Moody, intense, and kinda beautiful in a broken way. The story pulled me in with its emotion and atmosphere, and I really felt the weight of everything the characters were carrying. It didn’t totally hit 5 stars for me—maybe a bit slow in parts or didn’t punch as hard as I expected—but still, solid and stuck with me after.

“After we burned” is shelved as a YA thriller, a genre I’m never tired of, but this one wasn’t exactly what I expected from a thriller. Yes, there’s a girl who dies in a mysterious way, but I felt like her plot was rushed and not the main focus of the book (which is okay, but I wasn’t that interested in finding out how that happened/what caused it, and that’s usually the thing that keeps me interested in a thriller).
And I think that was also because the girl who dies is a stranger to us readers, despite some chapters being from her point of view: I couldn’t connect with her, I felt uninterested.
The book mainly deals with toxic and abusive relationships, and I felt like that was more the centre of the book than the ‘how did this girl die?’ bit.
There’s a few characters, but they felt flat and, once again, so far away that I didn’t care about them.
It’s a nice read, unfortunately I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would; some chapters were boring, and maybe too slow and repetitive.

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I can say that I'm a fan! I loved the multiple POV's that were all interwoven together. The characters were interesting and each had their own backstory. There were multiple twists that I didn't expect and I felt all the emotions while I was reading this book. Will definitely be reading more by this author.

pretty well written thriller by Njikamp, with interesting writing and pretty good characters. has some good twists, too. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

As a past high school teacher, when I read about teachers committing atrocities against students, I am of course, horrified, and I also find myself wondering how my previous school administrations would react. Would we do the "right" thing? Or would we attempt to protect the adult and ignore student voice?

This book will interest and engage both young adults and adult readers, and has a lot to offer in the way of small group book discussions. There will be patrons who resonate with Eden, others with Payton, and some with Theo (for who they are as characters, not what has happened to them). I would recommend this book, but also encourage readers to read the author's note/content warnings because it is not a light-hearted or easy read, but there is hope throughout.

A fast-paced quick read. Told from multiple points of view and alternating timelines. Everybody has secrets...the town, the people. What will come to light? What really happened?

This was an interesting premise - we bounce back and forth between different students' POV to try and figure what REALLY happened leading up to the night that Eden was caught and died in a school fire.

From the first few chapters, I was really engrossed in this one! The characters were interesting and I enjoyed reading about their diverse personalities and backgrounds - story layouts like these always have me guessing how they intertwine in the end because some of the connections weren't as obvious at first! Unfortunately, it didn't really feel like there was much suspense or buildup toward the end, making things feel a bit rushed and unfinished. I also wanted a little bit more from some characters, particularly Eden and Theo.

Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read that I think YA readers will eat up upon its publication! Thanks for the ARC!

The worldbuilding was vivid, and the emotional moments hit hard. It did get a bit slow in places, but overall it was a good read.

This novel was confusing. I kept feeling like there was a back story with Theo that I was missing. Comments like "When I chose my name" or allusions to past school trauma that wasn't explained made me wonder if there as information about Theo that didn't make the cut for the book and that these portions of the narrative needed to be removed as well.

Having read several of Marieke’s books, I can say with certainty that she has a talent for crafting gripping and intense stories. 54 Minutes was my first introduction to her writing, and ever since, I’ve been hooked—always on the lookout for her latest work.

When I saw the chance to request After We Burned on NetGalley, I knew I had to jump on it immediately!

Set to release on July 1st, this book takes place in a high school setting and follows four students, each with their own secrets. Kelsey, one of the popular kids at Pierce High, Eden, an introverted art lover, Payton, who is hiding a secret relationship, and Theo, the school newspaper’s writer, all find themselves entangled in a mystery that goes far deeper than anyone could have imagined.

At the heart of it all lies a fire—one that left behind more questions than answers. But that’s not the only thing being kept under wraps. There are whispers about a teacher, hidden truths that some would do anything to keep buried. How long can these secrets stay in the dark? What really happened to Eden? And when the truth finally surfaces, will the town be ready for it?

This story is a rollercoaster of suspense, deception, and the fierce determination to protect those we care about. Get ready for a jaw-dropping ride!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

AFTER WE BURNED by Marieke Nijkamp

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc (July 1)

When a fire starts at the local high school, a student ends up dying. What no one knows is that five teens were there that night...that they know what happened, and that they'll protect their secrets.
I'll admit, this book didn't hold my attention as well as I would have liked in the beginning. It's nothing against the story. I was confused because there were so many different points of views and timelines that it was hard to keep track of, but once I was able to, I unearthed a story about grief and sacrifice.
AFTER WE BURNED is a story of loss, love, and standing up against those who wronged you. It's compelling and an emotional roller-coaster. Around the halfway point was when everything started coming together and making sense, and I was hooked. I wanted---needed---to know what happened and would happen. It was like I was a puppet being controlled as I devoured the rest of the story. And let me tell, this story is something else. I haven't read much by this author, but what I've read has been grasping and emotional. And most not for the feint of heart. AFTER WE BURNED is not exception. Once the story begins to unfold, and we as reader learn what is actually going on, it can be said that this touches on topics tha may be hard or triggering for some. Nonetheless, I ended liking this more than I thought I would.

A fast-paced, quick read. The plot is heavy with a variety of abuses (parent-child and teacher-child). A couple of twists along the way and told from a few characters with past and present timelines while unwinding the mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

A story of trauma tinged with Hope. The author doesn’t shy away from tough subject matter. They truly capture the voice of so many who have experienced similar trauma. Mind the trigger warnings. But as someone with very similar trauma I felt the same sad sort of comfort in knowing that I wasn’t alone in my experiences or my feelings that came from them. Well worth reading.

This was fantastic. I love how Marieke Nijkamp always makes me think and reflect. This will definitely be added to my collection.

Thank you SourceBooks Fire and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. The high school in Fenix burned down. Unfortunately Eden was inside when it happened. She died trying to escape. It’s ruled a tragic accident and the town grieves for a girl they didn’t know or really care about but 5 teens hold crucial pieces of what happened that night. But each has something to hide. Can they keep their secrets or will the truth come out? A story about finding courage and speaking out! Thrilling and intriguing! Will keep you turning the pages, would highly recommend checking this one out!

thanks to netgalley and sourcebooks for this awesome arc!

the story follows a series of kids trying to tell their community about their disgusting teacher. they decided to expose him about vandilazing his classroom. tragically, things don't work out in their favors.

this book is so good!! i loved the characters. i wanted to give them all hugs because they all def deserve it.

if you want to cry, please read this book when it is released!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for accepting my offer of an ARC!
I want someone to tell her story and the story of Pierce High School.
Because no one will trust me. Not in any way that
matters.
And they shouldn't.
No one will believe my truth.
But Eden deserves justice.
And so do I.
4.75/5
This is my second Nijkamp book I have ever read, he first one being one of my favorite books of 2024, This is Where It Ends. Though similar, After We Burned had a different tone than the previous book. Yes, it was different but that's what made it stand out as well. I enjoyed seeing the plot be told through everyone's eyes. I found myself at times going along with Theo, trying to piece this jigsaw puzzle together. All the POVs were very well written, and I was thankfully able to keep them separate, because sometimes, when it comes to different POVs the characters can sometimes end up sounding very similar, but not in this case. I felt like each one could stand on their own and their voices showed through their POVs. It was a truly heartbreaking story of grief and the means to find justice.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Marieke Nijkamp delivers an emotional and gut-wrenching YA thriller in “After We Burned,” a story about grief, trauma, and the power of speaking out. The book centers around a devastating fire at Fenix High School that claims the life of Eden, a girl whose death raises more questions than answers. As the town mourns, five teens hold pieces of the truth, each carrying their own secrets—some of which they are desperate to keep hidden. Before going into the book review, I do want to provide a content warning of my own (a detailed, well-meaning content warning is also placed at the beginning of the book) involving child physical abuse from a parent and SA from a teacher on minor students.

The book primarily follows Payton, Eden’s secret love interest, who had been planning to escape with her to flee an abusive home. Through Payton’s perspective and flashbacks from Eden’s point of view, the story slowly uncover the layers of tragedy leading up to that fateful night. The book tackles heavy topics, including abuse and power dynamics in a school setting.

One of the strongest themes in “After We Burned” is the suffocating grip of privilege and silence. The story highlights the ways those in power manipulate narratives to protect themselves, and how victims struggle to be heard in a town where no one wants to admit the truth. At the heart of the mystery is a teacher whose legacy keeps people quiet, making it even more painful to see how Eden—and others before her—were failed by the system. The book is unflinching in its portrayal of trauma but also emphasizes the importance of safe spaces, support systems, and collective action.

Despite its powerful themes, some aspects of the book felt a bit underdeveloped. With multiple characters connected to Eden, it can be difficult to keep track of all the relationships, and while the mystery unfolds steadily, the plot never fully reaches a climax. Additionally, the ending, while poignant and hopeful, feels a bit abrupt, leaving a few questions unanswered.

Even so, “After We Burned” is a gripping, thought-provoking read that will resonate with fans of emotional thrillers. It delivers a strong message about standing together against injustice and the importance of breaking the silence, making it a powerful and necessary book for today’s readers.

2 stars

The high school in Fenix, Colorado burns down, killing Eden, a student there. The town mourns her even though no one cared much about her before. And what was she doing at the school that night? Did she cause the fire? (It seems like the the only person wondering that is me, actually when, um, I’m sorry she died and all, but she does seem the obvious suspect, right?)

There are a group of teens who all know something about the fire, but they all have their own secrets. Can Eden’s two best friends trust each other enough to get at the truth? And what about the two Lewis girls (daughters of the family that runs the town) and their friend Cameron?

I didn’t realize this book was YA until after I started it, but should have guessed given the subject matter. It’s told from multiple POVs, including Eden’s. It is very melodramatic and a lot of it doesn’t make tons of sense, especially around Eden’s death. Maybe some YAs would like it, but I did not.

A group of girls from different social groups decide to take down a teacher whom almost everyone likes after he sexually assaults them. This becomes mixed up with the night that Eden and Payton planned to run away together. Before that night ends, one of them dies and the other is horribly traumatized. Even worse, no one in power believes them.

This is the basic plotline, so it’s clear that this book takes on serious issues. Be aware of this before you decide to read it. For me, it brought up memories of a similar teacher from my high school. Seeing as how I rang up his order at a bookstore—and it was all Barely Legal magazines—I fear he did the same to some of my fellow classmates.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.