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The Library Trilogy #1
كتاب لم يكن ليحترق
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fantasy (2023)مكتبة هائلة بحجم الكون، مصممة على شكل متاهة..
على الرغم من أن القلم قد يكون أقوى من السيف، فإن الدماء ستسفك والمدن ستحترق.
رواية الخيال والعوالم المتداخلة الكتاب الأول من سلسلة "المكتبة" للكاتب مارك لورانس.
تدور أحداث القصة حول صبي عاش حياته كلها محبوسًا داخل مكتبة عملاقة، وفتاة عاشت في مستوطنة صغيرة في منطقة تُعرف بالغبار. تتشابك قصصهما عبر العوالم والزمن، في رحلة تكشف عن الحقيقة والأكاذيب وخبايا القلوب؛ حيث تتلاشى الحدود بين التاريخ والنبوءة والفانتازيا.
"إنه حقًّا كاتب من طراز رفيع". - جورج ر. ر. مارتن، المؤلف الأكثر مبيعًا في نيويورك تايمز.
"بطلة جريئة، وتلميحات إلى لغز أعمق يستحضر أعماق رواية "كثيب" لفرانك هربرت وقضاياها الثقافية والدينية المتشابكة". Library Journal -
"قراءة هذه الرواية تشعرك وكأن عقلك ينفجر ببطء". Grimdark Magazine -
"الرواية الأكثر إحكامًا التي حظيت بقراءتها على الإطلاق� إنها حقًّا رائعة". BookRiot -
على الرغم من أن القلم قد يكون أقوى من السيف، فإن الدماء ستسفك والمدن ستحترق.
رواية الخيال والعوالم المتداخلة الكتاب الأول من سلسلة "المكتبة" للكاتب مارك لورانس.
تدور أحداث القصة حول صبي عاش حياته كلها محبوسًا داخل مكتبة عملاقة، وفتاة عاشت في مستوطنة صغيرة في منطقة تُعرف بالغبار. تتشابك قصصهما عبر العوالم والزمن، في رحلة تكشف عن الحقيقة والأكاذيب وخبايا القلوب؛ حيث تتلاشى الحدود بين التاريخ والنبوءة والفانتازيا.
"إنه حقًّا كاتب من طراز رفيع". - جورج ر. ر. مارتن، المؤلف الأكثر مبيعًا في نيويورك تايمز.
"بطلة جريئة، وتلميحات إلى لغز أعمق يستحضر أعماق رواية "كثيب" لفرانك هربرت وقضاياها الثقافية والدينية المتشابكة". Library Journal -
"قراءة هذه الرواية تشعرك وكأن عقلك ينفجر ببطء". Grimdark Magazine -
"الرواية الأكثر إحكامًا التي حظيت بقراءتها على الإطلاق� إنها حقًّا رائعة". BookRiot -
550 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2023
6,026 people are currently reading
206k people want to read
About the author
Mark Lawrence
89books55kfollowersMy books vary a LOT - so
[My new book The Book That Broke The World is out now!]
Patreon here:
Blog here:
I'm on Youtube now! *excitement!*
Facebook here:
Instagram
Threads
Blue Sky
Three-emails-a-year newsletter here:
#Prizes #FreeContent
I'm even on Tumblr!
Pintrest!
Plus I have free stuff on Wattpad!
Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
[My new book The Book That Broke The World is out now!]
Patreon here:
Blog here:
I'm on Youtube now! *excitement!*
Facebook here:
Threads
Blue Sky
Three-emails-a-year newsletter here:
#Prizes #FreeContent
I'm even on Tumblr!
Pintrest!
Plus I have free stuff on Wattpad!
Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 5,315 reviews
Currently reading
February 28, 2025The Locked Library have more of this super pretty edition on their site:
Don't forget the short stories in .
Cover art:
The paperbacks are out! Go grabone... several!
Just passed 30,000 ratings (amazingly, my 8th novel to do so)! Thanks so much to everyone who's taken a chance on the book.
UK:
US:
You can get the short story cover art as a print:
A3 -
A4 -
STOP PRESS! You can now get the gorgeous cover art by as a high quality A2 (poster-sized) print. Get it direct from the artist and support his work:
I've been having at least one book a year published since 2011 - this one is the first to get a reprint in hardcover - and it's on its 4th printing in the US just 16 days after launch! Thanks so much for all the support.
Edit: Now in September it's in its 6th printing in the US and has been reprinted in the UK (the first time for me in a hardback edition, I think!)
The Broken Binding signed and numbered special edition sold out in just over an hour.
But you can get super-cheap signed editions from Forbidden Planet on the link below (FOR NOW):
In the US you can get a signed (by me and the artist) colossal art card of the cover art along with your copy from The Signed Page:
Also in the US you can get signed copies of the book from VJ Books:
Look at this glorious cover art by Tom Roberts.
(I've youtubed about it )
The art is used in both the UK and US cover, slight difference in colouration.
Read more about the book on my blog:
A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities. A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and noone goes. The world has never even noticed them. That's about to change.
-- Book 1 is out in May.
I've finished the 3rd and final book, and handed it in to the publishers.
Pre-order for the win!
Spoiler ... there's a cat in the book. Also a dog. And a raven!
This book scores 1.58 out of 5 on the Grimdark scale:
Go check out my other books and vote with your own opinion on any of them.
......
Don't forget the short stories in .
Cover art:
The paperbacks are out! Go grab
Just passed 30,000 ratings (amazingly, my 8th novel to do so)! Thanks so much to everyone who's taken a chance on the book.
UK:
US:
You can get the short story cover art as a print:
A3 -
A4 -
STOP PRESS! You can now get the gorgeous cover art by as a high quality A2 (poster-sized) print. Get it direct from the artist and support his work:
I've been having at least one book a year published since 2011 - this one is the first to get a reprint in hardcover - and it's on its 4th printing in the US just 16 days after launch! Thanks so much for all the support.
Edit: Now in September it's in its 6th printing in the US and has been reprinted in the UK (the first time for me in a hardback edition, I think!)
The Broken Binding signed and numbered special edition sold out in just over an hour.
But you can get super-cheap signed editions from Forbidden Planet on the link below (FOR NOW):
In the US you can get a signed (by me and the artist) colossal art card of the cover art along with your copy from The Signed Page:
Also in the US you can get signed copies of the book from VJ Books:
Look at this glorious cover art by Tom Roberts.
(I've youtubed about it )
The art is used in both the UK and US cover, slight difference in colouration.
Read more about the book on my blog:
A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities. A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and noone goes. The world has never even noticed them. That's about to change.
-- Book 1 is out in May.
I've finished the 3rd and final book, and handed it in to the publishers.
Pre-order for the win!
Spoiler ... there's a cat in the book. Also a dog. And a raven!
This book scores 1.58 out of 5 on the Grimdark scale:
Go check out my other books and vote with your own opinion on any of them.
......
June 3, 2023
“all books, no matter their binding, will fall to dust. the stories they carry may last longer. they might outlive the paper, the library, even the language in which they were first written. the greatest story can reach the stars.�
ive been meaning to pick up a ML book for sooo long, but i could never choose which series to start with first.
but when i saw the cover for this and read the synopsis, i immediately knew this was the book i had been waiting for the entire time. and how thrilled i am that this was my first experience with MLs storytelling.
because this is a book that causes the reader to questions things, to challenge beliefs, and to seek new perspectives. its an ode to stories and how they inspire dreams, create forms of escape, and teach new things. its a tale that defines the SFF genre, while also providing current day introspection.
so if you love the library, the protectors of stories, and the power of books, this is one you should be looking forward to!
thank you for the ARC, berkley publishing!
� 4.5 stars
ive been meaning to pick up a ML book for sooo long, but i could never choose which series to start with first.
but when i saw the cover for this and read the synopsis, i immediately knew this was the book i had been waiting for the entire time. and how thrilled i am that this was my first experience with MLs storytelling.
because this is a book that causes the reader to questions things, to challenge beliefs, and to seek new perspectives. its an ode to stories and how they inspire dreams, create forms of escape, and teach new things. its a tale that defines the SFF genre, while also providing current day introspection.
so if you love the library, the protectors of stories, and the power of books, this is one you should be looking forward to!
thank you for the ARC, berkley publishing!
� 4.5 stars
March 2, 2024
Check out .
My complete review of The Book That Wouldn't Burn is published in .
Reading Mark Lawrence’s latest novel, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, feels like having your mind blown in slow motion. This first volume of his new Library Trilogy is a blend of science fiction and fantasy but at the same time transcends conventional genre labels.
The novel alternates perspectives between two protagonists. Livira Page is a lively and precocious girl from the Dust, the poverty-stricken land outside the city where people barely have enough food and water to survive. As the novel opens, Livira’s village is attacked by a group of vicious doglike soldiers known as sabbers.
The other lead character, Evar Eventari, is a young man in his early 20s who has spent his entire life trapped in a chamber of an enormous library, together with his four adopted siblings and endless towers of books. Evar has been raised by one of the library’s Assistants, a porcelain-looking android-type figure.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn takes place in and around Crath City. The city is ruled by King Oanold, son of Dubya, a megalomaniac Trump-like figure who embraces nepotism and xenophobia, and who values affirmation rather than knowledge. If there are a hundred books on a topic but only one of those supports Oanold’s preconceived biases, that single volume is the only one he will trust.
Within the city, the focal point of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is the Athenaeum, the legendary library founded by Irad, the great-grandson of Adam and Eve and the grandson of Cain, the inventor of fratricide. Like his grandfather, Irad fought with his own brother, Jaspeth, who considered the Athenaeum to be a temple to the sin of knowledge. Jaspeth was determined to tear down the library as atonement for the original sin of Adam and Eve, i.e., disobeying God by eating fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The struggle between Irad and Jaspeth has been passed down from generation to generation, with Jaspeth, the enemy of knowledge, reflected in figures such as King Oanold, casting the epic struggles of humankind as a battle between knowledge and ignorance.
The library, hence, becomes a battleground in both the literal and figurative sense. This is a struggle we see play out in our own society, where politicians and religious leaders seek to ban books, censor dissenting views, and manipulate classroom curriculum, believing themselves to have a monopoly on truth.
In The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, the Athenaeum is an infinitely large labyrinth of knowledge housing the collective memory of humankind. This represents our legacy as a civilization and is all that will remain after humanity satisfies its thirst for self-destruction.
Mark Lawrence also poignantly addresses memory at the personal level:
“What does nostalgia mean to a child? An abstraction. A standing stone waiting for them in the mist. Walk a path across some decades, any path you like, and the word will gather weight. It will come to you trailing maybes and might-have-beens. Nostalgia is a drug, a knife. Against young skin it carries a dull edge, but time will teach you that nostalgia cuts—and that it’s a blade we cannot keep from applying to our own flesh.�
The themes of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn extend well beyond the nature of knowledge and memory. Lawrence also contemplates how society develops the notion of a collective enemy, the dehumanization of “the other,� and the associated xenophobia. Ultimately, we may discover that we are our own worst enemy.
