Audiobook Review – Ash and Quill (The Great Library, Book 3) by Rachel Caine, Narrated by Julian Elfer (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Steampunk/Historical Fantasy
Length: 9 hours and 39 minutes
Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
Release Date: July 11, 2017
ASIN: B0716Z38GS
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd book in the Great Library series
Source: Audiobook from Audible.com
Rating: 5/5 stars

“Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the library’s rule. Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies – and to save the very soul of the Great Library.”

This is the third book in the Great Library series and I continue to be enthralled with it. I love these characters, this world, and the twisty turny plot to save the Great Library from itself.

I have been listening to this on audiobook and Elfer does an amazing job. This is a series I would highly recommend listening to on audiobook if you can.

Our rebels have been imprisoned in Philadelphia, the capital city of the bookburners. They must escape from there if they are to complete their mission of saving the Great Library. Jess and crew may have to rely on his family for escape but how reliable are a band of thieves?

I love pretty much everything about this series. The world-building is amazing, as are all of the characters (even side characters). There is action, intrigue, romance, and steampunk elements.

If I have any complaint about this series it’s that when I think back through the whole story it seems like not much happens in each book. However, while I am reading the book I am completely engaged in the story and can’t put it down. This kind of feels like an epic fantasy that’s been broken down into smaller books.

Overall I have been absolutely loving this series. It’s so creative and engaging. I can’t wait to see what happens in book 4, “Smoke and Iron”.