Very many thanks for the fascinating review, Philip. Hugely appreciated, as always!

I loved the first book. The second is on my shelf waiting to be read 😊

I'm so excited to read this new installment! Really enjoyed the first book but i have to wait as the second book is in Canada lol

I think I may start my Lawrence journey with these 2 books.

I agree on the information part, it actually got me thinking that the library's similar to the Internet in that regard. Having so much information at our fingertips hasn't really worked out that well for humanity as a species it seems. Great breakdown!

Wow, if you had told me the themes without the title, I would’ve guessed you were talking about the Edan Trilogy! I think it shows the connection you and Mark Lawrence share when it comes to the questions you two want to explore in fantasy. I am now a The Book That Wouldn’t Burn owner, and I’m looking forward to sharing your joy of this series someday. You’ve made me very excited to read it!

Finished The Book That Broke The World last week. Glad to see you enjoyed this one too. Agree with Livira being an incredibly compelling character. Having her and Malar interacting almost feels like Lawrence is taking a character from Book of the Ancestor and having them hang out with a character from Prince of Thorns. Also really liked Celcha's perspective. Really interesting choice to open up with the book with this new point-of-view. I think there was an epigraph in the first book that seems to mention a past society where Ganar and Skeer get along---I wonder if that will play into the third book at all.

I justtttt finished The Book That Wouldn't Burn. Fantastic read! Looking forward to book 2 esp after your review. Mark Lawrence is a consistent fav for me.

The Book That Wouldn't Burn was really great, but I have to say that The Book That Broke The World was even better. I read book 1 based on your recommendation, Philip, and I've been reading more from Mark Lawrence since and I've been very impressed. Thank you for introducing me to this wonderful series and this brilliant author!

Way to get my hype levels sky high...Mark Lawrence ability to consistently put out a book a year that are of such high quality is truly impressive

The book that wouldn’t burn was my favorite book of last year

That was a great review, so glad to hear you enjoyed it! 😊

There are so many different thematic aspects to this tale. I'm glad you did this review because I already forgot some of them, ha. Can't wait to talk about this one!

I really want to read this series! I've never read anything by Mark Lawrence 😅 thank you for this review!

Very happy to hear that this lived up to your expectations!! I want to reread book 1 before going into this one, but I am excited to get to it. Curious about that new POV, I am intrigued!

Great review, Philip! Like you I loved The Book That Wouldn't Burn. And yes, Livira!🥰 Mark Lawrence is one of those writers who can do it all -- great worldbuilding, great characters, great prose and those themes. Very much looking forward to returning to this world. Who might the wonderful people be that you will be discussing this with?🤔😊 I've heard rumours that you're having a herd of unicorns over. Better be stocking up on the hay bales then.😁

Book one was soooo goooood!

I've got to give you a huge thanks Philip! It was due to your recommendation that I had this trilogy on my radar in the first place. I finally managed to read The Book That Wouldn't Burn and have just finished The Book That Broke the World! This trilogy is just right up my alley and I'm sitting here in desperation for the final book. 😭

Great review, Philip! I didn't know this trilogy was so deeply thematic, you definitely piqued my interest! However, I may end up waiting for the third book to be out to read them. Thank you for sharing!

I'm friends with Mark Lawrence on Facebook :)

Philip, you are undoubtedly to blame for my urge to read Mark Lawrence. Would/could you recommend starting with the Library trilogy?

I live in Clovis 😀

Has he gotten better at ending his series? I loved the first 3 of his trilogies a lot, but it felt like he couldn't be bothered to write proper endings, which dropped my estimation of the series considerably. Kind of like the ending of Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy which was deeply unsatisfying.

same dress

While I loved the first book and it was my favorite read of last year, this one fell very flat for me. Too much info dumping and repetitive action, and I felt that the plot was kind of excursive. Everyone in my buddy read felt the same. Good ending and love the themes, though!