What do you think?
Rate this book
Four Sisters #2
Burn: A YA Dystopian Fantasy―Fairy Tale Retelling of Secrets and Love
The thrilling companion to Elissa Sussman’s masterful and original fairy tale, Stray, about which Booklist said, “Sussman delightfully mixes dystopian tension with retold fairy tales, and the result is something wholly original.” For readers of Heather Dixon’s Entwined and fans of Disney’s Into the Woods and Tangled.
After helping to rescue Princess Aislynn, Elanor has finally rejoined the rebel camp she calls home. Stolen from her parents at a young age and forced into service by the Wicked Queen, Elanor now wants nothing more than to see the queen removed from power. But Elanor has secrets—mistakes she’s spent years trying to forget—and the closer the rebels get to the throne, the harder it is for Elanor to keep her past hidden away. With fellow rebels on her side, including Princess Aislynn, Thackery, and the handsome and mysterious Matthias, it is time for Elanor to make a decision. Will she protect her secrets? Or risk everything to save the people she loves? Booklist said, “Fans will love having more action, more delicate touches of fairy tales, more romance. . . . A solid girl-positive addition to fantasy collections.” Includes a map.
After helping to rescue Princess Aislynn, Elanor has finally rejoined the rebel camp she calls home. Stolen from her parents at a young age and forced into service by the Wicked Queen, Elanor now wants nothing more than to see the queen removed from power. But Elanor has secrets—mistakes she’s spent years trying to forget—and the closer the rebels get to the throne, the harder it is for Elanor to keep her past hidden away. With fellow rebels on her side, including Princess Aislynn, Thackery, and the handsome and mysterious Matthias, it is time for Elanor to make a decision. Will she protect her secrets? Or risk everything to save the people she loves? Booklist said, “Fans will love having more action, more delicate touches of fairy tales, more romance. . . . A solid girl-positive addition to fantasy collections.” Includes a map.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2016
18 people are currently reading
1784 people want to read
About the author
Elissa Sussman
6 books2,274 followersWriter, reader, pumpkin pie eater.
I'm not very active on Goodreads, but I love hearing from readers. Visit my website to see how you can contact or connect with me!
Elissa Sussman is the author of the novel FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, as well as the young adult novels, DRAWN THAT WAY, STRAY, and BURN.
She has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, an MFA from Pacific University, and in a previous life managed animators and organized spreadsheets at some of the best animation studios in the world, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Dreamworks, and Sony Imageworks. You can see her name in the credits of THE CROODS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, and TANGLED.
She lives in her hometown of Los Angeles with her husband and their two dogs, Basil and Mozzarella.
I'm not very active on Goodreads, but I love hearing from readers. Visit my website to see how you can contact or connect with me!
Elissa Sussman is the author of the novel FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, as well as the young adult novels, DRAWN THAT WAY, STRAY, and BURN.
She has a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, an MFA from Pacific University, and in a previous life managed animators and organized spreadsheets at some of the best animation studios in the world, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Dreamworks, and Sony Imageworks. You can see her name in the credits of THE CROODS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, and TANGLED.
She lives in her hometown of Los Angeles with her husband and their two dogs, Basil and Mozzarella.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 14, 2016
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was an okay story, but I didn’t like it as much as Stray.
I was quite surprised when I realised that this book followed Elanor rather than Aislynn, and I actually had to go back to the first book to try and work out who Elanor even was! (She was one of the orphans that Aislynn helped rescue). I found it quite difficult to warm to Elanor though, and really just wanted Aislynn back as the main character.
The storyline in this was about Elanor and the rebels trying to over thrown The Wicked Queen, but I found the whole thing quite dull and slow, and even the little twist that we got didn’t really interest me.
The ending to this was okay, but I’m hoping the next book in the series will be better.
6 out of 10
“I know how to fight.”
This was an okay story, but I didn’t like it as much as Stray.
I was quite surprised when I realised that this book followed Elanor rather than Aislynn, and I actually had to go back to the first book to try and work out who Elanor even was! (She was one of the orphans that Aislynn helped rescue). I found it quite difficult to warm to Elanor though, and really just wanted Aislynn back as the main character.
The storyline in this was about Elanor and the rebels trying to over thrown The Wicked Queen, but I found the whole thing quite dull and slow, and even the little twist that we got didn’t really interest me.
The ending to this was okay, but I’m hoping the next book in the series will be better.
6 out of 10
December 22, 2015
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Burn by Elissa Sussman
Book Two of the Four Sisters series
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: January 19, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Gifted ARC
Summary (from Goodreads):
After helping to rescue Princess Aislynn, Elanor has finally rejoined the rebel camp she calls home. Stolen from her parents at a young age and forced into service by the Wicked Queen, Elanor now wants nothing more than to see the queen removed from power. But Elanor has secrets, mistakes she’s spent years trying to forget, and the closer the rebels get to the throne, the harder it is for Elanor to keep her past hidden away.
