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rxh05d's review against another edition
I don't know if this is a difference with the format or the books, since I read the first two in the print version and listened to this one. But this was SO ANNOYING. The readers just sounded way overdramatic and it made it obvious how repetitive the writing was. (Spoiler for book 2) He had killed his father. He couldn't stop thinking about how he'd killed his father. Should he feel guilty for killing his father? What if they knew he'd killed his father. Was his father alive? But he killed his father!
The characters didn't at all sound like they took the situation seriously. Pressia went around telling every single adult what she planned to do instead of being diplomatic. And acting like the line between pure and fused people is just about prejudice instead of actual lives being on the line because they're on two sides of the war. Partridge had no sense of subterfuge. Where he should have recognized he wasn't actually in charge and tried to play along while finding allies to do the things he wanted quietly, he just went around ordering people to do things they clearly weren't going to do like if he said "that's an order" it magically made them do what he said.
I read a few reviews and the ending didn't sound like it was worth continuing.
The characters didn't at all sound like they took the situation seriously. Pressia went around telling every single adult what she planned to do instead of being diplomatic. And acting like the line between pure and fused people is just about prejudice instead of actual lives being on the line because they're on two sides of the war. Partridge had no sense of subterfuge. Where he should have recognized he wasn't actually in charge and tried to play along while finding allies to do the things he wanted quietly, he just went around ordering people to do things they clearly weren't going to do like if he said "that's an order" it magically made them do what he said.
I read a few reviews and the ending didn't sound like it was worth continuing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Ableism
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Confinement
Minor: Genocide, Suicide attempt, Murder, Self harm, and Suicide
morgeliz99's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
My entire body is covered in chills after finishing this. This has to be one of the most intricate apocalypse series I've ever read and I loved every single thing about it. There's so much going on with each character, you can't stop reading.
These books deserve so much more recognition.
These books deserve so much more recognition.
bickleyhouse's review against another edition
4.0
While I enjoyed Burn, I have to say it wasn't quite as captivating as the first two books of this trilogy. In all fairness, that may not be the author's fault. First of all, I probably waited too long to read it, which means that I had forgotten a significant amount of details from the previous books. Second, there were some family health issues going on while I was trying to finish it, which were greatly distracting. (However, upon checking the reviews on Amazon, it seems I'm not the only one who felt this way.) I just checked back to see my previous reviews, and I gave Pure four stars and Fuse five stars.
I will say that, by the end of it, I was pretty fully engaged. Burn picks up right where Fuse left off. Partridge is in The Dome, and, having just murdered his father, is now in charge of things. Or at least he thinks he is. Things are not always what they seem, though, are they? Pressia, El Capitan, Helmut, Bradwell, and the others are still in . . . is it Ireland? I think that's right. Anyway, Pressia holds the key to curing all of the Wretches. But they also have something that will bring down The Dome, which is what Bradwell wants to do. The conflict within the group increases as the story unfolds.
The situation in The Dome deteriorates as Partridge tries to change things too quickly. He is forced into the arranged marriage with Iralene, even though Lyda is carrying his child. The resulting courtship and marriage calms things down somewhat, but Partridge is fairly miserable. Plus, he is being blackmailed by the head of his security division, who knows what he did.
Pressia and company make it back to The Dome, and, with the help of The Mothers, Pressia manages to infiltrate and find Partridge. One of the tasks she was given by The Mothers was to find Lyda and get her out.
The ending, which I will not spoil, was only partially satisfying for me. Partridge wound up making a different decision than the one I wanted him to make. But hey . . . it's not my story, is it?
All in all, this has been an entertaining and unique story. I applaud Julianna Baggott for the originality of this trilogy and look forward to reading more of her work in the future. I am especially interested in one that she wrote "for younger readers," called The Prince of Fenway Park. I must see if I can get hold of that one.
I will say that, by the end of it, I was pretty fully engaged. Burn picks up right where Fuse left off. Partridge is in The Dome, and, having just murdered his father, is now in charge of things. Or at least he thinks he is. Things are not always what they seem, though, are they? Pressia, El Capitan, Helmut, Bradwell, and the others are still in . . . is it Ireland? I think that's right. Anyway, Pressia holds the key to curing all of the Wretches. But they also have something that will bring down The Dome, which is what Bradwell wants to do. The conflict within the group increases as the story unfolds.
