I LOVED this series!! I am beyond sorry to see it end, but what an ending...

The Great Library is on its last legs. Enemies are closing in on all sides. The team is facing unbelievable new provocations, threats, and opportunities. And merciful heavens, did they - and the story - rise to the challenge!

This has been an incredible series, with exemplary world-building and characterization. Caine has done a remarkable job with it, and I think it is by far her strongest, best work. In this final installment the action and tension are ramped up to an almost unbearable level, yet she manages to tap-dance among land mines, keeping her cast moving forward at levels that exceed previous expectations - and that's no small feat AT ALL.

The writing is strong, the plot brilliantly twisty (as are the characters' motives, actions, and relationships), and the action never lets up. It is difficult for an author to maintain tension across a number of series books (this is #5 - incidentally, to me, the perfect number in a complex series), particularly when it involves younger characters who have to grow into the situations that they face. Caine has done a marvelous job with that. Her characters have continued to develop in a believable, likable (or dislikeable - depending on the character) way throughout the series. I was surprised at how strongly I reacted to the action - and consequences - facing them in this final story, and it delighted me. I was also pleasantly surprised at her ability to keep the pace even throughout, particularly given the significant action/adventure elements that she laid out almost from the onset of the series. Things developed in a way that felt organic and entirely believable, despite their ramping up to almost unbearable levels. In this it reminded me of the Harry Potter books - things went from relatively light to incredibly dark, but they did it in a way that felt natural and evenly so at each development point.

This is a marvelous series and I will definitely come back to it again. There is SO MUCH going on here that I'm sure I missed some interactions and foreshadowing/final resolution moments from start to finish. I read each book in a furious race as it came out (again, redolent of the HP books), beyond eager to see where things would go. It meant that I no doubt missed some of the nuance, and one of my favorite things about series like this is the ability to go back and revisit them to catch any things I may have missed. If you haven't started this one, you definitely should - it's well worth the time you'll spend on the five-volume set!

Sword and Pen by Rachel Caine
Book #5: The Great Library Series
Source: Author, NetGalley, Berkley Books, and Purchase
Rating: 6 HUGELY GINORMOUS STARS (I only use a 5-star system!)

I am not sure any of the words that follow are going to be enough to adequately express my feelings regarding this book and this series as a whole. Sword and Pen is the culmination of The Great Library series and not only was it worth the wait, it was worth all the pain, anguish, moments of love, happiness, despair, and uncertainty. I could NOT have asked for more than I got from this book and certainly could NOT have asked for more from an author or series.

As Sword and Pen opens, the world is on the brink of collapse and the future of the Great Library is precarious, at best. The old corrupt Archivist is on the run with his faithful lackies and looking to regain control of the Great Library, allies are hard to come by, and even if it kills them Jess, Wolfe, Santi, Thomas, Glain, Dario, Morgan, and Khalila are more than determined than ever to see the world righted and the Great Library stand, once again, as the beacon of hope and knowledge it has been for thousands of years.

For the first time in the series, most of the members of the group are truly separated from one another as each has his/her own particular skill set that is being called upon relentlessly and endlessly. Though their paths cross frequently, each must accept the separation as a necessary evil meant to help the world and not just a few individuals. While each is certainly never far from the other’s minds, there is work to be done and the enemies, both known and unknown are set to strike at any moment. Khalilia is now highly position within the Great Library, Morgan is scarily working her magic in the Iron Tower, Thomas is in charge of the city’s defenses, Santi is in charge of and directing all military forces, Glain is happily back in uniform with the High Garda, Dario is skulking about as only he can, and Jess and Wolfe are on the trail of the betrayer. Every task, every decision, every action, and every moment of inaction is aimed at several goals: find and neutralize the old Archivist, turn away the enemies at the gate, and establish order in the city.

From moment to moment, each of the group is in mortal danger and well aware of the situation. They have survived to this moment and if they’re going to survive this final assault, it is going to take every ounce of courage, every ounce of knowledge, and every ounce of cunning they can muster. As luck would have it, each member of the group not only has a unique skill set, but the ability to think far, far, far outside the box. Khalilia is in fine form with her intellect and determination, Thomas is pure genius with his weapons and mechanically-oriented mind, Morgan is scary with her ever-increasing power, Santi is bound and determined no one will take the city under his watch, Dario is masterful in his deceptions, and Jess, Glain, and Wolfe are focused on the utter destruction of the old Archivist which takes them a long, winding, and dangerous journey. It isn’t until the final moments, the ultimate battle that the group, as a whole reunites to defeat their enemies.