With fellow rebels on her side—including Princess Aislynn, Thackery, and the handsome and mysterious Matthias—it is time for Elanor to make a decision. Will she protect her secrets? Or risk everything to save the people she loves?
The thrilling companion to Elissa Sussman’s masterful and original fairy tale, Stray, that will appeal to readers of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and fans of Wicked, Into the Woods, and the Disney princess movies.
What I Liked:
I was so incredibly excited to see that there would be a book to follow Stray, one of my favorite novels of 2014. I remember thinking that while Stray ended well, good enough for a standalone, there was a lot of potential for a companion novel. Burn is a companion sequel - it's told from a different character's POV, but advances the story from where Stray left off. In fact, Aislynn and Thackery are pretty big players in this!
Elanor is finally back in the Mountain with the other Orphans, rebels trying to take down Queen Josetta. There is something off about the Wicked Queen - her huntsmen have been going through different routes, expanding to different areas. Elanor used to be enslaved by the Queen, and there are certain things that she'd rather never remember. Elanor has been haunted by the past for so long. But she and the other Orphans are determined to make the Queen pay for evil - forever.
There was so much incredible depth to this book. Elanor is different from Aislynn (protagonist of Stray), and I loved seeing this completely different heroine. Elanor is totally kickbutt, able to wield a dagger or bows and arrows or ax with incredible ease. She's level-headed and somewhat stoic. We get a look into her past bit by bit, so we're slowly exposed to her story. It's a heartbreaking story in a very different way than you'd think. I really like Elanor and how her character is shaped by her past, as well as how her character grows throughout this book.
Elanor is also dealing with family struggles; her adoptive brother is going to leave the Mountain (which is basically unheard of, among the Orphans) - and their adoptive mother wants to go with him. This breaks Elanor's heart, preparing to lose both members of her family. I love that this book isn't just a fantasy book that deals with an evil queen - family is such a central important part of the story.
And not just for Elanor! A new character, Matthias, joins the Orphans after he is rescued from the Queen's dungeons by Elanor and Rhys (fellow Orphan). Matthias's father gave him to the Queen at a young age, and he rarely ever saw his mother. Matthias is sweet and eager, but also very determined and focused on what he wants. I liked him, even with all the secrets and truths surrounding him. He's an interesting guy, and I'm curious to how his role in the story will grow in the next book (I'm assuming there will be two more books? "Four Sisters" series?).
There are so many secondary characters that I loved and wish I could hug. Rhys, who is a charming sweetie. Wren, whose story is more heartbreaking than Elanor's. Brigid, who is a warrior in her own way. Even the animals, Dagger (a fox) and Cinnamon (a wolf). I love them both!
Stray was known to be an original fairy tale - I'm not sure if Burn is supposed to be another original fairy tale, but I think it's just as lovely and intricate and sweeping as a fairy tale. There is something magical about Sussman's writing, how she constructs this world, how she crafts the story. There is a character's growth and story, but there is also the rest of the world, the secondary characters, etc.
I like that this is a companion sequel! It takes off the pressure a little when the sequel is a companion. You know that the story will continue to progress forward, but in the eyes of another character. We see a lot of Thackery and Aislynn in this book, who are swoony and lovely as ever. I definitely see Thackery as more than a love interest, though I love his relationship with Aislynn!
And the series plot has developed little by little - there is significance to several magic items, and a connection to the Four Sisters. What will happen if someone has all four? Let's hope Elanor, Aislynn, Thackery, and the gang never find out...
There is romance in this book! It's such a sweet romance - I loved the subtle swoon in this book, just like in Stray. I love how empowering some of the scenes were, as well as how romantic others were. I won't say too much on the romance, but rest assured, it's very satisfying... I just wish there was more, especially towards the end.
This book ended well, just like a standalone, really! Which makes sense, since it seems like each book in the series will be a companion that could function as a standalone but also advances the plot really well. No cliffhanger (thank goodness - my last few reads have had cliffhanger after cliffhanger!), no brutal ending. I can't wait to read the next book!
What I Did Not Like:
There is one loose thread that was not tied, and it's bothering me a lot. Unfortunately I can't say it here without spoiling a whole bunch of things (literally it's a small sentence but it would unravel so much if I typed it). I want to know more about This Certain Thing, because it didn't get resolve in the end, and it mad me sad. However, it's highly possible that the author will include more resolution to This Certain Thing in future books, just like how we saw so much of Thackery, and Aislynn, from Stray. Right? *rationalizes everything*
Would I Recommend It:
I highly recommend this series! I adore the fantasy, the fairy tale, the world that Sussman has created, and the characters especially. There is a beautiful quality to these stories! You don't have to be a fantasy fan to enjoy them. And the books read so quickly!
Rating:
4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. Unfortunately that Certain Thing dropped my rating slightly - but I so loved this book. I can't wait to read more!
