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Thursday, April 2, 2015

Burn Out by Kristi Helvig Review

Burn Out by Kristi Helvig
Format: ebook, 272 pages
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Most people want to save the world; seventeen-year-old Tora Reynolds just wants to get the hell off of it. One of the last survivors in Earth's final years, Tora yearns to escape the wasteland her planet has become after the sun turns "red giant," but discovers her fellow survivors are even deadlier than the hostile environment.

Holed up in an underground shelter, Tora is alone--her brilliant scientist father murdered, her mother and sister burned to death. She dreams of living on a planet with oceans, plants, and animals. Unfortunately, the oceans dried out ages ago, the only plants are giant cacti with deadly spines, and her pet, Trigger, is a gun--one of the bio-energetic weapons her father created for the government before his conscience kicked in.

When family friend, Markus, arrives with mercenaries to take the weapons by force, Tora's fury turns to fear when government ships descend in an attempt to kill them all. She forges an unlikely alliance with Markus and his rag-tag group of raiders, including a smart but quiet soldier named James. Tora must quickly figure out who she can trust, as she must choose between saving herself by giving up the guns or honoring her father's request to save humanity from the most lethal weapons in existence.


I received Strange Skies (the sequel to Burn Out) on Netgalley and thought that I should get my hands on this book and give it a go before trying instead of starting with the sequel. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. I had never heard of it before and since it was so little I didn't expect much out of it. Oh boy, Burn Out should be talked about more. Tora is badass and the plot had a lot of twists and turns that left me wanting more. It's fast-paced, action-packed, and heart-wrenching. Plus, there is a smokin' hot guy in it.



1) As I said already, Tora is badass. She has a smart mouth, she's pretty smart, and can handle herself.

2) This book--at least for me--wasn't predictable at all. It kept me guessing and none of my guesses were even remotely close. Just when you think you've figured everything out Helvig throws you for a loop.

3) I really liked James. First off, I have to say that having the male lead be a soldier and a doctor? Helvig, I like your style. I mean, I was practically drooling as soon as he came onto the scene. He's a more than a hot guy though, he's super complex and I need to find out more about him.

4) This book held a consistent fast-pace that made me feel like I was right in the middle of all the action.

5) There is a lot of snark throughout this book that made me clutch my sides. It was especially present in the dialogue which is always a good thing.


1) I'm impressed with how much Helvig was able to develop plot and character wise considering how small her book is in size. At the same time, I felt that if she had elongated her book and spent a tad more time developing the characters I'd be more attached and be more invested into them.



Rage was useless, hope only brought pain, and love ended in death.

"Do you really need a gun to solve this?"

I flashed a coy smile and batted my eyes, trying to ignore the tightness in my throat. "My father told me a girl should never be alone with a boy without protection." I held Trigger steady. "What can I say? I'm a careful girl."

I'd give you guys more quotes but that would give too much of it away and I really don't want to spoil this one =) 


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