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
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
erinpiac's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was so long but so good!! I listened to the audiobook version but definitely plan on buying a hard copy to reread at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
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
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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
The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence is a book that hooks you up and keeps you questing and querying until the end of the road, respectively until at least the end of the pages in the book and then some more as there are still some two more books to come in The Library trilogy.
We follow the story of two main characters, Livira and Evar. At the beginning, they seem to be unconnected, but then choices are made, things happen & places are found and one and one is put together.
This book is an absolutely amazing read. It talks about race and class and prejudice amongst many other things. But it is also about finding your place in the world, about learning and understanding and about personalities that are willing and capable to quest and ask uncomfortable questions and go the extra mile, rather than stay happy in a status quo.
This book also turns your understanding of time and space onto its head and then you will see where you come out in the end.
I absolutely recommend to read this book. Yes, it is that good.
For book lovers I would consider this to be a must read, because, honestly, who can resist this cover, first of all, and secondly, who can resist a really good story about books and a library with a cast of characters you start to care for so quickly and so entirely.
This review is based on the eARC I received from the publisher via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
We follow the story of two main characters, Livira and Evar. At the beginning, they seem to be unconnected, but then choices are made, things happen & places are found and one and one is put together.
This book is an absolutely amazing read. It talks about race and class and prejudice amongst many other things. But it is also about finding your place in the world, about learning and understanding and about personalities that are willing and capable to quest and ask uncomfortable questions and go the extra mile, rather than stay happy in a status quo.
This book also turns your understanding of time and space onto its head and then you will see where you come out in the end.
I absolutely recommend to read this book. Yes, it is that good.
For book lovers I would consider this to be a must read, because, honestly, who can resist this cover, first of all, and secondly, who can resist a really good story about books and a library with a cast of characters you start to care for so quickly and so entirely.
This review is based on the eARC I received from the publisher via Netgalley in return of an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, and Violence
sophieamreacher's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
This book made me feel stupid. I enjoyed the mystery and cycle of everything but the slow pace and philosophy was a bit beyond me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Blood, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Violence
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