Burn by Elissa Sussman
Book Two of the Four Sisters series
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: January 19, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: Gifted ARC
Summary (from Goodreads):
After helping to rescue Princess Aislynn, Elanor has finally rejoined the rebel camp she calls home. Stolen from her parents at a young age and forced into service by the Wicked Queen, Elanor now wants nothing more than to see the queen removed from power. But Elanor has secrets, mistakes she’s spent years trying to forget, and the closer the rebels get to the throne, the harder it is for Elanor to keep her past hidden away.
With fellow rebels on her side—including Princess Aislynn, Thackery, and the handsome and mysterious Matthias—it is time for Elanor to make a decision. Will she protect her secrets? Or risk everything to save the people she loves?
The thrilling companion to Elissa Sussman’s masterful and original fairy tale, Stray, that will appeal to readers of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale and fans of Wicked, Into the Woods, and the Disney princess movies.
What I Liked:
I was so incredibly excited to see that there would be a book to follow Stray, one of my favorite novels of 2014. I remember thinking that while Stray ended well, good enough for a standalone, there was a lot of potential for a companion novel. Burn is a companion sequel - it's told from a different character's POV, but advances the story from where Stray left off. In fact, Aislynn and Thackery are pretty big players in this!
Elanor is finally back in the Mountain with the other Orphans, rebels trying to take down Queen Josetta. There is something off about the Wicked Queen - her huntsmen have been going through different routes, expanding to different areas. Elanor used to be enslaved by the Queen, and there are certain things that she'd rather never remember. Elanor has been haunted by the past for so long. But she and the other Orphans are determined to make the Queen pay for evil - forever.
There was so much incredible depth to this book. Elanor is different from Aislynn (protagonist of Stray), and I loved seeing this completely different heroine. Elanor is totally kickbutt, able to wield a dagger or bows and arrows or ax with incredible ease. She's level-headed and somewhat stoic. We get a look into her past bit by bit, so we're slowly exposed to her story. It's a heartbreaking story in a very different way than you'd think. I really like Elanor and how her character is shaped by her past, as well as how her character grows throughout this book.
Elanor is also dealing with family struggles; her adoptive brother is going to leave the Mountain (which is basically unheard of, among the Orphans) - and their adoptive mother wants to go with him. This breaks Elanor's heart, preparing to lose both members of her family. I love that this book isn't just a fantasy book that deals with an evil queen - family is such a central important part of the story.
And not just for Elanor! A new character, Matthias, joins the Orphans after he is rescued from the Queen's dungeons by Elanor and Rhys (fellow Orphan). Matthias's father gave him to the Queen at a young age, and he rarely ever saw his mother. Matthias is sweet and eager, but also very determined and focused on what he wants. I liked him, even with all the secrets and truths surrounding him. He's an interesting guy, and I'm curious to how his role in the story will grow in the next book (I'm assuming there will be two more books? "Four Sisters" series?).
There are so many secondary characters that I loved and wish I could hug. Rhys, who is a charming sweetie. Wren, whose story is more heartbreaking than Elanor's. Brigid, who is a warrior in her own way. Even the animals, Dagger (a fox) and Cinnamon (a wolf). I love them both!
Stray was known to be an original fairy tale - I'm not sure if Burn is supposed to be another original fairy tale, but I think it's just as lovely and intricate and sweeping as a fairy tale. There is something magical about Sussman's writing, how she constructs this world, how she crafts the story. There is a character's growth and story, but there is also the rest of the world, the secondary characters, etc.
I like that this is a companion sequel! It takes off the pressure a little when the sequel is a companion. You know that the story will continue to progress forward, but in the eyes of another character. We see a lot of Thackery and Aislynn in this book, who are swoony and lovely as ever. I definitely see Thackery as more than a love interest, though I love his relationship with Aislynn!
And the series plot has developed little by little - there is significance to several magic items, and a connection to the Four Sisters. What will happen if someone has all four? Let's hope Elanor, Aislynn, Thackery, and the gang never find out...
There is romance in this book! It's such a sweet romance - I loved the subtle swoon in this book, just like in Stray. I love how empowering some of the scenes were, as well as how romantic others were. I won't say too much on the romance, but rest assured, it's very satisfying... I just wish there was more, especially towards the end.
This book ended well, just like a standalone, really! Which makes sense, since it seems like each book in the series will be a companion that could function as a standalone but also advances the plot really well. No cliffhanger (thank goodness - my last few reads have had cliffhanger after cliffhanger!), no brutal ending. I can't wait to read the next book!
