There are very few negative reviews on this blog because I rarely keep reading a book that I don't like, after I feel I have given it a fair shot. Recently, though, I read Burned by Ellen Hopkins, a teen novel written in verse. Since I had to write questions for the Iowa Battle of the Books competition, I had to finish reading it.

I was surprised that I found so little to appreciate with this title, because I have heard such great things about the author, and especially her most famous book, Crank. I expected an edgy, angsty, instense read. Instead, I felt offended by the narrow and cliched portrayal of the Mormon community and especially of an abusive household and domestic violence victims. I felt like the author's messages about nuclear waste disposal (while an important issue) was out of place and overtly didactic. I also thought the romance and sexuality felt pretty false. With the exception of Pattyn, the main character, the characters felt two dimensional.

I'd say pass on this one.