Tag: mark lawrence

Book Review: The Book That Wouldn’t Burn – Mark Lawrence

Book Review: The Book That Wouldn’t Burn – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: The Library Trilogy #1
Release Date: May 1st 2023
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Pages: 566
Find it on: Goodreads. Waterstones.
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

A boy has lived his whole life trapped within a vast library, older than empires and larger than cities.

A girl has spent hers in a tiny settlement out on the Dust where nightmares stalk and no one goes.

The world has never even noticed them. That’s about to change.

Their stories spiral around each other, across worlds and time. This is a tale of truth and lies and hearts, and the blurring of one into another. A journey on which knowledge erodes certainty, and on which, though the pen may be mightier than the sword, blood will be spilled and cities burned.

Review

Mark Lawrence is one of my favourite authors so The Book That Wouldn’t Burn was one of my most anticipated releases for 2023. The story follows two characters – Livira, a young girl living in a remote village in the Dust. When her village is attacked, Livira finds herself rescued and taken to the city, where she is apprenticed to be a librarian. Evar has spent his entire life trapped in an ancient library. Searching for a way out, Evar knows there is a woman he must find, someone important to him. When Livira and Evar’s worlds collide, they will embark on an epic journey to save the ones they love.

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is probably my favourite Mark Lawrence book ever. This is such a compelling, intricately woven tale and from the get go I was completely hooked. The story is paced well – there is plenty of heart pounding action scenes but also plenty of time for the reader to understand the world and the vast and complex history of Crath City. I really enjoy Lawrence’s writing style, there are some really beautiful sentences in this story and plenty of moments that kept me thinking about this book long after I had put it down. The Book That Wouldn’t Burn kept me on the edge of my seat and I was always itching to return to this captivating story. Lawrence does a brilliant job of keeping the reader questioning what they know and going in directions you do not expect. If you’re someone who loves books about books, this is definitely one you don’t want to miss.

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn really feels like a fresh and unique story. There are so many fascinating things in this book – like the mechanism and the assistants that really captured my attention. Similarly, I completely fell in love with our two main protagonists. Livira is a young girl who dreams of bigger things, she’s full of questions and will stop at nothing to get those answers. She’s not afraid to break the rules and from the very first chapter, I was rooting for her. I also really liked Evar and the mystery surrounding him and his siblings. Lawrence does a brilliant job of developing the relationship between Livira and Evar and I can’t wait to see where things go in books two and three. There were also lots of secondary characters that I really adored, like Malar and Master Yute. Each character felt incredibly fleshed out and well developed.

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn is an unforgettable, beautifully told fantasy tale and if you’re looking for a book you won’t want to look away from, this one should definitely be on your reading list.

Blog Tour: The Girl and the Moon – Mark Lawrence

Blog Tour: The Girl and the Moon – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment


Series: Book of the Ice #3
Release Date: April 28th 2022
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 544
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

The fate of the world hangs from the Moon

The green world overwhelms all of Yaz’s expectations. Everything seems different but some things remain the same: her old enemies are still bent on her destruction.

The Corridor abounds with plenty and unsuspected danger. To stand a chance against the eyeless priest, Eular, and the god-like city-mind, Seus, Yaz will need to learn fast and make new friends.

The Convent of Sweet Mercy, like the Corridor itself, is packed with peril and opportunity. Yaz needs the nuns’ help – but first they want to execute her.

The fate of everyone squeezed between the Corridor’s vast walls, and ultimately the fate of those labouring to survive out on ice itself, hangs from the moon, and the battle to save the moon centres on the Ark of the Missing, buried beneath the emperor’s palace. Everyone wants Yaz to be the key that will open the Ark – the one the wise have sought for generations. But sometimes wanting isn’t enough.

Review

The Girl and the Moon is the third and final instalment in Lawrence’s unputdownable Book of the Ice series. Mark Lawrence is one of my favourite authors and The Girl and the Moon was one of my most anticipated releases of 2022. I absolutely loved every second of this story and it is without a doubt one of my favourite books of the year.

