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Ash and Quill
Ash and Quill
Ash and Quill
Audiobook9 hours

Ash and Quill

Written by Rachel Caine

Narrated by Julian Elfer

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

The unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone and Paper and Fire unite to save the Great Library of Alexandria from itself in this electrifying adventure in the New York Times bestselling series. Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealousy guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny.. 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..
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJul 11, 2017
ISBN9781501949968
Ash and Quill
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 Ash and Quill

Rating: 4.018248205109489 out of 5 stars
4/5

137 ratings23 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Book 3: Our plucky young heroes find themselves in a Philadelphia, PA, run by burners. I started it in hopes of finishing the series, only to glance at the back page and see that the story continues on Volume 4. But, after trying a few more pages, I was once again engrossed, albeit exhausted, by their nonstop, anxious, exciting adventures. Ben Franklin has replaced William Penn on the top of City Hall.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the third book in the Great Library series but not the last as evidenced by its cliffhanger ending.Jess Brightwell and his fellow escapees from the Archivist Magister find themselves in the Burner city of Philadelphia. Philadelphia is under siege by the forces of the Library. They find themselves in the middle of a war and both sides want them dead. Jess and Thomas bargain for their survival by agreeing to build a printing press that Thomas has invented - again. The printing press had been invented many times over the years and, each time, the Library has suppressed it and killed or imprisoned the inventor. The printing press and many other inventions threaten the power that the Library has amassed over the centuries. The head of the Library will do anything to hold on to his personal power. If that means killing Thomas, he is more than willing to do that.All of the group are wanted by the Magister for their various offenses. All of them also want to restore the Library to the glory it had before the Archivist Magisters began to value power over the role the Library was supposed to serve. I really enjoy the world building in this series which rewrites the contributions and inventions of famous scientists through history. Just a few mentioned in this one are Gutenberg, Archimedes, and Heron of Alexandria. I also like the political landscape of the series with the Library taking over so many countries. I liked that the United States was a country in rebellion to the aims of the Library. This one has a fast-moving plot as Jess tries to out think and out plan the many forces against them including his own father and other book smugglers. Fans of the series will enjoy this episode and be eagerly waiting for the next.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Amazing story. This and all of the audiobooks in the series so far have a volume issue. Have to have the volume up all the way and occasionally there will be louder parts.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I received an ARC galley from NetGalley for review

    Cover: Beautiful
    Rating: 5 Stars
    Overall: Intense and Emotional
    Characters: Well Written
    Plot: With the Library closing in, and Burners on the move, Jess and his friends must choose sides.
    Page Turner: Yes!
    Series Cont.? Yes!
    Recommend: Yes!
    Favorite Character: I can't choose!
    Source: NetGalley

    Review: Ah! The feels, so many feels! LOVE IT! It's not often that I have a book leaving me with so many feelings, and with this one I enjoyed that pleasure from the start! I wasn't crazy about the slow pacing of Ink and Bone, but after reading that cliffhanger, I had to continue on with the series, and now it's become one of my most anticipated reads! I love this series, and can't get enough of Jess and his friends!

    I love, love, love the characters, plot, writing style, everything! I don't say that often, but this book is definitely one of my top faves this year, and will likely remain one of the most memorable reads this year! I had three last year that I still rave about, this year I have two so far that I can't share enough, this being the second! This series has continued to get better with each book, and I am so excited to see what happens next! Will be anxiously awaiting book four!



