Author: Kristi Helvig
Genre: YA fantasy, science fiction
Published: April 8th 2014
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Pages: 272
Source: ARC from Publisher
Available at: Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Goodreads Summary:
Most people want to save the world; seventeen-year-old Tora Reynolds just wants to get the hell off of it. One of the last survivors in Earth’s final years, Tora yearns to escape the wasteland her planet has become after the sun turns “red giant,” but discovers her fellow survivors are even deadlier than the hostile environment.
Holed up in an underground shelter, Tora is alone–her brilliant scientist father murdered, her mother and sister burned to death. She dreams of living on a planet with oceans, plants, and animals. Unfortunately, the oceans dried out ages ago, the only plants are giant cacti with deadly spines, and her pet, Trigger, is a gun–one of the bio-energetic weapons her father created for the government before his conscience kicked in.
When family friend, Markus, arrives with mercenaries to take the weapons by force, Tora’s fury turns to fear when government ships descend in an attempt to kill them all. She forges an unlikely alliance with Markus and his rag-tag group of raiders, including a smart but quiet soldier named James. Tora must quickly figure out who she can trust, as she must choose between saving herself by giving up the guns or honoring her father’s request to save humanity from the most lethal weapons in existence.
My Rating of this Book – 5 out of 5 stars
My Review:
For me, Burn Out has to be the best read of 2013, and I highly believe it will be the best debut novel of 2014 as well. It’s action-packed, mixed with the right amount of romance. And the suspense kept me reading from page one.
If you are a fan of science fiction such as Firefly, you’re going to love the plot and characters of this novel. It’s just as diverse and adventurous, yet completely unique in its own way. I never knew who to trust or who to side with. Like the main character, Tora, I basically had to trust myself and my instincts. And with the plot being so intense and the building romance, my stomach just knotted up as I continued to read. Who can I trust? Is it James? Is it Markus? And what about Kale?
Honestly, with how well James is written, I couldn’t help fall for him, even when my gut and his actions were screaming not to trust him. I was just completely sucked in by the blond medic. I so wanted to be Tora and have James wrap me in his arms and stay there for eternity. And I haven’t felt that way about a character I’ve read in a while now.
Markus was another one I had a hard time not liking because he reminded me so much of Malcolm from Firefly: both in his actions and in his character. Even when he was an arse, he was just so much fun. But the big difference between him and James was my gut so totally could NOT trust him. Period, end of sentence. No matter how sweet he smiled.
The only time I was nervous about this book taking a wrong turn was when Alec was introduced. I was so scared of a love triangle forming, something that I now feel is getting old in novels. Fortunately, I didn’t sense anything. Which was good. I don’t think I could’ve handle another love triangle. Not with my intense feeling for James.
To sum up, Burn Out is an excellent read. If you haven’t added it to your 2014 TBR lists, I highly recommend that you do. It comes out next April 8th. ❤ James!
Kelsey Ketch 
I’ve never heard of this book before but you make it sound so great! Looking forward to reading this now.
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