The Bottom Line: The long and the short of it is this: there are few books and series I have read in my 40+ years of reading that have stood out so strongly in my heart and mind. I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, this book and this series is all that is good and right in contemporary literature. This series is truly a saga and it is so strong on every level and in every aspect. From the plot, to the characters (most of whom are KIDS), to the richly imagined and brilliantly delivered settings, this book and series has something for everyone. Though fiction, this series truly reflects so much of human history and our struggle to know and control knowledge, to make free all knowledge or to suppress that which is deemed harmful to society. The Great Library series is a fictional representation of our world, our history, and if we don’t learn from the mistakes of our past, out future. I feel so very fortunate to have stumbled upon this series several years ago and ma thankful for the planning, editing, and reworking that had to go into this series to make it what it is, a truly exceptional bit of reading. Tota est scientia!

I’m so torn about this book but probably not for the reason you think! I am so sad that the series is over, but so happy I got to read every page of it.

I’m always nervous picking up a book in a series after a break in reading earlier books. I worry that I won’t like it as much as I liked earlier books or that I’ll be confused about what’s going on because I’ve forgotten too many things.

Rachel Caine handled both of these concerns like the expert she is in SWORD AND PEN. From the first page, I fell straight back in love with Jess and his friends and the amazing story world of Alexandria and the Great Library. I felt like reminders about who people were and what had been happening where SMOKE AND IRON (book 4) left off were organically woven into the narrative without stealing any attention away from the current tension.

The Great Library is one of my favorite series. It’s one of a very few series longer than three books that I’ve actually managed to stick with– and really, I couldn’t help it! I love the characters so much– Khalila and Dario, Thomas and Glain, Santi and Wolfe, I love them all. Each one is so different, so well-imagined that they feel real. As soon as I start reading a section, I know exactly whose POV I’m in, and I love when authors write like that.

SWORD AND PEN is every bit the conclusion I was hoping for in terms of its intensity. I won’t promise you’ll love every minute– there are some sad moments that really smack you in places that hurt. But it wouldn’t be such a powerful story without those, either. And for the most part, even those sad moments felt right to me.

The Great Library is one of those series you really need to read from the beginning, so don’t start with SWORD AND PEN. Check out my review of INK AND BONE and then fall in love with the whole series with me!

Sword and Pen is a great ending to The Great Library Series. I loved seeing how much the characters have grown in this book. There was a lot more action in this book, a war, and plans to bring the former archivist down and return the Great Library to what it should be once and for all. The end hit me with all the feels. This was my favorite book in the series.

I have a slight confession to make: when I requested Sword and Pen, by Rachel Caine, on NetGalley, I hadn't realized there were FOUR previous books in the series! Of course, I read the first book, Ink and Bone, and I thought I may need to read one more book before moving on to the book I requested. So I spent the summer reading the entire series. And I am so glad I did.

This series has been so fun, filled with a diverse group of characters, and enough action and romance to keep me on the edge of my seat for all five books. The fifth and final book is a fitting send off.

What I Liked:
Setting:

The Great Library is set in a kind of alternate reality, steampunk version of the world. All knowledge is controlled by the Library (a clear allusion to the Roman Catholic Church), so owning any original copies of books is forbidden. There are many layers to this societ. Most of the main characters are soldiers in the High Garda, but others are scholars, magicians (called Obscurists) or criminals. The book is set in the middle of a revolution, so there are lots of rebels, as well.

Each book gives us more of the mythology of this world. In Sword and Pen, we learn about how the very foundations of the society were formed. Themes of personal and intellectual freedom are highlighted, as well.

Characters:

The group of friends (Jess, Morgan, Glain, Khalila, Thomas, and Dario) are back. While some characters, such as Jess and Dario are your standard YA heroes (reckless, with a heart), others are really unique. Glain, although it's not specifically stated, is asexual. Thomas, the genius inventor, has to work hard not to give in to violence. And Khalila is a devout, hijab-wearing Muslim.

