In this fantastical universe, our protagonist, Elsa, has the superpower EVERY bibliophile wants (whether they know it or not!)  And that is why I was compelled to read Ink, Iron and Glass…. ‘cuz I too really want to be able to write things into existence.

While set up as a YA book, the characters seemed younger than their years.  Perhaps Elsa’s isolation in growing up has given her an innocent bent or maybe I have just been reading more racy YA recently.  Aside from a few “damns” and a handful of passionate kisses, this story would almost be appropriate for competent Middle Grade readers.

One of my favorite parts of this novel though is when the characters pursue a plan of action, convinced that they understand their antagonist’s plan – only to discover that they are quite wrong.  This air of believability is refreshing in a genre where coincidence sometime plays a contrived replacement for plot.  It shows a willingness to grind on the part of the author and made up for the almost limitless power our Elsa was given in the form of a version of a literary Room of Requirement.  Mind you, I mean this with only a tiny bit of judgment.  I still would love to write myself One Million Dollars…..  nothing?  nothing? Bummer.