Book Review:: The Burning Library | Gilly MacMillan

The Burning Library by Gilly MacMillan is a fast-paced academic thriller that stretches back through history and tangles into two rival secret societies that aren’t afraid of a little murder.

The Burning Library by Gilly MacMillan Book Cover

Anya is special. If she has the proper amount of time to study something, to really absorb it, then she can recall it perfectly…forever. She recognizes it as an unfair advantage, but she can’t help it, and cracks the translation of a prestigious text no one had been able to before. With job offers coming in from every direction, she chooses a highly coveted position at St. Andrews in the Institute of Manuscript Studies.

Usually they would court a new hire longer before introducing them to the Institute’s benefactor, but with a dead body washing ashore, time is not something they have a lot of. Pressure is high, and action is the only way to get things done. There is an ancient mystery two factions are in a race to solve, and they’ll each do anything to achieve it.

Anya is caught in the crosshairs of this mystery, which has surprising ties to her own personal history. Things start to hit the fan quickly after she starts her work, and suddenly, she trusts no one. She moved to St. Andrews with her long-time boyfriend, and he’s the only one who seems to have her safety as a priority.

I have to say, the boyfriend was one of my favorite parts of this book. For once, a supportive, concerned ally for our protagonist!

There are a lot of threads to follow in this novel, and as many POVs. It really kept up the pacing, and added a lot of tension seeing the objective through many sets of eyes.

I really enjoyed this book! There is so much to hold your interest, and a satisfying ending to conclude it all. And look at that cover!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Details

Title:: The Burning Library
Author:: Gilly MacMillan
Genre:: Academic Thriller
Publisher:: William Morrow
Length:: 304 pages
Audio Length:: 9h 53m
Audiobook Narrator:: Rose Robinson & Steph de Whalley
Published:: November 18th, 2025
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars