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Sword and Pen
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
31 posts | 24 read | 22 to read
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.
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review
staci.reads
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Pickpick

I can't believe it took me 3 years to finally read this! I loved the first 4, but for some reason didn't get around to #5, even though I bought it upon release, and even though my daughter kept telling me it was a great end to the series 🤷‍♀️. It finally came up as my #Bookspin after holding the longest place on that list 😂. Worth the wait, and it took me no time at all to become reimmursed in the world of The Great Library! @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! It's funny how some books just linger like that, even when you're looking forward to them!! 1mo
60 likes1 comment
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OutsmartYourShelf
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Mehso-so

A disappointing end to what had been a great series. There was a lot of running from here to there with Jess being injured & mainly slowing everyone else down, but stubbornly refusing to actually rest. The conflict between the outside nations & the Library started off well (the giant automaton of Poseidon sounded terrifying) but then fizzled out. (Continued)

OutsmartYourShelf The best part of the book were the few chapters dedicated to engineering genius Thomas's 'Last Crusade' bit as he outwits devious traps to gain entrance to Heron's tomb. Unfortunately they were over all too soon. I also found that Jess really annoyed me in this book, & by the end I preferred almost any other character to him. 3⭐

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3854236712

Read: 27th-30th July 2023
1y
32 likes1 comment
review
BookmarkTavern
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Mehso-so

It‘s time for the final battle for the soul of the Great Library. Jess & his friends have successfully taken the Library, but the former Archivist has decided if he can‘t control it, it‘s better to destroy the whole thing.

This was a disappointing finale to a fun series. It was fine, but the pace was constantly breakneck, & the climax didn‘t give me the emotional resonance I was seeking. I got more Khalila and Thomas, but I wanted more. 🌕🌕🌕🌗

BookmarkTavern Someone once told me that apparently this series was originally planned to be a trilogy but was stretched out to five, and it feels like it. #SeriesRead2022 @TheSpineView (edited) 2y
TheSpineView Great job 2y
59 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
BookmarkTavern
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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More #AudioBaking during the decorating earlier today! Not quite what I had imagined, but it tasted good, and the nibling liked it. 😂

It‘s supposed to be a Minecraft End Portal. #Buttonbright

BookmarkTavern @Sparklemn Here it is! 2y
DLQBOOKNERD Good job. As a mom of two boys who were Minecraft maniacs, I knew right away what this was. Lol 2y
Sparklemn Love it!! 2y
66 likes3 comments
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BookmarkTavern
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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And so begins the great cake bake for the nibling‘s #Buttonbright birthday tomorrow! They‘ve really started getting into Minecraft and so wanted a cake that looks like an End Portal.

We‘ll see how this goes! 🤞🏻🤞🏻Glad to have a good audiobook for some #AudioBaking !

Sparklemn Did you take a picture of your finished product? I like the Minecraft theme. 2y
BookmarkTavern @Sparklemn I did! I‘ll post it in just a second. It didn‘t quite turn out like the plan in my head, but the nibling liked it, so it‘s all good. 😅 2y
66 likes2 comments
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TheSpineView
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Bailedbailed

I loved the first two books of the series but have been struggling to read the others. I finally came to the point I couldn't read any more despite being a third of the way through this one. DNF for me. Bummed because so many loved the whole series. ⭐

tracey38 I've only read book 1 but really enjoyed it. Sad to hear this. 3y
julesG Oh. A shame. I really liked the series and thought this last book was a good end to the series. 3y
78 likes1 stack add3 comments
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MrT
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

Thoroughly enjoyed this underrated series. Great plots, action and memorable characters. I recommend to readers who loves books about books

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The_Whimsical_Bookdragon
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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On my way to get my vaccine! Bringing the last book of the series out with me to take this child free opportunity to read
#takeabookeverywhere

katy4peas Yay! Congratulations on both! 😊 3y
2 likes1 comment
quote
brandierickson
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“Maybe, in the end, love is all we have left, in peace or in war, to make the surviving worthwhile.”

review
Literary_Siren
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

I loved this series! This last book did not disappoint (unless you count leaving this wonderful world)!

I now have no idea what to read next. I‘ve had some books tugging at me but I don‘t feel like I can read anything and give it my full attention right now. 😫

LeticiaToraci Me too, focusing is difficult. 5y
LeticiaToraci On a second thought, have you read The Invisible Library? I think its similar to this post's book. 5y
Literary_Siren @LeticiaToraci I have not, yet. I‘ve been meaning to get to it. There are just sooooo many books to read! 5y
68 likes3 comments
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SassyBookworm
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

What an amazing ending to a truly adventurous series! Definitely one of the best series enders I have ever read. So much action and twist at every turn. It was so hard to even put down, I had to know what was going to happen next. I loved how it had a wonderfully satisfying close to the series. Tied up things neatly but left somethings to your imagination.

