Burn

By Patrick Ness

An all-consuming story of revenge, redemption and dragons from the twice Carnegie Medal-winner Patrick Ness.

“On a cold Sunday evening in early 1957, Sarah Dewhurst waited with her father in the parking lot of the Chevron Gas Station for the dragon he’d hired to help on the farm.” This dragon, Kazimir, has more to him than meets the eye. Sarah can’t help but be curious about him, an animal who supposedly doesn’t have a soul but is seemingly intent on keeping her safe from the brutal attentions of Deputy Sheriff Emmett Kelby. Kazimir knows something she doesn’t. He has arrived at the farm because of a prophecy. A prophecy that involves a deadly assassin, a cult of dragon worshippers, two FBI agents – and somehow, Sarah Dewhurst herself. From the bestselling author of the Chaos Walking trilogy comes a heart-stopping story of fanaticism, hope, bravery and impossible second chances, set in a world on the very brink of its own destruction.

Categories: Fiction

For readers aged: 14+

  • Publication details:
  • Format: Hardback
  • ISBN: 9781406375503
  • Published: 07 May 2020
  • Price: £12.99
  •  
  • Size: 216 x 135 mm
  • Pages: 384

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Customer reviews

Reviews

'Wonderful and mind-blowing and exhilarating and heart-stopping. What a storyteller! I loved it!' Russell T Davies

'I'm completely gripped by this story of revenge, redemption and dragons from the double Carnegie Medal-winner.' The Bookseller

'A summer blockbuster of a novel: exciting, clever and moving. Somehow, Ness just keeps getting better.' Juno Dawson

'Ness brilliantly juggles these multi-layered themes and twisting plot lines while creating a world where dragons are as richly imagined as humans and engage our emotions just as forcefully. He is a remarkable talent.' The Daily Mail

'With two Carnegie medals to his name, Patrick Ness is a literary giant in young adult fiction, and his books remain gloriously original and unpredictable… Mind-bending in the best possible way.' The Observer (The New Review)

'Oh man. I loved it. Absolutely loved it... Technically, it shouldn't work because there is just... so, so much. But it does work. And I think that is Ness's greatest talent as a writer. He can keep countless plates spinning but never lose the quality - the themes, the ideas, and the lovely, special moments of sweet clarity and profundity. It's hard to speak about the themes without giving too much away but Burn talks about American racism, homophobia, international relations and arms races, religion, the possibility of multiverses, creation myths... and yes, see? I told you. It's a busy book! A fabulous busy book. Also: dragons. What more could a reader want?!' The Book Bag

'A much anticipated YA coming in May is Burn, an all-consuming story of revenge, redemption and dragons from the twice Carnegie Medal-winner Patrick Ness. We can't wait.' Independent IE

'Featured in 'Young Adult fiction: 25 of the best new books for 2020'' i

'Double Carnegie winning Patrick Ness proves yet again how effortlessly he can weave a tale that juggles apocalyptic themes and astonishing action with the truly personal sphere of beliefs and actions while dealing with issues as powerful as racism, homophobia and the morality of war and underlying it all with deeply tender stories of love.' LoveReading

'Ness shows that although monsters exist in every world, many wish to overcome them; and even in the smoking ruins of civilisation, there is room for hope.' The Guardian

'Ness always writes well, but he is particularly sharp and astute in this latest tale, and his depiction of teenagers caught up in an ancient battle they don’t or can’t entirely understand is gripping until the end. YA rockstar, I suppose.' The Irish Times

'Revenge, redemption, the Cold War and dragons. Another great tale from the master with the best opening line of any book this year…' Simon Mayo

'Selected by Scala Radio's Simon Mayo as one of his top 5 books of the year' Simon Mayo, Scala Radio

'It’s a clever, complex and completely engrossing story [...] Ness has great control over his plot and writes beautifully. He is particularly good on exploring our desire to destroy our own world and the possibility of hope for the future — but without sounding like a bank commercial. And that’s really something to get fired up about.' The Times

'It's never less than gripping, and full of charm, intriguing characters and awesome, cinematic set-pieces.' SFX

'Patrick Ness writes searing YA fiction that burrows into your consciousness, and both emboldens you, and helps smooth out the rough corners of being human – whether you're a teenager, or a grown-up who's meant to have figured everything out by now. Burn is no different… Burn is imbued with huge amounts of heart and curiosity, and doesn't recoil from politics, or a few brutal shocks that keep the pace electric. An incredibly touching, powerful and startling read.' Female First

'Patrick Ness writes searing YA fiction that burrows into your consciousness, and both emboldens you, and helps smooth out the rough corners of being human – whether you’re a teenager, or a grown-up who’s meant to have figured everything out by now. Burn is no different… Burn is imbued with huge amounts of heart and curiosity, and doesn’t recoil from politics, or a few brutal shocks that keep the pace electric. An incredibly touching, powerful and startling read.' Syndicated by the Press Association

'Featured as ‘Novel of the Week’ in The Week.' The Week

'Featured in ‘The best new books to read in June 2020’ in Entertainment Weekly.' Entertainment Weekly

'Featured in Patrick Ness’ ‘My Culture Fix’ in The Times.' The Times

'Ness’s latest YA blockbuster follows prophecies of Armageddon in a world where dragons are real, prejudice bites and teens find love across the divides.' The Guardian

'You can always rely on Patrick Ness to surprise you, and this beautifully written urban fantasy doesn't disappoint ... With multiple narrators and a complex, highly original plot, this is an immersive, rewarding read for older teens and adults.' Independent IE

'PREJUDICES — racist, sexist and homophobic — underpin this extraordinary story set in 1957, during the increasingly tense Cold War. Enter dragon-worship cults, a hired assassin, FBI agents, a time-slip love story… FABULOUS in every sense of the word.' The Daily Mail

'On some pages, it makes me gasp; on some, it makes me want to hide under the covers. It is a totally amazing book. I’m looking forward to the next one, for it ends on a cliff hanger. I recommend this book for 9-year olds and over. 5 stars!!' Sherborne Times

'Just what you'd expect from Patrick Ness - a skilful blending of the heartache and optimism of everyday small-town life set against the epic magnitude of a world-ending prophecy. This is Ness at the very top of his game. Savvy, snappy dialogue is delivered by equally smart and intelligent characters whose multiple perspectives give the fast-paced narrative a filmic quality but also offer empathy and understanding.' The School Librarian

'Award-winner Ness excels himself in this powerful allegory about a rare, fire-breathing dragon whose arrival on a mid-western U.S. farm in the Cold War 1950s incites an FBI chase, a time-slip family drama, a love story and an exposé of the racist, homophobic and sexist attitudes of the time. Incendiary stuff.' The Daily Mail & The Scottish Daily Mail

'Simon Mayo selected Burn as one of his favourite reads of 2020, praising: Revenge, redemption, the Cold War and dragons. Another great tale from the master with the best opening line of any book this year…'

'Featured in The Irish Times piece on ‘YA fiction: the best of 2020’.' The Irish Times

'This complex, multi-layered story questions people’s own motivations while dealing with racism, religious zeal, sexual discrimination, gender bias and identity. All this while under the threat of nuclear annihilation. Ordinary people will be tested, their strength of character and the intoxication that comes with power.' Kids Book Review

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