A fitting conclusion to a unique trilogy. Mark Lawrence is inventive and this was a thrilling read. Lawrence continues to excel in everything that he touches.

This book is hard to rate. It had too many confusing parts to be able to really enjoy it. I didn't like some of the more violent parts. They were hard to read. I kept waiting for a big plot twist that would explain everything, but it never really came. The first book of the series was the best, and the rest just couldn't live up to that one. Which is a shame, because I really like the characters. The ending was a bit of a disappointment for me. Overall I'd rate this book 2,5 stars.

New faces, new challenges, new endings. It's time for Livria the world-hopping librarian to close her story.

Something about the second and this instalment lost some of that charm I saw in the first book. I think it's that trade-off of depth and witty, occasionally heavy-handed philosophical musing for plot-forward, dizzying action from many more characters than before. Perhaps it's this expansion of POVs and plot scope that weathered the emotional intimacy and space to really steep in the pondering established in the first book. However, heart-clinching moments do pepper the narrative from all POVs, especially between Evar and Liviria, allowing the ending to land with decent weight instead of being hollow on arrival.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK (HarperFiction, HarperVoyager) for providing me with an e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded down.

The Book That Held Her Heart is much like the previous books, so if you liked those you will enjoy this. It's nice and fast paced throughout, but it did feel like much of the story was just characters getting to where they needed to be for the ending. Some of the messaging was also a bit heavy handed, especially in the second last scene. I hope the final version fixes all the missing/extra commas, because there was a lot.

The first two books were both five stars for me but due to these few flaws the third book didn't quite make it. Overall though this was a great end to an amazing trilogy. I'm still processing some of the things that happened, but I know I'm going to miss these characters. At some point I'd also like to reread all three books back to back because there were some details from the first two I'd forgotten. Thank you Mark Lawrence.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

This is an interesting feedback review, because I really love Mark Lawrence's worlds.
I absolutely devoured the Red Sister series, and have always been the first to grab a new book by him.
And this (mostly) is more of what I love:
A female protagonist, a gorgeous and well realised world with intriguing magic systems and a library!
I found the first book absolutely incredible. The second was pretty darn good.
This final book in the trilogy has not quite hit the mark for me.
I feel like there has been a loss of that instant and deep connection you get when you first start reading about Livira. Your place within the world is through Livira and reading about her, growing with her.
However in the third, there seems to be just too many characters, and time places, and settings, and with any story that jumps throughout time and space, being absolutely clear cut is so important.
I sadly have to say I did not finish at about 70%.
I think this is more my opinions on books rather than a complete negative view of this book itself, as it has all the classic Mark Lawrence that many people will love.
If you enjoyed the first one, or two, then absolutely pick this up.
If you found your interest waning after book two, maybe just go read book one again and enjoy Livira's trials becoming a librarian!

I had a good time reading the final book in this trilogy, but the second book is definitely my favorite. This third book is following the events of the second book and in its structure is quite similar to the second book as well. There are multiple points of view and I did appreciate that; and some new points of view were introduced. I also liked the writing and the atmosphere. I just did not connect with the characters very much.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The book had my jaw dropping on more than one occasion, perfect end to the whole series! I loved it so much I finished it in just 2 days.

Mark Lawrence’s The Book That Held Her Heart is a breath-taking and emotionally charged conclusion to a saga that blends the grandeur of an infinite library with the intimate struggles of love, loyalty, and the human spirit. This final chapter in the series is a masterful exploration of the power of stories, the bonds that define us, and the sacrifices required to shape destiny.

The story centres on Livira, a character whose journey has been defined by her connection to the Library—a vast, timeless repository of knowledge and secrets. As the secret war that underpins the Library reaches its climax, Livira finds herself at the heart of a conflict that threatens not only the Library but also the fragile ties that bind her to those she loves. The fate of this infinite realm hinges on a single book, one with the power to shatter the unbreakable. Yet, as Livira fights to unite her scattered allies and resolve the unresolvable, she must also confront the limits of her own heart and the bond she shares with Evar, a connection that has been stretched to its breaking point.

Lawrence’s writing is as poetic as it is profound, weaving together themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of stories. The Library itself is a character, its endless corridors and hidden truths serving as both a sanctuary and a battleground. The novel’s pacing is deliberate yet gripping, with each revelation adding depth to the narrative and raising the stakes for its characters. Livira’s journey is both epic and deeply personal, her struggles resonating with anyone who has ever fought for what they believe in.

The relationship between Livira and Evar is the emotional core of the story, their bond tested by time, distance, and the weight of their choices. Lawrence captures the complexity of their connection with nuance and tenderness, making their journey one that readers will invest in completely. The supporting cast, scattered across time and space, adds richness to the narrative, each character playing a vital role in the unfolding drama.

The Book That Held Her Heart is a story that challenges and rewards its readers, leaving them with a sense of awe and reflection. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring impact of the choices we make. Readers who enjoyed The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab or The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern will find The Book That Held Her Heart equally mesmerizing.

here we are on our last tour trough the Athenaeum.
while we revist known and loved character we are also introduced to new ones, who capture our attention and take us along for the ride.
a mix of real world and fantasy, the perfect ending to the trilogy. this book did everything i wanted it to.

The Book That Held Her Heart is the third and final installment in The Library Trilogy. This is the perfect conclusion to the story. I am truly amazed by Mark Lawrence's worldbuilding; it is complex and well written. As for the story, I expected to be devastated, but nothing could have prepared me for the ending. This book definitely held my heart as well. I absolutely love this trilogy and highly recommend it to every fantasy reader. Pick it up, you won’t regret it. Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll post my review closer to the publication date.

The first two books of this series were like something I've never read before and I loved them. Then Mark brings out the final book in the series and honestly it's his best yet. This book is beautiful. It's a love story but also a story which show you that there are so many different possibilities that exist and also at its core is a story about values.

Mark deftly touches on the real differences between the different races and how at our core it doesn't really matter what you like or where you come from you can still be who you want to be and love who you want. This book also shows you the power of words and how in one iteration of yourself in one timeline you may be a bad person who makes bad choices but in another you may make better choices.

He also shows you that you should've define a person by their choices they make.

So not only is this a great fantasy novel it's also a history and life lesson of sorts.

And if you're read the first two books will Livira get the happy ending? Well you're going to have to read the book to find out.

Honestly this book is beautiful and everyone should read it!

F*ck me, what a book. Its incredible. What with the current political landscape around the world, this feels like such an important, necessary book. Reminding us of the power of words and books. Reminding us that those who fear books and seek to ban them, should in fact be feared themselves. This is a powerful read that showcases Mark Lawrence at his very best. Its a remarkable ending to a remarkable trilogy, one that will stick with me for a long time

The final book in the Library Trilogy is here, and its bittersweet ending pretty much broke my heart.

The Library is dying, it's blood is leaking through infinite times and spaces, and it is leaving carnage in its wake. Livira, our heroine, is trying to find a way to heal the Library, as her book caused the damage. Plus, she needs to find Evar, the Canith who holds her heart, as the last she saw of him he was shot. But the whole group, those who want to save the library and those who want to destroy it, are scattered through time and other spaces. And no one is quite sure what to do.

As much as I loved the first two instalments of the trilogy, this one is simply amazing, and I love it so much more. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it broke my heart in a few instances too. I found myself marking passages in the book, and have done so far more in this book than any other. Plus the strong anti-fascist theme in the book was wonderful, it warmed my heart and once again reinforced my love for Mark Lawrence!

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.