Mark Lawrence was born in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, to British parents but moved to the UK at the age of one. After earning a PhD in mathematics at Imperial College London, he went back to the US to work on a variety of research projects, including the “Star Wars” missile-defense program. Since returning to the UK, he has worked mainly on image processing and decision/reasoning theory. He never had any ambition to be a writer, so he was very surprised when a half-hearted attempt to find an agent turned into a global publishing deal overnight. His first trilogy, The Broken Empire, has been universally acclaimed as a groundbreaking work of fantasy, and both Emperor of Thorns and The Liar’s Key have won the David Gemmell Legend Award for best fantasy novel. Mark is married, with four children, and lives in Bristol.
"Mark Lawrence strikes the perfect balance between intellect and
heart in this second volume of his Library Trilogy." -
Grimdark Magazine
Praise for The Book That Wouldn't Burn:
“The most tightly plotted novel I’ve ever had the pleasure of
reading…it’s truly magnificent.” – BookRiot
“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 (starred review)
"Gripping, earnest, and impeccably plotted." – Kirkus (starred
review)
"A fantastic setting, a feisty heroine, and hints of a deeper
mystery that calls to mind the depths of Frank
Herbert's Dune and its intertwined cultural and religious
issues." – Library Journal
"Lush and intricately plotted, this dense fantasy tale of an
aspiring librarian from a village in a backwater known as the Dust
and a boy who's lived his whole life trapped in a massive and
ancient library is full of surprising twists and turns. With a plot
that encompasses everything from romance and political intrigue to
time travel and philosophy, this first installment in Mark
Lawrence's new Library Trilogy is an often devastating story of the
price we pay for knowledge." – Paste Magazine
"Reading Mark Lawrence's latest novel, The Book that Wouldn't
Burn, feels like having your mind blown in slow motion." - Grimdark
Magazine
"This book is a tour-de-force that pushes the boundaries of the
genre, a true page turner and a must read for anyone who
appreciates great literature." - FanFi Addict
![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |