Bookish Thoughts: The Burning Page by Genevieve Cogman

For the love of God, can't you give me anything  challenging? ~ Opening of The Burning Page

The Burning Page (The Invisible Library, #3) by Genevieve Cogman

Roc, 2016

Fantasy; 368 pgs

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads Summary: 

Never judge a book by its cover...

Due to her involvement in an unfortunate set of mishaps between the dragons and the Fae, Librarian spy Irene is stuck on probation, doing what should be simple fetch-and-retrieve projects for the mysterious Library. But trouble has a tendency of finding both Irene and her apprentice, Kai [...] and, before they know it, they are entangled in more danger than they can handle...

Irene’s longtime nemesis, Alberich, has once again been making waves across multiple worlds, and, this time, his goals are much larger than obtaining a single book or wreaking vengeance upon a single Librarian. He aims to destroy the entire Library—and make sure Irene goes down with it.

With so much at stake, Irene will need every tool at her disposal to stay alive. But even as she draws her allies close around her, the greatest danger might be lurking from somewhere close—someone she never expected to betray her...

I just love this series. Irene is braver than I sometimes expect her to be--which is silly given I've read both earlier books in the series and she is always brave. The Library is being threatened and Irene finds herself at the heart of it when the Library's arch-nemesis Alberich tries to draw her to his side. I didn't find this novel quite as intense as the other two, but I did like it. We learn a bit more about the Library and its role as well as the unrest within the Library itself. 

Irene is sent to a realm high in Order (the last book she was in a high chaos world controlled by the fae) and she must retrieve a book that has proven to be quite elusive to other Librarians who have gone after it. She and Kai run into quite a bit of trouble, much of which they are able to get out of--but not without drawing attention to themselves.

We see a different side of Vale, the private detective both Irene and Kai are quite fond of in their assigned alternate London. He is suffering the consequences of events from the previous book. Irene wants to help him, but isn't sure how. She knows something must be done, regardless.

There is a particularly cry-worthy scene for those of us who love books--or rather one that might make you cringe--it did me. But maybe not. It really was the only recourse, sad as that may be.

Although not my favorite in the series, ultimately, I enjoyed The Burning Page very much and cannot wait until the next book. Like its predecessors, it is fast paced and a fun read. I really must know what the fallout will be after this last adventure!

To learn more about Genevieve Cogman and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Twitter and Goodreads.   

---

© 2017, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.