Reviewed by Stephanie on
I've been wanting to read To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han for forever. I'm trying to watch my book buying budget a little more closely and read from my massive TBR more. Instead of purchasing a new book, I grabbed Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian and decided to give it a whirl.
I have to say that I waffled quite a bit on my feelings for this book. It is about a lot of negative stuff. It made me uncomfortable and not in the makes you think type good way. Three girls ban together to see vengeance for their perceived injustices. This kind of vigilante justice always make me quesy. A lot of times it is meted out without all the facts. Often those facts make a big difference.
I really enjoyed Kat, Mary, and Lilia. It was only during their planning sessions that I wanted to distance myself. Each of them certainly has a lot on their plates. Part of what makes the plot believable is the amount of emotion these three are trying to process. The story is told in rotation perspectives. The good news is that each voice is distinctive. No flipping back to see who's narrating the section.
The saving grace for me is that Han & Vivian reined it in towards the end. Up to that point Burn for Burn seemed to almost advocate seeking your own justice. The most dangerous part of that is even if you are bone deep certain of past events, what if you're wrong? What if there's information you don't know? Thankfully it was addressed.
A lot of what held this book up for me was guilt. I let guilt hang over me. I know I shouldn't or that it isn't healthy but it is a part of me. Trying to stop it would be as easy as trying to change my eye color. I was uncomfortable but still enjoyed the book overall. I'll read the next book for sure. I just wont' be pouncing on it.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 17 May, 2015: Finished reading
- 17 May, 2015: Reviewed