The Book That Wouldn't Burn

By: Mark Lawrence

Narrated by: Jessica Whittaker

Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

Two strangers find themselves connected by a vast and mysterious library containing many wonders and still more secrets, in this powerfully moving first book in a new series from the international bestselling author of Red Sister and Prince of Thorns.

The boy has lived his whole life trapped within a book-choked chamber older than empires and larger than cities.

The girl has been plucked from the outskirts of civilization to be trained as a librarian, studying the mysteries of the great library at the heart of her kingdom.

They were never supposed to meet. But in the library, they did.

Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.

©2023 Mark Lawrence (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“This tale of knowledge and its cost flies by thanks to the gripping mystery and beautiful worldbuilding...Readers will be desperate for more.”–Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A fantastic setting, a feisty heroine, and hints of a deeper mystery that calls to mind the depths of Frank Herbert's Dune and its intertwined cultural and religious issues."–Library Journal

"Lush and intricately plotted, this dense fantasy tale of an aspiring librarian from a village in a backwater known as the Dust and a boy who's lived his whole life trapped in a massive and ancient library is full of surprising twists and turns. With a plot that encompasses everything from romance and political intrigue to time travel and philosophy, this first installment in Mark Lawrence's new Library Trilogy is an often devastating story of the price we pay for knowledge."–Paste Magazine

Engaging and confusing

I wanted to like this book. There were parts of the story that soared. But much of it was confusing. The narrator was very good and kept me engaged.

Mark does it again!

Another win for Mark Lawrence. I've read (almost) all of his work so far and they've all been enjoyable. Some more than others, but I can't wait for the next entry in the Library Trilogy.

Amazing

Incredible story and narration. The plot is a master class in pacing. The supernatural elements remain consistent but mysterious. I have nothing bad to say about this book.

Loved it

Excellent story I really loved it will be reading the next one for sure wow

A book lovers book ;-)

This was a very entertaining and enjoyable deviation from my typical fantasy/scifi favorites. I loved it.

Loved it

This was a really great story. Original idea and great narration. I've already purchased the next in the series.

More twists that you can imagine

Just when I thought I had it figured out, there was another twist. Delightful wisdom and play off truth in a book that’s part history, part literature, part time travel in an upside down kind of way. Loved it!

Good entry into a new series

Good start for a new series from Lawrence. Book took a bit of time to get going but still a good and different book. Really enjoyed the idea behind it. Hopefully book 2 clears up some things.

Keeps the reader guessing

Many feel this is the best book that Mark Lawrence has written. While I enjoyed it, I wouldn't say I liked it as much as I enjoyed the Ancestor Series. The book is much slower-paced and much more introspective. The writing was excellent and entertaining, and the story and the world-building were detailed. The characters were interesting and the narration by Jessica Whittaker was outstanding.

There are lots of twists and turns and many surprises in this book. There were a number of times I was so surprised at a reveal that I went back to listen to the words again. Mark Lawrence definitely keeps readers on their toes. This is a book that the reader must pay close attention to, and not one that you can dose during. The story is told from the eyes of the two main characters, sometimes continuing the story, and sometimes retelling the previous events from a different perspective. I found that both challenging and interesting.

There are also aspects of the story's ending chapters that I am not sure I still fully comprehend. What was the importance of Malar not catching the escape that left the soldier? Why did Carlott jump into the water? Was it simply suicide to avoid being in the company of the enemy? I ended up listening to the ending two times trying to figure out if I had missed something. I have lots of questions and I find that this confusion detracted from my enjoyment of the book.

The pacing of the story starts off slow, but the last dozen chapters move at a rapid pace, so much so that I found the ending a bit abrupt. I would caution any listener of the audio version, and all readers that one must pay close attention to the story, or you will find yourselves lost. Looking forward to figuring out where the story is going.

A book for book lovers

So immersive and unique! I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to see what happens.