The situation in The Dome deteriorates as Partridge tries to change things too quickly. He is forced into the arranged marriage with Iralene, even though Lyda is carrying his child. The resulting courtship and marriage calms things down somewhat, but Partridge is fairly miserable. Plus, he is being blackmailed by the head of his security division, who knows what he did.
Pressia and company make it back to The Dome, and, with the help of The Mothers, Pressia manages to infiltrate and find Partridge. One of the tasks she was given by The Mothers was to find Lyda and get her out.
The ending, which I will not spoil, was only partially satisfying for me. Partridge wound up making a different decision than the one I wanted him to make. But hey . . . it's not my story, is it?
All in all, this has been an entertaining and unique story. I applaud Julianna Baggott for the originality of this trilogy and look forward to reading more of her work in the future. I am especially interested in one that she wrote "for younger readers," called The Prince of Fenway Park. I must see if I can get hold of that one.
kaypat23's review against another edition
3.0
What the heck happened?! I waited years for the trilogy to end like this?!
elliedwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
sheltzer's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fitting ending to the trilogy. I closed the back cover and, as with most post-apocolyptic stories, wanted a nice and neat ending but recognized that it's not the right kind of ending.
shelflife's review against another edition
1.0
Although I gave high ratings to the first two books in this trilogy, I have to come down on the side of don't read any of them because this was a horrible mess!!! What started out in book one, Pure, was some very good foundation and world building. I expected this to be a big, bold story. The middle book kept me interested but I was noticing that I didn't connect with my characters and found they seemed to be underdeveloped. I never found the love interest between partridge and Lidda or Pressia and Bradwell convincing at all. I didn't understand what attracted these folks to each other. Lidda was sooooo uninteresting, Pressia and Bradwell lacked any sort of passion. The only character remotely developed and interesting was el Capitan and Helmud. They were complex, growing and evolving all the way throughout and had great passionate moments. However, not enough to carry a whole book.
The plot lines that the author had us follow, led to no where!!! At the end, nothing was resolved, it's like you go through all this stuff and then the story drops off into nothing. I can't really explain it without spoilers, just know it's a big, fat mess!!! Also, how did partridge end up where he did? He didn't even seem like the same character that began this story. Arrg I could go on and on with complaints. Overall a good start, bit went no where. Very disappointing, can't recommend any of them.
The plot lines that the author had us follow, led to no where!!! At the end, nothing was resolved, it's like you go through all this stuff and then the story drops off into nothing. I can't really explain it without spoilers, just know it's a big, fat mess!!! Also, how did partridge end up where he did? He didn't even seem like the same character that began this story. Arrg I could go on and on with complaints. Overall a good start, bit went no where. Very disappointing, can't recommend any of them.
sr_toliver's review against another edition
3.0
In the final insallment to the Pure series, each character finally gets to choose which side they're on, proving to themselves and to the readers if they are willing to go the distance to make things right in the world. The book follows the same characters from the second book - Pressia, Partridge, Bradwell, El Capitan, and Lyda - as they navigate the world separate from each other. Since the stories are connected, but separate, I'll give short, separate descriptions about where everyone is in the book instead of trying to describe the plot in one paragraph.
Ever since Partridge had been brought back into the Dome, they're lives became more restricted than ever. Yes, Partridge has power as the leader of the Dome, but what he didn't realize is how much is at stake, more than he ever realized when he was just his father's son. Every decision Partridge makes is life or death for the people he leads as well as the people who now see him as enemy #1.
Lyda gives herself up in order to stop bloodshed, thinking that if she could just reach Partridge and talk to him, she could help to make a difference. But, what happens when the new, free version of Lyda is put back in the cage that almost caused her to lose her mind initially? Of course, she is carrying Partridge's unborn baby, but that only grants her freedom until the baby is born. What will happen after the baby comes? Will she be able to get through to Partridge? and How will she ever escape the cage after it's locked her in once again?
Pressia is still on a mission to save those who were left outside during the detonations, but throughout this book, she is also on a mission to save herself. After finding the formula, she knows that there may be a cure out there, one that will allow those fused to others to become "pure" again, to erase the past that has scarred them. But, at what cost? Is she willing to give up her truth, her scars, to exist in a reality that neglects the pain?
Bradwell is brooding - really, he spends a lot of this book scowling or mad about something. After Pressia saved his life, he now sees himself as others see him - a monster. His wings are now massive, ugly, but slightly angelic at the same time. Because of this shame and anger, he spends much of the book determined to take down the Dome at all costs. The only problem is that the woman he loves wants the Dome to remain in order to save those who want to be "whole" again. Is his revenge more potent than his love for Pressia? Will he be a lover, a friend, a martyr, or all three when the story ends?
El Capitan said that he loves Pressia. He kissed her. These are things he can't take away, but he feels embarrassed by his confession because now those he's closest to know his secret. Although the secret is out, however, there's a greater mission at hand that needs his attention - the mission that will cleanse his soul and help him to gain forgiveness from others and from himself. With his newfound love for another person as well as the companionship of new friends, he realizes all of the wrong he has done in the past, and he wants to be absolved from all of it. Will he be able to gain forgiveness from those whose family and friends were killed by the precious version of himself, or will his past transgressions end his life?
All in all, I liked this book. It was written just as well as the first two, and I loved the way that Baggott made the characters come to life. I really enjoyed Lyda's progression. She is my favorite character because she is strong even when it seems like she's about to give up. She seemed to be the least selfish out of all the characters, and so I think I was more drawn to her story arc.
My issue with the book is how it ended so abruptly. The last five pages pretty much summed up every character's actions as the Dome was falling, but we never get to see the aftermath. We don't know what happened to many of the characters. The readers never figure out what happened to all of the other strongholds where people were saved from the Detonations. I mean, I get that Pressia is letting go of her father by not convincing Bradwell and El Capitan to stop the Dome invasion and save the map in Ellery Willux's office, but there are still so many loose ends that I feel should have been closed. This is my personal preference, but I just think that the author could have spent less time re-explaining events from the previous two books and spent more time with the ending.
Ever since Partridge had been brought back into the Dome, they're lives became more restricted than ever. Yes, Partridge has power as the leader of the Dome, but what he didn't realize is how much is at stake, more than he ever realized when he was just his father's son. Every decision Partridge makes is life or death for the people he leads as well as the people who now see him as enemy #1.
Lyda gives herself up in order to stop bloodshed, thinking that if she could just reach Partridge and talk to him, she could help to make a difference. But, what happens when the new, free version of Lyda is put back in the cage that almost caused her to lose her mind initially? Of course, she is carrying Partridge's unborn baby, but that only grants her freedom until the baby is born. What will happen after the baby comes? Will she be able to get through to Partridge? and How will she ever escape the cage after it's locked her in once again?
Pressia is still on a mission to save those who were left outside during the detonations, but throughout this book, she is also on a mission to save herself. After finding the formula, she knows that there may be a cure out there, one that will allow those fused to others to become "pure" again, to erase the past that has scarred them. But, at what cost? Is she willing to give up her truth, her scars, to exist in a reality that neglects the pain?
Bradwell is brooding - really, he spends a lot of this book scowling or mad about something. After Pressia saved his life, he now sees himself as others see him - a monster. His wings are now massive, ugly, but slightly angelic at the same time. Because of this shame and anger, he spends much of the book determined to take down the Dome at all costs. The only problem is that the woman he loves wants the Dome to remain in order to save those who want to be "whole" again. Is his revenge more potent than his love for Pressia? Will he be a lover, a friend, a martyr, or all three when the story ends?
El Capitan said that he loves Pressia. He kissed her. These are things he can't take away, but he feels embarrassed by his confession because now those he's closest to know his secret. Although the secret is out, however, there's a greater mission at hand that needs his attention - the mission that will cleanse his soul and help him to gain forgiveness from others and from himself. With his newfound love for another person as well as the companionship of new friends, he realizes all of the wrong he has done in the past, and he wants to be absolved from all of it. Will he be able to gain forgiveness from those whose family and friends were killed by the precious version of himself, or will his past transgressions end his life?
All in all, I liked this book. It was written just as well as the first two, and I loved the way that Baggott made the characters come to life. I really enjoyed Lyda's progression. She is my favorite character because she is strong even when it seems like she's about to give up. She seemed to be the least selfish out of all the characters, and so I think I was more drawn to her story arc.
