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The Book That Wouldn’t Burn

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, Book 1

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The Book That Wouldn’t Burn

By: Mark Lawrence
Narrated by: Jessica Whittaker
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About this listen

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 new 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 Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Historical Fiction Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

Praise for Mark Lawrence

‘An excellent writer’
George R.R. Martin, #1 SUNDAY and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of GAME OF THRONES

‘Dark and relentless…A two in the morning page turner. Jaw-dropping’
Robin Hobb, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of THE ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE

‘Excellent – on par with George R.R. Martin’
Conn Iggulden, author of GENGHIS

‘Mark Lawrence gets better with every book. It has a drive to it, a pulse, a gearshift that kicks higher and higher.’
Fantasy Book Review

‘This tale of knowledge and its cost flies by thanks to the gripping mystery and beautiful worldbuilding…readers will be desperate for more.’
Publishers Weekly

‘Lawrence works with many threads here, but none feels misused or insufficiently explored. Rather, the author unspools them masterfully, leaving behind a tightly woven tapestry that readers will ache to see finished even if they can predict one or two of the tale’s myriad twists and turns. Gripping, earnest, and impeccably plotted.’
Kirkus
All stars
Most relevant
The prose of Mark Lawrence twists a tale of fate, spun with the desire for knowledge, freedom and love. Time is inevitable and it always reveals what the heart wants.

This book is a love letter to art of fiction and those whole love to read it, dream of it, and consume it.

Jessica Whittaker’s performance of both the spoken dialogue and the narrative segments are seamless. Her pacing is just right, leaving just enough time for me to follow along while conjuring mental images of the amazing world written by Lawrence.

If you’re a fan of his former book series’ then you’re going to love this.

An adventure of a future memories.

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I thought it took forever to build up in the story but that’s only because as the story unfolds, it gets more complex. Which is such a great story. The twists at the end were fantastic! Loved it.
Levira is a wonderful heroine and Ivar is such a gentle soul. Two lovely leads that you can’t help but love.
It does tend to get boring with Ivar at times, in contrast with Levira, but she has so much going in.
The narration was also great!

Would definitely recommend if you want a deeper story with character you want to fall in love with.

The plot! So interesting

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I struggled heavily with this book. I struggled through to the end which took me a couple of weeks and generally I’ll crack a book over in a few days. I just could not get my teeth into it,it was a great idea for a book and well put together the narrator was brilliant. It just didn’t rock my boat and I’m sorry to write this but I have to be honest

Seriously struggled

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Fantastic world building, Fantastic characters. This book keeps you guessing right up until it floods you with answers and twists, I had chills the entire third act. Doesn't bite off more than it can chew and delivers a memorable story that has stuck with me days after finishing.

Chills, literal chills.

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That was a masterful build-up… I really did not see that twist coming! Really enjoyable story, can’t wait to get stuck into book two.

Did not see that coming O_o

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The most I enjoyed about this book was the alternate points of view and as the story progressed it was gripping and held my attention. Twists and turns, more than the library had shelves.

Held me in it’s grasp.

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The first book in this series is almost like a trilogy in its own right. Definitely Lawrence’s best work to date.

Incredible!!!

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As with all Mark Lawrence books, this one was amazing. Couldn't recommend it more. I absolutely loved it.

Loved it

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The concepts of history and timelines are woven with interesting characters and unique storyline!.
Definitely unlike anything I've read before!

Even though I feel like I might need a 2nd listen through, I am definitely hooked for book 2!

Another clever storytelling piece

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This story took me on an amazing journey, beautifully written and so well read. Loved it !

Amazing journey

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