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After We Burned
**This limited edition includes designed edges**
She deserved more. They all did. A gripping and emotional new suspense novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of This is Where it Ends.
A terrible accident. A horrible loss. A regrettable tragedy. That's all anyone in Fenix can talk about when a fire consumes the local high school, taking the life of a student. The town mourns, except who really knew—let alone cared about—Eden when she was alive? And why was she in the building that night?
Five teens each hold a piece of the truth about what happened. They also have their own secrets, secrets they will fight to protect with the same fury as the blaze that killed Eden. But silence is meant to be broken, and this story can't be extinguished…
She deserved more. They all did. A gripping and emotional new suspense novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of This is Where it Ends.
A terrible accident. A horrible loss. A regrettable tragedy. That's all anyone in Fenix can talk about when a fire consumes the local high school, taking the life of a student. The town mourns, except who really knew—let alone cared about—Eden when she was alive? And why was she in the building that night?
Five teens each hold a piece of the truth about what happened. They also have their own secrets, secrets they will fight to protect with the same fury as the blaze that killed Eden. But silence is meant to be broken, and this story can't be extinguished…
347 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2025
97 people are currently reading
8111 people want to read
About the author
Marieke Nijkamp
55 books2,210 followersMarieke Nijkamp a storyteller, dreamer, globe-trotter, geek.
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Please note I don't respond to friend requests or messages on GR, but you're always welcome to tweet or email me. :)
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Please note I don't respond to friend requests or messages on GR, but you're always welcome to tweet or email me. :)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
July 2, 2025
❤😭💔Silence is meant to be broken, and this story can't be extinguished❤😭💔. After We Burned written by Marieke Nijkamp was so raw, beautiful, honest, powerful, real, emotional, gut wrenching, and heart breaking. I have never read a book by this author before, but goodness gracious, I need to read more of this author's works because I was completely destroyed while reading this book. My emotions were all over the place from the very beginning of this book, I bawled like a little baby, I was angry, I screamed, I howled with a broken heart, and I even laughed at times while the main characters would look back on memories they had with their dear friend. There was never a dry eye from start to finish, I had tears streaming down my face throughout this entire emotional story. I knew this book was going to be heart breaking before I even picked it up, but I was not ready for all of this emotional damage, I still feel heart broken today after a few weeks later. Truthfully, I never wanted this book to end because as many of you know, I do love heart breaking stories, but I honestly didn't expect to be so mentally drained after finishing this book. The snot bubbles were bubbling and the tears were streaming. I can't recommend this book enough, please mark your calendars for July 1st, 2025 if you want to be left mentally unstable, but if you do decide to read this book, please be kind to yourself and read at your own pace because After We Burned does deal with some very heavy topics, they will also be listed in my review, so please be kind and mindful to your well-being. 💝💪To the ones who fight for better days💝💪.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND SOURCEBOOKS FIRE FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
TRIGGER WARNING'S
~Sexual Assault~
~Physical Abuse~
~Parental Neglect~
~Emotional Abuse~
~Verbal Abuse~
~Intentional Setting of a Fire~
"💝😭I love you.
I miss you.
I'm sorry💝😭".
"💔🍀The finality of death brings out everything we wish we could have done differently💔🍀".
"💯Truth is such a fragile thing. Give it to the wrong person, and they will break it💯".
"💗💪It's not a failure to ask for help. It's a brave thing to do💗💪".
"💔😭I never knew your throat could get sore from not screaming💔😭".
"💖🏘Home is the place where people miss you when you are gone💖🏘".
"💝😭💔Do you know what it feels like when everything you are gets broken into pieces and then, when it takes everything you have to cradle those pieces together and try to survive, someone comes along and breaks you all over again? Do you know how much it hurts?💝😭💔"
After We Burned is told in five different POV's from the students that were affected by this tragic night of events, and each teen holds a piece of truth about what happened. Eden Randall was a student at Pierce High School. A week before spring break, lightning struck the school and ignited the flammable material in the chemistry labs, which caused the school to be destroyed and burned due to a fire that had started. The thing out of the ordinary was that there were students inside the school the night the fire consumed Pierce High School and Eden Randall was one of those students. Eden's only chance of survival was to escape through a second floor window, but after escaping she hit the pavement which caused her severe injuries which took her life. After the fire, there were rumors going around that Eden broke into the school to jump, she set the fire herself, and she was there that night to end her life, but really nobody knew the real truth of why those students including Eden were there that night. Eden wanted to leave Fenix, Colorado behind, she planned on running away because of how poorly she was treated. After her life was taken, Eden was now known as the fellow student of Pierce High School. Eden was "the girl whose life was tragically cut short" as is now being mourned, but who really knew let alone cared about Eden when she was alive? When Eden was alive, no one really payed attention to her, let alone cared about her except her two best friends, Payton and Theo.
