The Burning Page: The Invisible Library, Book 3

Each of the books I have devoured in this series, has rolled out its story at an almost reckless pace, with events occurring rapidly and unpredictably until they crash into the final pages, having settled some questions and left others in the dust, to hopefully be taken up again in the next volume.Cogman has created a universe with its own physical and conceptual laws, based on a balance between order and chaos - a structural conflict with which I feel a strong personal affinity. The self-proclaimed role of the Library, to establish ties with different worlds and maintain a balance through the books it collects from them, is presented as a truth in the eyes of its servants - the Librarians who work for and within the organization. How and why this works is not clear, but in pursuing the Library’s missions, it’s operatives are as gutsy and resourceful as any international spies.The relationship between Irene, the Librarian protagonist, and her assistant Kai (preternaturally handsome and elegant) is one of respect, delicately balanced power, responsibility and repressed sexual and romantic possibilities. The unrelenting action of the plot has (at the end of the third book) not left much space for development in this relationship, a fact which has been surprising to me - not only because the sexual tension has been there from early in the first volume, but also because I have been so well swept along by the storytelling that I haven’t had a chance to feel impatient about it.There’s more of interest in these books: the varied and imaginative worlds described, combining magic, technology, archetypal creatures; the supporting cast of characters, with personalities that grow in complexity and depth; the necessary balance between opposing forces and ideas; the value of books - fiction in particular - as purveyors of culturally significant information.These books are really fun to read and to daydream about.

Third in series with characters we have grown to like in previous books. The characters have grown, but if the authors would just slow down we can appreciate them. The book reads like a roller coaster ride from frying pan to fire. Quick read, but long for some breathing room to have some perspective on the adventure.

What Harry Potter Fans should read after they grow up! Reminiscent of JK Rowling's style in terms of fast-paced action, world-building, magical creatures, and sheer outrageousness! Like JK Rowling, this author introduces too many characters and expects us to remember them from only a physical description and snippets of dialog. Writing 101: What makes characters memorable is getting to KNOW them as real people! Show us their thoughts! or at least some personality!Thankfully, the main characters did have a lot more depth than the HP characters. There's a smart, strong female protagonist who can take care of herself, thank you very much, and we are privy to her thoughts for the most part. There's also a really cool dragon whom I'd like to get to know better (hint hint).. And, the Fae characters are always fun, especially Silver,That incident with Vale seemed kind of slapped together, Give us more insight into the characters' feelings, if you're gonna throw in something like that.I'm still giving it 5 stars though, because I thoroughly enjoyed it. (Books don't have to be perfect to get 5 stars - just enjoyable page-turners.)(Very slight spoiler alert only for those who haven't read the first 2 books in the series.)All 3 books in this series are quite fun, but I especially appreciated that the author is developing the premise which she had only hinted at before - that the archetypal energies in the books actually hold the fabric of the universes together. Cool idea and actually quite true, in a metaphysical sense. I hope she develops this further in the next sequel!The author could easily write 10 more books with these characters, because the universe she has created is so open-ended. PLEASE GIVE US MORE, I'd love to see the stories mature, like fine wine, away from being just a romp with a bit of metaphysics, to being more deeply metaphysical with a bit oWhat Harry Potter Fans should read after they grow up!f romping (after all, we've already had alligators, spiders, hornets, snakes...um...ok). Develop the idea about the books holding the worlds in balance...make realities shift more as the characters shape their realities...make stories and characters come alive and interact with reality...(You know what I mean...like in The Neverending Story, but for grown-ups!) The author is hinting at all this and I'd love to see these ideas taken to the next level!I can envision this series being a cross between Harry Potter and The Education of Oversoul Seven...magic mixed with alternate realities. Seriously, she really does have a VERY POWERFUL premise here! I hope she develops it to its fullest potential!

This is the third book in The Invisible Library series, a series that I am finding a delight. I love the main characters and the central conceit of a vast and mysterious library with doorways into a myriad of worlds. And if I found this book slightly less all-absorbing and less entirely delightful than the first two, that is more a reflection of the high standard they set than a disparagement of this installment. My one quibble is that the introductory exposition to catch readers up to speed was a little less smooth than I'd like, but that is a minor matter. I enjoyed this very much.About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).

I loved this book and the others in the series. An interesting alternate universe, comoplex characters and interesting plots. Fantasy fans should check this out.

This series is written by a intelligent author who delights in the power of fiction and the importance of language. I suspect that there is quite a deep underlying philosophy but I enjoy most the frequent throwaway lines of down-to earth wisdom and experience. The heroine is for the thinking person - courageous rather than glamorous, tenacious rather than all-powerful, making clever use of a limited skill rather than pulling a new power out of her purse at every new challenge. This series is a fresh pleasure against the morass of Ken-and-Barbie superpowers that beleaguer current modern adventures.

I had no doubts: Buying the Burning Page was a safe bet, as it was for the previous two books of the series. Genevieve Cogman doesn't fail in delivering a catchy narrative, clever and well written, with plot twists, charming characters, mysteries and an all-powerful villain that make the book a real page-turner! Thanks, Genevieve, and can't wait for book #4!

Dit is het derde boek uit deze serie en het is net zo goed als de eerste twee!(Eerste deel ‘The Invisable Library’, tweede deel ‘The masked city’.)Het is wel aan te raden om de boeken in de juiste volgorde te lezen.Geschikt voor iedereen die van boeken en van fantasy houdt.Van mij mogen er nog veel meer delen komen!

After the events of the last book, Irene is in the Library's bad books. She and Kai are forced to take one difficult mission after another, but they don't expect a gate to burst into flames on their way back. When they find out this has happened to other librarians too, they know there's more to it than a mere malfunction. Alberich is back and looking to destroy the Library completely.Irene always manages to seem so cool and collected, even when she's panicking inside. She always has a bit of wry humour in the midst of danger which makes me laugh. I love the contrasts. It's all so magical high tech, travelling to other worlds through portals and having the Language which means they can pretty much make anything happen. Then, when the visit the Library it suddenly gets so low tech and they have to wonder book-lined corridors, searching for an old computer to switch on and send an email. They even get to travel by sleigh with flying reindeer in an alternate Russia! I picked up this book without even reading the back as I enjoyed the first two so much and have now bought the next three in the series.