  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    4 1/2 stars
    Oh man, I thought this was to be a trilogy and as the book progressed I figured that unless it came to an abrupt and very unsatisfactory conclusion that there would be more books in the series. Thankfully that is the case and more books will becoming, but this book was just released a few days ago so I know I'll have an uncomfortable wait for it to arrive.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I read this in a day. The whole series is so exciting.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The books in this series just keep getting better. Another great plot with twists and turns to keep me excited. It was edge of your seating reading, especially at the end. The world building is really good too. The author presents the reader with an alternative history that is plausible. Loved that about this series. It is not all just made up stuff and I could easily envision how different events in history could have lead us to this point. Of course the character development has continued on in this book. I feel that the characters have not only grown but they have now truly gotten under my skin. I want more and I can’t wait to read the next book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Jess and his friends find themselves in Philadelphia, the heart of the Burner community that's in the midst of war with the Great Library of Alexandria. With Jess's family ready to betray them, the Great Library after them, and the Burners threatening, they're not sure where to turn. But Jess and Thomas determine that the printing press needs to be made and books to become freely available to all, even if they need to temporarily work with the Burners while planning their escape.The third in the series is very much the middle of the story, having no real beginning or resolution which I can sometimes find frustrating as a reader. But I'm invested in these characters and their story now, so I look forward to continuing and reading more of their adventures. Any book about the importance of libraries (as far as this one has fallen becoming a despotic and power-hungry place) and books is one that I will enjoy.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Book 3 in The Great Library series finds our protagonists in the Burner capital of Boston. As they attempt to figure out how to get out alive from this city under siege, they must also determine how to take on the Library and its all-powerful Archivist.The action in this entry of the series is pretty constant and the characters' sense of being trapped in a terrible situation is pervasive throughout, which made this a slower read for me, I think. There is some exploration of Morgan's powers and her relationship with Jess and hints of the mental and emotional ramifications of everything that's happened thus far for all the characters so it's not all flash and bang. The build up to the denouement of this novel is pretty easy to see coming but I am very curious to see the ramifications in the next book. Fans of the series will be pleased with this book as well.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Felt like a whole lot of nothing happened in this installment.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I first started this thinking it was the end of the trilogy only to find out that it is now five books and I am fine with that. I couldn’t see how they would get to a good ending by the end of this book and warning it does end on a cliffhanger.
    You find out more about Burners and they are not all the same just as it is with the Library. Jess and Morgan develop more of their relationship and Morgan finds out more about her powers. I don’t want to give much away about what happens in Philadelphia but hard choices are made and people will have to live with their decisions. A good read and I always enjoy the bits of backstory and history of the world that is inserted in to give more color to this universe.

    Digital review copy from the publisher through NetGalley
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    *Spoiler alert for those who haven't read the first and/or second volumes in the Great Library series.*The events in this third instalment of the Great Library series pick up shortly after the cliffhanger ending in Paper and Fire, with Jess and his friends/group of rebels now prisoners of the Burners in Philadelphia, where Thomas and Jess are singled out to build a printing press. But the Archivist has got wind of the group's location and is about to mount a devastating offensive, not caring how many other lives are lost.This book took a while to take off, giving the author the opportunity to explore character relationships in greater detail, though when the action finally comes it's full on and intense; some readers might find the fiery destruction of the city and its people somewhat distressing.While the action abates towards the end of the book, the tension doesn't, as Jess is desperate to come up with a plan that will save his friends' lives. The novel ends with a surprising twist that will have far-reaching consequences for the fourth instalment, if not the rest of the series. I can't even begin to imagine what lies in store in Smoke and Iron. Luckily the volume is already lined up.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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”.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Jess Brightwell and his friends have fled London for Philadelphia, into a siege situation. Thomas promises to create a printing press and things start to get hotter for everyone. They're all trying to deal with sress and the situation and what has happened to their families.It's setting things up for the next book and it's interesting to see what it suggests will happen next.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is one of those series that I enjoy but am semi ambivalent about. While I like the characters and story line and I want to know what happens in the end, I somehow have to force myself to pick up the next book each time. Once I'm into the book I have enjoyed them and not wanted to put them down but then find myself putting off reading the next book. I'm very behind on a group read of the series due to this. I have one book left (unless she has more planned?) and I'll be starting it right away so as not to give myself any distractions from finishing the series. 3.5?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This one was slower than the first two, but I still enjoyed it and I can't wait for the next one to come out!!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The third intense addition to the Great Library series. The heroes have moved to Philadelphia where they are held captive by the Burners. How will they escape before the Library destroys this rebel enclave? Like the previous volumes, this is a tightly plotted tale with convincing characterizations and believable motivations. Highly recommend.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Ash and Quill by Rachel CaineBook #3: The Great Library SeriesSource: PurchaseMy Rating: 3½/5 starsJess Brightwell has always known trusting his father is a crap shoot at best. If the reward or payoff is better than his son’s life, the money wins every single time. The latest bit of betrayal has Jess and his friends locked in a primitive in jail in Philadelphia, the historic home of the Burners.Trapped in the midst of a starving, desperate group of people who have been battling the Great Library for decades, Jess and his friends may be in deeper than they ever have been. The Burners have no use for a group of book lovers and a very great need for a bargaining chip. Or chips in this case. As the situation stands, Philadelphia is on the verge of collapse and everyone from their leaders to the lowest member of society understands the reality of their situation. Handing over Jess and his group may buy them not only some time, but their lives. However, before the Burners turn over Jess and his friends, they’re going to get their hands on Thomas’ incredible printing press. Ever the realist, Jess understands the gravity of the situation in which he and his friends find themselves. Beyond that, Jess understands he and his friends have very little leverage and if they’re going to get out alive, they are going to have to play dirty, make deals with questionable parties, and pray they aren’t, once again betrayed. Getting out of Philadelphia isn’t easy and it certainly isn’t without tragedy, but it does happen which leads the group of fugitives, seemingly from the frying pan right into the fire. In this case, the fire is, once again, Jess’s father. In the second half of Ash and Quill, Jess and his friends, much depleted, demoralized, and somewhat desperate following their escape from Philadelphia, take refuge with Jess’s family. While some among the group see the stay as a respite in a safe haven, Jess sees the situation for exactly what it, another prison. Though Jess doesn’t know his father’s exact plan, he knows there is a plan (a plot if we’re being fair) and it won’t benefit anyone but Jess’s father. What happens in the days among his family is a rife with tension, plotting, and planning. Jess has no intention of hurting and/or betraying his friends, but as his father’s plans begin to unfold and become ever clearer, Jess realizes the only way to save everyone he truly cares for is to betray them. He can only hope, when the smoke clears, his friends will understand his actions and forgive his actions. The Bottom Line: At the end of the day, The Great Library series is still one of my all-time favorites, but this installment isn’t going to be one of my favorites. To be fair, Ash and Quill is exactly the type of book every series must have. It’s the mid-point of series which closes the book on the first half of the series and sets up the plot and action for the second half of the series. While the first part of this book was necessary to the continuation of the series, it wasn’t particularly interesting and read quite slowly. Once Jess and his friends break free from the Burners, they are again on the run and fighting for their lives. The action, drama, and intrigue absolutely pick up in the second half of this book and set the stage for the final one (or two?) books in the series. As always, nothing is as it seems and the last one (or two?) books in this series should be absolutely stunning in its (their?) action, drama, intrigue, revelations, and resolution. The world of the Great Library is on the precipice of huge change, world-altering change, I believe Jess and his friends are going to be at the forefront of the whole damn mess.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was another great instalment in this series! I really enjoyed how the plot progressed and seeing the characters grow and get to know one another better. Yet again, the group is put in a perilous situation and have to figure a way out of it, and boy, is it a journey.

    I really enjoyed this, and am happy that more books are coming :)
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Third volume in the Great Library series. Jess and company are in Philadelphia, a city that’s been controlled by Burners for a century, but being the Library’s enemies isn’t enough since they want to reform it, not destroy it. “Out of the frying pan, into the fire” is the theme, as they go from dangerous situation to dangerous situation, with their only hope and solace coming from each other. I’ve been vague, but it’s plenty action-packed, and things are set up well for what I hope will be a resolution.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This novel is book three of The Great Library Series, and this is not the final book. It’s an adventurous, fantastical series.Book three picks up where book two left off--as Jess and his friends were being translated to Philadelphia. In America, they meet the leader of the Burners, a group who have held out against the Library for a hundred years. Life is not easy here, and Jess and company are not trusted. Hoping to save themselves and find an answer to the Library’s power, they offer Thomas’s invention. They’ll create a printing press so that the Library doesn’t have absolute control of knowledge. They can’t stay here, however, because it’s too dangerous.As Jess and his friends plan to escape their forced stay in Philadelphia, the Library still seeks to find them, possibly wanting them dead. Jess’s family can also see value in using them. With danger at every turn, they still believe in the concept of the Library but not in how it has been corrupted from its inception. Once they escape Philadelphia, their new protection is just another prison. Ultimately, they will have to overthrow the current leader of the Library. With countries openly defying the Library, the time is ripe to make change.Everyone is together in this novel, and it’s one dangerous situation after another. You’ll be nervous at the end of the novel, wondering how everything is going to work out in the next book. I think book four is the final book, but I may be wrong. I enjoyed this novel as much as the other two. I think the series is clever and emphasizes the true value of intellectual freedom. No one controls knowledge; we are free to learn whatever we desire.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    On the whole, I remain pleased with this series. My reading enjoyment was marred, though, when 3/4 the way through I realized this was not only not the final book in a trilogy, but that on the author's page a 4th and 5th book are listed and neither has even a name yet. I am sorely disappointed that the story goes on, not because I don't like it (since I do like it enough to give it 4 stars) but because it will be a while before it concludes. Elder memories, being what they are, do not hold onto plot details well. I hope someone tell me when book 4 comes out, or I may go to my grave wondering what happened to Jess, Wolfe, Morgan, and all the rest of the gang. I toyed with giving this book a lower star rating because of my disappointment, but alas, the author's writing and the story is too good for that. So please Ms Caine, hurry up! I'm not getting younger!ccpl
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.In a not too distant future, but a world quite unlike the one we live in, the Great Library of Alexandria and its satellite libraries or serapeums rule the world. The Library has the power what knowledge is acceptable and unacceptable, what books are acceptable and which are forbidden, and the general public will never know the difference. Well, the public might not know the difference if it weren't for groups like the Burners and a small group of Library employees that have uncovered the truth and are willing to fight against the tyranny, injustice, and power that is the Great Library. The fight that started in Alexandria, Egypt has taken our intrepid fighters to Rome, Italy, London, England, and continues in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the third installment of the Great Library series by Rachel Caine with Ash and Quill. We were introduced to Jess Brightwell, Khalila Seif, Glain Waithen, Thomas Schreiber, Morgan Hault, and Dario Santiago when they were postulants to the library, studying under Scholar Christopher Wolfe and guarded by Captain Niccolo Santi. Since then we've witnessed the arrest and torture of Thomas simply because he invented a printing press, what amounts to the arrest, isolation, and attempted forced mating (i.e. rape) of Morgan as an Obscurist, and the demotion of Glain simply because she survived a training exercise along with Jess. Khalila and Dario were promoted to research Scholar positions after completing their training and they bore witness to the murder of Dario's training supervisor simply because he asked her for assistance. Together, Jess, Khalila, Glain, Morgan, Dario, Chris, and Nic are able to get Thomas out of prison and survive another attempt on their lives and just when they think they've got it made, they're "rescued" by burners and taken to Philadelphia. Philadelphia is a city that has been living under siege for over one hundred years, so resources or slim to none. Once again, our troop bands together and tries to make the best of a bad situation and negotiate their way out, but things quickly go from bad to worse and another rescue is required. This time the Brightwell "cousins" (smuggling connections, not blood family connections) step up and provide much-needed transportation out of America for the exiles. Can Jess trust his "cousins" to do the right thing for himself and his friends? Can he finally trust his twin brother and father?I was excited when provided the opportunity to read Ash and Quill by Rachel Caine because I've been reading the Great Library series and fell in love with it. Good news: I'm also excited that the series is not ending with book three, yay! Bad news: Ash and Quill ends with a cliffhanger folks. (No, I'm not going to tell you what the cliffhanger is, read the book!) Once again, there's a lot of action taking place in the book and our intrepid fighters have to deal with not only the Great Library and its supporters, but also the Burners and their supporters not to mention the Brightwell clan. The Library is after complete power, the Burners are after freedom from tyranny and oppression, and the Brightwell clan and their ilk are after wealth. How can idealism possibly win against them? Don't despair, our team has a plan. I don't know what the plan is, but I'm presuming it will be revealed at some point in book four or book five (yes, there are at least two more books in this series). I found Ash and Quill to be a fast-paced and engaging read. I'm glad none of the primary characters have been killed off (I hate it when that happens) and we're introduced to a whole new cast of bad guys and pseudo-bad guys in Philadelphia and England. If you've read Ink and Bone, and Paper and Fire, then you know you want to read Ash and Quill. If you haven't read this series, then let me pique your interest by saying that this is a world where there aren't any bookstores, aren't any local library systems, home libraries are illegal, and the great library of Alexandria has not only survived but has become a superpower that has deemed electricity forbidden. Interested? Of course you are, so get a copy of book one Ink and Bone, and book two Paper and Fire to read before grabbing a copy of Ash and Quill. Once you get immersed in this world, you won't want to let go. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the Great Library series as I can hardly wait to see what happens next.