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Firebug #0.5
Burnt Sugar
Ava, Lock, and Ezra are on assignment—for the magical mafia, of course. Faced with a gingerbread house, they're pretty sure that what's inside isn't nearly as sweet as the outside. It never is.
32 pages, ebook
First published December 9, 2014
10 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
About the author
Lish McBride
28 books1,336 followersLish McBride is the author of funny and creepy Young Adult books such as Hold Me Closer, Necromancer; Necromancing the Stone; Firebug; and Pyromantic. She has published short stories in the Normal School, Tor.com, and the anthologies Cornered, What to Read in the Rain, Freaks & Other Family, and Kisses & Curses. She got her BFA in creative writing from Seattle University and her MFA from University of New Orleans. Lish is also currently a bookseller and event host at Third Place Books, a giant thriving indie bookstore just outside of Seattle. Her first book, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer, was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults title, Morris Award finalist, and won the Scandiuzzi Children’s Book Award. While she has no long term goals for world domination, she would like her own castle.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/lishmc...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/lishmc...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
June 5, 2019
I guess I’m better at burning things down than talking to people.
I’m okay with that.
this story is another reason to adore tor and their generosity in providing all these free shorts for us to have.
the only other thing i have read from lish mcbride has been a different free tor short, which i chose because - duh, unicorn:
http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/11/he...
and i liked it enough to vow in my own review to read her necromancer series, having heard such good things about them, but it's six months later and i still haven't.
and then THIS.
this story makes me want to say "screw you, necromancer, i am going straight to firebug!"
because i love these characters, this premise, the lightness of her touch; it's that perfect balance of funny and creepy that authors like mira grant do so well. it's a combination of urban fantasy (which i am still not convinced is for me) and fairytale elements (which is most certainly for me).
our three protagonists are employed, by debt and circumstances rather than by choice, as muscle for the supernatural mafia run by a gorgeous, ruthless vampire named venus who, contrary to those milquetoast vamps in that popular YA series, would only sparkle if you covered her in glitter, which I don’t recommend if you like doing things like breathing and blinking.
we have:
lock - half-dryad nature spirit who can control plants
ezra - asian fox-shifter, for the dreaminess and quips
and - ava - firestarter and narrator
they are about to embark on their latest assignment, collecting protection money from a witch deep in the forest. but only one of them knows that, which is clear when their goofing-off banter is cut short by the responsible lock:
Lock stopped and crossed his arms, giving us a look that Ez and I knew well.
“Did we forget to do our homework?” Ezra whispered in my ear.
“Neither of you read the file, did you?” Lock said accusingly.
“I skimmed it.” I said. “Something about collecting money, blah blah blah.”
“I looked at the pictures,” Ezra added.
“There weren’t any pictures.” Lock threw his hands up in a gesture I found to be just a little overdramatic. “I don’t know why I’m surprised. Of course neither of you read the file.”
lock starts to give them the skinny when suddenly they come across something none of them expected: a gingerbread house.
worst thing ever.
we learn a bit about the history and capabilities of the gingerbread house in reality, as opposed to their fairytale portrayals, and our heroes proceed with caution.
what they discover upon entering the house is both expected and not, and the story is a perfect riff on the hansel and gretel story - referencing what we "know" while putting a clever new spin on it.
it's perfect little bite of a story - mcbride does a great job setting up the world so you don't have to have read anything else in the firebug universe to get what's happening, (but i'm really hoping that some of the references dropped in this story allude to happenings in the greater books, because i want - no, NEED - to know more about that werewolf bachelor party).
it's super fun, and FREE, and i'm vowing to read her firebug series because i definitely need more of these characters. look me up in six months to see if i actually follow through.
read it for yourself here:
http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
and a line for greg:
Foxes aren’t the best with concepts like “personal property.”
come to my blog!
I’m okay with that.
this story is another reason to adore tor and their generosity in providing all these free shorts for us to have.
the only other thing i have read from lish mcbride has been a different free tor short, which i chose because - duh, unicorn:
http://www.tor.com/stories/2012/11/he...
and i liked it enough to vow in my own review to read her necromancer series, having heard such good things about them, but it's six months later and i still haven't.
and then THIS.
this story makes me want to say "screw you, necromancer, i am going straight to firebug!"
because i love these characters, this premise, the lightness of her touch; it's that perfect balance of funny and creepy that authors like mira grant do so well. it's a combination of urban fantasy (which i am still not convinced is for me) and fairytale elements (which is most certainly for me).
our three protagonists are employed, by debt and circumstances rather than by choice, as muscle for the supernatural mafia run by a gorgeous, ruthless vampire named venus who, contrary to those milquetoast vamps in that popular YA series, would only sparkle if you covered her in glitter, which I don’t recommend if you like doing things like breathing and blinking.
we have:
lock - half-dryad nature spirit who can control plants
ezra - asian fox-shifter, for the dreaminess and quips
and - ava - firestarter and narrator
they are about to embark on their latest assignment, collecting protection money from a witch deep in the forest. but only one of them knows that, which is clear when their goofing-off banter is cut short by the responsible lock:
Lock stopped and crossed his arms, giving us a look that Ez and I knew well.
“Did we forget to do our homework?” Ezra whispered in my ear.
“Neither of you read the file, did you?” Lock said accusingly.
“I skimmed it.” I said. “Something about collecting money, blah blah blah.”
“I looked at the pictures,” Ezra added.
“There weren’t any pictures.” Lock threw his hands up in a gesture I found to be just a little overdramatic. “I don’t know why I’m surprised. Of course neither of you read the file.”
lock starts to give them the skinny when suddenly they come across something none of them expected: a gingerbread house.
worst thing ever.
we learn a bit about the history and capabilities of the gingerbread house in reality, as opposed to their fairytale portrayals, and our heroes proceed with caution.
what they discover upon entering the house is both expected and not, and the story is a perfect riff on the hansel and gretel story - referencing what we "know" while putting a clever new spin on it.
it's perfect little bite of a story - mcbride does a great job setting up the world so you don't have to have read anything else in the firebug universe to get what's happening, (but i'm really hoping that some of the references dropped in this story allude to happenings in the greater books, because i want - no, NEED - to know more about that werewolf bachelor party).
it's super fun, and FREE, and i'm vowing to read her firebug series because i definitely need more of these characters. look me up in six months to see if i actually follow through.
read it for yourself here:
http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
and a line for greg:
Foxes aren’t the best with concepts like “personal property.”
come to my blog!
December 17, 2014
“This whole forest has a sort of wicked witch fairy tale thing going for it.”
A re-tale of the Gingerbread house? Sign me up!!
Ava, Locke and Ezra are the Vampire Venus' collection team. Get behind on your payments and they are sent to pay you a visit.
They find not the ugly old witch.
But a different story ensues. Because Dolly and Reggie read that pamphlet.
“Have you seen what happens to children in this house? You’re not a threat, you’re a side dish.”
Many thanks to the lovely karen for finding the gem.
Read this fun little story for free: http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
A re-tale of the Gingerbread house? Sign me up!!
Ava, Locke and Ezra are the Vampire Venus' collection team. Get behind on your payments and they are sent to pay you a visit.
They find not the ugly old witch.
But a different story ensues. Because Dolly and Reggie read that pamphlet.
“Have you seen what happens to children in this house? You’re not a threat, you’re a side dish.”
Many thanks to the lovely karen for finding the gem.
Read this fun little story for free: http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
September 26, 2017
Who knew how scary gingerbread houses could be?
3.5 stars. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
Ava is a firebug: she can start fires with her mind. She and her two friends, Lock, who is half-dryad, and Ezra, an Asian shapeshifter who turns into a fox, are all reluctantly bound to the Coterie, a supernatural mafia headed up by a vampire and operating in rural Maine. Their usual duties for the Coterie involve collecting protection money, delivering supernatural beat-downs, and worse. The trio’s latest assignment is to find out why Dolly Walker, a witch who lives deep in the woods, has missed her last few payments to the Coterie. What they find is an adorable gingerbread house ― which immediately makes them suspicious.
