Enna Burning

By Shannon Hale

In this second book in New York Times bestselling, Newbery Honor-winning author Shannon Hale's beloved YA fantasy series Books of Bayern, the fire could save Enna . . . or destroy her.

Enna's brother, Leifer, has found the secret to an extraordinary power--to make fire without a spark. It's an ability that could be used for good . . . if he can control it. But Enna can't decide if it's a power she wants for herself, or one that should be extinguished forever.

When their home country of Bayern goes to war, the choice becomes unbearable. Enna never imagined the warm, life-giving energy of fire could destroy anything she loves, but now she must try to save Bayern and herself before fire consumes her entirely.

Don't miss any of these other books from New York Times bestselling author Shannon Hale:

The Books of Bayern
The Goose Girl
Enna Burning
River Secrets
Forest Born

The Princess Academy trilogy
Princess Academy
Princess Academy: Palace of Stone
Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters

Book of a Thousand Days

Dangerous

Graphic Novels
with Dean Hale, illustrated by Nathan Hale
Rapunzel's Revenge
Calamity Jack

For Adults
Austenland
Midnight in Austenland
The Actor and the Housewife

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
• Release date: Dec 1, 2008
• ISBN: 9781599904085

Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is the Newbery Honor–winning and New York Times bestselling author of the Princess Academy series, The Books of Bayern, Book of a Thousand Days, Dangerous, and the graphic novels Rapunzel's Revengeand Calamity Jack, as well as the Ever After High and Princess in Black series, and the upcoming The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl for Marvel. She also wrote three novels for adults, including Austenland, now a major motion picture starring Keri Russell. She and her husband, the author Dean Hale, have four children and live near Salt Lake City, Utah. www.shannonhale.com @HaleShannon

Book preview

Author

Prologue

The woman bore a scorch mark from her chin to her brow. The vision in her left eye was still blurry, as though she were looking through a scratched pane. She had been walking away from the burning for a few weeks by now and so supposed the eye would never heal, even if she lived long enough to give it time. Closing her bad eye, she squinted to see where she was going. There was a patch of greenness on the horizon that stretched into the east. A forest. Perhaps that would be far enough away.

As the woman walked, she leaked fire unawares, and the dead river wood occasionally smoked beside her or crackled into flame. Once or twice, to ease the burning, the woman threw herself into the stream beside her path, choking on the water and weeping as the stream took away her heat. It was hard to get back up after that, but memory of the horrors she left behind drove her on.

Her skin twitched to remember hot ash falling; her eyes roved as though watching again and again the village in flames. She clutched the sack containing the vellum tighter to her chest, remembered her purpose, and walked faster.

She walked until the wet forest air enclosed her and washed the scorched smell from her hair. She walked until she fell. Then she dug where she fell, pulling away handfuls of soil from under a young fir tree.

Here, she said, talking to the fir, keep this.

The woman unrolled the oiled cloth and took out the vellum, looking again at the writing that had started the end of her everything. It was still in beautiful condition, though the vellum had been made from lambskin in her mother’s time. Tight, delicate writing filled its face, each black stroke bleeding tiny lines thin as spiders’ legs, each word stitched together in a lacework of ink. Glancing over it again, she sobbed once at the beauty of the knowledge it held. Her eyes stung, and the fever burned away any tears.

She loved the fire, loved it more than her own flesh now. Destroying the vellum and the truth it held seemed a hopeless gesture. Deep inside, behind her scorched eye, she knew she probably should. But no, she would hide it to prevent destruction like the kind she had caused. And she would hide it so that perhaps one day someone with the talent to learn could read it and know its goodness. She prayed it might be someone stronger than she.

She wrapped the vellum back in its cloth, then slipped both into the slim clay pot she had used for water, burying the tiny coffin beneath the pine.

The woman lay down and let herself relax, deep inside, where for so long she had trembled to hold the fire at bay. Her control broke like a tree limb under too much weight, and the snap made her cry out. Heat poured from her chest and pressed out against her skin, burning her as she had burned others. Her blurred eye went dark, her good eye saw gold, and the forest pulsed with life, then stilled under a winding breeze.

She rested her head on the ground. The pine needles pressing into her cheek began to crackle. Smoke rose in fragile tendrils, and she watched them rise until she could at last give in fully and die.

Part One

Sister

Chapter 1

Enna let the fire burn out.

She was not used to this duty. For the three years she had lived and worked in the city, the hearth had been the hall mistress’s responsibility. And when Enna had returned to the Forest a year ago at the onset of her mother’s illness, her mother had continued to tend the fire. After her mother’s death in the spring, Enna had become the mistress of this little Forest house, but with a garden to tend, wood to chop, and a brother, a goat, and chickens to feed, she often forgot the fire.

It was not hard to do. A fire in a kitchen hearth was a quiet beast.

Of course, Enna thought, she would overlook the coals on a night when her brother and, more important, the flint in the kindling box were out wandering in the deep woods. So she walked to the house of her nearest neighbor, Doda, and borrowed a spade’s worth of embers in her milking pail. She struggled home, gripping the hot handle with a rag and the end of her skirt.

