onthesamepage's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book did not need to be 570+ pages long.
I've read from Mark Lawrence before, specifically Red Sister, and that's a series I fully intend to continue. I remember really enjoying his writing and the way the story developed, and went into this expecting to have a great time.
Sadly, I did not.
There is so much repetition in this book. I was willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt initially, hoping that, at some point, the repetition would be shown to have some mysterious purpose that I just couldn't grasp yet. But it serves none. Here's one example:
This book did not need to be 570+ pages long.
I've read from Mark Lawrence before, specifically Red Sister, and that's a series I fully intend to continue. I remember really enjoying his writing and the way the story developed, and went into this expecting to have a great time.
Sadly, I did not.
There is so much repetition in this book. I was willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt initially, hoping that, at some point, the repetition would be shown to have some mysterious purpose that I just couldn't grasp yet. But it serves none. Here's one example:
The days following the destruction of an Escape were the ones when another Escape was most likely to free itself from the Mechanism. The Soldier would stand guard.
One flip of the page later, this is followed by:
The destruction of one Escape often presaged the appearance of another, and this was the place they’d appear.
This is just one example, but it happened a lot. There are also multiple instances where we flash back to an earlier time just so we can see the exact details of how the characters came to be where they are, instead of just moving the story along. All this made the reading experience more tedious than it should have been. Because underneath all the repetition and needless meandering, there's a solid plot and a compelling mystery.
I always make it a point to mention both positive and negative things about a book in my 3 star reviews, but for the life of me I could barely think of anything positive to say aside from, "his writing is nice", and "the two main characters were interesting and I loved following Livira". And that says something when a book is this long, and the start of a series to boot. The thing is, I don't know if there's enough mystery or plot left for an entire trilogy. Sure, not everything gets explained to us, but by the end I felt like I had a solid grasp on how this world works and how things tie together, even though not everything is spelled out. One of the big themes is how history repeats itself. The story jumps around a couple of timelines, which means I already got a glimpse of the past. Sure, it doesn't fully explain how Evar came to be, but the seeds are there, and I don't know if I'm interested enough to read another 1000+ pages to finish the series. I'm not saying I know for sure that I'm right about everything in this world—I'm sure the author will add new elements that I haven't thought of yet. But as of the end of this book, I just don't see enough potential in the plot for an entire trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, Violence, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Classism
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
sidnilayne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book is a giant puzzle.
Super interesting concept, but I felt confused a lot of the time. I honestly think that’s the point though - for the reader to be confused, to learn as the characters do.
Even though I was confused, I was so drawn into the story. Livira and Evar are so interesting, and the scenes are so well depicted that it almost felt like I was a ghost in the room.
Super interesting concept, but I felt confused a lot of the time. I honestly think that’s the point though - for the reader to be confused, to learn as the characters do.
Even though I was confused, I was so drawn into the story. Livira and Evar are so interesting, and the scenes are so well depicted that it almost felt like I was a ghost in the room.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
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
curiosityp's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Having dipped into being a fantasy and science fiction reader over the decades, this book is so original that I find it's like nothing I've ever read before. The action and world-building are unique for me but the complex epic saga of book-related character development and journey does remind me of "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern. I don't often read books that are 500+ pages but this novel was so fascinating, absorbing, and at the end, suspenseful action. This book is emotional and reflective involving the themes of knowledge, power, race, and class divisions. The "to be continued" ending means I will be reading the next book in this series because I love the characters and want to see what happens next.
I am grateful to NetGalley for access to the ARC.
I am grateful to NetGalley for access to the ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Violence
Moderate: War, Grief, Classism, and Racism
Being the first book in the series, the world-building involves descriptions of racism, classism, violence and war. The ending is hopeful toward the rest of the series being about those themes changing.
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