Burned (Burned #1)

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4.3 (25)

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Author(s)

Ellen Hopkins

Publisher

Margaret K McElderry

Genre(s)

Poetry

Age Range

14+

Release Date

March 28, 2006

ISBN

1416903542

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I do know things really began to spin out of control after my first sex dream. It all started with a dream. Nothing exceptional, just a typical fantasy about a boy, the kind of dream that most teen girls experience. But Pattyn Von Stratten is not like most teen girls. Raised in a religious -- yet abusive -- family, a simple dream may not be exactly a sin, but it could be the first step toward hell and eternal damnation.

This dream is a first step for Pattyn. But is it to hell or to a better life? For the first time Pattyn starts asking questions. Questions seemingly without answers -- about God, a woman's role, sex, love -- mostly love. What is it? Where is it? Will she ever experience it? Is she deserving of it?

It's with a real boy that Pattyn gets into real trouble. After Pattyn's father catches her in a compromising position, events spiral out of control until Pattyn ends up suspended from school and sent to live with an aunt she doesn't know.

Pattyn is supposed to find salvation and redemption during her exile to the wilds of rural Nevada. Yet what she finds instead is love and acceptance. And for the first time she feels worthy of both -- until she realizes her old demons will not let her go. Pattyn begins down a path that will lead her to a hell -- a hell that may not be the one she learned about in sacrament meetings, but it is hell all the same.

In this riveting and masterful novel told in verse, Ellen Hopkins takes readers on an emotional roller-coaster ride. From the highs of true love to the lows of abuse, Pattyn's story will have readers engrossed until the very last word.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

A novel in poetry

February 23, 2006

Overall rating

3.0

Writing Style

N/A

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

I read this book about a month ago and waited a while before I wrote the review, in the hopes that my emotional feelings about the book would die down a little. They havent, so Im going with what my first reactions were.

The moment I turned the last page, I had two reactions: 1) What the heck just happened?? And 2) (and this one I actually said aloud, startling my cats) Well, that was about the most depressing thing ever. Before I go any farther, I should give you some background about me that will help you (hopefully) understand my reaction to this book.

Im not an overly religious person. Im pretty much a believe as you like kind of gal. I dont really understand a lot of religious groups (The Church of Latter-Day Saints included), but Im not necessarily against them either. The author or, giving the benefit of the doubt the main character feels that everything and everyone involved with the Church is evil. Like I said, I dont understand them, but I find it hard to believe that everyone in this particular town are small-minded, evil, religious zealots. [Edit: upon re-reading, I noticed that this sounds like I meant the author was against all religion...I meant only this particular Church/town, within the context of the book. Just thought I'd clear that up.] Anyway&moving on.

So. That said&this is a novel in poetry from the point of view of Pattyn Von Stratten (great name, eh?), a teenage girl having a conflict in her faith. Her family belongs to the Church of Latter Day Saints, but she feels trapped. She also feels that her parents are hypocrites (her father, for instance, is a heavy drinker and he abuses them and their mother) and that the other members of the church are just as bad.

When Pattyn disobeys her parents and the teachings of the church and begins dating a boy outside her faith, she feels herself starting to awaken to the possibilities of a whole new life. As you might expect, this ends badly when her dad discovers the relationship and Pattyns boyfriend drops her like a hot potato after a little prodding from her father.

As her mother is pregnant again with what will (hopefully, in her fathers eyes) be a boy child, Pattyn is unceremoniously packed off to live with her fathers sister, an aunt that shes hardly ever seen. Its the best thing that has ever happened in Pattyns young life. Her aunt is not part of the church and encourages her to think differently, behave differently, and ultimately, to fall in love with a college student named Ethan.

Ethan changes Pattyns life forever. They fall deeply, madly in love. These poems are the best in the collection raw and full of feeling. The reader, at this point, is rejoicing in Pattyns having found herself and having found true love.

And then, we come to the end of the book, which is slammed down upon the reader like a bullet train traveling through Tokyo. All hope flies out the window.

(At this point, Im going to be giving some spoilers, so if you dont want to know too much, skip to the last paragraph now)

In a short number of poems/pages, Pattyn discovers that her father is now beating her favorite sister. Then he picks her up to bring her home and she is the new object of his physical abuse. The church simply backs him up and when she discovers she is pregnant with Ethans child, its her fellow teenage churchgoers that turn her in. Everyone and everything conspires against her. She calls Ethan, he picks her up and then things get really crazy, as if the author were sitting there thinking Hmmmm, whats the worst possible thing that could happen? Okay&.now, how can I make that even worse??

While Pattyn and Ethan are escaping, they get in an automobile accident in which both Ethan and the baby die. When Pattyn gets out of the hospital and this is the last poem of the book she is waiting on an overpass with a rifle to shoot her father and other members of the church. This is when my say what?? reaction occurred.

(end spoiler section)

The poetry in this novel is very good, with rich imagery, and stanzas that can wrap right around you. I think the message is muddled by a little too much blatant hatred and the seemingly thrown-in inclusion of anti-nuclear/anti-government testing in the middle of the book (it feels like it comes at you from left field). But, thats only my opinion. Pattyn is a character that you grow to care about (which is why the ending hit me so hard). Id love to hear your opinion if you read this one. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

[Edit: the author was kind enough to respond to some of my points above (click on the "comments" link).]

Kimberly Pauley Top 50 Reviewer 393 reviews

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User reviews

25 reviews

5 stars

68%

4 stars

12%

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Overall rating

4.3

Writing Style

4.3(25)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

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My Burned Review

May 15, 2013

Overall rating

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Ellen Hopkins has done it again! The stories that she brings to life are amazing! These are stories that we as readers can really relate to. I always find myself so engrossed in her books that I feel like I have lost a friend once they have ended. I felt that the only reason this book deserved a 4 star instead of a 5 was because of the way the book ended. I was shocked and uncertain of how to feel with this ending. I felt that Ellen gave her readers the power to imagine their own ending for this incredible book, but I felt that I understood the characters pain too much to envision a better outcome.

Pattyn is a teenage girl suffering teenage problems plus some. Her family is Mormon and her father is an alcoholic and abusive. Pattyn does not agree with her families way of life. She wants a better life for herself, but it seems that everyone has turned their backs to her suffering. It is hard to complain and speak to people who turn their heads and see no problem with what is happening at home. Pattyn begins to rebel and act out for the attention she so anxiously craves. The outcome to these rebellious acts leads to one of the best experiences in her life.

Pattyn is sent to live with her Aunt Jeanette (Aunt J) for the summer. Her Aunt J is like no one she has ever meet before. I loved her aunts character! She is strong, open minded, laid back, and understanding. Pattyn has never met anyone like her before! Although Aunt J seems so at peace, even the happiest person has some demons in their closet. Pattyn grows closer and closer to her aunt as the summer progresses. Pattyn finds herself growing as a person and experiencing things she never thought she would. The best experience she has is meeting and falling in love with Ethan.

Ethan is the kind of guy every teenage girl dreams about. He is handsome, has morals, is a good country boy, and stands by Pattyn through her hard times. He introduces her to love and a world were Pattyn realizes just how special she is. Their love was romantic and a once in a life time love. When it was time to say goodbye at the end of the summer, they were forced to go their separate ways with more holding them together than the love they shared.

Pattyn’s return home from her summer of wonder leads to pain and abuse. Her father has become more out of hand, and her fear of no help in sight keeps her complacent. When Pattyn discovers she has more than just herself to protect, she turns to Ethan for help. This is when everything spirals out of control.

OMG make sure you have your tissues at hand when you are nearing this ending. The story grips you and drags you through the emotional roller coaster until the end. I could not detach myself from the sadness I felt at the end of this book. Ellen sure knows how to write a compelling story! I fell deep for Ethan. He was such a great guy! I also felt for Pattyn and her struggles in life. I could not imagine being in her shoes. Her conflicts were really touching. I would highly recommend Ellen’s books to readers. She is an outstanding author and her stories…. they are memorizing!

Good Points

Realistic topics/ great story

Ashley Rogers Top 500 Reviewer 32 reviews

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Coming-of-age novel told in stark, emotional verse

March 30, 2013

Overall rating

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

I sat down, right before dinner, meaning to read a few of the poems in Burned, just see what Ellen Hopkins was all about. Two hours later I was still reading, captivated by Pattyn von Stratten’s voice, her situation, her timid yet strengthening rebellions. 300 pages were gone, and I’d forgotten all about my dinner. I was quite convinced that Hopkins had found a lifelong fan in me (I still think that.)

Pattyn, the oldest of 7 daughters, is suffocating. She’s from a strict LDS family, and her dad drinks and beats his wife. Abruptly, Pattyn realizes that she is a sexual being, and that realization turns her worldview inside out. She finds a non-Mormon boyfriend, gets drunk, becomes a girl worth being friends with in the estimation of her peers. And then her dad finds out about what she’s been doing. Pattyn is sent to live on her aunt’s ranch in Nevada, where she meets Ethan and learns that, if there is a God, He’s definitely not the God her father believes in.

Up until this point, I absolutely loved Burned. The scenes where Pattyn lost control of her temper and talked back to her dad and the local bishop? Priceless scenes, proof that Pattyn von Stratten was a lady you didn’t want to mess with, in spite of her circumstances. Watching her become her own person on her aunt’s ranch was wonderful, too, though not quite as breathtaking.

It was in the last 200 pages or so where I fell out of love with this book. With Ethan on the scene, Pattyn’s thoughts went from intriguing to lovestruck. Because this novel is in poetry format, things became cheesy quickly. At one point, Hopkins compared having sex to sliding down a rainbow. Ew? And when Pattyn left the ranch, she became depressed, talking about how she needed Ethan more than life, how she loved him and would die without him. I willingly admit that I have limited tolerance for angst—especially poetic angst.

The the end—bing, bang! Book: done. It was too fast, too abrupt. I never felt the emotional backlash of what happened to Pattyn. It was rushed.

So in spite of a fantastic start, Burned wasn’t quite a perfect read, and I was a teensy bit disappointed that things turned out that way. I was all set to love this book wholeheartedly and I couldn’t do that. However, I was still massively impressed with this one, and I’m going to make a point of picking up more novels by Ellen Hopkins in the future. Any woman who can render emotion so beautifully on the page, make it so easily accessible, is the kind of person whose writing I want to experience more than once.

Renae M Top 50 Reviewer 184 reviews

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burned by ellen hopkins

November 18, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Reader reviewed by ivree ( shawtie)

Burned

By: Ellen Hopkins

Burned by; Ellen Hopkins is without a doubt the most exciting book I have ever read. It is about t a young girl named pattyn von stratten. Pattyn live in Carson City Nevada with her eight sisters. Brought up by a religious yet abusive family. She starts asking questions about god, a womans role, sex, love. Pattyn finds passion by falling in a deep lust with Derek but when her father catches her in a compromising position, event become out of control. Pattyn must spend the summer with her aunt Jeanette, as a punishment, while mom is taking on a pregnancy. Yet while in feast Nevada pattyn finds love and exception, until she realizes that the demons that once held on to her do not want to let her go.

Pattyn von stratten is a sixteen year old girl, who faces many troubles as a teenager. I can relate myself to pattyn because I started out as a good girl, always on the honor role usually the teachers pet, but once I became teenager I got wild and I dont even know why. Doing all these crazy things just to get the guys attention, and once I finally got their attention I have to I more crazy things to keep it. Pattyn does wild things and she gets caught in the act of one of the worst. She seems to want things. Pattyn is a rebel like me.

I would recommend this book to the wild group of kids in any school throughout the nation. Most of the wild kids in our school have read it and most of them say it touched them in a way they didnt think a book could. I am one of those kids my librarian recommended this book to me and I told her thank you.

a reader #1 Reviewer 19910 reviews

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a heartbreaking thrillride

August 09, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Reader reviewed by Chrissy Lu-Lu

I loved this awesome tale of heartbreak, temptations, and what really happens with truth. All the stories seem so real!!! I always get so caught up when reading one of mistress Ellen Hopkins books. all of her books are so powerful!

a reader #1 Reviewer 19910 reviews

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House of Night: Burned Review

May 20, 2010

Overall rating

2.0

Writing Style

2.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Reader reviewed by Cari

Finishing Burned was sort of a let down and more so than the books in
the past. I dont feel anything major was accomplished in this book.
Sure Zoey is back from the Otherworld but did we really think she would
stay there? She is the main character after all. It seems like with
the House of Night Series its either a hit or miss, for example I loved
Tempted but not so fond of Marked.

     The story picks up from where Tempted left off and Zoeys soul is
shattered from watching Kalona kill one of her inner circle. While in
the Otherworld Zoey starts to lose pieces of her soul and makes the
decision to stay there. I found it hard to believe she didnt think
about how this would affect her friends, warriors, and most importantly
her grandmother. She never fights to find a way back and if she truly
loves those she left behind it should have weighed on her mind just a
little.

     Stevie Rae seems to be following in Zoeys footsteps and I say this
because she is keeping secrets, having a hard time being the High
Priestess, not being able to choose one guy, and ultimately wanting to
be with the bad guy. This feels like Zoey, Stark, and Eric all over
again. Aside from Stevie Rae the Nerd Herd does not play a big role.

     We only saw Grandma Redbird once, which for someone who could lose
her granddaughter I would think she would be more involved role. Also
the way Dallas talks is annoying he adds the word "Girl" at the end of
every sentence when he is talking to or about Stevie Rae. Heath does
the same thing with Zoey. He says annoying phrases such as "snot nose"
or it seems he can never speak properly which as the story line goes
along it really gets old. Cast throws plenty of profanity that doesnt
add value to the story. To parents if your younger teens read this
series I would be cautious with this book.

     I felt that the book jacket and/or description made it seem that
Stevie Rae and Aphrodite would save Zoey when really Aphrodite only had
one vision that she could see what the world would be like without her.
The stand out star was Stark he grows into being a better person. Even
though the House of Night is centered on the female characters, Spark
is really the only reason to finish this book.

     I took a few days to write the review because I was hoping that as
the days passed I would find the good in Burned, but that didn't happen.
I am not sure if it's because the book was bad or I have read so many
great books since I started the series that this book just didn't live
up to what I have read. Either way I was not happy. Have you read the
book? What did you think? Did you enjoy it?

a reader #1 Reviewer 19910 reviews

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Burned by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast

April 29, 2010

Overall rating

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Reader reviewed by Katelyn (The Bookshelf Sophisticate)

Now with this being the 7th and newest installment in the House of Night series it might be a little different from some of my other reviews, mainly because I don't want to accidentally include any spoilers and ruin it for readers who haven't had the chance to read the previous installments. I fell in love with the House Of Night series from the very beginning and I know that I'm not alone in my enthusiasm. If you haven't read this series you should, end of discussion.

I will say this for those readers out there who are familiar with Zoey Redbird and the rest of the House Of Night crew...Burned was not a let down in any way, shape or form. It had everything I wanted and hoped for from it. The suspense, the mystery, the romance and all the problems that usually go hand in hand with that, lol. I laughed at the characters' witty humor and even found myself close to tears at one point, I can totally be a sucker like that. But what I'm trying to say is that it had it all, everything you could ask for from the series.

P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast took me and I'm sure everyone who reads this book on a non-stop journey that will have you feeling like you're a character in the story yourself. We went to the "Otherworld", an island in Scottland, Venice, Italy, and of course good ole' Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was fantastic and memorable, a story that has stayed with me long after I finished the last page. This mother and daughter writing team really know how to weave a YA novel that will keep readers hooked and always wanting more, more, more! Once again I've found myself wishing that the next installment was coming out tomorrow so that I never have to stop reading.

One snippet I will mention * BEWARE OF A POSSIBLE SPOILER* I am and have always been on TEAM STARK...yes I felt the need to put that in all caps, it shows how much I adore him! This was the first book in the House Of Night series that I really felt did him justice, and gave him the spotlight he so rightly deserved, lol.

Will Zoey be able to pull herself together (literally)? Will Stark and the rest of her friends manage to break through to her and ger their high priestess back? Or will the Neferet and Darkness claim a victory that will leave all of us "insignificant" humans in danger? I guess you'll have to read and find out, because I'm sure not telling!

a reader #1 Reviewer 19910 reviews

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Cant put it down

April 27, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Reader reviewed by Violetta

Burned was such an amazing book. I've read many book through out my life just like everyone else but this one was very special. not only did i cry at the end but i could very much relate to the character emotionally. i read the book in two days and normally, it takes me about 3 weeks to finish a book the size of Burned. i recommend it to anybody. I also have friends who have read the other books from the same author and say their really good so I'm excited to read the rest of them.

a reader #1 Reviewer 19910 reviews

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omahhhhhh

March 02, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Reader reviewed by f00lishchick

this book is defenitely A FIVE! it is sooooooo good. it's romantic(i'm a hopeless romantic), it's funny, cute, and dramatic. i like this book becuase it kept making me want to know more and more of what would happen furthur in the book. i kept wanting to turn every single page becuase it was so interesting! i like the format the author used to write this book because it's conveniant and even know it made the book look longer than it was intended to, it was still comfortable to read like that. i really liked this book a lot and i recommend to EVERYONE OUT THERE-WHATEVER AGE YOU MAY BE to read this book!

a reader #1 Reviewer 19910 reviews

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Heart wrenching

January 12, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Reader reviewed by karlynne sampson

The book burned was a heart wrenching story. It made me want to cry at the end b/c of how much she had lost on top of what hardships she had previously gone through to get there. I really wish the author would write a sequel to burned like she did with crank. Over all this book is going on my favorites list. it was an awsome book. one of the best ive read this year.

a reader #1 Reviewer 19910 reviews

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amazing book!

January 01, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Learning Value

N/A

Reader reviewed by ssssss

I absolutely love this book(:
Ellen Hopkins way of writing is OUTSTANDING she can put so much feeling into her poems.
I love all of her books !
This book and Impulse are my two favorite... so far....
I definitely recommend this book!
The book is about a girl named Payton who has a bad family life at home and she starts getting into trouble so her parents send her to her aunts house where she meets her one true love Ethan. when it is time for her to go home she finds that her problems at home could only be avoided for so long and then she has to face them again. It is a story that will let you feel every emotion that goes on in the book(:

a reader #1 Reviewer 19910 reviews