Ink and Bone (Great Library, #1)

by Rachel Caine

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

I am in love with Egypt. I have been in love with Egypt for ages. At least since the first or second time I watched Anne Baxter, Yul Brenner and Charlton Heston waltz across my parent's television on the night before Easter. MOSES! MOSES! MOSES!



I can tell you a brief history of Akhenaten, and Hepshesut. Or about how I nearly refused to finish Margaret George's Memoirs of Cleopatra because I didn't want to lose Cleo. Or about that time I nearly missed my flight in Detroit because of my concern for Princess Selene. Needless to say I have high expectations for my Egyptian Historical Fiction.

I was excited when I was approved for Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine via the Penguin FirstToRead program. Cait over at PaperFury.com alerted me to this book and I knew from the cover and description that I had to get my grubby little hands on this book. Egypt...magic...intrigue and the Great Library! OOOOO!

I was not disappointed with Ink and Bone. I was sucked in from the first pages of the story which provide a glimpse into the world the might exist if the Great Library in Alexandra may have survived its unfortunate demise. This book "forced" me to stay up late to finish it. The last few chapters are gut wrenching, revelatory and the perfect setup for a sequel.



Most bookworms believe that the loss of the Great Library in Alexandra is once of the greatest tragedies mankind may have ever experienced. However, in Caine's world, the Library welds power over the people and governments that might make readers thankful that the Library did not survive. As I read, I was questioned if there should be a single source for all knowledge. I marvel at the wonders of what I can find on the internet and how we openly share what we know and love. The good and bad of everything is available for all who are willing to search and participate in the conversation. But what if all of that was gone? What if that smart phone or eReader you carry only gave you access to books and knowledge sanctioned by the Library? *queue the freakout*

There is so much more I want to say, but I don't want to spoil the book. This book is definitely for fans of historical fiction, but it does take place in the future. This book is for lovers of steampunk as the future world exists in sort of a Victorian Era (it's starts in grimy London!). This book is for bookworms and lovers of knowledge as the questions it asks do lead to great discussions. You have to get your hands on Ink and Bone. It's an excellent adventure that asks some deep questions about how the world does and should share knowledge.



This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews