Enna Burning (Books of Bayern)

Immediately after reading the Goose Girl, I bought Enna Burning. I'm usually wary of sequels, since they can either be just as good as their predecessor, or they can be disappointing and downright awful.

Hale's, fortunately, was just as good, if not better than, the original novel. Enna Burning is a gorgeous tale, and though The Goose Girl could easily stand on its own, I really enjoyed hearing more from Enna, Isi's stubborn, tomboyish best friend. I loved how Shannon Hale changed her voice slightly to match Enna's rougher, less refined personality. Enna's journey is just as refreshing and inspiring as Ani's, and the ending is satisfying. Original characters, such as Razo, Finn and Geric, play roles this time around that are even livelier than their first. All in all, this novel was great, a lovely addition to Shannon Hale's collection of beautiful books.

Shannon Hale manages a good sequel to The Goose Girl. Enna Burning is a continuation of the tale begun in her earlier book, which was based on a Grimm's fairy tale. Enna Burning is not based on the Grimm's tale, but rather deals with the consequences of the actions of the characters introduced in the first book.

It is a story about the seduction of power and taking responsibility for one's actions. And, like The Goose Girl, it is a story foremost about the power of friendship and loyalty. It is well written by Hale, who has a gift for making 'fantasy' elements feel very plausible. Somehow, she writes a story about a queen's maiden in a faraway, never-heard-of country where people speak to animals and the elements seem very real.

The first chapter has an awkwardness not found in The Goose Girl, as Hale tries to fill the readers in on the previous book. I've always appreciated authors who can 'remind' readers of the previous book, and 'retell' for new readers without making it obvious that this is what they are doing. Hale doesn't quite accomplish this, but the rest of the book flows very smoothly. The ending is satisfying without being too predictable.

All in all, a very enjoyable book.

What I liked about this book was the contrast between Enna's two "boys": Finn and Sileph. I'll try not to give too much away, but Shannon Hale does a great job of contrasting the feelings one feels in a passionate, persuasive sort of love, to the feelings one has in a tender, caring sort of relationship. There's a lot about balance in this book and I love the growing friendship dynamic between Isi and Enna. This book has everything, great character growth, smooth prose, friendship, and love. I really enjoyed reading this

I had found Shannon Hale's book 'The Princess Academy" at a thrift store, and wow! Talk about one of the best purchases made! I was completely enthralled by the author's voice, and have since read all of her books. I LOVED Enna Burning, for various reasons. But, I highly recommend you read the previous 'Goose Girl' which is also excellent, to get a full picture of what Enna Burning involves. The book, Enna Burning, itself, was so engrossing, and highlights the struggles we all have, ie., temptation, what's right, balancing gifts and talents we all have with the values we share. Plus, for me, the icing on the cake is it's clean reading!! How refreshing to read a page-turner that doesn't mess you up. Thank you Shannon Hale for finding that fine line of good, clean story and giving us a good ride!

While it was fun to see the characters from Goose Girl again, this book lacks some of the fascination that the Goose Girl held for me. It took me longer to get into Enna Burning but I felt that Shannon Hale has once again written a compelling teen fiction with interesting characters and a story of true friendship. I love the way that Shannon Hale finds a fairy tale and builds characters to fit with loyalty, betrayal, guilt, and all of the human frailties that we struggle with. I'm anxious to read River Secrets now and hear how Rezo's story turns out.

In the second story of the "Books of Bayern" series, continuing on from The Goose Girl, we become better acquainted with Enna, Isi's friend. And as soon as we see events and people from Enna's point of view, we are confronted with a new and deadly ability: the ability to burn. Enna, at the beginning of the book, ends up with the gift of fire...and from then on, she is constantly struggling to control the burning and use the fire properly. As war explodes between Bayern and Tira, Enna longs to use her gift for good...and attempts to burn for Bayern repeatedly. Somehow, the fire becomes too difficult to control, and after several rash moves, she is captured by a Tiran soldier. In a Tiran camp, she must choose the side on which she will fight; Enna must chose to end the war in favor of Tira or Bayern. In a dramatic ending, Enna choses her side with devasting effects and a surprising ending ties up the first two books of Bayern with a satisfying stich. Though darker, "Enna Burning" is an exciting sequel to "The Goose Girl". :)

*note for parents: Enna is placed in a situation where a young man rubs her stomach. The book might be better for 15 years old and up, depending on each family's standards.

I would have given this five stars, it probably deserves it, if I didn't read Goose Girl first. I find I can't give a sequel (or companion book) as good of a rating if it wasn't as good as the book that preceded it.
But it was good, great even, just not as good.
Hale has an amazing way with characters and dialogue (and plot too). She's a truly great author.