#SassyBookworm😏 #SwordAndPen #TheGreatLibrarySeries #KnowledgeMustSurvive #YA

j.rye What a stunning cover. 😍📚 5y
SassyBookworm @j.rye yes!!! The whole series is just gorgeous!!! 5y
92 likes5 stack adds2 comments
blurb
SassyBookworm
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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It‘s not often I read physical books (I‘m more of a ebook or audiobook gal) but when I do this is how it looks ☺️ Momma with her book and music and Ava bug snuggled next to me watching tv ❤️🤓🥰📖

#SassyBookworm 😏 #SwordAndPen #TheGreatLibrarySeries #SnuggleBug

Eggs 💕💕 5y
JessClark78 ❤️ 5y
Gissy So cute! Lovely eyes!😍❤️❤️❤️ 5y
SassyBookworm @Gissy thank you! ❤️ 5y
94 likes4 comments
review
BennettBookworm
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

The end of an era! I feel this was a worthy finale to the series, but I also have to be honest that I think this could have been a trilogy. At some points I got so exhausted following one tragic, dramatic battle to the next, and some plot points that emerged in the last two books just massively confused me. Still, I‘ll always love these characters!

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BookishBelle
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

I didn‘t realize this was the last book of the series until I read the author‘s afterword. It was a fitting ending to the series. Just as good as all the other books. Finished today as my first book of 2020. Thanks #insomniareading! 🙃

julesG 👏👏👏👏 5y
Hooked_on_books I just wanted to touch base about LMPBC. I haven‘t seen you post about either book I‘ve sent, so I wanted to make sure they found their way to you. 5y
BookishBelle @Hooked_on_books Yes, I got both of them and have read them! I‘ve been a little absent because of work stuff and wedding planning. When am I supposed to send Beautiful Bodies on to the next person? I can‘t remember if I should have done it already or if it‘s coming up. 😬 5y
See All 9 Comments
BookishBelle @Hooked_on_books I went back and looked. I‘ve read my book and sent it on and then I got Beautiful Bodies and I think I was supposed to have sent that to @Wife at the beginning of this month. I haven‘t gotten another book from you though. Should I have? 🤔 5y
Wife Looking forward to #LMPBC for January 🌹 5y
Hooked_on_books @BookishBelle Beautiful bodies should have been mailed on at the end of December. I sent the George Takei book on the 6th by priority, so it should have arrived last week. I‘ll see if I can find the tracking info to see what happened if it never arrived. 5y
Hooked_on_books My tracking number says the book was delivered on the 10th, last Friday. Let me know if that‘s not the case so I can see if there‘s anything they can do. 5y
BookishBelle @Hooked_on_books I looked around really well this morning and don‘t see a priority package we missed so I‘m guessing it‘s lost in the mail. 😞 @Wife I‘ll get the next book out to you ASAP! 5y
Hooked_on_books I emailed you last week but didn‘t hear back, so I don‘t know if you received it. My post office says the best way to try to track down the last book is for you to take the tracking number (9505511097610006227006) to your post office and they should be able to tell you exactly where it was delivered. Please let me know if the Wayneland address is still correct. I don‘t want to send the next book without verifying. 5y
28 likes1 stack add9 comments
review
Michellekidwell
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

The future of The Great Library is in doubt, and only the unforgettable Characters in Ink and Bones can decide whether or not it is worth saving in this exciting series of adventures.

The former corrupt leadership of The Great Library has fallen. But now the archivist is plotting putting the corrupt leader back into position, and the library being under seige from outside empires and kingdoms, its future is uncertain…

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thereadingowlvina
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

Oh wow. I am heartbroken that this series has ended with this fifth book, Sword and Pen, but am glad that there is a closure now and the ending is satisfactory.

Rating: 4⭐

For my full reviews on this series, please visit
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2998016800

27 likes2 comments
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BarbaraJean
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this ending to a fun series—even though I didn‘t like how certain things wrapped up. This book was particularly full of tension & worry (on my part!) for this set of beloved characters. It was fantastic seeing Morgan & Khalila come into their own and demonstrate their skill & power. I also appreciated the (belated) resolution for Jess in sorting out his complicated family past. I still like the 1st book best—but do recommend the series!

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BarbaraJean
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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I had forgotten this was coming out this month until I saw my library hold pop up yesterday as available! I placed a hold while the book was still listed as “on order”—and I‘m pretty sure I ended up first in line for my library‘s copy. 😍 Really looking forward to the conclusion of this series.

JCPaulk That is a gorgeous cover. 5y
BarbaraJean @JCPaulk It really is. This whole series has gorgeous covers! 5y
51 likes1 stack add2 comments
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kgriffith
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

💜 Too short, but a satisfactory conclusion.

julesG Definitely too short. About 3 books too short. At first I was annoyed that there would be a fifth book and now I want to go back to the Great Library over and over. 5y
32 likes1 comment
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Branwen
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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The last book in Rachel Caine's The Great Library series came out this week! I love these books and I'm super excited to see how it ends! Chaplin wanted to pose with all the books in the series and who am I to deny such a sweet face? 😍😻📚💕 #catsoflitsy #littenkitten

Dragon 😻 5y
69 likes1 comment
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kgriffith
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Commuting home after the first week on campus. Getting there much later than usual because holy moly did I need a nap after class. #audiocommute

41 likes1 stack add
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BennettBookworm
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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IT‘S HERE IT‘S HERE IT‘S HERE!!!!!!! I‘ve had this day marked in my calendar for so long!!!!! ❤️💜🧡#bookmail #thegreatlibrary !!!

