Fire with Fire (Burn for Burn #2)

Actual rating 3.5 stars. After enjoying the first book in this trilogy ‘Burn for Burn’ despite its immature narrative tone, I was eager to see where all the elements that were introduced in the debut were going… and well, ‘Fire With Fire’ took an unexpected turn – and I loved it! I felt this book was much better than the first. Having established all the characters in the first book, there was no confusion over who was who. We also got many of the plot elements developed further or answered in ‘Fire With Fire.’ There are a few turn-abouts with the characters which are executed deliciously‎. It follows suit of the first novel with the main trio of characters unveiling a different point of view to reveal an alternate opinion on their group of friends (and frenimies). I was a little frustrated with how the facts (and the reasons Lillia, Kat, and Mary began their little pact) were forgotten, or became blurry, the more convoluted their situation became. We don\’t get the numerous flashbacks like in the first novel either, which was a welcome change. The paranormal element gets heavily explored here too – and I loved it. It was hands down my favourite part of the book. I can confidently say ‘Fire with Fire’ does not suffer middle-book-syndrome. It felt more complete to me than the debut. I\’m getting really frustrated with Lillia, she got date raped in the past from drinking and hanging out with randy teenage boys – and then keeps repeating that behaviour. No-one deserves to be drugged and sexually assaulted, but it seems like she hasn\’t learnt her lesson and intentionally putting herself in a position for it to happen again. Dumb. Lillia is my uptight drama queen. And although she can annoy the crap out of me at times, her antics and personality really pad out the narrative. Excited about the exploration of Mary\’s character, but am still on the fence about her storyline – I wanted more face time with her – it was a little brief and left me feeling like I\’d only scratched the surface. Kat\’s character still felt like she did in the first novel, even though she\’s meant to be edgy, maybe a bit gothic, I found her a little vanilla. The pacing was also much better – but in saying that, there were also a few spots that really dragged. The writing style felt like it had improved from the debut – it didn\’t feel as flat. Though, we don\’t get as much of the comedic elements as we did in ‘Burn for Burn.’ Neither did we see much of Nadia (Lillias little sister) and that familial dynamic Han writes so well. It was nice to read towards the end how the main cast were acting a little more responsibly and having realistic reactions to things that had both happened, and we\’re currently happening. The cliff-hanger (and ending of the novel) threw me, and I did not see it coming in a million years! It has me gagging for the final book in the series ‘Ashes to Ashes‎.’ Packaged with beautiful cover art, a diverse cast, a contemporary story line with a paranormal edge, this series has spacious typesetting and large font aiding to its overall aesthetic and ease of completion. Another quick read, despite its 517 pages. I spread it out over 2 sittings and 2 days, but could have easily completed it in one. I was dubious about this series at the start, but am coming to love it now. Let\’s hope ‘Ashes for Ashes’ can bring it on home!

Fire with Fire, the second book in Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian\’s Burn for Burn trilogy, has an insane plot that kept me up late at night just so I could keep reading and finding out more about life on Jar Island since that fateful Homecoming night. Most of the beginning of the book has the same contemporary feel as the beginning of Burn for Burn, but the intensity of the novel really picks up at the end. There are some twists and turns that are unbelievable, but with a series like this – what I\’m calling contemporary with a twist – anything is possible. At the start of the novel, the main characters hadn\’t really changed much since Burn for Burn, but mostly because the Fire with Fire picks up pretty much right where Burn for Burn ended. As the book progresses, readers are able to pick up on subtle changes with the main characters, Kat, Lillia, and Mary. Kat begins to understand that there are things she\’ll never be able to change, and I thought she kind of softened a little bit, at least when she\’s with Lillia and Mary. Lillia really starts to open up and deal with some of the things that have bothered her. Mary. . . well at first, she seems like she\’s only changing a little, but she\’s probably the only one of the three to really change, and it\’s intense. As for the supporting characters, I was really surprised with Reeve. I went from hating him in Burn for Burn to kind of liking him in this book. I really like Alex. I think he\’s a sweetheart, and I\’d like to learn a little bit more about him in the next book. My feelings for Rennie didn\’t change. I still strongly dislike her. By the end of the book, I was more curious and ready to see how things play out in Fire with Fire. Just like with Burn for Burn, the writing is just fine. It\’s really nothing spectacular, but it\’s entertaining enough to keep me interested and reading. That\’s all I can really ask of with writing. I really like the narrations of Lillia and Mary. I feel like those are the strongest chapters in the book. Kat is just a little on the boring side for me, and it\’s sad because she\’s such a cool character. I just wish that her narration lived up to how I see her in my mind. All in all, Fire with Fire is a a pretty good book. It keeps readers interested with the three very different characters coming together for a cause. I love how it still has a contemporary feel, even though there is definitely something more paranormal going on in the book. I\’d recommend this to readers who want to try paranormal but may be scared of the genre.

Don\’t know much about the books but it makes my teenager happy and we all know how difficult that can be.

The first book was a fun read, but half way through this second one I just couldn\’t seem to care what these girls did. The characters aren\’t fully developed as real people and their reasons for doing the things they do seem terribly contrived. Don\’t waste your time. There are plenty of much better reads out there.

Personally, I\’m a fan of Jenny Han\’s writing and have read most of her trilogies. I enjoyed this book, it arrived quickly, and was in great condition. The only negative thing I can say is that I am pretty positive I ordered a hardcover and instead I received a paperback.

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