Cover Image: Everything That Burns

Everything That Burns

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Can't quite put my finger on what it is about this duology that makes me really love it, but this was great :)

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Everything That Burns was a good story. It didn't captivate me as much as it's predecessor, however I feel that a lot of sophomore novels have a plateau effect. The character still felt great, it's just the pacing and story development wasn't where I thought it would be for a sequel book. It was good, a solid three stars, however it wasn't mind-blowing.

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Gita Trelease first captured my attention with her lush prose, and spell-binding voice in Enchantée, but she truly solidified my love for Camille's story with this second installment. Everything That Burns is a gorgeous book, and everything I could have hoped for in a sequel. The revolution wasn't quite so prominent in Enchantée as I'd expected, but it is a constant thread of tension in book 2. The same can be said for the romance.

Camille and Lazare burn as well in this book as the title would suggest. They spent so much of their time in book 1 unsure of one another, hesitant and held back by social constructs or secrets, so it was one of my favorite aspects of book 2 that we got to see them grow in the open, together. As for our favorite little sister, Sophie is a marvel in this book! Her personality sparks off the page, and she plays the perfect foil to some of Camille's darker anxieties and moods.

My favorite aspect of this book, however, is the exploration of magic and the history of magicians in pre-Revolution France. Gita amazed me with her historical knowledge and rich world-building in book 1, but this one was entirely her own creation, and the book is all the better for it. In this book, we get a dark, brooding magical house, a secret underground society, danger and seductive beauty. I loved Camille's struggle most of all as she tried to understand the pull of magic in her, and tried to reconcile it with her spirit and those she loves most.

Finally, Camille's printing escapades were an absolute delight, and I think the addition of these pamphlets at the end of near every chapter in the middle was such a smart choice. It adds a core of reality and tension, a reminder of what they are all fighting for amidst the fear and uncertainty.

Everything that Burns capitalizes on all the promises made with Enchantée, then improved on them. The balance between tension/conflict with the plot and exploration with the characters was perfection, and her writing is more stunning than ever! I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

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4.5 stars
Enchantee was one of my favorite reads of 2019 and I impatiently waited for the sequel. I was rewarded with a great duology conclusion filled with action, justice, danger and magic.
This book starts right where the first one left off with Camille and Sophie living in Hotel Seguin with the majority of Paris against magicians. The story brought back some of my favorite characters (Lazare, Chandon, Rosier) and introduced us to some new ones (Giselle and the Lost Girls, Blaise). The characters really made the book for me. I loved them so much! Camille was so strong in this book. She learned about her magic and accepted that she was a magician, which wasn't a bad thing, despite the people of Paris calling for magician's heads. Camille and Sophie had the best sibling relationship. They were there for each other no matter what. All the couples had amazing relationships, Camille and Lazare, Chandon and Foudriard and another I will not mention because spoilers.
A lot of this book was slow moving but absolutely not boring, as I expected from the first book. There were several different plot lines, Camille writing pamphlets for the Lost Girls, Lazare and his balloons, the play Sophie and Rosier put on, Les Marveilleux, Camille and the other magicians trying to figure out how to make a specific kind of magic. They all wove together seamlessly and all came together at the end. Since the majority of the book was slow moving, the ending seemed like a complete whirlwind and I loved it. My heart was in my throat and we kept getting thrown one thing after another.
The ending was so satisfying and really the perfect ending for what the story was in my opinion. I am sad to be leaving these characters after only 2 amazing books.

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Everything That Burns is an explosive sequel to All That Glitters. Taking the reins from the first, this sequel lies amidst a tinderbox of kindling ready to catch fire. A single spark could be enough to burn it all down. As the book progresses, I began to wonder if they will be consumed in the flames of the revolution. Everything That Burns examines the discontent of the lower classes, the privilege of the elite, and the potential danger of the magicians. It's a world that mixes money, power, and magic in a heady mixture.

Everything That Burns asks how we can fight for the future - what sacrifices will be considered necessary and just. The past blows freezing breezes into our nighttime wanderings, still haunts our steps and creaks in the stairs. While I enjoyed the political discussion, especially as Trelease introduces the treatment and fear of magicians, towards the ending I felt that there wasn't enough resolution in these larger issues. It asked questions about who should inherit the power and what compromises we should make in the pursuit of freedom. But by the end, I just wanted a bit more resolution in that area.

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Everything That Burns is the follow up to All That Glitters (previously titled Enchantée) and it is a timely story of love, revolution, and fighting for what is right. Framed in the time of revolutionary France, Everything That Burns explores the new world Camille finds herself in after the fall of the Bastille and how she fights to find her place.

