Boring and choppy. Quit at 45% with the weird, unnecessary scene between Jess and his friend’s mom. No thank you! (I got an advanced copy through NetGalley.)

In BURN, Peter Heller wraps his characters in a dystopian world that has them completely unsure of anyone else's motives, but very sure that they are in mortal danger. Jess and Storey are old friends who have gone hunting together in rural Maine for years. This year, when they decide to switch locations after a week or so, they emerge from the forest to find total destruction in every town they pass. Cell phone service is completely dead, and no one seems to be living to be able to tell them what is happening. They move somewhat carefully until events conspire to make it clear that a much more circumspect presence is in order. The sense of disorientation and danger is palpable, made all the more so because they can't figure out what is going on.

Eventually the men come to an odd amusement park sort of town where they pick up enough hints and information to have a better idea of the events taking place, and where they rescue a five- year- old girl. The three of them move across the blasted land, attempting to remain safe (or at least alive) while they look for Collie's parents and escape from the hellish world they've entered. The book is told from Jess' point of view, and it is highly introspective. As new dangers are uncovered, Jess reflects upon how his life intersected with Storey and his family, and the meaning of his earlier experiences informs his actions throughout the novel.

As in all of his previous books, Heller's writing about nature is evocative, atmospheric, and beautiful. His characters are deeply developed, and his plot complex. For those who want non-stop action and a clean drawing together of plot threads to a complete resolution, this book may feel slow because of the alternating chapters dealing with the men's past and the open ending. However, those who appreciate the beauty of the writing that adds depth and dimension to the plot, characters, and setting will allow Heller to take them into the world he's made whole. Life isn't a direct path between points and Heller helps the reader see how the events of the world can be completely compelling in spite of being not wholly understood.

I have enjoyed every book Heller has written, and I look forward to each new one. Heller only infrequently revisits the same world, and I am amazed at his ability to bring each new concept to life so fully. This book is so beautifully written that I may just find myself breaking my own rule and rereading it before he brings us his next. If you haven't read Heller before, then this is a treat. But that could be said of all of his books. This may be the best book I've read this year and I highly recommend it.

Burn by Peter Heller is a dystopian novel set in Maine. Best friends Jess and Storey are on their annual hunting trip when they notice some strange things going on, villages and hamlets are burned to the ground with no obvious reason. When they spot one of the victims with a '49' patch on his chest, they realize they have stumbled upon the secession movement that has taken over the state. Instead of hunting, they become the hunted and their attempt to survive and escape make for a thrilling tale.
Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for my review copy of this book.

I love Peter Heller's writing. Very visual & always incorporates parts of nature into his stories.

This dystopian story takes places in rural Maine- 2 life long best friends on their yearly hunting trip.
Things turn very strange for them while they are hiking the trails. They realize they need to take cover & find out what has happened around them. There's a back story for these 2 friends & we learn bits & pieces as Jess & Storey have time to reflect on their past. A story of friendship, survival, trust & love.

I am hoping we aren't left hanging, as I feel this book needs a sequel!!

Thanks, Knopf, for the review copy via NetGalley and @PRHAudio for the #gifted audiobook. #PRHAudioPartner #sponsored

I am drawn to dystopian novels and Maine settings, so imagine my delight at finding those two characteristics combined!

Jess, a walking country song (his wife left him, and his dog died), is on his annual hiking/hunting/fishing trip with his lifelong best friend, Storey. They know civil wars are brewing in the area but assume it can’t get too nutty in the middle of nowhere, Maine, right? Whoo, Boy, are they wrong. Their first clue? Coming upon a little town burned to the ground. Then another. They’re menaced by unmarked helicopters and shot at by a few random survivors. Without cell service or vehicle, they must use their wits and survival skills to maneuver the wilderness.

For your expectation management, this story is more introspection than action as Jess contemplates his life choices and decisions. Something about the balance or the narration worked perfectly for me, and I devoured the audiobook in one sitting. Bonus points for an encounter with a crotchety geriatric on an ATV that made me laugh out loud and the depth of friendship between Jess and Storey. I knew the characters well in a short amount of time.

While the ending might seem abrupt, it suited the dystopian tone of the story while still feeling complete.

In the midst of the horrors of war, there has to be love and kindness to allow life to go on. Peter Heller has crafted another fabulous novel that reflects the worry of a politically divided country devolving to war. His characters are fully brought to life, filling the pages with their memories and personalities. He explores what it means to be a family, to love, to forgive.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing for the ARC to read and review.

I have loved every Peter Heller book I've read, and this one is no different. He is so good at male relationships, but also at writing such tense situations that it keeps you reading. I will always pick up a Heller book.

Peter Heller fans will not be disappointed by his latest, Burn. We begin with two male friends emerging from a hunting trip in the woods to a completely different world. Buildings are burnt to the ground, cars are abandoned, there's no one in sight, and there have been murmurings of state secessions. The men have to make sense of what is going on, which only becomes more difficult when they run into something else they must protect.

This is my type of dystopia. Character driven, yet with enough action and tension to pull us forward, enough questions answered but not too much to make it feel trite or neat; I really liked this. We get to deeply know our two main characters, their motivations, and their humanity. This all felt very prescient and I'll be thinking about this for a long time.

Every year, Jess and Storey have made an annual pilgrimage to the most remote corners of the country, where they camp, hunt, and hike, leaving much from their long friendship unspoken. The state of Maine has convulsed all summer with secession mania, a mania that has also spread across other states.

After weeks hunting off the grid, the men reach a small town and are shocked when they find: a bridge blown apart, buildings burned to the ground, and bombed-out cars abandoned on the road. Trying to make sense of it all they attempt to find their way home by resorting to unconventional, less modern means such as dragging a wagon across bumpy dirt roads and scavenging from boats left in lakes for supplies. This is all while dodging armed men as they seek a path to safety. Then, a startling discovery drastically alters their path and the stakes of their escape.

The idea of having to rely on nature for survival in a modern world is very interesting. This book is a lot more than that though. It takes a long time to get to the point and it's confusing along the way. Maybe I just couldn't see the grand scope.

The parts where the focus is on nature and survival are fun. I don't feel I got any answers to what was really going on though.

Heller's spare prose rises to the occasion yet again in Burn. Jess and Storey are BFFs on a hunting trip in Maine when everything turns upside down. As the two try to figure out why every village and hamlet has been burned down and the inhabitants killed, Jess reflects on the relationships he's had, especially with Storey and his family, who welcomed him in. Storey is married, and a father; Jess is neither. These roles dictate how they each navigate through the situations they find themselves in, giving a stunning examination of what we owe each other, found family, and self-examination.

My mystery book club read Peter Heller's Celine and I enjoyed that book. So when I saw that he had a post-apocalyptic book coming out I knew I had to read it as a possible recommendation to my post-apocalyptic book club.

It reminded me a little of Cormac McCarthy's The Road as the story is focused more on the journey that the two friends Jess and Storey are on rather than the apocalyptic event.

I was as invested as the two characters in figuring out what happened from the start with the description of an entire town burned to the ground followed quickly by Black Hawk helicopters coming out of nowhere to mow down a single woman in a rowboat. As details emerge I started to wonder what led to the events, however, that part of the world-building is vague. Speaking of world-building... it is pretty sparse. At first, I thought it was in the distant future but as technology and things are mentioned it felt more like the very near future.

We get a lot more backstory from Jess than from Storey. Perhaps it is because Storey is looking forward to finding his family, returning home to the town he grew up in. Whereas Jess, who left their Vermont hometown for Colorado and has no one to return to is more focused on the past. First it is the recent past with his wife leaving and their dog dying to further back into his teenage years. I'm not sure what point the author was really trying to make with all the introspection. It wasn't boring but given the ending, I'm just not sure what the point was.

Jess and Storey stumble upon a 5-year-old girl. This plot thread would make for a good discussion. While Storey seems to focus on the girl and her needs (perhaps because he is a father), Jess seems much more concerned about himself (which might be why Jan left him).

I enjoyed the book up to the end. I don't like ambiguous endings (like we get with The Giver by Lois Lowry). The story just ended. If you want everything wrapped up neatly or at least reasonably explained, then you probably won't like the ending either. There is no indication that this is the start of a series, but that is almost how the ending feels - like it is setting up book 2. I wouldn't mind a second book if it explained more about the world and what happens next for the characters.

I picked up this book as a possible recommendation to my book club. Will I recommend it? Yes. I think many people in my group will enjoy it. If we do read it as a group, there is plenty to discuss.

I don't normally comment on the cover of a book in my reviews but I really like the cover of Burn and I would like to have a print copy to have the cover on my shelf.

My review will be published on Thursday at Girl Who Reads - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2024/08/burn-by-peter-heller-review.html

Best friends Jess and Story are close as brothers in Peter Heller’s Burn. While on a hunting trip, the men encounter an eery Maine town that has been burned to the ground, leading them on a harrowing and politically charged journey across Maine, as they struggle to return home.

For fans of the A24 film, Civil War and Rumaan Alam’s novel and Netflix film, Leave the World Behind.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, Anchor for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Each year, Jess and Storey embark on a remote camping and hunting trip, leaving much unsaid in their long friendship. Despite secession turmoil spreading across Maine and beyond, they assume it's a distant issue. But after weeks off the grid, they return to find destruction everywhere. As they struggle to get home, a shocking discovery raises the stakes of their journey.