Payton Davis deserves to know the truth and Eden deserves justice of the night her life was tragically taken. Eden was Payton's best friend, her love, and the other half of Payton's heart. Eden was the type of girl who convinced Payton there were other places to call home, together they planned on running away to Eden's grandparents farm in Wyoming. Payton was also at the school the night it burned, she tried to save Eden, she tried to convince Eden to stay another day, but unfortunately there was no saving to be done. Payton doesn't have it easy by any means, her mom walked away, her dad is very abusive due to his time in the war and his awful drinking habits, but now she is grieving the loss of her best friend and the love of her life. Payton knows how to survive pain and discomfort, but she wants her story to be told and the truth to come out so Eden can have the justice she deserves. Theodore Robinson was Eden's best friend and neighbor, he's also the editor of the school newspaper, and he also runs the school's website, Puma Press. Eden was like a little sister to Theo, "grief is an old friend, but Eden was my best friend". Theo wants to be a journalist, call him a nerd if you wish, but he just loved going to school. Theo is not a stranger to grief, his dad died when Theo was just nine years old. My heart just breaks for these precious angels, they both lost their best friend, but they are out there getting Eden the justice that she deserves meanwhile they are trying to put the facts together.
During their investigative stage, Payton and Theo become friends and are super supportive towards one another. Eden kept Payton and Theo separate because she was too terrified to lose both of them. As they dig deeper, facts start appearing, and the truth slowly starts to come out. Mr. Lewis, the chemistry teacher, his chemistry room was spray painted with the words pervert, rapist, and criminal on the classroom walls with red spray paint. Together Theo and Payton investigate the blood red spray paint and why those words were on Mr. Lewis's walls. It turns out that Mr. Lewis has been assaulting students, and has been sexually assaulting female students for years, but those students were too scared to speak out and come forward because the administration never believed any of the students when they had the courage to actually come forward. Mr. Lewis is a well loved teacher, he's been at Pierce High School for years, "how do you tell on the teacher everyone loves?". The administrative staff at Pierce High School and the town of Fenix, Colorado are so full of secrets. No teenager should ever have to find out what their most loved teacher has done to so many students, and it most certainly shouldn't have taken a fire for the truth to come out. When the full truth came out and the facts started getting put together, my heart was absolutely shattered, I was disgusted with the teachers and staff at Pierce High School for letting this abuse go on for years. My heart goes out to everyone that was involved in this book, but you will need to read After We Burned to get everyone's story and what actually happened the night a fire consumed the local high school and the life of one of their own students.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND SOURCEBOOKS FIRE FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!!
TRIGGER WARNING'S
~Sexual Assault~
~Physical Abuse~
~Parental Neglect~
~Emotional Abuse~
~Verbal Abuse~
~Intentional Setting of a Fire~
"💝😭I love you.
I miss you.
I'm sorry💝😭".
"💔🍀The finality of death brings out everything we wish we could have done differently💔🍀".
"💯Truth is such a fragile thing. Give it to the wrong person, and they will break it💯".
"💗💪It's not a failure to ask for help. It's a brave thing to do💗💪".
"💔😭I never knew your throat could get sore from not screaming💔😭".
"💖🏘Home is the place where people miss you when you are gone💖🏘".
"💝😭💔Do you know what it feels like when everything you are gets broken into pieces and then, when it takes everything you have to cradle those pieces together and try to survive, someone comes along and breaks you all over again? Do you know how much it hurts?💝😭💔"
After We Burned is told in five different POV's from the students that were affected by this tragic night of events, and each teen holds a piece of truth about what happened. Eden Randall was a student at Pierce High School. A week before spring break, lightning struck the school and ignited the flammable material in the chemistry labs, which caused the school to be destroyed and burned due to a fire that had started. The thing out of the ordinary was that there were students inside the school the night the fire consumed Pierce High School and Eden Randall was one of those students. Eden's only chance of survival was to escape through a second floor window, but after escaping she hit the pavement which caused her severe injuries which took her life. After the fire, there were rumors going around that Eden broke into the school to jump, she set the fire herself, and she was there that night to end her life, but really nobody knew the real truth of why those students including Eden were there that night. Eden wanted to leave Fenix, Colorado behind, she planned on running away because of how poorly she was treated. After her life was taken, Eden was now known as the fellow student of Pierce High School. Eden was "the girl whose life was tragically cut short" as is now being mourned, but who really knew let alone cared about Eden when she was alive? When Eden was alive, no one really payed attention to her, let alone cared about her except her two best friends, Payton and Theo.
Payton Davis deserves to know the truth and Eden deserves justice of the night her life was tragically taken. Eden was Payton's best friend, her love, and the other half of Payton's heart. Eden was the type of girl who convinced Payton there were other places to call home, together they planned on running away to Eden's grandparents farm in Wyoming. Payton was also at the school the night it burned, she tried to save Eden, she tried to convince Eden to stay another day, but unfortunately there was no saving to be done. Payton doesn't have it easy by any means, her mom walked away, her dad is very abusive due to his time in the war and his awful drinking habits, but now she is grieving the loss of her best friend and the love of her life. Payton knows how to survive pain and discomfort, but she wants her story to be told and the truth to come out so Eden can have the justice she deserves. Theodore Robinson was Eden's best friend and neighbor, he's also the editor of the school newspaper, and he also runs the school's website, Puma Press. Eden was like a little sister to Theo, "grief is an old friend, but Eden was my best friend". Theo wants to be a journalist, call him a nerd if you wish, but he just loved going to school. Theo is not a stranger to grief, his dad died when Theo was just nine years old. My heart just breaks for these precious angels, they both lost their best friend, but they are out there getting Eden the justice that she deserves meanwhile they are trying to put the facts together.
