The Burning Page (The Invisible Library, #3)

by Genevieve Cogman

Librarian spy Irene and her apprentice Kai return for another “tremendously fun, rip-roaring adventure,” (A Fantastical Librarian)—the 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 to find 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...

• ISBN10: 1101988681
• ISBN13: 9781101988688
• Publish Date: 10 January 2017 (first published 15 December 2016)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Ace Books
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781101988688

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