Silent No More

The second installment of The Library Trilogy broke my heart, my mind, my soul. It’s an intellectual treatise on the power of story, it’s a rip-roaring, fast paced adventure, and it will blow. Your. Mind. 

I loved The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, but this second story is superior, in my humble estimation. The first book was almost exclusively set in a library, but this book expands on the world and introduced new concepts and themes to the world that fleshed it out, and built on the foundation the first book introduced. 

Livira is now a librarian in Crath. She beat the odds, beat her horrible upbringing, and fought her way to this acclaimed position. Evar and Livira search for each other, through worlds, through time, through heartbreak. 

We are introduced to new POV characters, my favorite being Celcha. New species are introduced with their own culture, language, ways of expressing themselves, lore, and individual stories that have led them to this point. Celcha reminded me of a little Ewok, although I’m not sure that’s what Lawrence was going for. I wanted to pick her up and squeeze her and hide her away from the cruelty of the world. But she holds her own without needing my help. 

I don’t want to give too much away, but my favorite aspect of this book was the time-hopping, and Lawrence, with his usual brilliance, does it in such a way that is new and unique yet clever and challenging. Or maybe my little brain just couldn’t handle the complexities of it. I got lost a few times, but I’m pretty sure the characters got lost too, so I was in good company. 

The characters grow and expand, the plot is smart and engaging, and of the course the writing is a masterclass. Lawrence has a way with words, no doubt about it. 

And the ending? I needed time, I’ll just say. Time to breath, time to cry, time to throw the book across the room, time to curse Lawrence and his sneaky ways, time to love the story so much I couldn’t pick up another book for a few days. 

Do it. Read it. Now. Also, Wentworth, I adore you.  

5/5 stars