Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Review: Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian


Review: Burn for Burn (Burn for Burn #1) by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Postcard-perfect Jar Island is the kind of place where nobody locks their doors at night, where parents can sleep easy, knowing their daughters are tucked away safe and sound in their beds.
But bad things can happen, even to good girls . . . and sometimes, the only way to make things right is to do something wrong.
Lillia used to trust boys, but not anymore. Not after what happened this summer. And she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her little sister from the same fate.
Kat is over the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes made at her expense. It all goes back to one person--her ex-best friend. Someone needs to teach her a lesson, and, with Lillia and Mary behind her, Kat feels up to the task.
Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she’s not the same girl anymore. Now that she’s got friends who have her back, he's going to be in big trouble.
Three very different girls who come together to make things right. Will they go too far?

Publishes in US: September 18th 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Genre: ya contemp
Source: library
Series? Yes Burn for Burn #1 Fire with Fire is already released and Ashes to Ashes releases Sept 16 2014

Buy it: Amazon Barnes & Noble IndieBound Book Depository

Author stalk away:  Siobhan~site ~twitter ~blog

Jenny ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog

 

    I wanted to read Burn for Burn from the first time that I saw the cover and the synopsis. Sometimes I am not drawn to the mean girls type of book, but something about this, how you can see the victim and how they've been hurt, almost made me cheer for their revenge plans. and definitely curious to see what happened to hurt each girl that hurt them and left them wanting to hurt or bring someone down. 

    Each character had things that I liked about them and others that I could see how they were so flawed or that their issues could have been avoided. Mary was called names by the boy who later only talked to her in secret and then things blew up from there. Lillian thinks that something happened to her little sister, and I can def see how the protectiveness and wanting Nadie to not be hurt how she was or in other ways. Kat is the rebel, music lover and I liked her the most I think, but everything that happened with her ex-best friend was hard to read. Being dropped or forced out of the social circle is so hard and this is something that has happened to me before. 

    Their ideas to get revenge were all over the place from minor pranks to something the girls could get in serious trouble for and leave one of their classmates forever changed. They for a while walked the line of what is okay and not, and they eventually went way over that line. But even when everything awfully came to a head, I was still almost hoping it was a dream or that they could somehow change where they crossed the line. And even though in their taking revenge also put them on the line of bullying others instead of just being the victim. 

   There was a hint of supernatural thrown in, I think. But I hope it was just a coincidence and that it doesn't go down that road in the next book. It was mentioned twice and I was like really? But maybe with the awesome writing and this ending leaving me in suspense, that the next book will make that thread clear. 

    Fire with Fire is a book that I for sure want to read, the sequel, because Burn for Burn left me pretty frustrated because one plot line was left wide open, and of course I didn't have the next book to keep reading and see what happened. 


Bottom Line: Captivating and great characterization. Eager for the next book.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Did you ever want to or take out revenge?

30 comments:

  1. I didn't realli like Lillia at first, but she grew on me and she became my favorite character. I agree. They're becoming bullies rather than being the victims and just standing up for themselves. The ending killed me and I'm going to read Fire with Fire next :) I hear it's even better! I hope you give it a try ;) And nope, haven't taken revenge and won't either :)

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  2. Ohhh, okay. Interested about how the small supernatural elements play a aprt in a story like this . . . seems a little out of place, but if it's developed more it could be quite an interesting twist!

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  3. When someone hurts me, I feel like taking revenge. But as time passes I forget about everything.

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  4. The tween in me is curious about this but I'm afraid that the superficial stuff will distract me too much from the core of the story. Ill read it vicariously through you though.

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  5. Totally intrigued by this one, thanks for the recommendation.


    http://pettywitter.blogspot.co.uk

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  6. I hope that open plot thread is solved in the next installment for you. I'm glad you liked this!

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  7. LOL no prob. Look over my shoulder anytime

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  8. Thats true, but I guess some hurts never really go away

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  9. It was just two little incidents so not sure if coincidence or if they will go more into it in the next one

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  10. I know, I am so worried what will happen to them

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  11. I really hope you'll have more with the second book. I heard great things about this one.

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  12. I am so glad to see you reviewed this! I had been meaning to read this for a long time, and managed to just buy it yesterday from a book fair in town. Which makes me happy to see this pop up ;) And knowing you enjoyed it makes me eager to begin reading it myself! I have wanted to act out and take revenge multiple times, usually seconds after the reason came. Like a moment of anger or betrayal or something. Have I ever really acted on it? No, not really. Who has time to bear grudges, eh? Forgive and forget I say ^^

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  13. I've been wanting to read this book as well, but it sounds like it can be a big hit or miss depending on how well you connect with the characters. I'll have to read this myself to see what I think :)

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  14. I was very interested in this from the start as well but I can't seem to find the time for it. Hopefully soon, though.

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  15. I just don't know about this one. I am like you and dont like the mean girl books and revenge isn't my favorite either, but I have read some great reviews for this series, so maybe down the road...

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  16. Oh I hate endings like that. I think if I try this one I'm going to have the second book on hand.

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  17. Keep reading!!!!! I love this series and it's SO twisty!! I'm really anxious to see what you think for the next one!

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  18. I'm not really draw into mean girl books either, but this one does sound interesting. It sounds like it would be pretty engaging, though the ending doesn't sound fun!


    Lovely review!

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  19. I love this book. i loved how distinct and different every mc was


    lovely review

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  20. Glad you liked this one overall!! :) Hope the sequel is good.
    -lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com

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  21. I can't wait to check this out. I have a copy waiting to be read and it sounds pretty interesting. I really want to know all about the line they crossed. Great review!

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  22. I've been wanting to read the series, though I do have a love/hate relationship with them, you know, you could definitely sympathise with them, and I love that they get revenge. BUT, like you said, there's a fine line between getting your own back and acting like the people who bullied them.
    I'm pretty sure everyone's though about taking out revenge on people who've hurt them or the people closest to them, depending on how bad that was.

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  23. I love the cover on this one Brandi, and it sounds interesting. Revenge plots usually are. I am curious about the supernatural elements that are hinted at.

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  24. Loving the cover. I love a good revenge plot.

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  25. Interesting how you get through a whole book and the only drop hints about supernatural elements... If you are going to do it, it needs to be from the beginning if you ask me!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  26. I have never heard of this book before, and it sounds like it has a lot going on in it. Wonderful review!

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  27. Hmm, I have this book waiting for me, Brandi, and I'm scratching my head. It seems like it (the story) couldn't decide what it wanted to be. I'm glad that you found elements that you enjoyed and that you'll continue the series. I'll get to it, eventually.

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  28. I have a really hard time with revenge plot lines. I think it's such a negative subject that I'm usually cringing the whole time. I know Jasprit loves this series and author. Hope the next book turns out a little better for you, Brandi. A cliffhanger would frustrate me as well. Great review. :)

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