“Burnt Sugar” is an amusing twist on the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. I had to laugh at the health-nut witches, which were a quirky juxtaposition to their gingerbread house, and one of the witches defiantly stating to Ava, “And don’t get any ideas about shoving us in the oven. We read the pamphlets that came with the house, and we’ve no intention of going anywhere near there.” The humor offsets the underlying darkness of the story, where the house itself is the primary source of evil and dark appetites.
“Burnt Sugar” is an enjoyable introduction to Lish McBride’s 2014 novel Firebug and its sequel, which continues the story of Ava and her friends.
Free online at http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
3.5 stars. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
Ava is a firebug: she can start fires with her mind. She and her two friends, Lock, who is half-dryad, and Ezra, an Asian shapeshifter who turns into a fox, are all reluctantly bound to the Coterie, a supernatural mafia headed up by a vampire and operating in rural Maine. Their usual duties for the Coterie involve collecting protection money, delivering supernatural beat-downs, and worse. The trio’s latest assignment is to find out why Dolly Walker, a witch who lives deep in the woods, has missed her last few payments to the Coterie. What they find is an adorable gingerbread house ― which immediately makes them suspicious.
Gingerbread houses draw power from the person they’re connected to, like leeches on the soul. Kill the witch, kill the house, so the house does its level best to keep that from happening. But while they may draw heavily on their hosts, they don’t rely on a single food source. One person would go too quickly. So the host becomes a lure to draw in more food. It’s pretty clever in a terrible sort of way.The trio decides to send Ava in to reconnoiter. Naturally, things don’t go according to plan.
“Burnt Sugar” is an amusing twist on the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. I had to laugh at the health-nut witches, which were a quirky juxtaposition to their gingerbread house, and one of the witches defiantly stating to Ava, “And don’t get any ideas about shoving us in the oven. We read the pamphlets that came with the house, and we’ve no intention of going anywhere near there.” The humor offsets the underlying darkness of the story, where the house itself is the primary source of evil and dark appetites.
“Burnt Sugar” is an enjoyable introduction to Lish McBride’s 2014 novel Firebug and its sequel, which continues the story of Ava and her friends.
Free online at http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
August 25, 2020
After a DNF on a dull & dreary historical novel, I needed something short & snappy.
This novella definitely hit the brief
Taking inspiration from Hansel & Gretel, this story moves along at a breakneck speed. I really liked Ava and the other bounty hunters and hope I get to meet their boss Venus in a later episode. She sounds like a treat!
This novella definitely hit the brief
Taking inspiration from Hansel & Gretel, this story moves along at a breakneck speed. I really liked Ava and the other bounty hunters and hope I get to meet their boss Venus in a later episode. She sounds like a treat!
https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...
March 18, 2015
m, is for McBride
4 Stars
That, THAT, is how you revamp a fairy tale, ladies & gents!
McBride takes the dark elements of the traditional Hansel & Gretel and twists them about on their head in her short story Burnt Sugar.
The Recipe:
Three awesome, supernatural debt collectors
What you will need:
- One lazy and attractive Asian shapeshifter named Ezra.
- One studious and serious half-dryad named Lock.
- One snarky and hotheaded firebug named Ava.
Mix well, using heavy doses of both dark humour and teenage craziness. Continue mixing until the top half is fluffy but with definite heavy undertones.
One creepy gingerbread house
What you will need:
- Two very unusual inhabitants that break witch stereotypes entirely.
- One very dark reimagining of how gingerbread houses exist.
Put these ingredients in a brown paper bag in the closet until they begin to mould and fester but make sure to check them regularly just in case they start growing flowers or anything lovely. (If this happens rip them out by the roots, we can’t have that shit in there.)
One interesting and complete short story
What you will need:
- One clear beginning, middle and end.