What I Did Not Like:
There is one loose thread that was not tied, and it's bothering me a lot. Unfortunately I can't say it here without spoiling a whole bunch of things (literally it's a small sentence but it would unravel so much if I typed it). I want to know more about This Certain Thing, because it didn't get resolve in the end, and it mad me sad. However, it's highly possible that the author will include more resolution to This Certain Thing in future books, just like how we saw so much of Thackery, and Aislynn, from Stray. Right? *rationalizes everything*
Would I Recommend It:
I highly recommend this series! I adore the fantasy, the fairy tale, the world that Sussman has created, and the characters especially. There is a beautiful quality to these stories! You don't have to be a fantasy fan to enjoy them. And the books read so quickly!
Rating:
4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. Unfortunately that Certain Thing dropped my rating slightly - but I so loved this book. I can't wait to read more!
January 18, 2017
An interesting story following a girl named Elanor, part of a group of Orphans living in a mountain, who wants more than anything to see the Wicked Queen gone from power. I never read the first book, thought I owned it, I never got around to it. I enjoy fairy tales, so I was actually a little bummed to find out I missed out on the first book, thought all was not lost, that just means I will now need to actually read it.
I was glad that Burn could read as a standalone, though I must admit, reading book one, still would have helped get the whole background story. Nonetheless, I was able to catch up and things eventually clicked into place. I enjoyed Sussman’s writing. I love the amount of creativity that took to spin this tale, and the entire series shows a lot of potential. Even thought the book started a bit slow for me at first, it did eventually pick up and I found myself truly enjoying the story. I loved him limited the magic was in this book and the role it played in the character’s lives.
I did have a bit of a hard time with Elanor, I think for me there was a bit of a disconnect. I am sure in part it was my own mood when I started the book, but I did end up warming up to her by the end of the story. I enjoyed the character growth as the story progressed.
The swoon worthy romance made me happy :), the adventure was exciting and overall, I really enjoyed the writing and the story. I am looking forward to going back and reading the first book to familiarize myself with this growing world in hopes to better prepare myself for the next book!
Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a signed paperback of STRAY and buttons. US Only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
1/11/2016- Dazzled by Books - Interview
1/12/2016- Seeing Double In Neverland - Review
1/13/2016- The Eater of Books! - Guest Post
1/14/2016- RhiReading - Review
1/15/2016- Two Chicks on Books - Interview
Week Two:
1/18/2016- Stories & Sweeties - Review
1/19/2016- Fire and Ice - Guest Post
1/20/2016- Owl Always Be Reading - Review
1/21/2016- Dark Faerie Tales - Interview
1/22/2016- Night Owl Book Café - Review
This review was originally posted on Night Owl Book Café
January 19, 2016
*Source* Publisher via Edelweiss
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
Burn is the second installment in the Four Sisters series by author Elissa Sussman. While the first novel in the series featured Princess Aislynn, Burn features one of her rescuers, Elanor. Elanor is a study in contrast from Aislynn. Taken away from her parents at a young age, she was thrown into the Wicked Queen's service for the next 5 years. Later she escaped, and joined a group known as the Orphans, who are fighting to overthrow the Queen Josetta from their mountain home.
*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Reviews 01/19/2016* Link to Follow*
Expected publication: January 19th 2016 by Greenwillow Books
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*My Thoughts*
Burn is the second installment in the Four Sisters series by author Elissa Sussman. While the first novel in the series featured Princess Aislynn, Burn features one of her rescuers, Elanor. Elanor is a study in contrast from Aislynn. Taken away from her parents at a young age, she was thrown into the Wicked Queen's service for the next 5 years. Later she escaped, and joined a group known as the Orphans, who are fighting to overthrow the Queen Josetta from their mountain home.
*Full Review Posting @ Gizmos Reviews 01/19/2016* Link to Follow*
Expected publication: January 19th 2016 by Greenwillow Books
January 16, 2016
Review to come.
April 5, 2022
*3.75
This book, separate from the rest of the series, was very good. I think this was planned to be a longer series, but wasn't continued? Because there are so many loose ends. Like the most loose ends ever. I think the author had a plan for Elanor's, the main character of the second book, story from the beginning, but also had the idea for the gimmicky, fairy godmother portion that we focused on in the first book and didn't know how to connect the two completely. I loved Elanor's character and I do wish there was a final book, but there doesn't seem to be any plans for one. The author's writing has already improved a lot from the first book. I'm very confused.
This book, separate from the rest of the series, was very good. I think this was planned to be a longer series, but wasn't continued? Because there are so many loose ends. Like the most loose ends ever. I think the author had a plan for Elanor's, the main character of the second book, story from the beginning, but also had the idea for the gimmicky, fairy godmother portion that we focused on in the first book and didn't know how to connect the two completely. I loved Elanor's character and I do wish there was a final book, but there doesn't seem to be any plans for one. The author's writing has already improved a lot from the first book. I'm very confused.
April 4, 2019
3/5
J’étais heureuse de pouvoir lire la suite de Stray avec le point de vue d’une hautre héroine, mais le roman est bien mal proportionné. 175 pages de longueur et 50 pages d’actions hyper rapide et mal expliqué. Un thème interessant, mais mal exploité. Tout était prévisible et il reste encore énormément de questions à répondre (vas-t’il y avoir une suite?! Elle serait nécessaire!)
