Our cast is separated between three portals all representing the potential fate of the library - destroy the library, free access to the library, a compromise.

<b>‘The accumulation of things as small as dust can build worlds, and the gathering of things as insubstantial as letters can build vast libraries . . . the mounting weight of the minuscule can break them too. Your contribution may have been small on the grand scale, tiny, but it was the last of many straws.’</b>

I think what made this book and book two so much weaker than book one was the majority of the time our characters are apart and trying to get back together so it feels like a constant game of catch.

This instalment was a lot more action-have y which meant we lost those slower character moments and philosophical introspection that made you go WOAH.

Saying that, I liked how Lawrence uses his books to study our own world. To ask difficult questions and use these characters not give a simple answer, not present a black or white.

<b>Arpix didn’t think he had ever hated before. It felt like sorrow, but with the knives turned in every direction, not merely inwards.
</b>
Overall, I still have The Book That Wouldn’t Burn as a favourite, but sadly the following two didn’t quite keep that tone or high.

Arc gifted by Harper Voyager.

A fitting and incredibly emotional finale to a mind-bending trilogy that has utterly captured my imagination.

I absolutely love Mark Lawrence's prose and the world he has created in this series is so unique, mysterious and exciting that it's impossible not to get swept up in the adventures of many wonderful characters. This third book in the series brings things to a close in magnificent style,.

There are some fantastic set pieces throughout, and the main character arcs allow further growth and development, with this the lynchpin of the series. The inclusion of our world was a surprise but incredibly well executed piece of writing, and it struck a very strong chord with me. I don't ever recall so few words about so many years being so impactful.

This was a joy to read, albeit a very moving and thought-provoking experience, and I can't give anything other than five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC of this wonderful novel.

This is the final book in the brilliantly unique library trilogy and it turned out to be my favourite. We go back to the world of Livira's library where she, Evar, Arpix, Yute and the Canith are battling across different worlds and possibilities. All Livira wants is to be reunited with Evar, I adored these characters so much and will miss them now the trilogy has come to an end. There's a new POV which I won't spoil, but the new characters perspective adds a new edge to the final part of this series. This is a book about books, power, kindness and the infinite possibility of who we choose to become. In the current political and social situations, this book was at times chilling and it almost seems like fate for it to come out when it is. There are so many deep themes explored within the novel and I don't think I've ever highlighted so many sections in a book as they resonated deeply. To call this series unforgettable seems like a cheap cliché but I honestly can't think of a better way to say how this series, the characters and the ending will stay with me for a lifetime.
Definitely my favourite book of the year so far. Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review.

This book held my heart, then stomped on it before holding it gently once more.

A satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

I loved the way this was written and how everything just pulled together. A great way to end the series and I absolutely recommend reading it.

Mark Lawrence has never been one to pull punches, and The Book That Held Her Heart might just deliver his most merciless finale yet. Everything that made The Library Trilogy special (an ambitious blend of mystery, adventure, and philosophical musing) collides violently, and with lots of powerful twists.

This time, the stakes are cataclysmic. The fate of the infinite library hangs by a thread, and Livira and Evar, once inseparable, are scattered across time. Livira is chasing answers through the labyrinthine past, while Evar is trapped in an impossible situation, kept alive through means best left unspoiled. Meanwhile, the war over the library rages on, with no simple resolutions is sight.

The Book That Held Her Heart feels darker and weightier that its predecessors. Not just in terms of stakes - though those are plenty brutal - but in its themes. The story brings in a new perspective through Anne Hoffman, a Jewish girl in Nazi Germany, tying the library’s war to the real-world horrors of book burning and historical erasure. It’s a bold move, and Lawrence makes it land. I feel the incorporation of real-world history into already mind-bending worldbuilding was a gamble, but it payed off. Ultimately, the story that has always been about books, memory, and the battle between knowledge and ignorance.

Despite the weighty themes (censorship, history’s cyclical nature, and the cost of knowledge) the novel never drags. Lawrence balances it all with his trademark wit and clever chapter epigraphs. The ending is powerful and I needed a moment to process it.

The Book That Held Her Heart is a stunning, gut-punch of a conclusion. It demands patience, rewards rereads, and cements Lawrence as one of the genre’s most daring storytellers. Just brace yourself—you won’t leave unscathed.

Love the way each chapter is from a different characters perspective and timeline but that all timelines merge into one. Really enjoyed reading this series.

