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Affinity Series #1
Burner
Homicide detective Kim Phillips isn’t like the other officers of the Chicago Police Department. She’s quiet, isolated, and she can speak with the dead. Born with the ability to see into and interact with the afterlife, she is a Burner: a person tasked with hunting down dangerous spirits and sending them to the other side.
When Kim exorcises the ghost of a young girl, she’s dragged into a new and unsettling case, one where people like Kim are being killed. The only problem? There’s no connection between the victims, and no proof that they were murdered in the first place. Kim has to catch the killer before he finds his last victim and unleashes an unknown evil on the world.
Burner, the first book in the Affinity Series, is a dark exploration of how life and death are only separated by a single breath and how even those with power can be powerless.
When Kim exorcises the ghost of a young girl, she’s dragged into a new and unsettling case, one where people like Kim are being killed. The only problem? There’s no connection between the victims, and no proof that they were murdered in the first place. Kim has to catch the killer before he finds his last victim and unleashes an unknown evil on the world.
Burner, the first book in the Affinity Series, is a dark exploration of how life and death are only separated by a single breath and how even those with power can be powerless.
348 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2017
26 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Lenore
6 books16 followersFrom an early age, J.S. Lenore has always been passionate about books and storytelling, but it wasn’t until high school that she started writing her own stories. Starting with fan fiction, Lenore found some minor success writing under the handle p1013. Burner, the first book in the Affinity Series, is her first foray into novel-length fiction. Set in Chicago, where Lenore was born and raised, it’s a dark tale about life and death, the ways that people define themselves, and how our histories can impact our futures.
J.S. Lenore now lives in Indianapolis with her husband, two children, two cats, and zero ghosts.
J.S. Lenore now lives in Indianapolis with her husband, two children, two cats, and zero ghosts.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 25, 2017
Burner is one of those few books for which I had great expectations, which were not only met, but exceeded. It is definitely a title that falls into several of my favorite genres, but it manages to stand alone amidst a sea of urban supernatural mysteries.
Two of the things that really make the world stand out are the locations and the characters. That may seem like an obvious pair of things for any book to do well, but few others I've read recently have made them come alive as we see in Burner. Much like how the real world locations of Marvel Comics' New York City help to ground the super-heroes and make them seem closer to reality, so too do the familiar places of Chicago mentioned herein. Also, all the characters feel as though they could easily be someone you might meet walking down Michigan Avenue. There are no over-the-top characters that seem unrealistic even in a world in which ghosts are an everyday occurrence.
Perhaps the best aspect of Burner is that it's very accessible. Some may read that as "simple," although it's anything but. There is so much information to absorb, both in the supernatural and mundane worlds, and while we're presented with a wealth of complexity in the mystery, we're not inundated with extraneous detail that would quickly be forgotten in the rush to see what happens next.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys either urban fantasy or mysteries. Not only am I waiting impatiently for book two, Reader, but I will definitely be gifting copies to anyone with a birthday coming up, just so they can join me in the anticipation.
Two of the things that really make the world stand out are the locations and the characters. That may seem like an obvious pair of things for any book to do well, but few others I've read recently have made them come alive as we see in Burner. Much like how the real world locations of Marvel Comics' New York City help to ground the super-heroes and make them seem closer to reality, so too do the familiar places of Chicago mentioned herein. Also, all the characters feel as though they could easily be someone you might meet walking down Michigan Avenue. There are no over-the-top characters that seem unrealistic even in a world in which ghosts are an everyday occurrence.
Perhaps the best aspect of Burner is that it's very accessible. Some may read that as "simple," although it's anything but. There is so much information to absorb, both in the supernatural and mundane worlds, and while we're presented with a wealth of complexity in the mystery, we're not inundated with extraneous detail that would quickly be forgotten in the rush to see what happens next.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys either urban fantasy or mysteries. Not only am I waiting impatiently for book two, Reader, but I will definitely be gifting copies to anyone with a birthday coming up, just so they can join me in the anticipation.
