Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books discussion

Okay members by Rachel Caine is the second book you voted for to read for September's Book of the Month. Take the time to join in on the group read and discussion.

This looks good, and so love her writing. I would have to purchase it, ouch, (sad face) as I am 8th on the waitlist for only 2 library copies, and the other doesn't even have it.

To purchase and then change my September to-read list or not to change?????

I'm so excited about it! I have it on my currently reading list now. But I have the hardcover that looks different than this one. I think this one you have showing looks beautiful! :)

I I LOVE Rachel Caine Shes yet to disappoint me! Hve it on Audio so Ill be gettig to it very soon.

3.75 stars
Rachel Caine has created a very interesting world, where everyone is encouraged to write, but the populace isn't trusted to chose what to read. Where people achieve "immortality" through the preservation of their journals, but printing or owning books isn't allowed. Where the Library of Alexandria survived and is in charge of everything by controlling knowledge and censoring books. I found the introduction to this world to be a little confusing, but once I got into the meat of the book, I was hooked! This might be my favorite dystopia I've read in years.
This definitely fulfilled my first requirement for any dystopian book- that it make me think, that it shine a light on elements of our current society. This book had me considering things from ebooks to threats to knowledge, to how I choose what to read and to what ideas to give merit, to the importance of libraries in our society, to the proliferation of authors, bloggers, reviewers, YouTubers, etc. The world building was in no way lacking, but I was so fascinated that I wish other aspects had been explored, such as: without the printing press or the right to own books, did fiction develop? And how was the history of religion different in this alternate universe?
I thought the character development was well done in parts and lacking in others. It took me a while to warm up to the main character, but eventually I got attached. There is a fabulous cast of secondary characters, who ended up going well beyond the ordinary tropes and left me wanting more.
Action-packed with a number of small mysteries throughout, this book has a bit of everything, including romance and fantasy.
Unfortunately, I found the last few chapters to be quite the downers! Lots of feels, but it was all a bit too depressing to be enjoyable for me, which is why I subtracted .25 stars. Things at the end seemed pretty hopeless. But despite that, I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book because I got so sucked into the world and attached to the characters. Hopefully, events in it will be a bit more favorable and optimistic! Highly recommended for any book lover, especially those who like thought-provoking dystopias.

Oh this looks great. Will definitely do this for September. Look forward to hearing all thoughts.

Not to far in but so far so good ;-)

WooHoo!! Been looking forward to reading this one. Very happy that it's one of our BOTM! Plan on starting it soon :)

I agree to a large extent with Emily. There are a number of concepts and difficulties that challenge the reader. This includes the Burners and their actions. They have a number of valid complaints, but are their techniques good ones? And there are a lot of disturbing things that happen, not the least of which includes Jess's brother. I get the feeling that Brendan is a sociopath, and his ability to find things out is creepy. While his presence lurks in the shadow in this book, coming out when to expected, I felt that there was a lot of depth there that is barely hinted at. That was unsatisfying.

As for the romance angle, I was trying to decide if it was realistic that none of these teens became romantic partners. Yes, they are kept busy, but that doesn't typically stop teen hormones. Perhaps there is too much uncertainty, and I guess I'm glad that we didn't have the characters who 'helped' each other in order to get ahead of the others.

Jess, while cynical, is also naive and idealistic, at least about books. And I loved that books and love of books played such a central role. I would have liked a bit more clarity on the relationship between the Library and all the nations, though, as well as the role of the Library with religion. There was an opportunity missed as the maintenance of so many tracts would have altered religious history and beliefs as well.

And, while people cannot own books, they can write letters, and I assume memos and reports. So, there must be information that is not held by the Library. With questions like these, I also feel that the world building and character development wasn't really complete. It also seemed to come in fits and starts.

I am undecided about the use of archival memos and letters between chapters. In some ways they gave us information we might not have had, but sometimes they just revealed it early. I'm not sure that added to the flow of the story.

At the end, I agree that I was surprised at how many bad things had happened. However, there is a lull, and the possibility for something to develop. So, I left the book with a feeling of cautious anticipation rather than depression.

I finished the book I think last week. I thought it was good, but the thought of a world where we couldn't own books!! I would keel over!

I agree with Lara that the Burners and Library brought up a lot of great ethical questions. They also provided the opportunity for really morally ambiguous characters, something I didn't think was taken full advantage of by the author. But maybe further on in the series.

I, personally, really liked the "Ephemera" between chapters. I thought the letters and memos kept me from ever losing interest in the story through their foreshadowing, clues, and information to which Jess wouldn't have access.

Starting this one now :) so excited!

I finished this one and ended up liking it a lot. Very interesting and unique premise and the characters were well developed. I did feel like it was a bit too sad for the most part, especially the last quarter, but still a worthwhile read. I felt awful for all of them :( and loved most of the main characters, scholar Wolfe, captain Santi, Jess, Khalila, Thomas, Dario, Glain, and Morgan. I hated the Artifex Magnus and the Obscurist Magnus! OMG the last few chapters gutted me. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Sadly for me I couldnt get past all the vibes I got that were reminiscent of other popular books. Harry Potter in particular.

I love love love Rachel Caine I cant even express how much Ive loved her other books. But this one was just an ok read for me.

I also couldnt get past that it is 2031 London (16 years from now) and yet it had a very steampunk feel yet at the same time had some serious technology. But at the same time the "Press" isnt in history? hrrmmm I liked that there was history involved but then again the paranormal and use of magic/alchemy is such big use ....

I dunno there was just so many elements being used here and not to mention I had no feels for any of the characters.A lot happens thats really pulls all the feels but I couldnt get ny feels for one specific character.

Not sure Ill bother with the next book.

Just got it today, will start it shortly. So give me a day or two and i will join you all in commenting on it.
Very excited, love, love, LOVE Rachel Caine