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Burnt Children

by R.E. Washington (Goodreads Author)

3.53 of 5 stars 3.53 · rating details · 17 ratings · 15 reviews

In Meli, if you're born with the wrong magic the Purifiers rip it out. They'll etch a black flame into your skin, labeling you a Burnt Child. Elaria is one of those Burnt Children.

She's not allowed to handle magical items and the only thing she can do is work with dangerous rokas stones that are likely to explode at any moment. But Elaria has a secret. She can see magic.

T...more

Kindle Edition, 1st Edition

Published December 11th 2011 by R.E. Washington

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Dec 25, 2011 Midu Hadi rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: YA/fantasy fans

Shelves: fantasy, hauntings-and-ghosts, really-ya, romance, shifters, swords-and-sorcery

I got this book to read and review from the Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Fanatics! Going in, I expected nothing from it and the beginning didn't disappoint me. Too many alien terms were thrown at me and the dialogues didn't mean anything since I didn't understand what was going on. But boy, did that change! The book turned into an adventure and I enjoyed every minute of it. (There was even a griffin..or two!) If I find myself yelling at a character for dying(or being stupid..yes you Me...more

10 likes · like · see review

Dec 30, 2011 Gina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-reader, infamous-loathsome-love-triangle, 4-star

When I first started this book I had to put it down after a few chapters because I had to read another novel for R2R. However...... I could not stop thinking about this book and what had transpired within the few chapters I had read. At work, I wondered what would happen next, and before I started picking up my other book, I thought back to this one. It has that factor where you cannot forget, and you just want to keep on going. For the novel being 430 or so pages this element is brilliant as it...more When I first started this book I had to put it down after a few chapters because I had to read another novel for R2R. However...... I could not stop thinking about this book and what had transpired within the few chapters I had read. At work, I wondered what would happen next, and before I started picking up my other book, I thought back to this one. It has that factor where you cannot forget, and you just want to keep on going. For the novel being 430 or so pages this element is brilliant as it keeps you in focus of the story without having to spend too much time reading it because you want to find out what happens, which makes it seem like a 215 page novel and not double.

I loved the story line and the way that we get with each character. It is a world where you cannot trust anyone, and with all the characters we meet on the way, we are always caught up in something to think about each character and how they will be throughout the rest of the novel. We udnerestimate some characters, and find their development as we see it through their point of view. However, the constant changing of view points did start to get a little tiring after a while towards the middle of the novel. But then at the end, the character views start to die down and we get used to the many views. It is when the views are of the many different characters (4 p.o.v's at the start of the novel then gets to 5 at the end of the novel) that the constant changing after each chapter to change to a different one each time, does put a strain on our memory of what is happening. If the changing in p.o.v's was like it was at the end of the novel, then the start wouldn't be as mind-muddling as it was when there was the constant change of the 4 characters. We needed one stable character, and even though we got that feeling straight away with Elara, not going back to her after one chapter of another p.o.v, made it feel like she wasn't and we would have to try and remember what happened beforehand to her. The many p.o.v's as well, help us to understand more the supporting characters (like Elara's mother) and their notions. We learn about them and get a connection with them like we do with Elara. Getting a sense of their struggles in the world and what they hope to and will achieve.

I hope for another novel, because I want to see what happens to the characters. We are left in a state where we could make up our own ending to the story as a post-plot to the events that have happened in this novel. It is basically the new beginning of the world, where we are left off, which gives us room to fantasize.(less)

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Jan 11, 2012 Kenecia rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: YA and Magic-lovers

Recommended to Kenecia by: R2R

This book really threw me for a loop. Any preconceived notions you may have about magic -- throw them out the window before you pick up this novel. Which, for some, can be a fantastic adventure and for others may cause headaches and frequent pauses to go over all of the facts. But, is that really relevant?

The story in itself was quite interesting. Character evolution seemed well thought out and fit well within the major plot line of the story unfolding. A young girl is hidden from society by her...more

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: r2r

Wonderful. Just what I needed. Thanks R2R for letting me read and review this! I absolutely loved it!

I think it is a fantasy story. And a very wonderful one! When you start reading, some things are still a bit unclear. Hands? Burnt children? Purfiers (well that name kinda says it all) WHAT?! But I actually loved that part, you discover a little bit more about the characters, their backgrounds, the world and the people that live in it each page you turn. Just lovely if you ask me.