February 23, 2018
Incredible book! I remember when I first read what was it about and how I fell in love with its original concept. You will see action and thrill from page 1 to the end of the book and will be really invested to know more about this fantastic and appealing lore along with its characters. It is a great first book and leaves you wanting to know more and more afterwards.
June 15, 2017
For our full review head over to Hypable!
Mediums, secrets, bonded ghost partners, a supernatural twist on the city of Chicago… I didn’t know how much I needed the combination of these elements until I picked up J.S. Lenore’s Burner. And now? I need more. One of my Hypable associates named Burner as one of the most anticipated books of 2017 and it definitely lives up to that hype.
Burner is the type of book that draws you in from the first sentence. Instead of allowing the reader to slowly enter the world and take in the surroundings at a leisurely pace, the reader is dropped right in the middle of an action sequence on page one. The introduction gives the reader just enough information to understand the bare minimum of what’s going on in the scene, but in a way that really conveys the book’s tone, air of mystery, and the stakes from the get-go.
Mediums, secrets, bonded ghost partners, a supernatural twist on the city of Chicago… I didn’t know how much I needed the combination of these elements until I picked up J.S. Lenore’s Burner. And now? I need more. One of my Hypable associates named Burner as one of the most anticipated books of 2017 and it definitely lives up to that hype.
Burner is the type of book that draws you in from the first sentence. Instead of allowing the reader to slowly enter the world and take in the surroundings at a leisurely pace, the reader is dropped right in the middle of an action sequence on page one. The introduction gives the reader just enough information to understand the bare minimum of what’s going on in the scene, but in a way that really conveys the book’s tone, air of mystery, and the stakes from the get-go.
April 24, 2017
Amazing book, could not stop once I got started!
July 10, 2020
Review to follow.
April 20, 2017
I read this book in 1 day. I could not put the book down at all. The way the author writes this book is totally immersive. She grabs your attention from the first page till the last page. I personally do not see how it is fantasy, I saw it like it was more paranormal. But, either way it was a great book.
I am so glad that this is the first book of the series. I'm really excited to see that there will be more in this series. The book does not have that much romance in it. But, I was pulling for the partners to get together. I am still hoping that Cross and Phillips will get together. But, I do like the tension between the two knowing they both have feelings for each other but neither wanting to admit that they do.
I don't feel that the story line was one that could not happen in real life one day. I know that Mediums help now a days with crimes. It would be nice to see if they could help out more. I know that is a touchy subject but it could help more if they were recognized more.
I am excited to see more from this series. I just can't wait until the next book comes out. This is an excellent. The plot is written superbly it keeps you interested, it's not done cheaply. You can see something like this happening with Mediums working closely with police one day. I see this series becoming popular.
****I was given a copy of this book for my honest review****
I am so glad that this is the first book of the series. I'm really excited to see that there will be more in this series. The book does not have that much romance in it. But, I was pulling for the partners to get together. I am still hoping that Cross and Phillips will get together. But, I do like the tension between the two knowing they both have feelings for each other but neither wanting to admit that they do.
I don't feel that the story line was one that could not happen in real life one day. I know that Mediums help now a days with crimes. It would be nice to see if they could help out more. I know that is a touchy subject but it could help more if they were recognized more.
I am excited to see more from this series. I just can't wait until the next book comes out. This is an excellent. The plot is written superbly it keeps you interested, it's not done cheaply. You can see something like this happening with Mediums working closely with police one day. I see this series becoming popular.
****I was given a copy of this book for my honest review****
March 12, 2017
Such an addicting first novel in an exciting new series! Can't wait for the sequel!
March 27, 2018
Intriguing Universe, Strong Read
Really interesting, unique universe with a well plotted mystery at its core. Excited to see more of the world of Affinity, beyond the police stations and crime scenes.
Really interesting, unique universe with a well plotted mystery at its core. Excited to see more of the world of Affinity, beyond the police stations and crime scenes.
July 26, 2017
Burner is an urban fantasy set in Chicago. The book opens with a detailed warehouse scene and a very angry ghost attacking medium Kim Phillips, who wants to help her.
