Unfortunately I was disappointed by this, i found that it was aimless in its story. I enjoyed the mother daughter relationship , but this wasn't enough to save this book.

I really enjoyed the creepy feeling at atmospheric tone to this book. It was perfect for a late night read. The narrator was a bit soft spoken for my liking causing me to lose focus every once in a while. However the plot was too complicated for my liking and the complications felt like they were there for no reason. I don’t feel reading it again would fix these issues either.

Gritty and sadistic at times. Very reminiscent of Wilder Girls, if you liked that you will easily get into this. It takes family secrets to a whole new level. (KD)

I really enjoyed this audiobook. You can really tell that the narrator made a connection with each character on a personal level and took the time to share that through their voice.

This book reminded me of The Hazel Wood if you took out the fairy tale and left all the horror. I was expecting the hinted at romance to play more of a role, but sometimes it's nice when that doesn't take over the actual plot.

Having loved Rory Power's debut novel, I was really intrigued to see what her second offering would bring. For me, this was a book of three parts: the first third and last third being really compelling, with a bit of a lull in the middle. It tells the story of Margot, a young woman with an incredibly difficult relationship with her mother. When she finds some information about her family roots, she flees to find her grandmother and an enormous can of worms is opened. There was something a little bit off about the pacing of the narrative that contributed to this slowing down in the middle section. I also thought that some of the reveals were a bit predictable, leading to a sense of waiting for the penny to drop for the characters involved. With that being said, I do really enjoy Rory's prose and her ability to situate her narratives firmly in a location is very impressive. Overall, I thought this was a generally enjoyable read, but I don't think it is one that will stick with me long term.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

2.8/5🌟
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A pretty loved book and author in the bookstagram community but a let down for me. This was my first Rory Power book, and even though the overall plot was kinda meehh to me I enjoyeeeddd the narrator reading the book. Very less of it had to do with the plot though. The plot remained bland for me, there were some twists and turns but not big enough to put you on the edge. A lot of time I really struggled to understand the characters.

The book started great, Margo and her mom, a family of two living a somewhat deserted life because how they are different to everyone else. It all sounded so promising with a mother who was manipulative & the daughter really trying to figure out about her family. The overall plot and the end was very new and STRANGE & hence I won't mark it as a bad book but at the same time it wasn't interesting enough to me. Some people might like it but it wasn't of my liking. A bit of a let down but the narrator was *chef kisses* so I don't regret listening to it.

This book offers the grotesque body horror I wanted from Rory Powers after reading Wilder Girls but I found the execution lacking. Without spoiling the story, she offers a unique, nightmarish scenario that has so much potential but too much of the story unfolds through dialogue, slowing it down and detracting from its horror.

The performer does a nice job with the audiobook, setting a good tone and embodying the protagonist well. My only complaint was that it was occasionally difficult to keep track of who was speaking as secondary characters were not given distinct voices.

I thought I loved Wilder Girls. But then I read this. Highly recommend. Rory Power can do no wrong and I can't wait to see what she does next.

**Disclaimer: I received a free advanced reader’s copy of Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to them and the publisher for this opportunity.
Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power is her sophomore novel. It’s a YA horror/mystery thriller. The novel is about a girl named Margot who has a complicated relationship with her mother, and ends up returning to the town her mother grew up in to find out more about her family history. It was published on July 7th, 2020. I rated it 4 stars on GoodReads, but it’s probably more of a 4.5.
This is the summary from GoodReads:
From the author of the New York Times bestseller Wilder Girls comes a new twisty thriller about a girl whose past has always been a mystery—until she decides to return to her mother’s hometown . . . where history has a tendency to repeat itself.
Ever since Margot was born, it’s been just her and her mother. No answers to Margot’s questions about what came before. No history to hold on to. No relative to speak of. Just the two of them, stuck in their run-down apartment, struggling to get along.
But that’s not enough for Margot. She wants family. She wants a past. And she just found the key she needs to get it: A photograph, pointing her to a town called Phalene. Pointing her home. Only, when Margot gets there, it’s not what she bargained for.
Margot’s mother left for a reason. But was it to hide her past? Or was it to protect Margot from what’s still there?
The only thing Margot knows for sure is there’s poison in their family tree, and their roots are dug so deeply into Phalene that now that she’s there, she might never escape.
I recognize that this took me so long to actually get to reviewing, but that was only because I requested Burn Our Bodies Down a voice galley on NetGalley, and I was unable to download it prior to its archival date. It just took me a while to get a copy of it to read. Additionally, I really wanted to listen to it on audiobook. I’m really glad that I finally got around to reading it, and honestly I think I liked it more than Rory Power’s debut, Wilder Girls.
The story revolves around Margot, who, as mentioned, has a complicated relationship with her mother. She doesn’t know very much about her family history and wants to know more, but her mother won’t tell her anything about it. They don’t get along, and their relationship almost feels toxic. This whole story seems to be about toxic family relationships, but they were a really interesting facet of the story. There was love even when it maybe wasn’t appropriate for there to be, but it never really seems glorified. It’s presented just as it is as complicated.
The atmosphere of this novel was really interesting. It wasn’t what I’d typically call a horror atmosphere, but I can definitely see how in the end that’s probably the most apt genre for it. I like going along with Margot as she tried to figure out just what was going on. I had theories that were developing in my head and most of them ended up being partially wrong but partially right. It’s a weird place to be.
I liked Margot a lot. She was really well written and definitely a relatable character. You want her to figure out what’s happening to her. She’s not necessarily the most likeable, but I still really enjoyed her. She was well developed.
I won’t spoil the twist for you, but in the end I loved how the story played out. Like I mentioned, my theories were partially wrong, but they were also partially right and I was delighted about how things were portrayed. It was freaky and very weird, but I really liked it.
The side characters in this story were also very interesting. I liked how they interacted with Margot and how they were developed. I really enjoyed Tess especially, and the dynamic between her and Margot was really interesting.
There were parts of this book that were definitely gross, but I will admit that I didn’t find it overly scary. It was spooky though, and I found myself cringing a couple of times as I listened to the descriptions of various characters.
Overall, I definitely recommend Burn Our Bodies Down and you should check it out if you haven’t already.

I can simply say the grass is not always greener on the other side.

Well I wasn't expecting that. I almost stopped reading after the first few chapters because it was so heavy. I did not see an end in sight and I was surrounded by darkness. There were a few things I took note of hoping they'd be explained later but it got to the point I just started hoping for a later. The beginning is a slow brutal abuse played out.

You finally get some light when an outside character is introduced and then chaos pursues. I was simply hoping for some reconciliations and confrontations to explain why and goodness did I get that and so much more above and beyond what I could have ever imagined. I should have known that Rory Powers is limitless in her creativity. Her first book shocked me and this one held strong and did the same.

I liked Burn Our Bodies Down more than Wilder Girls, I think. It had a more clear reason for what was happening and it had a better ending. I didn't quite connect with Margot as a main character, it felt like she was unhinged all of the time. But she was raised in an abusive atmosphere and had this yearning to know more about where she comes from that makes her behavior understandable. The theme of abuse touched my heart deeply. The way Margot kept confusing abuse for care, thinking that love leaves bruises was heartbreaking. How she yearned to have someone in her life who would actually care about her. The mystery was really cool as well. I had an idea of what was happening but I was totally wrong. The atmosphere had that WTF feel that Rory Power does so well, you just feel unsettled as you read. I can't wait to see what she writes next. The audiobook was great, the narrator did an excellent job conveying the atmosphere and the tone of the book. I am not usually a fan of weird fiction, but Rory Power somehow does it for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WHY DID I LISTEN TO BURN OUR BODIES DOWN?
Burn Our Bodies Down by Rory Power was the first ever audiobook that I’ve been approved for via Netgalley. While I am excited about this newer feature, it turns out that I am going to hold off requesting more audiobooks. My experience listening to Burn Our Bodies Down via the Netgalley Shelf app just was not wonderful. I am left wondering, was it the story? Was it the app? Or most likely, was it me? So, essentially, I listened to Burn Our Bodies Down to test out a new feature of a website that is so dear to me that I check it every single day.