At the end of Lawrence’s previous novel, The Girl and the Moon, the author tells us that it’s time for something new. Indeed, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn delivers a wholly original tale that is difficult to compare to other recent fantasy or science fiction novels. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn reminds me more closely of the work of Haruki Murakami, the master of Japanese magical realism. The basic structure of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn mirrors that of Murakami’s opus, 1Q84, which also alternates points of view between male and female leads, whose paths ultimately cross in a strange alternate reality. Murakami’s delightfully weird novella, The Strange Library, also features a lonely boy and wise girl lost in a labyrinthine library. Moreover, the Athenaeum’s warping of space and time recalls the settings of both Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro. But perhaps the closest parallel can be drawn to the work of Argentine short story author Jorge Luis Borges, especially “The Library of Babel,� in which Borges introduces the concept of an infinite library containing all possible books that could be written with a given alphabet.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is undoubtedly the most theme-driven of Mark Lawrence’s work, but it also features a great cast of characters. Livira and Evar are both outstanding leads, especially the tenacious Livira who, like the weed she is named after, can’t be kept down. Another breakout character is Malar, a grizzled veteran whose gruff exterior masks a heart of gold. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn also features a trio of scene-stealing animal friends, including a guide dog named Volente (Latin for “willingly�) and Wentworth, a feline of unusual size who bears a distinct resemblance to the author’s own oversized cat, Wobble. The library is also home to a raven, whose name I shall not reveal. Always the ravens, eh, Dr. Lawrence?
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is Mark Lawrence’s longest novel to date. As a lengthy book about a library, I was expecting this to be a slow-paced story. However, Lawrence defied my expectations, maintaining a surprisingly rapid pace throughout the novel. I’d argue that The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is Lawrence’s fastest paced novel since Prince of Thorns.
The Athenaeum houses all books that have ever been written, and Lawrence leverages this infinite expanse of knowledge to compile some of the best epigraphs I’ve seen anywhere. Long-time Mark Lawrence fans will be delighted by the large number of connections to his previous work. In the ultimate author flex, Lawrence quotes passages both from his own novels and from books written by characters appearing in those novels, creating a head-spinning level of recursion.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is the work of a veteran author at the peak of his powers. Mark Lawrence has taken his craft to the next level yet again. His writing is witty and heartfelt, with several laugh out loud moments and many more that pulled at the heartstrings. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn somehow encapsulates all of Lawrence’s previous work while also being wholly unique. There are also a number of shocking plot twists that reveal themselves in the final third of the book and left a big emotional impact on me as a reader.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn covers a lot of ground, offering a meditation on human society in the information age, the seductive nature of lies, and the intrinsic danger of knowledge in the absence of wisdom. But at its core, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is Lawrence’s self-described love letter to books and the buildings where they live. The vastness of the library makes the reader feel like a young child, staring in awe at the tall bookshelves and the unopened books waiting to be read. I am pleased to give my highest rating to this latest masterpiece from Mark Lawrence and am excited to continue the story with the next volume of The Library Trilogy.
My complete review of The Book That Wouldn't Burn is published in .
Reading Mark Lawrence’s latest novel, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, feels like having your mind blown in slow motion. This first volume of his new Library Trilogy is a blend of science fiction and fantasy but at the same time transcends conventional genre labels.
The novel alternates perspectives between two protagonists. Livira Page is a lively and precocious girl from the Dust, the poverty-stricken land outside the city where people barely have enough food and water to survive. As the novel opens, Livira’s village is attacked by a group of vicious doglike soldiers known as sabbers.
The other lead character, Evar Eventari, is a young man in his early 20s who has spent his entire life trapped in a chamber of an enormous library, together with his four adopted siblings and endless towers of books. Evar has been raised by one of the library’s Assistants, a porcelain-looking android-type figure.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn takes place in and around Crath City. The city is ruled by King Oanold, son of Dubya, a megalomaniac Trump-like figure who embraces nepotism and xenophobia, and who values affirmation rather than knowledge. If there are a hundred books on a topic but only one of those supports Oanold’s preconceived biases, that single volume is the only one he will trust.
Within the city, the focal point of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is the Athenaeum, the legendary library founded by Irad, the great-grandson of Adam and Eve and the grandson of Cain, the inventor of fratricide. Like his grandfather, Irad fought with his own brother, Jaspeth, who considered the Athenaeum to be a temple to the sin of knowledge. Jaspeth was determined to tear down the library as atonement for the original sin of Adam and Eve, i.e., disobeying God by eating fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The struggle between Irad and Jaspeth has been passed down from generation to generation, with Jaspeth, the enemy of knowledge, reflected in figures such as King Oanold, casting the epic struggles of humankind as a battle between knowledge and ignorance.
The library, hence, becomes a battleground in both the literal and figurative sense. This is a struggle we see play out in our own society, where politicians and religious leaders seek to ban books, censor dissenting views, and manipulate classroom curriculum, believing themselves to have a monopoly on truth.
In The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, the Athenaeum is an infinitely large labyrinth of knowledge housing the collective memory of humankind. This represents our legacy as a civilization and is all that will remain after humanity satisfies its thirst for self-destruction.
Mark Lawrence also poignantly addresses memory at the personal level:
“What does nostalgia mean to a child? An abstraction. A standing stone waiting for them in the mist. Walk a path across some decades, any path you like, and the word will gather weight. It will come to you trailing maybes and might-have-beens. Nostalgia is a drug, a knife. Against young skin it carries a dull edge, but time will teach you that nostalgia cuts—and that it’s a blade we cannot keep from applying to our own flesh.�
The themes of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn extend well beyond the nature of knowledge and memory. Lawrence also contemplates how society develops the notion of a collective enemy, the dehumanization of “the other,� and the associated xenophobia. Ultimately, we may discover that we are our own worst enemy.
At the end of Lawrence’s previous novel, The Girl and the Moon, the author tells us that it’s time for something new. Indeed, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn delivers a wholly original tale that is difficult to compare to other recent fantasy or science fiction novels. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn reminds me more closely of the work of Haruki Murakami, the master of Japanese magical realism. The basic structure of The Book That Wouldn’t Burn mirrors that of Murakami’s opus, 1Q84, which also alternates points of view between male and female leads, whose paths ultimately cross in a strange alternate reality. Murakami’s delightfully weird novella, The Strange Library, also features a lonely boy and wise girl lost in a labyrinthine library. Moreover, the Athenaeum’s warping of space and time recalls the settings of both Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro. But perhaps the closest parallel can be drawn to the work of Argentine short story author Jorge Luis Borges, especially “The Library of Babel,� in which Borges introduces the concept of an infinite library containing all possible books that could be written with a given alphabet.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is undoubtedly the most theme-driven of Mark Lawrence’s work, but it also features a great cast of characters. Livira and Evar are both outstanding leads, especially the tenacious Livira who, like the weed she is named after, can’t be kept down. Another breakout character is Malar, a grizzled veteran whose gruff exterior masks a heart of gold. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn also features a trio of scene-stealing animal friends, including a guide dog named Volente (Latin for “willingly�) and Wentworth, a feline of unusual size who bears a distinct resemblance to the author’s own oversized cat, Wobble. The library is also home to a raven, whose name I shall not reveal. Always the ravens, eh, Dr. Lawrence?
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is Mark Lawrence’s longest novel to date. As a lengthy book about a library, I was expecting this to be a slow-paced story. However, Lawrence defied my expectations, maintaining a surprisingly rapid pace throughout the novel. I’d argue that The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is Lawrence’s fastest paced novel since Prince of Thorns.
The Athenaeum houses all books that have ever been written, and Lawrence leverages this infinite expanse of knowledge to compile some of the best epigraphs I’ve seen anywhere. Long-time Mark Lawrence fans will be delighted by the large number of connections to his previous work. In the ultimate author flex, Lawrence quotes passages both from his own novels and from books written by characters appearing in those novels, creating a head-spinning level of recursion.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is the work of a veteran author at the peak of his powers. Mark Lawrence has taken his craft to the next level yet again. His writing is witty and heartfelt, with several laugh out loud moments and many more that pulled at the heartstrings. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn somehow encapsulates all of Lawrence’s previous work while also being wholly unique. There are also a number of shocking plot twists that reveal themselves in the final third of the book and left a big emotional impact on me as a reader.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn covers a lot of ground, offering a meditation on human society in the information age, the seductive nature of lies, and the intrinsic danger of knowledge in the absence of wisdom. But at its core, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is Lawrence’s self-described love letter to books and the buildings where they live. The vastness of the library makes the reader feel like a young child, staring in awe at the tall bookshelves and the unopened books waiting to be read. I am pleased to give my highest rating to this latest masterpiece from Mark Lawrence and am excited to continue the story with the next volume of The Library Trilogy.
October 28, 2023
When I started to read this book, I was awestruck by the prose. Lawrence has such a beautiful sentence structure, masterful, artistic, whimsical.
This book very much reminded me of my favorite author, Philip Pullman. Even the main character in The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is called Livira similar to Pullman’s Lyra.
However, the storytelling is not yet at Pullman’s level, and it needed sharpening. The book is far too long, and some of the characters were underdeveloped.
The author, Mark Lawrence, clearly has tremendous skills. He makes incredibly challenging prose look effortless. The editor in this case has failed him.
If I was the editor of this book, I would read this book aloud and trim any portion where the audience starts to get bored.
Just to note, I also purchased a copy of the audiobook on Audible and Chapter 41 is repeated twice.
*Thank, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
Connect With Me!
This book very much reminded me of my favorite author, Philip Pullman. Even the main character in The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is called Livira similar to Pullman’s Lyra.
However, the storytelling is not yet at Pullman’s level, and it needed sharpening. The book is far too long, and some of the characters were underdeveloped.
The author, Mark Lawrence, clearly has tremendous skills. He makes incredibly challenging prose look effortless. The editor in this case has failed him.
If I was the editor of this book, I would read this book aloud and trim any portion where the audience starts to get bored.
Just to note, I also purchased a copy of the audiobook on Audible and Chapter 41 is repeated twice.
*Thank, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
Connect With Me!
June 2, 2023
Evar is a young gentleman who resides within a section of the behemothic library that is the setting of a huge proportion of The Book That Wouldn't Burn. He lives alongside his peculiar family: a soldier, an assistant, and his brothers and sister. Each of his adopted siblings has a particular area of expertise, be it philosophy, history, warfare, or assassination. Although, like the reader, the family is not aware of how these skill sets can be used to their fullest potential when they cannot leave their dwelling. Evar, unfortunately, has no special area or abilities that he has mastered (that he can remember) and has to resort to being the second best in all of the proficiencies mentioned above.
Livira, whose name means weed, is a stubborn and inquisitive young child when the book commences. She lives in a settlement within the Dust, outside the city of Crath's walls. These desert villages are a dangerous place to occupy, with harsh environments that include dust-bears, dust-storms, and there is the threat of sabbers: the dog-like race that are imposing, agile, and despise humans.
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is the 11th Mark Lawrence book that I have read and, unless I am mistaken, is the first novel he has written where we follow two point-of-view perspectives; those indicated above. Both viewpoints are intriguing to follow as the mysteries of Crath, the dust, the grand library, and the wider world are unravelled to the reader. Evar and Livira are immensely likeable too and deliver frequent well-crafted moments of humour and wit. Furthermore, through their thoughts, we are presented views on a sizeable and varied dramatis personae. Honourable mentions for supporting characters go to the librarian Yute, the soldier Malar, vengeance-driven Clovis, and Wentworth the humungous cat.
The Book That Wouldn't Burn has a tendency to be thrilling and slickly paced, sprinkled with unforeseeable twists and some romantic undercurrents. In addition, it presents a clever almost science-based magic system that has clear rules and consistency. Elements such as ghosts, time travel, world-hopping, library beings that may transcend time, and a book that will not burn will give an idea of some of the concepts featured here. That is before we take into consideration a gargantuan legendary mysterious library: labyrinthine, complex, possibly moving, and otherworldly in nature with impassable passages.
