Ink and Bone (The Great Library #1) by Rachel Caine

Synopsis 
In an exhilarating new series, New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine rewrites history, creating a dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time.…

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn

Review 
Ink and Bone is set in an alternate universe that takes a twist on the fate of the Great Library of Alexandria. Set in 2025  not only did the library survives through the course of history but it has become an authoritarian presence to  all the world.

This story opens on the streets of London, where we are introduced  to our main character  Jess. Jess grew up in the shadow of his dead brother, with a cunning twin brother and controlling  father, who taught him the business of book smuggling. He is forced to steal books so his father can resell them on the black market.

In this world books are the most precious thing. They are upheld as the highest of items, and at times they appear to be held and even  value them over human lives. This makes a lot of people angry and causes them to revolt against the library.

Ink and Bone was filled to the brim with adventure and alchemical. It will perhaps even make you appreciate books a little more.
In terms of the other  characters in Ink & Bone, there is the harsh instructor  scholar Wolfe. 
When we are first introduce to Wolfe, his goals seems to be to make the students’ lives a living nightmare. However as the story progress, we soon learn that he has had a few harsh experiences of his own and his intentions are noble.  

Then there is Khalila Seif, who comes into the Library training as the student who made a perfect score on the entrance tests. Thomas is the first person the befriends Jess. From the beginning you can see that not only is he hard working, but he is a dreamer. He wants to improve and change  the world but their are those who do not want the world to change.

Morgan Hault is a mystery girl who joins Scholar Wolfe’s class, after it has started. Claiming  that the escalating  fighting  coursed her to be delayed, however this is not really the truth. She is there to accomplish a specific mission, but when that doesn’t work out, she faces a future that she would rather die then be apart of.

I really enjoyed this story. There are so many things going on with magic, evilness, goodness, the fight for change, and people that actually seem evil that turn out to be not so bad. This is one of the most unique story concepts  I have ever read, and I really look forward to seeing how it will continue.

☆☆☆1/2☆