Sword and Pen (The Great Library #5)(116)

“Yes,” Eskander said. “But I think we also know each other very well, Christopher; you and I, we’re far too much alike. Your apprentices have torn up the roots of the world—and I am glad they did. But we’re going to have a job of it if we intend for the Great Library to survive the next thousand years. We have plans to make. Are you coming?”

Wolfe hesitated, and then said, “Yes.”





AFTERWORD





I had the idea for the Great Library a long, long time ago, but it was just too big, too complicated to attempt. I waited ten years to finally try . . . and fail. And another five to try again. The world of the Great Library, and all the characters I loved writing so much, is one that’s rooted in the very real history of libraries, of knowledge, of the battle over who owns it, distributes it, controls it.

In this world today where knowledge is everywhere and yet nowhere . . . I think this story is more timely than ever.

Thank you for being part of this epic journey.

Now go out and build the world the way you want to see it, bit by bit, day by day.

Word by word.

It’s in your hands.


—Rachel Caine





SOUND TRACK





As is my usual custom, I created a sound track to help me through the writing of this book. Each song listed contains some theme or mood that reflected either events or characters within the book, and I hope you’ll enjoy the playlist. Please remember: streaming music services are great, but musicians earn little from them, so if you can, invest in their music and own it for yourself. It helps keep them creating!


“Rise”, League of Legends, the Glitch Mob & Mako (feat. the Word Alive) “Alone in a Room”, Asking Alexandria “Every Step That I Take”, Tom Morello (feat. Portugal, the Man and Whethan) “Mantra”, Bring Me the Horizon “Dead Man Walking”, WAR*HALL

“For the Glory”, All Good Things “All My Friends”, The Revivalists “You Should See Me in a Crown”, Billie Eilish “Natural”, Imagine Dragons

“Church”, Fall Out Boy

“What If We Run”, Bart Van Bemmel “Glitter & Gold”, Barns Courtney “Ashes”, Von Grey

“Burn It Down”, Fitz & the Tantrums “Hit the Ground Running”, Alice Merton “My Reflection”, Von Grey

“Friction”, Imagine Dragons “Nina Cried Power” (feat. Mavis Staples), Hozier “Poison in the Water”, Von Grey “Be Legendary”, Pop Evil





ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Rachel Caine is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of more than fifty novels, including the Great Library series, Prince of Shadows, the Weather Warden series, the Outcast Season series, the Revivalist series, and the Morganville Vampires series.