Burn - by Patrick Ness (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

On a cold Sunday evening in early 1957, Sarah Dewhurst waited with her father in the parking lot of the Chevron gas station for the dragon he'd hired to help on the farm...

Sarah Dewhurst and her father, outcasts in their little town of Frome, Washington, are forced to hire a dragon to work their farm, something only the poorest of the poor ever have to resort to.

The dragon, Kazimir, has more to him than meets the eye, though. Sarah can't help but be curious about him, an animal who supposedly doesn't have a soul but who is seemingly intent on keeping her safe.

Because the dragon knows something she doesn't. He has arrived at the farm with a prophecy on his mind. A prophecy that involves a deadly assassin, a cult of dragon worshippers, two FBI agents in hot pursuit--and somehow, Sarah Dewhurst herself.

• Cold War Fantasy: In an America gripped by the paranoia of spies and secrets, the arrival of a mysterious blue Russian dragon named Kazimir lights a fuse that could lead to war.
• A Deadly Prophecy: A trained assassin is on the move, and a shadowy cult believes Sarah is the key to an earth-shattering event. But they aren't the only ones watching her.
• Historical Fantasy: Grounded in the rural Pacific Northwest of 1957, this is a world of farm chores and school days turned upside down by the raw power of dragons and the looming threat of the FBI.
• Prejudice and Secrets: As a mixed-race girl in a small town, Sarah is already an outcast. Now, she's hiding a dangerous secret about the dragon sworn to protect her--and an even bigger one about herself.

Review Quotes

Ness has never been afraid to push boundaries when it comes to genre exploration, but this is a truly magnificent piece of fiction.... The concept is striking, the characters compelling, and the story enthralling. Even for Ness, this is a singular effort." - Booklist (starred review)

"The densely layered, expertly paced plot builds and twists while revealing an alternate universe that cunningly echoes our world and its history." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Ness's engrossing historical-fantasy adventure is at once accessible and complex, tackling both human issues--racism...war, religion--and grand fantasy action with skill." - Horn Book Magazine

"Exciting, nonstop action and gloriously varied twists in the narrative will keep readers guessing all the way through to the breathless ending." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"A wild ride of fanaticism, redemption, assasins and dragon-worshippers. Mind-bending in the best possible way." - The Observer (London)

"Ness brings together history, fantasy, and science fiction in one masterful stroke, interweaving the tropes of each genre to create a unique blend that offers readers an unpredictable but impeccably paced mind trip." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)

"This fast-paced narrative has elements of alternate history, fantasy, multiverse, and apocalyptic literature. The many plot twists and multiple perspectives create an intensity that makes this a page-turner...A gripping, powerful novel of courage and resilience."

"Ness brilliantly juggles these multi-layered themes and twisting plot lines while creating a world where dragons are as richly imagined as humans and engage our emotions just as forcefully. He is a remarkable talent." - Daily Mail (UK)