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Burn

A tale of dragons, prophecy, and unexpected connections

Patrick Ness author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Walker Books Ltd

Published:6th May '21

Should be back in stock very soon

Burn cover

A gripping tale of dragons, prophecies, and the quest for redemption unfolds in Burn, where Sarah Dewhurst faces unexpected dangers.

In Burn, Patrick Ness weaves an intricate tale of revenge, redemption, and the unexpected bond between a girl and a dragon. Set against the backdrop of a cold Sunday evening in 1957, Sarah Dewhurst and her father wait for Kazimir, a dragon he has hired to assist on their farm. What begins as a simple job quickly escalates into a complex narrative filled with danger and intrigue. Kazimir is not just any dragon; he possesses a depth that intrigues Sarah, who finds herself drawn to him despite the warnings surrounding dragons and their supposed lack of souls.

As the story unfolds, Sarah discovers that Kazimir's arrival is tied to a prophecy that involves not only a deadly assassin and a cult of dragon worshippers but also two FBI agents. The stakes rise as Sarah becomes entangled in a web of fate that she could never have anticipated. The narrative explores themes of fanaticism, hope, bravery, and the possibility of second chances in a world on the brink of destruction.

Burn is a heart-stopping exploration of the human condition, showcasing how even in the darkest of times, there is room for hope and redemption. With its richly developed characters and a plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, this novel is a testament to Ness's talent for crafting stories that resonate deeply and challenge perceptions of monsters and humanity.

Simon Mayo selected Burn as one of his favourite reads of 2020, praising: “Revenge, redemption, the Cold War and dragons. Another great tale from the master with the best opening line of any book this year…” -- Simon Mayo
Ness is on tip-top form here, deftly propelling a complex plot… Ness shows that although monsters exist in every world, there are many more who wish to overcome them; and that even in the smoking ruins of civilisation, there is room for hope. * The Guardian, Book of the Day *
Award-winner Ness excels himself in this powerful allegory about a rare, fire-breathing dragon whose arrival on a mid-western U.S. farm in the Cold War 1950s incites an FBI chase, a time-slip family drama, a love story and an exposé of the racist, homophobic and sexist attitudes of the time. Incendiary stuff. * The Daily Mail & The Scottish Daily Mail *
Ness’s latest YA blockbuster follows prophecies of Armageddon in a world where dragons are real, prejudice bites and teens find love across the divides. * The Guardian *
PREJUDICES — racist, sexist and homophobic — underpin this extraordinary story set in 1957, during the increasingly tense Cold War. Enter dragon-worship cults, a hired assassin, FBI agents, a time-slip love story… FABULOUS in every sense of the word. * The Daily Mail *

  • Short-listed for UKLA Book Award 2021 (UK)
  • Short-listed for Hounslow and Ealing Teen Read 2021 (UK)
  • Short-listed for CrimeFest Awards (Best Crime Novel for YA) 2021 (UK)
  • Short-listed for Frances Muers Award for Young Adult Fiction 2021
  • Short-listed for Trinity Schools Book Award 2024 (UK)

ISBN: 9781406393972

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 26mm

Weight: 343g

384 pages