Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 17/01/2025
Published by: HarperVoyager
ISBN: B0BWZ21GT6
‘The Book That Wouldn’t Burn’ is beautifully written; however, its slow pacing turned what should have been an exciting adventure into a drawn-out tale.
Cover:
Writing:
Storyline:
Main character(s):
Secondary characters:
Romance:
Narration & Audio:
I picked this book solely because of its stunning cover and the hype surrounding it. In hindsight, I wish I had trusted my instincts, as that would have spared me from writing this disappointed review that essentially says, “It’s an impressive story, but ultimately not my cup of tea”. The audio experience was also slightly underwhelming, as Jessica Whittaker’s narration felt a bit monotone and captured only a little of the emotional tones in the story. It was still a great listen, though, as Whittaker’s narration sounded natural and enhanced the story’s atmosphere.
a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Mark Lawrence’s lush, flowery writing stood out as the highlight of this book, effortlessly bringing the story to life. Yet, despite the beautifully crafted prose, complex worldbuilding and cliffhanger chapter endings, I never felt deeply invested in the unfolding story or eager to continue reading. The rambling tangents and slow, whimsical pace squashed any flickers of interest or excitement I felt. The storyline, which is essentially overly elaborate worldbuilding, also did little to salvage my interest despite constant bursts of action and some shocking twists.
Livira and Evar are gradually introduced in the first third of the story through details of pivotal moments and relationships that define their characters and shape their journeys. However, the heavy character focus occasionally led to repeated information and contributed to the sluggish pace of the story. That said, Livira was a standout character from the very beginning. Her fierce, curious, and ambitious nature made her likeable and easy to root for, even when she made questionable decisions. Livira is also instrumental in driving the worldbuilding and key themes of knowledge and prejudice that add layers of depth to the story.
You take yourself with you wherever you go. Money can’t buy a new you.
In contrast, Evar felt less memorable to me. While his backstory and complex family dynamics seemed interesting, his character primarily served to propel the romance subplot, which fell flat. Their connection seemed underdeveloped due to the fleeting moments they spent together and Evar’s feelings before meeting Livira. The secondary characters were even more forgettable than Evar, as they generally came across as one-dimensional—only performing specific roles within the story. A notable exception was Malar, whose gruff exterior slowly peeled away to reveal a fiercely caring and endearing character.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Which aspect of the world did you find most fascinating?
The dust bears in the Dust settlement outside the city caught my attention early on. While the concept is not groundbreaking, it made the Dust seem like a much more exciting setting than the confines of the library, where most of the story takes place.
Q: Which reveal surprised you most?
I was shocked when Eva was revealed to be a sabber, but the real bombshell was discovering that Livira had been the assistant by his side all along. That twist carried a piercing emotional weight that caught me off guard, especially since I was not deeply invested in the story.
Q: If you had to pick one of Eva’s siblings’ gifts, which would you choose?
I would opt for Mayland’s expertise in history. Understanding the past can provide better insight into the present and shape the future, making it a valuable gift for navigating life. Plus, I’m not a fan of fighting, so Clovis’ and Starval’s skills are out, and I think Kerrol’s gift would lead to a lonely life.
Q: Can you recommend similar reads for those who enjoyed this book?
I suggest The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers and The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. In particular, The Starless Sea is another love letter to readers and features a mysterious book within a library as the story’s catalyst.
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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