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. "Exhilarating and heart-stopping" Russell T Davies "Mind-bending in the best possible way.” The Observer

Categories: Fiction

For readers aged: 14+

  • Publication details:
  • Format: Paperback
  • ISBN: 9781406393972
  • Published: 06 May 2021
  • Price: £7.99
  •  
  • Size: 198 x 129 mm
  • Pages: 384

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Customer reviews

Reviews

'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…”'

'Ness is on tip-top form here, deftly propelling a complex plot… Ness shows that although monsters exist in every world, there are many more who wish to overcome them; and that even in the smoking ruins of civilisation, there is room for hope.' The Guardian, Book of the Day

'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

'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

'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

'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

'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

'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 Piece by the Press Association

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

'Featured as ‘Novel of 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

'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!!' Sherbornne Times

'I really enjoyed this book. […] If I was offered the opportunity to read this book again, I would take it in a heartbeat.' Teen Titles

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