During their investigative stage, Payton and Theo become friends and are super supportive towards one another. Eden kept Payton and Theo separate because she was too terrified to lose both of them. As they dig deeper, facts start appearing, and the truth slowly starts to come out. Mr. Lewis, the chemistry teacher, his chemistry room was spray painted with the words pervert, rapist, and criminal on the classroom walls with red spray paint. Together Theo and Payton investigate the blood red spray paint and why those words were on Mr. Lewis's walls. It turns out that Mr. Lewis has been assaulting students, and has been sexually assaulting female students for years, but those students were too scared to speak out and come forward because the administration never believed any of the students when they had the courage to actually come forward. Mr. Lewis is a well loved teacher, he's been at Pierce High School for years, "how do you tell on the teacher everyone loves?". The administrative staff at Pierce High School and the town of Fenix, Colorado are so full of secrets. No teenager should ever have to find out what their most loved teacher has done to so many students, and it most certainly shouldn't have taken a fire for the truth to come out. When the full truth came out and the facts started getting put together, my heart was absolutely shattered, I was disgusted with the teachers and staff at Pierce High School for letting this abuse go on for years. My heart goes out to everyone that was involved in this book, but you will need to read After We Burned to get everyone's story and what actually happened the night a fire consumed the local high school and the life of one of their own students.
February 18, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 7, 2025.
2 stars
The high school in Fenix, Colorado burns down, killing Eden, a student there. The town mourns her even though no one cared much about her before. And what was she doing at the school that night? Did she cause the fire? (It seems like the the only person wondering that is me, actually when, um, I’m sorry she died and all, but she does seem the obvious suspect, right?)
There are a group of teens who all know something about the fire, but they all have their own secrets. Can Eden’s two best friends trust each other enough to get at the truth? And what about the two Lewis girls (daughters of the family that runs the town) and their friend Cameron?
I didn’t realize this book was YA until after I started it, but should have guessed given the subject matter. It’s told from multiple POVs, including Eden’s. It is very melodramatic and a lot of it doesn’t make tons of sense, especially around Eden’s death. Maybe some YAs would like it, but I did not.
2 stars
The high school in Fenix, Colorado burns down, killing Eden, a student there. The town mourns her even though no one cared much about her before. And what was she doing at the school that night? Did she cause the fire? (It seems like the the only person wondering that is me, actually when, um, I’m sorry she died and all, but she does seem the obvious suspect, right?)
There are a group of teens who all know something about the fire, but they all have their own secrets. Can Eden’s two best friends trust each other enough to get at the truth? And what about the two Lewis girls (daughters of the family that runs the town) and their friend Cameron?
I didn’t realize this book was YA until after I started it, but should have guessed given the subject matter. It’s told from multiple POVs, including Eden’s. It is very melodramatic and a lot of it doesn’t make tons of sense, especially around Eden’s death. Maybe some YAs would like it, but I did not.
October 5, 2025
Extremely saddened by this story. Be sure to check out trigger warnings before reading!!
June 30, 2025
I have enjoyed the other books I’ve read by this author in the past. They have all been ones that hit so hard with what is happening in the story, whether it is a school shooting, the accidental death of a friend or classmate, or in this case both the death of a classmate and a teacher who is taking advantage of his students and not being held accountable. Not all of those were perfect reads for me, and this one started off slow and I was worried I might not be able to finish it. However, about a quarter of the way in something happened that had me hooked and needing to find out exactly what happened that night when the school burned and one of the characters died.
The author does a great job of building up the story and filling in the details for the reader as the characters who are kind of on the outside trying to solve the mystery find out as well. And it isn’t just the character, Eden, who died that has lots to make her someone we are feeling empathy for. There are other characters that we do feel the empathy for, but in the end they don’t have the compassion/empathy for others if it will cause them to have more issues. So I feel the characters are written quite realistically in that way. Problems for these students also appear at their own homes, the place that should be safe for them.
So I ended up giving this 4 stars in that it had me flipping pages as fast as I could to find out what would happen. (Even if the ARC I was given had the pages falling out as I turned them, not a great copy.). It is one that I will definitely be putting in my school library for my students to read as well. If you like a good mystery, it has that for sure. There could also be some triggers with parental neglect, abuse, and some bullying, as well as the teacher assault aspect of the story.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
The author does a great job of building up the story and filling in the details for the reader as the characters who are kind of on the outside trying to solve the mystery find out as well. And it isn’t just the character, Eden, who died that has lots to make her someone we are feeling empathy for. There are other characters that we do feel the empathy for, but in the end they don’t have the compassion/empathy for others if it will cause them to have more issues. So I feel the characters are written quite realistically in that way. Problems for these students also appear at their own homes, the place that should be safe for them.
So I ended up giving this 4 stars in that it had me flipping pages as fast as I could to find out what would happen. (Even if the ARC I was given had the pages falling out as I turned them, not a great copy.). It is one that I will definitely be putting in my school library for my students to read as well. If you like a good mystery, it has that for sure. There could also be some triggers with parental neglect, abuse, and some bullying, as well as the teacher assault aspect of the story.
