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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
As seen on Caity Reads.
I’m not sure you can go wrong with an Ellen Hopkins book. Granted, this is only the second one I’ve ever read and the first I read quite a few years ago. But her writing style is just so beautiful. All of her books (to my knowledge anyway) are written in prose and it works out perfectly. She writes about such intense and serious subjects, that it really helps to get her story across. Burned is about a teenage girl named Pattyn who is being raised in a very strict Mormon home, it’s also a very abusive home. She’s pretty sick of her home life and starts to do things that are frowned upon in her religion and her home. These events lead her to be sent to her aunts home for the summer.
I really liked this book. Once Pattyn is out of her home and into her aunts, it really shows her how life can be when you’re in a loving home and not one run by fear and hate. She gets to experience new things, meet new people, and learn a little more about her family in the process. I was absolutely not expecting the book to end the way it did and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the next book.
Overall, if you like contemporary novels that deal with tougher subjects I really think you should pick this up. If you love novels written in prose, then you should pick this up. Basically, you should just pick this up.
I’m not sure you can go wrong with an Ellen Hopkins book. Granted, this is only the second one I’ve ever read and the first I read quite a few years ago. But her writing style is just so beautiful. All of her books (to my knowledge anyway) are written in prose and it works out perfectly. She writes about such intense and serious subjects, that it really helps to get her story across. Burned is about a teenage girl named Pattyn who is being raised in a very strict Mormon home, it’s also a very abusive home. She’s pretty sick of her home life and starts to do things that are frowned upon in her religion and her home. These events lead her to be sent to her aunts home for the summer.
I really liked this book. Once Pattyn is out of her home and into her aunts, it really shows her how life can be when you’re in a loving home and not one run by fear and hate. She gets to experience new things, meet new people, and learn a little more about her family in the process. I was absolutely not expecting the book to end the way it did and I cannot wait to find out what happens in the next book.
Overall, if you like contemporary novels that deal with tougher subjects I really think you should pick this up. If you love novels written in prose, then you should pick this up. Basically, you should just pick this up.
Very much enjoyed the writing in verse. Didn't enjoy the "instalove" portion, but I'm not sure it's an atypical experience for some. There is an awful lot of heaviness here... I will be reading the follow-up and others by EH.
Ellen Hopkins....what are words?!
So beautiful, so good. Gah.
I can not wait to read the second book.
"God is love," she said. "And He respects love, whether it's between a parent and chuld, a man and woman, or friends. I don't think He cares about religion one little bit. Live your life right, Pattyn. Love with all your heart. Don't hurt others, and help those in need. That's all you need to know. And don't worry about Heaven. If it exists, you'll be welcome."
So beautiful, so good. Gah.
I can not wait to read the second book.
"God is love," she said. "And He respects love, whether it's between a parent and chuld, a man and woman, or friends. I don't think He cares about religion one little bit. Live your life right, Pattyn. Love with all your heart. Don't hurt others, and help those in need. That's all you need to know. And don't worry about Heaven. If it exists, you'll be welcome."
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful. Heartbreaking. Gut wrenching. Anxiety inducing. Once again Ellen Hopkins has left my heart in pieces!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, Car accident
The plot line kept my interest, with short stanzas of narrative, interrupted by catchy titles. Hopkins once again does a very creative job with her narrative structure. However, the basic premise of the book disturbed me. Hopkins' portrays LDS culture inaccurately. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does not condone a male-dominated religion. It is especially critical of men that abuse a wife or children. Mormon bishops are expected to report abuse to the proper authorities, not hide abuse to protect men. There may be exceptions to the above, but they are exceptions, not rules. When a book is based on a false premise that is so glaring, the creative merits of a book sink into the background. I hope Hopkins' does better research for future books.
I liked the narrator/reader, but I didn't realize until reading other reviews that it was written in verse, that's not evident in the audio version. The ending left a lot unanswered, and the bad guys seem to win because almost everyone good dies. After discussing with a co-worker, I understand that that's life, there's not always a happy ending, with everything buttoned up in a nice package, so I guess I can see the ending as acceptable, even though it was frustrating and unhappy.
This is the second of Hopkin's books I've read. Both show beautiful writing followed up with disappointing, hurried and somewhat cliché endings. I'm hoping it's just a fluke but I'm only going to give her one more chance with "Tilt". At least her books read fast.
The book was excellent, up until she got home from summer vacation, then it went downhill. I wouldn't suggest reading.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, Religious bigotry
Minor: Child death, Homophobia