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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
I really liked the first book in this series, but it took me too long to pick this one up. I needed a refresher on the world for sure. The world building is very complex, and the cast of characters only grew larger. It was hard to keep up with at times. Overall, I enjoyed myself. I will be reading the next book.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good escalation from book 1!
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Book That Broke the World was even better than the first in the series. I feel like I’ve gotten a better grasp of the world building and the flourishes that Mark Lawrence likes to take with his writing so it wasn’t as complicated and confusing as Book One.
There was also some great character growth throughout the story that added some great dimension. The characters are more deeply developed and I felt a stronger connection to them all. I loved the addition of more POVs than just Evar and Livira. Arpix and Celcha were both such different characters and gave great perspectives. The introduction of the ganar was also a wonderful choice. All the background characters were wonderful especially Clovis, Hellet and Wentworth. Wentworth is absolutely fantastic. Where can I get a Wentworth?
"There are two people I would go into the mechanism for," Evar said. "And both are you."
The time jumping was wild throughout the story but I was so impressed with how Lawrence brought everything together. The twists of how the timelines and actions were connecting to everything else was so masterfully pieced together. I didn’t see so much of it coming. I missed Evar and Livira being together but the budding relationship between Clovis and Arpix definitely made up for it. Lawrence is an absolutely creative writer, I haven’t seen such a complex world and plot built before and it has been such an absolute pleasure getting to experience The Library Trilogy.
There was also some great character growth throughout the story that added some great dimension. The characters are more deeply developed and I felt a stronger connection to them all. I loved the addition of more POVs than just Evar and Livira. Arpix and Celcha were both such different characters and gave great perspectives. The introduction of the ganar was also a wonderful choice. All the background characters were wonderful especially Clovis, Hellet and Wentworth. Wentworth is absolutely fantastic. Where can I get a Wentworth?
"There are two people I would go into the mechanism for," Evar said. "And both are you."
The time jumping was wild throughout the story but I was so impressed with how Lawrence brought everything together. The twists of how the timelines and actions were connecting to everything else was so masterfully pieced together. I didn’t see so much of it coming. I missed Evar and Livira being together but the budding relationship between Clovis and Arpix definitely made up for it. Lawrence is an absolutely creative writer, I haven’t seen such a complex world and plot built before and it has been such an absolute pleasure getting to experience The Library Trilogy.
DNF
My ereader says I’ve read 29% of the book, but the whole experience felt like a chore
My ereader says I’ve read 29% of the book, but the whole experience felt like a chore
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The first in this series definitely has to be read to understand this one. Livira and Evar, and the mechanics of how the library works make a lot more sense.
There is a lot of slow pacing and build up. Same as the first. For me, that worked better, having the knowledge given in the previous story. Then I struggled to sit through and connect with it. Here, wasn't a problem. I found the second book to be better than the first.
There are two main factions the book follows and switches perspective between. Celcha, a ganar, whom I believe is earlier in tine, and Arpix (human) and Evar (canith) who are 4 years beyond the last events of the end of the first book.
Celcha, despite my imagination never quite pinning down what she looked like, I liked the most. Her story is troubled, her rationale very understandable yet she was always still kind, for the most part. I felt for her more and more as her story progressed.
Arpix has done some growth since the last. Forced to be out of the library and in charge of some of his companions help him realize there are more important things than being right all the time. He is more compromising and willing to try new things. Evar joins with him in the search for Livira.
The story explores many different themes in the guise of adventure. Good vs Evil, who is responsible for atrocities committed amongst each other, societal collapse, love not only chosen, but between makeshift families and what that means. It is a very layered, complex story if you want it to be.
For a second, perfect. Continued from the first, and matched its tone, but had a story of its own to tell. Revealed more about the library as well. Then it set up for a sequel.
There is a lot of slow pacing and build up. Same as the first. For me, that worked better, having the knowledge given in the previous story. Then I struggled to sit through and connect with it. Here, wasn't a problem. I found the second book to be better than the first.
There are two main factions the book follows and switches perspective between. Celcha, a ganar, whom I believe is earlier in tine, and Arpix (human) and Evar (canith) who are 4 years beyond the last events of the end of the first book.
Celcha, despite my imagination never quite pinning down what she looked like, I liked the most. Her story is troubled, her rationale very understandable yet she was always still kind, for the most part. I felt for her more and more as her story progressed.
Arpix has done some growth since the last. Forced to be out of the library and in charge of some of his companions help him realize there are more important things than being right all the time. He is more compromising and willing to try new things. Evar joins with him in the search for Livira.
The story explores many different themes in the guise of adventure. Good vs Evil, who is responsible for atrocities committed amongst each other, societal collapse, love not only chosen, but between makeshift families and what that means. It is a very layered, complex story if you want it to be.
For a second, perfect. Continued from the first, and matched its tone, but had a story of its own to tell. Revealed more about the library as well. Then it set up for a sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief
Moderate: Slavery, Cannibalism
Minor: Racism, Blood, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is one of my all-time favourites
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No