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
September 5, 2025
I almost feel guilty giving this such a low review. Important subject matter, not a great presentation of it.
August 14, 2025
2.5⭐️
I struggled to get into this book until about the second half. It was not because it was bad, but I just couldn’t connect with it. Which is good considering the topics the characters face, but I still feel like connections could have been there. I enjoyed Kelsey’s POV. I found her insight and side of the story very intriguing. It was interesting to see her from someone else’s eyes as well. I enjoyed they ending and the story line; however, some of the authers writing choices made it hard for me to connect.
I struggled to get into this book until about the second half. It was not because it was bad, but I just couldn’t connect with it. Which is good considering the topics the characters face, but I still feel like connections could have been there. I enjoyed Kelsey’s POV. I found her insight and side of the story very intriguing. It was interesting to see her from someone else’s eyes as well. I enjoyed they ending and the story line; however, some of the authers writing choices made it hard for me to connect.
July 21, 2025
This isn’t my usual genre and my first by this author but my youngest daughter wanted me to read it after she did. Especially since she’s read her other books. And since my daughter used to not be a reader, now when she recommends me a book, I read it. And I’m glad I did.
It was really emotional and hard to read at times but very realistic. And so important in today’s world.
Teenagers go through so much in their young lives. And sometimes, or more often than not, adults are reluctant to believe them when they confess something extremely serious and appalling. This takes a look at the more power and money you have, the less the innocent will be believed. Because, noooo they would never do such a thing.
But these students that came together to tell their story and defend those that cannot, it really hit me square in the feels. If your child is telling you something, whether it sounds plausible or not, fucking believe them.
Kudos to the author, for handling such a sensitive subject with care and respect.
Great read.
It was really emotional and hard to read at times but very realistic. And so important in today’s world.
Teenagers go through so much in their young lives. And sometimes, or more often than not, adults are reluctant to believe them when they confess something extremely serious and appalling. This takes a look at the more power and money you have, the less the innocent will be believed. Because, noooo they would never do such a thing.
But these students that came together to tell their story and defend those that cannot, it really hit me square in the feels. If your child is telling you something, whether it sounds plausible or not, fucking believe them.
Kudos to the author, for handling such a sensitive subject with care and respect.
Great read.
September 29, 2025
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for this opportunity.
I don’t think this story was much of a thriller, but more of a mystery. How did the fire start? What exactly happened to Eden? I agree with many others that the story started slow, and while it did keep my interest, it didn’t pick up a lot in my opinion.
The writing was pretty solid and the story addressed a lot of important topics such as parental abuse and sexual assault. I just had a problem connecting with the characters. I would have liked more flashbacks to Eden and for some reason I didn’t really like or connect with Payton.
I don’t think this story was much of a thriller, but more of a mystery. How did the fire start? What exactly happened to Eden? I agree with many others that the story started slow, and while it did keep my interest, it didn’t pick up a lot in my opinion.
The writing was pretty solid and the story addressed a lot of important topics such as parental abuse and sexual assault. I just had a problem connecting with the characters. I would have liked more flashbacks to Eden and for some reason I didn’t really like or connect with Payton.
dnf
September 11, 2025I need to stop picking up YA books…
June 14, 2025
I always know when I’m reading a Marieke Nijkamp book that I’m going to end up staring off to space when everything comes today at the end.
June 30, 2025
WOW! Another great story from this author who handles sensitive issues within a teen’s world and really pulls out all the emotions!
This is a high school drama with a suspenseful twist, while building tension throughout with the theme of fear and the boundaries it pushes on each person.
The story revolves around a high school fire and the loss of life of one of its students. The reader learns both the beginnings and after effects. Key players lives that intertwine, showcasing a broad spectrum of fear as the motivating factor until someone pushes back.
Heavy hitting topics that really brings out the emotional rollercoaster ride, makes the reader want to stop and question their own fears.
Easy relatable characters with:
Fear of stepping out of bounds with parental expectations,
Fear of failure,
Fear of not speaking up, standing up for oneself,
Fear of being exposed, vulnerable,
Fear of peer pressure.
As each fear is realized, we begin to see who could be the potential pyromaniac.
Palpitating, dry mouthed, shock, anger and disgust-yet understanding these dimensional characters.
Marieke Nijkamp writes emotional tidal waves of young adults. She is not afraid to write about taboo subjects or the impact they’ll make. And I will be here to read every one!
Absolutely Brilliant!
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for this awesome arc. Much Love.
This is a high school drama with a suspenseful twist, while building tension throughout with the theme of fear and the boundaries it pushes on each person.
The story revolves around a high school fire and the loss of life of one of its students. The reader learns both the beginnings and after effects. Key players lives that intertwine, showcasing a broad spectrum of fear as the motivating factor until someone pushes back.
Heavy hitting topics that really brings out the emotional rollercoaster ride, makes the reader want to stop and question their own fears.
Easy relatable characters with:
Fear of stepping out of bounds with parental expectations,
Fear of failure,
Fear of not speaking up, standing up for oneself,
Fear of being exposed, vulnerable,
Fear of peer pressure.
As each fear is realized, we begin to see who could be the potential pyromaniac.
Palpitating, dry mouthed, shock, anger and disgust-yet understanding these dimensional characters.
Marieke Nijkamp writes emotional tidal waves of young adults. She is not afraid to write about taboo subjects or the impact they’ll make. And I will be here to read every one!
Absolutely Brilliant!
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for this awesome arc. Much Love.
April 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own. <3
“After we burned” is shelved as a YA thriller, a genre I’m never tired of, but this one wasn’t exactly what I expected from a thriller. Yes, there’s a girl who dies in a mysterious way, but I felt like her plot was rushed and not the main focus of the book (which is okay, but I wasn’t that interested in finding out how that happened/what caused it, and that’s usually the thing that keeps me interested in a thriller).
And I think that was also because the girl who dies is a stranger to us readers, despite some chapters being from her point of view: I couldn’t connect with her, I felt uninterested.
The book mainly deals with toxic and abusive relationships, and I felt like that was more the centre of the book than the ‘how did this girl die?’ bit.
There’s a few characters, but they felt flat and, once again, so far away that I didn’t care about them.
It’s a nice read, unfortunately I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would; some chapters were boring, and maybe too slow and repetitive.
“After we burned” is shelved as a YA thriller, a genre I’m never tired of, but this one wasn’t exactly what I expected from a thriller. Yes, there’s a girl who dies in a mysterious way, but I felt like her plot was rushed and not the main focus of the book (which is okay, but I wasn’t that interested in finding out how that happened/what caused it, and that’s usually the thing that keeps me interested in a thriller).
And I think that was also because the girl who dies is a stranger to us readers, despite some chapters being from her point of view: I couldn’t connect with her, I felt uninterested.
The book mainly deals with toxic and abusive relationships, and I felt like that was more the centre of the book than the ‘how did this girl die?’ bit.
There’s a few characters, but they felt flat and, once again, so far away that I didn’t care about them.
It’s a nice read, unfortunately I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would; some chapters were boring, and maybe too slow and repetitive.
February 16, 2025
After reading multiple books by Marieke, the books she wrote were all so good and so thrilling. 54 minutes was the first one I've read and I'm always looking out for new stories she's written since.
So, when the opportunity presented itself, you can bet I absolutely needed to request this book! (it's on Netgalley!)
After we burned is set to be released on Juli first of this year. It's in a school setting where we follow Kelsey, who is one of the populair kids on Pierce High. We follow Eden, a bit of an art geek, with close to no friends. Payton, who is secretly in a relationship and Theo, writer of the school newspaper.
This book is filled with secrets, secrets about the night of the fire. Secrets about a teacher. Secrets that some people don't want to come to light. Will they all stay hidden? What will eventually come to light? Will this small town finally know what has been going on for at least a decade? What happened to Eden? The truth will blow your mind, just as the will people have to keep their friends save.
-----------------
Ik heb meerdere boeken gelezen van Marieke, wel allemaal in het Engels moet ik bekennen. Stuk voor stuk waren ze zo goed, al haar boeken hadden kunnen slaan op echt gebeurde verhalen. Het eerste boek dat ik van haar gelezen heb was "54 minuten" sindsdien let ik altijd op nieuwe releases van haar. Het feit dat ik dit boek tegen kwam op netgalley, ik moest hem gewoon lezen. Duh.
After we burn zal uitkomen op 1 juli, dit gaat om de release van het Engelse boek. De Nederlandse kan ik je helaas niets over zeggen. Het boek heeft net als "54 minuten" een school setting. In dit boek volgen wij Kelsey, een van de populaire meiden met een hechte vriendengroep. We volgen Eden, een kunst nerd met nagenoeg geen vrienden. Payton, met een geheime relatie en Theo, de editer van de schoolkrant.
Dit boek zit vol geheimen, geheimen over de nacht van de brand die de school verwoest. Geheimen over een leraar. Geheimen waarvan niet iedereen wilt dat het aan het licht komt. Zullen ze allemaal begraven blijven? Of vinden een paar of misschien wel alle geheimen toch het licht? Zal dit kleine stadje eindelijk weten wat er al minimaal een decennium gaande is op school? Wat is er nou eigenlijk gebeurd met Eden? De waarheid laat je hoofd tollen, net als de wil die sommige vrienden hebben om een ander te beschermen.
So, when the opportunity presented itself, you can bet I absolutely needed to request this book! (it's on Netgalley!)
After we burned is set to be released on Juli first of this year. It's in a school setting where we follow Kelsey, who is one of the populair kids on Pierce High. We follow Eden, a bit of an art geek, with close to no friends. Payton, who is secretly in a relationship and Theo, writer of the school newspaper.
This book is filled with secrets, secrets about the night of the fire. Secrets about a teacher. Secrets that some people don't want to come to light. Will they all stay hidden? What will eventually come to light? Will this small town finally know what has been going on for at least a decade? What happened to Eden? The truth will blow your mind, just as the will people have to keep their friends save.
