This is a little weird to say but I think I found a world where I would not want to live. Ink and Bone is the first book in The Great Library series by Rachel Caine. It is based in a world that is ruled, albeit indirectly, by the Great Library of Alexandria. Apparently here it was never destroyed. In this world everyone has direct and immediate access to every text in the library’s collections through the use of what they call mirrored technology. Think of it like a giant ebook collection. However, there are no actual books allowed to exist outside of the library’s collections. The library also controls what is allowed in the public collections that everyone can access and read. Jess is a young man who grew up in a family who smuggles books and is absolutely fascinated with learning everything he can gain access to. His father, wishing to help protect and further the family business, arranges for Jess to train with the library and potentially work there later on. However, as Jess becomes acquainted with the Library he discovers that things are not what they seem within the library and that he may have just stumbled onto something even more deadly and dangerous than smuggling books for a living.
This book was intriguing because it is based in a world with a rather drastic alternate history that creates this universe so different from our own. The idea that something as simple as the Great Library of Alexandria not being destroyed having such a ripple effect is huge. I mean seriously, the changes that are present in that world are rather interesting. Earlier I mentioned the mirrored technology that allows the public to access books in the library’s collections. This seems to be almost similar to modern computers but this is one the only instances of what we would consider modern technology. Overall, their technology seems lacking in comparison to what it should be. The book reveals that it is because in this world there is no such thing as a printing press and no such thing as freedom of information so any new technology is developed by people who work at the library and the library has control over what is developed and who has access to it. This creates this rather disturbing universe where everything is seemingly controlled by the library and I find that rather frightening, even though I absolutely love libraries normally. I will say that this book does a great job of creating and developing this world and the way it works. Sure I don’t like this world necessarily but it seems to be well developed so far. There is also a pretty decent plot that slowly builds up with the reveals about what is really going on within the library and with the other characters. The tension that develops is just gradual enough at times that you don’t realize but at others jumps drastically enough the characters really feel it. In terms of character development, we really only get to see a lot of Jess, the protagonist, but he shows a lot of growth over the course of the book and I feel like we as readers have a pretty good feel for who he is as a person by the end of the book and I am a little curious about where he is going next as the series continues. Overall, a pretty good book and one that I am happy to give four out of five stars to.
This book is a fantasy novel that is aimed primarily at the young adult and teen age range. If you happen to fall into that age range and enjoy fantasy than I suggest you consider trying this book out. In all honesty, I could also see where it would hold appeal to adults who also enjoy fantasy, especially if they think it sounds interesting. My default is if it sounds interesting go ahead and try it. I would be careful about recommending this book to readers who are younger than the young adult and teen age range as it does contain some violence and some graphic imagery due to the violence. Not enough that they can’t read it but enough they should probably be careful about reading it. I still think it was a pretty good book and am planning to read the rest of the series so keep your eyes out for future reviews. As always feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.