Review: Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine
Or: Yo this is a brilliant idea. 

Goodreads     ||     The Book Depository 

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Synopsis: In a world where the ancient Great Library of Alexandria was never destroyed, knowledge now rules the world: freely available, but strictly controlled. Owning private books is a crime. Jess Brightwell is the son of a black market book smuggler, sent to the Library to compete for a position as a scholar . . . but even as he forms friendships and finds his true gifts, he begins to unearth the dark secrets of the greatest, most revered institution in the world. Those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn. . . .

My friend works in a discount book store, and about 6 months ago she gave me this book; aparently she’d heard good things about it from a customer and they were having a huge sale so she brought a copy for me and one for herself.

I put in my to read pile and promptly forgot all about it. It wasn’t until I was physically trying to jam my recently read books into my precariously full bookshelf that I noticed it again. I’d just finished another book and needed a book to begin for the week ahead. It was relatively thin and the synopsis seemed interesting, so I decided to give it ago.

I’d happily give this book a solid 3 and a half stars out of 5

It was ok. Could have been better, but not bad.

The idea and concept though? OMG. Caine is onto something here.

I love history and if a book provides alternate history, i’m instantly down. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes you can really muck up alternate history, but Caine didn’t. It’s very obvious Caine spent a lot of time trying to get this book right, and it definitely came through with a strong plot and world.

The only quip I had was with two of the main characters and the really really forced love story , but otherwise, I really enjoyed this book. The bunch of different characters all competing for the jobs at the Archive were really enjoyable and complex; they were all very diverse and felt authentic. They weren’t made to be others, but Caine just embraced an uncomplicated multiculturalism that didn’t feel try-hard.

This book is a struggle to review without giving too much away; the less you know about this book the better.

I’ve recently got my hands on the sequel and I’m very keen to see where Caine goes from the ending she gave us; while this book could have been a stand alone, I’m insanely curious to know what Jes ends up doing and what the go with his family is.

This book definitely needs more hype; it’s truly a hidden gem.

The Harry Potter Spells Tag

So I’m big Harry Potter Trash (if you’re new here and haven’t worked that out yet), and when I was looking for some blog inspo and stumbled upon Dreamland book blog‘s answers for this tag, I couldn’t resist.

I’ve had a bit of a rubbish last four weeks so anything to get me back into the swing of things is good. And Harry Potter is always like a soothing tonic.

So, I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

1. Flagrate / Writing Charm – A Book that you found interesting but would like to re-write.

Give it to me… no just GIVE IT TO ME AND I”LL FIX IT FOR YOU! Damn it this book could have been so good! And it bloody sucked. I’d be happy to re-write his to fix it and make it better.

2. Alohomora/ Unlocking Charm- A first book in a series that got you hooked

Dude everyone saw this coming. I was already technically hooked after seeing the first Tv series of Outlander, but this book just signed on the dotted line and sealed the deal. This book just speaks to my soul, and has somehow convinced me to read 5000+ pages of the series. I’m serious Outlander trash.

3. Accio / Summoning Spell- A book that you wish you could have right now

This book, the next installation in the study series (which I have fawned over a lot on this blog) was published in January this year…. DO YOU THINK I CAN FIND IT ANYWHERE?! I’m so annoyed. I’ve been to 3 different book stores multiple times this year and hunted for it… still cant find it. I couldn’t find it in my usual online book haunt and i’m so frustrated! I need this in my hands so badly!

4. Avada Kedavra / Killing Curse- A killer book

Dude, DUDE! This book is soooooooo good. Like I’ve recommended this book to my best friend, her boyfriend, and multiple others because I bloody loved it. This book is killer in more ways than one. The Australian excellence in this book is stunning (i’m so proud) and the story is so good its insane. This book got a little bit of hype in booktube, but it should have gotten so much more because this book is an innovation! A Master peice! Go get yourself a copy of this book.

5. Confundo / Confusion Charm- A book that you found confusing

Anything ever written by the Bronte sisters.

6. Expecto Patronum / Guarding Spell- Your spirit animal book

This book is honestly so close to my heart. I saw so much of myself in Cath it scared me. I adored this book because it treated the pop culture fandom community so well; Rowell is so respectful, understanding and never cheapens the culture. She doesn’t apologise for us, rather she takes time to cement the fandom and show how important it is. Cath isn’t made to radically change to get a boy. Shes still herself by the end of the book, she’s just a stronger version of herself. This book is an inspiration and I adore it.

7.Sectumsempra / Dark curse- A dark twisted book

You don’t realise until you really get stuck into this book how dark it is. It seems – especially the first third of the book to be a silly, bumbling steam punk sort of story. But before you know it, this has taken a twisted turn on the train to nope-ville. This book scared the crap out of me, and i’ll fight anyone who challenges the fact of this book being dark; you didn’t read it properly or fully understand it if you didn’t. Approach this classic carefully. And while I definitely think people should read it, keep safe and keep wary.

8. Protego / Protection Charm- A childhood book connected to good memories

The Lion the witch and the Wardrobe is quite a dark book for children, but I adored this book as a child. It was the first book I cried for, and the first book to make my heart ache, but lord was it good. This book evokes warm fuzzy memories of reading it snuggled on the couch with my mum and sister. And of going to see the stage play in my best outfit. I still am very fond of this story and may always be.

9. Expelliarmus / Disarming Spell- A book that took you by surprise

This book really took me by surprise. It was so not what I had expected- I read the bio totally incorrectly and expected a very different story. I loved that this took me by surprise though. It was dark, full of adventure, payed homage to the Roman culture and really demanded respect. Tahir is such a talented writer and this book deserves every iota of praise it gets.

10. Prior Incantato / Reverse Spell- The last book you read

This book was good; I enjoyed it a lot, but I don’t know if it was as froth worthy as some people made it out. It’s a good complex story with a beautiful world that has been expertly constructed… I just wish we spent more time to get to know the characters. Character building may come into the sequel of this book, so I don’t really want to give my final verdict until I’ve read the sequel. But I did like this book. A very different taste from Schwab; different from her usual style but just as good.

11. Riddikulus / Boggart Banashing Spell – A funny book you’ve read

Sarah Andersen is a gift to human kind. This isn’t technically a book; it’s a bind up of a lot of her comics in one place. It’s so funny though. Andersen’s humour lies with her relatability and her parody of real life situations. She celebrates awkwardness and the little things in life. Her style is quirky, original and adorable. She’s one super talented human being.

12. Sonorus / Amplifying Charm – A book you think everyone should know about

This book came to me as a discounted book that was an overstock in a little bookshop my friend works at. I almost forgot about this book until I was hunting through my shelves looking for something to read. I picked it up purely because it looked like a quick read, and I liked the cover. Dude I was wrong. This book is a gem. Alternate history and dystopian fantasy collide in a beautiful mix with lashings of romance, mystery and suspense. This book is fantastic. More people should be reading this. I don’t know why this book has got zero attention. The less you know about this story going in, the better, so i’m going to have to get you to trust me on this one.

13. Obliviate / Memory Charm – A book or spoiler you would like to forget having read

Look I’ve already said enough on this book. It doesn’t deserve any more of my time to be honest. Review

14. Imperio / Controlling Curse – A book you had to read for school

You know how in school you were forced to read books you hated, then were forced to continuously study and assess them for assignments? This was it for me. I detest this book. I know this will offend a lot of people, but i’m sorry I cant pretend to like this book. What is the point of this book other than showing how terrible people can be to each other? It’s not glamorous, it’s vulgar and petty. Wealth and privilege is liberally wasted in a way that’s not excusable or redeemable. The characters are either dull, two dimensional or superfluous and the “morals” are questionable at best. 10/10 do not recommend.

15. Crucio / Torture Curse – A book that was painful to read

I struggled with this book. The Mary-sue main character coupled with the painfully obnoxious story line made my teeth ache. I can’t believe this is what is fed to the hungry YA crowd these days. Aveyard struggles with Fantasy as much as character development. I will give Aveyard this though, the plot moves quickly (perhaps a bit too quickly) and she does have a few good moments of suspense. The twist could be seen coming a mile away (she does the same thing that’s been done by every man and his dog) and I had no patience to even deal with the fact that her publishers were stupid enough to give her a second book.

 

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I tag literally everyone who sees this.

Mischief Managed.