The Book That Broke the World

Drama, violence, epic conflict

This is a good sequel! I liked the way the author brought the readers up to date in the beginning of the book - ”so that characters don’t have to tell each other things they already know”. Appreciated!

First we are introduced to yet more new characters. I groaned a bit, didn’t we have enough characters in the first book? They are Celcha and Hellet, sister and brother who grow up in a slaves’ camp. They are digging at an ancient site… and find a chamber full of books. So they get to leave the slave compound and go to the great library in the city of Krath. Celcha and Hellet also happen to be members of yet another species. I wondered how their story tied in to all the other plot threads – it did show more eventually, in a tragic way.

I also got to follow my favourites from the first book. Livira, Evar and Arpix all have POV chapters. There are many adventures, a lot of action, another romance (instaluuuv, but it worked), tragic and epic reveals. This book is shorter than the first one, and it seemed to be bursting at the seams, the kitchen sink about to overflow. There was a bit too much drama towards the end as well. My complaint about the first book was that it was too long for the story it was telling. There is no satisfying me, is there? Lol. I still love the giant library and think that this universe is fascinating!

The themes here are very interesting and I liked how the author tackled them: knowledge vs wisdom, access to knowledge, colonialism and slavery, obsession with revenge and fear of ”the other”. I am looking forward to how everything will get resolved (or not). I really want to find out what will happen to everyone in book 3. Arpix had better get rescued!

And now for some quotes and details:

Just like in the first book, the chapter epigraphs are from books from parallel worlds. These are wonderfully meta: there is a quote from ”All Our Yesterdays: An Undertaker’s Guide” by C. Haron and something from ”Who Indexes the Indexers?” by M. L. K. Dewey.

”...with an implacable giant of steel, brass, and gold bearing down on him, it seemed like the best time for drama.”

”The scraps of leather around his feet were held together with dry sinews and optimism.”

”Arpix had run out of sensible threats.”

”I have a plan.” […] I brought my favourite human with me and he is very clever.” show less

I appreciate any author who adds a quick synopsis and/or character list to subsequent books in their series. Mr. Lawrence kindly includes such a list at the beginning of book two of The Library trilogy, THE BOOK THAT BROKE THE WORLD. It makes all the difference when starting the second book because the story opens at the exact point where book one closes.

Well, mostly. Because Mr. Lawrence did not think there were enough characters in book one, the beginning of THE BOOK THAT BROKE THE WORLD is an introduction to two new characters and one entirely new species. Their existence proves important as the story unfolds, but it does make a long character list even longer, which adds to the complexity of the story.

And THE BOOK THAT BROKE THE show more WORLD is complex. Whereas the first book bounced back and forth between Livira and Evar's worlds, the sequel adds Arpix's story as well. Keeping the various timelines straight gets overwhelming at times, but it is worth the effort. Eventually, the timelines merge into one, and the click of that final puzzle piece is so satisfying when it does. Suddenly, you can see the story in its entirety and get a feel for the overarching issue at stake in the trilogy.

THE BOOK THAT BROKE THE WORLD continues to build on the fascinating world of The Library to which we were first introduced in THE BOOK THAT WOULDN'T BURN. While it can be tricky at times, it remains a compelling story as the characters find themselves in a fight eons in the making, the fight for knowledge and access to it. show less

The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence is the second in a trilogy. As I mentioned in my review of the first book, this was the most fascinating, sometimes frustrating fiction I've read. The second book helped a bit with understanding how the various stories and timelines overlapped. The setting is in and around a large, ancient library where various entities are chasing and being chased through rooms and portals. If you asked me, I wouldn't be able to explain the plot but while I was immersed in the book, it seemed to make sense. The third one doesn't come out until next May so it will be interesting to see how much I remember.

First things first…. The Book That Broke the World is not intended to be read as a standalone. If you have not read the first title in this epic Library trilogy, The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, then I urge you to do so. You will not regret it. I rarely award 5 stars, but with that title author Mark Lawrence well and truly earned it.

So, what can I say about this second instalment without providing spoilers?

Lawrence’s characterisation is so deep and skilful that the events at the conclusion of Book 1 really tugged at our heartstrings… And, readers should be prepared for many more authentic and moving emotional journeys in The Book That Broke the World. But this time Book 1 leads Livira and Evar share the spotlight as we follow the show more plights of, and relationships amongst, characters that were once secondary along with some highly compelling new ones.

In this novel we learn about new species and broaden our understanding of the machinations of the city, The Library and the overarching historical timeline. The Book That Broke the World is thematically diverse and the page-turning and often edge-of your-seat action-packed storyline manages to tread some deeply philosophical territory. Riding alongside unquestionably well-intentioned characters facing impossible heart-wrenching choices evocatively demonstrates how infrequently choices in life are as black-and-white as we might want to believe. Continue reading: https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/2024/09/mark-lawrence-the-book-that-broke-t... show less

Suffers a few of the sequel problems, not least of which is the trope of two side characters almost immediately falling in love with each other when they meet at the beginning of the book. I am not a fan of the trope, but it ends up working, once you can get over the stretch of imagination you need to accept it. It devolves into loads of inner monologue toward the end before finally picking back up the pace in the finale. But, still an excellent sequel.

Wow! Mark Lawrence is such a great writer. The only bad thing I can say is that this book leads us with a cliffhanger to the next book.

This series is not like his other more action orientated books and has more themes and elements that make you think. The books in this series are ones I want to read again. I listened to them on audible while walking and that doesn't allow me to stop and just marvel at some amazing thought well articulated. There we so many quotes or excerpts I would love to copy out and save.

I would recommend all of his books, but be aware his others have more action.

Wow! Mark Lawrence is such a great writer. The only bad thing I can say is that this book leads us with a cliffhanger to the next book.

This series is not like his other more action orientated books and has more themes and elements that make you think. The books in this series are ones I want to read again. I listened to them on audible while walking and that doesn't allow me to stop and just marvel at some amazing thought well articulated. There we so many quotes or excerpts I would love to copy out and save.

I would recommend all of his books, but be aware his others have more action.