Picking up after the events of The Girl and the Mountain, the book is full to the brim with action and there were more than a few moments I was on the edge of my seat. I was hooked from the very beginning and I honestly had to force myself to put the book down. Lawrence has such a brilliant way of keeping the reader engaged and hungry for more. I’d be hard pushed to pick my favourite book in this trilogy because they have all been equally compelling.

Lawrence really does an excellent job of bringing everything together in this book and there were more than a few moments that I wasn’t expecting. I must admit that although I think the ending was brilliant, I’m sad to say goodbye to the incredible characters Lawrence has created. Yaz and her friends are so well crafted and I absolutely did not want to say goodbye to them. I won’t say much about the plot given this is the final instalment, but safe to say there is plenty to keep the reader hooked.

The Girl and the Moon is a rollercoaster of a book and one you do not want to miss. This is a multi-POV story and Lawrence manages to bring all the threads of their stories together seamlessly. Like all of Lawrence’s books the worldbuilding is excellent, the plot action-packed and the characters fascinating. If you haven’t yet had a chance to pick up this series (or any books by Mark Lawrence for that matter), I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Book Review: Dispel Illusion – Mark Lawrence

Book Review: Dispel Illusion – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment

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Series: Impossible Times (See reviews for One Word Kill & Limited Wish)
Release Date: November 14th 2019
Publisher: 47 North
Pages: 234
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I bought a copy of this from Book Depository
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Sometimes being wrong is the right answer.

Nick Hayes’s genius is in wringing out the universe’s secrets. It’s a talent that’s allowed him to carve paths through time. But the worst part is that he knows how his story will end. He’s seen it with his own eyes. And every year that passes, every breakthrough he makes, brings him a step closer. Mia’s accident is waiting for them both in 2011. If it happens then he’s out of choices.

Then a chance 1992 discovery reveals that this seeker of truth has been lying to himself. But why? It’s a question that haunts him for years. A straw he clings to as his long-awaited fate draws near.

Time travel turns out not to be the biggest problem Nick has to work on. He needs to find out how he can stay on his path but change the destination. Failure has never been an option, and neither has survival. But Nick’s hoping to roll the dice one more time. And this new truth begins with a lie.

Review

Copy of book cover - 2020-04-16T162339.436Dispel Illusion is the third and final book in Mark Lawrence’s Impossible Times trilogy. In this stunning conclusion Lawrence drops us straight back into the action – and this time the stakes are even higher. As each year passes, Nick knows how things are going to end for him. If Mia’s accident occurs in 2011 he will have to return to the past – but that might not be his biggest problem.

I honestly loved this book. It’s a clever tale that’s incredibly well executed. The story comes full circle as Nick discovers time travel and does everything he can to save Mia. For such a small book there is a lot going on in this action packed tale and I ended up staying up way past my bedtime because I just had to keep reading. I won’t say too much more about the plot because it’s the third in a series but Dispel Illusion is intense, gripping and difficult to put down.

In Dispel Illusion we continue to follow the same characters as One Word Kill and Dispel Illusion. The reader grows quite attached to Nick and the gang over the course of the three books and it’s fascinating seeing how their lives turn out after school and University. They are a fun cast of characters and I loved seeing them still playing Dungeons and Dragons all those years later. The story contains quite a few time jumps allowing us the chance to see how things have changed for the gang throughout their lives.

The Impossible Times trilogy is a brilliant read, full of mind boggling time travel and action packed drama. It’s also a story about friendship and I’m sad to be saying goodbye to such a wonderful cast of characters. Lawrence brings the story to a perfect conclusion and solidifies this series as one of my favourites. I adored every book in this series, and can’t recommend it highly enough.
5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday: The Girl and the Stars – Mark Lawrence

Waiting on Wednesday: The Girl and the Stars – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 1 Comment

July 23, 2019 (3)

Synopsis

In the ice, east of the Black Rock, there is a hole into which broken children are thrown.

On Abeth the vastness of the ice holds no room for individuals. Survival together is barely possible. No one survives alone.