While I love every single young person in this book, I also appreciate that the author took the time to have characters with a variety of ages. And they aren't simple background characters. Wolf and Santi are very complex men in a deeply committed relationship. The students look up to both of them. Each is smart and has different strengths and challenges.

Story:

The story is action-packed as the team tries to finally put a stop to the Archivist's hold on power. All the planning in the world doesn't prevent various roadblocks to victory. It would be a pretty boring book if it was easy.

I appreciate that the author took the time to wrap up everyone's story. And, fair warning, not everyone gets a happy ending.

What I Was Mixed About:

Although I did really love the story, the action was a little too non-stop! How many close calls can Jess get in in a day? He has the most amazing luck to get out of sticky situations time and time again.

"With the future of the Great Library in doubt, the unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone must decide if it's worth saving in this thrilling adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.

The corrupt leadership of the Great Library has fallen. But with the Archivist plotting his return to power, and the Library under siege from outside empires and kingdoms, its future is uncertain. Jess Brightwell and his friends must come together as never before, to forge a new future for the Great Library...or see everything it stood for crumble."

There is never not a right time for a new installment in this series.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2019/08/30/sword-and-pen-by-rachel-caine/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
&nbsp;
Review copy was received from Goodreads. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
&nbsp;
Now we have reached the end of  <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/121043-the-great-library" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong><em>The Great Library series.</em></strong></a>  I have enjoyed them all.  The series should be read in order as the political and personal happenings would be tough to follow out of order. The characters develop over time and these young adults find their way, fight for their ideals and strive to make the world a better place. While some of the middle books feel like a continuing crisis with no end in sight, I highly recommend this entertaining and thrilling series.  I have found pleasure in everything I have read from Rachel Caine.

<strong>Sword and Pen</strong> delivers action in a suspenseful situation from start to finish! But it isn't just mindless action for a thrill ride, each step has purpose and works toward the goals for a better library. Our team has taken over the library but it is precarious with the old Archivist and several nations wanting to take over control.  The old Archivist continues with having no scruples; no action is too evil if it keeps him in power. He suppresses or destroys knowledge and doesn't hesitate to murder anyone who doesn't follow his orders.

The various nations come to "aid the library" but really once they are there will really try to take control. Knowledge is power and everyone wants it. It is a fine balance to have treaties with them. The Library has to show its ability to defend itself, but doesn't want to kill people from other nations in its circle.

Personally, these young people are making more decisions about what they are and will be in their lives. Throughout this battle, they are in life and death situations and often loved ones die.  I love seeing them become who they really are in this crisis. Jess is so quick, street smart and capable, but he takes on a world of hurt. Thomas is so engagingly smart and figures out so many things. Morgan gives all she has to protect and help others. Dario is a crafty politician and fighter. Khalila is a true scholar and leader.  Wolfe and Santi help to lead and protect them all.  They all make sacrifices for a better Library.

Sword and Pen is the final installment in The Great Library series. Throughout the series, the critical element here has been the diverse cast of characters that has driven the story forward. Each character in this series has gone through so much, and finally, in the last installment, readers get to see how the events of the previous four novels have affected the characters. In Sword and Pen, each character has a distinct voice as well as their own perspective used to both expand the scope of the novel as well as allow the characters time to come to life. So much has happened in the course of the series and in previous novels, the characters were only known through the perspective of one character. Now that each has their perspective they have time to shine, they have tome o become full-fledged characters, and their narratives allow the reader to see just how everything in the previous novels has affected him as well as highlighting their character development and the growth in their character dynamics. Readers can connect to them more in this novel than in previous novels. The diversity of the characters also adds more depth to the story and the characters. They all have different backgrounds and origins that lend a hand in understanding where they came from and how they have grown through everything. Their voices are all distinct and compelling, ensuring the reader's relatability to them.

