Burn Bright by Bethany Frenette {Review}

Burn Bright by Bethany Frenette
♦publisher: Disney Hyperion
♦release date: February 25th, 2014
♦hardcover, 352 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦ series: Dark Star, book 2
              review of book 1
♦source: from publisher for honest review

*Fair warning: description and review may contain slight spoilers for book 1.*

Audrey Whitticomb saved her entire city.

Well, kind of. The superhero Morning Star (who just happens to be Audrey's mom) might have played a small part, and her sidekick, Leon—Audrey's sort-of boyfriend, who is gorgeous... and frustrating—maybe helped, too.

But after two peaceful months, there is a vicious new threat in Minneapolis. Her name is Susannah, and she's a Harrower, a demon hell-bent on destroying people like Morning Star, Leon, and Audrey—the Kin. Like others before her, she seeks the Remnant, a Kin girl who has the power to unleash the inhabitants of the Beneath. But to what end?

Audrey already has a ton on her plate: dealing with her best friend Tink's boy drama, helping her other best friend Gideon figure out his nightmares, and exploring the highs and lows of "dating" Leon. But when she develops a powerful new ability, Audrey seizes on the chance to fight, despite her mother's protests and Leon's pleas.

As Audrey gets closer to figuring out Susannah's motives and tracking down the Remnant, she'll uncover more than she bargained for. The terrible truth is staring Audrey in the face. But knowing the truth and accepting it are very different things.

Review: Though I readily admit that it may have been a timing issue, I had a hard time getting into Burn Bright.  I recall that the very beginning of Dark Star was kind of slow for me as well, but this one didn’t really grab me until over halfway into the book. 

There were many things about the plot that felt like a “middle book”, lots of little details that are building up to a big battle between Harrower and Kin in book three. Still, it did have its own exciting story arc and some really great shocking moments and reveals, even a few touching moments that had me tearing up a little. It centers, however, around a Harrower trying to find the Remnant to bring down the Kin---which is much the same as the first book.  There is a new scary demon running amok, taking out Kin, but there is also a new rogue guardian on the scene carelessly taking out all demons, even the ones that live peacefully in the human world. Though he was far from being a likable character, I was captivated by his backstory.

The budding romance between Leon and Audrey takes an interesting turn.  They are still cautious with each other since they are unsure how their romance will affect Leon being her Guardian---which it does. Not in a good way.  They’ve gone from playful bickering in book one, to romance, to full-blown arguing through this book, so don’t expect a lot of warm-fuzzy romance.  Well, a little bit…but not a lot. :)

My favorite part of the story is still the dynamic between Audrey and her mother. They have such a complex relationship. Even with such outlandish situations all around them, the two of them, as mother and daughter, still ring true.

Despite a few issues, all the little details and twists that popped up in this installment definitely will have me picking up book three---I have the feeling that what we find out about Gideon is going to lead to a frenzy of excitement and heartbreak. 

Find Bethany Frenette online:  Website  •  Twitter

Purchase Dark Star: Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound

Becky's View: Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

Dark Star by Bethany Frenette
♦publisher: Disney-Hyperion
♦released: October 23, 2012
♦hardcover, 368 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult
♦series: Dark Star, book 1
♦source: sent for honest review

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers--livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight.

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything--and everyone--she loves.

Review: Bethany Frenette’s Dark Star, despite a bit of a slow start, ended up being a story I really enjoyed.  The writing is fun and casual and was the perfect way to tell this story.  Sometimes I have a hard time taking superhero-type stories seriously, but this is not your run-of-the-mill superhero story, leaning more toward paranormal fantasy.  They aren’t so much superheroes, but rather Guardians that protect the world from being taken over by an ancient race of demons.  

When the story opens, we meet Audrey.  She has a great humor and I love how protective she is of her mom---how protective they are of each other, actually. Despite the odd situation, their relationship felt very genuine, with it’s good moments and it’s struggles.  Audrey is used to living with secrets---on top of her own subtle powers of perception, she has to hide the fact that her mom is Morning Star, defender of the city by night, complete with a dedicated sidekick and mild-mannered alter ego by day.  Mom’s biggest secret is one that she’s kept from even Audrey to protect her, but when she winds up being the next victim in a series of attacks on teen girls, that secret is forced out. Suddenly, a whole new world opens up for Audrey and makes her feel part of something both special and incredibly terrifying. 

Leon, the sidekick is the bane of Audrey’s existence, always on her case like a bossy older sibling.  If anyone could make her snarky, snotty side come out, it’s him.  I actually couldn’t help but love the guy.  He’s a bit bossy, yes, but in a protective way---and he spends his down time as a baker, often popping into the room smelling like cookies (gotta love that!).  I loved how their relationship evolved over time and sort of naturally hit both complications and touching moments as little truths begin to surface.  

There are some great action scenes, heart-pounding, intense, and really visually written.  The demons are just creepy enough to set the spine tingling, mysterious and lurking and predatory. The actual villain and his accomplice felt a tiny bit cliché, but entertaining none the less.  

Definitely one to check out! Don’t go into it expecting the traditional superhero story---this one is not as it appears at first glance! I’ll definitely be checking out the sequel, Burn Bright, out February 2014!

Find Bethany Frenette online:  Website  •  Twitter

Purchase Dark Star: Amazon  •  BookDepository  •  Indiebound