matcha_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I dove head first into this book and was mesmerized by the story, the world, and the evocative descriptions. I love a slow burn, layered approach to building character relationships. And that's exactly what we get with Livira, Evar, and their respective friends and family. We follow them across time as they uncover the mysterious of the Library and what that knowledge yields. The themes of history repeats itself and how knowledge can be wielded as a tool really drive the plot. The world building was spectacular and magical, I felt like I was part of the world.
There were a few nods to pop-culture or our history ("we're not in kansas anymore" or the Raven's name) that pulled me out of the book, but didn't impede my enjoyment. However, some parts did get repetitive and not in a meaningful way. I don't think it's a stylistic choice because it's mostly world building elements or past events that get rephrased every so often.
I can't wait for the next book in April 2024!
There were a few nods to pop-culture or our history ("we're not in kansas anymore" or the Raven's name) that pulled me out of the book, but didn't impede my enjoyment. However, some parts did get repetitive and not in a meaningful way. I don't think it's a stylistic choice because it's mostly world building elements or past events that get rephrased every so often.
I can't wait for the next book in April 2024!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Grief, Classism, and Xenophobia
plume_de_renarde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
booksandteatime's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Genocide, Death of parent, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Gore, War, Xenophobia, Death, and Blood
maiadawn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow, just wow. To be completely honest, I didn't have a lot of hopes for this book. Mr. Lawrence's works and I have had a complicated relationship. While I have always liked his writing style I haven't enjoyed his characters as much. (Yep, totally a me issue, I get that!)
But, this book. Man oh man, I loved it! I loved all of the characters, the world-building, and even the setup for the next book! Livira and Evar are great characters, I really enjoyed both of their individual storylines and of course their slow-burn romance. I was rather proud of myself for having figured out one of the mysteries before it was revealed and it was just as heartbreaking as I knew it would be when the truth came out.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, and completely absorbed my attention. I can hardly wait for the next one!
But, this book. Man oh man, I loved it! I loved all of the characters, the world-building, and even the setup for the next book! Livira and Evar are great characters, I really enjoyed both of their individual storylines and of course their slow-burn romance. I was rather proud of myself for having figured out one of the mysteries before it was revealed and it was just as heartbreaking as I knew it would be when the truth came out.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, and completely absorbed my attention. I can hardly wait for the next one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, and War
seykv's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Book that Wouldn't Burn is the 10th Mark Lawrence book I have read. It is not my favorite. However, I am amazed that his writing style continues to develop and, in many ways, improve. His prose is as witty and lyrical as ever. His pacing is tighter despite its more extreme lack of chronology. His worldbuilding is more detailed, building upon his prior works while also distinguishing this world well enough to stand on its own.
The novel follows Livira and Evar, their strange timeline-spanning relationship, and the reality-defying library they inhabit. Livira and Evar are serviceable protagonists. Both are likeable and realistic. Lawrence has a knack for characterization. He understands how people can change in response to their environment. He can trace clear lines between the traits of a character and the events they have undergone. I think this is why he often features child protagonists, who are at an age when they are most malleable. His writing creates characters that are complex yet easy to understand and love. Livira and Evar are no exception.
I felt the true main character, however, was the library. This library is not normal. That is clear from the beginning. Many of its books are written by non-human hands, and none are placed on the shelves by living hands. Who created this library? Who maintains it? How do Livira and Evar fit within it? These questions are what pulled me through the book and led me to finish in 3 days.
I prefer the first half of the book, which focuses on teasing the book's mysteries. The driving force of this section is the characters' curiosity, which I felt myself. You spend most this time learning about the library alongside Livira and Evar. Simply watching them wander the shelves was a delight. You examine its infinite yet ever-unique chambers, its political and social situation, and its history. You explore nuanced themes--how people use knowledge for good and bad, how authorities manipulate knowledge, and how knowledge flows throughout civilizations.
I find the majority of my complaints in the second half Spoilerafter Livira and Evar meet as adults. The motivations of the characters inexplicably shift, and I found trouble relating to them.Spoiler Livira and Evar become infatuated. I find their romance unbelievable. They spend a few scenes and a few days together, and suddenly their relationship becomes the focal point of their lives and the plot. The pacing quickens. Mysteries are unraveled in rapid succession. I barely had enough time to wrap my head around one revelation before another was given, some of which answered questions I had not even asked.Spoiler(Livira is Evar's Assistant, Malar is the Soldier, Mayland works against the library, etc.) The emotional weight of each these beats is reduced. The novel begins to address the xenophobia introduced earlier. Unfortunately, I found its handling of this theme to be rather simple. Spoiler It boils down to Livira and Evar accepting that the other is not responsible for their species' actions. They repair their bond. However, the wider systems of xenophobia, which extend beyond individual relationships, go largely unmentioned. I wish these prejudices had been examined on a larger societal scale and not just a personal one, especially since they take such a spotlight in the latter chapters. However, the novel does provide thoughtful commentary on many other aspects of civilization, and this aspect may be further developed in later entries.
Just to be clear, I really enjoyed this book. There was never a moment I was bored. I love the setting, and I am invested in what happens to the world. I look forward to the 2nd novel!
The novel follows Livira and Evar, their strange timeline-spanning relationship, and the reality-defying library they inhabit. Livira and Evar are serviceable protagonists. Both are likeable and realistic. Lawrence has a knack for characterization. He understands how people can change in response to their environment. He can trace clear lines between the traits of a character and the events they have undergone. I think this is why he often features child protagonists, who are at an age when they are most malleable. His writing creates characters that are complex yet easy to understand and love. Livira and Evar are no exception.
I felt the true main character, however, was the library. This library is not normal. That is clear from the beginning. Many of its books are written by non-human hands, and none are placed on the shelves by living hands. Who created this library? Who maintains it? How do Livira and Evar fit within it? These questions are what pulled me through the book and led me to finish in 3 days.
I prefer the first half of the book, which focuses on teasing the book's mysteries. The driving force of this section is the characters' curiosity, which I felt myself. You spend most this time learning about the library alongside Livira and Evar. Simply watching them wander the shelves was a delight. You examine its infinite yet ever-unique chambers, its political and social situation, and its history. You explore nuanced themes--how people use knowledge for good and bad, how authorities manipulate knowledge, and how knowledge flows throughout civilizations.
I find the majority of my complaints in the second half Spoilerafter Livira and Evar meet as adults. The motivations of the characters inexplicably shift, and I found trouble relating to them.Spoiler Livira and Evar become infatuated. I find their romance unbelievable. They spend a few scenes and a few days together, and suddenly their relationship becomes the focal point of their lives and the plot. The pacing quickens. Mysteries are unraveled in rapid succession. I barely had enough time to wrap my head around one revelation before another was given, some of which answered questions I had not even asked.Spoiler(Livira is Evar's Assistant, Malar is the Soldier, Mayland works against the library, etc.) The emotional weight of each these beats is reduced. The novel begins to address the xenophobia introduced earlier. Unfortunately, I found its handling of this theme to be rather simple. Spoiler It boils down to Livira and Evar accepting that the other is not responsible for their species' actions. They repair their bond. However, the wider systems of xenophobia, which extend beyond individual relationships, go largely unmentioned. I wish these prejudices had been examined on a larger societal scale and not just a personal one, especially since they take such a spotlight in the latter chapters. However, the novel does provide thoughtful commentary on many other aspects of civilization, and this aspect may be further developed in later entries.
Just to be clear, I really enjoyed this book. There was never a moment I was bored. I love the setting, and I am invested in what happens to the world. I look forward to the 2nd novel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, and Xenophobia
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