Review: The Burning by Danielle Rollins

Title: Burning 

Author:  Danielle Rollins
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA 

Publishing Date:  April 25th 2016

Pages:  352
Genre: YA Psychological Horror

Series:  Stand Alone
Source: Audio

 

After three years in juvie, Angela Davis is just a few months shy of release, and she'll finally be free from the hole that is Brunesfield Correctional Facility. Then Jessica arrives. Only ten years old and under the highest security possible, this girl has to be dangerous, even if no one knows what she did to land in juvie. As strange things begin happening to Angela and her friends that can only be traced to the new girl's arrival, it becomes clear that Brunesfield is no longer safe. They must find a way to get out, but how can they save themselves when the world has forgotten them?

I have had this book on my TBR for a while. I am really not sure where or when I first noticed the book or what drew me to it. I am thinking the cover. It's pretty creepy. It has also been a while since I have read a book or listened to a book. So I was excited to just read a book. I did like this read. I felt it was creepy enough and the story was interesting. I did have some issues with the read that lowered my enjoyment just a tiny bit but in the end, I really enjoyed it. 

Angela and her friends are in a juvie center. Everything is as one would think. Days go by, they aren't treated the best, they don't have all the good things. The girls are counting the days until they get out. All is well in the juvie center. Everything changes the day a 10-year-old girl arrives. Jessica. She is creepy and doesn't talk and is sent straight to the segregation block. She isn't the only new face around. There is a new doctor. A counselor. She brings with her the idea of a group that supports girls interested in science. She brings new soap and other supplies. She seems cool, well until she doesn't because things are changing. Things are strange and creepy. Someone is on the bad side.

I picked this book up not really knowing what to expect. I didn't remember putting it on my TBR but it was in my Audible wish list so I grabbed it and decided to get into it. The beginning was a tad slow for me but still very interesting. So even though I felt it was a little slow I never wanted to stop reading it. There was enough there that kept me intrigued and kept me keeping on. I am glad I did. 

The concept was pretty cool and for a horror, it was pretty creepy. I think it could have had a bit more on the creep side but I am a very hard person to please with the creep meter. I do wish the story had a bit more explanation too. There were some holes that were never filled and that saddens me just a little. There could have been a bit more background... of course, maybe that would have taken away from the creep factor. It's hard to say. Those are the only real issues I had with the book. 

The main character I just adored. She was a very independent and determined girl. She was strong and soft at the same time. She had a love for her brother that was extreme and she cared and was very loyal to her friends. She was a stupid girl at times... but for the most part, she was cool and she had the right voice for the story. 

I also very much liked the supporting characters. All of them. Issie, Cara, Jessica, Ben. I did like them all. They all had their issues throughout the story to bring conflict and resolution but in the long run, they all brought something sparkly and added to the story. 

The story did have the horror aspect, sci-fi aspect, and supernatural aspect but I felt they all fit in together. I liked that it was done in a juvie hall too. It kind of gave it the extra creep. There were strong friendship aspects but not a lot in the romance dept. Which I get and I was okay with . There was a little bit but not really explored. I only wish there would have be just a tad bit more in the ending for the romance. 

The ending I didn't so much like. I did like it up to the very last moment. I think I just needed more exploration, more explanation. It didn't leave it open... but didn't really have a conclusion. It was left making me want for more but also gave me some kind of resolution. Like I said, I think it just needed more to fill in the holes of question I had. 

I did like it. Was it perfect or the best no... but it was so worth reading and I plan on reading the companion novel when it comes out. 

Danielle Rollins is the author of the upcoming teen thriller BURNING (2016, Bloomsbury) as well as the horror novels THE MERCILESS, THE MERCILESS II: THE EXORCISM OF SOFIA FLORES, and SURVIVE THE NIGHT (Razorbill, written as Danielle Vega). She lives in Brooklyn, NY and spends far too much money on vintage furniture and leather boots.