This, the first entry in The Library Trilogy, is Lawrence's best-written novel, with the author's love of language, libraries, books and literature apparent. Some of his phrases about fiction and knowledge are like warm hugs to a book lover.
After collecting my thoughts for a couple of days, I am content to judge that The Book That Wouldn't Burn is the author's most ambitious, polished, and rewarding-to-read work to this date. It ends neatly and in fascinating fashion answering questions I did not even know I had, demanding to be re-read almost straight away.
I received a review copy from Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review.
Livira, whose name means weed, is a stubborn and inquisitive young child when the book commences. She lives in a settlement within the Dust, outside the city of Crath's walls. These desert villages are a dangerous place to occupy, with harsh environments that include dust-bears, dust-storms, and there is the threat of sabbers: the dog-like race that are imposing, agile, and despise humans.
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is the 11th Mark Lawrence book that I have read and, unless I am mistaken, is the first novel he has written where we follow two point-of-view perspectives; those indicated above. Both viewpoints are intriguing to follow as the mysteries of Crath, the dust, the grand library, and the wider world are unravelled to the reader. Evar and Livira are immensely likeable too and deliver frequent well-crafted moments of humour and wit. Furthermore, through their thoughts, we are presented views on a sizeable and varied dramatis personae. Honourable mentions for supporting characters go to the librarian Yute, the soldier Malar, vengeance-driven Clovis, and Wentworth the humungous cat.
The Book That Wouldn't Burn has a tendency to be thrilling and slickly paced, sprinkled with unforeseeable twists and some romantic undercurrents. In addition, it presents a clever almost science-based magic system that has clear rules and consistency. Elements such as ghosts, time travel, world-hopping, library beings that may transcend time, and a book that will not burn will give an idea of some of the concepts featured here. That is before we take into consideration a gargantuan legendary mysterious library: labyrinthine, complex, possibly moving, and otherworldly in nature with impassable passages.
This, the first entry in The Library Trilogy, is Lawrence's best-written novel, with the author's love of language, libraries, books and literature apparent. Some of his phrases about fiction and knowledge are like warm hugs to a book lover.
After collecting my thoughts for a couple of days, I am content to judge that The Book That Wouldn't Burn is the author's most ambitious, polished, and rewarding-to-read work to this date. It ends neatly and in fascinating fashion answering questions I did not even know I had, demanding to be re-read almost straight away.
I received a review copy from Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2023
BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed -
My personal BookTube channel -
Thank you to Mark Lawrence and Harper Voyager for sending me a physical arc in exchange for an honest review.
“Without guilt we would all be monsters. And memory is the ink with which we list our crimes.�
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is Mark Lawrence at his best, and that is saying a lot. Standout characters in a story where we are guided by lyrical prose into a vivid world full of beauty and brutality, as well as a huge dose of mystery.
This is a book that is unique. It is an individual book that has its own identity separate even from what Mark Lawrence has written before. He takes his strengths and places them in a new world that grapples with different themes , such as the power of words, and a story that has an epic scope but also paradoxically feels so intimate.
I loved that there were sections that felt similar in tone to Piranesi (a book that I love), as we discover so much about the strange setting and those who inhabit it every single chapter. Mark Lawrence had me hooked right away in a book that is filled with monsters, librarians (not the usual sort), magic and great central characters that drive the story.
“All books, no matter their binding, will fall to dust. the stories they carry may last longer. they might outlive the paper, the library, even the language in which they were first written. the greatest story can reach the stars.�
One of the leading characters is a child, and she has her own coming of age story in The Book That Wouldn't Burn. Characters who are children can often not be enjoyable to follow in a book, as the author either does not make them feel like a child, or makes them utterly infuriating. Mark Lawrence crafts a great balance. She makes decisions that I would not, and she makes mistakes along the way, but instead of being aggravating, it was just great character craft. We see the naivety and immaturely melt away as she is thrown into circumstances far beyond her age.
This is a book that I cannot recommend enough. It is one of those rare works that I would say transcends genre, in the sense that readers of almost any taste would enjoy, even if they do not typically reach out and open a fantasy book.
5/5 STARS
My personal BookTube channel -
Thank you to Mark Lawrence and Harper Voyager for sending me a physical arc in exchange for an honest review.
“Without guilt we would all be monsters. And memory is the ink with which we list our crimes.�
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is Mark Lawrence at his best, and that is saying a lot. Standout characters in a story where we are guided by lyrical prose into a vivid world full of beauty and brutality, as well as a huge dose of mystery.
This is a book that is unique. It is an individual book that has its own identity separate even from what Mark Lawrence has written before. He takes his strengths and places them in a new world that grapples with different themes , such as the power of words, and a story that has an epic scope but also paradoxically feels so intimate.
I loved that there were sections that felt similar in tone to Piranesi (a book that I love), as we discover so much about the strange setting and those who inhabit it every single chapter. Mark Lawrence had me hooked right away in a book that is filled with monsters, librarians (not the usual sort), magic and great central characters that drive the story.
“All books, no matter their binding, will fall to dust. the stories they carry may last longer. they might outlive the paper, the library, even the language in which they were first written. the greatest story can reach the stars.�
One of the leading characters is a child, and she has her own coming of age story in The Book That Wouldn't Burn. Characters who are children can often not be enjoyable to follow in a book, as the author either does not make them feel like a child, or makes them utterly infuriating. Mark Lawrence crafts a great balance. She makes decisions that I would not, and she makes mistakes along the way, but instead of being aggravating, it was just great character craft. We see the naivety and immaturely melt away as she is thrown into circumstances far beyond her age.
This is a book that I cannot recommend enough. It is one of those rare works that I would say transcends genre, in the sense that readers of almost any taste would enjoy, even if they do not typically reach out and open a fantasy book.
5/5 STARS
November 23, 2023
DNF - just not my kind of book. Didn't read enough of it to give a qualified opinion.
January 3, 2025
this is a story told in two povs: one, a girl who has only known a life of dust, while dreaming of a city where water is unlimited. the other, a boy who has been trapped in a library that is ever expanding with more and more mysteries.
quickly, their stories come together, and then together, and then together hehe. i loved the concept of this book, and i always adore mark lawrence’s writing, but this book was just too long and repetitive for me. now, there are so many good discussions in these pages, especially centered around power and privilege and who gets to control the education of people being abused by these power dynamics. and we ultimately get to see two people, on two sides, with two libraries writing the history of their people, while also observing how they treat people who they deem as other. again, so much to love. but the actual prolongment of this story just started to feel so convoluted to me while reading.
i am still very curious where the story will go, and i will most likely pick up book two and everything else this author creates because he is a fave of mine. but sadly the last half of this one just didn’t work for me, even those i truly did love the set up and getting to the middle of this book!
trigger + content warnings: blood, kidnapping, slavery, violence, gore, child death, grief, loss of parents in past, death, murder, vomit, loss of child in past, attempted assault, spiders, war, fire, self harm for blood magic
| | | | |
━━� buddy read with cory
1.) Red Sister ★★★★�
2.) Grey Sister ★★★★�
3.) Holy Sister ★★★★�
quickly, their stories come together, and then together, and then together hehe. i loved the concept of this book, and i always adore mark lawrence’s writing, but this book was just too long and repetitive for me. now, there are so many good discussions in these pages, especially centered around power and privilege and who gets to control the education of people being abused by these power dynamics. and we ultimately get to see two people, on two sides, with two libraries writing the history of their people, while also observing how they treat people who they deem as other. again, so much to love. but the actual prolongment of this story just started to feel so convoluted to me while reading.
i am still very curious where the story will go, and i will most likely pick up book two and everything else this author creates because he is a fave of mine. but sadly the last half of this one just didn’t work for me, even those i truly did love the set up and getting to the middle of this book!
trigger + content warnings: blood, kidnapping, slavery, violence, gore, child death, grief, loss of parents in past, death, murder, vomit, loss of child in past, attempted assault, spiders, war, fire, self harm for blood magic
| | | | |
━━� buddy read with cory
1.) Red Sister ★★★★�
2.) Grey Sister ★★★★�
3.) Holy Sister ★★★★�
June 18, 2023
Livira was born in the Dust, on the outskirts of a rapidly advancing city with a seemingly endless library that contains every book. Evar is trapped inside a hidden chamber in that library, along with his “siblings� and the robot-like Assistant and Soldier. In The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, they meet in an unexpected way against the backdrop of a city on the brink of war.
Mark Lawrence seems to be fascinated with the passage of time, or rather disruptions to it. In this book, he experiments more with a timeline that doesn’t just plow forward. These changes in direction lead to dramatic implications. It took some pondering to wrap my head around who lived in whose past, but it was fulfilling to see the threads come together at the end.
The writing is remarkable: sometimes lyrical, sometimes pithy or witty. Mark Lawrence drops superb sentences about the most mundane things, like hills:
For me, writing “background� sentences like this that flow well and don’t overpower important information—at least, information that’s more important than the scenery—is very difficult. Whenever I spot one that’s written skillfully, I am a little bit awed.
The final third of the book was unputdownable, with consistently stunning and emotionally impactful plot twists. I had an inkling or a solid prediction about some of them, but others really shocked me, even though the buildup gave many clues. The best twists are the ones that make sense but are surprising anyway, and The Book That Wouldn’t Burn has many of these.
I enjoyed the themes throughout this book, especially the way they were intrinsic to the progression of the plot. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn addresses issues about only seeing history from one viewpoint, only seeking out information that agrees with preconceived beliefs, scapegoating a group and thus ignoring the sins of one’s own people, and how widespread availability of information won’t necessarily lead to a more informed populace who is willing to consider nuance (the Internet, anyone?)
My favorite part of the book was the atmosphere of the library. So quiet and still, it managed to be eerie and comforting at the same time. I liked how Lawrence effectively conveyed the overwhelming and awe-inspiring size of the library.
Unfortunately, I didn’t like everything about The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
I wish there was more drive to the plot in the middle of the book. There were some developments, but mostly everyone stayed in a similar place emotionally. The hints in this section about the mysteries of the library were good, but I think there’s room to keep the plot moving as well. One issue I encountered with pacing was that Evar and Livira have similar page time, but Livira has so much going on in her life, and Evar� doesn’t. It’s understandable since he’s trapped inside the same place with the same people, but it feels imbalanced and repetitive to me as the reader.
There are many potent quotables in this book, but they sometimes weren’t incorporated organically into the writing surrounding them. The quotes in question sounded as if they had been written beforehand and dropped into spots where they almost felt like they could belong. More often than not, they took me out of the narrative, even though I thought many of the quotes were compelling on their own.
The large scope of the neverending library was conveyed very well, but some of the smaller stories felt shallow and weren’t given the page time they deserve, especially in a book of this length. I’m talking about the relationships between the main characters and many of the side characters. Entire years of Livira’s life were summarized in pages, so the development of her friendships was not shown. (Mark Lawrence is usually great at writing friendships, though.)
Another example is how traits about Evar’s siblings are told to us directly. Kerrol is great at manipulation, but we never see his purported skills in action; instead, we are told repeatedly of them through inner and spoken dialogue. His psychological insights about his siblings are quite surface level, especially compared with their astonished reactions, which took me out of the story.
As a side note, I don’t understand why the siblings don’t take the chance to learn more skills since they are trapped inside a room with hundreds, if not thousands, of books. Instead, they have their one specialty that takes up all their time: Clovis learns to fight, Kerrol learns psychology, Starval learns to� assassinate? It felt off to me.
