Well Cogman has done it again and instead of a traditional review today, I need to gush about the entire series. The Burning Page has yet again convinced me that everyone and their families needs to read this series. It is clever, entertaining, and perfect for all the book worms in your life.
Summary
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 of finding 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, 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…
Review
Here are five reasons why you absolutely need to read this series + a mini review of The Burning Page because that’s why I even began this blog post.
- This is absolutely for bibliophiles. Not only does this take place in libraries, and include librarians, but also it has so many literary references. It is a piece of delightful cake for all those involved who enjoy clever plot lines and also literary references.
- Irene is my heart. She is such a strong heroine who doesn’t take compromises, is cool as a cucumber, but also reserved in a way that is not emotion-less, but just determined. She is who I want to be. If I could only be as poised and clever as she is, then my life would be peachy. But alas, there is only one Irene, and even she is only a fictional figment.
- These books are about friendship and their relationships to each other. In the first ones there’s barely any romance action, possible romantic attraction, but the plot never revolved around sexual tension or even those romantic games people play. In this one the tables turn a little, but I would still affirm that the romantic conflict is, by no means, a major action or momentum in the book and I LOVE that. I love that it isn’t all about the swoony feelings or the swashbuckling romantic bids for attention. (In this book we find out a bit more about Vale and his story. It’s wonderful because Vale is one of my favorite characters and I cannot wait to see how he changes as the series continues).
- There is always action and ingenious plot twists. It’s fascinating the ways Irene weasels out of the darndest situations, but you love to watch it. It’s like looking at a puzzle that perplexes you, but there’s a beautiful satisfaction to that moment when it all falls into place.
- The entire series is building into this fantastic momentum. I mean really. There’s growth in the individual characters, the relationships, and the library politics themselves. The series is stretching its wings into something truly spectacular and having just finished the last one, it really is something.
Are you convinced yet?
You can find The Burning Page on Amazon(US), your local indie, and on Goodreads.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.
Discussion
What profession would you want to turn into a magical series? Maybe chimney sweeps?
Subscribe for my review of the last one, The Lost Plot
You’ve made me want to read this series!
OMG YES! It’s so good!