Camille Durbonne fought her way through poverty and abusive men to finally find a position of safety for her and her sister. Through her long sought after printing press, Camille strives to print stories of truth and philosophy. When a chance meeting with “The Lost Girls” gives Camille the opportunity to shine a light on the people that French society typically looks down on, she finds herself becoming a voice in the revolution. But her magic is still growing and when the King outlaws magicians, Camille finds herself in a precarious position. With betrayals and secret police dogging her steps, Camille must find a way to save herself and her friends, before time runs out.

From the first line in Everything That Burns, readers will be transported to France in the late 1700s, when the revolution was changing everything. Trelease has a way to turn a phrase that instantly brings images to mind and makes it easy to fall into the story she is telling. It takes a certain balance to achieve this and Trelease makes it seem effortless. Her descriptions are ornate without being overpowering, and she has a strong ability to convey emotion through actions.

Where All That Glitters was sumptuous and glamor filled, Everything That Burns is a harsh, realistic look at the world. Sadly, the magic of the first novel in this duology is lost in Everything That Burns and it feels like the only things bringing these two books into the same realm are the characters. And while the tone is jarringly different, it makes a kind of sense given the historical events. But readers hoping to follow Camille through glitzy gambling halls and magical escapades will be somewhat disappointed.

While Everything That Burns keeps a good pace, the plot feels choppy at times. There were so many different threads of plot happening that it felt like they were fighting each other to be in the forefront. There was the exploration of the revolution, Camille and Lazare’s romance, Sophie and Rosier romance, The Lost Girls, the criminalisation of the magicians, Camille and her magicians friends conspiring on how to save the magicians, creepy magical houses, Camille trying to prove herself as a printer, and even more that I can’t point out because of spoilers. With so much going on it is difficult to get invested in any certain plot point, no matter how bad you want to. Perhaps, if the story had been spread out into a trilogy, Trelease would have been given the room to fully explore everything she wanted to with more success.

Even with the criticisms, Everything That Burns is an interesting read. Had I been reading the novel for personal entertainment instead of a review, I feel I would have been able to overlook some of the critical issues. Camille’s story is a timely one and Trelease is able to frame current human rights arguments into this magic tinged historical fiction. While it is nice to get a wrap up of Camille’s story, it would have been more enjoyable if the focus of the story had been better managed. That said, Trelease’s writing style is elegant and her ability to transport her readers into the story is enviable. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

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I received an eARC of Everything That Burns from the publisher and on NetGalley for an honest review. This is the sequel to All That Glitters (Enchantée) and the last book in the duology.

The tagline for this book is “Magic. Betrayal. Sacrifice,” and let me just say that this is incredibly accurate! I first read All That Glitters shortly after its release and instantly loved it and Everything That Burns just continues the story in a great way.

Trelease’s writing is super immersive and beautiful, I was captivated from the first page. Her descriptions really just make you feel like you are there watching the characters. I also adored the use of French in the book, it was just a super nice touch. I felt like I was in Paris witnessing a revolution!

This version of France mid-revolution essentially after the fall of the Bastille and filled with magic was a great world and we got to see so many aspects of it in this book. The stories of the poor, the nobility, the leaders of the revolution, and those blamed were all present in this book and it made for a compelling book. Camille has to brave a dangerous city brimming with anger, all while trying to save those that she cares about. The tension that Trelease makes the reader feel is phenomenal.

The whole cast of characters undergoes tremendous growth in this story. As the world around them changes, so do their views on revolution, magic, and love. Camille most of all struggles to find her place and make her mark in Paris. She is a very complex character and along with Lazare, Sophie, Chandon, and the others, she changes in this book.

I was so impressed with the way that certain topics were discussed in this book. For example, things like magic and the revolution are incredibly controversial, and the characters have to decide where they stand with many of them falling into gray areas.

For the most part, I really enjoyed the plot, it was fast-paced and interesting the entire time. Everything from the progress of the revolution to Camille’s determination to be a pamphleteer was great to read about. My one critique of the book would have to be the ending. I was not unhappy with it, but I think that there could have been a third book and a much more satisfying end to these characters’ stories. Still, I wouldn’t say it takes away from the story.

I highly recommend this duology! All That Glitters and Everything That Burns are wonderfully unique YA novels with a great mix of history, magic, and adventure all woven together!

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Everything That Burns

Everything That Burns by Gita Trelease

I wish I would have read the first book it may have helped me with this story! I honestly felt lost and confused reading this with out reading the first book but I will definitely be buying both to read together
3 stars

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Everything That Burns returns to revolution in France, where Camille and Lazare are living through the aftermath of the fall of the Bastille. While Camille promises that she’s done with magic, she is tempted to use it for good when she meets a group of young girls fighting to keep their home. Surely just one pamphlet telling their stories couldn’t hurt? Public desire for the persecution of magicians begins to spark and Camille is forced to examine her beliefs about the nature of magic. When Lazare is compelled to use his balloons for military purposes, Camille must fight to protect her family and magician friends before they are vilified as traitors to the revolution.

Glittering with gorgeous descriptions and sensory details, I couldn’t put this book down! Everything That Burns is a well-paced and enthralling tale that effortlessly combines historical details about the French Revolution and fictional attitudes toward magicians. The magic system is unique and Camille’s journey to understand more about it was fascinating. I felt deeply attached to the characters and their perilous journey through the streets of Paris, especially Camille and Lazare. One of my favorite aspects of Trelease’s writing is the carefully woven sentences that set the scene, so you feel as if you’re in Paris. Camille’s fearless efforts to protect herself and her chosen family make it impossible to look away.

I really enjoyed All That Glitters (previously Enchantée), but Everything That Burns has completely captured my heart. This was a stunning conclusion to Camille’s story and I can’t wait to see what Gita Trelease writes next! Everything That Burns releases on February 2, 2021. Thank you so much to Gita Trelease, Flatiron Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on the publication date and I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble etc.

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This was a wonderful sequel to ALL THAT GLITTERS! I was so thrilled to be reunited with Camille, Lazare, and the rest of the cast. Their development was seamless; I loved seeing them come into their own, as well as meeting new friends. Trelease's world building dazzled me, as always, and she does not shy away from a complex plot. EVERYTHING THAT BURNS does not disappoint!

Thank you to Netgalley and Flatiron Books, for providing me with a free ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Gita Trelease did not disappoint! This was a fabulous sequel to her magical debut, All That Glitters, and was just as beautifully written and romantic. Fans of Renee Ahdieh and Tricia Levenseller will rejoice in the publication of another spectacular fantasy book.

The romance between Camille and Lazare was just as poignant as ever. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that there was a scene where Lazare stayed the night at Camille's place. It was kept PG, but between that and their frequent kisses, I would probably say this book is better geared towards older teens and young adults. As far as other characters go, they were just as delightful as ever. Sophie, Camille's younger sister, was a total sweetheart and really came into her own. Rosier also also spotlighted, and a whole slew of new girls were introduced. Overall, I think they were a great addition to the plot.

I also appreciated the historical aspect of the novel. Trelease didn't shy away from the difficult social dilemmas of the era, and the revolution seemed to be painted in a fair and honest way. A lot of focus in history has been on the seizing of land and money from wealthy French aristocrats, and I liked how this book focused more on everyday people struggling to obtain food and keep their homes.

Overall, I think it was a very well-written and beautifully thought out book. It was a little slow at times, and Camille naively trusted people she shouldn't have, but I still think it was an enjoyable read that almost everyone would enjoy.

A special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Flatiron Books, for providing me with a free ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Ah! It was so much fun to be back in the world Trelease has created. I've missed these characters. This story was heart-pounding, heart-breaking and so, so fulfilling. Besides the excellent plot, the message that violence is not the answer is very poignant for the world both then and today. My only complaint was the magic, it was Villain #1 to the people but pretty boring most of the story, for either good or evil. It just didn't really put on much of a display. Normally, I like that sort of magic, where people have to really get out there and fight with their bare hands and clever minds, but here it would have been nice to see it with a little more flash in either direction.

Looking forward to whatever this author comes up with next!

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A sumptuous and thrilling conclusion to Camille’s story set during the French Revolution.

Camille and her sister Sophie now have a home and money; but many other lost girls are less fortunate. Camille helps a flower girl escape the untrue accusations of a nobleman and meets a group of girls that are about to be evicted. She writes their stories to get them support. Meanwhile, both the king and the revolutionaries are calling for the deaths of magicians like her. Revolutionary Paris becomes even more dangerous and Camille has not told Lazare that she is performing magic again.

Lazare continues to be a dynamic and layered love interest (who flies hot air balloons). The romance grows with their relationship. Camille finally accepts who she is and is willing to pay the ultimate price for her beliefs. Author Gita Trelease does a beautiful job of showing how revolutions can begin with hope and ideals, but then end in violence and destruction. She also includes several facts at the end of the book about the French Revolution.

A bloody and beautiful, murderous and magical, romantic and revolutionary book.

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