"Burn" is written from Jess's perspective, blending action with deep introspection and memories. I'm torn about this dystopian novel set in the woods of northern Maine during a civil war over the state's secession. The world-building immersed me in Maine's autumn, but the men remained unaware of the outside world's events for most of the book, only able to gather information from the violence witnessed around them. Some elements were compelling enough to keep me reading, but others felt out of place, vague, or unnecessary, leaving the story feeling somewhat incomplete.

While the last quarter reveals some answers, many questions remain, even after finishing the book. The novel explores themes of grief, loss, loyalty, and male friendship, but it can feel slow at times. The causes of the conflict and the ending felt unconvincing. Overall, it's a tense, thought-provoking read with great world-building, though I expected more action and clarity on the dystopian events. Hoping Peter Heller decides to write a sequel to this one!

Thank you again, NetGalley, for the ARC! I give this book a 4.00/5 stars!! Would recommend this book to any readers looking for a dystopian story where best friends try to navigate the violence occurring around them!

Two men, friends since childhood, are hunting in rural Maine. When they emerge from the woods, they spot a small town and are shocked at the destruction and death that they find. When they spot one of the victims with a '49' patch on his chest, they realize they have stumbled upon the secession movement that has taken over the state. Instead of hunting, they become the hunted, and their attempts to survive and escape the region make for a thrilling read! I loved the author's portrayal of these two men, determined to do the right thing. Lots of food for thought here!

While not my favorite of Heller's novels, Burn still showcases what he does REALLY well - creating a slow, uneasy build with extremely well rounded characters (ugh love back stories - even though one gave me the ICK) set in nature. The arc just didn't do it for me this time like other novels he's released.

Burn by Peter Heller is a short and powerful novel. Set in a near future dystopian world in which the state of Maine may have (or may not have?) seceded from the union, it is filled with tension as our main characters try to figure out what the heck is going on when they emerge from a hunting trip in the woods to a world that is burning, largely emptied, and imbued with unknown threats. When they find a young girl, their challenges increase. This book reminded me of the recent I Cheerfully Refuse by Lief Enger in both the dystopian vibes and the introduction of a young girl to the mix (though it has less of a weirdly uplifting feel than Enger's novel). Heller's writing is excellent in its evocation of a brutal landscape and the weaving-in of the men's earlier lives is done in a way that masterfully serves the story.

This is my fourth read by Peter Heller. I love his descriptions of nature and how he practically turns it into a character in his stories. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me in this one. This story is told in third person and follows Jess, who has been on an annual hunting trip with his long-time friend, Storey. They emerge from the forest of Maine after weeks hunting off the grid to find blown up bridges, burned down towns and bodies, lots of bodies. As they make plans to figure out a way home without knowing what’s going on except a guess that the previous talk of secession they heard before their trip must have happened, they are under attack.

I thought the friendship between Jess and Storey was well done. It was my favorite aspect of the novel. I also enjoyed their comradery and collaboration as they strategized the best paths to take to make it safely back to Storey’s family. For the most part, everyone they encounter is in kill-or-be-killed mode.

The dystopian background is a bit too ambiguous for me. The pair look for information about what’s going on but never found anything that satisfied me. It felt like I was dropped in a war zone with no information about either side. In addition, a lot of the narrative is spent with Jess ruminating about his relationships, especially the unhealthy ones that he has had with women over the course of his life. Combined with the ambiguous dystopian setting, I found it too distracting to appreciate any of the beauty in their surroundings.

Limited recommendations for the friendship, descriptions of Maine, and dystopian setting if you don’t mind a bit of ambiguity.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for a copy provided for an honest review.

I am DNFing this at 45%. I've been stuck behind this book for about 3 weeks now, and just have no real desire to pick it up. I've been wanting to read a Peter Heller book for some time now. I am bummed this one didn't work out for me. I think the issues for this reader came down to 2 things: the pace and the descriptive nature writing. This is a very......very slow burn. And while I am interested in the story and what in the world is going on here, the pacing and nature writing just do not have me excited to pick it up and continue reading. I may try this again at a less busy season of life and see if it works for me then.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the eARC.

The premise of this novel promise dystopia, and I was all in for that. What I did not expect was some of the back story between these character that unfortunately for me took away from the story.

Burn by Peter heller on the surface is dystopian novel. Two best friends emerge from the woods in Maine to find their world changed by war. There are no songs of life. The two friends, Jess and story, navigate this world and try to piece together what it all means. While one would think this would be a fast-paced action-thriller it actually is a slow burn character study. The action takes second seat to the character development and the relationship between Jess and storey, heller does an excellent job of humanizing everyone he writes and the reader feels for these two men and their friendship. Recommend this book to any heller lover or readers of character-driven novels.

Thanks to the publisher for providing the arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.