As for the novel itself, the pacing was well constructed and dynamic because from one page to next, something is happening to keep up the fast momentum. The added tension of the political upheaval, the twists and turns and layers of betrayal and mystery keep the reader engaged in the progression of the story. A revolution is happening and, as with any revolution, pieces of the previous corrupt power remain, creating that drama and tension necessary for the progression of the story. It also adds some much-needed realism to the story as it moves forward. There are losses in the novel, personal, emotional, and mental losses for the characters that mean something to the story, that creates layers of depth as it evolves the world that readers have come to understand. The story is as much a journey for the readers as it is for the characters.

Overall Sword and Pen was by far the best way a series could go out as it is probably the most engaging and action-packed of the entire series.

We've regained control of the library in Sword and Pen, but the old Archivist is still plotting and world leaders are vying for their share of the pie. It was intense with betrayals, kickass moments, heroes, losses and discoveries. I laughed, wept like a baby, worried half the story about certain beloved characters and was in awe of how Caine spun this final chapter. I closed the book satisfied with the knowledge that I will revisit this series again.

Full review will post at Caffeinated Reviewer on September 3, 2019. Review link provided.

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.

It is so very hard to review the last book in a very much beloved series. This series has been amazing and stand out since the very first book and it has continued to astonish and blow me away with each new installment.

This last installment might very well be my most favorite one of them all.

Entertaining, action packed, thrilling, fast paced and full of all the great stuff and characters that have made this series so outstanding from the very beginning, Sword and Pen blew me away.

It made me cry, laugh, get angry, smile, be sad, feel so many emotions, but most of all, it made me love. Love for these fleshed out characters I have learned to care about and that have felt like family over the course of the series. I have been invested in them and truly worried about all their outcomes.

This wasn't an easy read. It was ugly at times and yes, people die, lots of people. This is war after all but most of all, it stayed true to the rest of the series. We knew there would be casualties. We knew these rag tag diverse group of people would die defending the things they love and the library and books they cherish. They have become a family over the course of their time together and all that being a family sometimes mean. The good, the bad, and yes, even the ugly.

I couldn't have anticipated and more entertaining and better ending than the one Caine delivered. Truly everything I hope it would be.

This was a fantastic conclusion to the series. Caine keeps you going from beginning to end, hoping that Jess will avenge his brother, that he'll be okay, not knowing. A lot of series closers are disappointing. This one is deeply satisfying!

This series has been a whirl-wind for me. I picked up the first one about 2 months ago and slammed through the rest (while reading other books and working). When I reached this last book, I was worried that my expectations would not be met. However, I was completely surprised at what the author was able to deliver in the fifth installment of this amazing book series.

I am going to be honest. In some ways I loved this last book in the series, it was mostly what I was hoping for. But I was also a bit disappointed, but I can’t quite put my finger on why. It might just be last book blues, or it might be that unnecessary epilogue. But I will do my best not to let that interfere with my review, because it really was a great book.

Just like in the last book, we are being told the story through almost everyone’s perspective. I really liked this because it did give us the opportunity to learn more about all of this small group of heroes. They all fight for their beliefs and to make the world a better place for everyone. Everyone’s story was told to a conclusion that was acceptable, if sad for some.

I really liked the fact that the series as a whole was about friendship and creating a found family. All of the characters come from different parts of the world with different religious beliefs, cultures and issues. But they all come to respect each other for their strengths and weaknesses, (yes, even Dario). They come to love and trust each other and to know that they all want the same things for their world. There is light romance between some of them, but that never deters from the story or from the friendships.

Even though the world at this point is pretty well established, Ms. Caine continues to bring in new and exciting elements to the world. The weapons that Thomas and others develop are amazing in their ability to wipe out whole groups of people. The puzzles that Thomas has to solve at one point were quite clever and there were a couple of times that I wasn’t sure Thomas would get through them.

Every character arc has an ending that was about what I was expecting. But not all were what I wanted for that character. Jess especially, I wanted his ending to be happier. He is still a character that I care about, and I think there is hope for his happiness, but I would have liked a more concrete ending for him. Dario was a character that I had doubts about through out the series, but he really pulls through in the end. Khalila’s story was perhaps the best one. I loved how her character really shined through out this book. Morgan’s story had the saddest ending and one I was not prepared for. But once I thought about it, it made sense.

