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The Burning Class
In the midst of the rampant crime and corruption of early 1980s Brooklyn, Analie has built a life for herself as the adoring young wife of a New York City police officer and trusted nanny to a sweet little boy.
But Analie has a deadly past and a terrible secret that’s catching up to her—one that she’ll do anything to outrun, even if it means setting her world on fire and watching everyone and everything go up in flames.
Analie has been burning for a long time...
and you never forget your first crime.
The Burning Class is Luisa Colon's incendiary second novel, a gripping supernatural thriller that weaves a story of trauma, fury, and love against the backdrop of a city on fire.
But Analie has a deadly past and a terrible secret that’s catching up to her—one that she’ll do anything to outrun, even if it means setting her world on fire and watching everyone and everything go up in flames.
Analie has been burning for a long time...
and you never forget your first crime.
The Burning Class is Luisa Colon's incendiary second novel, a gripping supernatural thriller that weaves a story of trauma, fury, and love against the backdrop of a city on fire.
204 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2025
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Luisa Colón
2 books8 followersLuisa Colón is a born-and-raised New Yorker, writer, artist, and sometime actress. Her work has appeared in numerous print and online publications; two of her murals are currently on display at the World Trade Center; and she starred in the 2006 award-winning independent feature film Day Night Day Night. Her first novel, BAD MOON RISING, was published by Cemetery Dance Publications in 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 20, 2025
When Analie was a child, she befriended Tenny, a poor, lonely, neglected girl. They were the best of friends for a time, until Tenny became more clingy and demanding. Analie tried to end the friendship but Tenny refused to let it go, becoming more and more intrusive and bothersome.
Now, as a grown woman, Analie is married to Corvi, a man she had a secret crush on when they were children. Corvi also came from an abusive, neglectful home. He is everything she thinks she wants. A man who sees her for exactly what she is and wants her not despite it, but because of it. They seem to be a perfect match made in hell. Analie has unresolved trauma from her childhood, of which she never speaks. This fuels most of her actions and reactions throughout the book. She is always looking outward for validation from others that she is a good person or at least good enough.
This is the author's second novel, and the first thing I notice is how much she has honed her skill in both character development and pacing.
The Burning Class is part coming of age, part supernatural horror, and part domestic drama, all twisted together to form an explosive tale that blew me away. I couldn't put it down. The personal dynamic between the characters was masterfully crafted to propel the story forward to a skillful and satisfying conclusion.
My thanks to the author for the gifted paperback.
Now, as a grown woman, Analie is married to Corvi, a man she had a secret crush on when they were children. Corvi also came from an abusive, neglectful home. He is everything she thinks she wants. A man who sees her for exactly what she is and wants her not despite it, but because of it. They seem to be a perfect match made in hell. Analie has unresolved trauma from her childhood, of which she never speaks. This fuels most of her actions and reactions throughout the book. She is always looking outward for validation from others that she is a good person or at least good enough.
This is the author's second novel, and the first thing I notice is how much she has honed her skill in both character development and pacing.
The Burning Class is part coming of age, part supernatural horror, and part domestic drama, all twisted together to form an explosive tale that blew me away. I couldn't put it down. The personal dynamic between the characters was masterfully crafted to propel the story forward to a skillful and satisfying conclusion.
My thanks to the author for the gifted paperback.
December 23, 2025
Wow, this was a great book! I really enjoyed it, it’s equal parts horror, domestic thriller, and supernatural. Very well done weaving of genres. Moved quickly and kept me interested.
December 30, 2025
Story fueled on childhood trauma that follows Analie through life.
The story is intriguing at first as it vaguely touches on a traumatic experience in Analie’s life and her relationship with her childhood friend Tenny.
Analie struggles with her past, Tenny’ attachment issues and a manipulative husband.
The story seemed long for a novela, but I was curious how everything would play out.
I think I’ll need to reread at some point because I don’t really understand what I just read!
December 10, 2025
Summer is in full swing and I, like most, am trying to beat the heat. By noon, my outdoor chores are done and I’m inside with the shades drawn. I’ve always heard that eating spicy food can help cool down your body. I tried it recently and found that it did make me feel cooler, although sweaty. But did you know, reading a book about fire could make you appreciate how cool you really are?
The Burning Class is the second horror novel from Luisa Colón. Set in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Gravesend during the 1980s, Colón weaves a tale of family struggles, tragedy, and personal trauma. The reader experiences this world through Analie’s perspective, a young woman traumatized by childhood abuse. Years later, when the abuser threatens to make a reappearance in her life, Analie makes a choice that will cost her more than she could know.
