Welcome to our stop on the
Burning blog tour for Elana K. Arnold. Today we will feature 2 reviews and a tour giveaway. This tour is hosted by Book Nerd Tours and full schedule can be found
HERE.
Burning
Author:
Elana K. Arnold
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: June 11th 2013
Review Source: Delacorte Press
Ben: Having just graduated from high school, Ben is set to leave Gypsum, Nevada. It’s good timing since the gypsum mine that is the lifeblood of the area is closing, shutting the whole town down with it. Ben is lucky: he’s headed to San Diego, where he’s got a track scholarship at the University of California. But his best friends, Pete and Hog Boy, don’t have college to look forward to, so to make them happy, Ben goes with them to check out the hot chick parked on the side of Highway 447.
Lala: She and her Gypsy family earn money by telling fortunes. Some customers choose Tarot cards; others have their palms read. The thousands of people attending the nearby Burning Man festival spend lots of cash–especially as Lala gives uncanny readings. But lately Lala’s been questioning whether there might be more to life than her upcoming arranged marriage. And the day she reads Ben’s cards is the day that everything changes for her. . . and for him.
Ben- a leader, a protector. The small town, populated by 489 people, where he grew up in was now kicking him out. There was nothing left there for anyone. The town was soon to be deserted. Ben was going off to college in San Diego and his family and his two best friends were moving to Reno. Even though he has such a great opportunity ahead of him, he feels guilty because of it. It pained him to have to leave behind his best friends, and his little brother whom he protected. Enter Lala- a fortune telling gypsy. She knows her future perfectly. She will get married to her fiancé, have children and live the Gypsy life. Her way of life is not wrong to her, it just is. But when Ben shows up in her tent for a fortune, the burning he awakens in her is too real to ignore.
I don't even know how to being describing this book. It was amazing! We get to view both Ben and Lala's perspectives. Ben is about to start his college journey but is feeling an insane amount of guilt and doesn't even like talking about it. His mom, dad, and little brother are moving to Reno. He has always tried protecting his little brother and now that he's leaving to college he hates that he won't be there for him anymore. He's also leaving behind his two best friends, whom have nothing exciting to look forward to. As a going away present, his best friends drive him to a place where they saw a hot chick telling fortunes. That is when Lala and Ben meet. Lala feels it as soon as she sees Ben, there is undoubted chemistry between them. She gives him his fortune and he asks her out on a date. But she denies him. Why? Because she is engaged already, and Ben is a ghazi. Lala's way of life is completely different than Ben's. She has different rules and different beliefs. But what if she were allowed to choose what SHE wants? This book is about self-discovery. Both of the characters learn from each other, and help each other move on to their great journeys.
When I finished reading the last words of this book my initial thoughts were: "that is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever read." I FELT liberated, I FELT free. When you read a book there is always one character you relate to, usually the main character. But I am torn, I found myself relating entirely to both Ben and Lala. It was a strange feeling for me- to want what Ben wanted, and then want what Lala wanted even though it was conflicting. My gosh Elana K. Arnold, you are absolutely brilliant! I feel like conquering the world now, like choosing things because it is what I WANT to choose. If this book is not on your to-be-read pile, do yourself a favor and add it immediately. It is a true eye-opener, seeing the lives of Ben and Lala making choices for them entirely and no one else. Often times we live our life the way it is "supposed to be lived." But this book empowers you! It was much more than a YA read, and I am recommending this to anyone and everyone! And I would love to say "Thank you, Elana K. Arnold. Thank you!"
At first glance Burning, painted a picture in my mind that someone unknown would be on a journey. Her face is hidden by the blinding sun and the road she travels appears to be dusty and long . In Burning there are several journeys being made and many characters undergoing changes in life. Changes wanted, unwanted, and some even a necessity for living. The reader is quickly introduced to three friends, all getting ready to go their separate ways in life. Our main character Ben, has received a full track and field scholarship and will be leaving behind his parents and younger brother as they start a new life, in another town.
The story takes place in Gypsum, a town built on the foundation of the local mill that is closing. With the close of the mill comes the relocation of the citizens of Gypsum and the possible end of Gypsum forever. As Ben figures out the new paths that he is about to encounter, he is introduced to Lala. A beautiful gypsy who has a beautiful gift of reading cards, interpreting the lives of others. With this quick reading of cards about Ben's life comes an attraction for Lala that Ben can not let go of.
Written through the point of view of both Ben and Lala, Elana Arnold has created a storyline that is beautifully written and packed with details that silently flows from page to page. The reader is able to see and feel the love, pain and hurt from the characters and truly make those real life experience connections while reading. These connections bring yet another level of great writing into play. The author has included a lot of background information on many pieces of the storyline that enables the reader to know and understand completely the worlds of these two very different, yet similar individuals. This is a coming of age novel for both Ben and Lala. It's a rough road that they must travel. Rough decisions must be made. It's the decisions centered around traditions, struggles and hope that provide a "burning" desire for both Ben and Lala to live life to its fullest.
About the Author: ELANA K. ARNOLD completed her M.A. in Creative Writing/Fiction at the University of California, Davis. She grew up in Southern California, where she was lucky enough to have her own horse–a gorgeous mare named Rainbow–and a family who let her read as many books as she wanted. She lives in Long Beach, California, with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of animals. She is represented by Rubin Pfeffer of the East/West Literary Agency. Sacred is her debut novel.
3 Winners will receive a Copy of Burning by Elana K. Arnold.
1 Winner will receive a Surprise ART Poster and Bookmark by James Vallesteros.
5 Winners will receive a Surprise ART Bookmark by James Vallesteros.
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