It is hard to review the last book in a series. You don’t want to say too much that you end up spoiling things, but you want to make sure that people will want to read the series too. This is the perfect series for almost anybody, as it has a lot of different things that will appeal to lots of different people. It verges on the steampunk side of sci-fi while also being somewhat of a fantasy. It has a found family with lots of diverse characters. A conspiracy of evil that wants to control not only the world, but knowledge which is worse. And because I haven’t mentioned them yet in this review, the automatons are something not to be missed, they are terrifyingly awesome!

This is a series that will always have special place in my heart and one that I whole heartedly recommend you start.

I received this book as an ARC from Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Being a huge fan of this series and a lot of our community members love for this series, I knew I had to jump at the chance and preview this book. The last time we left the library, the leadership has crumbled, the Archivist is in a hostile takeover for the Great Library and its fate is at risk. It's up to Jess Brightwell and the rest of the crew to save the Great Library and restore it to its original glory so all can truly experience the gifts it has to offer. Reading this book, makes me appreciate being a librarian and reminded me why I got into the profession in the first place. You can learn so much just by reading a book and you can grow your imagination and vocabulary in a turn of a page and this series exemplifies just that. Such a treat to read and they really saved the best for last.

We will consider adding this book to our YFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

I'm so excited this series keeps going. The Great Library is under siege. Will they survive the fighting, or will they all parish. There are a lot of exciting fighting scenes that really had me biting my nails. The character interaction was awesome. We got to revisit our favorite people as the story finally builds to a wonderful climax. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm so sad that this series is over. What a fun and fantastic world that Rachel Caine has created! She's got a handful of deep characters that I've grown to care for, and now, they'll have to live on through rereads I guess.

Sword and Pen is the final book in the Great Library series, and it goes out with a bang! Character growth, plot twists, major events, Indiana Jones-esque tombs, and evil villains all abound in this one, and the war for the sanctity of the Great Library escalates into an all out war with the dethroned Archivist and the nations that see an opportunity to take control. Embattled on all sides, our crew must fight with everything they have to not only see the Great Library remain to live another day, but for it to be reformed into the shining beacon of hope and knowledge that it once was.

If you haven't read this series, you should definitely pick it up. I highly recommend it. It's fun, exciting, and extremely entertaining. Five stars!

It is both sad and exciting to come to the end of The Great Library series. I have loved each and every one and will continue to recommend it to YA lovers of fantasy, action-adventure and books/libraries in general. With its unique weaponry and mechanical marvels such as tablets that are far more capable than anything currently available and almost sentient statuary that can both kill and protect, this might also be a series for those who enjoy sci-fi, as well. In this final book, readers will see each of our young heroes taking a more equal share of print time and fans will come away knowing them all much more deeply. Jess is still the lynchpin to everything, but the book changes POV often. Fans will need to set aside a large block of uninterrupted time to read this exciting conclusion as the action continues from the chaos in the arena at the end of book 4 and does not let up until the fate of the Great Library is settled. There are a few surprises and some little things left open-ended so readers can decide a few things for themselves. As in the previous books, Caine only has a few instances of mild profanity, but there is a great deal of death and destruction in the battle for control of the world’s books. Santi and Wolfe’s homosexual relationship is well-established and may even be referred to more often in this installment than in others, but there is nothing more than sexual attraction, unfulfilled passion and/or love between any of the characters. Highly recommended for YA readers, but do not even try to read this series out of order!

The megalomaniacal Archivist has been expelled from the Library, but he refuses to quietly surrender his throne. Sensing weakness, every nation that can muster a decent navy has sent ships to “assist” the Library during its period of upheaval. To maintain the Library as an independent entity and keep it from slipping back into corruption, Jess and his friends will have to keep being fast, clever, and ruthless even while they suffer through the emotional fallout of the previous book. It's a roller coaster as every member of the gang experiences mortal peril and hard-won triumph over a couple of very long days.

What a fabulous conclusion to one of my favorite series. I’m sad to have this wonderful ride end but Caine wrapped it up with a bow and added all the frills to make this one of the best and tidiest endings ever. I’m so satisfied! There is quite a lot going on under the surface of this alternate history/sci-fi/fantasy which allows the reader to dive deep or skim the delectable fluffy, frothy surface. What a fun, enjoyable trip.