The Burning Page (The Invisible Library, #3)

by Genevieve Cogman

In an alternate St. Petersburg, librarian-spy Irene faces unimaginable dangers – as her arch-nemesis returns. The Burning Page is the third instalment in the Invisible Library series from bestselling author Genevieve Cogman.

Librarian-spy Irene is on probation – and absconding from a mission doesn't look good. But when her escape route home goes up in flames, what's a spy to do?

It turns out, Irene's home, the trans-dimensional library, is under siege. Across dozens of worlds, its once-reliable Gates back to the library are malfunctioning. Irene's nemesis, Alberich, is responsible – with plans to annihilate the library itself.

To face the threat, Irene and assistant Kai are posted to St Petersburg. Here, Irene stumbles upon an incredibly dangerous – yet alluring – opportunity. It's a chance to save the library. Saving herself would be a bonus . . .

Brace yourself for an action-filled ride with stolen books, covert operatives, and clandestine societies!

Irene's adventures continue in The Lost Plot, the next captivating entry in The Invisible Library series.

Praise for the series:

'I absolutely loved this' – N. K. Jemisin, author of The Fifth Season

'Irene is a great heroine: fiery, resourceful and no one's fool' – The Guardian

'Cogman keeps upping the ante on this delightful series!' – Charles Stross, author of the Merchant Princes series

• ISBN10: 1447256271
• ISBN13: 9781447256274
• Publish Date: 15 December 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Imprint: Pan Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 368
• Language: English

Reviews

[bumblingbookworm]

This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Bookworm

It's hard to talk about this one when it's the third book in the series, so I'll keep it pretty general.  This was such a fun read, and it was at this point in the series where it really began to pick up for me.  I felt invested in the characters and their development, and loved how their relationships with each other grew closer.  The plot lines are so imaginative and enthralling, and Irene is such a kick-arse heroine, not taking any crap from anyone.  

However, despite the fact that these books are action packed, they feel slow to read when I'm actually reading them.  I don't know what it is, but it felt like it took a long time for me to read this.  It wasn't that long a read so I should've been able to knock it over fairly quickly, but it seemed to take me a bit of time to get into it.  That being said, I still really enjoyed it - you've got magic, fae, dragons, and best of all books! What more could I ask for?!

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

The Burning Page, book 3 in the series, takes us back to the alternate London where Irene and Kai are stationed after book two. That’s isn’t to say there is less action or that we aren’t learning about other alternates. In fact, Cogman takes us inside the inner workings of The Library itself and Kai and Irene journey to an alternate Russia.

Book three in this series is focused on Irene again with Kai and Vale playing supporting roles. Where book two was about Irene figuring out who she is as an individual, The Burning Page focuses on Irene the Librarian and Irene the Friend. She is dealing with moral decisions that affect The Library and its connection to the world at large. These decisions also force her to confront, at least in her head, her desire to have a romantic relationship. Will Irene focus on her career or her love life? It is a question many women, real and fictional, face. (Check out my review of Girl in Disguise!) And while I feel that romance isn’t necessary, some of the most humorous (and embarrassing) points in the books are men fawning over Irene in their own unique ways. Cogman plays the romantic tease quite well.

My pain points from book 2 (the hints at a bigger plot involving The Library and the archaic language) are no longer pain points. Alberich (Irene’s Moriarty) is back and dropping hints about The Library—bringing back into question The Library’s ideals and power. And since there is a hint of romance in the air, further questions are being raised about Irene’s parentage. Do I get a sense that book 4 might explore all of this further?

My favorite part about The Burning Page is that the series could be done and I would be completely happy with the ending. While there are hints of a larger story with Alberich, The Library and Irene’s parents, Cogman did an excellent job of wrapping up the story and leaving a satisfying conclusion. However, I have it on good authority that books 4 and 5 are in the works!
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

Irene, our Librarian, is currently on probation but she and her apprentice Kai, have been kept busy retrieving books. At the end of their current mission, they are almost killed when a door to the library fails to open. It leads to a harrowing escape and sets the tone for Burning Pages. Librarians are called into the library via special transport and informed that Alberich the Library's nemesis had issued an ultimatum, "Surrender the library or all will fall." Irene is giving a new assignment. She must retrieve a book from the Crystal Palace in Saint Petersburg.

Cogman weaves colorful worlds spread across the universe and within it is a secret library where rare books are collected in an attempt to balance or protect the worlds. The premise of these worlds is fascinating. Each is similar, and yet vastly different. Some are ruled by order and others chaos. Within these worlds are humans, FAE and even DRAGONS! The author weaves in familiar elements for the reader from books, events, and secondary characters. In the world Irene is assigned as a librarian, she has friended Vale, the world's greatest detective who resides on Baker Street. He has aided them throughout the series. Vale is currently suffering from Chaos contamination after events in The Masked City.

Irene finds herself receiving messages from Alberich and someone is attempting to kill her. I loved the creative ways they tried to do away with her. Of course, our librarian is talented, and her abilities shine in The Burning Pages. Kai, her assistant, the dragon prince continues to be both stubborn and heroic. Li Ming his uncle is present. I liked that we see Kai and the Dragons offer a stronger role, and I'm curious to see how this progresses throughout the series. Silver, a powerful and influential FAE Lord, helps them when it suits him. He is a colorful character, whom I envision as Crowley from Supernatural.

Fast paced, with fascinating creatures Cogman had us traveling through portals, and dimensional streams as we raced to save the library. It was rather brilliant. The current story along with the overall ARC threads kept me guesses. I've grown attached to the characters and appreciate their growth and seeing their friendships strengthen.

What makes this series magical are the incredible scenes and creative imagination of the author. The creatures, portals, attacks and investigation are all surrounded by a feast for your mind's eye. Unimaginable creatures in an underground market, shifters for hire, the language of the library, and the worlds we travel to all from the comfort of our reading chair. The battle scenes are delivered in vivid 3-D and will have you holding your breath.

Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer