Scan barcode
A review by mjscooke
The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I received a DRC of this novel from Hodder & Stoughton via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It is a testament of well crafted story telling when a novel is able to engage you even when you are going through a slump, a tough time, or are having a drain of focus. The Ones We Burn is one such novel. Rebecca Mix weaves a tale of a conflicted world where Ranka, a wild blood-witch from the north, is sent south to kill the prince she is destined to marry as part of a precarious treaty between witches and the humans who keep burning them. But when she heads south things are not as they seem and the people she is supposed to hate are helping to cure a magical plague that has been killing witches.
Throughout the novel questions of morality are posed and loyalties are tested. There is also a well handled undercurrent of the effects of childhood trauma, not to mention fantastic queer representation and some quippy dialogue. I particularly enjoyed the 3rd act but won't mention why because who wants spoilers right? I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys sapphic, witchy vibes, a dash of supernatural medical mystery and a good measure of violence for a reason.
It is a testament of well crafted story telling when a novel is able to engage you even when you are going through a slump, a tough time, or are having a drain of focus. The Ones We Burn is one such novel. Rebecca Mix weaves a tale of a conflicted world where Ranka, a wild blood-witch from the north, is sent south to kill the prince she is destined to marry as part of a precarious treaty between witches and the humans who keep burning them. But when she heads south things are not as they seem and the people she is supposed to hate are helping to cure a magical plague that has been killing witches.
Throughout the novel questions of morality are posed and loyalties are tested. There is also a well handled undercurrent of the effects of childhood trauma, not to mention fantastic queer representation and some quippy dialogue. I particularly enjoyed the 3rd act but won't mention why because who wants spoilers right? I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys sapphic, witchy vibes, a dash of supernatural medical mystery and a good measure of violence for a reason.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Violence, Death, Grief, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail