Burn
Author: Patrick Ness
Published by: Walker Books
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback (Proof copy)
My Rating ★★★★
How does the world end?
It ends in fire.
A staggering new YA novel from the pen of the masterful Patrick Ness, Burn is set in an alternate 1950s America where dragons double as farmhands and sinister conspiracies have magical undercurrents.
From the author of the Chaos Walking trilogy comes a heart-stopping story or fanaticism, bravery and impossible second chances, set in a world on the brink of its own destruction.
My thoughts
This truly is a fire-breathing adventure. In Patrick Ness’s latest novel, dragons exist, in all their fire-breathing glory. Burn is a tricky book to review without giving away any spoilers, but I’ll try my best not to reveal too much.
The dragon, Kazimir, has more to him than meets the eye. Sarah can't help but be curious about him, an animal who supposedly doesn't have a soul but is seemingly intent on keeping her safe from the brutal attentions of Deputy Sheriff Emmett Kelby.
Kazimir knows something she doesn't. He has arrived at the farm because of a prophecy. A prophecy that involves a deadly assassin, a cult of dragon worshippers, two FBI agents - and somehow, Sarah Dewhurst herself.
I never quite know what to expect from a Patrick Ness book. I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about it. This one has some very unexpected twists and I'm not sure I’ve read anything quite like it before. It is strange, so strange. But honestly enthralling.
It took me back to my early teenage reading and felt like an ensemble book with three main storylines that all had some great characters. In part two the pace really picks up speed and we see the different storylines intertwine. The plot is really intriguing with fun twists and lots of unpredictable moments along the way.
I do feel the book could’ve benefited from a little more fleshing out. Perhaps more time to establish the world-building, more space for the characters to develop, and more room for the story to breathe and settle. I really enjoyed the first half but felt things moved so fast in the second part it was sometimes hard to keep up. The ending felt a little rushed and abrupt, but it is certainly a wild ride from start to finish that connects characters in unexpected and ultimately fulfilling ways.
Suffice to say this book is wild and wacky and quite the ride. If you like dragons, this one is for you. It’s thoroughly entertaining from start to finish and I really enjoyed taking part in the official read along hosted by Tandem Collective. Thanks to Walker books for gifting me an early proof copy of the book.
Overall reaction:
