Burn for Burn
by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Series: This is the first in an untitled trilogy.
Published by Simon & Schuster BYR
Publish Date: September 18, 2012
368 Pages
Source: Publisher for Review
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. –(summary from Goodreads)
My Thoughts: Wow, this book was fun! It was fun in an “I wasn’t expecting it to be this much fun!” kinda way. I actually ate lots of Raisinets while I read this one. I never eat candy when I read. So, yeah, do with that what you will.
1. The Characters.
- Mary. Mary has just moved back to Jar Island after being gone for a long time. She has a new look and is on a mission: to make him pay. Even though Mary wants revenge for what he did to her, she still wishes he would recognize her, just remember her, but he never does. For Mary, revenge is never a question. He’s gonna pay.
- Lillia. Lillia is rich, used to getting what she wants, and friends with some pretty shallow people. After being talked into going somewhere she doesn’t really want to go, something awful happens. Lillia wants to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to her younger sister Nadia, who is a little too involved with one of her own guy friends. He is too old for Nadia and he knows it. Lillia is willing to do some crazy stuff to make sure their interaction does not continue.
- Kat. Kat is a little different than the rest of the rich crowd – she likes motorcycle boots, heavy eyeliner, and grungy rock music while everyone else is preppy. There’s this one rich girl that has always been super mean to her – makes fun of her in front of everyone, spreads gossip about her that isn’t true, that sort of thing. The bad part is that they used to be friends. Hmm, sounds like little rich girl needs to be taught a lesson.
The story is told in alternating POV’s: Mary, Kat, and Lillia. This is great because you get an idea for what each girl went through, why she wants revenge specifically, what her part is in the plan, and what everything looks like through her own eyes.
3. The Genre. Contemporary, with a dash of supernatural. Where the heck did that come from? I suspect there may be more of the supernatural stuff in the next book. ALSO, I did not realize this book was in a planned series until I got to the end and thought I was missing some pages. Folks: THIS IS A SERIES. Don’t let it deter you from reading this book, because it is tons of fun.
4. Romance. No, not romance – revenge. (Although there is one boy and one girl that kind of I’m rooting for since I now realize this is a series.)
I loved each of the three girls. Mary was a bit strange and mysterious. It takes a while to put together her story, but I liked it that way – because I think her story might possibly be the strongest. I have my eye on and expect big things from Mary in the next book. Lillia seemed very much like an open book – a little shallow, but more kind than any of the rest of her friends. I could appreciate her even though she hung out with a group of people that I was not supposed to like. I liked that she made some mistakes throughout the book and owned up to them, even if it was sometimes only admitting her mistakes to herself. *looks around* At one point Lillia questioned whether or not the revenge was a little overboard, but she stuck with it because she made a promise – so while this thinking is a little twisted, at least Lillia is thinking, right? *looks around again* I’m looking for some growth for Lillia by the time the next book comes around because she is in an odd position at the end of the book, with her sometimes-conscience and being in the circle of friends and all.
Look, it boils down to this: I liked this book a lot. I read it fast, like it was gonna be snatched away from me at any moment. I had no idea it is a series book, so now I feel like I’m waiting for someone I’m missing to come back home from being away for a long time. I love the cover. I didn’t have to think too hard to read it. It was like watching one of those awesomely entertaining shows on the CW (on American television). I want to know what happens next because I feel like I’m holding my breath. HOLDING MY BREATH.
Mean Girls, Revenge
Alternating POV’s
Great Setting
will be available for purchase on September 18, 2012.
**I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion and review. I received no compensation for my thoughts. Thank you Simon & Schuster!
About Asheley
Asheley is a Southern girl. She loves Carolina blue skies, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, and NC craft beer. She loves all things history but prefers books over everything.
You can find her somewhere in North Carolina, daydreaming about the ocean.
Find Asheley on Litsy @intothehallofbooks!
ZOMG! Now I'm even more excited for this one. I got it at BEA but haven't gotten to it yet but now I will be bumping it up! I didn't realize that 1) it's a series and 2) it has a dash of supernatural in it. I'm intrigued! And I'm always a fan of revenge-esque plotlines so MAJOR BUMPING UP IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE!
This one was so much fun. The revenge was fun but the little supernatural twist was even funner. I need the next book yesterday!!
Let's see…am I a fan of:
YA Contemporary – CHECK!
Mean Girls, Revenge – CHECK!
Alternating POV's – CHECK!
Great Setting – CHECK!
😀
It's safe to say I'm going to enjoy this book as much as you did! Awesome review, Asheley!
Fun fun fun.
I love all of those things too. I can't believe how much I liked this one. I just wish it wasn't so long before book two comes out!!
Also I need to read more by these two authors!
I can't wait to meet the girls. I love Jenny Han so anything written by her is a must! I can't wait! Awesome reviw, Asheley!
September 18! ♥
I remember how much you love Jenny Han! I need to read her other series and some of Siobhan Vivian's work too. This was a great start for me because I liked it so much. 🙂
I read another review of this book that also mentioned the supernatural twist. I'm not sure how I feel about that. when I first saw this book, I didn't expect that at all. I think because maybe I read jenny Hans Summer series and it was strictly contemp.. Never assume in life.
That won't keep me from checking it out though. You had me at Pajama pants and popcorn. <—- my life at least one night a week.
yay for revenge too. I've always wanted to get revenge on people, but usually Karma does the job before me, so that works out too! lol.
Hope you are doing well and having a great weekend!