The Burning Page is actually book 3 in Genevieve Cogman’s series: The Invisible Library.
Image from the internet.
Title: The Burning Page (book 3)
Series: The Invisible Library
First book in the Series: The Invisible Library
Author: Genevieve Cogman
Genre: Multi-universe fantasy
Synopsis: The Burning Page continues the story of Librarian Irene and her dragon assistant Kai. It does an interesting job of discussing several repercussions from the previous story – The Masked City. Irene is still on probation for her actions – becoming involved in politics and saving Kai. What should have been another easy fetch-and-retrieve task marks the start of more problems and danger for Irene. Alberich is back and he has a plan to destroy all that Irene cares for. With the very Library at stake, Irene finds trouble drawn to her. Betrayal, danger, death, and books are all twisted together in this next installment of the Invisible Library.
Image from the internet.
What was good: I like the way the Burning Page brings forth some of the consequences the characters face because of decisions made in the previous stories. As always I was interested to see Vale again and double intrigued by his current problem with chaos contamination. He became even more Sherlock Holmes-like, with his own drug problem and difficulty stilling his mind. That his essence and future came into question was well thought-out. I am curious to see how that will play out in the next book and if he will continue to assist Irene.
The story of Alberich was both good and potentially terrible. His discussions with Irene are great to question the purpose and ethics of the Library and its Librarians. However, if he continues to dog Irene through every novel, I will become heartily bored and frustrated with what is turning out to be an unrealistically powerful enemy. He should have been killed in this book, but only time will tell if that was the case.
What was less impressive: I think my biggest concern with this story was the conclusion. It felt both rushed and not quite conclusive. I don’t mind having some dangling threads, but the manner in which the story ends (almost abruptly) feels like the author didn’t know what she wanted to do and so left every door open. That is worrisome, because some threads need to end so we can find new plots to explore.
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How it compared to the first book: I think I liked this story more than book 2 and about as much as book 1. There were lots of elements of the plot that I really did like. There was a bit of mystery to be solved and old characters came back in a new light. It also did a good job of continuing to build the fantastical, Victorian-like setting of Irene’s current world post while also exploring a couple of other settings.
Prognosis: I like this series. It is always a good read and I will be back again for book 4: The Lost Plot.
Rank and Reason: 4 out of 5, consistently good and imaginative writing with solid characters and interesting plots.