3.5 stars, rounded up
I'm a big fan of Peter Heller, but I hesitated over the idea of him writing a dystopian novel. (I have yet to read The Dog Stars.) Luckily, the story encompasses the same wilderness setting he typically favors. And Heller does a good job of contrasting the beauty of nature with the manmade horror surrounding the main characters.
The story involves a US in the future when differences have become so acute that the country is on the edge of civil war. States are talking of seceding. Jess and Storey are on their annual two week hunting trip in Maine when they come across a town burned to the ground. Trying to find their way home, they discover town after town in the same destroyed condition. They see helicopters, but it’s not even apparent for which side.
The book is told exclusively from Jess’s POV. The two men, while best friends, have vastly different lives. Storey is desperate to get home to his wife and kids. Jess is rudderless. He has no one, having lost his wife and most recently, his dog. Then, they come across a five year old girl.
Heller totally gets the sense of having no idea what moves to take, what are the best decisions in a world gone mad where you have no sense of what is happening. I found the characters to be rich and well defined and appreciated the insights into male friendship.
There are flashbacks to Jess’s teenage years and a decision he makes at that time. These are meant to give us insight into Jess’s current mental state, but I can’t say that the premise totally worked for me.
Of course, it’s a scary plot point as we seem so close to the conditions that could lead to this setting. “Some geopolitical straw that finally broke at last the brittle civility.” Heller never really spells out the political situation or defines what either side stands for. While I understood why he did this, there was a part of me that wanted that definition.
My biggest complaint was that the ending felt rushed and then unresolved. This was my least favorite of the works I’ve read by Heller. Which isn’t to say it’s not good. It just wasn’t spectacular.
My thanks to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage for an advance copy of this book.

Burn is a very lovely exploration of male friendship. I enjoyed the characters and the unique setting. The whole narrative has a very rustic feel. I would like to admit that I struggled reading this because of the premise (mass secession and civil war). However, I did end up liking the post apocalyptic feel. I do wish that the cause of all the mayhem was further explored. I think fans of The Last of Us and the Civil War movie that came out recently will enjoy this book. Truthfully, I ended up skimming a lot of the middle which is why I am only giving this book 3.5 stars. Lots of moments felt repetitive and I think it would have been beneficial if the reader knew why this chaos was happening. I wish all these stories involving a modern civil war would commit to the concept and give us the details!!

I picked this book up for the civil war plot and stayed for the friendship, even though the friendship barely held my interest by the end. Great prose, great style. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGally and the publishers for the ARC.

I'm a fan of the author's, so I was excited to see he had a new book coming out soon. I was thrilled when I was approved to read an early copy, and I came into the book with no knowledge of the subject matter. It took maybe 5 pages for me to be absolutely hooked on the premise, which was masterfully presented (and not totally revealed for a long time). Told in two distinct timelines, this in many ways is a look at the nuances of friendship among men, which on the surface is pretty simple but beneath the waves is subtle and deep.

Let me put it this way: I can't think of many authors who are better at their craft, who have such a brilliant insight into the human condition, who can combine the intricacies of the natural world with the complexity of friendship. I think this is brilliant.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Burn
Author: Peter Heller
Source: NetGalley
Pub Date: August 13, 2024

I am an ardent fan of Peter Heller, and he does not disappoint in his latest novel, Burn. Peter writes about two childhood friends who annually hunt off the grid in the woods of Maine only to return from their hunt to a world that is incomprehensible, bewildering, and dramatically changed in a few short weeks. The fact that the line between fact and fiction is alarmingly thin in this dystopian novel is probably scarier than a horror novel. Why? Because today’s reality often seems like a world that has turned upon itself and is a short breath from imploding. The writing, as usual, is impeccable, and the story is about love, loss, fear, survival, and above all…. getting home. If you read Heller’s books, he is often on a determined path home. Jess and his best friend, Storey, persevere in their quest and eventually find a ray of hope (I won’t ruin what it is) under horrific circumstances. It is an incredible story that I had to break into 3-day segments because of the heavy theme. Like one of his characters in the book, Peter Heller is a consummate storyteller. The author writes: “Everyone had to know in their bones that every life hung by a thread. That the world did.”
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#Burn #peterhellerauthor #dsytopian #war #loss #future #hope #bestfriends #survival #Secession #violence #death #destruction #victims #rage #love #sacrifice #hunter #peterheller #hunted @aaknopf @netgalley #erc
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Thank you to the Publisher, Netgalley, and Peter Heller, for the opportunity to read this novel.
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#book #books #bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookreviewersneeded

Peter Heller is the best. In the spirit of The Dog Stars, this book opens in a slightly-less dystopic setting where two childhood friends emerge from a wilderness trip to find the world has changed since they took off. (Remember when the pandemic hit and that one Grand Canyon rafting trip didn’t find out until weeks after all of us? Same vibe).

Typical Heller plot ensues: capable men with a soft side are thrust into a thrilling outdoor adventure with a few developments along the way. Beautiful paragraphs about nature are sprinkled into each chapter. What’s not to love? This wasn’t my favorite Heller, but it’s still Heller.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. This book was not for me. The premise intrigued me. Dystopian is really my thing. But I could not get into this. I picked it up would read a bit and feel my attention wandering. I picked it up, got distracted while reading and set it down more than a dozen times. I made it to 30% over the course of 4 weeks and when I just dreaded picking it up again, I knew it was time to call. Based on several other reviews, I believe it will be quite popular with a certain dynamic.

Loss can be random at times or it comes with a measured scope. It writes with a personal script or it encompasses everything in its path. And then it drains you like an open spigot.

Peter Heller is a remarkable writer. He takes on Nature in its purity and then soils it with the heavy footsteps of humanity. Burn is just that. Heller takes us on its journey into the lives of two brother-like figures, Jess and Storey, dedicated friends since childhood. Every year they pack up and join one another on fishing excursions or hunting in the wild. Jess is now living in Colorado and Storey resides in Vermont with his wife and daughters. There's a deep commitment here. That bond will be truly tested as Burn unfolds.

Jess and Storey are pushing the pedal to the metal in northern Maine until an empty gas gauge indicates that it's the end of the road. Both men grab their gear and head for the closest town. It's there that their eyes fall upon something unspeakable. Everything has been leveled and burned out. The eeriness overtakes them. As they push their travels farther, the truth thumbs a ride. Something has happened in this part of the country........something for which the darkest nightmares are made of. And Jess and Storey must make their way to the other side of chaos.

Burn rubs a little close. Peter Heller sees to that. We all ponder the impact of today's reality. Heller has always been noted for his fine-tuned characters facing the crap shoot of the odds that are not always in favor of a positive outcome. And Burn becomes a multi-faceted character study enabled with a flip of time from present to past. This explains and gives light to the personalities and decisions made by his main individuals. But it can easily bog down at times while the intensity is happening now. In any case, the plot moves on like a locomotive barreling in on the unknown and taking us readers clinging to the pages in the process. Good, good stuff, Peter Heller.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Penguin Random House and to the talented Peter Heller for the opportunity.

I always enjoy Peter Heller’s novels and this was no exception. As to be expected, the characters were well developed and the friendship between Jess and Storey was very moving. The setting and conflict was well done and I felt a sense of dread through the entire book. I found myself holding my breath through quite a few scenes. I would have like to know a little bit more at the end. Thank you NetGalley and Knopf for the egalley.

I love Peter Heller's books. This one is no outlier. He develops characters extremely well. He also does a great job creating a creeping sense of dread that just permeates the entire book. It was difficult to put this one down. I will say that the ending just sort of happened, and while I have no problem with ambiguous endings, this one felt a little unfinished. But otherwise, another successful outing.

I have enjoyed all of the author's previous books. They are all what I'd call "light dystopian" genre. The stories each take place in a world that hasn't completely collapsed but is close to doing so. This book is no different. It's a fast, easy, but very enjoyable read.

Heller is known to have adventure stories with twists and turns, building up to a big "a-ha!" moment... and Burn was no different.

The world-building was great, the protagonists were relatable (although I couldn't help but categorize Storey as an older guy, I really don't know why).

But the ending????? We spent the entire story wondering how things would end, and all of a sudden at 90% of the way through the story, we kick it into high gear and blast through the end.

I will continue to wait with baited breath for Heller's next masterpiece. This one just didn't pack as hard of a punch as The River did.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher for providing early access to this book - a portrait of friendship and resilience with a dystopian backdrop. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to it doing well in bookstores once released.

Peter Heller’s novels, which I’ve read many of, always delve deep into the human experience. From the complexities of male friendship to the raw ache of existential longing, his stories resonate. In his latest, "Burn," these themes shine once more.

Set in rural Maine, "Burn" follows two lifelong friends navigating a world torn apart by violence, searching for meaning in chaos. At first, the echoes of "The Dog Stars" felt too strong, but as the story unfolded, it took on a life of its own. Encounters with a young girl shifted their perspective, revealing hidden truths.

Through their journey, the fate of characters like Jess and Storey intertwines with the broader fate of humanity, reminding us of the importance of unity and the power of hope, themes Heller always handles masterfully.

I’m grateful for the chance to read "Burn" early, thanks to Knopf and NetGalley, and I can't wait to share my thoughts with my audience.

Two old friends, Storey and Jess, get together to hunt several times a year. Storey and Jess are basically brothers. Jess is an only child who grew up spending most of his time at his buddy Storey’s active house. Their friendship is well-detailed and interesting. But I never grew to appreciate either character very much.

The book begins with them being on a moose hunt in Maine. When they come out of the woods, they find towns decimated and have no idea what has happened. The situation creates a tense narrative that keeps the reader guessing. But it goes on for an awful long time. You don’t find out what’s happened until halfway through the book. While I appreciate the tension, it dragged for me.

Heller always does a great job of bringing nature into the story, and this book is no exception. The wilds of Maine come alive during their trek. But I honestly didn’t love it. I found it a slog and really just wanted to be finished. Which is the other big problem – the ending has no resolution. He just ran out of words and quit writing.

I appreciate his talent, and have enjoyed many of his books. But this one didn’t work for me.

Although this dystopian novel is at times harrowing, it is ultimately uplifting in its portrayal of nature, love, and friendship. This ranks as one of my favorit of Heller's novel. I highly reccomend it.

I love so much of his work. This wasn’t my favorite, but it was creative. I always love the depth of his troubled characters.

I enjoyed this story more than I expected. The multiple timelines were done well and never felt confusing. I loved their friendship and learning more about their histories while connecting with them in the present which helped to understand decisions made.

Another great book by Peter. This one is actually my favorite of his books. I enjoyed the Dog Stars as well. He is just a very talented writer. Highly recommend.

Dystopian fiction has been a genre I've enjoyed for decades, but I've been welcoming new scenarios and storylines over the past few years (spurred on by the pandemic and the breakdown of our current world -- politically, environmentally, and socially.)

Reality has been, truly, far stranger than fiction in recent years. Peter Heller has effectively captured a story of two lifelong friends, Jess and Storey, from New Hampshire who have maintained an annual hunting trip in spite of their individual lives/relationships diverging and outside forces growing increasingly unstable. This trip lands them in a remote area of Maine.

The novel follows the two men emerging partway through their trip to discover troubling and, soon to be apparent, dire and deadly circumstances. Without giving away details, the story becomes a survival mission as clues to their situation begin to emerge. It's a tense and compelling read and one I really enjoyed.

There are a few ancillary plotlines that go backward and forward in time which outline the men's families, backgrounds, and situations from which they have emerged and I found that some of this content distracted from the much more interesting and riveting main plot. The story is told from the perspective of Jess and, as a result, is very one-sided in its telling. It was also difficult to fathom how some of the circumstances could have taken place outside of the mens' attention (logistically) BUT even with these minor issues, it was a well-written and very worthwhile read. This is an author that knows the outdoors and proves it repeatedly in his writing. I thank #NetGalley and #Knopf for the opportunity to read and review this book. On shelves 8/13/2024 and absolutely worth reading.

I flew through this 300 page book
Jess and Storey are best friends. They have been deep in the Maine woods, hunting, fishing, and camping for two weeks. When they emerge, the world is a different place. The first town they come to is destroyed. With no way of knowing what caused this catastrophe, they must rely on their wits if they ever want to get home. That is, if they even still have homes.
Told in two timelines, the past and present. The present was my favorite, just because I wanted to know what the heck was going on. It’s a hair raising story, one where I never knew if these men would live or die. Once I discovered what had happened, let’s just say it was a sad look at our current world.
My first read by this author and now I want more.