Mark Lawrence’s The Book That Broke The World, book 2 of The Library Trilogy (no spoilers)

[@marklawrence8418]

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

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Well, I feel that the thanking is my job because you have given us so many wonderful stories, and this one, I strongly suspect, will be my favorite thus far. Congratulations on this! I can’t wait (though I’ll have to) for book three!

[@Johanna_reads]

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!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Johanna! This is a story that tackles those themes in a way I’ve never seen before - I’m really looking forward to your eventual thoughts on it. Now back to The Judging Eye for me!

[@kirstendickinson1361]

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

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I hope you'll love book two as well!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

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!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Absolutely. There is no doubt that the library in this trilogy is an analogue in many ways to the internet, which has indeed proven that information (and disinformation) can be both useful and dangerous. Many thanks for watching!

[@Stillnothereanymore]

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.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I love your comment about a character from Book of the Ancestor and a character from Prince of Thorns -- well said!

[@maxt5319]

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!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I couldn't be happier that you're enjoying Lawrence's books! He's been a favorite of mine ever since I read The Broken Empire Trilogy in the years before I started a channel or even knew about BookTube. I think he deserves much more prominence as one of the greats of the modern fantasy genre.

[@maxt5319]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I have to say I agree! I read Prince of Thorns last month and felt stupid for having not read it sooner, it's exactly what I wanted in fantasy. I'm reading King of Thorns now and I can see how Lawrence's craft is improving in this next installment. Plus, he contributions to the indie scene in SPFBO should be praised much more as well.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@maxt5319 Yes, his support for indie authors is unparalleled!

[@Talking_Story]

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

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I would fully endorse that decision, John! I suspect these books will fire all sorts of thoughts in your brain!

[@thefantasythinker]

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!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I’m looking forward to it, Jarrod!

[@triciahon8043]

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.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, Tricia! It’s good to have it fresh for book two!

[@andrewhanson405]

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

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

A book every year is indeed impressive! Especially when he gives back so much to the community. I hope you’ll love the read, Andrew!

[@ThrivingWithKat]

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

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

The Library Trilogy would be a great place to start with Lawrence’s books. Cheers, Kat!

[@OverlyAverageBen]

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

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

My guess is you’ll love book two as well, Ben - as long as you can catch up with it in Canada!

[@GrapplingBook]

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

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Mine too! I hope you enjoyed or will enjoy the sequel if you read it!

[@MitrielFaywood]

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

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Thank you, Mitriel! It was such an amazing read!

[@esmayrosalyne]

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!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Rereading book one is actually a very good idea because of how intricate this story is. I hope you’ll love it, Esmay!

[@marianneguevara8279]

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. 😭

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! We are in the same boat, Marianne, but I guess we'll have to be patient. I just recorded a chat with two friends on The Library Trilogy -- should be out relatively soon. I would have invited you to participate too if I had known you were finishing up book two, but perhaps when we all finish book three, you'd like to join the group? All the best!

[@marianneguevara8279]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I'm looking forward to checking out your Library Trilogy chat video! Its very kind of you to include me in the discussion for the last one. I appreciate it very much! From now on to when the last book is released will be an excellent exercise in patience haha😅

[@DoUnicornsRead]

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.😁

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Ha ha! I thought unicorns liked cookies . . . Happy reading, Angela!

[@DoUnicornsRead]

@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Oh, you attended one of the how to be the perfect host for unicorns seminars. Excellent! But they also like something soft to lounge on while munching their cookies. Alternatively a nice shady meadow will do. Oh, and double chocolate chip is a favourite. 😁

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@DoUnicornsRead Ha ha! I’ll keep all that in mind!

[@GentleGiantJason]

Book one was soooo goooood!

[@Nasser851000]

I'm friends with Mark Lawrence on Facebook :)

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That is very cool! He is much more active on Facebook than most other authors, and it's a good way to be in touch with him.

[@liviajelliot]

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!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Whenever you might get to it, I hope you’ll enjoy The Library Trilogy, Livia! Cheers!

[@CodyvBooks]

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

[@maxt5319]

The Library trilogy is where I started with Mark Lawrence! Would highly recommend. I've since been reading the Broken Empire trilogy and the first book was great, book 2 is shaping up to be excellent as well.

[@Stillnothereanymore]

I also started with the Library trilogy and enjoyed it. I think Red Sister is another good starting point.

[@CodyvBooks]

That’s great to hear, thank you!

[@CodyvBooks]

Thanks for the advice!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

That is a crime to which I will happily plead guilty, Cody! 😁I completely agree with the comments already left here -- The Library Trilogy is an excellent starting point for Lawrence's books.

[@jimave]

I live in Clovis 😀

[@tc8404]

Do I have to have already read book 1 before reading 2nd?

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@tc8404 Definitely - It’s a trilogy that is all one story, so you’d want to start with The Book That Wouldn’t Burn. All the best!

[@tc8404]

@ ty very much, I’ll go get other one then for sure

[@tc8404]

@ ty very much, I’ll go get other one then for sure

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@tc8404 Happy reading!

[@tc8404]

@ Thank you Philip !

[@Heldarion]

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.

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

My take is that Lawrence and Abercrombie are unconventional in certain ways. This includes writing endings that might feel less satisfying and more provocative to a lot of people. I personally admire how they wrap up their stories because they keep me guessing, but I also know they are less likely to give me the satisfaction of a triumphant ending.

[@Heldarion]

​@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy That's fair enough, thanks for answering!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

@@Heldarion My pleasure!

[@anilmlalwani]

same dress

[@josephwilson-doan4163]

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!

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Sorry to hear it didn’t work for you, Joseph! If you read the final installment, I hope it will prove satisfying.

[@GentleGiantJason]

Book one was sooo gooood that book two almost had to be not as good. So I can understand that. I also had doubts before reading that it would fall short. But I enjoyed book two. Not nearly as much as book one but enjoyable. Sorry it did work for you 😢