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kgriffith
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Book birthday! #audiobook

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LibrarianRyan
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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This is the last book in the series and I have it from @JulesG that it was a fitting end.

You should know the author Rachel Caine has cancer. She is undergoing treatment and has been posting about it on twitter. Hopefully it all comes out well so we can get more awesome books.

September 2 , 2019

#CoverLove
#YAedition

PS. This is the last #Coverlove for August. See you next month.

julesG Oh wow, didn't know about her health. 😔 5y
Eggbeater I can't wait to read this. I love the Great Library Series. I'm so sorry to hear that she's sick. 5y
Avanders Oh 😟 I didn‘t know. I‘ve read 2 of these? Definitely enjoyed them... 5y
80 likes3 comments
review
julesG
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Pickpick

A worthy end for this series. Not a single boring scene. The characters grew up, evolved. I've highlighted several passages, but wanted to share the page that made me need another tissue. It's all over now. I will visit the characters again, probably with at least one of my kids.

I don't want to give away anything about the plot. Those who've read the series will not be disappointed.

#TheGreatLibrarySeries #NetGalley #ARC

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julesG
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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It's nearly over. I don't want it to end. Probably the reason why I'm chatting, texting, checking Litsy and Gmail instead of finishing the book.

#TheGreatLibrarySeries

Moony It's a long time ago that I read such a good book. My actual readinglist is so boring and exhausting. 😑 Enjoy your last hour! And perhaps you can read it twice 😉 5y
julesG @Moony I'll probably read the whole series in German with one of the kids. Sooner, rather than later. 5y
75 likes2 comments
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bookishkai
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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My exact reaction when I somehow, mysteriously, got approved for this on netgally this morning was a very quiet inhaled “no!”. And then I almost fell off my chair while making silent squeaky noises.

OH. MY. GOD.

I have ballet class this morning, and then I know what I‘m doing for the rest of the day!

30 likes1 stack add
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julesG
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Slow morning, so far. I'm determined to go swimming at 10 am, when the pool opens.

Read "Arthur and George" in bed this morning, very slow read. I could do with half the unnecessary information.

Now I'm diving further into the tagged book. I cannot restrict myself to #TheGreatLibraryChapterADay. #ARC #NetGalley

Crazeedi ❤❤ the kitty peeking 5y
julesG @Crazeedi Caught him just before he jumped down and came back inside. 5y
98 likes2 comments
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julesG
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🎉🎉
Happy Dance 💃💃💃💃

I was approved for this ARC!!!

Excuse me, I'm off to start book 11 or 13 or 27 of the week.

80 likes1 stack add
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kgriffith
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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I was just reminded of this series by my (playfully) frustrated Litsy post upon finishing book 4, and was hopeful that book 5 might have come out in the meantime. Alas! What‘s a #bookbirthday you‘re anxiously awaiting? (And yes, I put this on my calendar)

LibrarianRyan They just posted it to Netgalley this morning. 5y
kgriffith @LibrarianRyan what timing 😊 I‘ll check to see if I can request it, but I‘m a terrible one for timely reviews so I‘m not getting my hopes up 5y
LibrarianRyan @kgriffith I soooooo understand. Spending my boos free days to play catch-up. 5y
28 likes3 comments
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LibrarianRyan
Sword and Pen | Rachel Caine
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Read something interesting last week. It was the effect of digital piracy on this series. Apparently the last title only sold like 7500 books but well over that have download copies off of illegal file sharing sites. This series is awesome. Let‘s keep the authors book real. STOP PIRATING!

September 3

#CoverLove #YAedition

jpmcwisemorgan Yes, she tweeted about it - the first book sold substantially more than each book after it and it‘s a heavily pirated series. I don‘t think enough people really realize that if a book in a series doesn‘t do well, that could be it. You could end up with only half a series because it was pirated. (edited) 6y
LibrarianRyan @jpmcwisemorgan yes! Maggie Stevieatter has written a really interesting article about the pirating if the raven boys sequels and how it almost canceled the series. (I have not read that series). 6y
Booksblanketsandahotbeverage I bought this series off book depository because I liked the UK covers better. I've only read through book two though. 😬 (edited) 6y
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LibrarianRyan @BookHoarder32 I had to go looking. I do like the British covers except book one. 6y
jpmcwisemorgan I‘ve not read Stevieatter‘s article but I‘ve seen it referenced. The same effect occurs when people wait to start a series for it to be done. 6y
LibrarianRyan @jpmcwisemorgan yes. I loved the book Starflight and I have Starfall. I always buy book 2 right away (but I haven‘t read it yet) and the author originally didn‘t have enough sales for book 3. But that bridge apparently has been complicated and book 3 will be out this summer. 6y
52 likes4 stack adds6 comments