Friday, December 26, 2014

Book Review: Burn for Burn


Title: Burn for Burn
Series: Burn for Burn
Authors: Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Postcard-perfect Jar Island is the kind of place where nobody locks their doors at night, where parents can sleep easy, knowing their daughters are tucked away safe and sound in their beds.

But bad things can happen, even to good girls, and sometimes the only way to make things right is do something wrong.

Lillia used to trust boys, but not anymore. Not after what happened this summer. And she'll be damned if she lets the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is through with being called a freak. She's over the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes made at her expense. It all goes back to one person - her ex-best friend - and Kat's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. Now that she's back, he's gonna be in trouble . . . 'cause she's coming for him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they've each had a taste.

My Review

Burn for Burn is the opening book by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian's Burn for Burn trilogy. (The series also includes Fire with Fire and Ashes to Ashes.) This novel definitely isn't the greatest YA novel out there, but it's not the worst. It is a pretty quick and entertaining read about vengeance. I enjoyed this book, but my rating is somewhere in between three and four stars just because I didn't find it to be spectacular.

When I first started reading it, I thought the three girls, Kat, Mary, and Lillia, were all seeking revenge for dumb and immature reasons, but I was very wrong! I really liked how Han and Vivian revealed little bits of their past and the reasons why they are seeking revenge throughout the book instead of all at once because it kept me interested in the book.

I like the three main characters, Kat, Lillia, and Mary. They each bring something unique and interesting to the book. I'd have to say that I am more interested in Mary and Lillia because their stories are a little more complicated, and I like how they are characterized. I could take or leave Kat.

Just a little warning... There is some heavy content matter in this book. I wasn't really surprised about this, but it's definitely a book for older teenagers. I really think the issues that Han and Vivian use in the plot are things that teens should be reading about, even if they don't know anyone who may have dealt or is dealing with them. I'm glad these two authors acknowledged and mentioned them in this book.

I really liked the writing style of the book. The paragraphs are short and easy to read, but they are still interesting enough to entertain a reader. There were some minor narration issues, and I will admit that I sometimes had to flip back to the beginning of each chapter to remember who the narrator of that chapter was. I didn't have to do look back a lot, but it was enough to annoy me a bit.

The end of the book is an abrupt cliffhanger, so I'm glad that I waited to read all three around the same time, instead of waiting a year for the next book. The ending of the book is also so intense and piqued my curiosity about books two and three.

Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian met in graduate school in New York City and have been inseparable ever since. The idea for the Burn for Burn series began over cupcakes, as the best ideas usually do. 

Jenny Han is the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series and the Burn for Burn trilogy. 

Siobhan Vivian is the author of The List, Not that Kind of Girl, Same Difference, A Little Friendly Advice, and the Burn for Burn trilogy.

12 comments :

  1. First of all: I love the design of your blog!
    Second: I love your writing style! Your reviews are straight to the point and this is what I am expecting to see on a book blog! :)
    Third: this book sounds interesting enough to put it on my to read list :)

    Your new follower
    @Vanilla Reads

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    1. Awe! Thank you so much, Agata! I'm so glad to hear that about my reviews! I was a little worried. lol :)

      I really enjoyed this book. I was a little nervous about it at first because I read Vivian's The List earlier in the month and didn't enjoy, but this one exceeded my expectations!

      Thanks for the follow!

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  2. The writing is fair, but the premise is kind of addictive. I love reading books about revenge, it's just interesting. This book is okay, book 2 is AWESOME. Nice review :)

    Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books

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    1. I love the premise of the series. I can't believe I waited so long to read them even though I had them on my TBR.

      I started book two the other night, and I am enjoying it. I might head off and read a little more of that before I go to bed. I heard it gets crazy!

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  3. I've been curious about Burn for Burn for a little while - a bit hesitant because, like you, I've been thinking that the revenge-taking could be for immature reasons. I'm glad to hear it's a bit more complicated than that!
    I'm a little concerned about the narration issues though - I hate having to flip back to check things.
    Great review! :)

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    1. It is definitely more complicated than that, and I think that makes it so interesting. lol

      The narration really wasn't that bad. I think I flipped back like two or three times, and I know one was definitely because I wasn't paying attention (and it was Christmastime). lol

      If you read it, let me know what you think. I can't wait to finish the second one and the third one.

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  4. I can't say I liked this book all that much (I didn't even finish it) because there wasn't enough content to keep my interest if you know what I mean? Anyways, I'm glad it was more of a success for you :)

    Recent post: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/christmas-book-haul.html

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    1. Awe. I'm so sorry it didn't work out for you. I was really interested in the whole Lilla and Rennie back story, so I enjoyed it. Plus it's kind of different than some of the stories that I've been reading lately.

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  5. I agree with you on this one, not spectacular but it kept me occupied last summer. For me it was a filler read, enjoyable, but nothing I would make my friends read! I'm glad I didn't spend time on the sequels though, I asked my friend what happens (cause I knew I wasn't reading them) and I think it's a bit of a harsh turn for something that I thought was very contemporary and light! Anyway, I enjoyed reading your review a whole ton :D Merry Christmas x

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    1. Yeah... definitely not the best book out there, but it was pretty good.

      I actually just finished Fire with Fire, and it was so much better than Burn for Burn... well at least the ending of it is. It makes for a freaking crazy read.

      I knew going into it that it wasn't just a contemporary. I saw something about it being supernatural, but more of a contemporary feel. That's why I wanted to read them. I've had terrible luck enjoying supernatural and paranormal books, but this series is just right (so far).

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  6. I've wanted to read this series ever since I first heard about it. I'm not expecting the most life-changing book I've ever read...but I still want to regardless lol

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    1. That's exactly how I felt going into it. I just wanted to see what it was all about. I'm glad they were all pretty good. It was a nice change of pace for me.

      I hope you enjoy them! :)

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