The relationship between Analie and her husband, Corvi, is at once heartwarming and heartbreaking. They are broken people, clearly trying to hold each other together. They both have pasts they would rather keep hidden, so they keep to themselves. Early on, the love between them is evident, but as Analie’s past comes to the forefront, things start to fall apart. The only person who can help Analie is El curandero, the witch doctor, and his price isn’t cheap.
Corvi, a police officer, begins taking more and more risks to cover the costs of keeping Analie safe. The late nights and close calls drive a wedge between the two. Eventually, Analie is driven closer to her employers–the Barretts, the family she babysits for. When tragedy befalls them, Analie sees an opportunity for a happier life.
The story jumps around Analie’s life, but it is expertly structured. The supernatural aspects are subtle and don’t overshadow the real-life horrors that include abuse, disappearances, and death.
The Burning Class is just shy of two hundred pages and is absolutely packed with exposition. Not a single page in this novel feels like filler or fluff. Every single chapter is impactful, and many leave the reader gut-punched and eagerly awaiting what happens next. There are so many details packed away here that readers will be thinking about them long after they’ve finished reading.
Luisa Colón’s The Burning Class is about the price we pay for our decisions. Complete with drama, mystery, and supernatural elements, there is something here for all audiences. I highly recommend this novel.
The Burning Class is the second horror novel from Luisa Colón. Set in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Gravesend during the 1980s, Colón weaves a tale of family struggles, tragedy, and personal trauma. The reader experiences this world through Analie’s perspective, a young woman traumatized by childhood abuse. Years later, when the abuser threatens to make a reappearance in her life, Analie makes a choice that will cost her more than she could know.
The relationship between Analie and her husband, Corvi, is at once heartwarming and heartbreaking. They are broken people, clearly trying to hold each other together. They both have pasts they would rather keep hidden, so they keep to themselves. Early on, the love between them is evident, but as Analie’s past comes to the forefront, things start to fall apart. The only person who can help Analie is El curandero, the witch doctor, and his price isn’t cheap.
Corvi, a police officer, begins taking more and more risks to cover the costs of keeping Analie safe. The late nights and close calls drive a wedge between the two. Eventually, Analie is driven closer to her employers–the Barretts, the family she babysits for. When tragedy befalls them, Analie sees an opportunity for a happier life.
The story jumps around Analie’s life, but it is expertly structured. The supernatural aspects are subtle and don’t overshadow the real-life horrors that include abuse, disappearances, and death.
The Burning Class is just shy of two hundred pages and is absolutely packed with exposition. Not a single page in this novel feels like filler or fluff. Every single chapter is impactful, and many leave the reader gut-punched and eagerly awaiting what happens next. There are so many details packed away here that readers will be thinking about them long after they’ve finished reading.
Luisa Colón’s The Burning Class is about the price we pay for our decisions. Complete with drama, mystery, and supernatural elements, there is something here for all audiences. I highly recommend this novel.
July 20, 2025
Gritty, emotionally charged, and terrifically original, The Burning Class is raw, authentic, and pulls no punches. Luisa Colón masterfully blends urban domestic drama with haunting supernatural horror, crafting a story of trauma, friendship, and fury set against the corrupt backdrop of 1980s Brooklyn. The bonds between the characters linger long after the final page. I read this on a long flight, and the time flew by. The book is beautifully written—no fluff, no wasted words, just powerful storytelling that plucks at the heartstrings. I highly recommend this outstanding book to any fan of horror.
May 22, 2025
The Burning Class is a strong novel that really leans hard into how unresolved childhood trauma can impact your adult life. There is a supernatural element, but it is relatively toned down compared to the real-life horrors that persist throughout the story, like CSA and police brutality. The author did a great job at writing highly flawed and complex characters; while they weren’t particularly likable at times, you’re really able to understand the context in which they were created. Overall it was an interesting read.
June 13, 2025
I got this book at random from the Cemetery Dance book club and I'm really glad I did.
Absolutely excellent. This book grabs you and moves. Well drawn characters, an interesting portrait of 1980s Brooklyn, and, of course, spooky as hell.
It's about regret and self-destruction and how we often choose to hold onto the wrong things.
Absolutely excellent. This book grabs you and moves. Well drawn characters, an interesting portrait of 1980s Brooklyn, and, of course, spooky as hell.
It's about regret and self-destruction and how we often choose to hold onto the wrong things.
December 16, 2025
Fun twist at the end. Did not see it coming!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews