Magus of the Library, Vol. 3

Just so we're clear, it is important to bring your books back on time.

Three (massive) volumes in, and this remains one of my favorites I've read. In this volume, Theo takes his Kafna examinations, and I said a silent thanks that my personal college experience was nowhere near as rigorous. Three very different trials later, Theo is let loose to explore the city on his last day there, and he finds a bit more than he bargained for. He returns home then, to the family and friends that supported him (or didn't) on his path to Kafna. Did he pass the trials? Is he a Kafna now? That'd be a spoiler.

The artwork remains stellar. I loved the emphasis on the different aspects of librarianship reflected in the trials. In this age of Google and ready reference solutions we hardly have to recall each and every tiny fact about all aspects of history, but there's lots of similarities between their search for an answer and ours. I also liked the introduction of a larger, darker plot to all this, perhaps politically motivated? Too early to tell, but I liked the inclusion of intrigue.

I have volume 4 waiting for me on my shelf as we speak! Can't wait to continue!