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A review by sachik
The Ones We Burn by Rebecca Mix
3.0
first of all, i think these two reviews tackle the controversy around this book really well.
in and of itself, the ones we burn is on the better end of ya fantasy (though there is the occasional moment where I’m like wow. wow that was a painfully ya line of dialogue). the writing is easy to read and the plot is predictable but interesting, particularly the factional politics. it definitely needed more worldbuilding- if you want to read something along the lines of the human/witch conflict but more fleshed out I recommend The Wolf & The Woodsman.
Character wise: ranka's character development is solid, and Ongrum is very much a gaslighting mother gothel-esque figure which i can appreciate. the romance and the found family are both underdeveloped, and i never cared much about either. i like Foldrey (complicated father figures ftw) and the way all his actions, even betrayal, are steeped in love.
overall 2.5/5, rounding up
in and of itself, the ones we burn is on the better end of ya fantasy (though there is the occasional moment where I’m like wow. wow that was a painfully ya line of dialogue). the writing is easy to read and the plot is predictable but interesting, particularly the factional politics. it definitely needed more worldbuilding- if you want to read something along the lines of the human/witch conflict but more fleshed out I recommend The Wolf & The Woodsman.
Character wise: ranka's character development is solid, and Ongrum is very much a gaslighting mother gothel-esque figure which i can appreciate. the romance and the found family are both underdeveloped, and i never cared much about either. i like Foldrey (complicated father figures ftw) and the way all his actions, even betrayal, are steeped in love.
overall 2.5/5, rounding up