- One concept which has not been beaten to death already (A magical Mafia…. I die laughing)
After you have mixed and festered these elements separately, take them all and smear them on a blank canvas. Don’t worry if you go too heavy-handed on grotesque in some areas and too beautiful in others, it will end up darkly delicious, my friends.
This is how you make a YA series I had never heard of before jump right towards the top of my TBR list.
April 22, 2015
I really liked this one. The characters are fun, and engaging, but neither sweet nor sappy. I liked the twist on the fairy tale. Looks like I need to move the book Elspeth has been after me to read further up this list if it's as good as this story.
January 6, 2015
This was alot of fun, I don't know what to say really... I was intrigued from the get go and loved the people in it and the 'people' they were collecting from were wonderfully creepy.
The world building wasn't alot but I could sense the history behind everything and Lock/Ezra/Ava were fleshed out well.
Our narrator's power? Pretty awesome :)
(http://th00.deviantart.net/fs41/PRE/i... )
It wasn't one where I was racing through the story, took my time reading it but it was interesting from beginning to end.
Crappy review but highly recommend this :)
January 17, 2016
Un equipo de 'cobradores' de una mafia sobrenatural va a poner fin al moroso, pero se encuentran con algo oscuro en el bosque.
“Neither of you read the file, did you?” Lock said accusingly.
“I skimmed it.” I said. “Something about collecting money, blah blah blah.”
“I looked at the pictures,” Ezra added.
“There weren’t any pictures.”
Adventure and some fairytale twist . Entertaining :)
(again, love the cover-art)
“Neither of you read the file, did you?” Lock said accusingly.
“I skimmed it.” I said. “Something about collecting money, blah blah blah.”
“I looked at the pictures,” Ezra added.
“There weren’t any pictures.”
Adventure and some fairytale twist . Entertaining :)
(again, love the cover-art)
March 15, 2017
I don't know how I just found out about this, but I will always always always read these three. And this story was perfection.
December 10, 2014
Burnt Sugar is a prequel to Firebug (I think), but it can be read as a short story without reading Firebug. Unless you are a Buffy or Supernatural fan, you would not consider Burnt Sugar to be an appropriate story for the holidays. I bought the story, but it is available to read on Tor.com... the cover is so gorgeous that I wanted it on my Kindle. Ava is a firebug, and she does what she does best, burn things.
December 29, 2020
The idea behind a short story based on a larger series is to tantalize the reader into wanting to read more. The short story was completely successful in this. I now have Firebug on my reading list for 2021.
December 18, 2014
This a short story with some new characters from Lish McBride's newest, Firebug. I loved the "Necromancer" stories, and will try out Firebug as soon as I can obtain a copy.
January 5, 2023
Somehow I got my wires crossed and thought this was a Christmas tor shortie, but other than a killer gingerbread house, has nothing else in common with the holiday season. However, it was a fun little romp in an awesome YA world, and I have definitely shelved Lish McBride's Firebug series after reading this.
Sometimes I just want to read something fun. And this shortie definitely serves up a hefty sugar coated dose of it. It has some awesome magical characters; teenaged magical muscle for a magical Mafia liked organization run by a ruthless vampire named Venus. Ava is our narrator and is a Firebug, a powerful pyromancer who can generate fire with her life energy. Her two work pals are Lock and Ezra. Lock is a dyad and uses nature and earth energy magic and Ezra is a shifter who also takes the shape of a fox. These characters were awesome and dynamic and kick ass and I loved reading about them, even in such a short story.
I loved the cheekiness of the prose, the way Ava described the world and their jobs (jobs, servitude, tomato tomahto), the light touch with which the author writes ensuring that this story doesn't take itself too seriously.
I know these days vampires have a different reputation—sexy, misunderstood creatures just waiting for someone to see their heart of gold and believe in them. They sparkle and pout but really they’re just looking for someone to love them. Venus is beautiful, that part is right. But if she has a heart, it’s withered and black, and you’d die of extreme old age waiting to see her good side. You can love her all you want, but she’d still use you up and suck you dry. And she’d only sparkle if you covered her in glitter, which I don’t recommend if you like doing things like breathing and blinking.
These three characters are out on a job one day, being sent out as muscle to collect on a witch's payments that are far overdue and must go to the deep dark woods to collect. The thing is, after waling for awhile in the woods, something seems wrong, off. The birds become silent, the air becomes stuffy, the trees seem unusual. And all they can see is a gingerbread house, perfectly preserved with frosting and candy and lots and lots of sugar. But the thing about gingerbread houses is, the prettier and sweeter they are, the more deadly their insides.
4 stars for a fun little non-Christmas story that was free online. And now I've got to get my hands on the full length Firebug novels now too.
Sometimes I just want to read something fun. And this shortie definitely serves up a hefty sugar coated dose of it. It has some awesome magical characters; teenaged magical muscle for a magical Mafia liked organization run by a ruthless vampire named Venus. Ava is our narrator and is a Firebug, a powerful pyromancer who can generate fire with her life energy. Her two work pals are Lock and Ezra. Lock is a dyad and uses nature and earth energy magic and Ezra is a shifter who also takes the shape of a fox. These characters were awesome and dynamic and kick ass and I loved reading about them, even in such a short story.
I loved the cheekiness of the prose, the way Ava described the world and their jobs (jobs, servitude, tomato tomahto), the light touch with which the author writes ensuring that this story doesn't take itself too seriously.
I know these days vampires have a different reputation—sexy, misunderstood creatures just waiting for someone to see their heart of gold and believe in them. They sparkle and pout but really they’re just looking for someone to love them. Venus is beautiful, that part is right. But if she has a heart, it’s withered and black, and you’d die of extreme old age waiting to see her good side. You can love her all you want, but she’d still use you up and suck you dry. And she’d only sparkle if you covered her in glitter, which I don’t recommend if you like doing things like breathing and blinking.
These three characters are out on a job one day, being sent out as muscle to collect on a witch's payments that are far overdue and must go to the deep dark woods to collect. The thing is, after waling for awhile in the woods, something seems wrong, off. The birds become silent, the air becomes stuffy, the trees seem unusual. And all they can see is a gingerbread house, perfectly preserved with frosting and candy and lots and lots of sugar. But the thing about gingerbread houses is, the prettier and sweeter they are, the more deadly their insides.
4 stars for a fun little non-Christmas story that was free online. And now I've got to get my hands on the full length Firebug novels now too.
December 20, 2014
As far as short stories go, this one is delicious. I'd happily smother it in chocolate and lick every single word again.
Shit, focus!
I'd happily recommend this to anyone who enjoys a classic fairytale but with a twist. It’s moments like these that I’m thankful for Goodreads as I definitely would not have come across this gem otherwise.
I loved the main characters, the story and this really strange world – run by the magical mafia. Honestly, it’s ingenious. It has the perfect balance of fear factor, wit and humour.
“Neither of you read the file, did you?” Lock said accusingly.
“I skimmed it.” I said. “Something about collecting money, blah blah blah.”
“I looked at the pictures,” Ezra added.
“There weren’t any pictures.” Lock threw his hands up in a gesture I found to be just a little overdramatic.
^this is so freaking me!!!
Let’s not forget the brilliant lines that poke fun at themes running rampant in today’s YA novels.
“…these days vampires have a different reputation—sexy, misunderstood creatures just waiting for someone to see their heart of gold and believe in them. They sparkle and pout but really they’re just looking for someone to love them. Venus is beautiful, that part is right. But if she has a heart, it’s withered and black….And she’d only sparkle if you covered her in glitter, which I don’t recommend if you like doing things like breathing and blinking.”
The story also imparts some wisdom too:
"Foxes aren’t the best with concepts like “personal property.” I hear ya! It’s the last time I leave anything out in my back garden again.
It’s a perfect little story with a great cast and bears very little semblance to Hansel and Gretel. I mean, who isn’t interested to read about a firebug, a half-dryad (a nature spirit) and a fox shapeshifter.
Ezra baby…
…have no shame. If you’ve got it, flaunt it I always say!
