characters, all of whom have intriguing plotlines. Looking forward to the final resolution in the last book. ( )

Picking up where Ash and Quill left off, Jess has returned to Alexandria, posing as his twin brother Brendan, returning Morgan to the Dark Tower (a place she vowed never to return) and Wolfe to the Library's dungeon. The rest of Jess's crew is aboard a ship manned by Anit, headed back to Alexandria at the behest of her father, Red Ibrahim. This fourth book is narrated by several POVs, as Jess tries to hide his true identity while finding allies (Dario's cousin, Spain's ambassador), Morgan avoiding her drug regime to seek an ally in the most reclusive and powerful Obscurist (Eskander), and Wolfe rallying the imprisoned. Meanwhile, Dario, Khalila, Thomas, Glain and Santi hijack the ship, seeking help from Spain. After reuniting, Dario and Khalila start recruiting allies among Librarians, guarded by Glain. And, a mechanical dragon, breathing green vapor and Greek fire. Great action and series. 4.5 stars. ( )

If you love the series, this is more great adventure. If you’re new to the series, start with volume 1, Ink and Bone. Thumbnail sketch: what if the Great Library of Alexandria ruled the world, kept a ruthless monopoly on the written word, and alchemy was real? ( )