To resist the cold, to endure the months of night when even the air itself begins to freeze, requires a special breed. Variation is dangerous, difference is fatal. And Yaz is not the same.

Yaz is torn from the only life she’s ever known, away from her family, from the boy she thought she would spend her days with, and has to carve out a new path for herself in a world whose existence she never suspected. A world full of difference and mystery and danger.

Yaz learns that Abeth is older and stranger than she had ever imagined. She learns that her weaknesses are another kind of strength. And she learns to challenge the cruel arithmetic of survival that has always governed her people.

Only when it’s darkest you can see the stars.

Thoughts

Copy of book cover - 2020-03-04T191405.408Mark Lawrence is one of my all time favourite authors so The Girl and the Stars is definitely one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. I don’t think I’ve ever given one of his books anything less than four stars so I have some really high expectations for this new book. The synopsis sounds so intriguing, Lawrence always creates really interesting magic systems and the icy setting of this story sounds brilliant. I really like the cover too and I’m so interested to see where Lawrence takes this all new series – I’m honestly still reeling from the Red Sister trilogy. If you haven’t had a chance to pick up any of his books yet I’d highly recommend them, he has a brilliant back catalogue of series for you to try. The Girl and the Stars is publishing April 30th 2020 from HarperVoyager.

Waiting on Wednesday: Dispel Illusion – Mark Lawrence

Waiting on Wednesday: Dispel Illusion – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

BOOK REVIEW - 2019-11-10T202848.375.png

Synopsis

Sometimes being wrong is the right answer.

Nick Hayes’s genius is in wringing out the universe’s secrets. It’s a talent that’s allowed him to carve paths through time. But the worst part is that he knows how his story will end. He’s seen it with his own eyes. And every year that passes, every breakthrough he makes, brings him a step closer. Mia’s accident is waiting for them both in 2011. If it happens then he’s out of choices.

Then a chance 1992 discovery reveals that this seeker of truth has been lying to himself. But why? It’s a question that haunts him for years. A straw he clings to as his long-awaited fate draws near.

Time travel turns out not to be the biggest problem Nick has to work on. He needs to find out how he can stay on his path but change the destination. Failure has never been an option, and neither has survival. But Nick’s hoping to roll the dice one more time. And this new truth begins with a lie.

Thoughts

Copy of book cover (86)Today’s waiting on Wednesday is for Dispel Illusion by Mark Lawrence. This is the third and final instalment in the Impossible Times trilogy, and I am honestly dying to read this so I can know how it all ends. This action packed series has had me on the edge of my seat quite a few times and I honestly have no idea what direction the final book is going to take. Lawrence has delivered some shock twists in this tale and I’m sure the final instalment will be just as brilliant. The story features a group of Dungeon’s and Dragons playing teenagers (think Stranger Things) as they end up on a crazy time travelling mission to save the world. It’s brilliant fun and the first two books have been quite short fast paced reads. If you haven’t had a chance to pick this series up yet, I’d highly recommend them, they’re definitely the kind of books you could curl up and binge read on a snowy weekend. Dispel Illusion is publishing in ebook on November 14th, and then later on in December in hardback. I was planning to wait on the hardback release to match my copies of One Word Kill and Limited Wish, but I’m not sure I can hold off that long!

Book Review: Limited Wish – Mark Lawrence

Book Review: Limited Wish – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 4 Comments

BOOK REVIEW - 2019-06-01T121645.462
Series: Impossible Times #2
Release Date: May 28th 2019
Publisher: 47 North
Pages: 222
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: The author kindly sent me a copy of this book to review.

Synopsis

One choice. Two possible timelines. And a world hanging in the balance.

It’s the summer of 1986 and reluctant prodigy Nick Hayes is a student at Cambridge University, working with world-renowned mathematician Professor Halligan. He just wants to be a regular student, but regular isn’t really an option for a boy-genius cancer survivor who’s already dabbled in time travel.