In Enna Burning, Isi's closest friend Enna discovers the gift of fire-speaking, and the story follows her struggle to contain it and understand her newfound and complicated desires to burn. But the power to burn is not so lovely as it might seem, and Enna cannot control it so well as she might imagine. The power to burn continues to consume her as a slow-burning fire will consume a log, until the situation is dire and Enna can do nothing but fight against the fire in her.

Enna Burning is a totally different animal than The Goose Girl, admittedly. However, it's refreshing to see such a different slant on the characters in this companion to The Goose Girl. Now one will see characters (in a third-person manner) through Enna's eyes. No one is exactly the same as they are in Goose Girl, perhaps the most interesting of these being Isi and Finn. Now we see Isi as a queen and a friend, rather than a quiescent and unlikely heroine, and Finn as a strong and capable "friend". Enna is a complete opposite of Isi, headstrong and confident and... well, fiery. For some Goose Girl fans it may be difficult to adjust to this stark contrast, but for others it will be refreshing and complex.

Enna Burning is written so masterfully that one will find oneself agreeing with whatever Enna thinks at the time, no matter how obviously wrong she may be about a person or a situation. There is a sense of urgency and danger that does not exist in Goose Girl, as Enna constantly struggles against the tide of fire within her, and often nearly loses control. This desperation only adds to the passion of the story, and makes the turning of each page more and more necessary. Like in Goose Girl, you may have to reread Enna Burning to get everything, because you will be so eager to see what else happens that you might miss a good deal.

Ms Hale has outdone herself, going far beyond what would have made an interesting and worthwhile read. I cannot urge you enough to read this fantastic story.

I trust Shannon Hale as a writer completely. Although I am resigned that the rest of the series after the Goose Girl will not have the same sweet, serene, fairytalesque voice, Enna Burning comes very close and is a delight in its own right.
The plot is haunting, intense, and intriguing and I have respect for the main character as well as a growing love for the side characters in their loyalty.
A wonderful sequel told in a down to earth voice.

"Enna Burning" continues the story from "The Goose Girl". This book was written so it could be read as a sequel or on its own. That is why I love it. It has a strong story line with twists that help you understand the characters and wonder about right and wrong. It has good depth and considers self-control and balance. However, in some areas it lingered too long or passed too quickly and left some explanations needing more depth. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy that is deep in personal relationships.

Bizarre storyline and I will not finish this book. A secondary character from The Goose Girl takes on her own power in this book. The Bayern kingdom is now involved in a war, and Enna uses her power to become a terrorist and a rogue agent. She is no longer the likeable character from The Goose Girl but an self-interested character who will set a squirrel on fire just to see it burn. This is not a book I would recommend for a young reader.

I originaly came across Goose Girl and loved it so i decided to see if there was a sequel and there was, Enna Burning the book is about one Isi's best friends, Enna, and what happens after her mother dies and she has to deal with her brother. He some how gets the power of learning the language of the fire and suddenly dies in battle. Now Enna has the fire language and while spying gets kidnaped. Once she is back in the casle with Isi and Geric, Isi says that she must jorney to land of the fire speakers and learn how to control her fire. So Enna and Isi go not telling Geric that they will be gone over 3 weeks. In the end Enna learns how to control her fire and also that Isi is expecting. So they must jorney back to the casle before the baby arives (Geric doesn't know that Isi is pregnant) the story ends with Isi and Geric's baby being born.

I really enjoyed reading Goose Girl; the ideas seemed fresh and the story felt original. I dug right into books two and three but unfortunately the magic was gone. Enna burning dragged on and seemed a little too predictable. There was a little too much of the obviously incorrect "I think everyone hates me" emotional conflict. It almost felt like I was reading twilight.

There were some highlights like the final chapters and the first chapters. I think the storyline is solid enough, but it just didn't seem as polished or suspenseful as book one.

I can't fault Shannon Hale's marvelous writing. Once again, her characterization is amazing. It was the story itself that makes me give it three stars. This book is decidedly darker, as there is an attempted rape scene, mass-murder, and Enna deals with emotions that echo strongly of lust (which fire, her gift, has always been associated with). Also, I felt the end was wrapped up too quickly, almost like the author was eager to finish this book and start on another one. "Princess Academy" is still her best work.

This such a wonderful story. The second book following The Goose Girl (Books of Bayern) continues the author's use of unique adjectives and metaphors to paint a very colorful tale.

This book is a continuation of the characters in Goose Girl. It is not as light-hearted as Goose Girl, but does have some messages for youth in how the characters handle their situations and talents. Some might say it is a bit dark and scary, so maybe it is not for the same age group as her earlier books.

My boys tease me for continuing on with the Bayern series. We listened to Goose Girl on a road trip and the voice of Falada from beyond the grave was too much for them. I really enjoy the stories and characters with good internal struggles.