This book has to average at a 2.5 because whilst there were moments I really enjoyed, I didn't enjoy a lot of this reading experience. One of my main problems with this conclusion is that I believe the cast and scope of this series grew outside of the bounds of a 375 page book. Characters are separated, certain cast go missing for large portions of the book, and a new perspective is introduced further spreading thin the time we have with each storyline. Secondly, I found a tonal whiplash between the writing style and the story being told. This book focuses on the cyclical nature of the rise of fascism, commenting on xenophobia, racism, and general othering, all while having a writing style that tried to mix humour and angst in that made the whole attempt feel juvenile to me. This is a shared feeling I've had from also reading the Broken Empire trilogy and confirmed my conclusion that Lawrence simply isn't the author for me. I think the new perspective was actually my favourite part of the book, which is ironic, and the central ending for our main characters was good; nevertheless, I found the book stunted by its length and the writing style employed by the author.

With no small amount of surprise and regret, I have to admit that this turned out to be the least impactful book of the series for me. It's so weird, for a final installment that has the resolution and a sizable chunk of heartbreak, to somehow just… miss the mark.

Analyzing it, I can't even say the resolution didn't make sense. It mostly did, and I think I'm even on board with the idea that knowledge should be preserved and at the same time disseminated more equally than in our characters' world of origin, and I'm not the kind of reader who believes in the necessity of plot armor, so no real complaints there. What didn't work for me was the plotline with Anne, the pacing closer to the end and the sort of descriptive way Lawrence chose to employ once the characters were reunited and the end was nigh. It read a little like an outline to a scene rather than a scene, and while it works in some books (say, Lawrence's own Emperor of Thorns), this one seemed more like a puzzling choice than one I appreciated.

As for Anne and the literal Nazis (1930s Germany basically or a parallel world close enough to it), I don't think it was badly written really: in fact, the creeping, advancing-a-little-every-day-until-all-hell-breaks-loose terror of it was very realistic, but throughout those chapters I just kept thinking how I wished that plotline wasn't there. Coming back to it at the end, making a full circle and illustrating a point, was not a surprising twist but again, not one that worked for me.

The best part of the book, in my opinion, was the interactions between Evar's oddball family (unhinged and endearing), the exploration of similar but slightly different worlds that basically showed how circumstances and choices shape us, and lovely Library guides that in this book got very little screen time but were a welcome addition to the cast.

Overall, definitely not my favorite of Lawrence's, but at the very least I'll be looking forward to his new stuff again. Thank you to NG and publisher for letting me read an ARC of this book.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I was really hoping that The Book That Held Her Heart would not only make up for the middle book slump but also deliver an ending I've been craving since I read the first book.

I don't want to discuss the story itself here at all because everything at this stage would be a spoiler so this review will be a little vague! I am sorry but if you wish to read this trilogy, you really want to jump in blind! Especially the first book!!

I somewhat understand the direction that Lawrence decided to take in the third book, but honestly, I just didn't like. Here, I said it. It breaks my heart but sadly, I didn't feel connected with this book and nearly DNFed it several times. The only thing that kept me going was the idea of an ending that would sort out all this mess. Which I guess it did. Did it satisfy me entirely? No, but it gave me some answers and a closure.

All in all, I still have very warm feelings towards the first book and would love to reread it some day. And perhaps then, I will be tempted to reread the other two books as well and see them from a different perspective.

I’m still trying to process everything I just read. The Book That Held Her Heart isn’t just a book—it’s an emotional experience. Mark Lawrence has absolutely outdone himself with this finale to The Library Trilogy. I’m not even sure how to explain how much I loved it without sounding completely unhinged, but here goes!

First off, the stakes in this book? Astronomical. Livira and Evar’s journey has been intense since the first book, but this? This felt like the ultimate test, not just for them but for literally everyone in the library and beyond. The way Lawrence takes their bond—stretched across time, space, and every impossible obstacle—and makes you feel every bit of their yearning and hope is just…chef’s kiss. I was rooting for them so hard, and the emotional payoff? And can we talk about Anne Hoffman? Like, wow. Dropping a storyline about a teenage girl in 1930s Germany into this cosmic, time-bending epic could have gone sideways, but nope—Lawrence made it work. Her chapters were so gripping and emotional that I was completely glued to the page. I wanted more of her, honestly. The parallels between her story and the library’s war against ignorance? Just brilliant.

The worldbuilding? Still incredible. The library is this endlessly fascinating place that feels alive—full of wonder, danger, and secrets that kept me on the edge of my seat. And the way Lawrence makes even the tiniest details feel meaningful? Like, I caught myself thinking about it long after I closed the book.

I’ll admit, the pacing slowed down a little in the middle, but honestly, I didn’t care because I was so obsessed with what was happening to everyone. The cast is huge, sure, but each character feels real, and I loved seeing how their stories came together (or fell apart—thanks for that, Mark). And the ending… I’m still crying. It was heartbreaking, bittersweet, and perfect all at once. Not everything wrapped up neatly, and that’s what made it feel so raw and real.

If you’ve read the first two books, you’re not ready for this finale. And if you haven’t started this series yet, What are you waiting for? Seriously, The Library Trilogy is unlike anything else I’ve ever read, and The Book That Held Her Heart is the perfect ending. Just be prepared to have your heart broken—and love every second of it.

