Tuesday 22 January 2013

Review: Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Burn For Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Publication date: 25th October 2012
My rating: 4 stars


BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...

THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

Being a huge fan of Jenny Han’s books, when I first heard about Burn for Burn, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. Also Siobhan Vivian was an author whose books I had been promising myself to getting around to for ages. So I knew picking up this book would be a win-win situation!

Burn for Burn focuses on three girls, Kat, Mary and Lillia who are forced to work together on one common goal; revenge. You know the saying revenge is a dish best served cold? Well this saying totally applied here. The three girls had their own reasons for getting their own back on Reeve, Alex and Rennie. Whereas Kat and Lillia used to be close friends until Rennie ruined it, Mary’s the school newbie. But the three girls manage to form a united alliance, with devious plans up their sleeves, they’re sure to get their comeuppance.

Burn for Burn lets us into the story through povs from Mary, Kat and Lillia. As I read through the chapters I really felt I got to know Kat and Lillia, the hardships they had to experience, the pressure they had to deal with and keeping their mouth shut when necessary. But with Mary, I don’t know, I liked getting her back story, how she had a tough time and how much it took to get to where she is now. But there were aspects concerning her which I just didn’t get like her super creepy aunt, I think it was purposely done this way to just scratch the surface with Mary’s character, but I think I wanted more from her.

The so-called revenge plan I was totally on board with, I agreed that all three deserved their just deserts especially Rennie, ugh I couldn’t stand this girl! And by the end of the book my opinion didn’t change of her, but Alex really grew on me as the as the book progressed, I began to feel really sorry for him and hoped the girls would stop their revenge act towards him. Also Reeve being the obnoxious boy that he was really messed around with my feelings at the end.

Overall Burn for Burn was an exceptional first book to a fresh new series. I really feel as if I know Kat and Lillia so well already and so I can’t wait to see which direction book two Fire with Fire will take us to next!


21 comments:

Book Passion for Life said...

Great review hun, I'm not sure I want to read this YET. I might wait until the other books in the series are available. Glad you liked it though.

Shirley said...

I haven't read any of Jenny Han's novels but I'm sure I'll be reading them very soon :) I love how this centres around the girls' goal of revenge. That one word is enough for me to desperate want to read this!!! Great review Jasprit! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

Leanna Elle said...

This was a 3.5 for me - good enough for me to check out the next book in the series, but not a WOW book like I thought it would be. Still, I'm interested to see where they go with this! Great review, Jasprit. Glad you enjoyed this one! :)

Tanja - Tanychy said...

Oh I'm glad that you enjoyed this one more than me. I mean I was like dying to read it - let's face it - Jenny Han! But at the end it was too annoying at some parts for me...I simply couldn't relate to anything. Still I might read the second book in this series one day, maybe after you tell me how great it is :) Great review Jasprit ;)

Unknown said...

Great review! It's been on my TBR list for a while. I'll have to try and pick it up soon. :)

Brandy

Unknown said...

I've read very conflicting reviews for this, but I honestly think I would like Burn for Burn. I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks for the informative review!

Emma said...

This sounds like They Lying Game all over again... and I loved that series. This definitely something I would love to get my hands on. This sounds like an exception first novel in the series. Lovely review, Jasprit! :)

Jenny said...

I'm not sure what to think of this one Jasprit. You're review has me thinking it's definitely worth the read, but typically I struggle with revenge plots like this. I do okay with more violent revenge plots - like a hero's wife is murdered so he seeks to avenge her - but with high school revenge I struggle. I just don't know! I'm leaving this in the "maybe" pile. I adored your review though, we typically like the same things so that makes me feel better about it:)

Anonymous said...

This one has been on my shelf for awhile, and I've been meaning to check it out. I'm a huge Jenny Han fan, and I love Siobhan too. I'm glad to hear you liked it so much—fabulous review! :-)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I am glad you liked this one. I read some not so great reviews and so I passed on it. I am not always a big fan of revenge either. I guess though it is deserved in some cases. I just hope everyone learns a valuable lesson at the end.

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

See? I never realized this was a serie! Where have I been living for the past six months?! In a desert, that's where! The multiple POV thing worries me a bit since it's my least favorite narrative type, but overall it sounds very good. You know how I am about contemporaries, but next time the mood strikes, I'll consider reading this one.
Fantastic review!

Sarah Elizabeth said...

I quite liked this book. I got a bit confused by the supernatural aspect that popped up though, it seemed to stick out like a sore thumb, in what was othrewise a contemporary story. Hoping that this will be explored more in book 2. I didn't realised that it had a name already!

brandileigh2003 said...

Kat and Lillia sound great... I can't wait to read this one esp. after the lovely review.
Happy reading,
Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

You have me really interested in Alex now, and I also prefer to know exactly how a character feels. And I'm curious as to how Reeves character differs at the end. Great review Jaspirit.

Sam (Realm of Fiction) said...

I have to admit, I've forgotten quite a lot of what happened in his book, but I remember enjoying it at the time. I'm glad you liked it, Jasprit, especially as Jenny Han is one of your favourite authors. This reminds me... I need to finish the Summer series soon! ;)

Wonderful review as always!

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

There is a super creepy aunt? Wicked ;) I haven't dabbled onto that many books with a revenge theme but I'm glad to learn that you enjoyed it. Loved your review Jas :)

Keertana said...

I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Jasprit! It was never a book I planned to pick up, but it does have a very intriguing premises and I'm glad it lived up to your expectations. Plus, strong characters are always a win! :) Great review, dear!

Vegan YA Nerds said...

I really didn't know what to expect from this book when I read it, and I ended up being a bit confused and disappointed until I remembered it was part of a series! Bring on book 2!

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

I'm really quite curious to read this book, mostly because I love Jenny Han!

Obsession with Books said...

I have been curious about this book so I'm pleased to read you enjoyed it.

A great review!

Maji Bookshelf said...

yes! I am a huge fan of the summer i turned pretty trilogy so I am really excited to read burn for burn! my sister read it and really enjoyed it! I am not a huge fan of revenge plots but this sounds amazing, great review!

- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

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