Pages: 528
Published: August 13th 2013 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Series: Burn for Burn #2
Source: Simon & Schuster via Edelweiss
Amazon | TBD | Kobo | Goodreads
Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.Not even close.
For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.
And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.
It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn…
Burn for Burn was pretty forgettable for me. I remembered the ending but I wasn’t wowed by the story at all, and in fact I found a lot of the revenge acts horrible and just didn’t agree with what the girls were doing. When I started Fire with Fire I could barely remember any of the characters so I had to reread my review for Burn for Burn. Ironically Mary, the one girl who wasn’t focused on largely in the first book was the only girl I remembered clearly. Despite all the drawbacks Burn for Burn had for me I still very much wanted to pick up Fire with Fire, due to the cliffhanger ending, and see where the story was going.
One thing I had forgotten about entirely was the authors easy to read style. Normally with books I had reservations with I find it extremely hard to initially get into the story. That’s not the case at all with Siobhan Vivian & Jenny Han. These two ladies have such a fluent, easy to read writing style that I was immediately swept into the story again. Not to mention they leave each point of view chapter on a cliffhanger and switch to another character. Fantastic writing.
While Kat, Lilia and Mary were still a major part of the story in Fire with Fire, I also found that the secondary characters played just as big of a role this time around. Perhaps it’s because Burn for Burn barely left an impression on me, or maybe it actually was the case, but there was a huge focus on secondary characters. And I loved it. I often find a favorite character outside of the main character(s) and it was very true for this story. I adored Alex. He was so incredibly sweet and I hope, HOPE he ends up in a good place in the last novel. Any time he was hurt I was cringing, I just adored him. I remember hating some of the revenge acts that were done to him last time, so I was glad to see it was different this time. I really enjoyed the voices of the three girls as well. Kat still remained my favorite out of the three as she is spunky and not scared to be herself but Lilia was enjoyable as well as Mary. The hardest part about reading Mary’s POV though is that it’s so incredibly sad sometimes. When she reflects back on what happened on the boat, gosh, it’s enough to make my heart twist.
I think one of the main reasons I enjoyed Fire with Fire so much, is the initial element that I disliked the first time is not there. I hated the revenge portion in the first novel. The “revenges” were just so awful, things I couldn’t even imagine doing to anyone and I couldn’t understand why the girls would do such awful things to someone else. I guess for me, the act that was done to them didn’t match up to what the revenge given was. While there is definitely a revenge portion in Fire with Fire, it didn’t unsettle me like Burn for Burn did. Actually the main revenge is leading the story down a different road, and I’m really interested to see what happens.
To say Fire with Fire was good would be an understatement, it thoroughly impressed me. It swept my expectations (which were low) completely under the rug, and I was absolutely thrilled with how much I enjoyed the story. The ending made me gasp, I couldn’t believe that the story was taken were it was and I cannot believe I have to wait an entire year to see what will happen. I am astonished that not only did this book impress me but it was one of my favorite reads of the summer. It’s thrilling, heart wrenching and wonderfully written.
If you loved Burn for Burn, I’m certain you will enjoy Fire with Fire and if you didn’t love the first book I would suggest giving this one a chance anyway; I had reservations going in but they were quickly extinguished.
I was hoping to have already read this, but since I’ve read exactly ONE book in the past three weeks, that didn’t happen. I’m glad you liked this one, though! It’s one I am really looking forward to reading, and hopefully I can get to it soon.
I remember that you were looking forward to this one so much, and I wasn’t at all so I’m sure you will really enjoy it! Actually, you have probably read it by now because I am SO BEHIND IN COMMENTS 😛
I got sent an ARC of Fire with Fire in the mail, and so that was the sole reason I decided to pick up Burn for Burn and read it. Like you, I didn’t fall in love with Burn for Burn, and I thought that the revenges the girls were dishing out were awful and extreme and nothing I could ever fathom doing to another person! So, when I started to read Fire with Fire, and I began to love it, I was shocked! This book pleasantly surprised me, and I too loooove Alex! As for my have girl, I think I’d have to say Lillia. And the ending?!!? I new something funky was going on.. but THAT?! Woah. I need Ashes to Ashes like…. NOW! great review Lauren! 🙂
Thanks Natalie!!! I cannot wait for the third book either, I’m so glad this series really picked up for us! I’m not sure what made me give it another try but I’m so glad 🙂
Great Review! I haven’t read Burn for Burn but I must say your review has me intrigued! I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on it. I’m not too big on the revenge aspect either so I’m probably looking forward to the second book a bit more than the first, but we’ll see how I go!
It actually makes me think of the movie John Tucker Must Die – have you seen it, if so is it anything like it? Just a little bit curious.
-Kate
I would say Kate, if you dislike the first book to definitely push forward to the second… it’s worth it! I have seen John Tucker Must Die but honestly, I haven’t seen it in YEARS so I can’t say for sure… now I kind of want to go rewatch it 😛
I am SO happy that you loved this one, Lauren. I thoroughly enjoyed Fire with Fire and cheered so much for Lilla and Reeve. I am not one for bad boys but their budding relationship was such a delight to read and I had to read their scenes over and over again to retain the magic. LOVELY REVIEW. We should read the next book together hahaha
Yes Tina!!!! I hope I get a review copy of this one if it’s available because im just ITCHING for the final one, and normally I don’t care about the final books lol. I’m an Alex fan not a Reeve fan 😛
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