The Ones We Burn

Reviews

“One of the freshest YA fantasies I’ve read in years. Every page brims with passion. Ranka, Percy, Galen and Aramis are still vivid in my imagination long after I turned the final page. Fans of diverse YA fantasy – do NOT miss this one.” —Natasha Ngan, New York Timesbestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire

“Feral and tender at once. Rebecca Mix has created a world teeming with terrifying magic and ferocious monsters to be saved. The Ones We Burn is a story of strength, and love that is chosen.” —Chloe Gong, New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

“The Ones We Burn is a richly woven standalone fantasy that’s as beautiful as it is fierce. From its spectacularly crafted world of witches and horrifying monsters, to the most tender character arcs and a fabulous love story, Rebecca Mix has solidified her place as YA fantasy’s new auto-buy author.” —Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of Belladonna

“At once familiar and entirely fresh, Rebecca Mix’s The Ones We Burn is a stunning fantasy that deftly navigates grief, love, and the powerful necessity of hope. Set in a rich, sweeping world, and penned with prose as brutal as Ranka’s blood-magic, you’ll find yourself lost in the thoughtful exploration of found family, the whip-smart magic system and the tender, striking sapphic romance. Ranka is the sort of heroine you can’t help but root for and Aramis, Galen and Percy will linger long after the final page. I love this book. Rebecca Mix is a writer to watch.” —Adrienne Tooley, author of Sweet & Bitter Magic

“The Ones We Burn is a dark gem of a book. Burning with feral strength, like Ranka the storytelling is raw and sharp, yet inside there is also a welcome balm of tender love and healing. Rebecca Mix is officially one of my favourite authors.” —Francesca May, Sunday Times bestselling author of Wicked and Wild Things

A fully fleshed, nuanced cast driven by the need for acceptance, a desire for justice, and a thirst for power propel this adrenaline-fueled debut. Mix’s striking prose skillfully layers the characters’ emotional vulnerabilities without reading as saccharine or sacrificing momentum. – Publishers Weekly

From start to finish, this action-packed debut pulls no punches…readers are given a continuous unfurling of information strengthened by a queer romance and accompanied by the kind of high stakes that fantasy-lovers will reach for. – Booklist

Ranka and Aramis’ slow-burn romance is rewarding. Some worldbuilding questions are left unanswered, as the story’s more concerned with narratives about betrayal of trust and untangling abuse and manipulation from love…[a] relationship-driven fantasy with much to offer. – Kirkus Reviews