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libby1776's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book means so much to me. It has been my favorite book for the past 10 years of my life. This reread shook me to my core it made me understand mh young self more and help me in this weird time in my life. Since at its core Enna Burning is about a girl who is at a cross roads in her life, she is feeling lonely and like she does not know what to do with her life. It’s a book that deals with war, grief, trauma, the power of friendship and finding your inner strength. In my adult life today I try to channel my inner Isi and Enna in everything I do.
catrinr's review against another edition
1.0
[bc:Enna Burning|248482|Enna Burning (The Books of Bayern, #2)|Shannon Hale|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617553355l/248482._SY75_.jpg|1139000]
I was severely disappointed by this book, especially after reading Goose Girl. While the action parts of it were done well I felt the wording became repetitive in regards to Enna's burning abilities and her reasons for doing anything.
The other problem I have is with the character information and world building. Normally I feel like these parts can be a bit drawn out in many stories but in Enna Burning it was virtually non-existent for every character and in turn the plot ended up moving too fast and felt clunky. Bayern is beautiful and I would've loved to know more about what the forest was like, how the weather felt and affected behavior and living, how the characters around Enna were reacting to their environment or behaving, etc. but I felt this was always rushed and a side thought to action which made the other characters in the book more like NPCs that repeat the same line when you run near them.
It would have been much easier to connect to the characters if Hale had placed some scenes in-between the action to show the relationships between characters, dug into Enna's mind a little more, and built up to the war much slower.
We should have also gotten to know her brother more in the beginning to be able to understand the grief that Enna felt and why she fought so hard to control her burning. Enna's love interest made no sense because we had next to no information on their connection or saw them grow together, he just seemed to pop in sporadically and it felt more like it was thrown in to create the happy ending aspect.
I found myself not caring for any of the characters and not really understanding their actions because I didn't know who they were or what drove them.
The one part I really did enjoy was the description of the connection between Enna and Isi towards the end of the book, had this been done throughout it would have been another excellent story.
I was severely disappointed by this book, especially after reading Goose Girl. While the action parts of it were done well I felt the wording became repetitive in regards to Enna's burning abilities and her reasons for doing anything.
The other problem I have is with the character information and world building. Normally I feel like these parts can be a bit drawn out in many stories but in Enna Burning it was virtually non-existent for every character and in turn the plot ended up moving too fast and felt clunky. Bayern is beautiful and I would've loved to know more about what the forest was like, how the weather felt and affected behavior and living, how the characters around Enna were reacting to their environment or behaving, etc. but I felt this was always rushed and a side thought to action which made the other characters in the book more like NPCs that repeat the same line when you run near them.
It would have been much easier to connect to the characters if Hale had placed some scenes in-between the action to show the relationships between characters, dug into Enna's mind a little more, and built up to the war much slower.
We should have also gotten to know her brother more in the beginning to be able to understand the grief that Enna felt and why she fought so hard to control her burning. Enna's love interest made no sense because we had next to no information on their connection or saw them grow together, he just seemed to pop in sporadically and it felt more like it was thrown in to create the happy ending aspect.
I found myself not caring for any of the characters and not really understanding their actions because I didn't know who they were or what drove them.
The one part I really did enjoy was the description of the connection between Enna and Isi towards the end of the book, had this been done throughout it would have been another excellent story.
samistoltenberg's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
themoonphoenix's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lilcatlovingactress's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
What a beautiful sequel and elaboration on the world built in The Goose Girl. A touch too violent for my taste (I’m tired of war)—but a fantastic read nonetheless. Themes of home, identity, family, and different kinds of love. Oh and the importance of balance! Sorry this isn’t the most coherent review; I just finished it and it’s the early hour of morning lol.
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
4.0
LOVED this book. Darker than Goose Girl, but addicting and compelling to read. Have I mentioned I ADORE Shannon Hale???
utahmomreads's review against another edition
3.0
My first impression upon finishing the book was "it's cute". Then, I reminded myself that the book's intended audience is ten and that made me feel better. Enna Burning is equally as clean as Goose Girl, it's predecessor, and is a creative and inventive story of Isi's friend Enna who learns how to speak to fire. The land of Bayern is now at war and Enna believes that her new skills can help save her homeland. Enna has a mighty adventure as she learns how to control the fire and not let it control her. The writing is simple but that is appropriate for the audience and I believe that my daughter will enjoy this series in a few years.
sampauwels's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
leniverse's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0