The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence is a beautifully written, emotional journey through love, loss, and the healing power of books. The protagonist’s journey through grief and healing is deeply moving, with Lawrence’s lyrical prose adding an extra layer of depth to the narrative. This book gave the series a strong, beautiful end.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperVoyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an absolutely fantastic final installation of this trilogy. Mark Lawrence really has amazing talent and knows how to wrap up the series.

The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence is a breathtaking and emotionally resonant novel that beautifully blends fantasy, love, and the power of stories. At its core, this is a tale about the connection between a girl and a book—one that shapes her life in ways both magical and profound. Lawrence’s writing is as poetic as it is compelling, drawing readers into a world where words have the power to heal, transform, and endure.

The protagonist is wonderfully developed, her journey filled with longing, discovery, and heartache. Lawrence captures the intricacies of human emotion with stunning precision, making every moment feel deeply personal. The book within the book serves as both a mystery and a metaphor, unfolding alongside the protagonist’s own growth. The balance between fantasy and reality is seamless, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and unique.

Every page of The Book That Held Her Heart brims with beauty, from its lyrical prose to its poignant themes of love, loss, and destiny. The ending is as satisfying as it is bittersweet, leaving a lasting impression that lingers long after the final page. A perfect 5-star read—Lawrence has crafted something truly special, a love letter to storytelling itself.

The final volume in the The Library Trilogy, following THE BOOK THAT WOULDN'T BURN and THE BOOK THAT BROKE THE WORLD.Don’t you just want to grab this, switch off the phone and curl up on the sofa
By far one of my favourite books I've read this month… I

The Book That Held Her Heart is a fittingly ambitious conclusion to Mark Lawrence’s Library Trilogy, one that dares to tackle profound themes and intricate plots but doesn’t always succeed in balancing them. Even so, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

At its best, this book showcases Lawrence’s unparalleled ability to weave deep philosophical musings into the fabric of speculative fiction. The library—a repository of all human knowledge—remains as compelling as ever, a symbol of humanity’s brilliance and its flaws. The war between factions, each representing different ideals about the use and preservation of knowledge, provides a fascinating backdrop to Livira’s and Evar’s personal struggles.

Livira’s journey takes center stage, and while her grit and determination make her an admirable heroine, there are moments when her emotional arc feels overshadowed by the sprawling cast and complex narrative. Evar, too, suffers from this, as his journey—though poignant—sometimes feels like a subplot rather than a co-leading arc.

One of the most striking elements is the inclusion of Anne Hoffman’s perspective. Her story, set in pre-WWII Germany, is both haunting and illuminating, tying the library’s timeless conflict to real-world history. However, her brief appearances leave the reader yearning for more, as her chapters burn with a clarity and immediacy that outshine some of the other threads.

The pacing is a mixed bag, with stretches of the book feeling slow or overly detailed, especially as Lawrence juggles multiple timelines and perspectives. Yet, as always, he delivers an emotionally devastating and deeply satisfying conclusion. The final chapters are a masterclass in bittersweet storytelling, with no easy answers or neatly tied bows.

While not without its flaws, The Book That Held Her Heart cements The Library Trilogy as an ambitious and thought-provoking achievement. It’s a series that challenges the reader to think deeply about knowledge, love, and sacrifice, rewarding those willing to wade through its complexities with a tale that is as unforgettable as it is heartbreaking.

The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence is a masterpiece! I couldn't put it down for a second. I rated this book 5 stars because it's that good!

An extraordinarily monumental conclusion to the trilogy. In it, we see our protagonists continue to unravel the secrets of the library, and discover the humaneness in themselves. Friendship, love, and compassion eventually prevail, in a journey where enough becomes clear to the reader, though far from all. More than anything else, this book, and the trilogy overall, are an ode to the awesome power of books and knowledge, and the need to persevere in protecting them, despite the ill-use some people may put them to. It is also a timely reminder of these things, in an age of burgeoning populism (and even fascism), and a call to remember that books, even if sometimes are abused, hold the key to progress and betterment.

I absolutely loved the book. Though I can't claim I understood all of it, and it will definitely benefit from a re-read in the years to come, it was emotive, thrilling, energising, and thoughtprovoking. There is an immense pleasure in reading a storyteller at the height of his power - and this book brings this to life more than most. The author is a true intellectual powerhouse, preaching tolerance, learning, and love. I've rarely read books that brought together such complex philosophical arguments together with a speculative fiction plot, whose intricacies would not put to shame Vandermeer, Barker, or Di Filippo.

I recommend to anyone looking for more than the average read, and those who have the patience to consider a book and contemplate it beyond its surface. Such an effort will be well rewarded.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.