Monday, February 8, 2016

Review: Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie

Title: Burning Glass
Author: Kathryn Purdie
Series: Book One in the Burning Glass Series
Published By: Katherine Tegen (March 1, 2016)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!


Book Description:
Sonya was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel—both physically and emotionally—a gift she’s kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.

Tasked with sensing the intentions of would-be assassins, Sonya is under constant pressure to protect the emperor. One mistake, one small failure, will cost her own life and the lives of the few people left in the world who still trust her.

But Sonya’s power is untamed and reckless, her feelings easily usurped, and she sometimes can’t decipher when other people’s impulses end and her own begin. In a palace full of warring emotions and looming darkness, Sonya fears that the biggest danger to the empire may be herself.

As she struggles to wrangle her abilities, Sonya seeks refuge in her tenuous alliances with the volatile Emperor Valko and his idealistic younger brother, Anton, the crown prince. But when threats of revolution pit the two brothers against each other, Sonya must choose which brother to trust—and which to betray.

BURNING GLASS is debut author Kathryn Purdie’s stunning tale of dangerous magic, heart-rending romance, and the hard-won courage it takes to let go.










This was one of my most anticipated reads from Harper Teen for 2016. Between the gorgeous cover, the kick butt synopsis and the hopes that this would be something unique and fun, I was so excited to start it and hoped like crazy it would live up to all those pretty promises that both cover and synopsis claimed. 

I am thrilled to report that this was a nonstop, can't put down, page turner for me. Ms. Purdie's debut novel held  and captured my attention like only a well written fantasy novel can. 

It was unique, different, fun, and had a plot line that kept me guessing and turning the pages. With a protagonist that wasn't always likable but still easy to read about. 

With an almost old world historic feel and yet the thrill of a new magic filled fantasy land where anything can happen with it's unknown horrors, dangers and magic, this truly lived up to all my expectations and ended up being a read that was every bit as hard to put down as I was hoping it would be. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

51 comments:

  1. old world and magic feel. sounds pretty awesome to me.

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  2. It sounds interesting, welle done and different! SOmething we can only be intereted in! thanks for the review!

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  3. SO excited to read this! Glad you liked it! Thanks for your thoughts :D

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  4. I love your description of this book, Ali and how you made me feel, but I don't know how I would feel about the two brothers. I still need to think about this one, but I'm happy it was a winner for you! :)

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    1. That was a bit odd but not a love triangle if that helps.

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  5. Ooh I must check if a copy is still available in EW. I hope it's not romance heavy?

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    1. It's still there to grab! Not too romance heavy but it is there and it is prominent in a way, hard to describe without giving anything away.

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  6. OH GOOD!!!1 This was one of my most anticipated 2016 reads too Ali, so I'm thrilled to know it lived up to expectation for you! Can't wait to start it:)

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  7. The historic feel just killed it for me. I don't know why I can't get into it. Ehh maybe, I actually might have this one actually. This is what happens when you have all the books lol.

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    1. LOL, I know that feeling. It does feel historic but the talking isn't and honestly, it isn't too much if that makes sense. It doesn't "feel" like a historical would it's just present and there.

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  8. Ok, This book sounds wonderful *w* I´m fine, I´m perfectly fine, but T.T I need to wait until March for read this book? Wow is almost a month~ I want start to read this book today. Sounds super good and I already added this book to Goodreads list. This sounds pretty interesting. Thank you for share your review with us.
    xx

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    1. It does come out in March unless you get an ARC from Edelweiss. ;)

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  9. I am really glad to hear your liked this one. I have this one coming up in the next week for my reading schedule and I was a bit nervous about it.

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    1. It was different but I think it was good. A little slower paced at times but so interesting too. I hope you end up liking it Heidi!

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  10. I like that it had an almost historic feel. Sounds really good. Glad you enjoyed it and great review!!

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  11. Yay!! I'm so excited you loved this. I can't wait to read this soon for review. You always hope those gorgeous covers hold something just as amazing inside.
    Great review, Ali :)

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    1. So true Kim! I really hope you like this as much as I did.

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  12. I came over from Anna's blog :)
    This one is new to me, and sounds good

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by and checking my blog out, I really appreciate it!!

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  13. I enjoyed this one too. It doesn't stick with me as I hoped because I had to really think about what the plot was here from my memory. Still, it is a series I want to continue.

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    1. I'm hoping they will just get better as they go and hopefully turn out to be one heck of a series. ;)

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  14. I can't wait to read this one myself. Glad to read some positives for it. Great review!

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    1. Yeah I know not everyone loved it but I thought it was pretty fun and different so you never know, hopefully you will like it as well. :D

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  15. Ok what a great cover, I love it. Gah I just wish I could get into YA ;-)

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    1. I know, it definitely isn't a genre for everyone Debbie. ;)

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  16. I'm glad to hear you thought this lived up to most expectations! I have to admit I hadn't really heard about this. It has a really interesting premise.

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    1. It was a really interesting premises for sure. it was a nice change from the same old same old.

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  17. Oh I'm glad this one worked out for you, Ali! I can't remember the last time I've wanted a book to be so good. Lol.

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  18. I'm so glad that you loved it! This is definitely one of my most anticipated reads so that's good to hear!

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    1. Oh yay! I hope you like it Erin, it was different but I thought, in a good way. ;)

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  19. YAY! I am so happy to hear that you loved this one. It is one I am very excited to read myself.

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  20. This wasn't even on my radar, although you have me curious about this old world feel and magic So glad you enjoyed it Ali! I would not want her gift though,I tend to feel too much naturally..LOL

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    1. I agree, I am the biggest crier ever. It doesn't take much to set me off and not for sad things either, sweet things, embarrassing things, when I'm mad, it is horrible sometimes.

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  21. Sounds like a fun read. Glad it met your expectations.

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  22. I've been curious about this one. I'm glad to hear that you really ended up loving it! I'll have to consider reading it at some point.

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  23. It's always so exciting when you find one that's a spot different and unique.

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  24. Ali, your killing me! This sounds fantastic. Great review

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  25. I have read a few reviews on this so far. Everyone seems to love it. Glad it was such a good read for you!

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