Kim has a special ability: together with her spiritual partner Priya, she helps ghosts pass over to the light; she’s a 'burner' but as a police detective, she also tries to find answers as to why the ghost remains.
Emma Murphy was a student and her life ended with violent abuse. During her “sending”, Emma leaves details of her murder and a partial vision of her killer. This burning leaves Kim exhausted, and during the night she has a vivid and frightening dream, one which continues on other nights. At police headquarters, her interest in this case leads Kim’s boss to suggest she partner up with detective Riley Cross. Research reveals Emma was an apprentice medium, and the death of one of her own community shocks Kim.
When Emma’s murder is followed by several more, all mediums, Kim is very confused; who would want to target mediums, and why? An attempt to “read” a knife for psychic residue leaves Kim badly injured, and she’s sent home for enforced rest. Here she reads diaries left by her grandmother, and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place.
I like books about the paranormal, and the seven different affinities of mediums was an interesting slant; however, I had expected there to be more about each of the different affinities to add some layers to the writing. I was left not understanding several of their special abilities until the final reveal. It was also surprising that Kim didn’t use her own mentor or Emma’s mentor and Aunt, other than with general police procedures, I thought they would have been quite obvious sources of knowledge for the case; I don't think this was thought through enough.
The very tentative hints of romance between Kim and Riley did little for my reading experience; it was definitely awkward, but as this is the first in a series I’m sure there will be more for them in later books. In this book, if Kim’s character had been developed further with more feminine traits the idea may have worked better. Currently Kim read as a very masculine figure “scrubbing her face with her hands”, on occasion. This being a very masculine move. I’m not sure how many women, even with only the basics of make-up on, scrub their faces with their hands as a typical gesture. At one point I even questioned if Kim was in fact a male character; much of the book read as if she was.
I liked the idea behind the book, but for me there were areas and characters which were under-developed. I was never convinced as to what truly had been discovered all those years ago and was a little disappointed in that I guessed the culprit before the police. Also Kim did the clichéd “head off to get the villain on her own with no backup” scenario, which has been overdone many times. If my points seem harsh it is only because this is a saturated genre and new books really do need to step up, above and beyond, to be competitive.
Kim has a special ability: together with her spiritual partner Priya, she helps ghosts pass over to the light; she’s a 'burner' but as a police detective, she also tries to find answers as to why the ghost remains.
Emma Murphy was a student and her life ended with violent abuse. During her “sending”, Emma leaves details of her murder and a partial vision of her killer. This burning leaves Kim exhausted, and during the night she has a vivid and frightening dream, one which continues on other nights. At police headquarters, her interest in this case leads Kim’s boss to suggest she partner up with detective Riley Cross. Research reveals Emma was an apprentice medium, and the death of one of her own community shocks Kim.
When Emma’s murder is followed by several more, all mediums, Kim is very confused; who would want to target mediums, and why? An attempt to “read” a knife for psychic residue leaves Kim badly injured, and she’s sent home for enforced rest. Here she reads diaries left by her grandmother, and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place.
I like books about the paranormal, and the seven different affinities of mediums was an interesting slant; however, I had expected there to be more about each of the different affinities to add some layers to the writing. I was left not understanding several of their special abilities until the final reveal. It was also surprising that Kim didn’t use her own mentor or Emma’s mentor and Aunt, other than with general police procedures, I thought they would have been quite obvious sources of knowledge for the case; I don't think this was thought through enough.
The very tentative hints of romance between Kim and Riley did little for my reading experience; it was definitely awkward, but as this is the first in a series I’m sure there will be more for them in later books. In this book, if Kim’s character had been developed further with more feminine traits the idea may have worked better. Currently Kim read as a very masculine figure “scrubbing her face with her hands”, on occasion. This being a very masculine move. I’m not sure how many women, even with only the basics of make-up on, scrub their faces with their hands as a typical gesture. At one point I even questioned if Kim was in fact a male character; much of the book read as if she was.