Elaria is a stro...more

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Dec 26, 2011 Jill rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: r2r

I read this book as part of R2R, so thanks for the chance to read and review R.E. Washington and Read to Review!

First of all, the world was great. It as an original take on magic and its origins. That was interesting by itself. The story is in the form of epic and follows Elaria, a young woman who thinks she is a 'burnt child,' someone who has had their magic (and part of their soul)removed. Since burnt children are pariahs of society, Elaria has learned to keep a low profile. Unfortunately that...more I read this book as part of R2R, so thanks for the chance to read and review R.E. Washington and Read to Review!

First of all, the world was great. It as an original take on magic and its origins. That was interesting by itself. The story is in the form of epic and follows Elaria, a young woman who thinks she is a 'burnt child,' someone who has had their magic (and part of their soul)removed. Since burnt children are pariahs of society, Elaria has learned to keep a low profile. Unfortunately that doesn't mean that she isn't rebellious. Her illegal job leads her to flee with her estranged mother and best friend on a journey where she will discover she is to be the savior of her fellow burnt children and to restore magic to the land where it is being slowly removed by a megalomaniac villain.

This is a decent fantasy for young adults. I found it a little bit slow, but not unmanageable. It read a little slow for me mostly because some of the characters were underdeveloped and there were a few plot holes that were never really filled. There is the decent beginning of a love triangle, but it is not quite developed far enough past the awkward stage to be too distracting to the reader or the heroine (it is also to simply and conveniently ended). I did find myself interested in the Spirit Queen and her back story which is never fully told, but could be in later books. The villain is also part of her past so again, that is never fully developed but may be later on. Also, part of the villainous plot involves a melitan (someone who does magic) who changes into a wolf that destroys magic, but no explanation is given why and his powers are sketchy so no limits are really set from on instance to another. Sometimes magic affects him, sometimes not and that was irksome. Mostly the story was well written and had good flow, I just can't quite put my finger on the issues that slowed it down for me.

I would like to know more about the magic of the world, including how the black stones and rokas stones can be used and what makes them tick. Also, I'm really interested in the idea of Meli (magic) and its ties to the people and the land.

The story stands on its own, it has a decent ending and ties up most of the loose ends to the current quest, but there is definite space (and need) for a sequel.

(less)

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Dec 30, 2011 Jex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: unsorted

The story pulled me in from the very beginning and kept me turning pages until the end. There was never a moment where I felt the story got dull, or that I wanted to stop reading. In fact, I often found it difficult to put the book down as each chapter unfolded a new clue to the overall storyline. Definitely an attention grabber from start to finish.

Elaria stands out as a tough herroine. She breaks the rules and does what it takes to change her life. Once she begins to realize what she is and h...more The story pulled me in from the very beginning and kept me turning pages until the end. There was never a moment where I felt the story got dull, or that I wanted to stop reading. In fact, I often found it difficult to put the book down as each chapter unfolded a new clue to the overall storyline. Definitely an attention grabber from start to finish.

Elaria stands out as a tough herroine. She breaks the rules and does what it takes to change her life. Once she begins to realize what she is and how powerful she can be, she really becomes a take charge type of gal, bossing even her mother around on her journey to save the Burnt Children. She's a herroine I'd want kids reading about as she stands up for herself and stands up for what is right no matter the odds against her.

It's easy to fall in love with Korvin. He's that quirky next door neighbor type that every girl wishes she had growing up. He's in love with the herroine but she doesn't quite see it. Not to mention he has magical abilities. What's not to love?

The rest of the gang seems to be an array of misfits: an accused murderer, a cursed one, a ghost, a band of pirates, and even Elaria's mother. Each character has a purprose and a storyline allowing the reader to connect to each individual instead of just to the group as a whole. As characters get injured or fights break out the reader finds themselves really caring if each member of the gang makes it through.

Magical use in this novel intrigued me. The use of liras, the idea of power coming from the soul, and the payment to Meli all come together to make an all new ideal of magic. The author did a fantastic job of describing not only how the magic worked, but where it came from and why it was different in various people. Not only was it explained well, but it was explained in a fashion that didn't feel like a lecture, which, after some books I've read recently, felt great to read through. It never pulled you out of the storyline as you were getting new technical information on how it all worked.

