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  • The Book That Wouldn’t Burn

  • The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, Book 1
  • By: Mark Lawrence
  • Narrated by: Jessica Whittaker
  • Length: 22 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (141 ratings)
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The Book That Wouldn’t Burn

By: Mark Lawrence
Narrated by: Jessica Whittaker
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Summary

All books, no matter their binding, will fall to dust. The stories they carry may last longer. They might outlive the paper, the library, even the language in which they were first written.

The greatest story can reach the stars . . .

This is the start of an incredible journey from the internationally bestselling author of Prince of Thorns, in which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned…

Evar has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities.

Livira has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes.

The world has never noticed them.

That’s about to change.

As their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time, each will unlock vast secrets about the world and themselves. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another.

©2023 Mark Lawrence (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

What listeners say about The Book That Wouldn’t Burn

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Having trouble with this one

I should preface by saying that I like all of the author's other work, in fact I pre-ordered this title when it was available.

And it's not for me, don't know what it is - finding it difficult to get through chapter one. It's slow (again for me) with a series of staged events, I'll hopefully revise and update this review if I can grind through a bit more and it picks up pace. For now, as said, not for me.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A book of wonder

Mark Lawrence's The Book that Wouldn't Burn, the first in his The Library Trilogy and narrated by the inestimable Jessica Whittaker, is a book of fabulous world building and fantastic time travelling.

The story follows Livira and Evar as they discover the library, each other and the world(s) they inhabit. Finding out their history is one of the themes which runs throughout the book, as is Livira's growing knowledge of the Library and its inhabitants.

Jessica Whittaker narrates very well, and you can imagine the places in your minds eye, due to her narration as well as Mark's fine prose.

If you're looking for a new book to listen to, look no further than this, you won't be disappointed.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Only 5 star book I’ve read this year

I loved this book SM. I’m going to buy the physical copy just so I can have it, I’m so upset that it came out this year, I have to wait sooo long for book two 😭

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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ohh my godddd!

I was absolutely captivated by this book! I found myself staying up later to listen to more of it. the story is so cleverly written. I think this may just be my new favourite book. my mind is left reeling at the concepts and ideas in the story.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic, can't wait for next one.

I loved this book from the start. the quotes from the books at the start of each page and their fiction authors made me chuckle.

The story is so rich, and the twists are unexpected. It hooks you and won't let go, even at the end.

I would recommend this book to everyone!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Devastated it's finished

Mark Lawrence has outdone himself. I always feel like he truly understands exactly what I need to read to be uplifted and brought down to earth. So inspiring. I've had a long term illness for 18 years and I feel he lives in my world. He finds adventure and meaning for me. I've properly got a lump in my throat on it ending. He reframes the heartache of living in this divided world. And makes me howl with laughter too. Cannot wait for the rest of this series. Thank you so much Mark Lawrence. Love how he gets quantum theory in here too. 👏 😍 ❤️

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

That was the best book I’ve listened to in a long time, and I’ve listened to/read a lot of books. What book lover doesn’t want to be drawn into a magical library crossing time, dimensions and space?
The book flicks between the narrative of the two main characters who’s tales draw together over the space of the book, intersecting at times before being torn apart again. There are more twists and turns in this book than I can count, some of which turn the plot entirely on its head. It keeps you guessing at the impossible nature of the library until the last page. The performance suits the story perfectly. Can’t wait for the next one.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A gripping listern

New to this author, I was impressed at how the book drew me in with its intricately described characters and world. I found myself listening every chance I had to reach the carefully constructed conclusion, just superb! Narration was expansive giving unique tones to each character bringing the story alive, a very comfortable listen. I hope they team up for book 2!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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New favourite of the year

Mark is an auto-buy author for myself and this book is in my top 3 all-time favourite fantasy books.

The dual POVs were so well done and the characters jump off the page to life in my head, the joys of being a visual reader.

Evar had been very young when had been trapped in the library megastructure and he had lived there his whole life, with his found family 3 brothers and a sister. Supervised by 2 of the library's many intriguing workers.

Livira was a young duster girl who lived far away from Crath City, which holds the library. Livira's small settlement was destroyed by Sabbers (meaning enemy). Sabbers are an interesting race and I will let you find out more about them from the book, so to keep the mystery.

Livira(10) journeys across the desert and finds her friends and herself in the city. She is met by a very old Librarian called Yute and put into the trainee library class.

Livira is highly intelligent with an eidetic memory and she has a thirst for knowledge and wants to know how all things work.

She has made some enemies over the years and they are always looking for ways to hinder her progress.

Livira and Evar meet when she is 11,15 and then 20 via time-traveling portals as they are searching the vast library in different time periods. The threads of the story were woven like a tapestry through Mark's amazing gift for prose. The descriptions make the story travel at a steady pace and the main characters make you want to find out more about them and the history of the library and the races of people in the land.

The races seem to be in an endless loop of fighting, winning,losing rinse and repeat. Why and can Livira and Evar break this loop?

Some of the other side characters weren’t fully fleshed out and I look forward to getting to know them as the series continues.

What is the significance of the library and its history? Can Livira and Evar break the endless loop of fighting between races? What will happen to Livira and Evar's relationship as they continue to search the library in different time periods?

There were some nods to old friends from previous trilogies, loved this and the quotes at the start of each chapter were a blink into what was to come.

Book 2 won't be out for a year but I dearly wish I could read it now.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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I had to RETURN it!!

Despite my initial enthusiasm fuelled by the plethora of positive reviews, I found myself struggling with this book. The pacing was sluggish, and I struggled to grasp the descriptions of certain creatures, despite usually having a vivid imagination. The depictions of the Library and the "Mechanism" were particularly confusing to me. I frequently found my attention wandering away from the story, leading to repeated restarts until frustration finally prompted me to abandon it altogether. I returned the title and I have never felt this strongly to do that before! Sorry Mark Lawrence but this is one series of books that I won't be sad to miss.

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