J’étais heureuse de pouvoir lire la suite de Stray avec le point de vue d’une hautre héroine, mais le roman est bien mal proportionné. 175 pages de longueur et 50 pages d’actions hyper rapide et mal expliqué. Un thème interessant, mais mal exploité. Tout était prévisible et il reste encore énormément de questions à répondre (vas-t’il y avoir une suite?! Elle serait nécessaire!)
July 18, 2016
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury I give you exhibit A, my fawning review of Stray, the exquisite broken fairy tale told by the super talented Elissa Sussman. Please note my adoration for her writing style, amazing world building, and awesome story telling talent. Observe my longing for the second book in this series, my salivating, insatiable greed to have the next book in my hands.
Now observe my heartbreak and crankiness over this book sucking a giant egg.
It's made worse by the beauty and mystery of the first book in this series but even without it Burn would have been awful. I don't even really want to talk about it that's how disappointed I am.
Gone is all the tense, rich atmosphere of forbidden magic and hidden enemies. Gone are all the fascinating references to traditional fairy tale archetypes that have been turned into frightening, cruel nightmare versions of themselves. Gone are believable, relatable characters with layers and faults and delightfully real personality quirks.
Everything I loved about Elissa Sussman's first oh so promising book has utterly vanished from this wispy, blah, meandering follow up.
Instead of the sweet and sad Aislynn and her struggle to fight back against the stifling, evil machinations of a mysterious enemy and the beautiful, natural love story she shared with orphan rebel Thackery we are instead given the utterly boring Elanor, and orphan from Thackery's band of rebels who used to be a slave to the infamous evil queen we only heard whispers of in book one.
Elanor is a battle hardened survivor who doesn't want to get close to anyone lest they discover the horrible secret shes hiding. She's a born fighter and its all she wants to do when she's not playing with her pet fox or hanging around in the orphan's hideout. Which she does for like 90% of the book.
Nothing frickin' happens in this story! Elanor literally spends all her damn time lolling about! Everything about this is phoned in from a giant cast of characters who all sound the same to the shoe horned "oh look how with it and edgy I am" gay relationships and the tacked on "surprise" ending every second of this book felt like I was wading through a really, really boring swamp of boring.
I read it a week ago and I don't even remember what it was about? Did anything happen? Nothing that was set up in Stray really got touched on. The entire thing is just this band of rebels hanging around arguing about being rebels. Should they keep fighting or run away? Should they run away or keep fighting? Should they fight away or keep running? blah, blah, blah, blah....
This read likes an outline and is about as riveting as a meatloaf. I don't know if its "second novel syndrome" or if Sussman only had one book in her but I have rarely been this disappointed in a sequel.
Now observe my heartbreak and crankiness over this book sucking a giant egg.
It's made worse by the beauty and mystery of the first book in this series but even without it Burn would have been awful. I don't even really want to talk about it that's how disappointed I am.
Gone is all the tense, rich atmosphere of forbidden magic and hidden enemies. Gone are all the fascinating references to traditional fairy tale archetypes that have been turned into frightening, cruel nightmare versions of themselves. Gone are believable, relatable characters with layers and faults and delightfully real personality quirks.
Everything I loved about Elissa Sussman's first oh so promising book has utterly vanished from this wispy, blah, meandering follow up.
Instead of the sweet and sad Aislynn and her struggle to fight back against the stifling, evil machinations of a mysterious enemy and the beautiful, natural love story she shared with orphan rebel Thackery we are instead given the utterly boring Elanor, and orphan from Thackery's band of rebels who used to be a slave to the infamous evil queen we only heard whispers of in book one.
Elanor is a battle hardened survivor who doesn't want to get close to anyone lest they discover the horrible secret shes hiding. She's a born fighter and its all she wants to do when she's not playing with her pet fox or hanging around in the orphan's hideout. Which she does for like 90% of the book.
Nothing frickin' happens in this story! Elanor literally spends all her damn time lolling about! Everything about this is phoned in from a giant cast of characters who all sound the same to the shoe horned "oh look how with it and edgy I am" gay relationships and the tacked on "surprise" ending every second of this book felt like I was wading through a really, really boring swamp of boring.
I read it a week ago and I don't even remember what it was about? Did anything happen? Nothing that was set up in Stray really got touched on. The entire thing is just this band of rebels hanging around arguing about being rebels. Should they keep fighting or run away? Should they run away or keep fighting? Should they fight away or keep running? blah, blah, blah, blah....
This read likes an outline and is about as riveting as a meatloaf. I don't know if its "second novel syndrome" or if Sussman only had one book in her but I have rarely been this disappointed in a sequel.
July 9, 2016
After helping to rescue Princess Aislynn, Elanor has finally rejoined the rebel camp she calls home. Stolen from her parents at a young age and forced into service by the Wicked Queen, Elanor now wants nothing more than to see the queen removed from power. But Elanor has secrets, mistakes she’s spent years trying to forget, and the closer the rebels get to the throne, the harder it is for Elanor to keep her past hidden away. With fellow rebels on her side—including Princess Aislynn, Thackery, and the handsome and mysterious Matthias—it is time for Elanor to make a decision. Will she protect her secrets? Or risk everything to save the people she loves?
The story of the Four Sisters continues with Eleanor, whom we had met towards the ending of Stray. She is one of Orphans, the people rescued from Josetta's palace, and living in the main mountain camp as rebels. She is hiding a secret, one that fuels her determination to end Josetta. They have been trying for years to assassinate her, but with no success. After a routine raid, they come across Matthias - who was in the Queen's dungeons. At first, it seems it has nothing much to do with the other kingdoms, where the rules were different for young girls, but Josetta's kingdom is it's own version of hell. The plotlines of Stray and Burn converge, when Aislynn and Thackery rejoin, and they pursue leads into the missing girls.
Story-wise, I prefer this to the first. There was a lot of action, some betrayal, some reveals and some new insights. Character-wise, I preferred the treatment in the first. Eleanor is a warrior, and her particular dark past has to do with her actions, but it doesn't mean much for the present, directly. Either way, she would have still rallied, and honestly that felt like an unnecessary subplot. As for the 'unexpected' reveals, I had my doubts so I wasn't entirely shocked. While we didn't get much explanation on the other kingdom's worlds, we do get the real story of the Four Sisters in this installment, and some pieces put in place for subsequent novels. The animals are a big clue, and this means, we should be on the lookout for a swan and an owl next. The diversity of this series has been one thing I liked, and it is good to have a pansexual protagonist.
The ending was a bit of a mess, in my opinion, with a lot of confusion (action and story-wise) and not everything making proper sense. I honestly can't believe Benedict knew nothing - like, how sheltered can you be? And what about Brigid - will she get her happy ending? But the fact that at least some things make sense now (from the first book), makes me interested in the next. 3.5 stars to this one.
Received a free galley from Greenwillow Books via Edelweiss; this does not influence my opinions or the review.
The story of the Four Sisters continues with Eleanor, whom we had met towards the ending of Stray. She is one of Orphans, the people rescued from Josetta's palace, and living in the main mountain camp as rebels. She is hiding a secret, one that fuels her determination to end Josetta. They have been trying for years to assassinate her, but with no success. After a routine raid, they come across Matthias - who was in the Queen's dungeons. At first, it seems it has nothing much to do with the other kingdoms, where the rules were different for young girls, but Josetta's kingdom is it's own version of hell. The plotlines of Stray and Burn converge, when Aislynn and Thackery rejoin, and they pursue leads into the missing girls.
Story-wise, I prefer this to the first. There was a lot of action, some betrayal, some reveals and some new insights. Character-wise, I preferred the treatment in the first. Eleanor is a warrior, and her particular dark past has to do with her actions, but it doesn't mean much for the present, directly. Either way, she would have still rallied, and honestly that felt like an unnecessary subplot. As for the 'unexpected' reveals, I had my doubts so I wasn't entirely shocked. While we didn't get much explanation on the other kingdom's worlds, we do get the real story of the Four Sisters in this installment, and some pieces put in place for subsequent novels. The animals are a big clue, and this means, we should be on the lookout for a swan and an owl next. The diversity of this series has been one thing I liked, and it is good to have a pansexual protagonist.
The ending was a bit of a mess, in my opinion, with a lot of confusion (action and story-wise) and not everything making proper sense. I honestly can't believe Benedict knew nothing - like, how sheltered can you be? And what about Brigid - will she get her happy ending? But the fact that at least some things make sense now (from the first book), makes me interested in the next. 3.5 stars to this one.
Received a free galley from Greenwillow Books via Edelweiss; this does not influence my opinions or the review.
January 31, 2016
Burn was, unfortunately, quite the mediocre read. There are a lot of things I didn't like about it and very few things I enjoyed.
One of the biggest problems was that I honestly felt like I didn't get to know the characters at all throughout the novel. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but the character development seemed extremely poor, and I just felt nothing about any of the characters. (Except the pet fox. So adorable.) Even when there were big twists that seemed to shock the characters, I just didn't really care. Part of the reason for this was that we switch to a different character to the first book as the main character- a character that wasn't developed enough despite being the narrator. Similarly to the first book, the romance was also rather feeble. It was underdeveloped, and while Elanor and Matthias had more of a connection than the main characters in Stray, I still didn't really strongly ship them.
The plot was, again, very generic, and there weren't that many shocking twists. The one big twist was unexpected, but it also didn't have much of an impact, probably because of the previously mentioned lack of care factor for the characters. I had hoped that this sequel would consolidate things, but it ended up being the same loose plot that we got in Stray.
Unfortunately, I found Burn was quite underwhelming compared to Stray. I have no desire to continue with this series.
Ratings
Overall: 5/10
Plot: 2/5
Romance: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
World Building: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Cover: 2/5
One of the biggest problems was that I honestly felt like I didn't get to know the characters at all throughout the novel. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but the character development seemed extremely poor, and I just felt nothing about any of the characters. (Except the pet fox. So adorable.) Even when there were big twists that seemed to shock the characters, I just didn't really care. Part of the reason for this was that we switch to a different character to the first book as the main character- a character that wasn't developed enough despite being the narrator. Similarly to the first book, the romance was also rather feeble. It was underdeveloped, and while Elanor and Matthias had more of a connection than the main characters in Stray, I still didn't really strongly ship them.
The plot was, again, very generic, and there weren't that many shocking twists. The one big twist was unexpected, but it also didn't have much of an impact, probably because of the previously mentioned lack of care factor for the characters. I had hoped that this sequel would consolidate things, but it ended up being the same loose plot that we got in Stray.
Unfortunately, I found Burn was quite underwhelming compared to Stray. I have no desire to continue with this series.
Ratings
Overall: 5/10
Plot: 2/5
Romance: 2/5
Writing: 3/5
World Building: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Cover: 2/5
February 4, 2016
Burn revolves around Elanor, a trained Orphan, who appeared in Stray as a helpful rebel to Aislynn. Her background is as opposite as opposite gets compared to the princess. She is haunted by her intertwined past with Queen Josetta and lives as a courageous, cunning warrior who is an expert with a bow and arrow and dagger. Quite different, indeed. She meets Matthias during a rescue mission, and events begin to unravel... Unlike Thackery and Aislynn's slow, innocent connection, it went pretty quickly between Elanor and Matthias.
However, both are keeping some secrets from each other and the others and both involve the Wicked Queen.
This story kept me interested and intrigued, but I wish there was more background about the Wicked Queen and the other threats surrounding her kingdom. I also wish we had more of an explanation about the mysterious "items" that keeps popping up. It seems like there are two more books headed our way, so I hope these will be revealed.
However, both are keeping some secrets from each other and the others and both involve the Wicked Queen.
This story kept me interested and intrigued, but I wish there was more background about the Wicked Queen and the other threats surrounding her kingdom. I also wish we had more of an explanation about the mysterious "items" that keeps popping up. It seems like there are two more books headed our way, so I hope these will be revealed.
February 24, 2016
Second book in the series and it took me a few minutes to figure out what was going on. This story is based on one of the other characters point of view that I was not expecting when I started the book. I actually grabbed the first book Stray and skimmed the last chapter to refresh the story in my mind. The concept for the story is great and the writing is easy to read, but this is the second time that the story ends and I feel unsatisfied. Not sure what it is with the way she ends the books. I will surely be grabbing the third book when it comes out though!
August 17, 2016
I have no idea how to feel about this book. When I look back on it I think it may have been better than the first book in theory, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much. I think this is probably because it was the wrong type of book for what I needed at the time. I gave it the "it was okay" rating because that accurately describes my overall enjoyment, but if you liked Stray, or are a younger ready looking for an entry-level YA novel, be sure to give this a shot :)
February 5, 2016
3.5 again. Enjoyed this one more, though it still had a bit of a jumbled feel to it similar to the first book. But I'm anxious to learn more in the next few books and see if I'm right about a few things.
January 2, 2016
I hope there is a third book!!! Such an amazing world Elissa Sussman has created
December 7, 2016
It was hard to get into, but once I did it was pretty good. I kinda got lost at the ending too.
January 14, 2020
Burn by Elissa Sussman takes place in a world where magic exists. The world is ruled by the royals and also by the “evil queen”. People have different beliefs in magic and the royals are led to believe that magic is evil and wicked, but are they just being manipulated. I found this book because it was the second book of another book I enjoyed reading called Stray.
Right now the readers are following a different character than in the first book called stray. The conflict they are facing right now is the expansion of the evil queen’s territory, but was is this for. The methods being used are totally different than before, what happened to the evil queen to take these actions, is it even her? Turns out that it wasn’t her all along and it was a man called Cyril who was controlling everything from the background. He is trying to collect these relics that steal magic, since males can’t even use magic. He plans to collect them all but what for?
The book ended unfinished and a third book has yet to be announced so honestly I will just wait to see if another book comes out. I would also like to see if there's a change in perspective like there was between book 1 and book 2. If there is a perspective change what person will the story follow. Will it go back to the revel princess or maybe follow the evil queen’s son who lost his mother.
