patchworkbunny reviewed Burn by Julianna Baggott (The pure trilogy -- bk. 3)
Review of 'Burn' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Partridge has taken his father’s place in the dome. This is his chance to bring about change. But it’s not as easy as he seems and whilst separated from his new friends, the tempers in and outside the dome are fraying.
Burn highlights how replacing the person at the top doesn’t make it easy to change things. There are other people, existing prejudices and instability which means no matter how good your intentions, you might not be able to fix things. It might be a rather bleak story but it’s a refreshing change from rose-tinted world-building.
Whilst Partridge’s precarious position within the dome was a far too believable scenario, I did think he was a bit too easily steered in some cases. I wanted him to resist more, to fight harder for Lyda, to maybe suspect people wanted them apart. That the plan to put him with Iralene wasn’t for …
Partridge has taken his father’s place in the dome. This is his chance to bring about change. But it’s not as easy as he seems and whilst separated from his new friends, the tempers in and outside the dome are fraying.
Burn highlights how replacing the person at the top doesn’t make it easy to change things. There are other people, existing prejudices and instability which means no matter how good your intentions, you might not be able to fix things. It might be a rather bleak story but it’s a refreshing change from rose-tinted world-building.
Whilst Partridge’s precarious position within the dome was a far too believable scenario, I did think he was a bit too easily steered in some cases. I wanted him to resist more, to fight harder for Lyda, to maybe suspect people wanted them apart. That the plan to put him with Iralene wasn’t for the sake of the people at all.
After El Capitan proclaimed his love for Pressia, it would have been all too easy to turn him against her and make him into someone else. But he is good and kind, a stark contrast to the character we were first introduced to. I had almost forgotten his past until it was brought up in the later stages. Him and his constant companion, Helmud, are still the best bits, even moving me to tears and keeping me on tenterhooks for their safety.
Pressia is still worrying about Bradwell and his reaction to his transformation; one that she caused. I never felt their relationship was central to the plot though. This is one of the few trilogies where the switching viewpoints works and I am equally invested in each character’s story. The pace is fast throughout and it kept me up past my bedtime!
I don’t it’s a conclusion that’s going to please everyone but it’s moving and dark and complex. The lines are blurred and there is some heartbreak. Yet there are some heart-warming moments amongst the ash and grief. It might be the end of Pressia’s story but there is so much more potential in this world I’d love a standalone from another point of view, following on from Burn or further on in the timeline.
Review copy provided by publisher.