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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book, it was a pretty standard fantasy with an occasionally predictable plot but the characters and world were enough to keep me invested.
slow-paced
This book was phenomenal. Rebecca Mix is truly a great writer. Ranka's story and character was so unique from any other YA main character I've come across and her journey to loving and accepting herself was so beautiful. The relationship between Ranka and Aramis was very believable and sweet.
To anyone who was hesitant to read this book because of the initial backlash it got when it came out: please give it a chance; there is nothing in the pages in this book but acceptance and growth. I'm definitely going to continue following Rebecca releases; I am officially a fan!!
Giving this book a 4 instead of a 5 because some parts of the book were a bit repetitive and the pacing was a little off at times but overall a great read!
To anyone who was hesitant to read this book because of the initial backlash it got when it came out: please give it a chance; there is nothing in the pages in this book but acceptance and growth. I'm definitely going to continue following Rebecca releases; I am officially a fan!!
Giving this book a 4 instead of a 5 because some parts of the book were a bit repetitive and the pacing was a little off at times but overall a great read!
The Ones We Burn is a book that completely blew me away. It’s raw, cruel and heartbreaking, it deals with abuse, grief, and a pain that scars deeply… but it’s also full of a hope, and of a love that is uncorrupted and real.
In the world Rebecca Mix perfectly crafted, the frail alliance between humans and witches is secured by a treaty: the strongest blood witch, charged with the title of Blodwinn, is chosen to marry the Sunra’s heir and become queen. The Ones We Burn tells the story of Ranka, a young witch and latest Bloodwinn, from the moment she is forced to leave her coven in the North and journey to Seasweapt, capital of the human kingdom, to marry Galen Sunra… and to kill him, as part of a coup planned by her coven’s leader.
But Ranka gets surprised when she discovers that Galen is not a cruel leader, like his father, but a gentle prince, and his twin, Aramis, is brilliant and extremely attractive. Walking on the fine line that separates villains and heroes, Ranka will be forced to examine all her beliefs in a journey that could change everything, or doom the whole world.
Even though the main plot is always gripping and left you curious to solve the mystery of the witch-killing plague, with brilliant plot twists that are always surprising but also perfectly fits with the rest of the narrative, The Ones We Burn is, at its core, a character-driven story: told from Ranka’s point of view, it’s sustained by all the four main characters equally (Percy is definitely my favorite, and I’m sure many will adore him as well), and as a matter of fact the plot itself is something deeply connected with the characters, not just a series of events they live through. And there is something extraordinary in the way, with a perfect balance of adorable (and quieter) scenes between Ranka, Aramis, Galen and Percy, and more active ones that move the story forward, this book is ultimately the story of how these four grown-up kids found a safe place in each other among the madness of their lives. It’s found family dynamic at its best, truly.
The characters’ development is executed remarkably well, considering the limited space of a stand-alone, with complex and stunning evolution arcs, especially Ranka’s (if you loved Zuko’s arc in ATLA, be assured you are going to adore hers as well), that is extremely realistic in not being completely straightforward, and instead interrupted by many wrong decisions and mistakes. But there is something moving in seeing how Ranka literally blossoms from the moment she starts to hang out with Percy and the twins, even when they are still her enemies (at least in name), because for the first time she got to be with people who didn’t fear her because of her blood magic or saw her only as a weapon to be used, but whom at least were able to “friendly” tolerate her.
However, the thing in which Rebecca has completely outdone herself is the relationship between Ranka and Aramis, and how it slowly evolved from hate and diffidence, to mutual respect, to something that clearly reminds of love. But nothing is too easy in this book, and the connection that bonds them is way more complicated and fascinating than this.
The Ones We Burn is able to be fun and cute at times, but also deep and heartbreaking in portraying how abuse often comes from the people one loves the most, and the immense strength it takes to shape ourselves into something different, something better than what others raised one to become. And at the center of it all, is the concept that healing is not an easy process, and definitely one that should be undertaken only for oneself, not for anyone else.