I would recommend this book to anyone who was read Stray. If you are a fantasy lover I suggest that you read this book and of course the first book since this is a fantasy. If you like magic this is the book for you since the main character does use magic, or maybe if you like hand to hand fighting the main character may use magic but she does prefer her fist.
Right now the readers are following a different character than in the first book called stray. The conflict they are facing right now is the expansion of the evil queen’s territory, but was is this for. The methods being used are totally different than before, what happened to the evil queen to take these actions, is it even her? Turns out that it wasn’t her all along and it was a man called Cyril who was controlling everything from the background. He is trying to collect these relics that steal magic, since males can’t even use magic. He plans to collect them all but what for?
The book ended unfinished and a third book has yet to be announced so honestly I will just wait to see if another book comes out. I would also like to see if there's a change in perspective like there was between book 1 and book 2. If there is a perspective change what person will the story follow. Will it go back to the revel princess or maybe follow the evil queen’s son who lost his mother.
I would recommend this book to anyone who was read Stray. If you are a fantasy lover I suggest that you read this book and of course the first book since this is a fantasy. If you like magic this is the book for you since the main character does use magic, or maybe if you like hand to hand fighting the main character may use magic but she does prefer her fist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2017
I expected that this would pick up where Stray left off....and it did sort of - but it followed an entirely different set of characters. I warmed to Elanor, though at first she was hard to relate to. She's tough and focused on her goals and unapologetic about her rough edges. I loved that she was Bi and eyed up the pretty women and handsome men around her with equal interest. I liked the plot about the Orphans and their plots against the Wicked Queen. This book certainly had more action than Stray. Even though I enjoyed the story from Elanor's POV, I kept waiting for a chapter from Aislynn's side of things, since her story had so many loose ends. But it never happens.
Aislynn makes a scant couple cameos towards the end, but a lot of the unanswered questions I had about Aislynn's story at the end of Stray are still unanswered at the end of Burn. She just appears at the mountain with Thackery and from context we glean that they're a couple now. Kind of sad that we didn't really get to witness any kind of scenes between them other than what Elanor observes from her own semi-disinterested POV. I was also left still wondering what happened to Maris, Tahlia, and Everett? What is going on with Linnea? Why did Tahlia have the mirror to begin with before she gave it to Aislynn? Where the heck did Cinnamon come from and why is she so tame?
I'm guessing that there will be 2 more books since the series name is Four Sisters. Hopefully the next books reveal these answers - I'd love if they switched back to Aislynn's POV again or even back and forth between several characters.
January 13, 2018
After loving the first book in this series so much, I was pretty disappointed in this one. It was kind of like when Ms. Sussman wrote Stray, she chopped off the last 300 pages to make Burn. It has been awhile since I read Stray, and I had no idea who people were since the only character I remember from the first book wasn't in this one until halfway through. I couldn't remember any of the characters, what their roles were, what they were fighting against, and where they were. These things weren't explained.. and maybe if I had just read book one I would have remembered, but I never did. Sad and disappointed.
June 5, 2019
I enjoyed the depth of this book better than the first, though the fairy tale aspects were less present. I thought the way this book tied back to the last one was very good, and I was satisfied with the twists and surprises. There were a couple places where there was a big deal made of events that never come back around in the story, but I also know this is only book 2 of however many there will be. Hopefully, some of those loose ends will be tied up. It wasn't super tight as far as plots and motives, but I'm an escapist and I did find myself very wrapped up in this world so I'm still rating it pretty high. If nothing else, I found the whole concept unique and that goes a long way for me.
November 28, 2018
This book said that it was a companion on the cover, not a sequel, so I assumed I would be fine not having read Stray. That was wrong. I was confused about the multitude of useless characters, and even after I figured most of it out, the plot got confusing. However, I couldn't bring myself to care. Further, there are some very adult themes contrasted with extremely childish language.
October 23, 2018
A cute book set in an interesting world. I felt like it was missing quite a bit, even if you take the other book into account. The ending wasn't very satisfying either. Still, good writing, it meets my expectations for a basic YA book.
March 8, 2022
IT PISSED ME OFF. ITS IN A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND IM SO MAD ABOUT THAT, I WANTED AISLYNN AND THACKERY OSFPSDFNGDV. However, I guess that "Matthais" was a keenan from Ember in the ashes (ily if you know that reference) but im also angry about the cliffhanger ending.
January 23, 2017
Stayed up late reading; liked almost as much as the first. Hope the contract didn't run out (hate when they do that!).
May 15, 2017
Not as strong as the first entry in the series and not as satisfying either. A pity, because I was excited to see what would happen in this world.
July 22, 2017
One of the books that I actually enjoyed reading this year!
July 22, 2017
what the heck was this ending? this book could have been way better tbh.
July 13, 2018
TW for child abuse. some mentions, realistic portrayal of lingering psychological damage.
December 1, 2018
amazing. filled with raw emotions that will both make your head spin and your heart ache.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews