Enna Burning (Books of Bayern) [Paperback]

Shannon Hale (Author)

Book Description

Series: Books of Bayern | Publication Date: March 2, 2009

Enna and Princess Ani became fast friends in The Goose Girl, but now that Ani is married to Prince Geric, Enna returns to the forest. Then Enna's simple life changes for ever when she learns of her power to wield fire. Enna is convinced that she can use her ability for good - to fight Tira, the kingdom threatening the Bayern borders. But the power of the fire grows stronger and she is soon barely able to control it. Enna becomes more and more reckless and is captured by the Tiran army. A handsome and manipulative young captain drugs and holds Enna prisoner until Ani and her old friends Finn, and Razo attempt to free her. But has the desire to burn already gone too far?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10–This companion volume to The Goose Girl (Bloomsbury, 2003) focuses on the best friend of that novel's heroine, Princess Isi. Two years have passed, and 16-year-old Enna has returned to the Forest to care for her dying mother. Her older brother finds a mysterious piece of vellum that teaches him to set fires with neither flint nor spark. The warm energy of the fire turns destructive as Leifer becomes controlled by the desire to burn. When Bayern goes to war, he wins a battle by burning the enemy, but dies as well. Enna discovers the vellum and its power and hopes that her new knowledge will help her protect Isi and all of Bayern, but it puts her and her loved ones in mortal danger. In some gory battle scenes, Enna burns hundreds of people alive, winning the war, but nearly dying herself. Like her ability to fire-speak, Isi's gift of wind-speak is similarly out of control. In hopes of discovering a remedy to their problems, the two young women set off for a kingdom in the south where fire-worshippers live. The answer lies in balance. Not a retelling of a fairy tale, this is an original tale that stands on its own. With a richly detailed setting, eloquent descriptions, a complex plot, a large cast of characters, and romance, this high fantasy will be welcomed both by fans of The Goose Girl and those who have yet to discover it.–Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 8-11. Enna, the plucky Forest maiden who befriended The Goose Girl's (2003) princess-in-disguise, decisively assumes the role of heroine in this meaty, sprawling companion, which will enchant even readers unfamiliar with the first book. After Enna learns to speak the language of fire, she believes she can avoid the gruesome fate of her brother, who died wielding the same power against an invading army. Soon enough, though, the urge to burn becomes irresistible; indeed, Hale's visceral descriptions of Enna's fire lust, a yearning that "twisted like a snake in her fist," wouldn't be out of place in a novel about a more realistic kind of addiction. It must be said that readers will need a high tolerance for grisly violence and leisurely plot development, and the payoff at the end of the book may be overly tidy. But this novel's pulsing heart lies in rich writing and sharply drawn characters, elements that will be devoured by genre fans just like kindling beneath flames. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books (March 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747597995
• ISBN-13: 978-0747597995
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,396,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Shannon Hale is the author of five award-winning young adult novels, including the bestselling Newbery Honor book Princess Academy. Austenland is her first book for adults. She and her husband are co-writing a series of graphic novels, and live with their two small children in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Burning with a Passion, May 27, 2005

By 

Nancy (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Enna Burning (Books of Bayern) (Hardcover)

In Enna Burning, Isi's closest friend Enna discovers the gift of fire-speaking, and the story follows her struggle to contain it and understand her newfound and complicated desires to burn. But the power to burn is not so lovely as it might seem, and Enna cannot control it so well as she might imagine. The power to burn continues to consume her as a slow-burning fire will consume a log, until the situation is dire and Enna can do nothing but fight against the fire in her.

Enna Burning is a totally different animal than The Goose Girl, admittedly. However, it's refreshing to see such a different slant on the characters in this companion to The Goose Girl. Now one will see characters (in a third-person manner) through Enna's eyes. No one is exactly the same as they are in Goose Girl, perhaps the most interesting of these being Isi and Finn. Now we see Isi as a queen and a friend, rather than a quiescent and unlikely heroine, and Finn as a strong and capable "friend". Enna is a complete opposite of Isi, headstrong and confident and... well, fiery. For some Goose Girl fans it may be difficult to adjust to this stark contrast, but for others it will be refreshing and complex.

Enna Burning is written so masterfully that one will find oneself agreeing with whatever Enna thinks at the time, no matter how obviously wrong she may be about a person or a situation. There is a sense of urgency and danger that does not exist in Goose Girl, as Enna constantly struggles against the tide of fire within her, and often nearly loses control. This desperation only adds to the passion of the story, and makes the turning of each page more and more necessary. Like in Goose Girl, you may have to reread Enna Burning to get everything, because you will be so eager to see what else happens that you might miss a good deal.

Ms Hale has outdone herself, going far beyond what would have made an interesting and worthwhile read. I cannot urge you enough to read this fantastic story.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shannon Hale is AMAZING, June 18, 2005

By 

S. Roth (Bothell, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Enna Burning (Books of Bayern) (Hardcover)

In Enna Burning as well as The Goose Girl you see interesting pictures of girls growing into women. Both Isi and Enna are trying to find their place in the world. Enna is looking for some way to help others. She wants to understand and to grow as a person. She wants to help her friends, her brother, and her country. In this desire she puts herself at risk. Enna learns the dangers of meddling in things that you don't understand, and also the beauty of life and the horror of war.

Shannon Hale has an amazing way of making you care about the characters. You understand Enna and her wants and desires. You even understand why she does horrible things. You relate to her and you grow to love her. You want her to succeed.

This book is amazing. I have recommended Shannon Hale to countless friends and family members. If you are looking for two books, buy The Goose Girl and Enna Burning. You won't be sorry.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Much darker than Goose Girl, June 8, 2007

By 

L. Stinson (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Enna Burning (Books of Bayern) (Paperback)

I can't fault Shannon Hale's marvelous writing. Once again, her characterization is amazing. It was the story itself that makes me give it three stars. This book is decidedly darker, as there is an attempted rape scene, mass-murder, and Enna deals with emotions that echo strongly of lust (which fire, her gift, has always been associated with). Also, I felt the end was wrapped up too quickly, almost like the author was eager to finish this book and start on another one. "Princess Academy" is still her best work.