“The past is like a ghost, always there, just out of sight, until something calls it back.”
— Main character often reflects on history and its impact.
Archivist's Choice
Burning
Danielle Rollins (2016)
Genre
Thriller / Fantasy / Mystery / Science Fiction / Young Adult
Reading Time
7 hours 30 min
Key Themes
See below
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A teen inmate about to be released finds her world changed by a mysterious ten-year-old, whose arrival brings a terrifying, supernatural threat.
Synopsis
Angela Davis, a longtime resident of Brunesfield Correctional Facility, is close to finishing her three-year sentence. Her plans for freedom are ruined when Jessica, a mysterious and dangerous ten-year-old, arrives under maximum security. Soon, strange things happen around Angela and her friends, all linked to Jessica. As the facility's true, dark purpose becomes clear, Angela realizes Brunesfield is more than a juvenile detention center; it is a place where girls are experimented on for their fire-related abilities. Angela must work with Jessica and other inmates to plan an escape. They create a large distraction, but betrayal and sacrifice happen as they face Dr. Albright, the scientist behind Brunesfield's operations. In a fiery last fight, Angela and Jessica use their combined powers to escape the facility and its dark secrets, changed by their experiences.
Reading time
7 hours 30 min
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Suspenseful, Dark, Action-packed, Hopeful
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy fast-paced YA thrillers with a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery, featuring a strong protagonist with pyrokinetic powers.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer realistic fiction or are not a fan of stories set in correctional facilities.
Plot Summary
Brunesfield and the New Arrival
Angela Davis, seventeen, is an inmate at Brunesfield Correctional Facility for arson. With only a few months until her release, she tries to stay out of trouble, focusing on her art. Her best friends are Chloe and Serena, also inmates. The routine changes with the arrival of Jessica, a ten-year-old girl under high security, rare for her age. Jessica's file is secret, and she is unsettlingly calm. Angela and her friends are wary, especially as strange, unexplainable events happen after Jessica arrives, suggesting a hidden danger beyond typical juvenile detention.
Unsettling Occurrences
After Jessica arrives, strange events increase in Brunesfield. Small, controlled fires start in odd places, objects move, and lights flicker. Angela, who has a history with fire, feels a connection to these incidents, despite trying to avoid them. She notices Jessica watching these events with a strange lack of interest, sometimes even a smile. Other inmates and some guards feel uneasy. Angela's past fire trauma returns, making her more aware of these new dangers. She and her friends suspect Jessica is not just troubled, but the cause of these events, possessing an unknown power.
The First Confrontation
Fearing Jessica more, Angela confronts her. During their talk, Jessica shows her fire abilities, controlling fire in a chilling way. She hints at a bigger reason for being at Brunesfield, suggesting the facility is not what it seems. Angela is horrified but also curious, realizing Jessica's powers are unlike anything she has seen. This confrontation confirms Angela's fears about Jessica's danger but also shows her that Brunesfield is more than a correctional facility, trapping them in a more complex and dangerous situation. The incident leaves Angela shaken but determined to find the truth.
Uncovering Brunesfield's True Purpose
Angela, Chloe, and Serena combine their observations and investigate Brunesfield's security and the odd behavior of some staff, especially Dr. Albright. They find hidden files and overhear conversations, slowly learning the truth: Brunesfield is not just a juvie, but a secret research facility. Its purpose is to find, contain, and experiment on people with supernatural abilities, or 'burners,' like Jessica. They realize many inmates, possibly themselves, are subjects in these dangerous experiments. This changes their view of their imprisonment, turning it from a sentence into a terrifying scientific confinement.
The Escape Plan
With the truth about Brunesfield out, Angela, Chloe, and Serena know staying means becoming test subjects, or worse. They decide they must escape, even if it seems impossible. They begin planning carefully, watching guard rotations, mapping the facility, and looking for security weaknesses. Their plan involves using the chaos from Jessica's powers as a distraction, but they also need to control the child's unpredictable threat. The stakes are high; failure means harsh punishment, worse containment, or death. They know they are alone, as the outside world has forgotten them.
The Alliance with Jessica
Angela realizes fighting Jessica is pointless; her powers are too great. Instead, she tries to reason with the child, appealing to her desire for freedom and understanding. Jessica, despite her initial coldness, shows a hint of loneliness and a wish for connection. Angela proposes a temporary alliance: Jessica helps them escape, and in return, they will try to help her understand and control her powers, and find a place where she won't be imprisoned. This alliance has tension and distrust, as Jessica is unpredictable. Still, Angela sees it as their only way to freedom, a desperate gamble to turn their biggest threat into their biggest help.
