Reviews

Burn is a fantastic read.

I'm an ex-teacher and can see the value of including this as a text to explore in the senior school - Year 10 and older. However, I do appreciate other reviewer's comments about including this text in the school curriculum, whereby it may 'ruin' the ability for some readers to connect with the incredible messages when they don't choose to read this text themselves.

The very last part of the book brings in the indigenous perspectives, lore and cultural aspects. This includes Aunties, Uncles, the importance of connection to country and how intergenerational trauma affects many people today. I don't identify as indigenous, however I'm always curious and seek to have an appreciation of how their cultural, country and family systems and lores work. I always strive to do this with authenticity, respect and with the aim of appreciation, however, like many, I find it tricky as I am very aware of not disrespecting or bring sub-conscious bias to my questions.

Content Warnings

lmk217's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

lostinherpages's review

Go to review page

dark hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

wetdirtreads's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

emmalilcrazy's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

jess64au's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A really interesting read. The book is written in first person and the main character is clearly flawed, but enough information is given to create a sense of connection with the reader. I felt the ending was too rushed and

while I was happy with the happy ending and the author acknowledges the unlikeness of the happy ending, I felt the ending didn't really deal with the "socio/psycho pathic tendencies" clearly shown earlier in the book and they were kind of washed away with "connection to mob"

Finally I bet this book gets ruined for teenagers by being a class novel.

stories's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Particular shout out to the ending.

An exploration of “troubled kids” and how learning disabilities, mental health, poor parenting, racism and poor choices can collide in the worst of ways.

Interlocking chapters across two time periods, with a deep exploration of disconnected indigeneity and an unexpectedly and supremely satisfying ending.

Content Warnings

More...