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Triskellion #2
The Burning
As twins Rachel and Adam are pursued across Europe by terrifying forces, they realize they can trust no one — and must draw on their special powers to survive.
After the shocking revelations in Triskellion, being guests of the "Hope Project" might seem like a relief. But Rachel and Adam soon figure out that they’re being held prisoner, and that the program has more sinister goals than archaeological research in mind. A hideous discovery at the funeral of their grandmother makes it clear that the teenagers must flee from England to Paris, Seville, and fi nally Morocco, evading not only their former benefactors but also the followers of "The Englishman," a zombie-like fi gure with a frightening agenda of his own. It will take all of their special abilities and courage to stay alive until their journey reaches an explosive climax — and they unearth, on the North African coast, an ancient secret even more startling than the first.
After the shocking revelations in Triskellion, being guests of the "Hope Project" might seem like a relief. But Rachel and Adam soon figure out that they’re being held prisoner, and that the program has more sinister goals than archaeological research in mind. A hideous discovery at the funeral of their grandmother makes it clear that the teenagers must flee from England to Paris, Seville, and fi nally Morocco, evading not only their former benefactors but also the followers of "The Englishman," a zombie-like fi gure with a frightening agenda of his own. It will take all of their special abilities and courage to stay alive until their journey reaches an explosive climax — and they unearth, on the North African coast, an ancient secret even more startling than the first.
467 pages, Hardcover
First published March 2, 2009
13 people are currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Will Peterson
11 books39 followersWill Peterson is a shared pseudonym of Mark Billingham, award-winning author of the bestselling Tom Thorne crime novels, and Peter Cocks, a popular children’s television writer and performer. Mark Billingham lives in London, and Peter Cocks lives in Kent, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 11, 2020
A great follow up to the first book. This time more towards the sci fi elements but still keeps the archeology as a strong part of the plot. I don't normally love escape travels and that is where the pace plateaued for me in this book but it kept it from being too tedious by keeping us updated with the Hope Projects perspective on it. The introduction of the other sets of twins deepens the lore and makes Gabriel (and his many other names) even more intriguing. A great traumatic whirlwind cliffhanger ending and the sneak peak of book 3 means I'm definitely moving straight into the last book.
December 2, 2013
though some would like to say that they dont really like the book, i shall say that i like the book. it was something else. i had enough of wizardly and vampires. seriously. it takes place in a rural village in England where everybody knows everybody and are skeptical towards the newcomers. i enjoyed reading how Adam and Rachel are not just a twin but share more; well you see, they can speak to each other without having to speak up. and i like the mysterious aura brought by Gabriel though sometimes i find it quite annoying that Rachel and Adam just simply follow Gabriel's order with no hesitation at all.
though i dont find it entertaining at all that the author pictures Gabriel as some sort of god; with all the power that he has. at the 2nd half of the books, i found myself hurrying to finished it in order to know the ending of it and surely to find out the truth that surrounds Triskellion and a lil bit disappointing to the ending. certainly, the author should elaborate more about the so called triskellion than just let it hanging out like that. but by leaving it hanging out, i could not help but to continue reading the sequel of it; triskellion: the burning.
but i could not help to think that the author should elaborate more on these:
the triskellion power obviously (ive mentioned it earlier huh)
the bees. what is the fuss about the bees?
the mummies. the fact that they look like rachel and gabriel.
the green men. god, tell us more man! who they really are?
the twins father? they rarely mentioned him.
and yes, i finished the trilogy in just 2 days.
though i dont find it entertaining at all that the author pictures Gabriel as some sort of god; with all the power that he has. at the 2nd half of the books, i found myself hurrying to finished it in order to know the ending of it and surely to find out the truth that surrounds Triskellion and a lil bit disappointing to the ending. certainly, the author should elaborate more about the so called triskellion than just let it hanging out like that. but by leaving it hanging out, i could not help but to continue reading the sequel of it; triskellion: the burning.
but i could not help to think that the author should elaborate more on these:
the triskellion power obviously (ive mentioned it earlier huh)
the bees. what is the fuss about the bees?
the mummies. the fact that they look like rachel and gabriel.
the green men. god, tell us more man! who they really are?
the twins father? they rarely mentioned him.
and yes, i finished the trilogy in just 2 days.
July 18, 2009
The book has a decent style, believable characters, good action sequences, and a not-totally barmy plot. But above all, it does not give answers. It raises about a thousand questions and gives you no real information that could even allow you to try and piece together the answers for yourself. Instead, you get stuck with an annoyingly open-ended conclusion that has Gabriel and the other twins stuck in a collapsed cave, status as dead or alive unknown, with a bunch of wackos still after Adam and Rachel because they have alien blood. And Gabriel is as much a mystery as ever. And not in a good way. They tease and taunt you with tidbits that never reveal anything you had not already figured out a hundred pages ago. So, above all else, this book irritated me and failed to keep me invested in these characters. If there is another book, I have no idea whether I'll bother with it and certainly not if they just keep stringing you along just to publish more books but without giving you a real story in the ones already here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2009
This book was just like a sequal--worse than the first. It seemed that throughout the journey, they were barely getting anywhere and were helpless, relying on Gabriel the entire time until the very end where the twins got a hold of their powers. I hope the next one (if there is a next one) is better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2015
Read this a long time ago... It sucked.
August 14, 2025
2.5 Stars really as I don't think it was as good as the first one.
It starts straight from where book 1 finished, Adam and Rachel are being swept away from Triskellion in a helicopter with their mother and Laura - the 'archaeologist'. But things are never as simple as they seem and they end up in the 'Hope Project' where they are tested and examined.
This book was a lot longer at 471 pages, and whilst I still read it quite quickly it dragged a lot more and i actually ended up skimming some chunks so I could just get to the point.
We are introduced to a number of new characters and some other twins. Gabriel is still in it with his God complex and strange powers, but whilst I found him fairly endearing in the first book, he just irritated me in this one.
I'm intrigued enough to know how it all pans out to continue and read book 3, but I'm not particularly excited by the prospect.
It starts straight from where book 1 finished, Adam and Rachel are being swept away from Triskellion in a helicopter with their mother and Laura - the 'archaeologist'. But things are never as simple as they seem and they end up in the 'Hope Project' where they are tested and examined.
This book was a lot longer at 471 pages, and whilst I still read it quite quickly it dragged a lot more and i actually ended up skimming some chunks so I could just get to the point.
We are introduced to a number of new characters and some other twins. Gabriel is still in it with his God complex and strange powers, but whilst I found him fairly endearing in the first book, he just irritated me in this one.
I'm intrigued enough to know how it all pans out to continue and read book 3, but I'm not particularly excited by the prospect.
September 3, 2023
*literally just finished reading*
Omg, wtf?! Are you kidding me?!
What kind of ending was that!!
I feel.. cheated somehow.
Book 3 better make up for this!
Also, about the book in general :
I don't know how the authors do it, but they keep me engaged, wanting to read on (most of them time), but actually a lot of the time not a d*mn thing happens. Like, at all.
If I had to retell what this book is about, I would have a really hard time doing it.
At times I also feel like I must have missed something. Like I was supposed to know more by now. But as I read every word, it's impossible that I missed something.
This is an odd series, and yet it has me hooked somehow.
But this ending though... NO!
Omg, wtf?! Are you kidding me?!
What kind of ending was that!!
I feel.. cheated somehow.
Book 3 better make up for this!
Also, about the book in general :
I don't know how the authors do it, but they keep me engaged, wanting to read on (most of them time), but actually a lot of the time not a d*mn thing happens. Like, at all.
If I had to retell what this book is about, I would have a really hard time doing it.
At times I also feel like I must have missed something. Like I was supposed to know more by now. But as I read every word, it's impossible that I missed something.
This is an odd series, and yet it has me hooked somehow.
But this ending though... NO!
September 7, 2017
I am intrigued. Need to read the last one now.
May 30, 2023
Really loving this series. All the ancient symbols and alternate history.
November 10, 2023
Was not expecting the ending im defo starting no 3 now
December 1, 2016
After reading the first book in this trilogy I wasn’t too enthused and didn’t go out of my way to find the second book. However, when I came across it in the library by chance I decided to give it a go.
I’m glad that I did because this book was definitely better than the first. Although there was a rather large section that was just This book is the definition of a transitionary second book in a trilogy, the characters are literally moving from the plot of the first book to the plot of the third.
Having said that I did enjoy the part where
This book was better than the first and I will be interested to see where the final book takes this story.
I’m glad that I did because this book was definitely better than the first. Although there was a rather large section that was just This book is the definition of a transitionary second book in a trilogy, the characters are literally moving from the plot of the first book to the plot of the third.
Having said that I did enjoy the part where
This book was better than the first and I will be interested to see where the final book takes this story.
January 23, 2013
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
With the help of the mysterious Gabriel, Rachel and Adam have managed to escape from the village of Triskellion and their mysterious family heritage.
Soon, however, they are betrayed and captured by the mysterious Hope Agency and are experimented on and held prisoner. When more of their "special abilities" start surfacing, the twins realize that staying at the Hope Agency is not safe.
With the help of three other sets of twins, the two escape and are chased across Europe by the Hope Agency and others. Always in danger, the six hone their powers and learn to fight back, but soon realize that no one can be trusted and this flight is a fight for survival, possibly to the death.
Will Rachel and Adam be able to get away from the evildoers pursuing them? Will they learn to use their powers in time?
THE BURNING is a fast-paced adventure that's well worth the read. Readers will be on the edge of their seats on the race across Europe with Rachel and Adam. The plot is well done with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing about what's really going on and where Rachel and Adam truly come from. The characters are appealing and interesting to follow throughout the story.
Those who like reading fantasy, adventure, science fiction, paranormal fiction, and books like THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan will enjoy reading this book. It is, however, recommended that you first read book one, TRISKELLION.
With the help of the mysterious Gabriel, Rachel and Adam have managed to escape from the village of Triskellion and their mysterious family heritage.
Soon, however, they are betrayed and captured by the mysterious Hope Agency and are experimented on and held prisoner. When more of their "special abilities" start surfacing, the twins realize that staying at the Hope Agency is not safe.
With the help of three other sets of twins, the two escape and are chased across Europe by the Hope Agency and others. Always in danger, the six hone their powers and learn to fight back, but soon realize that no one can be trusted and this flight is a fight for survival, possibly to the death.
Will Rachel and Adam be able to get away from the evildoers pursuing them? Will they learn to use their powers in time?
THE BURNING is a fast-paced adventure that's well worth the read. Readers will be on the edge of their seats on the race across Europe with Rachel and Adam. The plot is well done with lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing about what's really going on and where Rachel and Adam truly come from. The characters are appealing and interesting to follow throughout the story.
Those who like reading fantasy, adventure, science fiction, paranormal fiction, and books like THE LIGHTNING THIEF by Rick Riordan will enjoy reading this book. It is, however, recommended that you first read book one, TRISKELLION.
April 9, 2009
I wish I could give half-stars - this one's not quite a 4 but better than a 3.
I got the ARC from Candlewick Press through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers. I asked for Triskellion 2: The Burnbing because the first book left me confused. I thought I was reading a run-of-the-mill kids fantasy book right up until the very end of Triskellion. This second book was clear from the get go: it is a science fiction book, not a fantasy book. At first I was disappointed, being a die-hard kids fantasy fan, but the authors (sharing one pseudonym) got the pacing and thrill-factor of this one right. When I first read the pre-release blurbs I thought, "There's no way the authors will be able to get them from England to North Africa without it feeling forced and artificial." I was wrong. The twins and the mysterious boy Gabriel flee from England through France and Spain to Morocco, gathering momentum, additional sets of twins, and more villains in pursuit as they go. It was a thrilling read right through to the end which--happily for me--seems to leave open the possibility for another book in the series. I would recommend this book to kids who like paranormal and science fiction, and, yes, even to fantasy readers.
I got the ARC from Candlewick Press through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers. I asked for Triskellion 2: The Burnbing because the first book left me confused. I thought I was reading a run-of-the-mill kids fantasy book right up until the very end of Triskellion. This second book was clear from the get go: it is a science fiction book, not a fantasy book. At first I was disappointed, being a die-hard kids fantasy fan, but the authors (sharing one pseudonym) got the pacing and thrill-factor of this one right. When I first read the pre-release blurbs I thought, "There's no way the authors will be able to get them from England to North Africa without it feeling forced and artificial." I was wrong. The twins and the mysterious boy Gabriel flee from England through France and Spain to Morocco, gathering momentum, additional sets of twins, and more villains in pursuit as they go. It was a thrilling read right through to the end which--happily for me--seems to leave open the possibility for another book in the series. I would recommend this book to kids who like paranormal and science fiction, and, yes, even to fantasy readers.
April 25, 2011
The sequel to Triskellion is absolutely brilliant! It had been so long since I read the first book that I wasn't sure I would be able to get into the second as I couldn't remember a lot of what had happened, but I found, that even if you cant remember all the details from the first book, The Burning is awesome.
As the first book slowly came back to me, I got more and more excited about what was happening in the sequel. There is far more action, conspiracy and supernatural happenings in this then there were in the first. There are more characters, and the Scottish twins are so lovable! It was also nice reading the small mention of my own home town that one of the characters is from (it's not the kind of place that gets mentioned in books :)).
I highly enjoyed this, much more than the first book and am looking forward to book 3, which promises to have more twists, quests and action.
As the first book slowly came back to me, I got more and more excited about what was happening in the sequel. There is far more action, conspiracy and supernatural happenings in this then there were in the first. There are more characters, and the Scottish twins are so lovable! It was also nice reading the small mention of my own home town that one of the characters is from (it's not the kind of place that gets mentioned in books :)).
I highly enjoyed this, much more than the first book and am looking forward to book 3, which promises to have more twists, quests and action.
October 16, 2012
This was a pretty interesting book. It was also fairly good. I dunno, I agree with a couple other people who say it's 3 and 1/2 stars. It's just not quite a 4 star book for me.
The first book read like a fantasy, but this one shows the true science fiction in the plot that was only barely revealed at the end of the first book. Maybe it's just that I like fantasy better, but I enjoyed the first book more.
There's still lots of questions left out there at the end of this book. I will need to finish the series, because I'm invested enough to want to know what goes on. However, I was able to stop the book halfway through and read another book before finishing it. That's always a sign that the book isn't the best ever!
The first book read like a fantasy, but this one shows the true science fiction in the plot that was only barely revealed at the end of the first book. Maybe it's just that I like fantasy better, but I enjoyed the first book more.
There's still lots of questions left out there at the end of this book. I will need to finish the series, because I'm invested enough to want to know what goes on. However, I was able to stop the book halfway through and read another book before finishing it. That's always a sign that the book isn't the best ever!
December 3, 2013
A great continuation of the first book. More twists, action, and just plain secrets than before, this fast-paced thriller is packed with all sorts new surprises and even more characters! It even reveals that Rachel and Adam (if you remember the first two characters from the first book) can do much more than the average human because of their history.
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----_/___\_---- The Triskellion (not very good one)-
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December 4, 2011
realy enjoyed the 2nd book in the trilogy in the second outing of Rachel and Adam it starts of where 1st 1 ended rachel and adam are trapped in the hope foundation.What do they want from them?They have to get away Gabriel turns up again and has a plan and they set out on another adventure this time the story is action packed and it all ends at a climatic finale all i can say is roll on the 3rd
July 23, 2012
I was very disappointed in this sequel. While the first book had a fantasy feel to it, this book read more like a Da Vinci Code thriller with science fiction aspirations. It also seemed a very long chase with little payoff. I will stop here and not read the next one, and there is little doubt that there will be a next one.
January 30, 2016
I loved it. It had a lot of mystery and I was even able to connect and put together some of the mystery by myself. At first I was kind of skeptical, but after a few chapters I was hooked! I couldn't put it down and read a few pages every time I got a chance! Ended up reading about 300 pages in only 2 hours! I loved it that much! I loved the ending, too.
July 4, 2015
I gave the first one a 4 stars and this one 3 stars. This was still an amazing book however it took me a lot longer to finish. I think that reason was was because it didn't have as much mystery to it as the first one did. Besides that, it was a great read!
September 13, 2009
I have read the first one ...now I have to read the second ! :D
December 7, 2009
eh, i had to read it to know what happened. It pulled me in more than the first book.
May 14, 2010
Absolutly fab:o)
June 24, 2010
It's very nice, not exactly the best.. I wouldn't nessaccarily recommend it to anyone
Want to read
September 19, 2010I just finished the first book and I realy want to read this one
March 16, 2011
Not as good as the first one...
March 5, 2012
readit!!
August 27, 2012
Twin brother and sister. Off spring of ancient aliens chased by two groups. One for revenge, one for DNA study. both willing to kill them to get what they want. Excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews