Patrick Ness, "Burn"

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Patrick Ness, "Burn"

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On a cold Sunday evening in early 1957, Sarah Dewhurst waited with her father in the parking lot of the Chevron gas station for the dragon he’d hired to help on the farm….
Sarah Dewhurst and her father, outcasts in their little town of Frome, Washington, are forced to hire a dragon to work their farm, something to which only the poorest of the poor ever have to resort.

The dragon, Kazimir, has more to him than meets the eye, though. Sarah can’t help but be curious about him, an animal who supposedly doesn’t have a soul but who is seemingly intent on keeping her safe.

Because the dragon knows something she doesn’t. He has arrived at the farm with a prophecy on his mind. A prophecy that involves a deadly assassin, a cult of dragon worshippers, two FBI agents in hot pursuit - and somehow, Sarah Dewhurst herself.

Review
Ness has never been afraid to push boundaries when it comes to genre exploration, but this is a truly magnificent piece of fiction…. The concept is striking, the characters compelling, and the story enthralling. Even for Ness, this is a singular effort." (Booklist)

"The densely layered, expertly paced plot builds and twists while revealing an alternate universe that cunningly echoes our world and its history." (Publishers Weekly)

"Ness brings together history, fantasy, and science fiction in one masterful stroke, interweaving the tropes of each genre to create a unique blend that offers readers an unpredictable but impeccably paced mind trip." (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)

"This fast-paced narrative has elements of alternate history, fantasy, multiverse, and apocalyptic literature. The many plot twists and multiple perspectives create an intensity that makes this a page-turner…A gripping, powerful novel of courage and resilience."
(Kirkus Reviews)

"A wild ride of fanaticism, redemption, assasins and dragon-worshippers. Mind-bending in the best possible way." (The Observer)

"Ness brilliantly juggles these multi-layered themes and twisting plot lines while creating a world where dragons are as richly imagined as humans and engage our emotions just as forcefully. He is a remarkable talent." (Daily Mail)

About the Author
Patrick Ness is best known for his books for young adults, including the Chaos Walking trilogy and More Than This. Twice in a rowfor Monsters of Men and A Monster Callshe won the Carnegie Medal, the oldest and most prestigious book award for childrens writing in the UK. A Monster Calls was also the first book ever to simultaneously win the Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration. Ness has taught creative writing at Oxford University and is a literary critic for the Guardian. Born in Virginia, he lives in London.