Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Burn by Peter Heller Narrator: Mark Deakins
Published by Penguin Audio on August 13, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Dystopia
Length: 8 hours, 5 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Every year Jess and Storey have made an annual pilgrimage to northern Maine where they camp, hunt, and hike, leaving much from their long friendship unspoken. Although the state has convulsed all summer with secession mania—a mania that had simultaneously spread across other states—Jess and Storey figure it’s a fight reserved for legislators or, worse-case scenario, folks in the capitol. But after two weeks hunting moose off the grid, the men reach a small town and are shocked to find a bridge blown apart, buildings burned to the ground, and bombed-out cars abandoned on the road. Trying to make sense of the sudden destruction all around them, the men set their sights on finding their way home, dragging a wagon across bumpy dirt roads, ransacking boats left in the lakes, and dodging men who are armed—secessionists or military, they cannot tell—as they seek a path to safety.
And then, a startling discovery, a child in the cabin of a boat, drastically alters their path and the stakes of their escape. Drenched with the beauty of the natural world, and attuned to the specific cadences of male friendship, even here at the edge of doom, Heller’s magisterial new novel is both a blistering warning of a divided country’s political strife and an ode to the salvation of our chosen families.
Burn has some things in common with The River which I read a few years back. The two main characters are male, one from Colorado, one from Vermont, and they like nature, the outdoors, hunting and fishing.  Our two guys here have been friends since childhood, growing up together. Jess is our point of view giving the present and scenes from their past boyhood.
Jess and Storey take an outdoors trip each year; this year to Maine for a month. They knew there were some political snarls but figured it would involve the capitol and the cities.  When they are ready to leave, they come out to a small town which is utter destruction.
I enjoy the dystopia survival type theme, but it was frustrating the guys and we don’t know what really happened and why everyone is so highly violent they find. They only want to know what is going on and get home. Gradually, they learn more and have an additional mission.
The pacing was well handled. The characters were well developed, Jess a bit more as we have his thoughts and Storey is not chatty. Their friendship is long and solid. I did feel the ending was a tad abrupt and wanted to know more about what happened.
Narration:
I have listened to this narrator once previously on another Heller book. Everything here was from Jess’ point of view and stream of thoughts, so the male voice felt right. The story was once of high emotional content and particularly shock, and the narration reflected this. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I’ve been wondering about this book, so I’m glad you reviewed it. I think I would like it too!
I enjoyed the book. It had similar set up but a different story to The River. I disliked the abrupt ending.
I’m looking forward to this, too. Glad you enjoyed, Anne💜
yes it was easy enough to read although some horrific happenings. I just wanted more at the ending.
This sounds ominous!
yes I’d say it is ominous. It’s devasting in a bat shit crazy way.
Ooo abrupt endings annoy me
Same. I want to know it all. I don’t want some ambiguous ending.