BEA'S BOOK NOOK "I can't imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once." C. S. Lewis “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.” ― Oscar Wilde

Monday, January 16, 2017

Bea Reviews The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman

Bea's Book Nook, Review, The Burning Page, Genevieve Cogman
Series: The Invisible Library #3 
Publisher: ROC
Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: January 10th, 2017
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | iTunes | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Librarian spy Irene and her apprentice Kai return for another “tremendously fun, rip-roaring adventure,” (A Fantastical Librarian) third in the bibliophilic fantasy series from the author of The Masked City.
 
Never judge a book by its cover...
 
Due to her involvement in an unfortunate set of mishaps between the dragons and the Fae, Librarian spy Irene is stuck on probation, doing what should be simple fetch-and-retrieve projects for the mysterious Library. But trouble has a tendency of finding both Irene and her apprentice, Kai—a dragon prince—and, before they know it, they are entangled in more danger than they can handle...

Irene’s longtime nemesis, Alberich, has once again been making waves across multiple worlds, and, this time, his goals are much larger than obtaining a single book or wreaking vengeance upon a single Librarian. He aims to destroy the entire Library—and make sure Irene goes down with it.

With so much at stake, Irene will need every tool at her disposal to stay alive. But even as she draws her allies close around her, the greatest danger might be lurking from somewhere close—someone she never expected to betray her.

My Thoughts:

I've been enjoying this series. Books, libraries, spies, action, adventure, the fae, dragons, dry humor, all add up to a fun and delightful series. "The Burning Page", despite a slow start, did not disappoint.

It starts off shorty after the events of "The Masked City"; Vale is recuperating from his injury, and Kai and Irene are dealing with the consequences of Irene's actions. Whereas in "The Masked City" we got to learn more about Kai and about dragons, this story gives us more of Irene and her back story, and the internal politics of the Library. The first portion of the story, though it does have action and mystery, moves slowly and with lots of exposition. It took quite a while for me to get engaged. Once I did though, the book was hard to put down. Cogman's love of books, and their cultural importance shines through and is integral to the story.

Irene, Kai, and Vale battle fae, werewolves, spiders, hornets and fire. Irene is resourceful, increasingly adventurous, occasionally impulsive, fiercely loyal but sometimes torn in her loyalties. She has to make choices about whom to trust but her trust is not always repaid. She has friends now, not just peers, and she has to come to terms with that, with the demands that friendship makes on one. The relationships between Kai, Irene, and Vale are further explored. There are hints of possible romance but it's the bonds and friendship between them that are engaging. The power dynamics between the three of them are sometimes bumpy but always feel real.

The worlds that Cogman creates and the beings who populate them are detailed and just enough like our own to seem familiar, and even safe, while being different enough, fresh enough, to pique your interest and give a thrill. The last few chapters are a roller coaster ride filled with action and a resolution that is both happy and ambiguous. I was delighted to learn that there will be two more books in the series. They can't come soon enough.

My review of book 1, The Invisible Library
My review of book 2, The Masked City

6 comments:

  1. I've only read book one but I saw in KImba's review the other day that there are two more- that's nice since I was thinking this was a trilogy. Glad to hear this was good after a slow start. I need to get moving on these. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really think you'd like this series Greg. I'm also happy there will be more books as I really enjoy the characters.

      Delete
  2. So glad you are enjoying this series too Bea. I love the different worlds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The different worlds a great way for Cogman to play around and re-envision matters, give us alternate history. It's a fun series.

      Delete
  3. I really need to check out this series...sounds like one I would love :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Another fantastic book in the series! I preordered and read two days after its release. I really love the characters and the alternating settings. I can't wait to see what comes next for our heroine, friends, and the library!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I enjoy hearing from my readers. Let's talk!