The romance didn’t work for me because it made me feel uncomfortable most of the time. Honestly, I think the book could have been just fine without it (meaning it could have been a friendship). However, the dramatic and thematic effect intrinsic to the very existence of the romance was often interesting.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn imbues reading with a bit more of the awe it deserves and leads readers to see the magic and power of books with fresh eyes. Although I had a few criticisms about some aspects of the novel, I still think it’s a creative and compelling story with a beautiful atmosphere and great themes.
4 stars
(The Book That Wouldn’t Burn reminds me so much of the song “Suburban War� by Arcade Fire.)
Mark Lawrence seems to be fascinated with the passage of time, or rather disruptions to it. In this book, he experiments more with a timeline that doesn’t just plow forward. These changes in direction lead to dramatic implications. It took some pondering to wrap my head around who lived in whose past, but it was fulfilling to see the threads come together at the end.
The writing is remarkable: sometimes lyrical, sometimes pithy or witty. Mark Lawrence drops superb sentences about the most mundane things, like hills:
...Livira could see the mountain clearly, the first and seemingly the largest in a series of peaks that burst from the plain without the preamble of foothills. The city scaled the lower slopes like a wave washing up as far as its momentum would carry it.
For me, writing “background� sentences like this that flow well and don’t overpower important information—at least, information that’s more important than the scenery—is very difficult. Whenever I spot one that’s written skillfully, I am a little bit awed.
The final third of the book was unputdownable, with consistently stunning and emotionally impactful plot twists. I had an inkling or a solid prediction about some of them, but others really shocked me, even though the buildup gave many clues. The best twists are the ones that make sense but are surprising anyway, and The Book That Wouldn’t Burn has many of these.
I enjoyed the themes throughout this book, especially the way they were intrinsic to the progression of the plot. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn addresses issues about only seeing history from one viewpoint, only seeking out information that agrees with preconceived beliefs, scapegoating a group and thus ignoring the sins of one’s own people, and how widespread availability of information won’t necessarily lead to a more informed populace who is willing to consider nuance (the Internet, anyone?)
My favorite part of the book was the atmosphere of the library. So quiet and still, it managed to be eerie and comforting at the same time. I liked how Lawrence effectively conveyed the overwhelming and awe-inspiring size of the library.
Unfortunately, I didn’t like everything about The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
I wish there was more drive to the plot in the middle of the book. There were some developments, but mostly everyone stayed in a similar place emotionally. The hints in this section about the mysteries of the library were good, but I think there’s room to keep the plot moving as well. One issue I encountered with pacing was that Evar and Livira have similar page time, but Livira has so much going on in her life, and Evar� doesn’t. It’s understandable since he’s trapped inside the same place with the same people, but it feels imbalanced and repetitive to me as the reader.
There are many potent quotables in this book, but they sometimes weren’t incorporated organically into the writing surrounding them. The quotes in question sounded as if they had been written beforehand and dropped into spots where they almost felt like they could belong. More often than not, they took me out of the narrative, even though I thought many of the quotes were compelling on their own.
The large scope of the neverending library was conveyed very well, but some of the smaller stories felt shallow and weren’t given the page time they deserve, especially in a book of this length. I’m talking about the relationships between the main characters and many of the side characters. Entire years of Livira’s life were summarized in pages, so the development of her friendships was not shown. (Mark Lawrence is usually great at writing friendships, though.)
Another example is how traits about Evar’s siblings are told to us directly. Kerrol is great at manipulation, but we never see his purported skills in action; instead, we are told repeatedly of them through inner and spoken dialogue. His psychological insights about his siblings are quite surface level, especially compared with their astonished reactions, which took me out of the story.
As a side note, I don’t understand why the siblings don’t take the chance to learn more skills since they are trapped inside a room with hundreds, if not thousands, of books. Instead, they have their one specialty that takes up all their time: Clovis learns to fight, Kerrol learns psychology, Starval learns to� assassinate? It felt off to me.
The romance didn’t work for me because it made me feel uncomfortable most of the time. Honestly, I think the book could have been just fine without it (meaning it could have been a friendship). However, the dramatic and thematic effect intrinsic to the very existence of the romance was often interesting.
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn imbues reading with a bit more of the awe it deserves and leads readers to see the magic and power of books with fresh eyes. Although I had a few criticisms about some aspects of the novel, I still think it’s a creative and compelling story with a beautiful atmosphere and great themes.
4 stars
(The Book That Wouldn’t Burn reminds me so much of the song “Suburban War� by Arcade Fire.)
Currently reading
April 8, 2025*New book drops in April, so I'm hitting 'The Book That Wouldn't Burn' . Wanna see how this knowledge thing goes down, ya know? Like, is it a cheat code or a total trap?👀👀👀
February 12, 2023
All of us steal our lives. A little here, a little there. Some of it given, most of it taken. We wear ourselves like a coat of many patches, fraying at the edges, in constant repair. While we shore up one belief, we let go another. We are the stories we tell to ourselves. Nothing more.
Did you ever dream to live in an (almost) infinite library, to have access to all the books ever written? Or to be able to actually live a particular story? Well... be careful what you wish for...
Despite the long exposition, I think this may be the best story Mark Lawrence has written so far. Up until around 40% I wasn't sure I would like it much; there is no apparent plot, there are repetitive scenes, and characters are stagnant. But after that, oh my! I couldn't put it down. So don't let the long, and apparently disjointed, start deter you; it will reward you like no other - I was left breathless by the end. There are so many twists and wonders which I didn't see coming that I was constantly gaping.
Beside the marvels of the library, its books, caretakers and mysteries, I was utterly entranced by the love story . Mind you, it's not your usual romance, of course, and that's exactly why it touched me deeply.
Oh, and those epigraphs! You'll be rewarded with words of wisdom and various quotes from the most unexpected "personalities". The names made me shriek with delight and amusement.
The book is not even published yet and I already crave for the second and third volumes! It does have a (sort of) closure of its own, doesn't end in a cliffhanger (thank Lawrence for small mercies!) but I'm dying to know what happens next!
Start a tale, just a little tale that should fade and die-take your eye off it for just a moment and when you turn back it's grown big enough to grab you up in its teeth and shake you. That's how it is. All our lives are tales. Some spread, and grow in the telling. Others are just told between us and the gods, muttered back and forth behind our days, but those tales grow too and shake us just as fierce.
I will leave a few more quotes, hope they won't be changed until publication:
'He said a story is a net. It can capture something as large as the spirit of the age or as small as the emotion of a man watching the last leaf fall from a tree, or sometimes both, and make one a reflection of the other.'
Life's cheap, easily spent. And if there's any joy to be had it's in the moments between. So, when you find something that makes you happy you take it with both hands, and you hold on to it for as long as you can. It's not going to last. It will be taken from you.
'The library is our memory. It's all that survives.'
One of the best stories I have ever read; I'm still bewitched by it. It will be a long time before it will leave my thoughts. ❤️
>>> ARC received thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, HarperVoyager via NetGalley <<<
Did you ever dream to live in an (almost) infinite library, to have access to all the books ever written? Or to be able to actually live a particular story? Well... be careful what you wish for...
Despite the long exposition, I think this may be the best story Mark Lawrence has written so far. Up until around 40% I wasn't sure I would like it much; there is no apparent plot, there are repetitive scenes, and characters are stagnant. But after that, oh my! I couldn't put it down. So don't let the long, and apparently disjointed, start deter you; it will reward you like no other - I was left breathless by the end. There are so many twists and wonders which I didn't see coming that I was constantly gaping.
Beside the marvels of the library, its books, caretakers and mysteries, I was utterly entranced by the love story . Mind you, it's not your usual romance, of course, and that's exactly why it touched me deeply.
Oh, and those epigraphs! You'll be rewarded with words of wisdom and various quotes from the most unexpected "personalities". The names made me shriek with delight and amusement.
The book is not even published yet and I already crave for the second and third volumes! It does have a (sort of) closure of its own, doesn't end in a cliffhanger (thank Lawrence for small mercies!) but I'm dying to know what happens next!
Start a tale, just a little tale that should fade and die-take your eye off it for just a moment and when you turn back it's grown big enough to grab you up in its teeth and shake you. That's how it is. All our lives are tales. Some spread, and grow in the telling. Others are just told between us and the gods, muttered back and forth behind our days, but those tales grow too and shake us just as fierce.
I will leave a few more quotes, hope they won't be changed until publication:
'He said a story is a net. It can capture something as large as the spirit of the age or as small as the emotion of a man watching the last leaf fall from a tree, or sometimes both, and make one a reflection of the other.'
Life's cheap, easily spent. And if there's any joy to be had it's in the moments between. So, when you find something that makes you happy you take it with both hands, and you hold on to it for as long as you can. It's not going to last. It will be taken from you.
'The library is our memory. It's all that survives.'
One of the best stories I have ever read; I'm still bewitched by it. It will be a long time before it will leave my thoughts. ❤️
>>> ARC received thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, HarperVoyager via NetGalley <<<
June 28, 2023
For like 70% of this book, I didn't understand what people were seeing in it. It was good. The writing was excellent, there was a lot of intrigue, but it just wasn't clicking. I thought I was going to go the unpopular route and say this was my least favorite Lawrence book I had read.
But it's my favorite Mark Lawrence book.
The last 30% of this book really ties everything together and is just absolutely exceptional. I honestly already want to reread it.
But it's my favorite Mark Lawrence book.
The last 30% of this book really ties everything together and is just absolutely exceptional. I honestly already want to reread it.
May 11, 2023
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is the first book of a new trilogy by Mark Lawrence. It is a sci-fi/fantasy crossover � epic in scope.
It is also the first book that is not linked to the connected universe of his previous five trilogies. In that regard, if you’ve never read anything from Mark Lawrence before, this is a good place to start.
And indeed, what a place to start.
I was in the lucky position of being asked to read an early copy of this book last year and was honestly blown away. I say that as being a huge fan of his previous work. The prose is beautiful, reaching the giddy heights of King of Thorns (which for me had some of the most beautiful passages I’ve ever read), and the story is so captivating.
It’s also unique.
If you are in a reading rut, perhaps a little bored of reading the same fantasy tropes and want to read something more adventurous, this is the book for you.
Mark Lawrence doesn’t like his readers to know too much when going into his books. I think that’s fair enough, so I’m not going to give much away, rather give you an offering of vibes.
I would describe this book as Narnia meets Stargate, only it is set in a library. Two libraries in fact.
One library is a labyrinth of information. Stray too far amongst the never ending bookcases, you might get lost.
The other library is absolutely terrifying.
Themes of information is explored � in terms of how too much information can give just as many problems as not enough. The selection of information can also be a problem, as can the distribution of materials that only agree with one viewpoint.
Love is another theme. Friendship. Sacrifice. Fear. War. It will make you think long after you’ve set it down.
In short, this book is truly a masterpiece.
Read it.
It is also the first book that is not linked to the connected universe of his previous five trilogies. In that regard, if you’ve never read anything from Mark Lawrence before, this is a good place to start.
And indeed, what a place to start.
I was in the lucky position of being asked to read an early copy of this book last year and was honestly blown away. I say that as being a huge fan of his previous work. The prose is beautiful, reaching the giddy heights of King of Thorns (which for me had some of the most beautiful passages I’ve ever read), and the story is so captivating.
It’s also unique.
If you are in a reading rut, perhaps a little bored of reading the same fantasy tropes and want to read something more adventurous, this is the book for you.
Mark Lawrence doesn’t like his readers to know too much when going into his books. I think that’s fair enough, so I’m not going to give much away, rather give you an offering of vibes.
I would describe this book as Narnia meets Stargate, only it is set in a library. Two libraries in fact.
One library is a labyrinth of information. Stray too far amongst the never ending bookcases, you might get lost.
