There were parts of this book that I really liked but, there were parts that really were awesome but others that really bothered me. I do not know what bothered me except for the fact that I really loved the idea of the story just not the story itself. I had a hard time liking the main character in the book. For some reason she really annoyed me I think I found her a little odd and not in a good way. The "baby bat" saying also annoyed the hell out of me. I think it was just one of those books that were "Over" worked and at this time it was just a little strange. ( )

Retra doesn't want to go to Ixion, the island of ever-night. Retra is a Seal - sealed minds, sealed community. She doesn't crave parties and pleasure like all the others. But her brother left for Ixion two years ago, and Retra is determined to find him. Braving the pain of her obedience strip to escape the only home she's ever known, Retra finds herself drawn deeper into the intoxicating world of Ixion. ( )

Burn Bright offers a world of pleasure and partying where darkness reigns and mysterious creatures stalk in the night. In this unique setting we follow Retra, who has journeyed to Ixion to find her brother, on her incredible journey of discovery as she lets go of everything she knows and embraces a new world.

The setting of the novel is breathtakingly beautiful and creepy at the same time. I, like Retra, was disoriented at first because of its strangeness. However, Retra's journey is reflected in her understanding of Ixion: her initial confusion and isolation are evident at first, but as she slowly comes out of her shell, details begin to make sense to her, and by proxy, the readers. Retra's perception of her surroundings is also shifted midway through the novel and this is probably the place when things started to become clearer for me. There is still a lot to explore in this new world, however, and I am glad that the end of this book hints at Retra expanding her horizons in the books that follow.

Retra is a great character whom I instantly liked. Despite her obvious struggles to adjust to the flamboyant and carefree ways of her fellows after her austere lifestyle in Grave, I think her strength is obvious because of how she handles the changes and stress. Suki is correct is surmising that people often mistake quietness for weakness, and I think it's wonderful that Retra can be simultaneously private and strong. I really like Suki, I think she makes a great friend for Retra and provides an excellent counterpoint for her tendency to be withdrawn. Although I would have expected Suki to push the boundaries a little more at Ixion because she comes from an island where women rule, I think overall her character is well realised and fun.

The aspect that really stands out for me about Burn Bright is the writing - everything about it is polished and well executed. Marianne de Pierres never wastes a word, and the result is a story that not only entertains, but is also a pleasure to read. Commendably, the author unflinchingly explores the darkest elements of human nature, and leaves readers with a sense of awe.

Burn Bright is a compelling read, one I encourage everyone to try, and I am looking forward to see where the author takes the story in Angel Arias. Although it's marketed as a YA novel I think it will be enjoyed by readers of varied ages and tastes.

You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic. ( )

Retra has wanted to escape to Ixion ever since her brother abandoned her to go there. She lives in an oppressive society where she is a Seal, who upholds this society that denies human nature and things like pleasure and freedom. Ixion is the exact opposite of her home, Grave. Teens from everywhere go there to party, imbibe in various intoxicants, and revel in freedom. Retra finally escapes to Ixion, despite the extreme pain of the obedience strip on her leg, only to find that it's much darker and more dangerous than she realized. Her brother is nowhere to be found and she is drawn deeper and deeper into the disorienting and intoxicating parties. The Ripers, the leaders and guardians of Ixion, are mysterious and not as benevolent as they appear. Can Retra keep from getting sucked into this decadent world and escape with her brother?

I went into this book thinking it would be just like all the other young adult dystopian fiction out there. I was pleasantly surprised and completely blown away by the dark world and strange characters. Grave, the awful place Retra grew up in, was oppressive and horrible. There were no freedoms and obedience was obtained through pain and systematic torture. As the story unfolds, more of her past is revealed, going as far as showing that sexual abuse and abuse of power was commonplace with the officials there. Ixion was supposed to be the ultimate experience for teenagers with its constant parties, availability of intoxicants, and encouragement to give into base desires. Underneath all of that, the inhabitants were still kept ignorant of the actual workings of the place, just as in Grave. Retra essentially traded one dystopia for another possibly more dangerous one. Ixion was home to night creatures and Ripers (who I kept calling Rippers in my head, which seemed to be more appropriate). Night creatures were frightening. Any time one of the teens would veer into the darkness, they would be immediately attacked by night creatures, savage and hungry grotesqueries. Their origin proved to be so much more chilling than their attacks. The Ripers make everyone think they are guardians and just want to protect the teens, but they are split into opposing factions: one that wants to continue as it has always been and another that wants to change their ways to pursue more selfish endeavors. I was interested, yet repulsed by both the night creatures and the Rip(p)ers.

The characters were engaging for the most part and served an interesting purpose. Retra wasn't the most charismatic character, but her strength and determination were undeniable. At first, her unease with everything in Ixion kind of got on my nerves, but it was understandable looking at where she came from. She grew on my over the course of the novel because she was willing to stand up to the Ripers and protect her friends when no one else would. It was odd that she changed her name about halfway through the book, but her whole demeanor changed too and it actually made sense with the events of the novel. Suki was a friend that Retra made in Ixion who was from a completely different place where women are warriors and men are subservient, the opposite of Retra's world. She, and other characters, showed how Ixion was the culmination of many different cultures that were completely unaware of each other. I really liked Suki because she was a warrior and stuck by her friends. Lenoir, the head Riper, was a bit like the Darkling from Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone. I went through a lot of the book trying to decide which side of the evil/good spectrum he was on. I liked him even though he gave Retra the runaround a lot when she tried to ask clear questions.