There is a part of Rebecca intertwined between every line, and that’s one of the reasons why this book is so special. She is truly a talented writer, with a prose full of highlighting-worthy quotes, and you should definitely keep her on your radar.
I recommend The Ones We Burn to readers looking for a unique fantasy with charming characters, and who don’t mind crying at least a couple of times… and I’m going to sob over that beautiful epilogue and make peace with the fact that I will have to say goodbye to my favorite dorks
In the world Rebecca Mix perfectly crafted, the frail alliance between humans and witches is secured by a treaty: the strongest blood witch, charged with the title of Blodwinn, is chosen to marry the Sunra’s heir and become queen. The Ones We Burn tells the story of Ranka, a young witch and latest Bloodwinn, from the moment she is forced to leave her coven in the North and journey to Seasweapt, capital of the human kingdom, to marry Galen Sunra… and to kill him, as part of a coup planned by her coven’s leader.
But Ranka gets surprised when she discovers that Galen is not a cruel leader, like his father, but a gentle prince, and his twin, Aramis, is brilliant and extremely attractive. Walking on the fine line that separates villains and heroes, Ranka will be forced to examine all her beliefs in a journey that could change everything, or doom the whole world.
Even though the main plot is always gripping and left you curious to solve the mystery of the witch-killing plague, with brilliant plot twists that are always surprising but also perfectly fits with the rest of the narrative, The Ones We Burn is, at its core, a character-driven story: told from Ranka’s point of view, it’s sustained by all the four main characters equally (Percy is definitely my favorite, and I’m sure many will adore him as well), and as a matter of fact the plot itself is something deeply connected with the characters, not just a series of events they live through. And there is something extraordinary in the way, with a perfect balance of adorable (and quieter) scenes between Ranka, Aramis, Galen and Percy, and more active ones that move the story forward, this book is ultimately the story of how these four grown-up kids found a safe place in each other among the madness of their lives. It’s found family dynamic at its best, truly.
The characters’ development is executed remarkably well, considering the limited space of a stand-alone, with complex and stunning evolution arcs, especially Ranka’s (if you loved Zuko’s arc in ATLA, be assured you are going to adore hers as well), that is extremely realistic in not being completely straightforward, and instead interrupted by many wrong decisions and mistakes. But there is something moving in seeing how Ranka literally blossoms from the moment she starts to hang out with Percy and the twins, even when they are still her enemies (at least in name), because for the first time she got to be with people who didn’t fear her because of her blood magic or saw her only as a weapon to be used, but whom at least were able to “friendly” tolerate her.
However, the thing in which Rebecca has completely outdone herself is the relationship between Ranka and Aramis, and how it slowly evolved from hate and diffidence, to mutual respect, to something that clearly reminds of love. But nothing is too easy in this book, and the connection that bonds them is way more complicated and fascinating than this.
The Ones We Burn is able to be fun and cute at times, but also deep and heartbreaking in portraying how abuse often comes from the people one loves the most, and the immense strength it takes to shape ourselves into something different, something better than what others raised one to become. And at the center of it all, is the concept that healing is not an easy process, and definitely one that should be undertaken only for oneself, not for anyone else.
There is a part of Rebecca intertwined between every line, and that’s one of the reasons why this book is so special. She is truly a talented writer, with a prose full of highlighting-worthy quotes, and you should definitely keep her on your radar.
I recommend The Ones We Burn to readers looking for a unique fantasy with charming characters, and who don’t mind crying at least a couple of times… and I’m going to sob over that beautiful epilogue and make peace with the fact that I will have to say goodbye to my favorite dorks
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An amazing book with a powerful message to share. I read this in 24 hours. I am so excited to see what else Rebecca can come up with. I will carry Ranka with me for a very long time.
The idea is really interesting. I just wasn't invested at all... the writing felt immature. The characters are supposed to be in their late teens (I think?), but they read like middle schoolers trying to deal with adult problems.