Fire in the Library (2019) Board Game

Fire in the Library’ is a board game that was released in in 2019. It is designed by Katie Khau, Jon Merchant, and Beth Sobel, with artwork by Weird Giraffe Games. The game is a card game that falls under the category of hand management and push your luck mechanics. Players take on the role of librarians trying to save books from a burning library.

Game Components of Fire in the Library

Player Meeples: Six Librarian meeples for each player.

Library Cards: A set of cards forming the library, arranged in a 2×2 pattern.

Book Cubes: Five different colored cubes and 10 red “fire” cubes.

Tool Cards: A deck of cards with various icons and abilities.

Turn Order Cards: Cards determining player turn order and book cube drawing.

Tool Market: Three face-up Tool Cards available for players.

Scoreboard: For tracking players’ scores.

How To Setup Fire in the Library

To set up the game, each player chooses a player color and places their Librarian meeple near the scoring track. The Library is built from sequential Library Cards, creating a 2×2 pattern. Book cubes of five different colors and 10 red “fire” cubes are added to a bag. Each player receives two Tool Cards, and the top three Tool Cards are placed face-up to form the Tool Market. Turn Order Cards are shuffled and dealt according to the player count rules.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Push-Your-Luck Mechanic: Players draw book cubes from the bag, risking drawing fire cubes which can end their turn and spread the fire.

Tool Cards: Can be used to mitigate risks, manipulate game states, or improve scores.

Risky Spaces: Players can place cubes in risky spaces with fire icons to earn more points but risk losing their turn.

Fire Spreading: Drawing fire cubes can cause the fire to spread, burning parts of the library and adding more fire cubes to the bag.

Scoring: Players score points based on the number on the Library Card of the saved book’s color, with bonuses for bravery in risky spaces.

Game End: The game ends if a section of the library is completely burned; the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

**Fire in the Library** offers a thrilling experience where players balance risk and reward. The push-your-luck mechanic makes each turn exciting and unpredictable. Tool Cards provide strategic depth, allowing players to manage their risks or capitalize on opportunities. The game’s quick rounds and simple rules make it accessible, yet the strategy involved keeps it engaging.

Pros

Engaging Push-Your-Luck Mechanic: Keeps players on the edge of their seats.

Strategic Tool Cards: Add depth to the game without complicating it.

Quick and Accessible: Easy to learn and play, suitable for a wide age range.

High Replayability: Different outcomes each game due to the random draw of book and fire cubes.

Cons

Luck-Dependent: Success can be heavily influenced by luck, which may frustrate some players.

Short Gameplay: Some players might find the 15-30 minute gameplay too brief.

Personal Thoughts on Fire in the Library

**Fire in the Library** is ideal for those who enjoy push-your-luck games and are looking for a light-hearted, yet strategic experience. It is perfect for families, casual gamers, and anyone working in libraries who might find the theme amusingly ironic. The game’s balance between luck and strategy makes it a great addition to any board game collection, offering a fun and engaging experience with each play.

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