The other library is absolutely terrifying.
Themes of information is explored � in terms of how too much information can give just as many problems as not enough. The selection of information can also be a problem, as can the distribution of materials that only agree with one viewpoint.
Love is another theme. Friendship. Sacrifice. Fear. War. It will make you think long after you’ve set it down.
In short, this book is truly a masterpiece.
Read it.
May 15, 2023
Yet another marvellous Mark Lawrence read.
I broke my pledge of reading Lawrence in publication order to dive into The Book That Wouldn't Burn and I am so glad I did. Lawrence's beautifully effective and sharp writing is on top form here as we are introduce to a world that has dust-creatures that would make Frank Herbert proud, a never-ending library that would make Belle from Beauty and the Beast the happiest person on the planet and some mind boggling and complex weaves to certify Mark used to be a rocket scientist.
A young girl's home is destroyed and she finds her way in the city of the most remarkable library in the world, a young man has lived in the library for longer than he can remember, the two POVs are such fun to read. They are unique, funny, dynamic characters with plenty of heart.
Now, here is something that won't surprise you, The Book That Wouldn't Burn has TONNES of books. It is a booklovers dream to read and I loved it. There are portals, timelines, weird creatures, death and a lot of sacrifice. I loved it.
I broke my pledge of reading Lawrence in publication order to dive into The Book That Wouldn't Burn and I am so glad I did. Lawrence's beautifully effective and sharp writing is on top form here as we are introduce to a world that has dust-creatures that would make Frank Herbert proud, a never-ending library that would make Belle from Beauty and the Beast the happiest person on the planet and some mind boggling and complex weaves to certify Mark used to be a rocket scientist.
A young girl's home is destroyed and she finds her way in the city of the most remarkable library in the world, a young man has lived in the library for longer than he can remember, the two POVs are such fun to read. They are unique, funny, dynamic characters with plenty of heart.
Now, here is something that won't surprise you, The Book That Wouldn't Burn has TONNES of books. It is a booklovers dream to read and I loved it. There are portals, timelines, weird creatures, death and a lot of sacrifice. I loved it.
February 4, 2025
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Rating: 3 stars
'The Book That Wouldn't Burn' is beautifully written; however, its slow pacing turned what should have been an exciting adventure into a drawn-out tale.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I picked this book solely because of its stunning cover and the hype surrounding it. In hindsight, I wish I had trusted my instincts, as that would have spared me from writing this disappointed review that essentially says, "It's an impressive story, but ultimately not my cup of tea". The audio experience was also slightly underwhelming, as Jessica Whittaker's narration felt a bit monotone and captured only a little of the emotional tones in the story. It was still a great listen, though, as Whittaker's narration sounded natural and enhanced the story's atmosphere.
"a little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Mark Lawrence's lush, flowery writing stood out as the highlight of this book, effortlessly bringing the story to life. Yet, despite the beautifully crafted prose, complex worldbuilding and cliffhanger chapter endings, I never felt deeply invested in the unfolding story or eager to continue reading. The ramblingtangents and slow, whimsical pace squashed any flickers of interest or excitement I felt. The storyline, which is essentially overly elaborate worldbuilding, also did little to salvage my interest despite constant bursts of action and some shocking twists.
Livira and Evar are gradually introduced in the first third of the story through details of pivotal moments and relationships that define their characters and shape their journeys. However, the heavy character focus occasionally led to repeated information and contributed to the sluggish pace of the story. That said, Livira was a standout character from the very beginning. Her fierce, curious, and ambitious nature made her likeable and easy to root for, even when she made questionable decisions. Livira is also instrumental in driving the worldbuilding and key themes of knowledge and prejudice that add layers of depth to the story.
"You take yourself with you wherever you go. Money can’t buy a new you."
In contrast, Evar felt less memorable to me. While his backstory and complex family dynamics seemed interesting, his character primarily served to propel the romance subplot, which fell flat. Their connection seemed underdeveloped due to the fleeting moments they spent together and Evar's feelings before meeting Livira. The secondary characters were even more forgettable than Evar, as they generally came across as one-dimensional—only performing specific roles within the story. A notable exception was Malar, whose gruff exterior slowly peeled away to reveal a fiercely caring and endearing character.
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on !
Rating: 3 stars
'The Book That Wouldn't Burn' is beautifully written; however, its slow pacing turned what should have been an exciting adventure into a drawn-out tale.
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I picked this book solely because of its stunning cover and the hype surrounding it. In hindsight, I wish I had trusted my instincts, as that would have spared me from writing this disappointed review that essentially says, "It's an impressive story, but ultimately not my cup of tea". The audio experience was also slightly underwhelming, as Jessica Whittaker's narration felt a bit monotone and captured only a little of the emotional tones in the story. It was still a great listen, though, as Whittaker's narration sounded natural and enhanced the story's atmosphere.
"a little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Mark Lawrence's lush, flowery writing stood out as the highlight of this book, effortlessly bringing the story to life. Yet, despite the beautifully crafted prose, complex worldbuilding and cliffhanger chapter endings, I never felt deeply invested in the unfolding story or eager to continue reading. The ramblingtangents and slow, whimsical pace squashed any flickers of interest or excitement I felt. The storyline, which is essentially overly elaborate worldbuilding, also did little to salvage my interest despite constant bursts of action and some shocking twists.
Livira and Evar are gradually introduced in the first third of the story through details of pivotal moments and relationships that define their characters and shape their journeys. However, the heavy character focus occasionally led to repeated information and contributed to the sluggish pace of the story. That said, Livira was a standout character from the very beginning. Her fierce, curious, and ambitious nature made her likeable and easy to root for, even when she made questionable decisions. Livira is also instrumental in driving the worldbuilding and key themes of knowledge and prejudice that add layers of depth to the story.
"You take yourself with you wherever you go. Money can’t buy a new you."
In contrast, Evar felt less memorable to me. While his backstory and complex family dynamics seemed interesting, his character primarily served to propel the romance subplot, which fell flat. Their connection seemed underdeveloped due to the fleeting moments they spent together and Evar's feelings before meeting Livira. The secondary characters were even more forgettable than Evar, as they generally came across as one-dimensional—only performing specific roles within the story. A notable exception was Malar, whose gruff exterior slowly peeled away to reveal a fiercely caring and endearing character.
You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on !
August 11, 2023
This book is a tedious read and incredibly boring.
The characters are dull. There's a palpable lack of depth to them, rendering them forgettable. Worse, their motivations are weak, making it challenging to find any semblance of a connection or sympathy for their journey.
The author's attempts at crafting intrigue and building mystery are, unfortunately, flawed. The frequent use of disjointed sentences at the end of paragraphs, presumably to add a sense of suspense, serve only to disrupt the reading experience. Instead of evoking curiosity, they lead to confusion, making one wonder if the narrative is suffering from a serious lack of editing.
Pacing falters significantly and is the most glaring issue in the book. The initial 25% of the book drags on without any notable worldbuilding or progression. It's as if this quarter of the book serves little to no purpose and, given the poor worldbuilding, might even be better off omitted. Filled with redundant sections and lacking any meaningful worldbuilding, one could potentially skip this entire section without losing much. The poor pacing only adds to the overall frustration, making the reading experience more of a chore than a pleasure.
Chapter 4 stands out as a prime example of the book's flaws. It encapsulates everything wrong with the narrative, showcasing weak writing, lack of coherence, and misplaced attempts at suspense.
The lore, which often serves as a backbone for such stories, is equally uninspiring. It fails to provide a rich backdrop against which the story can unfold, further contributing to the book's underwhelming nature.
One might hope that, as the story progresses, the narrative tightens and finds its footing. Many reviews on this platform hinted at a redeeming conclusion, a payoff that might justify pushing through the earlier frustrations. But any such payoff is glaringly absent. The climax and conclusion of the story don't make the preceding slog worthwhile.
In conclusion, I find it hard to recommend this book to any reader. The one-star rating is an expression of disappointment and regret for the time spent on this book, hoping for a turn that never came.
The characters are dull. There's a palpable lack of depth to them, rendering them forgettable. Worse, their motivations are weak, making it challenging to find any semblance of a connection or sympathy for their journey.
The author's attempts at crafting intrigue and building mystery are, unfortunately, flawed. The frequent use of disjointed sentences at the end of paragraphs, presumably to add a sense of suspense, serve only to disrupt the reading experience. Instead of evoking curiosity, they lead to confusion, making one wonder if the narrative is suffering from a serious lack of editing.
Pacing falters significantly and is the most glaring issue in the book. The initial 25% of the book drags on without any notable worldbuilding or progression. It's as if this quarter of the book serves little to no purpose and, given the poor worldbuilding, might even be better off omitted. Filled with redundant sections and lacking any meaningful worldbuilding, one could potentially skip this entire section without losing much. The poor pacing only adds to the overall frustration, making the reading experience more of a chore than a pleasure.
Chapter 4 stands out as a prime example of the book's flaws. It encapsulates everything wrong with the narrative, showcasing weak writing, lack of coherence, and misplaced attempts at suspense.
The lore, which often serves as a backbone for such stories, is equally uninspiring. It fails to provide a rich backdrop against which the story can unfold, further contributing to the book's underwhelming nature.
One might hope that, as the story progresses, the narrative tightens and finds its footing. Many reviews on this platform hinted at a redeeming conclusion, a payoff that might justify pushing through the earlier frustrations. But any such payoff is glaringly absent. The climax and conclusion of the story don't make the preceding slog worthwhile.
In conclusion, I find it hard to recommend this book to any reader. The one-star rating is an expression of disappointment and regret for the time spent on this book, hoping for a turn that never came.
December 6, 2024
First Read: May 2023, Rating: 5/5 stars
Second Read: Deecember 2024, Rating: 5/5 stars
This is the first instalment in The Library Trilogy.
"He waved an arm at the aisle stretching away from them. ‘This is power. This is where the histories are. This is where the great philosophers are. This is where the secrets that arm our soldiers with arrow-sticks are written. This is where the next secrets will be found. You think our people would have even a fraction of what they have now without the library? It wasn’t many generations ago we were fighting each other with bones and rocks, and we thought fire was a great magic …�"
Any book lover could not fail to find great joy inside these pages. The library at the centre of the story is a prison to some, a magical portal to others. It is both an escape and a home, or a means to creating both. It allows the central characters to find both themselves and each other inside of it.
Time shifts or creeps and the lines of reality are often blurred, meaning everything is to be questioned in this world. Lawrence has crafted something mind-blowingly brilliant and, because of that, it can take the reader a little time to assimilate themselves within this vast and magical world. It is definitely worth it though - for the library that both replicates the magic to be found within all libraries as well as the magic that is uniquely all its own; for the courageous, loveable, and big-hearted protagonists, Livira and Evar, who centre in this story; for the incredible storytelling and poetic writing that speaks to the soul of any reader; and for the rich world that has been created, complete with corruption, revenge plots, political intrigue, and monsters, both human and otherwise.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Mark Lawrence, and the publisher, Harper Voyager, for this opportunity.
Second Read: Deecember 2024, Rating: 5/5 stars
This is the first instalment in The Library Trilogy.
"He waved an arm at the aisle stretching away from them. ‘This is power. This is where the histories are. This is where the great philosophers are. This is where the secrets that arm our soldiers with arrow-sticks are written. This is where the next secrets will be found. You think our people would have even a fraction of what they have now without the library? It wasn’t many generations ago we were fighting each other with bones and rocks, and we thought fire was a great magic …�"
Any book lover could not fail to find great joy inside these pages. The library at the centre of the story is a prison to some, a magical portal to others. It is both an escape and a home, or a means to creating both. It allows the central characters to find both themselves and each other inside of it.