The only part of the book that didn't work for me was the romance (as usual). Retra fell for a random guy on the boat to Ixion and held on to that random crush for the whole novel. I didn't like him and found him to be annoying and unworthy of Retra's affections. The only good thing about him was his ability to play the guitar. Other than this one annoying and lackluster character, Burn Bright was just about perfect. The novel went places I didn't expect and pushed my perception of young adult novels. I can't wait to read the sequel Angel Arias and anything else Marianne de Pierres writes. ( )

Marianne de Pierres is a master of world-building. An island cloaked in eternal night. Ancient gothic churches built on the side of a volcano. Pirates, Wardens, Ripers, Peaks, Baby Bats. Strange, terrifying night creatures. Whispered voices in the dark. The world she has created is rich, seductive, and frightening. Her descriptions, her crafted language, her tantalizing hints of things beyond what we’re allowed to see serve to make a world that seems enormous with incredible depth, history and innumerable secrets. Without a doubt Ixion and the world that surrounds it is one of the most intriguing I’ve ever been sucked into.


The plot of this book largely revolves around the mysteries of Ixion and the greater world that surrounds it, and it’s utterly gripping. I loved that it kept me constantly guessing. I was able to correctly theorize about some things that were going on, but de Pierres did an excellent job of keeping me happily in the dark until the time was right to reveal certain answers. The mystery she’s woven throughout Burn Bright was compelling and complex and kept me flipping page after page, eager to discover Ixion’s secrets.


Retra was a fascinating and compelling protagonist. She was easy for me to relate to and just made me care. Her discomfort at the beginning of the novel was easy to sympathize with, and from those first uneasy steps onto Ixion’s unfamiliar shores, Retra’s character really begins to grow into herself. One of the reasons she appeals to me was that despite the changes she undergoes as a character, she remains true to herself. Despite the outside forces that would pressure her, she has backbone and refuses to bend to anyone’s agenda. She fights injustice where she finds it, protects those she cares about even at great cost to herself. Even though she lives in a place where one’s selfish desires could completely overwhelm every other impulse, she has a self-control and a fierceness that I find admirable.


Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of Burn Bright is what it had to say in regard to the idea of freedom. Teenagers from all over Retra’s world are fleeing a life of dissatisfaction in order to live without care and to party on the pleasure island of Ixion. In Retra’s case, the Grave promises little to her but a silent life of torment. Closely monitored, tortured, lonely and confined, Retra is little more than a prisoner in Seal South. Granted, the Seal compound is completely on the extreme side of the spectrum; however, the entirety of Grave practices a form of Asceticism, or a self-denial of pleasure, and enforces this lifestyle on all of it’s citizens. Retra is denied even life’s simple enjoyments – friends, music, even her mother brushing her hair – and it’s not hard to see why she longs for escape after her one friend – the person who made her life just slightly more bearable – her brother Joel fled to Ixion. However, though Ixion boasts few rules, “freedom” may come at a steeper price than Retra and her friends anticipate. Trading dystopia for the unknown darkness and the creatures that haunt it, is Ixion just another prison masquerading in shinier, prettier trappings? Beware baby bats, every pleasure has its price.


When it comes right down to it, the book is somewhat a statement on Hedonism vs. Asceticism. While I’m not quite sure where exactly de Pierres falls in this argument – as this is a trilogy and I’m sure her viewpoint will be made more clear as the story progresses – I personally view Burn Bright as a kind of cautionary tale about the dangers of extremes. When a society removes or restricts a person’s ability to utilize an essential piece of the human condition, for example the need for restraint or the need for pleasure, trouble is sure to abound. In this particular case extreme abstinence can be as dangerous as pandering to every whim and pleasure. Life requires balance. These two things cannot successfully exist without the other, and there is always a price to pay for visiting the extremes of either. Though I’m not sure if this was what the author intended to communicate, it was the message that came through to me.


De Pierres’ unique writing style took a little getting used to at the beginning of the book. I also found myself wishing for a bit more character development in the supporting cast, as I didn’t feel a particularly strong attachment to any of them except perhaps Suki. However, this is only Act One — the introduction — so I’m sure more character development is coming in the next two books. Also, at times the dialogue felt a little stilted and awkward, and jarred me out of the story. Despite these small issues, the book was one I thoroughly enjoyed and I cannot wait for Angel Arias!


Overall, Marianne de Pierres has created in Burn Bright something that is original, fresh, intoxicating and excitingly terrifying. The world and story is one I’m sad I have to leave, so thank goodness the next book comes out in just under two weeks!

* Due to some mature content and substance usage, I would recommend this book for older teens. ( )