Anyway, read it for free here - http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
P.s. who doesn’t wanna know that thing that happened that Ava forgot to do with the gnomes that went terrible? Also, a werewolf bachelor party?! What the heck? I’m so glad to learn that this cast are from the Firebug series, which I definitely need like right now!
Shit, focus!
I'd happily recommend this to anyone who enjoys a classic fairytale but with a twist. It’s moments like these that I’m thankful for Goodreads as I definitely would not have come across this gem otherwise.
I loved the main characters, the story and this really strange world – run by the magical mafia. Honestly, it’s ingenious. It has the perfect balance of fear factor, wit and humour.
“Neither of you read the file, did you?” Lock said accusingly.
“I skimmed it.” I said. “Something about collecting money, blah blah blah.”
“I looked at the pictures,” Ezra added.
“There weren’t any pictures.” Lock threw his hands up in a gesture I found to be just a little overdramatic.
^this is so freaking me!!!
Let’s not forget the brilliant lines that poke fun at themes running rampant in today’s YA novels.
“…these days vampires have a different reputation—sexy, misunderstood creatures just waiting for someone to see their heart of gold and believe in them. They sparkle and pout but really they’re just looking for someone to love them. Venus is beautiful, that part is right. But if she has a heart, it’s withered and black….And she’d only sparkle if you covered her in glitter, which I don’t recommend if you like doing things like breathing and blinking.”
The story also imparts some wisdom too:
"Foxes aren’t the best with concepts like “personal property.” I hear ya! It’s the last time I leave anything out in my back garden again.
It’s a perfect little story with a great cast and bears very little semblance to Hansel and Gretel. I mean, who isn’t interested to read about a firebug, a half-dryad (a nature spirit) and a fox shapeshifter.
Ezra baby…
…have no shame. If you’ve got it, flaunt it I always say!
Anyway, read it for free here - http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
P.s. who doesn’t wanna know that thing that happened that Ava forgot to do with the gnomes that went terrible? Also, a werewolf bachelor party?! What the heck? I’m so glad to learn that this cast are from the Firebug series, which I definitely need like right now!
December 25, 2016
This short was fun with the Hansel and Gretel touch, it was fast paced and delivered a complete story without needing knowledge about the series. I liked the team of heroes, they all had interesting powers and nice personalities. The villains were quite fun to discover too. Overall, good writing and good ideas, so I'll probably check the series.
February 11, 2015
Wow, what a delightful, fluffy, fantasy short!
If you need a quick break from serious, dark, angsty or melo reads, look no further. It takes thirty short minutes (or less) to read this story. Once in a while I need something light and silly to recharge my batteries, and this was exactly what I needed.
A trio of supernatural-mafia protection-money-collectors, take on a duo of witches and an evil gingerbread house.
Yeah, I'm not kidding (told you it was some silly stuff). The vampire Venus' (the boss) motley crew collection team consist of Ava, Locke and Ezra; or... a firebug (firestarter), a half-dryad and a fox-shifter. Dolly and Reggie, our two out-of-the-mold child-eating witches, are going to regret not paying their dues.
This short is a prequel for the Firebug series. The first book is already out. Truth be told, it flew under my radar because of that lame cover; but I'm considering reading it despite the low ratings. If the novel is snappy like the prequel, then McBride's Necromancer series is next. A girl needs a laugh or two, from time to time.
"I know these days vampires have a different reputation—sexy, misunderstood creatures just waiting for someone to see their heart of gold and believe in them. They sparkle and pout but really they’re just looking for someone to love them. Venus is beautiful, that part is right. But if she has a heart, it’s withered and black, and you’d die of extreme old age waiting to see her good side. You can love her all you want, but she’d still use you up and suck you dry. And she’d only sparkle if you covered her in glitter, which I don’t recommend if you like doing things like breathing and blinking."
Read for free here:http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
If you need a quick break from serious, dark, angsty or melo reads, look no further. It takes thirty short minutes (or less) to read this story. Once in a while I need something light and silly to recharge my batteries, and this was exactly what I needed.