Time shifts or creeps and the lines of reality are often blurred, meaning everything is to be questioned in this world. Lawrence has crafted something mind-blowingly brilliant and, because of that, it can take the reader a little time to assimilate themselves within this vast and magical world. It is definitely worth it though - for the library that both replicates the magic to be found within all libraries as well as the magic that is uniquely all its own; for the courageous, loveable, and big-hearted protagonists, Livira and Evar, who centre in this story; for the incredible storytelling and poetic writing that speaks to the soul of any reader; and for the rich world that has been created, complete with corruption, revenge plots, political intrigue, and monsters, both human and otherwise.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Mark Lawrence, and the publisher, Harper Voyager, for this opportunity.
July 22, 2023
3.5 stars
I still haven’t decided what to think about this book.
The writing is gorgeous. Numerous quotes you can get from this book. Solid idea. A well architected world. Also a book that is truly about books, how exhilarating is that.
But
The pace was off. I didn’t mind the slow pace during the middle part unlike many but I’m contrast to the end, the revelations could’ve been better styled. It’s like I was running at the end from a reality to another and not in a very smooth way.
The characters were decent but the romance wasn’t good. It would’ve been so much better if the link was friendship and then later on a romance developed. I won’t say much about this because it’s linked to major spoilers but the idea remains that it wasn’t well executed. Or even needed.
I still haven’t decided what to think about this book.
The writing is gorgeous. Numerous quotes you can get from this book. Solid idea. A well architected world. Also a book that is truly about books, how exhilarating is that.
But
The pace was off. I didn’t mind the slow pace during the middle part unlike many but I’m contrast to the end, the revelations could’ve been better styled. It’s like I was running at the end from a reality to another and not in a very smooth way.
The characters were decent but the romance wasn’t good. It would’ve been so much better if the link was friendship and then later on a romance developed. I won’t say much about this because it’s linked to major spoilers but the idea remains that it wasn’t well executed. Or even needed.
July 10, 2023
The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence is an Epic and High Fantasy Story with Time-Travel!
Two main characters, one male, one female, and two point-of-views...
Evar Eventari is a young man who has lived his entire life trapped inside a chamber of the library with his 'created family' and surrounded by tower after tower of books.
Livira Page is a precocious young girl from the Dust, where food and water are scarce. After her settlement is attacked by dog-like creatures, the children are rescued by soldiers and taken to Crath City. Livira is one of the lucky ones and assigned as an apprentice librarian of the great library.
It was never planned for Evar and Livira to meet...
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is a story with incredible depth, and I love that, but I was initially lost within the telling. It felt slow, somewhat repetitive, and I was admittedly unfocused. At 50% in, I set it down with the hope of picking it back up when I had clarity again.
I did pick it back up, adding in the audiobook which allowed me to backtrack through a quick listen and as the story continued, I didn't experience any of the slowness I had previously, in fact the pace quickened. The library particularly drew me in, feeling dark, foreboding and assimilating the presence of another character I wanted to discover everything about. The second half of the story literally flew by.
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is the first High Fantasy - Epic Fantasy book I've read. I did enjoy the diverse mix of characters, however there were so many with unusual names, some sounding similar, making it hard to keep track of 'who's who'. I do believe more secondary character development would have helped with this.
The most memorable characters, besides Livira and Evar, are Yute, Salamonda, and my most favorite, Malar. They are each uniquely different in their own way and particularly important and special to Livira's portion of the story.
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is a book you'll want to know as little as possible about before you begin that will reward you with plenty of surprises along the way. It's a story that's full to the brim, which I believe to be true of High Fantasy - Epic Fantasy books due to necessary world-building. The author's writing is beautifully lyrical and I'm pleased my initiation into this genre was a fully enjoyable experience.
Will I be reading The Library Trilogy, Book #2? Of course, and I recommend this one to all who enjoy this imaginative and adventurous genre, too!
3.75⭐rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ace, and Mark Lawrence for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
Two main characters, one male, one female, and two point-of-views...
Evar Eventari is a young man who has lived his entire life trapped inside a chamber of the library with his 'created family' and surrounded by tower after tower of books.
Livira Page is a precocious young girl from the Dust, where food and water are scarce. After her settlement is attacked by dog-like creatures, the children are rescued by soldiers and taken to Crath City. Livira is one of the lucky ones and assigned as an apprentice librarian of the great library.
It was never planned for Evar and Livira to meet...
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is a story with incredible depth, and I love that, but I was initially lost within the telling. It felt slow, somewhat repetitive, and I was admittedly unfocused. At 50% in, I set it down with the hope of picking it back up when I had clarity again.
I did pick it back up, adding in the audiobook which allowed me to backtrack through a quick listen and as the story continued, I didn't experience any of the slowness I had previously, in fact the pace quickened. The library particularly drew me in, feeling dark, foreboding and assimilating the presence of another character I wanted to discover everything about. The second half of the story literally flew by.
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is the first High Fantasy - Epic Fantasy book I've read. I did enjoy the diverse mix of characters, however there were so many with unusual names, some sounding similar, making it hard to keep track of 'who's who'. I do believe more secondary character development would have helped with this.
The most memorable characters, besides Livira and Evar, are Yute, Salamonda, and my most favorite, Malar. They are each uniquely different in their own way and particularly important and special to Livira's portion of the story.
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is a book you'll want to know as little as possible about before you begin that will reward you with plenty of surprises along the way. It's a story that's full to the brim, which I believe to be true of High Fantasy - Epic Fantasy books due to necessary world-building. The author's writing is beautifully lyrical and I'm pleased my initiation into this genre was a fully enjoyable experience.
Will I be reading The Library Trilogy, Book #2? Of course, and I recommend this one to all who enjoy this imaginative and adventurous genre, too!
3.75⭐rounded up!
Thank you to NetGalley, Ace, and Mark Lawrence for an ARC of this book. It has been an honor to give my honest and voluntary review.
January 16, 2023
Maybe there is a particular gravity about libraries that draws speculative fiction authors towards it. From the great library of the Unseen Academy, with its fearsome books and even more fearsome and athletic librarian, to Kvothe's Alma Mater and its mysterious four plate stone door fantasy libraries are places of magic and peril.
Lawrence has imagined a library to surpass all others - a repository for every record ever kept, from iron bound tomes of sailing adventures to knot curtains of unknown and unknowable cultures. We follow a twin tale of a young girl - a waif from the dust, brought to the city built on the library, and a young man trapped within one huge chamber within the library between tottering stacks of books.
I'll save a fuller review for a time nearer the book's release date (It'll be on the fantasy-hive), but those who describe this as Lawrence's best work yet were not wrong. Like the many shelves of the library it connects with the reader on multiple levels, laugh out loud moments mingled with sharp pithy insights that bring you up short and leaps of imagination and twists of plot that take your breath away.
In keeping with the nature of a book about books, every chapter begins with an epigram taken from different books - some fictional, some real - and in these there are plenty of Easter eggs for an aficionado to enjoy. But for now let me just share a few of the authors of these extracts to give you a flavour. There is M.P.Thon and J.R.Hartley and Josiah Maddie
And in Malar there is the ultimate grizzled veteran's grizzled veteran!
It was a delight to read with the action accelerating towards the end, the last 150 pages or so an ever faster switchback ride of twists, reveals and bloody action that leave you hungry for book two.
(fortunately book two and three are already written and safely on the publishing conveyor belt so one can safely dive into book one at the earliest opportunity)
Lawrence has imagined a library to surpass all others - a repository for every record ever kept, from iron bound tomes of sailing adventures to knot curtains of unknown and unknowable cultures. We follow a twin tale of a young girl - a waif from the dust, brought to the city built on the library, and a young man trapped within one huge chamber within the library between tottering stacks of books.
I'll save a fuller review for a time nearer the book's release date (It'll be on the fantasy-hive), but those who describe this as Lawrence's best work yet were not wrong. Like the many shelves of the library it connects with the reader on multiple levels, laugh out loud moments mingled with sharp pithy insights that bring you up short and leaps of imagination and twists of plot that take your breath away.
In keeping with the nature of a book about books, every chapter begins with an epigram taken from different books - some fictional, some real - and in these there are plenty of Easter eggs for an aficionado to enjoy. But for now let me just share a few of the authors of these extracts to give you a flavour. There is M.P.Thon and J.R.Hartley and Josiah Maddie
And in Malar there is the ultimate grizzled veteran's grizzled veteran!
It was a delight to read with the action accelerating towards the end, the last 150 pages or so an ever faster switchback ride of twists, reveals and bloody action that leave you hungry for book two.
(fortunately book two and three are already written and safely on the publishing conveyor belt so one can safely dive into book one at the earliest opportunity)
April 3, 2023
“We are the stories we tell to ourselves. Nothing more.�
For more than a decade, Mark Lawrence has written trilogies, short stories, and novellas set within the same universe. Although the stories took place across different timelines and planets, careful readers could find common ground linking them all. The more Mark published, the more tightly woven his books became, culminating in 2022’s The Girl in the Moon. There was a definitive message in Moon stating that it was the last story taking place in the shared universe, and it was time for something new.
Enter: The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
While I am a massive fan of Mark’s previous works, my anticipation level for a fresh start in a brand new setting was very high. I am pleased to say that my expectations for this story were exceeded. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is Lawrence at the top of his game, offering a twisty, surprising, and heartfelt story with inspiring characters and magnificent world-building. It concocts a heady brew of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery that makes each chapter feel fresh and unique.
One of the aspects that makes the book so successful is the number of topics it tackles so well. It is a love letter to the written word, but it also addresses interesting themes such as the evolution of language, the cyclical nature of history, racism, autonomy, misinformation, education, and community.
The prose was another highlight. Lawrence doesn’t waste a single sentence, utilizing economical yet descriptive language to develop his characters while building a vast and compelling world around them. Insightful and humorous epigraphs add color and enrich the themes presented in each chapter. There were personal touches throughout the book, with references to Lawrence’s own family members (including an infamous feline) as well as tributes to other authors, influences, and his own previous work.
“It’s always the books you don’t have that call to you, you know that. Not the ones already on your shelf. They can wait.�
I’ve avoided plot details in this review because I think it wise to go into this one completely blind. It is a complex and rewarding story, one of the best of Lawrence’s prolific career. If I had the sequel, I’d start it immediately. Don’t miss it.
For more than a decade, Mark Lawrence has written trilogies, short stories, and novellas set within the same universe. Although the stories took place across different timelines and planets, careful readers could find common ground linking them all. The more Mark published, the more tightly woven his books became, culminating in 2022’s The Girl in the Moon. There was a definitive message in Moon stating that it was the last story taking place in the shared universe, and it was time for something new.
Enter: The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.
While I am a massive fan of Mark’s previous works, my anticipation level for a fresh start in a brand new setting was very high. I am pleased to say that my expectations for this story were exceeded. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is Lawrence at the top of his game, offering a twisty, surprising, and heartfelt story with inspiring characters and magnificent world-building. It concocts a heady brew of science fiction, fantasy, and mystery that makes each chapter feel fresh and unique.
One of the aspects that makes the book so successful is the number of topics it tackles so well. It is a love letter to the written word, but it also addresses interesting themes such as the evolution of language, the cyclical nature of history, racism, autonomy, misinformation, education, and community.
