I have had to put this down for a while as I was finding it a bit of a slog, not sure if it’s just the formatting of the book or the story itself. I’ll definitely be trying it again though as I have the locked library edition so maybe it needs to be read physically!

Honestly, I have no idea how to review this one lol. One thing for sure is that I enjoyed this far more than any of the entries in the Broken Empire trilogy! I throughly enjoyed the prose, characters, central mystery, and world. The allegory in this novel is very on the nose and sometimes a little muddy, however the central message of the story is one I share even if I don't necessarily believe the execution was the cleanest. The on the nose element also applies to the literary allusions spliced through the novel, here's looking at you 'Copper Davidfield' lol. However, recognising some of the references felt like answering a question at a pub quiz and were very entertaining. Hemingway and T.S. Eliot were my particular favourites.

Overall, I would recommend this to fans of slow-paced, mystery-focused fantasy fans! Also, whilst I guessed a lot in the plot of this book, one large thing snuck on me and I thought the foreshadowing of that was brilliant!

P.S. Thank you to Netgalley for providing an e-ARC all the way back before the book came out... that I didn't read... and then spent my own money a year later and read lol.

I think this is a case of 'it's not the book, it's me,' but I just really struggled to get into this book. The plot meandered a little for me, and I struggled to get invested it in, or any of the characters.

Thoroughly enjoyed this - was a very slow start and took awhile to get moving, but I was liked it. I enjoyed the world building, this is definitely worth checking out, and will read more in this series.

I'd heard so many things about the Mark Lawrence novels that I was incredibly excited to read the Book That wouldn't Burn. The world building was fantastic and I was thoroughly gripped. I now want to devour the Red Sister series in 2024!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review

“Without guilt we would all be monsters. And memory is the ink with which we list our crimes.”

I only do spoiler free reviews, and I genuinely believe this is a book that you do not want to know everything before you enter. Here are some take away bits from my journey with The Book That Wouldn't Burn.

In typical ML fashion we have some oustanding characters, an interesting story and world in this sci-fi/fantasy blend of beauitful, vivd and brutal story with a dash of mystery.

This is very different to what I have read from ML before, but this did not disappoint, I was concerned for a while I would not enjoy it, but it comes into its own.

The love story is interesting take I won't leave details here, but it is fascinating what ML has done with this, it is very different to anything I have read before.

I love how even though one of the characters is young, she is thrown into a world that makes her grow and develop, making choices that I didn't think she would, or even I would. I truly loved this part especially as sometimes young characters can can throw you off as a reader, but this does not happen with ML.

I loved the setup for this as the first in a trilogy and I look forward to the next one.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this stunning book.

Complex and intricate from the first page, in true Mark Lawrence style it does not shy away from violence or the sides of humanity we would rather hide. I've tried other books by Lawrence (The Broken Empire series) and they were not for me, but in this standalone the writing is stunning, lyrical and descriptive. I savoured the writing and enjoyed the slow pace to a degree. I found the setting unique, a never-ending library, and the characters wonderfully complex and flawed.

The book is split between Evar and Livira's perspectives, I enjoyed Liv's more as it was the more action filled and relatable of the two. However, Evar's perspective and world was an essential contrast to the familar.

Approximately 30% in Evar and Liv meet for the first time and the action begins to pick up but unfortunately hits a big lull in the middle. Despite enjoying the writing and the overall story, there wasn't enough plot to drive me forward and keep me coming back, until the final 100 pages or so and then it all comes together very beautifully, I didn't see the "reveal" coming at all!

It would be a 5 star read for me, only for that dip in the middle. Overall, this book will stay with me for a long time. It's a 4.5/5.

The story of Livira who lives out on the Dust ,reminded me a bit of Stat Wars and Luke Skywalker and sure enough there are sci fi elements within this world building. The story of Elvira's journey is exciting as we journey with her.

Evar works within the library in the settlement of Crath. The culture of this library is quite complex and it took me some time to understand all its different elements and complex systems. Themes to do with knowledge and power are reminiscent of Kuang's Babel, with of course resonances with the original Babel myth.

