Returns

“Every book is full of death. Or full of endings at least. There's no turning back. No returning. You cannot read the same book twice. Each sentence runs on, growing, building in complexity until its terminal punctuation brings it to a final, inarguable halt. Each chapter is a little death, tension raised, peaked, and released. And before the back cover can be reached, the last page must be crossed. And whether in triumph or sorrow, the story is done.”

What a strong beginning to another wonderful installment in the The Library Trilogy

To be perfectly honest, I'm at a loss for words to describe this novella... This is just perfect, like everything Mark has written in this series. It is beautifully written, and though it revolves around difficult concepts, it ends up full circle, and few things are as satisfactory as this.

We read again about familiar and recurrent ideas book lovers all over the world have, and the magic that ties us together. Plus, some comforting thoughts that both break and heal my heart back together:
“I think if you wrote a story about your daughter, the life she might have lived, the wonders she saw, and the people who loved her ... I think that would be real too, and that somewhere her potential would play out just like that, and in a trillion other places it would flow down every other path she might have take – did take.”

This feels like such an ambitious project! If the story keeps going like this Mark will certainly end up as my favorite Fantasy author (alongside Sanderson, he's not going anywhere).

I just can't recommend this series enough!

Another couple of short story gems set in the world of The Library Trilogy and I loved them both! I don't want to give too much away, because I think the premise of both would be spoiled, but if you liked or loved the first book “The Book That Wouldn't Burn”, then you'll definitely love these two short stories as well. Familiar characters make appearances, all the feels will be felt (especially if you're a book nerd who loves stories that celebrate the power of stories and books) and a return to the world(s) Mark Lawrence created feels like a warm hug. Worthy of a read or reread and don't forget to check out the other short story Overdue too!