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Smoke and Iron
Smoke and Iron
Smoke and Iron
Audiobook9 hours

Smoke and Iron

Written by Rachel Caine

Narrated by Julian Elfer

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

To save the Great Library, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill put themselves in danger in the next thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series. The opening moves of a deadly game have begun. Jess Brightwell has put himself in direct peril, with only his wits and skill to aid him in a game of cat and mouse with the Archivist Magister of the Great Library. With the world catching fire, and words printed on paper the spark that lights rebellion, it falls to smugglers, thieves, and scholars to save a library thousands of years in the making...if they can stay alive long enough to outwit their enemies.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJul 3, 2018
ISBN9781980001089
Smoke and Iron
Author

Rachel Caine

Rachel Caine is the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including Wolfhunter River, Killman Creek, and Stillhouse Lake in the Stillhouse Lake series; the New York Times bestselling Morganville Vampires series; and the Great Library young adult series. She has written suspense, mystery, paranormal suspense, urban fantasy, science fiction, and paranormal young adult fiction. Rachel lives and works in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband, artist/actor/comic historian R. Cat Conrad, in a gently creepy house full of books. For more information, visit www.rachelcaine.com.

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Reviews for Smoke and Iron

Rating: 4.270270387387387 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

111 ratings19 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
     Book 4: I'm reading this series in search of escapist entertainment, but people in high positions of power willing to destroy not only people but the original goal of their government to stay in power is too close to reality. This book shares the point of view with the main characters instead of focusing on Jess.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is not the place to begin this five book series but readers already invested in the characters won't want to miss it. Jess, masquerading as his twin brother Brendan, Morgan and Scholar Wolfe are back in Alexandria. Jess is trying to scam the Archivist. Morgan is back in the sealed tower of the Obscurists and Wolfe is back in the dungeons where he was tortured. Jess and Morgan have a plan and secrets which they didn't share with Wolfe.The rest of the group - Khalila, Dario, Glain, Thomas and Captain Santi - are on a ship under control of Anit, Red Ibrahim's daughter. They learn that they have been betrayed and Red Ibrahim has decided to sell them to the Archivist. They aren't in favor of that plan and need to stage their own revolution to gain control of the ship.This book is told from a number of viewpoints. Khalila is the voice of the group trying to get to Alexandria. Jess's sections deal with his plans to overthrow the Archivist and rescue his friends. Wolfe talks about his trials in the dungeon and his plans with the other prisoners to escape. Morgan is building support among the Obscurists and trying to outwit Gregory who is the Obscurist Magnus while trying to get the support of Wolfe's father who has become a very powerful hermit within the tower. Each group is trying to build support to overthrow the Archivist who will go to any length to hold on to his power. Our heroes all want to return to a better version of the Great Library before it was corrupted into putting a stranglehold on knowledge. I love the world building in this series with automata and a Great Library that used to control the world gradually losing its grip on power. The idea that things like the printing press have been invented over and over again and suppressed each time by the Library is intriguing. This world now has countries rebelling against the library. The printing press being used by smugglers and book burners to get their messages out. The book was filled with action and excitement and with characters needing to make decisions that with test them to their limits. I can't wait to read the next volume to find out how everything works out and see if the Great Library can find its new role in the world.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I think book three remains the high in the series for me but this whole thing is made excellent by the CHARACTERS. Oh gosh, I love our bookwar children. This one sees them split up and suffering so much. I am excited and also terrified for book five because I NEED these nerds to survive.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Amazing!!! Rachel Caine does it again! Another great book in this wonderful series! I loved the outline of this book. How more of the characters got to share their point of view in little segments! Super excited for the next one!!!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The fourth entry in the Great Library series sees our heroes split up as they continue overthrow the corrupt leadership headed by the Archivist. Jess is in Alexandria pretending to be his twin while negotiating for his father with the Archivist. Morgan is back among the Obscurists while Wolfe is back in prison, and both are struggling with their demons. Meanwhile, the rest of their cohort is on a ship and trying to figure out how to help their friends in Alexandria. Plenty of mayhem and conspiring ensues, as the whole group tries not only to remove the rotten head but find a new leadership who will adhere to the true mission of the Great Library.Despite several months gap between reading the previous book and this one, I was able to drop back in with the cast of characters quite smoothly. As with previous entries in the series, there is plenty of adventure and suspense with a dash of political intrigue mixed in. I do love that the perspective here is divided between several of the main characters, all of whom have intriguing plotlines. Looking forward to the final resolution in the last book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    If you love the series, this is more great adventure. If you’re new to the series, start with volume 1, Ink and Bone. Thumbnail sketch: what if the Great Library of Alexandria ruled the world, kept a ruthless monopoly on the written word, and alchemy was real?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is my favorite book of the series so far. I felt more invested in the story this time mainly due to the various POVs. I liked seeing the story unfold in snippets from different view points and for me it added something intangible to the plot. Thinking of plot, I deeply appreciated that this book did not end on a big cliff hanger. While I know there is more to resolve, this was a natural breaking point in the story and a perfect place to end. In addition, there was lots of suspense and the pacing was perfect. I couldn't read fast enough. This is a great series and I highly recommend. However, this is one that you need to start with book one in order to fully understand the characters and plot.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Jess's group of friends is once again divided, but this time they're working in concert to defeat the Archivist. Jess himself is in Alexandria impersonating his twin, Brendan. Scholar Wolfe is in prison again, and Morgan returned to the Iron Tower. Meanwhile, Glain, Thomas, Khalila, Dario, and Captain Santi are on a boat that they redirect to Spain where Dario has connections. Can they each do their part to return the Great Library to its rightful place of protecting and disseminating information, or will the wily Archivist hold on to his power?Another solid entry in the series, though I must be so used to trilogies that I'm starting to feel the story is a little drawn out. It starts to wrap up with this one, but there's definitely a thread or two left hanging for the conclusion in the next book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Finally some action. Let’s hope the finale kicks ass.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The fourth book in the series starts right up after the ending of book three. Jess has handed himself to the Great Library along with some of his friends while pretending to be his twin to find a way to bring down the Archivist Magister and restore the library to an ideal and not something that stifles knowledge. By the end of the book some things are in play that you don’t expect while others are still looking a bit dangerous. It looks like things should wrap up by the last book but who is to say that everything good will happen. A fast story that moves everything to the end game and a fun read.


    Digital review copy provided by the publisher though NetGalley
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    *Spoiler alert for those who haven't read the first, second and/or third volumes in the Great Library series.*Jess is going through with his audacious plan that he cooked up at the end of Ash and Quill; separated from his friends, he has to rely on his wits to survive. Morgan and Wolfe, each a prisoner in their own way, struggle to combat and overcome the limitations put upon them to escape, while Khalila, Glain, Thomas, Dario and Santi try to help their friends and further their goal to liberate the Great Library.Rather than seeing the world through Jess's eyes as in previous instalments, in this fourth volume Jess, Morgan, Wolfe and Khalila are each given their own parts with respective changes in the POV, a device necessitated by their separation, but one which works well. However, because of their separation, the pace has dropped considerably; talking about and preparing for a rebellion/war against the Archivist and the Curia is just not as exciting as actually fighting it, though there are still moments of tension, action and shocking violence. The finale sets up the final volume, and I'm looking forward to see how the series concludes.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Smoke and Iron is another fabulous instalment in Rachel Caine’s The Great Library young adult fantasy series, following Ink and Bone, Paper and Fire, and Ash and Quill.“The Archivist made us into an ugly thing,… A thing that used fear to control the world. But we are not what he made us. We are more. We stand, unafraid. And together. Because we are the Great Library!”In a world where book ownership is forbidden, the rebellion determined to free knowledge from the Archivist’s Iron grip, and save The Great Library, is about to spill in to war.The story picks up almost immediately following the events of Ash and Quill. This instalment unfolds from the viewpoints of Jess, Morgan, Khalila, and Wolfe. While Jess (impersonating his twin brother, Brendan) endeavours to learn the Archivist’s secrets, Morgan has returned to the Obscurist’s Iron Tower seeking vulnerabilities she can exploit. Meanwhile Wolfe struggles to hold onto his sanity deep in the cells of Alexandria, and Khalila does her best to keep her friends, and their mission, safe and on track.The plot is fast paced and tension filled. Each member of the rebel group has an important part to play in preparation for the coming Feast of Greater Burning, the stakes are higher, and the risks greater, than ever.The final book in this series, Sword and Pen, is not expected to be published until 2020. Such a long time to wait!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    June 26, 2017
    I. CAN'T. WAIT! *Fangirl squeals!* Ah! I found this cover revealed on @darkfaerietales_ on IG and it's gorgeous! I can't wait to read it, Ash and Quill is my top favorite 2017 book to date!


    Review: I don't know.... On the one hand, I enjoyed this one, but after the ending of book 3 (Ash and Quill) I feel...that perhaps this one wasn't as...mind-blowing? Okay, sure there is an epic ending, and plenty of danger and suspense throughout, but I don't know, I kind of saw this ending coming? That said, it leave loads of potential for book 5, the finally of this amazing series!

    I loved seeing the characters each find their place in this one, and enjoyed reading it overall, I just feel that this one is more of a bridge from book 3-5 than the others have been. A lot happens, but there is also a lot of planning, and strategizing going on from all sides. I was able to predict most of the surprises in this one, but there were plenty of places where I was cheering for Jess and his friends that it didn't bother me. I saw a lot of character growth in this one, as with the rest of the series, and I hope that continues into the final book.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the fourth book in The Great Library series (there are five book planned for this series). I continue to really really love this series. The world-building is amazing and I adore all the characters. This book changes between numerous POVs which worked really well. Unlike some books that switch POV, I love every single character in this book and looked forward to every portion of the book. Things really build to a head as Jess and his classmates try to save the Great Library from itself. The majority of the book sees our characters separated from each other but they end up coming back together for the finale. There is a lot of action and intrigue in here as well as a bit of romance. These books have a bit of a pattern to them. A lot of the book is dedicated to some big plan that Jess devises and then everything goes wrong….this pattern happens every book. This is pretty much my only issue with this series, I wish at some point things would go according to plan for our heroes! Overall I love this series and can't wait to see how things wrap up in the fifth and final book! I would recommend to those who enjoy historical fantasy/steampunk novels with amazing world-building and intriguing characters.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    What promises to be the penultimate book in the story of the rebels against the Great Library. Separated for most of the book, key players try to survive captivity of various kinds and orchestrate a final strike against the corrupt leadership of the Library. Despite many reversals, they end the book having achieved many of their goals … only to find the rest of the world has its own opinions about what should happen to the Library. The story moved swiftly and I’m looking forward to the conclusion.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I love this series and this installment was no different. By the end, the plot had moved on, so will anticipate the next (final?) book greatly.And I really needed the acknowledgements after a bad week in work.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Smoke and Iron by Rachel CaineBook #4: The Great Library SeriesSource: ARC from author and purchaseMy Rating: 6 HUGE stars**I ONLY USE A 5-STAR SYSTEM**It’s no secret, I found the third book in this series quite frustrating. It was a necessary book, it had to happen, but that doesn’t mean I loved it like I loved the first two. I finished book three desperately hoping book four would come back swinging for the fences . . . . HOLY WOW!! Book four doesn’t just swing for the fences, it knocked it right the hell out of the ballpark!!!!! Characters: If you have followed me for any length of time, you know I am a character-driven reader. Good characters can carry a book for me, and they certainly did in this read. EVERY character in this book, whether major or minor showed growth, for better or worse. What I particularly loved about the characters in this read is the intricacy of the relationships. The core group, even when they were separated from one another, never wavered in their commitment to one another and/or their cause. Even when separated and confused by another’s actions, the core group understood one another, supported one another, and worked with the knowledge that everyone else was working toward the same goal. This type of faith doesn’t happen without real relationships, friendships, and I could feel those connections through every action, every line of dialogue, and every action! Outside of the core group are a host of minor characters who should not be easily ignored and/or dismissed. Though there are a ton of characters in this series, each one of them has a significant role to play. There is a complex web of connections and associations in this series that is absolutely fascinating and masterfully crafted. Some of the characters may make only a brief appearance, and their significance may not be immediately recognized, but there is a purpose in their appearance. I love this sort of weaving, this teasing, this incredible cast of characters who have kept me constantly guessing over the entirety of the series. Plot: WOW!!! I adore the arrangement of this book and how it perfectly served the plot in this installment of the series. For the first time, Caine has broken the chapters into episodes of each character’s life, their individual perspective in the moment. This type of storytelling gave each character a voice in the moment, a perspective the others weren’t always privy to, but gave the reader an overview of everyone and everything. This worked so very well for this story because most of the core group were separated from one another and quite literally in different parts of the world. This type of storytelling allowed for a great amount of information to be disseminated, a ton of plot development to occur, and character evolution to take place. With every twist and turn, and there are an enormous amount of twists and turns, the commitment of the group to one another is reinforced, their loyalty to one another and their cause is reinforced, and their cleverness, courage, and bravery shine through. I read this book in just two sittings because it was so hard to put this book down! This plot is as cleverly crafted as the characters and their relationships, and I was absolutely crazy to find out what happens next. For the record, what happened next, blew my mind . . . every time!!!The Bottom Line: Y’all, I can’t even get over myself and how much I LOVED this book!! This is what contemporary fiction should be: enlightening, engaging, interesting, riveting, dangerous, socially aware, well written, cleverly crafted, populated with fierce, real characters. Smoke and Iron is all that, and a whole host of other adjectives that elude me at the time of this writing. This is a series I sincerely feel should appeal to a wide variety of readers at a variety of age levels. This is a complicated, complex read that will keep you flipping pages at high speed. With magic, danger, action, intelligence, a variety of characters and character types, this series has a bit of everything for everyone. If you haven’t discovered The Great Library series, do it now! You will not be disappointed.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Despite my reluctance to pick up the last two books in the series, I ended up really enjoying this! Full of action and emotions and I found myself needing to find out what was going to happen. Unfortunately there is one more book planned so I have to wait to find out the final outcome.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Fourth volume in the series, and the quality remains superb. The action doesn't always go as the reader anticipates, making the experience full of unexpected developments. But every step is reasonable give the characters and their situations, making Caine a first-class writer and creator of worlds. Only one more to go before the series concludes, darn it.For me, a particular highlight is her depiction of the relationship between Wolfe and Santi. There's an established tradition of female writers delivering excellent and moving descriptions of gay male couples; what sets this apart, for me, is that she does a better job conveying the emotion of this relationship than she does with the heterosexual ones, which tend to go no further than hormones and physical desires. But maybe that's because those couples are all so young.