When he crosses paths with a mysterious yet curiously familiar girl, Nick discovers that creases have appeared in the fabric of time, and that he is at the centre of the disruption. Only Nick can resolve this time paradox before the damage becomes catastrophic for both him and the future of the world. Time is running out—literally.

Wrapped up with him in this potentially apocalyptic scenario are his ex-girlfriend, Mia, and fellow student Helen. Facing the world-ending chaos of a split in time, Nick must act fast and make the choice of a lifetime—or lifetimes.

Game on.

Review

41771517Limited Wish is the second instalment in the Impossible Times series. The first – One Word Kill was a completely addictive story and I couldn’t put it down. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy of Limited Wish and I picked it up straight away. After just a few pages I was completely sucked in again and this time the stakes are even higher.

Limited Wish picks up not long after the events of One Word Kill and drops us right into the action of Nick at Cambridge University. The story follows Nick as he attempts to figure out what’s causing the time echoes that are happening around him, and solve the problem of a paradox. The story is full to the brim with action, adventure and excitement.

Mark Lawrence has yet to write a book I haven’t completely loved and Limited Wish is definitely one of my favourites. I loved returning to the characters we met in the first book – Nick and his gang as they attempt to stop the bad guys, both in real life and in Dungeons and Dragons. There’s all brilliant characters but I particularly love Simon and Mia. It’s fascinating to see the characters grow, particularly after the events of the first book in the series.

The story is full of science, time travel and mathematics. It’s incredibly well plotted and feels realistic whilst also featuring future selves, time travel and a whizz kid mathematician. I loved the mix of science fiction with teenagers just trying to make it through a party and talk to girls. It was such an enjoyable read and I definitely didn’t want it to end.

Limited Wish is full of heart and you’ll definitely grow attached to the wonderful characters. The fast paced plot also kept me guessing and there were quite a few twists that I definitely wasn’t expecting. This is absolutely a new favourite and if you haven’t had the chance to pick the series up yet, now is the perfect time. Book three in the series Dispel Illusion is coming in November so you’ll definitely want to be all caught up by then – this series is one you don’t want to miss.
5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday: Limited Wish – Mark Lawrence

Waiting on Wednesday: Limited Wish – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

BOOK REVIEW - 2019-05-22T113556.295.png
Synopsis

One choice. Two possible timelines. And a world hanging in the balance.

It’s the summer of 1986 and reluctant prodigy Nick Hayes is a student at Cambridge University, working with world-renowned mathematician Professor Halligan. He just wants to be a regular student, but regular isn’t really an option for a boy-genius cancer survivor who’s already dabbled in time travel.

When he crosses paths with a mysterious yet curiously familiar girl, Nick discovers that creases have appeared in the fabric of time, and that he is at the centre of the disruption. Only Nick can resolve this time paradox before the damage becomes catastrophic for both him and the future of the world. Time is running out—literally.

Wrapped up with him in this potentially apocalyptic scenario are his ex-girlfriend, Mia, and fellow student Helen. Facing the world-ending chaos of a split in time, Nick must act fast and make the choice of a lifetime—or lifetimes.

Thoughts:

41771517Limited Wish is the second book in the Impossible Times series. The first book One Word Kill was a book I devoured a few months ago (you can read my full five star review here) I really loved it so I’ve been eagerly awaiting the next instalment in the series. The story is science fiction, blending time travel and alternate timelimes with 80s vibes and Dungeons and Dragons. It’s an exciting ride and lots of fun to read. Limited Wish appears to be continuing Nick’s story, but this time several years since the events of One Word Kill. This story is pretty fast paced and I’m so excited to find out what’s going to happen next. Despite being on the shorter side One Word Kill certainly packed a punch and I’m pretty sure Limited Wish will too. I also have to admit I’m kind of obsessed with the covers. If you haven’t had the chance to start the series yet, now is definitely the time as Limited Wish will be publishing in just a few weeks time – May 28th from 47 North.

