Reviews

The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence

Only show reviews with written explanations

coralie_michon's review against another edition

1.0

DNF at 40%

that’s a big no for me. characters were boring, the plot was inexistant, the worldbuilding was not well executed (even tho the book was JUST this)

i checked summaries on tiktok and wtf ???

only clicked on this link if you’re okay with being spoiled: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMMbE4ahH/

this was the video convincing me to not continue it… like wtf is that? the time traveling romance who borders between pedophelia and oedipus complex???

dembury's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This book is such a unique blend of fantasy with hearty veins of sci-fi; it has flavors of "The Magician's Nephew", the His Dark Materials trilogy, and something entirely it's own. I have to admit the final quarter-ish REALLY threw me for a loop and I'm still not entirely sure I understand a few of the things that happened? I do think part of this is Lawrence's prose (it's lovely but veryyyy cluttered/frantic at times) but also part of it is me simply trying to understand the whole portal/ghost situation as well as a couple other climactic moments. The last few chapters would have benefitted from another round of editing for clarity.
I do admit I think the twists were quite clever! There were little things I saw coming but largely the surprises were just that - total shocks that I did not see coming. Lawrence did a wonderful job combining familiar fantasy elements with new bends to the genre.

rpych2's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.5

kcausier's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

prof_chronotis's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

thijs_geluiden's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

utopiastateofmind's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.5

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

Okay so I was about 70% through when I started recommending this book to others. I was like, "so it's about this magical library..." This seems like a dream for me, except one person's paradise is another person's trap. What I appreciate is that Lawrence has committed to this idea of a timey wimey unending library. Told through the eyes of a few characters, The Book That Wouldn't Burn is about potential, cleverness, and the power of knowledge.