Mark Lawrence completes “the Library Trilogy” with the third book, expanding the world beyond universes. He introduces the ability of his beloved characters to traverse not just the time continuum of the world he has spent two books creating, but also the ability to enter another universe that takes place in the past of our current world. He solidifies the ideas he’s established in the other two books in this story by showcasing the same conflicts with knowledge, wisdom and the availability of information regardless of worlds and species.

“There’s a difference between truth and information. Even correct information is not the same as truth – truth does not mislead – correct information bereft of context can be more dangerous than a lie.”

The Book That Held Her Heart adds on to the author’s continued messaging by highlighting human nature and how easily we stick to our own biases. Despite the truth captured in words, we are driven by our own egos and desires to be right based on our own personal beliefs. It is often difficult to sway from our inner dialogues and must consistently seek out truth rather than confirmation.

“I will acknowledge that words work better in the business of changing minds when they’re on the page of a book rather than on the tongue of someone with a contrary opinion. They need to be consumed in private and in the reader’s own time. But face to face? In the moment? No. Changing your mind feels like being defeated. It wounds the ego.”

“Opinions were never founded on words – they’re just the garnish added on for show. A display of plumage to attract those of a similar mind.”

Information shouldn’t be subjective to who is receiving it. All information should be available and not shaped around biases and specific groups of people. It shouldn’t be controlled to only tell one side, to only display knowledge that fits certain narratives. That, even despite humanity’s inevitable draw to information that only supports their biases, information should remain accessible for those willing to step outside of their own partiality.


“The library can make sure that nobody has a good excuse for forgetting what happens and striving to prevent repetition. But it cannot stop even that. People have to want to know. I wish I could tell you that free and easy access to information solves these problems – it doesn’t – people find their own wells of poison to drink.”

As Lawrence’s characters continue to navigate the library and its connection to worlds, a consistent message around learning from history and preventing repeated patterns is displayed. This is particularly relevant today, and I find any literature that connects our world problems within the context of the story completely immersive. Lawrence does a fantastic job with his chapter epigraphs and creative storytelling in connecting “The Library Trilogy” to our world.

“The alphabet of scars exists so that those lessons need not be carved into our flesh a second time.”

Though I loved the continued world-building, the introduction of traveling to new universes and Lawrence’s ability to bring weighty topics out in his storytelling, I did feel like this book missed some of the magic as seen in his two previous installments. Maybe this had to do with the introduction of new characters and POVs, or simply that this book didn’t take place in the library to the extent that the first two books did. Most of the book felt incredibly tense, and while I can appreciate the high stakes of the story, it made me miss some of the interactions between characters that were so nuanced previously. The ending, however, was beautifully poetic and I think fits the story so well. It did make up for some of the issues I had listed above, and overall, this trilogy remains one of my favourite stories I have read.

A huge thank you to Mark Lawrence and Netgalley for this ARC I received late last year. I’m excited for the rest of the world to receive this book on April 8th. I still think of this story, despite it being months since I finished, and feel like it is a world I will return to in the future.

“They hated because humans are tinder waiting for the flame. The chancellor had given them an excuse to hate, the relief of having someone to blame.”

“Perhaps, having taken on the skins of ogres all together rather than singularly would make it easier to shed them and walk away. A shared offence, owned by nobody.”

The final book in the trilogy! This one definitely was the slower one of the three books and honestly, I didn't like it sa much as I liked the other books. The book felt a bit all over the place and some of the plot points just felt a little lost to me. This one deals with a lot of heavy themes and is definitely a slower read.

Thank you for Berkley Publishing for the e-ARC!

A solid end to this wonderful trilogy from Mark Lawrence! It did take me a minute to fully jump back into this world and characters. Due to this, I found that I was a bit confused at the beginning chapters. The pacing of this one to be slower than the first two books in the series but it still had all the magical, vast world building, immersive story the first two gave me! This one deals with some heavy themes but Mark Lawrence handled them really well. Despite the slow start, I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up for this series in the end! 💖

Thank you for Berkley Publishing for the e-ARC!

Never expected 20th century Nazi occupied Europe to show up in a Mark Lawrence novel but it did and wow did it work. This book is heavy compared to the first two books. It deals with so major themes such as how knowledge can be a weapon and a curse. How without knowledge we are doomed to repeat the horrible atrocities of the past. How knowledge can also lead to enlightenment and bring those who were once enemies to peace. This was an amazing conclusion to a wonderful trilogy! My favorite book of the three!

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy of The Book That Held Her Heart by Mark Lawrence. Below is my honest review.

I've read quite a few of Lawrence's trilogies over the last few years, and let me tell you this: he's a master of trilogy plotting. This one is no exception, and might honestly be the best one he's written so far.

The characters are great, the settings are random and varied and could be any time and anywhere, and the twists just keep coming.

I don't want to spoil anything, but this one ties up the trilogy in a way that seems to fit the story, but not really what the reader expects. Not gonna lie, one thing definitely added some heartbreak for me.

All in all, 4.5 stars (because of that heartbreak, jeez Mark don't do this to me), rounded up.

I fell in love with this trilogy upon the first few chapters of the first book. Mark Lawerence does an artful job weaving together timelines and stories without you even realizing until there’s a reveal. I think I could read this series several times and find even more things to love. A few of the events of this book absolutely broke my heart and the key message felt very relevant to our current society. It was an absolute honor to read The Book That Held Her Heart (hint, it’s me, I’m the Her in the title because I love this trilogy so much, especially the final installment).

Thank you to Ace Pub, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy and free finished copy!

A fascinating trilogy...if maybe a bit of diminishing returns for me. I found the first book fascinating, eerie and captivating...if a bit long and with some real pacing issues. The second was better contained and had a solid story...but I hated one part of the story (and one character in particular) so much that it somewhat colored the end result. Here we have a happy medium in a lot of ways...and yet there was a part of the story (Anne's) that I both loved for what it taught the characters...but hated because it broke the immersion of the universe for me. I won't get into details (spoilers) but I'm not crazy about what Lawrence did with Anne's universe...even if that is something of his modus operandi with his books.

That said, I have to applaud the author for "sticking the landing." The ending seems real, earned and carries a message that I quite resonated with. This series is very much a love-letter to books, libraries, bookstores and the very idea of how knowledge can (and maybe should) be maintained and spread. I appreciated the lessons learned by all three "sides" of the library war and the ending that was achieved as a result. Everyone gets an ending, in their own ways and fashions and you end the series with a sense of real closure. I will think about this series quite a bit over the days/weeks/months/years to come - there's a lot here and I feel like maybe I even missed some of it. But this is a very solid series. Maybe not my favorite, but very very good. 4 stars.

Mark Lawrence achieves a photo finish with this book that completes his trilogy about a magical, world-defining library and the people and cultures whose lives have been impacted by its use and misuse over the ages. While I was a little confused and, frankly, pretty worried in the early parts of the book when the narrative seemed to start squaring up to take a big swing that I was unsure it could follow through on, I felt that the book handled the topics it dealt with pretty well. By the end of the book, I was happy with how everything had turned out and had a great time following the efforts of the series' heroes and villains as they tried to argue their positions over if the library should stand or be thrown down to make way for a better future.

I had a harder time with this one compared to the first two books. The pace was much slower, and it took me much too long to remember who is who, as this is a large cast of characters. (and I really should have reread the first two books before this one.) But you come to know all the characters throughout the series and appreciate where they’re coming from in this one. I also enjoyed the parallels into our own world.

Was this the conclusion I was hoping for? Not necessarily. But it was a satisfactory ending to a fantastic series on the whole.

Imagine diving into a world where books hold the power to shape reality, where time bends to the will of those who understand its secrets, and where love blooms amidst the chaos of conflicting factions. That's the mesmerizing tapestry Mark Lawrence weaves in "The Book That Held Her Heart," the grand finale to a trilogy that's as much a love letter to literature as it is a mind-bending fantasy epic.

Now, I'll be the first to admit - this isn't a book you can rush through. It's a feast for the imagination, best savored slowly, allowing each intricate layer of world-building to unfold in its own time. Lawrence's creation is a complex dance of time travel, diverse characters, and two opposing forces locked in a battle over the fate of a mysterious library. It's a heady mix that demands your full attention, but oh, how it rewards that attention!

At the heart of this sprawling narrative are Livira and Evar, whose love story unfolds with a poetic grace that had me utterly captivated. Their journey isn't just a romance; it's a testament to the power of connection in a world teetering on the brink of chaos. But what truly elevates this tale is the rich tapestry of secondary characters. Lawrence gives them room to breathe, to grow, to shine - each one playing a pivotal role in the grand design.

What struck me most profoundly was the underlying theme of history repeating itself. It's a message that resonates deeply, especially in our current times. This isn't just a book about books; it's an exploration of knowledge, of legacy, of the stories we tell and how they shape our world.

For those who revel in epic fantasy, who love to lose themselves in intricately crafted worlds and characters that feel as real as old friends, this trilogy is an absolute must-read.

Thank you to Ace and NetGalley for my free books.

Read If You Like:
- Fantasy with a literary twist
- Books about books
- Dual timelines
- Slow-burning romance
- Thought-provoking themes of memory and identity

In the final installment of the Library Trilogy, the vast and infinite Athenaeum remains at the heart of a story that spans centuries, lives, and the power of the written word. Livira and Evar, bound by fate and separated by forces beyond their control, must unravel the secrets hidden within the library’s endless halls. Meanwhile, a new perspective emerges—that of Anne Hoffman, a young Jewish girl in pre-war Germany—adding depth and historical weight to the novel’s exploration of storytelling, survival, and the ways books shape human experience.

The novel weaves an intricate narrative that balances heartache, mystery, and intellectual discovery. Lawrence’s signature prose is both elegant and immersive, crafting a world where knowledge is both a refuge and a battleground. The dual timelines create a compelling contrast, offering a mix of philosophical musings and emotional stakes. While the pacing at times slows to accommodate introspective moments, the novel’s payoff is both poignant and satisfying, delivering a conclusion that lingers long after the final page.

Thanks so much to Berkley for my gifted copy!

At first, I thought this conclusion suffered from too many POVs, and in some ways it did, however, it ultimately made the ending so much more powerful. Goodness, this book made me feel so much. A love letter to libraries, books, and those that adore them.

This was such an exciting conclusion to the series! I loved this series. Full of memorable characters. The author keeps getting better and better with each book release. I cannot wait until the authors next release!

Huge thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I’m going to start out by saying that even if Mark Lawrence plagiarized Biscuit Goes to the Farm, I would still buy and read it. (In truth, I’ve preordered my copy of The Book That Held Her Heart already.) That being said, I’m absolutely over the moon to read this early and plan on sharing my honest opinions of the third and final book.

First things first, if you’ve been sleeping on the quotes that start every chapter in this trilogy, shame on you. Go back, read them, and try not to giggle. Lawrence really pulled out the stops in this one, though. They are on a whole other level. (Including the stones to quote his own works, I do love an author with some swagger!)

You can feel yourself hurdling through the story portals to the end. Even in the chaos, small moments of joy and laughter are beautiful here. You see the threads being pulled closed, weaving their stories together, converging on significant points through the portals. In that last leg, we get to the inflection point, the climax of the library’s/Livira’s book.

No. Nonononononononono. Not… No. please no.

The end is beautiful. It’s perfect. And I did not have enough tissues at the ready. Damn you, Mark Lawrence. I can’t think of a better ending than this.

A brooding, self aware, and compelling wonderful conclusion to an excellent series. Bravo!
Livira and Evar are joined by a third character: Anne Hoffman — a Jewish girl living in prewar Germany.
Lawrence deals with some heavier themes in this book but does not let it bog down the general plot line and pace of the story. Be warned, the devastation will linger long after the final page has been turned.

This was a really well done conclusion to a beautiful trilogy. The world and the library has been so fascinating to read about, and I really loved the characters. As with the previous books, I spent a good chunk of this one mildly confused, but everything always weaves together into a bigger picture.

The Book That Held Her Heart is the epic conclusion to Mark Lawrence’s Library Trilogy. Livira and Evar, once bound by a mysterious, infinite library, are now separated across time and space. With war threatening to tear everything apart, Livira must reunite those she loves and fight for the fate of the library itself. Full of magic, mystery, and high stakes, this final chapter promises an unforgettable ending.

I received an electronic ARC from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Lawrence has crafted a powerful story arc that moves through the entire trilogy. All of the characters are included in book three and their lives weave together on many levels. He even adds a new character, Anne, who lives in our reality in Germany just prior to World War II. She brings a fresh perspective and statement to the lives of some other characters. The whole gook drives toward the final destruction of the library and how to channel the energy and magic from this. I feel that characters are more vulnerable in this volume and show more of themselves to readers. I would have loved a couple more chapters to wrap up the story but see why he chose to do so in one chapter that only alludes to most of the characters. I even understand the death of some of the main characters but it saddened me deeply.
It's easy to see parallels to our own world and to think about possibilities for change as happens in the story.

These books! I love this series- I highly recommend for an amazing plot and storyline. Really throughout and I love the characters!

La pièce maîtresse de la trilogie des bibliothèques est l'Athénée, une bibliothèque infiniment grande qui, selon la légende, a été conçue et construite par Irad, petit-fils de Caïn et arrière-petit-fils d'Adam et Ève. Irad est impliqué dans une bataille séculaire avec son frère, Jaspeth, qui jure de détruire la bibliothèque pour libérer l'humanité du joug de la mémoire et de l'influence corruptrice de la connaissance. La Bibliothèque devient un champ de bataille au sens propre et figuré dans cette guerre épique entre la connaissance et l'ignorance, une bataille qui a commencé entre Irad et Jaspeth mais qui se poursuit avec leurs mandataires à travers tous les âges et tous les pays.