Tina Reviews: Ink and Bone

Title/Author: Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine 
Published July 7th 2015 by Allison & Busby
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Dystopia, Young Adult
Page: 320
Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Review by: Tina


Synopsis
In 48 AD, a fire set by the troops of Julius Caesar destroyed much of the Great Library of Alexandria. It was the first of several disasters that resulted in the destruction of the accumulated knowledge of the ancient world. 

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a separate country, a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. It has grown into a vast power, with unquestioned and unrivaled supremacy. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.
 
 


 
Review 

I have so many emotions.

The story takes place in Europe. It is believed to be heresy to mass produce books. People were simply put to death for thinking and inventing the printing press. All original texts are stored in the Archive and books are read on the Blanks (tablet-like reader technology). This led to years of revolts as new criminals rise in succession: cutters (runners/book stealers), burners, and ink lickers (buyers of stolen books).
 
The Great Library is the judge and executioner of human lives. They act as "Big Brother", watches all of mankind, and plays behind the scenes.

The actual meaning of a librarian is a far greater more profound role. They preserve, study, and protect original texts (scrolls and books). There are several positions within the library that serves their purpose. Besides a Scholar, an Obscurist works behind the blanks and all library technology, and is valued to be backbone of the Great Library.

I find Ink and Bone very fascinating. I've never seen the Word play in such a complex system. We all know for centuries, the Roman Catholic have tried to withhold the knowledge of the Bible from its believers and Europe tried to keep their citizens illiterate, but both have failed. This is such a gritty violent story of Man vs Word. Can word hold more value than human lives? Men will die to protect books, destroy books, and steal books. This is truly a very creative story.