I found the writing style to really fit what I enjoy reading most. The narration is done in third person and the book has an overall freeflow feeling as if the story was being told to you by a friend. While the writing style was great, I found myself often stumbling over misspelled words or strange grammatical usage. Things that could have been fixed by some simple editing.

Overall: I felt the chracters were realatable with great storylines, the magic use was explained superbly, and the story kept you entertained from beginning to end.
(less)

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Jan 05, 2012 Alexei added it

{Come check out my website TeenageBookaholic }

SYNOPSIS: When you live in Meli, everyone is born with a type of magic. There's Tongue, where magic is created by the tongue, Hand, where magic is made only by the hands, and Spirit, where magic is not limited like Tongue and Hand, but the Spirit people are shunned. Ever since the war started by the Spirit Queen, who slaughtered many people, all Spirit people have been "cleansed" by having the magic part of their soul ripped from them, leaving their...more {Come check out my website TeenageBookaholic }

SYNOPSIS: When you live in Meli, everyone is born with a type of magic. There's Tongue, where magic is created by the tongue, Hand, where magic is made only by the hands, and Spirit, where magic is not limited like Tongue and Hand, but the Spirit people are shunned. Ever since the war started by the Spirit Queen, who slaughtered many people, all Spirit people have been "cleansed" by having the magic part of their soul ripped from them, leaving their hands burnt, and giving the name "burnt children" to them. Burnt children are no more than garbage in Meli, with no rights and cannot handle magical objects, except for Rokas Stone since they tend to explode. Like Elaria, shes a Burnt Child too, shunned from society and detested by her mother, but she has a secret. She can see magic, and with her secret ability, the shopkeeper she works for allows her to handle and figure out magical Artifacts. But her ability may lead her down a hard path. Stuck with an Artifact locket, holding a dangerous secret, she's run away from town and is being hunted down by the Purifiers. She just wanted to find a place to belong, but will she live to see that dream?

REVIEW: This was another book received in a Goodreads Read To Review Program.

At first, the story had a slow start up, but it didn't last long. By the time the story got to the Shop, I was intrigued. I felt the author was trying for a Fantasy and Middle Eastern feel, and in some parts its there, but this bears all the signs of a good Dystopian! Magical people, who are shunned because of a historical event? Total Dystopian.

Despite being my fave genre, I had some problems. The names for one. They were very odd, but closely related to American names, which had me calling the characters by that. Like Jenia was Jenna to me, or Korvin became Kevin. Another thing was that this was a very long read. Too long, if you ask me. It got long in some places, but its not like usual issues. It wasn't the text that was long, it's just the story ran around to a lot of areas, which made it long. If only half that length and dedication went into Stone Bearers... One last complaint. The text towards the end had many simple mistakes and it seems like the author wasn't done editing before the book was published! There were many misspelling and notes towards the end of the book! What!?

In the end, the book was an enthralling read with lovable characters, an amazing society, and a lovely storyline, even though it had a little predictability in it. Recommended for Dystopian lovers and Divergent fans who want something to do while waiting for Insurgent.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Jan 04, 2012 Danielle Smiley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-e-books, ya-fantasy

Genre: YA Fantasy

Favorite Quote:
"I don't see how any of this is a group decision." she pointed to Korvin. "You are here because you stalked me." She turned to the man. "You, though I'm grateful you saved us from the bear, are still a stranger. I don't even know your name." She looked at Nila. "And you, I'm pretty sure are evil."

My Rating:
This was a hard one to rate. The story itself was AMAZING. The world, the journey, the action... it was a fantastic story. From the beginning, you are pulled in...more Genre: YA Fantasy

Favorite Quote:
"I don't see how any of this is a group decision." she pointed to Korvin. "You are here because you stalked me." She turned to the man. "You, though I'm grateful you saved us from the bear, are still a stranger. I don't even know your name." She looked at Nila. "And you, I'm pretty sure are evil."

My Rating:
This was a hard one to rate. The story itself was AMAZING. The world, the journey, the action... it was a fantastic story. From the beginning, you are pulled into the story. It's an exciting tale. The story on it's own would easily merit 5 stars.

The characters are a bit harder to rate. Overall, I didn't feel overly connected to them. I cared what happened with them, but only so much; they were not what compelled me to finish this book. Some characters were better than others. One of the antagonists I really hated, which is a good thing in an antagonist. But some of the other characters I struggled to understand their motivation; its not that most weren't clearly noted, I just didn't feel it from them. Some character's actions seemed to contradict what we learned about that person. The romantic parts seemed a little forced. That magic you experience when you really empathize with the characters and what they are feeling just wasn't there.