The prose was another highlight. Lawrence doesn’t waste a single sentence, utilizing economical yet descriptive language to develop his characters while building a vast and compelling world around them. Insightful and humorous epigraphs add color and enrich the themes presented in each chapter. There were personal touches throughout the book, with references to Lawrence’s own family members (including an infamous feline) as well as tributes to other authors, influences, and his own previous work.
“It’s always the books you don’t have that call to you, you know that. Not the ones already on your shelf. They can wait.�
I’ve avoided plot details in this review because I think it wise to go into this one completely blind. It is a complex and rewarding story, one of the best of Lawrence’s prolific career. If I had the sequel, I’d start it immediately. Don’t miss it.
May 3, 2023
I am so sad :(
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn was supposed to be the book that would finally make me fall in love with Mark Lawrence’s work. I have previously read Prince of Fools and One Word Kill, and both of them were just okay, and I gave them 3 stars. However, when I heard about this book, it sounded like it would be right up my alley. To make matters worse, Mark Lawrence ensured I would get a physical arc to read and review. I REALLY wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
Let me start by saying that there are a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. The prose is beautiful and atmospheric, the concept of a “neverending� library is fascinating, and this book centres around BOOKS! How awesome is that?
Unfortunately, even though I enjoyed many elements in this book, this story ultimately never really captured my imagination. At the heart of this book is a big mystery, and as a reader, you will have many questions as you progress through this story. Therefore, if you find this mystery to be compelling and exciting, then it is very likely you will love this book. Unfortunately for me, this big mystery never made me excited.
In a lot of ways, this book made me sad. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn. should have been a new favourite of mine since it has beautiful prose, interesting fantastical elements and a story that centres around books. Ultimately, I have to conclude that this is not a bad book (it has received many glowing reviews) but is just a book that wasn’t a good fit for me as a reader. I am still hopeful that The Book of the Ancestor. will be a series I will enjoy, so I am not giving up on Lawrence just yet!
3 / 5
Thank you so much to Mark Lawrence and Harper Voyager for sending me a physical arc in exchange for an honest review..
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn was supposed to be the book that would finally make me fall in love with Mark Lawrence’s work. I have previously read Prince of Fools and One Word Kill, and both of them were just okay, and I gave them 3 stars. However, when I heard about this book, it sounded like it would be right up my alley. To make matters worse, Mark Lawrence ensured I would get a physical arc to read and review. I REALLY wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
Let me start by saying that there are a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. The prose is beautiful and atmospheric, the concept of a “neverending� library is fascinating, and this book centres around BOOKS! How awesome is that?
Unfortunately, even though I enjoyed many elements in this book, this story ultimately never really captured my imagination. At the heart of this book is a big mystery, and as a reader, you will have many questions as you progress through this story. Therefore, if you find this mystery to be compelling and exciting, then it is very likely you will love this book. Unfortunately for me, this big mystery never made me excited.
In a lot of ways, this book made me sad. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn. should have been a new favourite of mine since it has beautiful prose, interesting fantastical elements and a story that centres around books. Ultimately, I have to conclude that this is not a bad book (it has received many glowing reviews) but is just a book that wasn’t a good fit for me as a reader. I am still hopeful that The Book of the Ancestor. will be a series I will enjoy, so I am not giving up on Lawrence just yet!
3 / 5
Thank you so much to Mark Lawrence and Harper Voyager for sending me a physical arc in exchange for an honest review..
April 19, 2023
An extremely ambitious, tangled web of a novel that will keep you guessing til the final page.
Was a bit of a slow set up, but once we finally met the Library it became easily addictive.
The story tells of Livira, an orphan from the Dust (i.e a tiny town in the middle of a desert) kidnapped by 'Sabbers', who eventually winds up in the city (whose name I forget entirely) of The Library, and Evar, who lives confined to a chamber of The Library with only his three (once four) siblings and two helpers for company.
The story is set predominantly in The Library, which is essentially a world of its own. It's so big that no one actually knows how big, and its set into a mountain so its not like you can just measure it. It has chambers with locked doors and only houses ONE copy of each book. And the librarians are very precious about who accesses the library, its chambers and its books.
As mentioned, it's an incredibly ambitious novel. My first and only previous Mark Lawrence book was Prince of Thorns and I found it to be painfully terrible writing so I honestly wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this one. The story won me over pretty quickly, but I did lose respect for the author again when he quoted himself, not just once but TWICE. I found it unnecessary and arrogant, particularly as the book quotes that opened each chapter really didn't add all that much to the story.
I also find his writing style to be unnecessarily complex, with the personification of inanimate objects leading to some really confusing sentences. It's an obvious attempt to create poetic work, but instead of enhancing the story visually it just confuses. Same with some of the long monologues, particularly from Yute. The author is trying so hard to create quotable quotes that it comes across as pretentious. There are some deep themes here for sure, but we don't need it drilled into us with a thousand words when a mere handful will suffice.
Writing aside, though, this really is one hell of a story.
How can anyone complain about a story set in a library that is a world of its own? The scale is grand, and it's easy to get lost in dreams of wandering this mysterious library yourself. A magnificent, mysterious place with a rich history of secrets hiding between its walls.
Livira is a strong willed girl who refuses to stop asking questions; she's wild, reckless and fiercely loyal so it's honestly hard not to root for her. Her inevitable rise to a position of importance felt a bit rushed to me, but with the book already clocking in at over 500 pages I'm kinda glad that there wasn't more. I think I just would have preferred better character building in place of the long musings on history and war etc.
Evar's situation was most intriguing, and I wanted to solve the mystery of his world so bad. There were so many questions around him, his family, the mechanism, and especially the past. We got some answers, but book 2 is going to have a lot of work to do.
There were so many questions raised in this book that it was a miracle any of them got answered at all. It did feel all a bit rushed at the end, with so much information coming at once that I feel like so many questions slipped through the cracks. It's astonishing to me that a book this long still feels like it only just scratched the surface of this world. And the world so far is just a library. Yikes. I'll say it again: book 2 has its work cut out for it.
Beyond the first 100 or so pages, the pace really picks up and the jumping back and forth between Livira's and Evar's points of view will leave you spinning. There's plenty of tension and just SO. MANY. QUESTIONS that will leave you desperate to just read a few pages more. I found it almost impossible to put down at times, which is one of my favourite things about reading.
A truly brilliant, formidable novel. The writing took me out at times and I really wish the author wasn't quite so arrogant, but I have very few complaints about the story. This book transported me to this massive, fantastic Library, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
With thanks to Harper Collins for an ARC
Was a bit of a slow set up, but once we finally met the Library it became easily addictive.
The story tells of Livira, an orphan from the Dust (i.e a tiny town in the middle of a desert) kidnapped by 'Sabbers', who eventually winds up in the city (whose name I forget entirely) of The Library, and Evar, who lives confined to a chamber of The Library with only his three (once four) siblings and two helpers for company.
The story is set predominantly in The Library, which is essentially a world of its own. It's so big that no one actually knows how big, and its set into a mountain so its not like you can just measure it. It has chambers with locked doors and only houses ONE copy of each book. And the librarians are very precious about who accesses the library, its chambers and its books.
As mentioned, it's an incredibly ambitious novel. My first and only previous Mark Lawrence book was Prince of Thorns and I found it to be painfully terrible writing so I honestly wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this one. The story won me over pretty quickly, but I did lose respect for the author again when he quoted himself, not just once but TWICE. I found it unnecessary and arrogant, particularly as the book quotes that opened each chapter really didn't add all that much to the story.
I also find his writing style to be unnecessarily complex, with the personification of inanimate objects leading to some really confusing sentences. It's an obvious attempt to create poetic work, but instead of enhancing the story visually it just confuses. Same with some of the long monologues, particularly from Yute. The author is trying so hard to create quotable quotes that it comes across as pretentious. There are some deep themes here for sure, but we don't need it drilled into us with a thousand words when a mere handful will suffice.
Writing aside, though, this really is one hell of a story.
How can anyone complain about a story set in a library that is a world of its own? The scale is grand, and it's easy to get lost in dreams of wandering this mysterious library yourself. A magnificent, mysterious place with a rich history of secrets hiding between its walls.
Livira is a strong willed girl who refuses to stop asking questions; she's wild, reckless and fiercely loyal so it's honestly hard not to root for her. Her inevitable rise to a position of importance felt a bit rushed to me, but with the book already clocking in at over 500 pages I'm kinda glad that there wasn't more. I think I just would have preferred better character building in place of the long musings on history and war etc.
Evar's situation was most intriguing, and I wanted to solve the mystery of his world so bad. There were so many questions around him, his family, the mechanism, and especially the past. We got some answers, but book 2 is going to have a lot of work to do.
There were so many questions raised in this book that it was a miracle any of them got answered at all. It did feel all a bit rushed at the end, with so much information coming at once that I feel like so many questions slipped through the cracks. It's astonishing to me that a book this long still feels like it only just scratched the surface of this world. And the world so far is just a library. Yikes. I'll say it again: book 2 has its work cut out for it.
Beyond the first 100 or so pages, the pace really picks up and the jumping back and forth between Livira's and Evar's points of view will leave you spinning. There's plenty of tension and just SO. MANY. QUESTIONS that will leave you desperate to just read a few pages more. I found it almost impossible to put down at times, which is one of my favourite things about reading.
A truly brilliant, formidable novel. The writing took me out at times and I really wish the author wasn't quite so arrogant, but I have very few complaints about the story. This book transported me to this massive, fantastic Library, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.
With thanks to Harper Collins for an ARC
January 28, 2024
I...loved this?
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is epic fantasy disguised in a faux-leather cover. The setting is immaculate. The characters are wonderful. The twists (all twelve billion of them) are so well foreshadowed that they make perfect sense in hindsight. I absolutely devoured the back half of this book once the avalanche started.
As an author, I just want to say that Mark Lawrence is #goals. His prose is the perfect mix of readable, flowery, and quotable. I marked a few that stuck out to me.
Lastly, I'd be remiss not to mention that I make an appearance in this book. Mark joked one time that my name split in a different location would make a great character name. I wasn't aware before it was published that he was actually going to use it 😆
All in all, I thought this book was a wonder. Unique, epic, filled with action and philosophy, and brimming with mystery. Highly recommend!
The Book That Wouldn't Burn is epic fantasy disguised in a faux-leather cover. The setting is immaculate. The characters are wonderful. The twists (all twelve billion of them) are so well foreshadowed that they make perfect sense in hindsight. I absolutely devoured the back half of this book once the avalanche started.
As an author, I just want to say that Mark Lawrence is #goals. His prose is the perfect mix of readable, flowery, and quotable. I marked a few that stuck out to me.
Ultimately, we're all just spinning our wheels, seeking to avoid pain until the clock winds down and our time is spent. To give someone purpose is to free them, however briefly, from the spectre of that knowledge.
"We're all the story we tell about ourselves, silly." Another wave rocked them. "That's all anyone ever is—the story they tell, and the stories told about them."
Lastly, I'd be remiss not to mention that I make an appearance in this book. Mark joked one time that my name split in a different location would make a great character name. I wasn't aware before it was published that he was actually going to use it 😆
Zackar Gyle had been a librarian over a hundred years ago and had spent his life in search of one book said to contain the secret of eternal life...
All in all, I thought this book was a wonder. Unique, epic, filled with action and philosophy, and brimming with mystery. Highly recommend!
June 19, 2023
Livira is brains. Evar is muscle. But it’s Mark Lawrence’s book, so you can’t oversimplify it like that.
Sabbers had ravaged Livira’s desert village, but she survived. By sheer luck, she got a possibility to train at the expansive library in the city of Cragh. Livira’s IQ is off the charts, so she learns quicker than anyone else.
