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The Great Library #0.5
Stormcrow
In this exclusive short story, a young Scholar is on his first mission for the Library. Nothing has prepared him for the unexpected danger that he now faces...
11 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
2250 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Caine
210 books19.4k followersRachel Caine was a pen name of Roxanne Longstreet Conrad.
She has also published as:
Roxanne Longstreet
Roxanne Conrad
Julie Fortune
Ian Hammell
Her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/rachelcainef...
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She has also published as:
Roxanne Longstreet
Roxanne Conrad
Julie Fortune
Ian Hammell
Her Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/rachelcainef...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
November 17, 2022
First Read: September 2020, Rating: 4/5 stars
Second Read: November 2022, Rating: 4/5 stars
This is the first prequel short story for The Great Library series, which can be found, for free, here.
I read this after reading the first book in the series, so can't say how my reactions to events here would compare to if this was my first experience with this story-line. This provided the reader with both a perspective from a central individual who has not before been granted one, and exposed a side to this taciturn character, he so cleverly attempted to previously conceal.
Despite its short length, this story managed to illicit a full range of emotions as it went from tender and sweet to blood-soaked and brutal, and back again. I'd love to read a full-length description of the events here, and how they led up to the present-day of the central story-line.
Second Read: November 2022, Rating: 4/5 stars
This is the first prequel short story for The Great Library series, which can be found, for free, here.
I read this after reading the first book in the series, so can't say how my reactions to events here would compare to if this was my first experience with this story-line. This provided the reader with both a perspective from a central individual who has not before been granted one, and exposed a side to this taciturn character, he so cleverly attempted to previously conceal.
Despite its short length, this story managed to illicit a full range of emotions as it went from tender and sweet to blood-soaked and brutal, and back again. I'd love to read a full-length description of the events here, and how they led up to the present-day of the central story-line.
November 14, 2022
I NEED A FULL BOOK OF THIS. A PREQUEL.
January 15, 2017
A nice short story from the world of The Great Library about the action filled first meeting of Nic Santi and Christopher Wolfe.
Available for free on Wattpad.
Available for free on Wattpad.
February 8, 2025
✰ 2.75 stars ✰
A brief glimpse into how Christopher Wolfe and Niccolo Santi first met, which I am glad that I decided to read before continuing the series. For when eighteen-year-old arrogant, and utterly secure in my own importance Wolfe arrives in Moscow as one of High Garda sent to investigate the suspicious activities at the Great Library, he thinks very little of the level of distrust and instability that exists within. 😥 It is only when the situation escalates in a dangerous level, does he realize how much of what he believed to be true was incorrect - of how the very institution he has pledged loyalty to, is one that has only gained its stature by implementing fear and hatred in other, thus, laying roots for his own disagreement with whatever the library aimed to uphold image of. 📚🗡️🪶
“Love, it makes people stupid. Terrible risk for someone in our position.”
It also gave me a little insight into how their close dynamic began, of how they were on different levels, with Wolfe's position as a traveling Scholar, or more aptly called, Stormcrow, for devastation only follows in their wake. It is proven true when their lives are endangered that has their lives further entwined with one another. 🥺 The challenges they faced upon their introduction - the plagued relationship Wolfe has with his mother - to the keen desperation he had to save Lieutenant Santi, by using his quick wit and logic. It laid the foundation of how their relationship would evolve into more than just a comrade, but a trusted confidante and loyal friend, and perhaps, fate willing, maybe something more fragile and sharp and painful and beautiful. that their hearts both desired. 🙏🏻🫂🫶🏻
“... I'd never quite felt this: a tidal pull, a compass pointing north. As if I was seeing a familiar shore after a long, long journey.”