-----------------
Ik heb meerdere boeken gelezen van Marieke, wel allemaal in het Engels moet ik bekennen. Stuk voor stuk waren ze zo goed, al haar boeken hadden kunnen slaan op echt gebeurde verhalen. Het eerste boek dat ik van haar gelezen heb was "54 minuten" sindsdien let ik altijd op nieuwe releases van haar. Het feit dat ik dit boek tegen kwam op netgalley, ik moest hem gewoon lezen. Duh.
After we burn zal uitkomen op 1 juli, dit gaat om de release van het Engelse boek. De Nederlandse kan ik je helaas niets over zeggen. Het boek heeft net als "54 minuten" een school setting. In dit boek volgen wij Kelsey, een van de populaire meiden met een hechte vriendengroep. We volgen Eden, een kunst nerd met nagenoeg geen vrienden. Payton, met een geheime relatie en Theo, de editer van de schoolkrant.
Dit boek zit vol geheimen, geheimen over de nacht van de brand die de school verwoest. Geheimen over een leraar. Geheimen waarvan niet iedereen wilt dat het aan het licht komt. Zullen ze allemaal begraven blijven? Of vinden een paar of misschien wel alle geheimen toch het licht? Zal dit kleine stadje eindelijk weten wat er al minimaal een decennium gaande is op school? Wat is er nou eigenlijk gebeurd met Eden? De waarheid laat je hoofd tollen, net als de wil die sommige vrienden hebben om een ander te beschermen.
October 15, 2025
Op 14 oktober is de nieuwe YA-thriller na de Brand verschenen! Door middel van een uitnodiging mocht ik hier aan mee doen. Het boek is prachtig met zijn sprayed edges en een lust om naar te kijken. Bedankt dus voor dit mooie recensie-exemplaar en het kaarsje die erbij zat 🕯️
Er wordt in het begin gelijk gewaarschuwd dat er in het boek zware onderwerpen voorkomen zoals seksueel geweld, de gevolgen daarvan, lichamelijke mishandeling en ouderlijke verwaarlozing. Dit heeft de auteur goed in beeld gebracht waarbij je je realiseert dat dit vaker voorkomt dan gedacht. Wanneer je je op een school veilig hoort te voelen en dat dit dat allesbehalve is. Ik vond dat het verhaal van voor en na de brand mooi opgebouwd is en dat de verhalen van de personages goed verteld worden. Dit is de eerste keer dat ik een boek van deze auteur heb gelezen en het heeft indruk gemaakt. Ik vind het knap hoe dit verhaal van begin tot eind helemaal klopt en het einde maakte het helemaal af. Het enige waar ik mijn hoofd goed bij moest houden waren de vele personages die allemaal een eigen verhaal hadden.
Het verhaal wordt verteld vanuit meerdere perspectieven, maar draait om de dood van Eden, die omkomt bij een brand op school. De hoofdstukken wisselen tussen heden en verleden, waardoor je stukje bij beetje het hele verhaal leert kennen.
Eden had een hechte band met haar buurjongen Theo en een relatie met haar vriendin Payton. Samen gingen ze naar Pierce High School in Fenix, een stadje dat volledig in de greep is van de machtige familie Lewis. Hun bedrijf, Lewis Industries, biedt werk aan een groot deel van de inwoners. Daardoor worden misstappen van de familie vaak toegedekt en blijft de waarheid verborgen.
Na Eden’s dood rijst de vraag wat er precies is gebeurd. Was het brandstichting, of koos Eden er zelf voor om een einde aan haar leven te maken? Al snel wordt duidelijk dat er meerdere geheimen spelen en dat meer mensen bij de zaak betrokken zijn dan op het eerste gezicht lijkt. Maar komt de waarheid ooit boven tafel, en zal er gerechtigheid zijn?
Er wordt in het begin gelijk gewaarschuwd dat er in het boek zware onderwerpen voorkomen zoals seksueel geweld, de gevolgen daarvan, lichamelijke mishandeling en ouderlijke verwaarlozing. Dit heeft de auteur goed in beeld gebracht waarbij je je realiseert dat dit vaker voorkomt dan gedacht. Wanneer je je op een school veilig hoort te voelen en dat dit dat allesbehalve is. Ik vond dat het verhaal van voor en na de brand mooi opgebouwd is en dat de verhalen van de personages goed verteld worden. Dit is de eerste keer dat ik een boek van deze auteur heb gelezen en het heeft indruk gemaakt. Ik vind het knap hoe dit verhaal van begin tot eind helemaal klopt en het einde maakte het helemaal af. Het enige waar ik mijn hoofd goed bij moest houden waren de vele personages die allemaal een eigen verhaal hadden.
Het verhaal wordt verteld vanuit meerdere perspectieven, maar draait om de dood van Eden, die omkomt bij een brand op school. De hoofdstukken wisselen tussen heden en verleden, waardoor je stukje bij beetje het hele verhaal leert kennen.
Eden had een hechte band met haar buurjongen Theo en een relatie met haar vriendin Payton. Samen gingen ze naar Pierce High School in Fenix, een stadje dat volledig in de greep is van de machtige familie Lewis. Hun bedrijf, Lewis Industries, biedt werk aan een groot deel van de inwoners. Daardoor worden misstappen van de familie vaak toegedekt en blijft de waarheid verborgen.