Elvira's journey at the outset also reminded me of Laini Taylor's Strange the Dreamer.

The pacing isn't always even and I did put down the book to read others, but was drawn back by the lure of the Library.

This is an ideal book for those who are bibliophiles who love books about libraries combined with fantasy and the sci fi elements.

Mark Lawrence's novel is not merely an intricate exploration of a fantastical realm but a profound meditation on the power of books to challenge biases, question norms, and illuminate the path toward societal transformation. It beckons readers to celebrate the magic of literature, champion the accessibility of knowledge, and recognise the intrinsic role of libraries in shaping a more enlightened world.

In essence, "The Book That Wouldn't Burn" stands as a beacon of creativity, embracing grand themes, and introducing readers to a magnificent Library that transcends the conventional realms of fantasy. With its expansive ideas, vibrant characters, and an ode to the significance of literature, this novel establishes itself as a compelling testament to the enduring magic of books. As the first instalment in The Library Trilogy, it leaves readers eagerly anticipating the revelations and adventures that lie ahead.

This is really a tale of two halves of the book.

The first 50% was really enjoyable, great characters and wonderful world building.

The second half of the book I felt tried to be too clever, complex, with time travel making it very difficult to follow.

This ended up being hard work.

My first book by the author and it certainly won’t be my last. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is every book lover’s dream with two intertwined storylines and characters that won’t let you go.

Loved everything about it and like that it cemented all readers’ love for books.

I enjoyed this book a lot, the two story lines where both interesting.
And I was invested in finding out how they would come together.
It is hard to write more without telling to much about the story, this is a book you need to experience yourself.

This was such a peculiar but wholesome read at the same time.

The story is about a girl, Livira Page that lives under rough conditions in the Dust, and when Dust gets attacked she’s been moved to Crath where she apprentices in the famous library.

Now, Evar Evantari is a boy that spent all his life in a chamber of an enormous library with only his adopted siblings and an android that’s the library assistant.

The two of them will meet and a journey of knowledge that knows no time will reveal many truths, lies, heartache and the meaning of life.

It’s very difficult to describe this book but the author is trying to show us how powerful knowledge can be and how wrong can go in the wrong hands. The many allegories in the book try to reflect that to real life which is the true value of the book.

Lastly, I really need to comment on the remarkable writing skills of Mark Lawrence! This was my first book of him and I will be looking to read more.

Reviewed by my co-blogger, Adam Weller, on Novel Notions

5/5 stars

“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.

Livira and Evar, two souls destined to meet in worlds so different. Welcome to their world of war, hatred and deception but above all a love that won’t give up.

A book that will take you on a ride through emotion, fantasy and hope. There are questions to be answered and Livira will find the truth.

An intriguing premise, but falters in its delivery. I found myself only enthused about 1 POV and throughly bored by the others. Very frustrating because I was excited to read this one.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

The book that wouldn’t burn is the first book by Mark Lawrence I have read. It follows two pov characters Livira, who named after a weed, survives in the harshest conditions, and Evar who we meet in the mysterious library where all knowledge can be found (sort of like the Library of Alexander.

Livira lives a quiet, uneventful life until her family is killed by Saber’s (dog-like enemies) and she and other children are taken as prisoners. She finds herself in the library and her life becomes inextricably intertwined with not only the library but also Evar.


I loved this book so much! The slow burn romance, the discourse about which stories survive and why and the importance of stories themselves. I’m really looking forward to the sequel when it is released.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc of this title in exchange for this honest review.

Sadly i DNFed this book, since i unfortunately hit a reading slump. What little i managed to read of it was great though, and I'll probably update this review once i get to reading the copy i have.

This is my first go at reading a Mark Lawrence novel and I sure as hell will be reading his other work. I love his writing style and the story he told was absolutely mind-blowing, leaving no room for boredom. I can't wait to see what ML brings us in the sequel.

Although I can see the appeal of this book, I do not feel like I was the intended audience. Fans of the author and his style will devour it though, I am sure, as the concept was a fantastic idea.