I liked the idea behind the book, but for me there were areas and characters which were under-developed. I was never convinced as to what truly had been discovered all those years ago and was a little disappointed in that I guessed the culprit before the police. Also Kim did the clichéd “head off to get the villain on her own with no backup” scenario, which has been overdone many times. If my points seem harsh it is only because this is a saturated genre and new books really do need to step up, above and beyond, to be competitive.
April 23, 2018
Paranormal mystery meets crime novel that I can’t seem to put down.I was fortunate enough to pick this book up at Indiana Comic Con. I raced through to finish this book and have taken a few days to digest the final moments.
The amount of thoughtful world building that went into this book is amazing. I can’t count how many times that books have presented a great idea or story line, but fell flat because of the poor world built around it. This book has the complete opposite issue because of the well structurced and refreshing world the author has built. The logic and rules to this world that has been brought to the table is sound with no gaping holes, which makes navigating this alternate universe a smooth transition for the reader. It also lets the reader focus on the story and not continually wondering about that one thing that just didn’t add up. We have all seen those reviews.
Kim became this surprise to me. I had a second of doubt that she would fall into the stereotypical woman cop trope and be left at those standards. I was wrong as more of her background is revealed and you see her reactions to the situations she is put into. I couldn’t guess her every thought and she wasn’t made out to be the hero with a happy ending. She is as imperfect as the rest of us.
Cross was intriguing to try to nail down. He is the typical cop in the beginning, but further into the story you can start to see the cracks in the perfect finish. He is more than just a foil to Kim or a romance. The subtle emotions the author is able to convey throughout the book without directly giving you what is happening is much appreciated. When too much of the nuances of the story are fed to the reader it can become dull.
The relationship that builds in the background of the story between Kim and Cross pulls at the readers emotions, but it is a nice change of pace to see it put on hold for the story. Many books today make the romance the number one priority with smart story development falling to the wayside.
Overall, the story was refreshing although a few twists could be predicted. There are few books that manage the balance. It is a great start to a paranormal world full of characters with depth that will produce more interesting reads to come.
The amount of thoughtful world building that went into this book is amazing. I can’t count how many times that books have presented a great idea or story line, but fell flat because of the poor world built around it. This book has the complete opposite issue because of the well structurced and refreshing world the author has built. The logic and rules to this world that has been brought to the table is sound with no gaping holes, which makes navigating this alternate universe a smooth transition for the reader. It also lets the reader focus on the story and not continually wondering about that one thing that just didn’t add up. We have all seen those reviews.
Kim became this surprise to me. I had a second of doubt that she would fall into the stereotypical woman cop trope and be left at those standards. I was wrong as more of her background is revealed and you see her reactions to the situations she is put into. I couldn’t guess her every thought and she wasn’t made out to be the hero with a happy ending. She is as imperfect as the rest of us.
Cross was intriguing to try to nail down. He is the typical cop in the beginning, but further into the story you can start to see the cracks in the perfect finish. He is more than just a foil to Kim or a romance. The subtle emotions the author is able to convey throughout the book without directly giving you what is happening is much appreciated. When too much of the nuances of the story are fed to the reader it can become dull.
The relationship that builds in the background of the story between Kim and Cross pulls at the readers emotions, but it is a nice change of pace to see it put on hold for the story. Many books today make the romance the number one priority with smart story development falling to the wayside.
Overall, the story was refreshing although a few twists could be predicted. There are few books that manage the balance. It is a great start to a paranormal world full of characters with depth that will produce more interesting reads to come.
August 17, 2017
Characters
Kim is a bit of a mess, but in a charming way. Her stubborn, almost self destructive drive to make things right and do them her way, is perfectly balanced by Priya. Priya is a bonded ghost (like a supernatural partner) and a sweetie! Cross is a very distinct character and I loved him almost more than Kim. The author created wonderfully diverse characters that, despite their flaws, were easy to love and even relate to.
Plot
The author built a complex world with lots of mediums and types of mediums that is pretty easy to follow. It is confusing a few times in the first few chapters but I got into the grove. Found out there is a glossary in the back that confirmed everything I had figured out, I'd recommend taking a peak there first.
There is a complex detective story that was decent. I figured it out pretty quickly but mostly enjoyed the journey and the action. Boy was there a ton of great action! I also liked the building romance between her and her new human partner...you'll see how cute they are and I hope to see more of them!
Overall
Wonderfully written. I loved the way the author started the book - right into the action. Besides some repeated paragraphs in the earlier chapters, it was nearly flawless. I wasn't sure what the point of the random pictures were throughout the book and actually though they could all go because they were distracting.
Relate-able characters, great plot, easy to follow world in an urban setting, and a great balance of romance and action. The ghost scenes were awesome! I wasn't bored and every word was written with economy. I was very impressed all the way around. I kept wanting to read what was happening next!
Rating
5 stars
I loved this book. I was initially drawn to it because it said it was like the Dresden Series - and it was in many ways - but there were a lot of unique factors that just had that edge. For sure will be looking for more from this author in the future! If you love ghost/supernatural detective stories this is a must read!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. More reviews at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com
Kim is a bit of a mess, but in a charming way. Her stubborn, almost self destructive drive to make things right and do them her way, is perfectly balanced by Priya. Priya is a bonded ghost (like a supernatural partner) and a sweetie! Cross is a very distinct character and I loved him almost more than Kim. The author created wonderfully diverse characters that, despite their flaws, were easy to love and even relate to.
Plot
The author built a complex world with lots of mediums and types of mediums that is pretty easy to follow. It is confusing a few times in the first few chapters but I got into the grove. Found out there is a glossary in the back that confirmed everything I had figured out, I'd recommend taking a peak there first.
There is a complex detective story that was decent. I figured it out pretty quickly but mostly enjoyed the journey and the action. Boy was there a ton of great action! I also liked the building romance between her and her new human partner...you'll see how cute they are and I hope to see more of them!
Overall
Wonderfully written. I loved the way the author started the book - right into the action. Besides some repeated paragraphs in the earlier chapters, it was nearly flawless. I wasn't sure what the point of the random pictures were throughout the book and actually though they could all go because they were distracting.
Relate-able characters, great plot, easy to follow world in an urban setting, and a great balance of romance and action. The ghost scenes were awesome! I wasn't bored and every word was written with economy. I was very impressed all the way around. I kept wanting to read what was happening next!
Rating
5 stars
I loved this book. I was initially drawn to it because it said it was like the Dresden Series - and it was in many ways - but there were a lot of unique factors that just had that edge. For sure will be looking for more from this author in the future! If you love ghost/supernatural detective stories this is a must read!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. More reviews at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com
October 10, 2021
This book has an interesting concept. It takes place in Chicago in a world where ghosts are a known fact and mediums a regular part of society. The main character is a medium, homicide cop who stumbles onto a series of strange murders. This concept should have carried the book but as you can tell by my rating, it didn't.
I had a lot of issues with the writing itself; the writing style flipping around between a cartoonish cop romance show and a serious paranormal mystery, the same information being repeated over and over sometimes multiple chapters in a row, a lot of unnecessary dialogue, the medium powers not being fully fleshed out or explained, and the main character doing a lot of stupid stuff despite knowing better or even being directly warned ahead of time. There is also a lot of telling in this book and not a lot of showing when it comes to the characters.
I think this could've been a really good story if more time was put on the revision and editing and I wish the author the best of luck with their writing in the future. I think they're extremely creative and have a cool idea here so I'm sure they can come up with other cool ideas too.
I had a lot of issues with the writing itself; the writing style flipping around between a cartoonish cop romance show and a serious paranormal mystery, the same information being repeated over and over sometimes multiple chapters in a row, a lot of unnecessary dialogue, the medium powers not being fully fleshed out or explained, and the main character doing a lot of stupid stuff despite knowing better or even being directly warned ahead of time. There is also a lot of telling in this book and not a lot of showing when it comes to the characters.
I think this could've been a really good story if more time was put on the revision and editing and I wish the author the best of luck with their writing in the future. I think they're extremely creative and have a cool idea here so I'm sure they can come up with other cool ideas too.
August 12, 2017
Fantastic first novel! Very engaging and as a Chicago native I appreciate the research put into the setting as well as the shout out to Elgin. I'm impressed by the complexity of the characters in addition to creating a world similar to ours that also happens to have supernatural powers; it reminded me of Patricia Wrede's thirteenth child/ frontier series. Well done!
Fantastic first novel! Very engaging and as a Chicago native I appreciate the research put into the setting as well as the shout out to Elgin. I'm impressed by the complexity of the characters in addition to creating a world similar to ours that also happens to have supernatural powers; it reminded me of Patricia Wrede's thirteenth child/ frontier series. Well done!
Fantastic first novel! Very engaging and as a Chicago native I appreciate the research put into the setting as well as the shout out to Elgin. I'm impressed by the complexity of the characters in addition to creating a world similar to ours that also happens to have supernatural powers; it reminded me of Patricia Wrede's thirteenth child/ frontier series. Well done!
May 28, 2020
Wish i had read this sooner!
I met the author at Indy Comic-Con. I'd run out of spending money before i made it to her both. She seemed down to earth& i enjoyed our conversation probably more than she did consisting that she probably had the same one hundreds of times that weekend. And then i promptly forgot all about the book mark I'd taken so i would remember to look up the books when i got home .
Big mistake! This book is SO GOOD. The mythology it's original and i easily bought into the alternate history along with the story itself. The characters are believable and the female lead is focused and capable. I highly recommend this and can't wait for to read the next one.
I met the author at Indy Comic-Con. I'd run out of spending money before i made it to her both. She seemed down to earth& i enjoyed our conversation probably more than she did consisting that she probably had the same one hundreds of times that weekend. And then i promptly forgot all about the book mark I'd taken so i would remember to look up the books when i got home .
Big mistake! This book is SO GOOD. The mythology it's original and i easily bought into the alternate history along with the story itself. The characters are believable and the female lead is focused and capable. I highly recommend this and can't wait for to read the next one.
April 22, 2020
This is a really fun ride! A lot of self-published books are... not done. This book is miles ahead of most of those - a publisher would be stupid not to pick it up, personally. Especially since it already has sequels, which I'm going to read as well.
I guess my only slight is that it feels at times like it could be a young adult novel rather than the adult novel it seems to be at other times. Actually, I'd love a YA series like this, and I think a lot of "weird" kids would be juiced to read it too.
I guess my only slight is that it feels at times like it could be a young adult novel rather than the adult novel it seems to be at other times. Actually, I'd love a YA series like this, and I think a lot of "weird" kids would be juiced to read it too.
September 2, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down. This was such an explosion into the series, I really hope my high expectations continue to be met. It will be hard to top this one but I am hesitantly hopeful it will be just as good as this one. Crime and paranormal all rolled into one, what more could you possibly want?
May 6, 2019
Loved this thriller, based in a world where Mediums and their talents are a known part of society. I came to know and love the characters and cared about their relationships. It also didn't hurt that I started reading this book about the same time I visited Chicago, so I could appreciate the descriptions of the weather, the streets, the landmarks. Definitely recommend!
May 22, 2017
A really great novel with the right amount of everything - mystery, hints of romance, action, and adventure! It builds a great foundation and gives you a start of the character development but leaves plenty of room to grow and develop.
March 16, 2018
This book is the perfect mix of paranormal, crime drama, twists and turns. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys the genre!
September 14, 2022
Overall, pretty good book. Kiiinda outside what I normally read, which is probably why I didn’t really start enjoying it until a few chapters in. Kind of interested to see where the story goes.
July 13, 2018
This was SO good! I enjoyed every single page and I want to read so much more of this amazing story.
May 1, 2017
A very good book
I really liked this book. It had a slightly different take on mediums than I am used to. If you like stories that have ghosts, magic, and mystery then don't hesitate to get this novel!
I really liked this book. It had a slightly different take on mediums than I am used to. If you like stories that have ghosts, magic, and mystery then don't hesitate to get this novel!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews