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castoffcreature's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
sunshine169's review
5.0
I was in a conundrum while reading this book. I wanted to finish it so I can review it before release but I also didn't want it to end. Rachel Caine's Great Library series is highly underrated and not talked about enough. Sword and Pen is the fifth and final installment to a series that grab hold of my attention and didn't let go.
What made this such a fantastic series let me count the ways…
1. It centered on The Great Library of Alexandria. It made my history loving heart so happy.
2. It was about a battle to ensure the free flow of information against the evil power hungry Archivist who wanted to control books. This made my librarian heart happy.
3. The diversity! Honest to goodness diversity in the characters that did not feel like the author checking off boxes. The first three books in the series centered on Jess’s point of view but the last two books broke off from that and gave other main characters development and voices of their own.
4. Aside from the lull of the second book each one after only gained strength.
5. Complexity of relationships and how we can form familial bonds without blood to tie us to one another.
6. No insta-love
7. A romantic relationship at the end of a journey is not the only happily ever after!
If I had any complaint about this conclusion to an otherwise fantastic series it could be about 2 of the deaths.
They seemed a bit anti-climactic and I wanted more from them. A little retribution for so much harm caused. However, this is not enough to prevent me from singing its praises and recommending it to others. If you haven’t read this series I don’t know what you’re waiting for. Put it on your TBR!
Rachel I love your works and I eagerly await more. I would love to see this series continue there is so much more to explore!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What made this such a fantastic series let me count the ways…
1. It centered on The Great Library of Alexandria. It made my history loving heart so happy.
2. It was about a battle to ensure the free flow of information against the evil power hungry Archivist who wanted to control books. This made my librarian heart happy.
3. The diversity! Honest to goodness diversity in the characters that did not feel like the author checking off boxes. The first three books in the series centered on Jess’s point of view but the last two books broke off from that and gave other main characters development and voices of their own.
4. Aside from the lull of the second book each one after only gained strength.
5. Complexity of relationships and how we can form familial bonds without blood to tie us to one another.
6. No insta-love
7. A romantic relationship at the end of a journey is not the only happily ever after!
If I had any complaint about this conclusion to an otherwise fantastic series it could be about 2 of the deaths.
They seemed a bit anti-climactic and I wanted more from them. A little retribution for so much harm caused. However, this is not enough to prevent me from singing its praises and recommending it to others. If you haven’t read this series I don’t know what you’re waiting for. Put it on your TBR!
Rachel I love your works and I eagerly await more. I would love to see this series continue there is so much more to explore!
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
ameserole's review
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
OMG THIS SERIES! Sword and Pen did not disappoint folks! Ugh, it was so good and I'm so happy that I took my sweet time with this series. Even if I read the ARC way after it was published. Eh.. eh. Oops?
Honestly, I loved how this didn't go as I planned at all. Complete mind fuck but I enjoyed the ride. Definitely would've wanted some things to go differently but in the end, Rachel Caine continuously surprises me.
Loved each and every character.. even if Jess was trying to break my heart numerous times. Loved the story even more throughout each book. Most definitely will re-read this over and over again.
OMG THIS SERIES! Sword and Pen did not disappoint folks! Ugh, it was so good and I'm so happy that I took my sweet time with this series. Even if I read the ARC way after it was published. Eh.. eh. Oops?
Honestly, I loved how this didn't go as I planned at all. Complete mind fuck but I enjoyed the ride. Definitely would've wanted some things to go differently but in the end, Rachel Caine continuously surprises me.
Loved each and every character.. even if Jess was trying to break my heart numerous times. Loved the story even more throughout each book. Most definitely will re-read this over and over again.
pnwtinap's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing ending to one of my now favorite series. It is complicated and a bit painful but wrapped up well.
jennietee93's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
stineym's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
malreynolds111's review against another edition
4.0
Great ending to a wonderful series. I think all the loose ends were tied up and everyone had a wonderful ending to their story.
I got an ARC from NetGalley.
I got an ARC from NetGalley.
quillofwords's review
5.0
From the first book this series has become one of my favourites. I loved the premise of ‘what if Alexandria hadn’t fallen’ and the idea that knowledge could be the greatest commodity of a civilization. Caine has done a fantastic job crafting characters that are dynamic and building a reader’s personal connection to them in such a way that you feel as if they were real.
This finale did not disappoint with all it’s action and discovery. I’ve grown to love this cast of characters so seeing them face so much strife is just so heartbreaking. Despite that all there were some moments of personal growth for each character. As great as they are as a group, it was quite nice to see some solo adventures take place and get to explore more of the city through them.
I’m so glad to have enjoyed this series as much as I hoped I would when I first picked up Ink and Bone, and will definitely be rereading it in years to come.
This finale did not disappoint with all it’s action and discovery. I’ve grown to love this cast of characters so seeing them face so much strife is just so heartbreaking. Despite that all there were some moments of personal growth for each character. As great as they are as a group, it was quite nice to see some solo adventures take place and get to explore more of the city through them.
I’m so glad to have enjoyed this series as much as I hoped I would when I first picked up Ink and Bone, and will definitely be rereading it in years to come.