Book Review: One Word Kill – Mark Lawrence

Book Review: One Word Kill – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 5 Comments

BOOK REVIEW - 2019-03-21T213135.133.pngSeries: Impossible Times #1
Release Date: May 1st 2019
Publisher: 47North
Pages: 260
Find it on: Goodreads. BookDepository. Waterstones.
Source: I received an E-ARC of this via Netgalley
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

In January 1986, fifteen-year-old boy-genius Nick Hayes discovers he’s dying. And it isn’t even the strangest thing to happen to him that week.

Nick and his Dungeons & Dragons-playing friends are used to living in their imaginations. But when a new girl, Mia, joins the group and reality becomes weirder than the fantasy world they visit in their weekly games, none of them are prepared for what comes next. A strange—yet curiously familiar—man is following Nick, with abilities that just shouldn’t exist. And this man bears a cryptic message: Mia’s in grave danger, though she doesn’t know it yet. She needs Nick’s help—now.

He finds himself in a race against time to unravel an impossible mystery and save the girl. And all that stands in his way is a probably terminal disease, a knife-wielding maniac and the laws of physics.

Challenge accepted.

Review

book cover - 2019-03-01T143051.847Mark Lawrence has once again made me completely fall in love with a wonderful cast of characters and an intensely gripping story. One Word Kill follows Nick – a mathematical genius who learns he’s dying of cancer. Nick and his friends play Dungeons and Dragons to escape this harsh reality but when a strange man begins following Nick and brings him some dire warnings, the gang’s real life becomes crazier than they ever thought possible.

This book is a wild ride. From the very first chapter I could feel myself getting absorbed in this story and I really grew attached to Nick, Mia and the gang. The characters are so well described and I loved watching the different dynamics as they interacted with each other and I really liked seeing how things changed with the introduction of Mia to the group. Lawrence seamlessly weaves science fiction elements with worries about being able to dance at parties and it made for a really fascinating story.

The story is full of plot twists and I definitely didn’t see some of them coming. One Word Kill is multi-layered, dealing not only with Nick’s cancer treatment and the mysterious stranger, but also a dash of romance and the secrets of Mia’s past. I felt like each part of the story blended incredibly well making for a fast paced and incredibly gripping plot.

Mark Lawrence is one of my favourite authors and One Word Kill definitely wasn’t a disappointment. The story flows so well that I found myself sitting down to read a few pages and still sitting a long time later because I just had to find out what was going to happen next. Compared with some of Lawrence’s other books this one is on the shorter side and it has definitely left me itching for more in this series. If you’re a fan of Stranger Things, time travel and a rag tag bunch of kids trying to save the world, One Word Kill should definitely be next on your purchase list.
5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday #7: Holy Sister – Mark Lawrence

Waiting on Wednesday #7: Holy Sister – Mark Lawrence

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 2 Comments

BOOK REVIEW (25)
Synopsis

They came against her as a child. Now they face the woman.

The ice is advancing, the Corridor narrowing, and the empire is under siege from the Scithrowl in the east and the Durns in the west. Everywhere, the emperor’s armies are in retreat.

Nona faces the final challenges that must be overcome if she is to become a full sister in the order of her choice. But it seems unlikely that Nona and her friends will have time to earn a nun’s habit before war is on their doorstep.

Even a warrior like Nona cannot hope to turn the tide of war.

The shiphearts offer strength that she might use to protect those she loves, but it’s a power that corrupts. A final battle is coming in which she will be torn between friends, unable to save them all. A battle in which her own demons will try to unmake her.

A battle in which hearts will be broken, lovers lost, thrones burned.

Thoughts

Untitled design (80)I am so excited for the release of Holy Sister in 2019. I’m a big fan of Mark Lawrence, he always creates these gorgeous worlds with plots that you absolutely cannot get enough of. I race through all of his books but I must say this series – The Book of the Ancestor is one of my favourites. I gave both books one and two five stars and I’m sure Holy Sister will be just as kick ass and intense. Nona is just a brilliant protagonist and I’m desperate to know what happens to her next. Whilst the covers are not really my favourite (I prefer the cover art for The Prince of Thorns), I’m so excited to add this book to my collection. Holy Sister is publishing April 4th 2019 from HarperVoyager UK.