*This review has a spoiler. I will let you know when they will appear in a paragraph*
Haha long time no see!
Now I know I have been gone for a month with not posting any reviews or a wrap up... and I do have an explanation. So uni, I had like 100 assignments and tests all due last week, meaning that the three weeks before I had no spare time to write anything.
But now that is over. I am currently on break and will be returning next week and you should still see reviews, hopefully.
So onto the review, which is probably why you are here (and the rant).
From the title you probably already know that I am going to be writing a review for Enna Burning by Shannon Hale, the second book in The Books of Bayern series. I have read the first book, The Goose Girl, and you can see my thoughts on Goodreads (I'll leave a link to my Goodreads at the end of this review).
Enna Burning focuses Enna, from The Goose Girl, who is a side character.
Enna's brother, Leifer, has found the secret to an extraordinary power - to make fire without a spark. He can use the ability for good... if he learns to control it. But Enna can't decide if it's a power she wants for herself, or one that should be extinguished.
When their home country of Bayern goes of war, the choice becomes unbearable. Enna never imagined the warm, life-going energy of fire could destroy everything she loves, but now she must try to save Bayern and herself before the fire consumes her entirely.
If you have not read The Goose Girl I suggest you do. Although Enna Burning follows another character there are some things from the first book that is spoiled in this book. So if you haven't, stop reading this review and go pick up the first book.
Now onto my thoughts!
The first problem I have with this book involves the first half of the book. I wasn't engaged. I had trouble continue reading it and honestly at one stage was about to dnf (did not finish) the book, but I didn't and I am glad (kinda). The second half of the book was better and I was entertained. I had this problem with the first book as well so you have to give the books a chance.
*This paragraph contains spoilers and a rant*
Something that really annoyed me was the instant love that happened out of nowhere. It literally only lasted for one chapter and it seemed so unrealistic. So Enna is captured by the enemy of the war and is drugged for most of the time. Sileph, the captain of the enemy, shows some kind of kindness to her and all of a sudden she is in love with him. Like literally a line in the book was "Enna was in love with Sileph all week.". They literally met not long before this and he was drugging her. And then as soon as Enna found out that Sileph was lying to her she all of a sudden was not in love with him... like come on?! How unrealistic and stupid. Who would believe what the enemy would say when he is in the middle of drugging you? This was honestly the most stupidest thing I have ever read. If Enna had a brain she shouldn't have trusted Sileph. And I swear before she was captured she was falling in love with another character. How does one go from falling in love with another character to instantly falling in love with the enemy? It doesn't happen... ever! And then Sileph shows up out of nowhere later on and Enna, acting sensible, doesn't fall for his lies. About time!
I read this pretty quickly but it was only because I wanted to finish this as quickly as a could. It isn't that it is a horrible book, and it truly isn't, if it was I wouldn't have finished reading it. I just didn't like this as much as I liked The Goose Girl.
I love the world that Hale has created in these two books. It is interesting and I am some what excited to continue learning about it.
The ending was beautiful... see not all hate for this book.
I do plan on continuing the series, I have the third and final book on my shelf ready to be read but don't know if I will read them straight away.
I rated this book 3 out of 5 stars.
Goodreads link (where you can keep up with my reading and thoughts: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/27019999-amelia
Use this Book depository link to buy The Books of Bayern series or other books and I will receive a 5% commission: http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=ameliainwonderland