A trio of supernatural-mafia protection-money-collectors, take on a duo of witches and an evil gingerbread house.
Yeah, I'm not kidding (told you it was some silly stuff). The vampire Venus' (the boss) motley crew collection team consist of Ava, Locke and Ezra; or... a firebug (firestarter), a half-dryad and a fox-shifter. Dolly and Reggie, our two out-of-the-mold child-eating witches, are going to regret not paying their dues.
This short is a prequel for the Firebug series. The first book is already out. Truth be told, it flew under my radar because of that lame cover; but I'm considering reading it despite the low ratings. If the novel is snappy like the prequel, then McBride's Necromancer series is next. A girl needs a laugh or two, from time to time.
"I know these days vampires have a different reputation—sexy, misunderstood creatures just waiting for someone to see their heart of gold and believe in them. They sparkle and pout but really they’re just looking for someone to love them. Venus is beautiful, that part is right. But if she has a heart, it’s withered and black, and you’d die of extreme old age waiting to see her good side. You can love her all you want, but she’d still use you up and suck you dry. And she’d only sparkle if you covered her in glitter, which I don’t recommend if you like doing things like breathing and blinking."
Read for free here:http://www.tor.com/stories/2014/12/bu...
December 10, 2014
“Have you seen what happens to children in this house? You’re not a threat, you’re a side dish.”
I loved this bright, funny short story of gingerbread houses and supernatural heroes. Burnt Sugar definitely makes me crave Firebug!
I loved this bright, funny short story of gingerbread houses and supernatural heroes. Burnt Sugar definitely makes me crave Firebug!
November 30, 2016
I guess I’m better at burning things down than talking to people.
I’m okay with that.
A cute and entertaining read, leaves you wanting to get to know more about the characters.
Recommend it you a younger audience of for someone looking for a fairy tale-like adventure.
I’m okay with that.
A cute and entertaining read, leaves you wanting to get to know more about the characters.
Recommend it you a younger audience of for someone looking for a fairy tale-like adventure.
June 30, 2016
Lish McBride is cuter than kittens. Pass it on.
I don't know why or how or why... but I ADORE Lish McBride. Despite the fact that I (absolutely and utterly) despise first person POV, and a 'mess of curly hair' makes me want to tear my own unruly mane, strand by curly strand (honestly, there is more to teenagers than messy hair, pale skin and bony shoulders). The nature-friendly-life tips are cute, but silly And yet... and yet... there are stories that just tug at your lips, that make you smile despite yourself and gush and crow in delight (which, in turn, makes reading in public places a little awkward).
In short, Burnt Sugar is corny, a trifle silly (it does not take itself too seriously though), and ADORABLE. Go read it on tor.com
I don't know why or how or why... but I ADORE Lish McBride. Despite the fact that I (absolutely and utterly) despise first person POV, and a 'mess of curly hair' makes me want to tear my own unruly mane, strand by curly strand (honestly, there is more to teenagers than messy hair, pale skin and bony shoulders). The nature-friendly-life tips are cute, but silly And yet... and yet... there are stories that just tug at your lips, that make you smile despite yourself and gush and crow in delight (which, in turn, makes reading in public places a little awkward).
In short, Burnt Sugar is corny, a trifle silly (it does not take itself too seriously though), and ADORABLE. Go read it on tor.com
November 11, 2015
We’d come looking for a witch—I hadn’t asked Lock what kind of witch—and it was clear from the cabin that she was not a good one. There’s no conceivable reason why a good witch would have a gingerbread house.
Hansel and Gretel really is a nasty little story, isn't it? This is a fun little story about paybacks. Paybacks involving a pyromancer, a dryad, and some kind of kitsune.
Final verdict? I'll be reading Firebug.
Hansel and Gretel really is a nasty little story, isn't it? This is a fun little story about paybacks. Paybacks involving a pyromancer, a dryad, and some kind of kitsune.
Final verdict? I'll be reading Firebug.
