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seykv's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Book that Wouldn't Burn is the 10th Mark Lawrence book I have read. It is not my favorite. However, I am amazed that his writing style continues to develop and, in many ways, improve. His prose is as witty and lyrical as ever. His pacing is tighter despite its more extreme lack of chronology. His worldbuilding is more detailed, building upon his prior works while also distinguishing this world well enough to stand on its own.
The novel follows Livira and Evar, their strange timeline-spanning relationship, and the reality-defying library they inhabit. Livira and Evar are serviceable protagonists. Both are likeable and realistic. Lawrence has a knack for characterization. He understands how people can change in response to their environment. He can trace clear lines between the traits of a character and the events they have undergone. I think this is why he often features child protagonists, who are at an age when they are most malleable. His writing creates characters that are complex yet easy to understand and love. Livira and Evar are no exception.
I felt the true main character, however, was the library. This library is not normal. That is clear from the beginning. Many of its books are written by non-human hands, and none are placed on the shelves by living hands. Who created this library? Who maintains it? How do Livira and Evar fit within it? These questions are what pulled me through the book and led me to finish in 3 days.
I prefer the first half of the book, which focuses on teasing the book's mysteries. The driving force of this section is the characters' curiosity, which I felt myself. You spend most this time learning about the library alongside Livira and Evar. Simply watching them wander the shelves was a delight. You examine its infinite yet ever-unique chambers, its political and social situation, and its history. You explore nuanced themes--how people use knowledge for good and bad, how authorities manipulate knowledge, and how knowledge flows throughout civilizations.
I find the majority of my complaints in the second half Spoilerafter Livira and Evar meet as adults. The motivations of the characters inexplicably shift, and I found trouble relating to them.Spoiler Livira and Evar become infatuated. I find their romance unbelievable. They spend a few scenes and a few days together, and suddenly their relationship becomes the focal point of their lives and the plot. The pacing quickens. Mysteries are unraveled in rapid succession. I barely had enough time to wrap my head around one revelation before another was given, some of which answered questions I had not even asked.Spoiler(Livira is Evar's Assistant, Malar is the Soldier, Mayland works against the library, etc.) The emotional weight of each these beats is reduced. The novel begins to address the xenophobia introduced earlier. Unfortunately, I found its handling of this theme to be rather simple. Spoiler It boils down to Livira and Evar accepting that the other is not responsible for their species' actions. They repair their bond. However, the wider systems of xenophobia, which extend beyond individual relationships, go largely unmentioned. I wish these prejudices had been examined on a larger societal scale and not just a personal one, especially since they take such a spotlight in the latter chapters. However, the novel does provide thoughtful commentary on many other aspects of civilization, and this aspect may be further developed in later entries.
Just to be clear, I really enjoyed this book. There was never a moment I was bored. I love the setting, and I am invested in what happens to the world. I look forward to the 2nd novel!
The novel follows Livira and Evar, their strange timeline-spanning relationship, and the reality-defying library they inhabit. Livira and Evar are serviceable protagonists. Both are likeable and realistic. Lawrence has a knack for characterization. He understands how people can change in response to their environment. He can trace clear lines between the traits of a character and the events they have undergone. I think this is why he often features child protagonists, who are at an age when they are most malleable. His writing creates characters that are complex yet easy to understand and love. Livira and Evar are no exception.
I felt the true main character, however, was the library. This library is not normal. That is clear from the beginning. Many of its books are written by non-human hands, and none are placed on the shelves by living hands. Who created this library? Who maintains it? How do Livira and Evar fit within it? These questions are what pulled me through the book and led me to finish in 3 days.
I prefer the first half of the book, which focuses on teasing the book's mysteries. The driving force of this section is the characters' curiosity, which I felt myself. You spend most this time learning about the library alongside Livira and Evar. Simply watching them wander the shelves was a delight. You examine its infinite yet ever-unique chambers, its political and social situation, and its history. You explore nuanced themes--how people use knowledge for good and bad, how authorities manipulate knowledge, and how knowledge flows throughout civilizations.
I find the majority of my complaints in the second half Spoilerafter Livira and Evar meet as adults. The motivations of the characters inexplicably shift, and I found trouble relating to them.Spoiler Livira and Evar become infatuated. I find their romance unbelievable. They spend a few scenes and a few days together, and suddenly their relationship becomes the focal point of their lives and the plot. The pacing quickens. Mysteries are unraveled in rapid succession. I barely had enough time to wrap my head around one revelation before another was given, some of which answered questions I had not even asked.Spoiler(Livira is Evar's Assistant, Malar is the Soldier, Mayland works against the library, etc.) The emotional weight of each these beats is reduced. The novel begins to address the xenophobia introduced earlier. Unfortunately, I found its handling of this theme to be rather simple. Spoiler It boils down to Livira and Evar accepting that the other is not responsible for their species' actions. They repair their bond. However, the wider systems of xenophobia, which extend beyond individual relationships, go largely unmentioned. I wish these prejudices had been examined on a larger societal scale and not just a personal one, especially since they take such a spotlight in the latter chapters. However, the novel does provide thoughtful commentary on many other aspects of civilization, and this aspect may be further developed in later entries.
Just to be clear, I really enjoyed this book. There was never a moment I was bored. I love the setting, and I am invested in what happens to the world. I look forward to the 2nd novel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, and Xenophobia
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