Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Review: Burning

BURNING
Danielle Rollins
Paranormal Young Adult
352 Pages
Bloomsbury Childrens
Available Now
Source: ARC from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
After three years in juvie, Angela Davis is just a few months shy of release, and she'll finally be free from the hole that is Brunesfield Correctional Facility. Then Jessica arrives. Only ten years old and under the highest security possible, this girl has to be dangerous, even if no one knows what she did to land in juvie. As strange things begin happening to Angela and her friends that can only be traced to the new girl's arrival, it becomes clear that Brunesfield is no longer safe. They must find a way to get out, but how can they save themselves when the world has forgotten them?

MY THOUGHTS
Burning is a quick and engaging read, the day to day life for Angela and her cellmates at Brunesfield drawing us in before the paranormal element even comes into play, thus forcing us to make the nearly impossible choice between getting some much needed sleep and staying up all night to see how everything plays out.

Despite the fact that Angela is one of the more serious offenders currently residing at Brunesfield, she's easy to root for from the beginning, and we quickly find ourselves counting down the days until her release right along with her. She's madly in love with her younger brother Charlie, living for the letters he sends even though her dyslexia keeps her from reading them herself, and is simply trying to keep her head down so her release date isn't pushed back once again. She's fiercely loyal to friends and cellmates Issie and Cara (and eventually Jessica), helping to to keep their spirits up by regaling them with stories late at night and managing to keep a level head on her shoulders even as the new doctor shows up and charms all the girls with promises too good to be true.

The mystery surrounding Jessica and the new doctor unfolds slowly, not so slowly as to be boring, but rather perfectly paced so we have plenty of time to question and wonder where we're being led. The only problems with this story arise in the final few chapters, loose ends everywhere left blowing madly in the breeze by the time we reach the last page to leave us with the kinds of questions that are more frustrating than delightfully intriguing. That being said however, though I haven't found any mention of this being the first in a series, it's entirely possible that is the case, and if so, the lingering questions make far more sense and undoubtedlyshift that sense of frustration to one of anticipation.

Rating:  I'm going to split my rating since it's unclear (to me) if this is going to be a series or not:)

If a standalone - 3/5
If book one in a series: 4/5


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This book was sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

21 comments:

  1. I haven't heard of this one, but it sounds interesting. I'm curious to find out what made Angela and Jessica land at Brunesfield.

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  2. I hope it will be a series and you will have more answers. I didn't know about this one but the idea is different and I confess that it's intriguing. I'll wait to see if it's part of a series

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  3. Nothing is worst than not knowing if a book will be a standalone or trilogy. This one sounds good though, I was a bit uneasy about the paranormal aspect, but these sound like characters I can really sink my teeth in!

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  4. Nothing is worst than not knowing if a book will be a standalone or trilogy. This one sounds good though, I was a bit uneasy about the paranormal aspect, but these sound like characters I can really sink my teeth in!

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  5. I think it's so important to know if a book is a stand-alone or not because sometimes, unfinished endings can just be amazing cliffhangers to ponder until the sequel or they can disappointing. I'm definitely going to wait and see if a sequel releases before picking this one up but it does seem to be very promising, especially with the characters. Wonderful review, Jenny--I hope a sequel comes out!

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  6. Angela sounds like a great character, Jenny and I love the sound of her just from your review. But that ending with its many loose ends would certainly bother me if this weren't part of a series. I hope for your sake it is!
    Wonderful review! :)

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  7. I don't mind a slow moving mystery as long as it gives me something that will hold my interest. I do hate not knowing if it's a series or a stand alone. I wish that info was given.

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  8. I really hope this will be a part of a series because it sounds like it could be amazing and I love that you rated this like you did Jenny because I really do think that matters. ;) Thanks for putting this on my radar and I will definitely be on the lookout to see if this does become part of a series.

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  9. I do hope it'll be the first book in a series because it sounds really great and intriguing, but like you I hate too open endings on standalones!

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  10. Loose ends is not good. Especially if it's not clear whether this is a series. But otherwise this sounds good. And very different from anything else I've read.

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  11. These type of reads hook me in and then leave me frustrated with the endings. I will wait and see if this is going to be a series before I jump in and explore further.

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  12. Oh I hate when it is unclear if it is a series or not. :P However, this one does sound so good, but it also sounds like one I would probably get angry for the characters. That doc does not sound good. :( Brilly review!

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  13. This sounds really good, Jenny! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I always get nervous when books end on that kind of note, where I really NEED there to be another book, or it bothers me. I'm looking forward to reading this one myself. I have it coming up on my TBR very soon. :)

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  14. The slow reveal and atmosphere sound great, hopefully there's another book in store to tie up those loose ends. Glad you enjoyed the story except for the ending - will be checking this one out some more :)

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  15. I have not seen this one around before

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  16. The books that get us sleep deprived are the best. Lol. I haven’t heard about this book before, this is not my usual genre, though I’m intrigued by the mystery behind this Jessica girl. I totally get your frustration with the ending, I don’t like lose ends too. Wonderful review, Jenny!

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  17. I always like to know if a book is part of a series before I read.

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  18. The mystery sounds interesting. I am glad you enjoyed it.

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  19. Oh I see why there's a difference between your ratings. I supposed you've enjoyed it enough that it warrants an instalment of sort. And the 3 star rating indicates the need for an expansion of the world and the story.

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  20. OOh nice! I picked this one up after I realized it was the same Danielle that wrote The Merciless and Survive the Night! I loved those two, so I had to pick up this one as well! Glad to hear it was enjoyable on both standpoints of it being a series or standalone. Let's hope for series, because if there's one thing that upsets me the most are unanswered questions at the end of a book, especially if it's a standalone!

    Very nice review!

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