A brief glimpse into how Christopher Wolfe and Niccolo Santi first met, which I am glad that I decided to read before continuing the series. For when eighteen-year-old arrogant, and utterly secure in my own importance Wolfe arrives in Moscow as one of High Garda sent to investigate the suspicious activities at the Great Library, he thinks very little of the level of distrust and instability that exists within. 😥 It is only when the situation escalates in a dangerous level, does he realize how much of what he believed to be true was incorrect - of how the very institution he has pledged loyalty to, is one that has only gained its stature by implementing fear and hatred in other, thus, laying roots for his own disagreement with whatever the library aimed to uphold image of. 📚🗡️🪶
“Love, it makes people stupid. Terrible risk for someone in our position.”
It also gave me a little insight into how their close dynamic began, of how they were on different levels, with Wolfe's position as a traveling Scholar, or more aptly called, Stormcrow, for devastation only follows in their wake. It is proven true when their lives are endangered that has their lives further entwined with one another. 🥺 The challenges they faced upon their introduction - the plagued relationship Wolfe has with his mother - to the keen desperation he had to save Lieutenant Santi, by using his quick wit and logic. It laid the foundation of how their relationship would evolve into more than just a comrade, but a trusted confidante and loyal friend, and perhaps, fate willing, maybe something more fragile and sharp and painful and beautiful. that their hearts both desired. 🙏🏻🫂🫶🏻
September 22, 2019
A small tease about scholar's Wolfe first mission abroad and how he met Lieutenant Niccolo Santi..
I was eighteen years old, I was arrogant and utterly secure in my own importance.
In short, I was too much of a fool to live.
I was eighteen years old, I was arrogant and utterly secure in my own importance.
In short, I was too much of a fool to live.
December 11, 2018
Santi & Wolfe. <3
December 18, 2019
HI WTF THIS WAS AMAZING I LOVE WOLFE AND SANTI WITH MY WHOLE ENTIRE HEART
July 3, 2021
You can read this story here for free
This time the prequel story is about the youth Wolfe, and a dangerous mission for the Great Library set in Russia.
The story shows his first meet/attraction to Nic Santi..
It's good story, short..I may prefer the previous one more but still this shows why the scholars called StormCrows..
This time the prequel story is about the youth Wolfe, and a dangerous mission for the Great Library set in Russia.
The story shows his first meet/attraction to Nic Santi..
It's good story, short..I may prefer the previous one more but still this shows why the scholars called StormCrows..
September 2, 2023
Hi I love Wolfe and Santi
that's all
that's all
May 7, 2018
A short background story about how Wolfe met Santi.
Available free on Wattpad.
Available free on Wattpad.
June 19, 2017
Rating: 3.5/5
April 6, 2019
This little extra to the series was fantastic. I loved reading about how Wolfe and Santi met.
It also gives a little insight to Wolfe's past and possibly shows how he came to his forward thinking that we see in the first book.
It also gives a little insight to Wolfe's past and possibly shows how he came to his forward thinking that we see in the first book.
December 23, 2020
The Great Library Prequel that would have made an incredible full length novel in my opinion. If you are curious about how Santi and Wolfe came to know each other, this quick read answers questions. I really enjoyed this.
January 23, 2018
Another fantastic novella. I am really looking forward to Rachel Caines whole series. I enjoyed the novellas so much and the way she tells a story. Her writing and how she ties it all up at the end is so good. I loved this story too. I hope we meet up with these characters once again in the series. If you have a chance to read these novellas you need to. I am invested with both sets of MC's.
August 22, 2017
Wolfe and Santi were definitely my favorite characters when I was reading Ink & Bone and while I really wanted a prequel, I didn't expect anything, imagine my delight afterwards when I found out that this novella exsisted.
It went exactly how I expected it to go: I read it, while wishing that this was a whole book.
THIS was the story I really wanted to read in this universe. These two characters just work and I want to know more about them. Especially Santi.
But I'll definitely take this over nothing, because it warmed my heart. Usually I would critisize that the relationship went from instant attraction to almost love way too quick, but since there wasn't much time to develop it slower due to the medium, I'll let it slide. Also because they were adorable.
Of course there was other stuff going on, too. In this case Wolfe's first mission that went not like he expected on literally every turn. I enjoyed reading his thoughts and expectations. I liked seeing the planting of the seed that would make him grow into the character I loved in Ink & Bone.
But I still need someone to actually explain to me what exactly is wrong with the "human lives above books" conviction the Burners have - apart from how they express their opinions of course. I get it in theory, because I love books and they're basically almost all precious artifacts in that world and there are always people who don't care much about human lives, but I can't wrap my head around a world built on that notion and existing without change for so long.
If Rachel Caine ever decides to maybe write a whole book (or two... or three) about these two afterall, I'll be SO there.
It went exactly how I expected it to go: I read it, while wishing that this was a whole book.
THIS was the story I really wanted to read in this universe. These two characters just work and I want to know more about them. Especially Santi.
But I'll definitely take this over nothing, because it warmed my heart. Usually I would critisize that the relationship went from instant attraction to almost love way too quick, but since there wasn't much time to develop it slower due to the medium, I'll let it slide. Also because they were adorable.
Of course there was other stuff going on, too. In this case Wolfe's first mission that went not like he expected on literally every turn. I enjoyed reading his thoughts and expectations. I liked seeing the planting of the seed that would make him grow into the character I loved in Ink & Bone.
But I still need someone to actually explain to me what exactly is wrong with the "human lives above books" conviction the Burners have - apart from how they express their opinions of course. I get it in theory, because I love books and they're basically almost all precious artifacts in that world and there are always people who don't care much about human lives, but I can't wrap my head around a world built on that notion and existing without change for so long.
If Rachel Caine ever decides to maybe write a whole book (or two... or three) about these two afterall, I'll be SO there.
December 11, 2016
On his first mission for the Library, young Scholar Christopher Wolfe sets foot on foreign soil for the first time in his life and experiences a rude awakening to the harsh truths and dangers outside the sheltered world of the Library's stronghold in Alexandria... and meets a certain equally young Lieutenant of the High Garda by the name of Niccolo Santi for the first time. These two are my favourite characters in the series, and getting the story of how they met and fell in love as well as an experience that shaped much of Wolfe's character going forward was a real treat. In short, I love everything about this little freebie prequel and am only looking forward to the release of the third novel even more eagerly now.
March 31, 2017
Rachel Caine allows us a peek into what Scholar Wolfe's and Captain Santi's life was before the events of Ink and Bone and how they met.
This short story was a nice look into Wolfe's arrogant younger self and how he came to the realization that maybe he doesn't hold all the answers, after all. And maybe it's time for a change within The Library.
I enjoyed reading this and thought it was true to the characters. As always, Caine provides a clear voice for all of those involved and it really helps understand Wolfe and Santi's actions/beliefs in the following books.
A great read for any fan of The Great Library series.
This short story was a nice look into Wolfe's arrogant younger self and how he came to the realization that maybe he doesn't hold all the answers, after all. And maybe it's time for a change within The Library.
I enjoyed reading this and thought it was true to the characters. As always, Caine provides a clear voice for all of those involved and it really helps understand Wolfe and Santi's actions/beliefs in the following books.
A great read for any fan of The Great Library series.
July 4, 2018
A short story about Scholar Christopher Wolfe and his first mission. Nice backstory on young Chris, and when he met Niccolo Santi. A quick prequel read in The Great Library series.
January 31, 2021
Chris and Nic are just a nice couple.
February 10, 2021
A good short story. I enjoyed learning some background on how the characters first met each other. Just makes me want to read the next book in her series.
September 14, 2017
If there was going to be a prequel this one definitely could have been longer, but at least it contained Wolfe and Santi, the two best characters. Overall it was a very, very quick read, and it could have been fleshed out more for sure, but the content was good, seeing Wolfe through his own eyes was spectacular, and the plot definitely fit with the rest of the series.
March 14, 2023
Oh, this was another fantastic story, of Christopher's first meeting with Santi, and his first mission for the Library!
August 18, 2020
My favorite gay dads <3
October 6, 2019
Voti:
Librovora miki_tr 5
Librovora Marty 5
Librovora Gioneb 5
Se, per puro caso, qualcuno che ha letto questa serie ancora non adora e shippa Wolfe e Santi: 1) Non state tanto bene e 2) Leggete questa bellissima mini-storia per rimediare a questa terribile mancanza. Ho finito il mio commento, Marty out!
-Librovora Marty
Stormcrow è una novella collegata alla saga The Great Library e può essere letta su Wattpad. In questo racconto ci viene raccontato come si sono conosciuti Wolfe e Santi e, considerando che nella mia mente si conoscevano da sempre, mi ha soddisfatto il loro incontro. Oltre a questo è stato molto interessante vedere Wolfe da giovane e prima che diventasse come lo incontriamo in Ink and Bone. Consiglio di leggere almeno Paper and Fire prima di questo, in modo da avere qualche conoscenza della madre di Wolfe.
-Librovora Gioneb
Librovora miki_tr 5
Librovora Marty 5
Librovora Gioneb 5
Se, per puro caso, qualcuno che ha letto questa serie ancora non adora e shippa Wolfe e Santi: 1) Non state tanto bene e 2) Leggete questa bellissima mini-storia per rimediare a questa terribile mancanza. Ho finito il mio commento, Marty out!
-Librovora Marty
Stormcrow è una novella collegata alla saga The Great Library e può essere letta su Wattpad. In questo racconto ci viene raccontato come si sono conosciuti Wolfe e Santi e, considerando che nella mia mente si conoscevano da sempre, mi ha soddisfatto il loro incontro. Oltre a questo è stato molto interessante vedere Wolfe da giovane e prima che diventasse come lo incontriamo in Ink and Bone. Consiglio di leggere almeno Paper and Fire prima di questo, in modo da avere qualche conoscenza della madre di Wolfe.
-Librovora Gioneb
February 28, 2018
Stormcrow tells the story of Scholar Wolfe’s first real Library mission and his meeting Niccolo Santi. They’re dispatched to Russia with the Library Garda to investigate dissidence in the Moscow Serapeum, and Wolfe promptly gets a harsh awakening about what life is really like outside the safety of Alexandria.
This short story was a super fun adventurous read! It doesn’t significantly contribute to the overall plot of the series, it’s more a fun Easter egg than anything, and it just warmed my big gay heart to read about these two meeting and developing feelings for one another <3
This short story was a super fun adventurous read! It doesn’t significantly contribute to the overall plot of the series, it’s more a fun Easter egg than anything, and it just warmed my big gay heart to read about these two meeting and developing feelings for one another <3
December 31, 2022
Yes! Oh my god, yes! I didn't realize how much I needed Santi and Wolfe's origin story until I got this little snippet. It's been interesting reading these prequel shorts after having completed the whole series. In some ways I think I'm enjoying them more because I know who these characters are as part of the larger story. But, Santi and Wolfe are so committed to each other by the time the main story starts that seeing this peek into how they met just colors in so much.
July 20, 2017
This story gives us the story of when Scholar Wolf meets Santi....wow. For so short a story it is packed with emotion and portent. I really loved seeing their connection - the strength and depth of it. Also, a glimpse of how Wolf views himself. I thoroughly enjoyed this prequel from the world and look forward to more in it.
August 5, 2017
Wolfe and Santi were my faves from Ink and Bone, so of course I was going to pick up the prequel short story detailing how they first met. This isn't actually a romance, but rather the story of the very beginning of their relationship, how they first became interested in each other.
June 21, 2021
It was an alright introduction on how Nic and Chris met but I was really hoping for more. I need more of Christopher in general. There is still so much to his story and yeah, it's touched upon in the books (granted, I am only on book 2 atm) but I really want more adventures of just him and Nic having to deal with Chris's crazy and arrogant ass.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews