To say I’ve read my share of speculative and sci-fi novellas might be a bit of an understatment. I love them because so much depth and world building can be told in such a small package. However, I haven’t run into too many young adult speculative novellas, which is a bit of a shame. “Burning” is the story I didn’t know I needed in my life. The setting is incredible, the characters are realistically flawed, and the plot manages to be complete while still leaving readers longing for more in this world. Did I mention it’s also absolutely FREE on Amazon?

The Blurb:

“Only the chosen shall breed.

In a new world isolated by a rising, toxic sea, a single bridge connects Askala to the Outlands. Those who remain will need to pass a Proving to determine if they have the intelligence and heart to champion the future of their broken Earth.

Those who succeed will become Bound, the ones chosen to breed.

Those who fail, are Unbound. Free of responsibility, but robbed of their ability to bear children.

Four young lives are born into this world. Magnus and Callix, two brothers determined to uphold this new order. Two brothers in love with the same girl.

Amity, the one who must make the impossible choice.

And Mercy, the girl who no one sees, but sees it all.

As a new threat to Askala emerges, secrets will be revealed and the fight for survival will become their biggest challenge yet.

Life is fragile. Love will refuse to be denied.

Sacrifice will be inevitable.”

The Review:

The blurb for this book doesn’t quite match up with just how great this book is. The blurb kind of makes this sound like it’s yet another forgettable young adult dystopian novel, and, trust me, I have read a lot of YA dystopians that were basically poor imitations of The Hunger Games or Divergent. “Burning” really is unique in its premise and fully lands its delivery. While this is a start to a series, this also functions as a stand-alone novel really well.

Although this novella is age appropriate for young adult readers, it doesn’t dumb down the ecology and politics of its post-apocalyptic world. The writing is sharp and cutting at times, while airy and free in the very next chapter. Each character has a distinct voice, which is not easy with four point of view characters in a novella. It’s obvious that skilled writers crafted this world and these characters.

Final Thoughts:

I don’t know where this book has been my whole life. This is one of the best starts to a series I have ever read. And the fact I got it free? I can’t believe that. I look forward to trying out the rest of this series and more by these authors in the future. I highly recommend this novella if you enjoy dystopian/post-apocalyptic/speculation fiction. You can’t go wrong with a free book for your Kindle.

Rating: 5/5 stars.

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