It’s a rare thing to start a book, and before you’ve finished the first chapter think - “Yup, this is going to be a classic”. But by Chapter 2 of Burn that was exactly how I was thinking.
Ness has created a re-imagined history where the earth has always been shared by humans and dragons, and ’the periodic and costly dragon/human wars across the millennia had finally ended in the 1700s’. Dragons had their own lands - Wastes - ‘and peace had endured long enough for humans to turn their aggression against themselves.’
In 1957 Gareth Dewhurst and his daughter Sarah employ a dragon to help clear their fields - dragons are cheaper to employ than men. It’s a Russian blue dragon - and this is at the height of the cold war, so anything with Russian heritage is viewed with deep suspicion. But Sarah is drawn to this dragon and soon learns of a terrible prophecy in which she plays a vital role.
I love how Ness has incorporated real history with his world building. The characters are diverse and living in a small US town in the 1950s; having to deal with all the usual prejudices and fears of the time: racism, homophobia, the cold war. Throw into this mix a cult that worships Dragons above humans and you have a novel like no other!
There are plot twists and turns that I do not want to spoil for you. Part of the joy of this book is the unexpected journey that Ness takes you on. It is written from many PsOV but I had no difficulty with this approach - it creates an empathy for the characters, even those that are very hard to like.
Burn is categorised as Young Adult fiction, but I think it’s suitable for a much wider audience. Adults who are looking for a book that has emotionally engaging characters, who are facing unexpected obstacles, together with a large dose of other-worldliness will find this book a total winner.
Highly recommended.

Disclaimer: I’m a huge Patrick Ness fan, so approached this will high expectations - most of which were met.
A day in the life of Adam, a teen still coming to terms with being gay, is beautifully rendered. His friends, his enemies, his family - all real people. His pain, his love, his fear - all real emotions.
What didn’t work for me was the supernatural element Ness has running parallel to Adam’s story - I found it a distraction. But this is a small quibble.
There are a number of reasonable explicit sex scenes in this novel, so would not suggest it for younger readers. However, I highly recommend this raw and honest novel for all young adult readers.

I have re-read this by way of the audio-book to refresh my memory.
It is as good as, if not better than, I remember it to be.
This is the enormously moving story of young Conor O’Malley coming to terms with his mother’s cancer. You can’t help but feel so much empathy for Conor as he also struggles with bullying at school, a father who has moved to America and started a new family, an austere grandmother and a re-occurring nightmare that shatters his sleep every night. And then the monster calls at his bedroom window. However, this is not the monster of his dreams, but a monster who will ultimately guide him to his own truth.
This novel is lyrical, and heartbreaking, and empowering….am I gushing? Well I’m not apologizing!
Highly recommended.

Seriously? What can I say? I knew I was onto something quite special when Ness’s epigraphs are from Aimee Mann and Peter Gabriel lyrics. And then, POW, the opening line….“Here is the boy, drowning.” This book just grabs you by the collar like a savage dog and really never lets go.
It is amazing.
And I don’t want to say more than that, because that would spoil your journey into this extraordinary world.
If there were more stars, I’d be giving them!