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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Different read, but loved the end objective and the overall message about such hard to talk about topics/hard to solve issues.
I haven’t read young adult in a while and this book reminded me of what I love about it. The heart wrenching torture of being a teen is the absolute worst. And this novel explains it all and I just felt so much for the main character.
This book follows the story of Anna, a teenager who finds herself entangled in a web of gossip, rumours and bullying after sending a topless photo to her boyfriend who shares the picture. After this incident, and the death of her father, her Mum decides to move them to a fresh start in Scotland. Shortly after moving there, Anna discovers a link to a young woman called Maggie, who was convicted for witchcraft in the 1600s.
Although this book doesn’t feel like a particularly original piece of YA fiction, there are interesting points of comparison between what constitutes a modern witch-hunt, and the societal mechanisms which mean that judgement is likely to be rigged against women.
As an open minded 30 year old I was compelled enough to finish the book, perhaps a teenager would find it more interesting as a starting point for thinking about gender inequality in society.
Although this book doesn’t feel like a particularly original piece of YA fiction, there are interesting points of comparison between what constitutes a modern witch-hunt, and the societal mechanisms which mean that judgement is likely to be rigged against women.
As an open minded 30 year old I was compelled enough to finish the book, perhaps a teenager would find it more interesting as a starting point for thinking about gender inequality in society.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape
Minor: Abortion
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Didn’t realise it was YA until I started reading it I just know Laura Bates is a feminist. But good to have anti- victim blaming YA novels !
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
The Burning is part social commentary, part historical and part witchy fantasy. It’s a good mix. The majority is definitely more contemporary than I expected, but I really liked the way that the author dealt with the topics of sending nudes, slur shaming and social media. And I loved how the story set in the now melded with the historical aspects, folded together with a little bit of witch-magic.
It is pretty hard hitting and powerful, and it’s hard not to feel for Anna. Her story is sadly not uncommon, and while I would have liked to see some of the topics handled in more depth (particularly dealing with the school!) I think the breadth of the things Anna had to deal with is reflective of the situation and well handled.
I like Anna as a main character. It is a little frustrating to find out so slowly what happened exactly, which is sadly in keeping with a lot of YA, but she is sympathetic as a character, and her descriptions of the way it all makes her feel were fab. Plus I like her feeling the connection to Maggie’s story and chasing down information on her. I hope she got an A on that report!!
I did find it frustrating that she was so isolated - not just from her previous life and ex friends, but at the new school. I get it from a story perspective but it’s so hard to watch a character go through all that without support!
The witchy element is well done too - a very light touch that easily could have ruined it or felt like a distraction but for me it just added a little something extra.
The Burning is part social commentary, part historical and part witchy fantasy. It’s a good mix. The majority is definitely more contemporary than I expected, but I really liked the way that the author dealt with the topics of sending nudes, slur shaming and social media. And I loved how the story set in the now melded with the historical aspects, folded together with a little bit of witch-magic.
It is pretty hard hitting and powerful, and it’s hard not to feel for Anna. Her story is sadly not uncommon, and while I would have liked to see some of the topics handled in more depth (particularly dealing with the school!) I think the breadth of the things Anna had to deal with is reflective of the situation and well handled.
I like Anna as a main character. It is a little frustrating to find out so slowly what happened exactly, which is sadly in keeping with a lot of YA, but she is sympathetic as a character, and her descriptions of the way it all makes her feel were fab. Plus I like her feeling the connection to Maggie’s story and chasing down information on her. I hope she got an A on that report!!
I did find it frustrating that she was so isolated - not just from her previous life and ex friends, but at the new school. I get it from a story perspective but it’s so hard to watch a character go through all that without support!
The witchy element is well done too - a very light touch that easily could have ruined it or felt like a distraction but for me it just added a little something extra.
The Burning follows Anna as she moves to escape something from her past. Her new life in Scotland quickly begins to unravel as the horrific treatment she is escaping from follows her. While trying to make a fresh start Anna begins to investigate the story of Maggie, an accused witch from the annuls of the history of her new town who was apparently tried for witchcraft.
I would recommend this book to young adults, and young readers of Secondary School-age. So much of the sexualised bullying Anna is a victim of would not be out of the ordinary at most schools. While this book is aimed at such an age group, it grapples with a number of serious issues including rape, abuse, abortion, slut-shaming, non-consensual pornography and bereavement of a parent. Most of these topics are sensibly handled and worked into the plot in a way that is educational and empowering for young women.
On the downside, I felt that how Anna and Maggie’s stories were interweaved wasn’t very clear and didn’t achieve much in terms of plot besides illustrating that patriarchy and abuse of women at the hands of men has deep historical roots. There is also a distinct lack of understanding towards most of the boys, these behaviours don’t exist in a vacuum there are societal causes, it’s more than boys being boys out of sheer malevolence, and I feel this wasn’t handled as sensitively as the other areas of the book. The writing is well-paced and engaging but it’s very obvious that the story, the writing all exists to throw light on issues the author finds very important, and while they are, the story can get a little lost in an overall commentary on society.
I agree with the tagline – young girls should read this, but I’d go further and say boys should too.
I would recommend this book to young adults, and young readers of Secondary School-age. So much of the sexualised bullying Anna is a victim of would not be out of the ordinary at most schools. While this book is aimed at such an age group, it grapples with a number of serious issues including rape, abuse, abortion, slut-shaming, non-consensual pornography and bereavement of a parent. Most of these topics are sensibly handled and worked into the plot in a way that is educational and empowering for young women.
On the downside, I felt that how Anna and Maggie’s stories were interweaved wasn’t very clear and didn’t achieve much in terms of plot besides illustrating that patriarchy and abuse of women at the hands of men has deep historical roots. There is also a distinct lack of understanding towards most of the boys, these behaviours don’t exist in a vacuum there are societal causes, it’s more than boys being boys out of sheer malevolence, and I feel this wasn’t handled as sensitively as the other areas of the book. The writing is well-paced and engaging but it’s very obvious that the story, the writing all exists to throw light on issues the author finds very important, and while they are, the story can get a little lost in an overall commentary on society.
I agree with the tagline – young girls should read this, but I’d go further and say boys should too.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
BRILLIANT
i’m not sure how to rate this book so i’m leaving it as just a review for now.
this book was not made for me and that is completely okay. i understood the message entirely and think it would be a really really impactful and important read for someone in their teens or in highschool. the issues that are spoken about and the plot are really common and serious stuff and the writing would really resonate with a 16 year old me, but less so with me now.
although i wouldn’t say i necessarily really enjoyed it at my age and in my current position, i would definitely recommend this to anyone younger for its importance and message.
this book was not made for me and that is completely okay. i understood the message entirely and think it would be a really really impactful and important read for someone in their teens or in highschool. the issues that are spoken about and the plot are really common and serious stuff and the writing would really resonate with a 16 year old me, but less so with me now.
although i wouldn’t say i necessarily really enjoyed it at my age and in my current position, i would definitely recommend this to anyone younger for its importance and message.