December 20, 2014
So, I got this from Karen I do love her reviews - from novels to picture books to tongue in cheek monster porn critiques.
This is just a little shorty - took maybe thirty minutes to read it. If you got to the book's GR page, Karen has a link to the online version in her review.
I just loved this.
Take a fairy tale and turn it on it's head
This is just a little shorty - took maybe thirty minutes to read it. If you got to the book's GR page, Karen has a link to the online version in her review.
I just loved this.
Take a fairy tale and turn it on it's head
January 22, 2015
Burnt Sugar is a modern take on the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale, and the introduction to a new series. A series that I have to read.
The main characters are a half-dryad, a fox shifter, and a pyromaniac, who are the clean up crew for a paranormal mafia.
...do I really need to say more?
The main characters are a half-dryad, a fox shifter, and a pyromaniac, who are the clean up crew for a paranormal mafia.
...do I really need to say more?
February 14, 2015
Another Tor.com short story
Oh, its sad to look at fairy tales as an adult and realize the actual devastation behind them.
Oh, its sad to look at fairy tales as an adult and realize the actual devastation behind them.
October 16, 2015
Read 15/10/2015
August 26, 2024
Burnt Sugar
“I guess I’m better at burning things down than talking to people.”
This is a prequel short story with the three main characters of Firebug: Ava, Lock and Ezra. They are on a mission for Venus to try to get payments from one of the people on her territory — they haven’t paid in a while. But while they trek to the house in the woods they find that it’s a gingerbread house, which doesn’t bode well. Sure enough, they are attacked and put into hanging caged. The couple in the house eats children, but it’s funny because it’s not an old hag but this like fit couple who eat the kids with leaner meat lol. Luckily Lock had picked up these seeds that grow up from the ground to help them save the kids and escape. They burn the house down even though Venus probably wouldn’t care, but they have to stop these people. It was a funny short story.
“I guess I’m better at burning things down than talking to people.”
This is a prequel short story with the three main characters of Firebug: Ava, Lock and Ezra. They are on a mission for Venus to try to get payments from one of the people on her territory — they haven’t paid in a while. But while they trek to the house in the woods they find that it’s a gingerbread house, which doesn’t bode well. Sure enough, they are attacked and put into hanging caged. The couple in the house eats children, but it’s funny because it’s not an old hag but this like fit couple who eat the kids with leaner meat lol. Luckily Lock had picked up these seeds that grow up from the ground to help them save the kids and escape. They burn the house down even though Venus probably wouldn’t care, but they have to stop these people. It was a funny short story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2017
I really liked this short tale of three teenagers with magical abilities who, in the employ of a supernatural gangland boss, are sent to 'collect' a client's 'protection money' arrears - only to find that the 'client' inhabits a gingerbread house in a silent part of the local forest.... I much preferred this darkish fantasy tale to McBride's short story Heads will roll, which I read only a few days ago. On the basis of this story, I think I'll be checking out the author's Firebug series.
February 1, 2019
Pretty good insight into the world, decent explanation to draw you in, without completely over explaining. I love Lish’s worlds, her Necromancer series was a favourite when I was younger and I only just decided to reread her work and get into her other stories. I’ll have to find her Firebug series now
July 28, 2024
This novella is a quick read, a nice introduction to a set of new characters and a refreshing look at a classic children's tale. I picked this up as a change and was a fan of McBride's Necromancer books. I won't say much more as this is short, sweet and very effective. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
December 2, 2019
4.5 Stars!
Burnt Sugar was a short story set in the Firebug universe.
It was another exciting adventure for Ava, Ezra and Lock and it was nice to read about them again!
Definitely recommended for fans of the Firebug duology.
Burnt Sugar was a short story set in the Firebug universe.
It was another exciting adventure for Ava, Ezra and Lock and it was nice to read about them again!
Definitely recommended for fans of the Firebug duology.
March 21, 2017
Burnt Sugar was an enjoyable short. I really enjoy McBride's characters in this series, they're well-drawn, likable and entertaining.
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