Enna Burning

by Shannon Hale Narrated by Cynthia Bishop, Full Cast

Overview

It's been two years since Enna was swept up in a heart-pounding court adventure. Now, having returned to her old life in the forests of Bayern, she is growing restless. When a strange force takes possession of her brother, Liefer, she returns to the capital to seek the help of her friend Isi, Bayern's princess. But Bayern is tottering on the verge of war with neighboring Tira.

When endowed with the terrifying gift that destroyed Liefer, Enna takes herself to war-only to embark on an epic journey of discovery and betrayal that will force her to come of age. Shannon Hale's fiery companion to her acclaimed retelling of The Goose Girl is dark, intricate, deeply passionate, and ultimately triumphant. Listeners, whether returning to Bayern or making their first visit, will find themselves enthralled.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal

Gr 6-10- This companion novel (Bloomsbury, 2004) to Shannon Hale's The Goose Girl (Bloomsbury, 2003) provides a closer look at the emotional and physical struggles of 16-year-old Enna who discovers that she is able to burn at will. Can she control her power and use it help save the kingdom of Bayern from the attacks of neighboring Tira, and ultimately rid herself of its all consuming nature or will she, like her brother before her, become swept up by the fire's own dark need? This full-cast recording suffers from uneven narration. Some characters, and the full range of their emotions, are strongly portrayed, in particular the protagonist Enna. The consistently excellent voice of the background reader weaves its own spell and ties the cast and plot together. However, the simpering and grating voicing of Princess Isi detracts from the listening experience. Despite this flaw, fans of the first book will welcome the opportunity to learn more about Enna and her struggle to find her place in the world and will delight especially in the story's romantic resolution.-Cindy Lombardo, Cleveland Public Library, OH

Kirkus Reviews

Those who thrilled to Hale's re-imagining of The Goose Girl (2003) will probably be as delighted with this sequel, as Enna the forest girl takes the stage. Enna (once the closest companion to Isi, formerly the Goose Girl and now queen) watches, not understanding, as her brother learns to control fire, to hold it within himself, and to send it forth as he wills. When he chooses to consume himself in battle, she takes on his gift. Extraordinary images of fire, heat, and light fill this slightly overlong tale. Enna's fire can be seen as desire, or a drug, or the will to power, or simply as a gift that must be made manifest. Hale's burning prose, while weighted to talk rather than action, allows for many themes: the devoted friendship between women, as Isi and Enna risk their lives for each other; the appeal of the bad boy, as the soldier who holds Enna prisoner also lays dark siege to her heart; the gentle, devoted suitor Finn, who always manages to find a place by Enna's side to do what needs to be done. Powerful and romantic. (Fiction. YA)

From the Publisher

"This novel's pulsing heart lies in rich writing and sharply drawn characters, elements that will be devoured by genre fans just like kindling beneath flames." - Booklist

"An original tale that stands on its own . . . with a richly detailed setting, eloquent descriptions, a complex plot, a large cast of characters, and romance, this high fantasy will be welcomed by fans of The Goose Girl and those who have yet to discover it." - School Library Journal

"Powerful and romantic." - Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169863307
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	11/01/2012
Series:	Books of Bayern Series , #2
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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