Na Eden’s dood rijst de vraag wat er precies is gebeurd. Was het brandstichting, of koos Eden er zelf voor om een einde aan haar leven te maken? Al snel wordt duidelijk dat er meerdere geheimen spelen en dat meer mensen bij de zaak betrokken zijn dan op het eerste gezicht lijkt. Maar komt de waarheid ooit boven tafel, en zal er gerechtigheid zijn?
September 7, 2025
4.5 STARS
If I tell a teacher I’d do anything to improve my chemistry grade, does that mean it’s my fault he makes sexual advances?
AFTER WE BURNED is the remarkable story of teenage girls finding their power after being sexually abused by their teacher. Several of these girls have parents who abuse them in various ways, leaving them vulnerable to additional abuse outside the home.
Marieke Nijkamp has a way of capturing the essence of teenagers with complicated lives. Most of the major and minor characters had interesting backstories which show how their thoughts and actions developed. I felt like I *knew* them. I appreciated all of the characters except for Theo, whose thought the school newspaper he created was much more important than it actually was. He envisioned himself a journalist of the same caliber as his famous mother. He and his mother were written as perfect people, which seemed out of place amid other well rounded characters. The individual who voices Theo’s POV had a grating voice.
If I tell a teacher I’d do anything to improve my chemistry grade, does that mean it’s my fault he makes sexual advances?
AFTER WE BURNED is the remarkable story of teenage girls finding their power after being sexually abused by their teacher. Several of these girls have parents who abuse them in various ways, leaving them vulnerable to additional abuse outside the home.
Marieke Nijkamp has a way of capturing the essence of teenagers with complicated lives. Most of the major and minor characters had interesting backstories which show how their thoughts and actions developed. I felt like I *knew* them. I appreciated all of the characters except for Theo, whose thought the school newspaper he created was much more important than it actually was. He envisioned himself a journalist of the same caliber as his famous mother. He and his mother were written as perfect people, which seemed out of place amid other well rounded characters. The individual who voices Theo’s POV had a grating voice.
July 3, 2025
A terrible accident and one of their classmates is dead when a fire consumes the local high school. But, why were the kids in the building that night? And why won’t anyone listen when each of them cries out for help? Five teens each hold a piece of truth. They also have their own secrets, secrets they will fight to protect. But silence is meant to be broke and their story can’t be extinguished.
A book about trust and friendship, but also a book about how important the adults in positions of trust are to our young people.
A book about trust and friendship, but also a book about how important the adults in positions of trust are to our young people.
September 3, 2025
Eden is waiting for Payton to run away and escape to a better life.
Now Eden is found dead when the school catches fire.
A small town where things happen behind closed doors and everyone turns a blind eye especially when one company sustains the town and will protect its own.
Where those that decide to step forward to find a way to shine a light on the wrong being done to female students while the person in question is a beloved teacher beyond reproach. A good read a couple of the characters may be annoying nevertheless the message in the book shines through.
Now Eden is found dead when the school catches fire.
A small town where things happen behind closed doors and everyone turns a blind eye especially when one company sustains the town and will protect its own.
Where those that decide to step forward to find a way to shine a light on the wrong being done to female students while the person in question is a beloved teacher beyond reproach. A good read a couple of the characters may be annoying nevertheless the message in the book shines through.
September 7, 2025
A page turner for sure! One night four teens enter their high school aiming to speak out and be heard. Another teen also enters to escape a storm that is rolling in as she plans to leave town. Five enter but only four will survive. All are connected to one another by Mr. Lewis, a well-loved teacher who abuses his power leaving behind a wake of victims. Strong characters will pull you in as the story of the night the school burned is revealed layer by layer. As with all of Nijkamp's books this one lingers long after you turn the last page.
March 7, 2025
A fast-paced, quick read. The plot is heavy with a variety of abuses (parent-child and teacher-child). A couple of twists along the way and told from a few characters with past and present timelines while unwinding the mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 14, 2025
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The ending was very emotional! The whole book is loaded with heavy topics, although it is an easy read-through. Normally I find it difficult to jump from past to present and the other way around, but with the cliffhanger every chapter it is difficult to put this book aside. I am happy there is space at the end for healing. Well done Marieke Nijkamp!
The ending was very emotional! The whole book is loaded with heavy topics, although it is an easy read-through. Normally I find it difficult to jump from past to present and the other way around, but with the cliffhanger every chapter it is difficult to put this book aside. I am happy there is space at the end for healing. Well done Marieke Nijkamp!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2025
this book was super well written and i loved how you discover more about each character and their experiences as you go on. there are also plenty of plot twists along the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
It was a slow start but had a good ending
May 24, 2025
3.5⭐️
After We Burned started out slow for me. I wasn’t sure where the book was going to go. However, the pace picked up approximately 20% of the way through. One of the tenants of a good book is its ability to bring out emotions in its readers. This book did that. Without revealing any spoilers, I will say the topics in this book are triggering. Readers should take care to protect their peace and seek out help if needed. Readers should be aware that this is not the type of book where everyone gets a happy ending, and as unfortunate as it is, I found it to be realistic. Overall, I felt this was a pretty good book. This was the first book I’ve read by this author but the story was intriguing and kept you hooked.
