I didn’t know what to expect with this one, but I loved how unique and strange it was. I didn’t realize it was part of a series, but judging by the way it ended, it certainly could be, and I’d be glad to have a sequel. Even with so much uncertainty about the future at the end, it still works as a stand-alone—there was enough resolution for that. But I wouldn’t say no to seeing more of these characters, especially Kazimir and Malcolm.
The two parts were very different, and I was somewhat disoriented at the beginning of Part 2, but I loved how characters I thought I’d never see again were brought back into the story, and the inevitability of their coming together to face what was possibly the end of the world. I didn’t mind the multiple POVs either—there weren’t so many that it hurt characterization really. I don’t usually like when I get the villains’ POVs, and that was true for this book too. I’m not sure how we could have done without them, but I didn’t like being in their heads.
Really original dragon fantasy—I loved it!
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I just didn’t get it. Half way through I was like, wait what and then it turned. I listened to the audiobook which may have been the issue. There were times when I had no idea who was talking. Just not my cup of tea... ( )

Meh. I don't actually care enough to leave a rating.

It had some good plot twists but in the end it wasn't enough to get me interested. Just not the story for me.

This is one crazy ass and original book! ( )

2020 might be a year of discovering awesome new books about dragons, since this is not the first new release I’ve come across this year that has been a fantastic read - must do some research and see if there are any other dragon books I should add to my list! Publishing trends or not, Burn was an excellent read and I shall be looking out for more from Patrick Ness. The story starts out simply, in a universe similar to ours during the 1950s, but in which dragons exist alongside humans in an uneasy truce. The story quickly escalates as we are introduced to a cast of characters attempting to cause or prevent a world war and total annihilation across multiple storylines. Usually this straightforward type of story is not my thing, but I was immediately drawn into the characters who are a wholly unique and diverse cast with well-developed and engaging personalities that easily draw us in to their backstories and motivations - regardless of whether we think they are “good” or “bad” characters, as life is not quite that simple. As the (potential) end of the world draws nearer the cast’s storylines converge and intersect in interesting ways, causing betrayals, discoveries, and ultimately an incredibly engaging climax and conclusion. I won’t give away the ending, because damn it’s a good twist, but let’s just say kudos to Ness for giving us an awesome story and ending with a revelation that keeps things open and gives us some food for thought. Afterall, maybe some people are just more purely dragon inside than others, and maybe others have different types of hidden magic! ( )