Meanwhile, Evar Eventari and his four siblings live in the library, affected by a mysterious Mechanism, capable of transforming books into tangible experiences. They’ve been trapped there for ages, untouched by time’s passage. Each of them gained valuable skills and knowledge from the books they entered, except for Evar. He only knows that something—or someone—is amiss, and so he embarks on a quest to find them.
The story is unique in its approach to romance and time; it spans years for Livira but only days for Evar. Their storylines revolve around each other but focus on many things. Maybe even too many? Anyway, the central theme of knowledge and its power to shape reality impressed me. I found Livira’s story more interesting than Evar’s but both are strong.
The issues I have with the story tie with its length and detailed world-building that slows the pace down and requires a lot of attention. It’s possible all of this will pay off in the sequels; However, I felt some parts simply dragged. The love story between the two is quite peculiar. They’re separated briefly after their first encounter, but it doesn’t stop them from getting deeply in love. Now, it’s not insta-love the way you suspect, but it felt abrupt.
That said, the story keeps personal stakes high and twists are coming left and right, keeping the suspense high. I’m not in love with this book, but I’m interested to see what happens after THIS ending.
Sabbers had ravaged Livira’s desert village, but she survived. By sheer luck, she got a possibility to train at the expansive library in the city of Cragh. Livira’s IQ is off the charts, so she learns quicker than anyone else.
Meanwhile, Evar Eventari and his four siblings live in the library, affected by a mysterious Mechanism, capable of transforming books into tangible experiences. They’ve been trapped there for ages, untouched by time’s passage. Each of them gained valuable skills and knowledge from the books they entered, except for Evar. He only knows that something—or someone—is amiss, and so he embarks on a quest to find them.
The story is unique in its approach to romance and time; it spans years for Livira but only days for Evar. Their storylines revolve around each other but focus on many things. Maybe even too many? Anyway, the central theme of knowledge and its power to shape reality impressed me. I found Livira’s story more interesting than Evar’s but both are strong.
The issues I have with the story tie with its length and detailed world-building that slows the pace down and requires a lot of attention. It’s possible all of this will pay off in the sequels; However, I felt some parts simply dragged. The love story between the two is quite peculiar. They’re separated briefly after their first encounter, but it doesn’t stop them from getting deeply in love. Now, it’s not insta-love the way you suspect, but it felt abrupt.
That said, the story keeps personal stakes high and twists are coming left and right, keeping the suspense high. I’m not in love with this book, but I’m interested to see what happens after THIS ending.
November 30, 2024
Mark Lawrence's THE BOOK THAT WOULDN'T BURN combines extraordinary imagination with the expert craftsmanship of a writer at the top of his game. The power inherent in the written word provides the magical spine to an epic tale exploring the joys and dangers of human discovery. I rate this as Lawrence's most accomplished book to date and, if you're familiar with his work, that's really saying something.
June 26, 2023
3.5 stars - The biggest issue I have with this one is the pacing and length. There is some great writing and worldbuilding in here, but it was hard for me to fully get in the flow with all the repetition, especially in the first half of the book. I think if you're more OK with that kind of pacing, this could be a bigger hit for you than for me
May 11, 2023
This was truly a brilliant read and I can’t recommended enough!
I’ve wanted to read something from Mark Lawrence for awhile but I wasn’t sure where was best to start. When I saw this book I was sure this would be a great choice! What could be better than a story about a library, knowledge and books?
I won’t enter into too much details to not spoil the book. This is a heartwarming story encompassing several very serious topics such as racism, misinformation, cyclical history theory, among others.
The writing was beautiful, the world building was original and the characters are interesting. I was absolutely drawn to the story and I can’t wait for the sequel.
I would like to thank HarpetCollins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve wanted to read something from Mark Lawrence for awhile but I wasn’t sure where was best to start. When I saw this book I was sure this would be a great choice! What could be better than a story about a library, knowledge and books?
I won’t enter into too much details to not spoil the book. This is a heartwarming story encompassing several very serious topics such as racism, misinformation, cyclical history theory, among others.
The writing was beautiful, the world building was original and the characters are interesting. I was absolutely drawn to the story and I can’t wait for the sequel.
I would like to thank HarpetCollins UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2023
The book That Wouldn't Burn tells the story of Livira and Evar. Livira is a young girl brought up in the Dust, however, her life forever changes when the settlement is attacked by Sabbers, and she finds herself taken to the City of Crath. Here, she becomes an apprentice to The Library. Evar has spent his entire life trapped within The Library with his brothers and sister, all of them raised by the Assistant and the Solider, mysterious entities of the Library. Across the span of time and space his path will cross with Livira's, and together the two will come to discover some of the Library's secrets.
The first in an expected trilogy, this book had me utterly captivated from start to finish. I'm not familiar with any of Lawrence's previous works, but if they're half as good as this, then I'll certainly check them out.
The world-building here was gorgeous, from the opening chapters set in the Dust, to the great City of Crath and of course The Library itself, Lawrence completely drew me into the world he has created inside the pages of this book.
The story is told from a dual perspective, with chapters that alternate between Livira and Evar, though Livira definitely gets the larger share and I could see why. Her story starts off with a bang, and we follow her on a longer journey than Evar, as she is first taken to Crath and then becomes a trainee of the Library and eventually a junior Librarian. Through the course of the story we follow her from childhood to adulthood, and whilst some of the time jumps could seem a little abrupt and jarring, overall I thought that Lawrence did a very good job portraying this transition, and her character maturing whilst still maintaining the essence that was very much her.
Indeed, Livira makes for a great heroine. Her character is inquisitive and like the weed she is named after, stubborn to a fault, such that whilst at times, particularly as a child, she could be a little annoying, her spirit was always admirable, and I loved her loyalty to all her friends.
Evar's perspective is a little slower to get going, the scope of his world limited as it is to a specific chamber in the Library. However, I was intrigued by his circumstances from the off. His part of the story raised a lot of questions, and I liked the sense of mystery and trying to slowly piece things together. Indeed, that is true of the whole book, in that even as you begin to understand certain things more, you find yourself asking more questions, and certainly The Library itself feels like one huge jigsaw.
I liked Evar as a character too, and thought his quieter and gentler nature balanced out well with Livira. He is very much the glue that binds his siblings together, and his compassion always shone through.
The book seems to build to the point where the two characters meet, and after that the sections that bring them together are always highlights. There is a romance that features between the two, and whilst at times I found it a bit insta-love, at the same time I thought that Lawrence kind of got away with it, due to the circumstances of the story, which I won't go into.
There are some great supporting characters here too, with special mention to Malar and Yute, though I also really liked Clovis and Starval, and Arpix. Also there are some great guardians of the Library, though I think the raven was my favorite. The Library looms as a character in its own right throughout, mysterious and intriguing.
The book explores some weighty themes, particularly around knowledge, which in the book is presented as the ultimate power, and explores how it can be a gift and a tool but also a dangerous weapon. This is shown in many ways, such as the war that rages within the Library itself, as represented by Irad, its creator, and his brother Jaspeth. These stories of the Library's creation have an almost biblical feel to them. Themes of misinformation are explored, as well as prejudice and xenophobia. I also liked the cyclical nature that is shown of societies rising to power through knowledge, only to eventually reach a point where they wield their own destruction. Perception also plays a big part in the story, and of course something that is clear from the very off is that this is a book that pays tribute to the power of story-telling, and in that sense is a true reader's book with lots of little nuggets and Easter eggs. I personally loved the nod to The Magician's Nephew.
The pacing of the story can at times seem a little odd, there are periods that are quite slow-going and can be a little repetitive, and then you get these action-packed sections, and the last part of the story is pretty non-stop.
I loved the twists in the story, and how the set up was there, and yet, for me at least, certain reveals took me by surprise and did actually blow me away. In that sense it is the sort of book that you almost immediately want to go back and re-read, with that new insight.
There is so much more I could say about the book, which is testament to just how much I enjoyed it, and how many layers there were to it. I'm intrigued to see where Lawrence takes the story and characters next. Overall, this was an immensely enjoyable and compelling read that was a mix of fantasy and science-fiction, and which read as very unique.
The first in an expected trilogy, this book had me utterly captivated from start to finish. I'm not familiar with any of Lawrence's previous works, but if they're half as good as this, then I'll certainly check them out.
The world-building here was gorgeous, from the opening chapters set in the Dust, to the great City of Crath and of course The Library itself, Lawrence completely drew me into the world he has created inside the pages of this book.
The story is told from a dual perspective, with chapters that alternate between Livira and Evar, though Livira definitely gets the larger share and I could see why. Her story starts off with a bang, and we follow her on a longer journey than Evar, as she is first taken to Crath and then becomes a trainee of the Library and eventually a junior Librarian. Through the course of the story we follow her from childhood to adulthood, and whilst some of the time jumps could seem a little abrupt and jarring, overall I thought that Lawrence did a very good job portraying this transition, and her character maturing whilst still maintaining the essence that was very much her.
Indeed, Livira makes for a great heroine. Her character is inquisitive and like the weed she is named after, stubborn to a fault, such that whilst at times, particularly as a child, she could be a little annoying, her spirit was always admirable, and I loved her loyalty to all her friends.
Evar's perspective is a little slower to get going, the scope of his world limited as it is to a specific chamber in the Library. However, I was intrigued by his circumstances from the off. His part of the story raised a lot of questions, and I liked the sense of mystery and trying to slowly piece things together. Indeed, that is true of the whole book, in that even as you begin to understand certain things more, you find yourself asking more questions, and certainly The Library itself feels like one huge jigsaw.
I liked Evar as a character too, and thought his quieter and gentler nature balanced out well with Livira. He is very much the glue that binds his siblings together, and his compassion always shone through.
The book seems to build to the point where the two characters meet, and after that the sections that bring them together are always highlights. There is a romance that features between the two, and whilst at times I found it a bit insta-love, at the same time I thought that Lawrence kind of got away with it, due to the circumstances of the story, which I won't go into.
There are some great supporting characters here too, with special mention to Malar and Yute, though I also really liked Clovis and Starval, and Arpix. Also there are some great guardians of the Library, though I think the raven was my favorite. The Library looms as a character in its own right throughout, mysterious and intriguing.
The book explores some weighty themes, particularly around knowledge, which in the book is presented as the ultimate power, and explores how it can be a gift and a tool but also a dangerous weapon. This is shown in many ways, such as the war that rages within the Library itself, as represented by Irad, its creator, and his brother Jaspeth. These stories of the Library's creation have an almost biblical feel to them. Themes of misinformation are explored, as well as prejudice and xenophobia. I also liked the cyclical nature that is shown of societies rising to power through knowledge, only to eventually reach a point where they wield their own destruction. Perception also plays a big part in the story, and of course something that is clear from the very off is that this is a book that pays tribute to the power of story-telling, and in that sense is a true reader's book with lots of little nuggets and Easter eggs. I personally loved the nod to The Magician's Nephew.
The pacing of the story can at times seem a little odd, there are periods that are quite slow-going and can be a little repetitive, and then you get these action-packed sections, and the last part of the story is pretty non-stop.
I loved the twists in the story, and how the set up was there, and yet, for me at least, certain reveals took me by surprise and did actually blow me away. In that sense it is the sort of book that you almost immediately want to go back and re-read, with that new insight.
There is so much more I could say about the book, which is testament to just how much I enjoyed it, and how many layers there were to it. I'm intrigued to see where Lawrence takes the story and characters next. Overall, this was an immensely enjoyable and compelling read that was a mix of fantasy and science-fiction, and which read as very unique.
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