WHAT’S THE STORY HERE?
Margot’s life has been a somewhat lonely one. It has always been just her and her mother, living in run down apartments. No relatives. One day Margot comes across a photograph that points her to a place called Phalene where she believes she will find answers. While in Phalene, Margot does begin to get answers and unravels some super creepy family secrets. Also, there’s the body of a girl who is found nearby and Margot gets caught up in all that. Plus, we see the strained and complex relationship between Margot and her mom.

WHAT DID I THINK OF BURN OUR BODIES DOWN?
Honestly, maybe I should have physically read Burn Our Bodies Down. There was a lot that I don’t think I quite understood. This book was just plain weird and creepy. BUT, I want to acknowledge that I probably was not in the best frame of mind to read and absorb. After all, I’d have to interrupt my listening time to go be sick and well, I am not used to managing that. After reading this I did come to the conclusion that I want to like books by Rory Power and I want to like YA horror more, however, maybe I am just not at that season of life right now and that’s okay. I do think if you are someone who likes horror and is good at paying attention and reading deeply you’ll love Burn Our Bodies Down.


HOW’S THE NARRATION?
The audiobook of Burn Our Bodies Down is narrated by Lauren Ezzo. It is 10 hours and 9 minutes long and I’ll tell ya, I felt every single one of those minutes. What didn’t help was not being able to speed up the narration without the audiobook sounding off and weird. I wonder if I had listened via Libby or Hoopla, would my experience have been the same? All I know is that listening at 1x speed was rough.

This was not the audiobook for me and I know it’s due to several factors – my physical health while listening and frame of mind, not being able to speed up the narration, and the story just not being for me. I did think the narration was a bit much and maybe too emotional. So, I am still open to trying other books by Rory Power, just not via audio and not moving them to the front of my queue.

2.5/5 - review to come! Thanks to Netgalley for sending me an audiobook version of this book.

So, this book wasn't really my cup of tea, but it might be yours. I'll start with what I didn't enjoy, since that's what made me give is 2.5/5 stars.

One issue with Burn Our Bodies Down was that I didn't really feel a connection to the characters. This was mostly because every character, including Margot (the main character) was fairly flat and not super developed. It was hard to sympathize with her (other than the general sympathy anyone would feel for someone going through a really, really crappy time). They all felt really generic to me, and I didn't really care what happened to the characters. I didn't feel emotionally invested. Not only that, but sometimes the main character really frustrated me. I felt like her reactions to things often didn't make sense - and not in a "my life is drastically changing and all this horrible stuff is happening so I'm emotionally distressed" vibe, but more in a "...what are you even thinking?" type of way. She would think about the weirdest things at the oddest times. It was hard to follow what was happening when her inner monologue was so difficult to understand.

The descriptions used in this book also threw me off. They were so confusing and felt very random. I was often taken out of the story because I couldn't stop trying to understand why something was described the way it was (or why the description was relevant in the first place).

Now onto the plot itself. Nothing really.. happens. I mean, obviously, things happen - it's a 350 page book - but it didn't really feel like much did. Despite that, the ending/explanation of what's been going on felt a bit rushed through and not fully satisfying. I wasn't really intrigued until about 80% of the way into the book, and even then, I still felt disengaged from the story. There were also a ton of plot holes. That last 20% of the book though? I did want to know what was going on. The explanation for everything going on was definitely interesting and unique, though I had partially predicted it about halfway through (only partially though, there were still some surprises).

The premise of the story - toxic mother-daughter relationship, lesbian MC, spooky mysterious farm town, family secrets, etc. - was really intriguing, but it just didn't hit the mark for me. It might for you though! I recommend picking it up and seeing for yourself. I have nothing but respect for the author, and all of this comes from a place of constructive criticism.

This is such an eerie and odd little read that I surprisingly thoroughly enjoyed. It grabs your attention right away due to how intriguing it is and how fascinating Margot is as a main character.

I don’t really know what I was expecting when I started this book but it wasn’t what I got at all. Burn Our Bodies Down is for a specific kind of reader much like Rory Power’s previous novel Wilder Girls. Due to enjoying her previous novel I had to give this one a go.

This book is incredibly spooky and kept me tense the entire time that I was reading it. There are no jump-scares or over-dramatisation but the lingering horror throughout this book is so much that I’m extremely glad that I didn’t read the before going to sleep.

Much like Wilder Girls, I did not really connect with any of the characters in this book. This is through no fault of the author or her writing. In fact, I feel she did this on purpose to let the horror elements of the book shine through.

The writing of this book is whimsical and intriguing but the pace of the book doesn’t match that. The main part of the story seemed to take ages to get to and I found myself getting quite bored at parts. But, one thing that keep me interesting an had me on edge was how much you feel the frustration, desperation and need that radiates out of Margot. It screams out of each page and I really enjoyed that.

When a book and just tiny details in its writing make you feel as on edge and as spooked as Burn Our Bodies Down did then, it is one that I’ll be recommending a lot. If you are in search for a truly horrific and twisted story, then this is the one for you! Burn Our Bodies Down is well worth a read!

Rory Power has a talent to keep the reader on edge, needing to keep reading to figure out what she had crafted this time. Along with Wilder Girls, you have to get to the end to learn what is going on in the story, but I'm not sure either of Power's novels will stick with me for any significant amount of time. That said, I'll probably check out her next book to see what else she can come up with, and likely get sucked in just as fast!

I received a copy of this audiobook as an early review copy from NetGalley and Blackstone Audiobooks. All opinions are my own.

Truthfully, this book did nothing for me. I was hoping it would pick up, and was waiting for something a little more sinister, but found the final reveal quite disappointing. A bit too Sci Fi for my liking. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this book in advance. I did enjoy the narrators voice.

You want to know the truth, and the whole truth of what REALLY happened in Phalene? You wouldn’t believe me, even if I did tell you. This is a MUST read YA thriller.

Starting on a quest to find her family after finding a phone number and name, Margot thinks discovering her family’s origins will answer questions about her family’s past.

Strange things happen on the farm. How strange will things get before Margot decides it’s gone too far?

Power keeps the story moving, filling it with twists and turns til the very end. Every chapter leaves on a cliff hanger, forcing you to keep reading. And what an ending! Keep the flame burning.

Disclaimer: I received this audiobook from netgalley and the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Burn Our Bodies Down

Author: Rory Power

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 1/5

Diversity: lesbian main character

Recommended For...: horror fans, young adult lovers

Publication Date: July 7, 2020

Genre: YA Horror

Recommended Age: 16+ (language, gaslighting, slight romance/sexual content, gore, violence, death)

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 352

Synopsis: Ever since Margot was born, it’s been just her and her mother. No answers to Margot’s questions about what came before. No history to hold on to. No relative to speak of. Just the two of them, stuck in their run-down apartment, struggling to get along.

But that’s not enough for Margot. She wants family. She wants a past. And she just found the key she needs to get it: A photograph, pointing her to a town called Phalene. Pointing her home. Only, when Margot gets there, it’s not what she bargained for.

Margot’s mother left for a reason. But was it to hide her past? Or was it to protect Margot from what’s still there?

The only thing Margot knows for sure is there’s poison in their family tree, and their roots are dug so deeply into Phalene that now that she’s there, she might never escape.

Review: This was literally the worst book I read in 2020. The book was horribly paced and the build up to the book took 80% to get to. There was no horror moments, the subplot was too on-the-nose, and the book spent too much time on useless dialogue than on making a creepy atmosphere. The conclusion was lackluster and I literally begged people for the ending to avoid listening to this book anymore. The author should have focused her time in creating the atmosphere and in creating moments that show the true twist at the end instead of it all coming out at the last 20% of the book. I will say that the narrator did great with the book and did great to try to create the missing creepy atmosphere, but she couldn’t carry the weight of the book that the author dumped on her.

Verdict: It needed a lot of work.

It has always been just Margot and her mom, but she wants to know her past. After finding a photo that points towards the town of Phalene, she decides to investigate. But is it what Margot bargained for?

Maybe it is the bias of my life and past, but as soon as I knew the mom ran away I was just waiting for Grandma to be toxic. It paints a really grim picture of the relationship between mother and daughter. I had so many questions!!

I enjoyed the narration. Both the author and the narrator were excellent at showing the sense of panic in the book. It will definitely be a reread.

5 stars.