**Triggers warnings for this book: sexual assault, physical abuse, and parental neglect.**
After We Burned started out slow for me. I wasn’t sure where the book was going to go. However, the pace picked up approximately 20% of the way through. One of the tenants of a good book is its ability to bring out emotions in its readers. This book did that. Without revealing any spoilers, I will say the topics in this book are triggering. Readers should take care to protect their peace and seek out help if needed. Readers should be aware that this is not the type of book where everyone gets a happy ending, and as unfortunate as it is, I found it to be realistic. Overall, I felt this was a pretty good book. This was the first book I’ve read by this author but the story was intriguing and kept you hooked.
**Triggers warnings for this book: sexual assault, physical abuse, and parental neglect.**
September 26, 2025
I would give this 2.5. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read but I noticed many grammatical errors and it was boring at times.
September 17, 2025
Powerful and unsettling story -- one that needs to be read because there are real events that mirror this work of fiction. I appreciate that there are no graphic details.
September 17, 2025
Page turner- another story line that comes together in the end. Written story with lots of persons point of view from past to present.
September 22, 2025
This book couldn’t decide if it was a YA book or not. The ‘mystery’ was lack luster and just all around was average.
September 30, 2025
2 stars. There were lot of heavy/mature topics here: parental abuse, broken homes, sexual assault, depression, one character is transgender, and all of this is mentioned at the beginning in a well-worded paragraph before the book starts. No one has to go into this story blind, the author made sure of that, and I think that was a wonderful thing to do.
A very, very quick read for me. I wanted to see what happened, but I didn’t feel connected to Eden at all. I don’t consider this a thriller at all. Payton was kind of all over the place. Theo and Kelsey were much stronger. I do think the alternating timeline, present day, and then the months leading up to the school fire, were a bit haphazard. I see where the author was going with it, but the transitions weren’t smooth.
The cover is stunning, and the pages of the book looking like they’d been burned was *chef’s kiss* beautiful. Too bad there were so many grammatical errors and missing words. It was getting to the point where I was about to start correcting the novel myself, because it was so prevalent. I don’t know if the author’s first language isn’t English, but I know a story like this passes through so many hands, why did this get published like this? Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. As always, I’m glad I didn’t pay for it.
I found the adults in this very frustrating, especially the cockblock of the principal’s secretary. Theo’s mother was a gem, though. I realize Lewis Industries was a powerful presence in the town, but I expected more maliciousness from them, threats, etc, to keep victims from speaking out. They did destroy the school security footage from the night of the fire, but that’s…about it. The ending with the newspaper being passed around was solid, and the principal being in the dark was a little hard to believe—but again, the pain in the ass secretary had a lot to do with that. I fully expected her to be a Lewis family member.
I think it would’ve been interesting to have a few chapters from Zanna’s perspective, since she was alienated from her friends, through no fault of her own, but because of her Dad’s behavior. Some of the names were kind of off the wall for me, too. Oakley, really? That’s a terrible name and she was a real bitch. I was hoping her and Kelsey would have a falling out, but it didn’t happen.
Payton escaping her abusive Dad and getting to spend time with Eden’s grandparents was an unexpected, happy ending for me. She got out and she had the chance now to find her own way, without worrying about her Dad’s instability.
The idea of hope is such a good one overall, but it feels like it’s kind of thrown in as a last minute plot device. 🤷♀️ Eh, it was a fast read, but not the best.
A very, very quick read for me. I wanted to see what happened, but I didn’t feel connected to Eden at all. I don’t consider this a thriller at all. Payton was kind of all over the place. Theo and Kelsey were much stronger. I do think the alternating timeline, present day, and then the months leading up to the school fire, were a bit haphazard. I see where the author was going with it, but the transitions weren’t smooth.
The cover is stunning, and the pages of the book looking like they’d been burned was *chef’s kiss* beautiful. Too bad there were so many grammatical errors and missing words. It was getting to the point where I was about to start correcting the novel myself, because it was so prevalent. I don’t know if the author’s first language isn’t English, but I know a story like this passes through so many hands, why did this get published like this? Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. As always, I’m glad I didn’t pay for it.
I found the adults in this very frustrating, especially the cockblock of the principal’s secretary. Theo’s mother was a gem, though. I realize Lewis Industries was a powerful presence in the town, but I expected more maliciousness from them, threats, etc, to keep victims from speaking out. They did destroy the school security footage from the night of the fire, but that’s…about it. The ending with the newspaper being passed around was solid, and the principal being in the dark was a little hard to believe—but again, the pain in the ass secretary had a lot to do with that. I fully expected her to be a Lewis family member.
I think it would’ve been interesting to have a few chapters from Zanna’s perspective, since she was alienated from her friends, through no fault of her own, but because of her Dad’s behavior. Some of the names were kind of off the wall for me, too. Oakley, really? That’s a terrible name and she was a real bitch. I was hoping her and Kelsey would have a falling out, but it didn’t happen.
Payton escaping her abusive Dad and getting to spend time with Eden’s grandparents was an unexpected, happy ending for me. She got out and she had the chance now to find her own way, without worrying about her Dad’s instability.
The idea of hope is such a good one overall, but it feels like it’s kind of thrown in as a last minute plot device. 🤷♀️ Eh, it was a fast read, but not the best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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