Enna Burning by Shannon Hale
Fantasy. 317 Pages. 5 Stars
And just because I want to, here are two more cover editions. (The above is the cover of the book I have reread it by many times and actually own.) The first is the newest cover, which I strangely find quite captivating. Typically, I abhor cover updates, but I kind of like the ones for this series. The second is the one I first read it by, which holds a special place in my heart and is enchanting in its own right.
Synopsis:
Enna and Princess Isi became fast friends in The Goose Girl, but after Isi married Prince Geric, Enna returned to the forest. Enna’s simple life changes forever when she learns to wield fire and burn anything at will. Enna is convinced that she can use her ability for good–to fight Tira, the kingdom threatening the Bayern borders–and goes on secret raids to set fire to the Tiran camps and villages. But as the power of the fire grows stronger, she is less able to control her need to burn. In her recklessness she is captured by the Tiran army and held captive by a handsome, manipulative young captain who drugs her to keep her under his influence. Can Isi and her old friends Finn and Razo rescue her without sacrificing themselves? And with the fire still consuming her, will Enna find a way to manage the gift that threatens to destroy her?
My Review:
This book warms my heart–no pun intended! Hale speaks in an interview in the back of the book and says that she hadn’t originally planned to write anything after The Goose Girl, but that in the middle of the tale, something tugged at her, whispering, “There’s a story here.” I can’t say how immensely thankful I am for writers like Hale who chase those tiny whispers. The world without this book would have been an incredible loss.
In this sequel, we hone in on Enna, one of my favorite characters from book one. Finn and Razo play integral parts, too. Something about the Forest-bound people drew me in from the start. I am a complete sucker for their unwavering loyalty. Isi was adopted into the family of the Forest born and proved she is just as loyal to them as they are to her. There were several returning characters that just made my heart sing! And, a few new ones that were oh, so well-done. Sileph is one of those characters that keep you up at night, wondering, thinking, analyzing, role-playing in your head. I loved seeing Enna’s brother, Leifer. There are few relationships that make me sappier than the brother-sister relationships, so it was a blast to get inside Enna’s childhood a little bit through him. Hale writes fantastic characters, characters you root for and yearn to call your friends. Enna and Isi have a friendship that’s the stuff of dreams. I adore their relationship and this book expands what we first see begin to develop in book one.
I am positively fascinated by the world-building in the Books of Bayern. Even re-reading, I found myself snuggling in for a cozy read. The world Hale has created here feels ancient and alive. I love the dynamic cultures and customs of the lands and peoples. She weaves this intricate reality that feels like an old familiar face, a place that makes me feel completely at home. And, yet, I’m left curious about more. I want to know the other lands that we’ve touched on. (Even though I’ve read all the books and do know the lands!) I love the laws of nature and the languages. The way creatures, people, and nature interact with each other in these stories.
We get a close-up and personal look at the element of fire and Hale nails it on the head. She captures the ferocity of fire, the slow simmering heat, the desire, the ache, and the beauty of it. I think she’s portrayed the very nature of fire in this book and her illustration of it through people, Enna specifically, is absolutely brilliant. Hale admits in the interview in the back of the book that she feels beginnings are her weakness. She said she has to build stories slowly and can’t utilize the hook technique, that insta-grab-your-attention opener. Personally, I think it’s not a loss. The book would have been quite different without that slow, simmering burn that builds and builds as she develops layer upon layer of her stunning story. The plot doesn’t drag, at any point. It sucks you in, but a little at a time. She sets the stage beautifully and I think the story shouldn’t have been told any other way.
Hale has a unique writing style that draws me in. These stories are told in a marvelous world, with such colorful characters, and plots that trap you in their twisting snares, but none of it would be quite so delightful without that specific Hale flare. Her images are vivid and her language feels distinctly familiar. She uses metaphors that everyone can relate to, yet that are so realistic and unique that you wonder how you could have imagined the image any other way. Furthermore, there is something that feels simplistic about her writing. It isn’t difficult to read by any means, but it is multifaceted. There are layers in everything she does. I love her writing and hope one day she’ll return to this genre and age-level.
Overall, I could sing the praises of this book for days. I absolutely love it!! This book is definitely one of my favorites!!! This entire series is amazing, but the first two were wonderful. I loved getting to look more at Enna and I absolutely loved seeing another element–fire–up close. The plot was creative and inciting. Very well-written! Engaging storyline. Absolutely fantastic! Shannon Hale has yet to disappoint!!!
As for content: the book does take place during a war, so there is some mild violence. Nothing graphic. There is one swear word, but no other foul language, and the word fits in the context and with the culture and world so well, personally, it never bothered me. Regarding romance, there are no graphic or explicit scenes. There is one spot where potential abuse could have occurred, but did not. There are a few kisses, but nothing more.
More:
The first Book of Bayern is The Goose Girl (5 Stars)
The third is River Secrets (4 Stars)
The fourth is Forest Born (5 Stars)
I have reviewed each of the above on Goodreads. Follow the links to find more info on the books. This series should be read in order.
On GraceBought
See my review of the first book in the series and stay tuned next week for my thoughts on the next book in the series!