It’s 1957 and a different world. Sarah, a 16-year-old girl has been living on her father’s farm for all her life. With World War 2 on the horizon and the launching of Russia’s satellite, Sarah’s life starts to slowly morph into chaos.They are not proud of it, but Sarah and her father are hiring a dragon called Kazimir to rid their fields of trees in an attempt to save their farm before it is sold and torn apart. They are also trying to distract themselves from the looming danger.
There is more to this mysterious dragon then meets the eye. He claims he is there to save Sarah from an assassin. Whether or not she can trust him is the question she has to ask herself before her life and the people in it are changed forever.
Malcom is an assassin who must kill a girl he doesn’t even know to save the world from humans and to protect the dragons.
He is a believer, meaning he respects the dragons as if they are gods and is led by Mitera Thea. When he meets a boy who he begins to gain affection for, he starts to question his task. He realises it was all a trap, but too late. After discovering Mitera Thea’s true intentions for sending him on his assassin mission, his world is also forever changed. I recommend you read this book of mystery, fear, adventure, magic, and fantasy.
I enjoyed this book because it was told in extreme detail making it easy and fun to imagine the scenery. I also loved how author Patrick Ness incorporated the dragons into the setting of the beginnning of World War 2. I have always loved dragons and Patrick Ness has described them and their personalities beautifully.
Compare our former KBR review of Burn by Karen Mitchell. Great to have a child's POV!
Title: BurnAuthor: Patrick Ness
Illustrator: Alejandro Colucci
Publisher: Walker Books, $24.99
Publication date: May 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781406398854
For ages: 14+
Type: Young Adult Fiction