I struggled some with the ending. Fear not, it's a happy ending (I don't feel it spoils anything to say that. Personally I hate books with sad endings, so if you read enough of my reviews, you'd know that I wouldn't purposely read anything that ends tragically). The first part of the ending worked really well; Elaria is able to find a way to defeat the antagonist. It fits perfectly. The second thing she does is to rectify, as much as she can, the damage done by the antagonist. Now that's great but I've read it over twice and I'm still not sure how that was all supposed to work. I was left with "huh?" as my last thought instead of "ahhh, good book."

So overall, well worth the read even with the few bumps along the way.

Cover Art:
Love this cover! It has a nice balance of "story hints" elements without overdoing it (a pet peeve of mine). I would like to see the background dark and smokey instead of just white. If this book was in print, a smokey gray/purple background wrapping around the spine and back would really set it apart.

See more of my reviews at http://knowntoread.blogspot.com/(less)

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Jan 13, 2012 Lucy (ChooseYA) rated it 2 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lucy (ChooseYA) by: Goodreads Paranormal R2R

Shelves: received-for-review

I would like to start by saying that I absolutely loved the concept of this novel so I was so excited to receive it for review. I think because I had such high expectations, I found it harder to get into than I perhaps had anticipated. In the first few chapters, we are introduced to a plethora of names, concepts and a whole new world which I struggled to get my head around. On one hand, this was refreshing as in dystopian fiction I recently have become quite tired of tedious world building for t...more

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Dec 24, 2011 Shieka( Doctor's Notes) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ok where do I start? I loved this book. It sucked me in from the beginning and I disnt want to put it down. I fell in love with Elaria from the start. I loved that she wanted more than what her life as a Burnt Child was supposed to be. She was willing to leave all she knew and take the risk towards her freedom. I instantly wanted her and Korvin to become a couple as you could tell the love he had for her from the start. My heart ached for Nila as I realized she really didn't remember what happen...more

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Jan 12, 2012 Becket Morgan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, ya-fiction, own

Washington's sweeping adventure takes the reader on an epic journey full of mystery, intrigue and unpredictable motion. Elaria is a fiery and temperamental protagonist struggling to find herself and simultaneously find her role in monumental events.

The world-building in this novel demonstrates the author's creative talents and her character development shows depth and a subtle knack for interpersonal relationships. I did wish the ending was expanded and the reader was held in suspension for a b...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Kat rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

At one point I thought of giving this book 5 stars. The story itself is fantastic, compelling and I couldn't put it down. But, especially in the latter third of the book, I realized that too many elements were going to be left unresolved. I never got a good feel for why the antagonist was so adamant about his path or why he went down that path in the first place. Jealousy, power, the good of all? It's just not clear. There are other similar intstances of confusion and the end, while happy, had t...more

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Dec 20, 2011 Nikki (The Bibliomaniac) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. It starts out interesting and keeps going. However the ending was a bit abrupt for me. You have the final battle and then everyone just decides that they are going to perservere with their lives and away they go. I don't know. I guess I was looking for more of a settled finish, I was kinda left wondering. But, overall I enjoyed the book and it kept me interested from beginning to end and look forward to reading Stone Bearers by said author.

4 likes · like · see review

Jan 12, 2012 Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) by: R2R

Shelves: to-review

I received this book as a part of the R2R program.

The book was interesting but it didn’t grab me. I think with all of the mythology thrown in the beginning, it was hard for me to figure out what was going on. And I just never really got into it from there. It could also be I was tired when I was reading, so it isn’t really fair for me to totally judge. I think that others really might enjoy this one. I certainly enjoyed another book by this author and will continue to read other books by her.

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 21, 2012 Emily Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, utopia-dystopia, young-adult

I'm glad to see this available. It's definitely a wonderful novel with fabulous world-building and intriguing characters.

1 like · like · see review

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About R.E. Washington

When she isn't moonlighting as a ninja for the Society of Secrets, R. E. Washington writes YA and Middle Grade books. She loves diving into the world of superheroes and creating worlds where kids can summon fire with their minds and teens traverse the problems of first loves while battling pirates and monsters. She currently resides in the US and graduated from Goddard College with a MFA in Creati...more

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