The Great Distraction
After their fragile agreement, Jessica releases a wave of uncontrolled fire energy throughout Brunesfield. Fires start in many sections, alarms sound, and the facility becomes chaotic. Guards try to contain the fires and panicked inmates. Angela, Chloe, and Serena use this distraction, moving through smoke-filled halls and avoiding overwhelmed staff. The facility becomes a battleground of fire and fear, providing cover for their dash to freedom. They face resistance from guards and other inmates caught in the crossfire, but their resolve to escape is stronger than ever.
Betrayal and Sacrifice
As they near the perimeter, the escape turns tragic. Chloe, to create a diversion or hold off guards, sacrifices herself, letting Angela and Serena continue. Her death deeply affects Angela, making her more determined. During this struggle, they also find proof of Dr. Albright's darker experiments, including failed attempts to copy Jessica's powers and suppress others. It becomes clear the facility's goal is not just containment, but weaponizing these abilities, seeing 'burners' as tools. This discovery strengthens their resolve to expose Brunesfield, if they can get out alive.
The Final Confrontation with Dr. Albright
Angela and Serena confront Dr. Albright in the facility's control room. Albright, a cold scientist, reveals her research and her belief in controlling 'burners' for the greater good. She also reveals that Angela has a dormant fire ability, explaining why she was brought to Brunesfield and why her past arson was likely not accidental. Albright plans to awaken and use Angela's powers, seeing her as valuable. This revelation stuns Angela, making her past make sense but also terrifying her with the potential for her own destructive power.
Escape and Aftermath
Using their combined efforts, and Jessica's explosive powers, Angela, Serena, and Jessica overpower Dr. Albright and make their final escape from Brunesfield. They emerge outside, free but scarred. The facility is in ruins, its secrets exposed by the large fire. However, their freedom has challenges. They are fugitives, on the run from an organization that will pursue them. Angela struggles with her new abilities and the weight of Chloe's sacrifice. They must now find a way to survive, protect Jessica, and potentially expose the truth about Brunesfield to a world that might not believe them, or worse, might hunt them down.
Principal Figures
Angela Davis
The Protagonist
Angela transforms from a passive survivor into an active leader, embracing her latent abilities and fighting for the truth and her freedom.
Jessica
The Supporting/Catalyst
Jessica moves from an isolated, dangerous force to a reluctant ally, showing flashes of vulnerability and a desire for guidance.
Chloe
The Supporting
Chloe remains a steadfast and loyal friend, ultimately sacrificing herself for the sake of her friends' freedom.
Serena
The Supporting
Serena evolves from a cautious observer to an active participant in the escape, demonstrating her resilience and intellectual contributions.
Dr. Albright
The Antagonist
Dr. Albright remains steadfast in her villainous pursuit of controlling 'burner' abilities, ultimately facing defeat as Brunesfield is destroyed.
Warden
The Mentioned
The Warden serves as a figurehead, his authority undermined by Dr. Albright's true control, and his fate is tied to the destruction of Brunesfield.
Mr. Davies
The Mentioned
Mr. Davies's memory fuels Angela's guilt and eventually provides context for her own powers.
Themes & Insights
The Nature of Imprisonment and Freedom
The novel looks at imprisonment, both literal and figurative. Brunesfield is a physical prison for Angela and her friends, but as the truth comes out, it becomes a prison for those with special abilities, meant to contain and use them. The desire for freedom drives the plot, but the story also explores how freedom is not just physical escape, but also self-acceptance and control over one's life. Angela's struggle with her past and new powers shows an internal imprisonment she must overcome to be truly free.
“Brunesfield wasn't just a prison; it was a cage built for monsters, and we were just the bait.”
Identity and Self-Discovery
A main theme is Angela's journey of self-discovery, especially about her identity and hidden powers. She starts as someone defined by her past crime and incarceration. Jessica's arrival and the truths about Brunesfield force her to face who she really is, including her own fire abilities. This journey of understanding and accepting her powers, and realizing the truth of her past arson, is central to her growth. The other 'burners' also deal with their identities in a world that fears and tries to control them.
“I was a monster, just like them. Except I never knew it until now.”
Abuse of Power and Ethics in Science
The novel examines the abuse of power, specifically in scientific experiments. Dr. Albright and Brunesfield represent an institution that ignores ethical limits in its search for knowledge and control over 'burner' abilities. They use vulnerable people, treating them as subjects rather than humans, claiming a greater good. This theme shows the dangers of uncontrolled scientific ambition and the moral compromises made when power is centralized without accountability.
“For the advancement of science, small sacrifices are always necessary. You'll understand, Angela, once you embrace your potential.”
The Power of Connection and Trust
Despite Brunesfield's harsh environment, friendship and trust are important for the characters' survival. Angela's relationships with Chloe and Serena are key, offering emotional and practical help. The fragile alliance Angela forms with Jessica, born from shared need and a bit of understanding, shows how even unlikely connections can be vital. This theme highlights that in a world designed to isolate and control, human connection and trust can be the strongest tools for resistance and survival.
“We were all each other had in this place. And that made us stronger than any of them knew.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Red Herring
Angela's past arson conviction initially misleads the audience about her true nature.
Angela's incarceration for arson serves as a significant red herring. For much of the initial story, the audience, like Angela herself, believes her past act was a deliberate, albeit tragic, crime. This misdirection frames her character as a troubled youth with a dark past. However, the later revelation of her latent pyrokinetic abilities recontextualizes this event, suggesting it was an accidental manifestation of her powers rather than malicious intent. This device not only adds a layer of mystery but also heightens the impact of her true identity reveal, making her more sympathetic and complex.
The MacGuffin (Jessica's Powers)
Jessica's pyrokinetic abilities are the central object of desire and conflict for Brunesfield's research.
Jessica's extraordinary pyrokinetic abilities function as a MacGuffin. While she is a character, her powers are the primary driver of the plot, the object that Dr. Albright and Brunesfield seek to understand, control, and ultimately weaponize. Her powers create the chaos necessary for the escape, force Angela to confront her own potential, and serve as the ultimate prize for the antagonists. The specifics of her powers are less important than their existence and the profound impact they have on the story's trajectory and the motivations of all characters involved.
Deus ex Machina (Latent Pyrokinetic Abilities)
Angela's sudden discovery and activation of her own powers aids in the final escape.
The revelation and activation of Angela's own latent pyrokinetic abilities, especially in the climactic confrontation with Dr. Albright, could be seen as a form of deus ex machina. While hinted at through her past arson, the full extent and control of her powers emerge at a crucial moment when the protagonists are in dire straits. This sudden access to powerful abilities provides a convenient solution to an otherwise insurmountable obstacle, allowing for their escape. It resolves the immediate plot crisis by introducing a new, powerful element, albeit one with some narrative groundwork.
The Unreliable Narrator (Angela's Self-Perception)
Angela's initial belief about her past crime is later proven to be incomplete.
Angela serves as an unreliable narrator, particularly concerning her own past and the nature of the arson that landed her in Brunesfield. She genuinely believes she committed the act in a moment of emotional distress, and this perception colors her guilt and self-image. However, the later revelation that she possesses pyrokinetic abilities, and that the fire may have been an accidental manifestation of these powers, shows that her initial understanding of events was incomplete or mistaken. This unreliability adds depth to her character and a layer of suspense to the unfolding mystery.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Some fires burn to destroy, others to purify. It's all in how you use the flame.”
— A philosophical observation about the nature of power and destruction.
“Trust is a fragile thing, easily broken, and almost impossible to mend perfectly.”
— A character grapples with betrayal and its aftermath.
“The greatest mysteries aren't found in ancient tombs, but in the hearts of the people you think you know best.”
— A realization about the hidden depths of human nature.
“Fear can make you do terrible things, but it can also show you what you're truly capable of.”
— A character confronts a terrifying situation and discovers inner strength.
“Every choice carves a path, and once taken, you can never truly un-walk it.”
— Reflecting on the irreversible nature of decisions.
“Sometimes, the only way to save something is to let it burn.”
— A difficult decision is made to allow destruction for a greater good.
“The truth isn't always pretty, but it's always necessary.”
— A character insists on honesty despite the pain it might cause.
“Magic isn't about spells; it's about belief. Belief in what you can do, and what you can become.”
— An explanation of the true nature of the world's magic system.
“We are all just stories, waiting to be told, waiting to be changed.”
— A character contemplates identity and narrative.
“The line between hero and villain is often just a matter of perspective.”
— Exploring moral ambiguity in the actions of different characters.
“Even in the darkest of nights, a single spark can ignite a revolution.”
— A moment of hope amidst despair, hinting at future change.
“Some secrets are meant to stay buried, for the good of everyone.”
— A character debates the ethics of revealing a dangerous truth.
“The future isn't written; it's forged in the fires of the present.”
— An assertion of agency and the ability to shape one's destiny.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The central premise of 'Burning' revolves around Angela Davis, an inmate at Brunesfield Correctional Facility, who is nearing her release after three years. Her primary goal is to survive her remaining time in juvie and finally achieve freedom, leaving behind the harsh realities and forgotten existence within Brunesfield's walls.
