Book Review: Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian

"Unfortunately, not a book I enjoyed all that much"

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: September 2012
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 368
Series: 1st in a series
Acquisition: I received a free ARC for review

Summary:

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...

THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she'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. And she's ready to prove it to him.

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

MY THOUGHTS:
Writing this review has been somewhat difficult as there isn't one thing I can point to that I didn't particularly like, but overall, I can't say I enjoyed this one very much.

It started out good - we get to meet Lillia, Kat and Mary and their friends (or lack there of). The story progresses fast, with POVs switching up every chapter. It's fast moving yes, but it was also a little all over the place and I found myself lost a couple of times trying to remember just who each character was and how they fit into the story line. In some cases, it turns out, they weren't even important at all.

In the end what really threw me is the fact that as reprehensible as our three character's 'enemies' are - the girls themselves weren't exactly saints and it was hard for me to feel pity for them - especially enough to condone their actions. It felt at times like a giant bully fight. The 'good' bullies were attacking the 'bad' bullies but in the end I wasn't left with much sympathy for anyone.

The exception perhaps being with Mary. BUT there is something weird going on with her character and I'm not sure I liked it at all. Book 2 might flesh out this strange twist that in my mind didn't fit into the story AT ALL but even if it does I'm not sure I like where the authors might be going with this one.

FINAL VERDICT:
Unfortunately, not a book I enjoyed all that much.

Overall? I'm disappointed with Burn for Burn. The good girls weren't good enough, some of the bad boys weren't all that bad. Something strange and totally out of left field is added in, seemingly without purpose and the ending? Yeah, there wasn't one.

Being my first book written by these 2 authors, I'm not about to give up on them just yet. I've heard others say they really enjoy the writings of Han and Vivian and I've also found people who feel the same way I do abut Burn for Burn.

WILL I CONTINUE WITH THIS SERIES?:
Unless book 2 gets raving reviews, I would have to say at this point, probably not. My feelings may change over time though - we'll see!

Overall Rating:

3 / 5 Stars

Books in the Burn for Burn Series:
#1 Burn for Burn
#2 Fire with Fire (2013)
#3 Ashes to Ashes (2014)

Author's website / Author's website /Goodreads

Book Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

***2011 Debut Author***
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: August 2011
Pages: 352
Series: 1st in The Fury Trilogy
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:

It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.(from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
One of the things I loved best about Fury was the way in which the paranormal elements of the story were introduced. As a reader, I knew what was going on but the characters I was reading about didn't. I could scream at them all I wanted to 'not open that door' or to not 'run up those stairs' but in true horror movie fashion, they never listened. They were in the dark and even though their sleepy little Maine town was neck deep in some pretty freaky paranormal trouble, they never saw it coming.

The characters in Fury were interesting. Em is a pretty average high school girl - complete with flaws that most people, regardless of age, possess. We don't see much of Gabby, Em's best friend, even though she plays a huge part in what happens to Em. And the parts I did see of her, I didn't like much. It was hard to envision her and Em being as close as they say they are. But I could understand why they were friends. How they played off of each other and when it came down to it, they were there for each other. Zach is an ass and it got to me how neither Em or Gabby can see this about him. I also had some issues with what exactly happens (and doesn't happen) to him...but you'll have to read Fury for yourself to know what I'm talking about :)

There are a lot of other characters involved in the complex story behind the strangeness going on. I loved how every character has a purpose. Everyone was important and people were connected in ways that you didn't always see coming.

The entire concept of Fury was new and intriguing to me and once I really got into the story, I found it a hard book to put down. There were a bunch of unanswered questions for me and I'm really interested to find out what happens next.

Overall Rating:

4 / 5 Stars

Books in The Fury Trilogy:
Fury
Envy (Oct 2012)
Eternity (?)

Linkage Love:
Simon and Schuster / Simon Pulse
Author's Website
Goodreads