Oh dear. A severe case of “second book blues”! I really did struggle with this book. I find battle scenes tedious in the extreme, and there are a lot of battle scenes!
I gave the first book 5 stars, based on its intriguing premise and detailed world building. However, this second instalment, well, nothing really happens! And it’s 411 pages long. Perhaps if it had been half the page length, I would be feeling more kindly towards it.
However, I am intrigued enough to want to read the final volume.
And Caine redeemed herself with a great quote about libraries and their importance:
“Books had become a symbol of trust and libraries places of peace and stability. In all the chaos of the world that counted people as different levels of worthy, the Library served all equally. All genders, races, levels of ability. It was the one place they could all be safe."
I’m really hoping that the final book picks up again and brings this story to a satisfying conclusion.

Phew, what a ride! Rachel Caine has rewritten history: it is 2025 and the Library of Alexandria is still going strong - too strong. The Library controls all knowledge, and is ruthless in ensuring they retain that control. To own a private book is a capital crime. Jess Brightwell comes from a family who trade in black market books and when he turns 16 his father sends him to The Library for training and the chance to become a scholar. And this is where the fun really starts! This story is irresistible to anyone who is remotely interested in books. It’s a fantastic mix of Harry Potter (making friends and enemies at school; a teacher who sends very mixed messages); Hunger Games (where a greater power has no compunction about sacrificing lives to meet its needs) and a jolly good roller coaster ride. I’m hooked and can’t wait for the next book.