Posted by Donna
Release Date: January 5th, 2013
Finished Date: November 28th, 2012
Publishers: Simon & Schuster
Source: For Review
Format: Paperback
The second title in a new four-book romance series from the Red House Book Award–winning author of Girl, Missing.
Four months have passed and River and Flynn's romance is still going strong. River thinks Flynn has his anger under control, but when she discovers he has been getting into fights and is facing a terrible accusation at school, she starts to question both Flynn's honesty - and the intensity of their passion.
Things come to a head at a family get together when River sees Flynn fly into one unprovoked rage too many.
The consequences for both of them are devastating and threaten to tear them apart forever.
The Review: Ever since I read the first book in this series Falling Fast, I've been dying for the release of Burning Bright. This is my first series that I've read by this author and so far, I'm really liking what I read.
Burning Bright starts a few months later after the events in Falling Fast, and even though Flynn is trying to control his anger - nothing can stop him flying off the hand expect for River. However, when River's mother and friends become concerned about River's well being, it's harder for River and Flynn to be together and trouble comes when their relationship is threaten to be torn apart.
I loved this instalment. It was a fantastic sequel - one that kept you guessing through out. I also found it quite emotional because you can really feel what's happening to the characters as you read the story. River and Flynn are great together but Flynn's anger at his father, at not having much money and pretty much his anger towards everything, starts to bring their relationship down. Both characters go through so much this time around, their battling against everyone they love and in the end, my heart was starting to break for them. I just wanted them to have their happy ending - even though I know this is going to be a four part series, but for teenagers, their dealing with so much - especially Flynn. He's a guy that hasn't has the greatest up bringing and you can see why he struggles so much. I want him to get better and the ending of this brings some relief to the readers that are praying for Flynn. And River, she's great as always. I really enjoyed that she got to spend more time being a teenager, partying and going out with her friends. Her mother was quite frankly an annoying character - at times I felt she was going over board but I can't really blame her. And I also enjoyed we got to see more of River's father too.
All in all, Burning Bright is a sequel not to be missed and one I'd highly recommend. Sophie McKenzie provides a story that is written beautifully with an intriguing plot and characters that aren't perfect but are very real.
Author Interview with Sophie McKenzie.
When did you first start writing?
I’ve always loved stories but only started writing fiction seriously when I was made redundant from my job in 2003. I took a creative writing course and decided that Autumn to try and get published.
Do you have a favourite place to write?
I can write anywhere but I like it best when I’m at home so I can take breaks (and make cups of tea) whenever I get a bit stuck, need to look something up or fancy doing something else!
What’s the best part about writing a story?
There are three stages: planning, writing and editing. I really enjoy all of these, but my favourite stage is the writing, when I’m inside the heads of my characters and caught up in their world.
Can you tell us a little bit about what you’re working on now?
I’m editing the third book in the Flynn (Falling Fast) series: Casting Shadows will be published in July 2013 and continues the story of River and Flynn. I’m also in the process of writing a new thriller for Autumn 2013, called Split Second. This year will also see the paper back version of Missing Me (last in the Missing series) and my first book for adults – Close My Eyes – which comes out in May. You can find out more about all these on my website,
www.sophiemckenziebooks.com
Questions relating to Falling Fast Series.
What was your inspiration for writing Falling Fast series?
Part of the idea came from the plays I acted in when I was at school. However, the characters of River and Flynn were the real inspiration - in particular the fact that River is desperate to experience romantic love and that Flynn is damaged and angry.
Can you tell us how you chose Flynn and River’s names?
For Flynn I wanted a strong, one syllable name that would work as both his surname and the name he prefers to be called. Choosing River’s name was fun. In the story she explains that her parents used to be hippies so I needed eco-friendly, alternative names for both River and her brother, Stone. The name River is also a reference to Darrell Rivers, the main character in Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series, which I loved when I was younger.
Who would play your dream cast if your book was optioned for a film?
I don’t know! Films take a while to come together so the people who could play River and Flynn at 16 and 17 are probably unknowns aged about 12 or 13 right now.
Do you have a favourite character?
Emmi is great fun to write, as are River’s parents – and I adore River herself. However, Flynn is not just my favourite character in this series but probably my favourite character ever, out of all my books.
Would you ever consider writing a novella told from Flynn’s point of view?
I don’t think I would. The whole point about Flynn, for me, is that we never do completely understand him because we always see him through River’s eyes.
What’s your favourite quote from Burning Bright?
I don’t really have one but I like River’s description of her feelings for Flynn here: ‘Falling was what our whole relationship felt like right now. Falling in love. Falling into each other. Like we were flying, floating down through endless air. The rest of the world rushing by, all we needed in our arms.’
About Author: Sophie was born and brought up in London, where she still lives. She has worked as a journalist and a magazine editor, but fell in love with writing after being made redundant and enrolling in a creative writing course. She burst into the publishing world with Girl, Missing her debut novel (published 2006), which tallied up numerous award wins nationwide, including the Richard and Judy Best Kids’ Books 2007 (12+ category), The Red House Book Award and The Manchester Children’s Book Award. She was also longlisted for the Branford Boase award, which commends debut authors, and the coveted Carnegie Medal. Girl, Missing was followed by two other books in the Missing series: Sister, Missing and Missing Me. Plus other thrillers (the Blood Ties and The Medusa Project series), the Luke and Eve romance books and Sophie's latest romance series which includes Falling Fast, Burning Bright, Casting Shadows and Defy the Stars.
Posted by Donna
