1.23k reviews for:

The Last Thing to Burn

Will Dean

3.92 AVERAGE

kaylahewett's review against another edition

4.0

---

I was very unsure about this book going in. I was dreading the fact that it could be repetitive and it wouldn’t hold my attention but it was the opposite. I did not see the ending twist coming so I really enjoyed that! The only lacking aspect for me was that I was hoping to know more about Leonard and who he was including his past. I would have loved to see a few chapters from his perspective but regardless, I’d recommend this book!

booklandish's review against another edition

4.0

---

Wow, I picked up this book, started reading, and never stopped! This was literally unputdownable. This is definitely an atmospheric and claustrophobic story, slower than a thriller and more character-focused, the story centered on survival and the psychological aspects of trauma(s). The book does was it aims to do really well so if you're in the mood for something like that I do recommend it! TW: So many, apparently I read only disturbing stuff.

sufyazi's review against another edition

5.0

---

Three words — riveting, unputdownable, and raw.

hollyfitton1's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death

abception's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

nialiversuch's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Vomit, Death of parent

creaseinthespinebooks's review

5.0

---

Warning. This is not the easiest story.This may not be for everyone as it maybe too hard to read for some.

The Last Thing To Burn isnt an easy read but it brings a stark, frequently brutal tale of human trafficking, human resilience, and good versus evil story.

Dean has a descriptive style of writing, the descriptive way he describes his setting to where I could smell the damp, decaying farm house and feel the cold seeping into my bones. Im glad to be under a heating blanket just typing this.

This book is a relatively short read at 280 pages, but don’t think for one minute it lacks because that isnt true. This book will consume you and take you on a journey involving human trafgicking that sadly exists in this World and the heartbreaking life of one victim

I loved The Last Thing To Burn despite the very disturbing subject! It’s beautifully written, intense, dark and very disturbing, but it made for the most fabulous, gripping read. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review

toellandback's review against another edition

4.0

---

This is tricky to review as the entire story involves a foreign woman held captive somewhere in England and her hopes, fears and dreams for the future. She does her upmost to keep her captor happy despite the appalling way shes constantly treated until one day her entire situation changes. It's a bleak, psychological thriller with an easy writing style despite a difficult subject matter. It wont be for everyone but its certainly not a story I'll forget easily.

leona_omahony's review against another edition

5.0

---

Holy Moly ! What an absolutely flipping brilliant book this is. I started it this morning and have just finished it. This is a sick, twisted and depraved read and I loved it. This is a book that will stay in my memory for a very long time. Even though it's only January this has gone in as one of my top ten reads of this year. 5 humongous stars .

mlbenners's review against another edition

5.0

---

The Last Thing to Burn is a heart-pounding, disturbing, and truly claustrophobic story of a young woman held captive on an isolated farm. Thanh and her sister, Kim-Ly, moved from Vietnam to Britain in hopes of providing for their family but instead found themselves in the hands of human traffickers. Thanh’s narration is absolutely harrowing and it left me flying from page-to-page. The plot is not particularly action-packed but the tension is so tangible that I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entirety of the book. I cannot recall ever having such a visceral response to a book. The suspense builds until an absolutely shocking climax that makes the entire journey more than worthwhile. Thank you so much to Atria and NetGalley for providing me with an e-galley in exchange for an honest review!