My issue with the book is how it ended so abruptly. The last five pages pretty much summed up every character's actions as the Dome was falling, but we never get to see the aftermath. We don't know what happened to many of the characters. The readers never figure out what happened to all of the other strongholds where people were saved from the Detonations. I mean, I get that Pressia is letting go of her father by not convincing Bradwell and El Capitan to stop the Dome invasion and save the map in Ellery Willux's office, but there are still so many loose ends that I feel should have been closed. This is my personal preference, but I just think that the author could have spent less time re-explaining events from the previous two books and spent more time with the ending.
radioactve_piano's review against another edition
4.0
And yet another dystopian YA trilogy is added to my Read list.
This installment looked deeper into questions of power and morality, the idea of having a select few make decisions for others, the concept of romantic vs. friendly love, and the dangers of placing one's concept of a good life on someone else. I quite liked this book, including the ending. Things weren't tidy, which was refreshing (again, I guess I'm just comparing to The Hunger Games, which was much more shiny, happy people than I would have liked; the Divergent books ended more realistically, and this is akin to that).
Is this the best series I've ever read? No, but it is quality in a sea of easy-reading fluff fantasy, so I was pleased.
This installment looked deeper into questions of power and morality, the idea of having a select few make decisions for others, the concept of romantic vs. friendly love, and the dangers of placing one's concept of a good life on someone else. I quite liked this book, including the ending. Things weren't tidy, which was refreshing (again, I guess I'm just comparing to The Hunger Games, which was much more shiny, happy people than I would have liked; the Divergent books ended more realistically, and this is akin to that).
Is this the best series I've ever read? No, but it is quality in a sea of easy-reading fluff fantasy, so I was pleased.
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Burn was a satisfying finale to the trilogy by Julianna Baggott. Readers will find all their favourite characters back...more or less the same. Partridge goes through a transformation while living in the Dome, changing his appeal to the reader. Bradwell deals with emotional complications from his physical complications. Don't get me wrong, I love this series and I'm happy with this book. I just didn't get a few choices made by the author. Technically, the writing was spectacular. Elegantly worded, Burn is a syntactically beautiful novel.
Pressia and Bradwell's relationship with its early hiccups blossomed throughout the novel into a quiet but wonderful marriage.
El Capitan and Helmud made me smile and cry (sometimes simultaneously). Three books in a row, I loved them. The scenes with El Capitan/Helmud and Bradwell broke my heart over and over.
I enjoyed a lot of this book, but there were certain aspects of the plot with which I disagreed. I guess I don't understand why Partridge killed Bradwell. Pressia was there, saw the entire thing and then somehow still forgives him nearly instantaneously? It felt like the whole thing could have been avoided, called off...I really feel like killing off Bradwell was an unnecessary plot development.
The ending was a surprise. It was not how I had envisioned it from the start of the series, and I think Baggott's ending was unlike anything her fans expected. For better and worse.
Truly, this book was great and if you're thinking of starting the series - do it. If you're questioning the value of finishing the trilogy - do it. This series is a treasure. Despite its flaws, Burn was enjoyable and I was glad to experience things with those wonderful characters again.
Pressia and Bradwell's relationship with its early hiccups blossomed throughout the novel into a quiet but wonderful marriage.
El Capitan and Helmud made me smile and cry (sometimes simultaneously). Three books in a row, I loved them. The scenes with El Capitan/Helmud and Bradwell broke my heart over and over.
I enjoyed a lot of this book, but there were certain aspects of the plot with which I disagreed. I guess I don't understand why Partridge killed Bradwell. Pressia was there, saw the entire thing and then somehow still forgives him nearly instantaneously? It felt like the whole thing could have been avoided, called off...I really feel like killing off Bradwell was an unnecessary plot development.
The ending was a surprise. It was not how I had envisioned it from the start of the series, and I think Baggott's ending was unlike anything her fans expected. For better and worse.
Truly, this book was great and if you're thinking of starting the series - do it. If you're questioning the value of finishing the trilogy - do it. This series is a treasure. Despite its flaws, Burn was enjoyable and I was glad to experience things with those wonderful characters again.