The embers drew her eyes. They were beautiful, pulsing red in the bottom of the dark pail like the heart of a living thing. She looked away, and the orange coals stayed before her eyes, burning its image over the night. She tripped on a tree root.

Ah, ah, she said, trying to regain her balance and keep the hot pail from touching her or spilling to the ground. She cursed herself for the hundredth time that night for being so careless, sought out the dark outline of her house, and headed for it.

Strange, said Enna, blinking hard to clear her vision. There appeared to be a light in her window, and it was getting brighter. Enna ran through the yard and looked into the open window.

First she noticed the hearth fire blazing. She was about to exclaim when she saw her brother, Leifer, sitting beside it, his pack on his lap, his attention taken up by something in his hands. Enna thought he looked handsome like this, his face still and thoughtful. He shared with Enna the black hair and dark eyes that had marked their mother. At age eighteen he was two years older than Enna, though unlike her he had never left the Forest even so far as to visit Bayern’s capital, just two days’ travel from their home.

Leifer unrolled the thing in his hands, and the firelight illuminated it from behind so that it glowed like a lamp. Enna could see it was a piece of vellum with writing on one side. Leifer could read a little, as could she—unusual for Forest-born, but their mother was from the city and had taught them. Parchment was rare in the Forest, and Enna had no notion where he had found such a thing.

A slow, burning pain in her hands reminded her what she held, and she tottered onto the porch and through the door. She caught sight of Leifer hastily rolling up the vellum and stuffing it in his pack.

Hot, said Enna at a near run. She put the pail by the hearth and brushed off her hands. Ow, but that rag grew thinner the farther I walked. Greatness, Leifer, I thought the house aflame from a distance.

Leifer closed up his pack and shoved it into the darkness under his bed. Well, had you kept the fire going . . .

Yes, yes, said Enna, shooing away his protest with a wave of her hand. No need to remind me I’m as good as a fish when it comes to the cookfire. Really, you’re good to get a full blaze going in a dead hearth in just the time it took me to get a pail of embers from Doda. You did spook me coming up out of nowhere, though. Why’re you back a day early?

Leifer shrugged. We were done. He looked out the window, though the night was so dark that it opened only to a view of blackness. He seemed thoughtful, but Enna would not have the silence. He had been gone for six days, and she had driven the chickens to ceaseless squawking in a vain quest for conversation.

So, said Enna, her voice expressing exaggerated impatience, what’d you find?

Oh, you know. Gebi found settling places with fresh springs about an hour’s walk from here. We found another pasturing place, brought back some berry bushes and onions for planting, and . . . He paused, then rose to close the shutters on the night. He stood a moment, his hand splayed on the wood. And I found a lightning-dead fir in the deep Forest. We, we pulled it up by the roots, dragged it to the spring for settlers to use.

His voice hinted at more.

She cleared her throat. And?

Something curious . . . He looked back at her, and his voice was edged with excitement. There were some shards of pottery wrapped right up in its roots, like something, maybe a bowl or jar, had been buried there before the fir took deep root. I counted the rings, and I think the tree was near a hundred years old.

Hm. You find anything else? The vellum, she thought. She knew if Leifer did not bring it up on his own, all the cajoling in the world could not squeeze a secret out of him. When he did not speak, she grabbed a boot and threw it at his backside.

Ow, he said with a laugh, and rubbed the spot.

Why’re you so quiet? said Enna.

Leifer snorted. You know, Enna, you’re like a baby who needs to be constantly cuddled and cooed at.

Scowling, she scooped up the remains of an apple-and-oat stew and shoved the bowl into his hands. Would a baby serve you supper?

Leifer smiled at his bowl. Thanks, he said.

He eyed her to see if she was actually angry, so she scowled again and ignored him for her knitting.

I mean it, said Leifer. Thanks for—

Swallow, then talk.

Leifer swallowed hastily. Thanks for sticking around all year, after Ma . . . and everything. I mean it. You know . . . I can tell . . . I see how you look. You’re not always happy here.

Enna shrugged.

The Forest isn’t exciting for you, after living in the city, I guess. The corners of Leifer’s mouth twitched. Stay a while longer. I think it’ll liven up soon.

What, pine nut season? Enna smirked. You Forest boys have heads stuffed with fir needles. There are other things in this world besides trees.

I know. Leifer finished his bowl and then stared at the bottom. A crease formed between his eyebrows.

What does that look mean? Enna asked.

I was just remembering something Gebi told me. When he was in the city at marketday, a city butcher called him a squatter. The more I think about it, the madder I get.

Hmph, said Enna, knitting more emphatically, you never step out of the canopy’s shade, what do you care what some city butcher thinks about you?

I don’t know. He rubbed at the tight spot on his brow. I don’t know, but it bothers me now. Our people have been living for over a hundred years on land the city folk thought was too rough. And still, they call us squatters.

There are some ignorant people in the city, I won’t argue that, but you know that things’re changing for us.

Yes, I’ve heard you go on before, and I don’t want to hear it now.

Well, you’re going to, said Enna, her heart beating harder at the prospect of a good quarrel. In the city, when I kept chickens for the king’s house, all the animal workers were Forest folk like us, living there because our parents couldn’t afford to feed us out here. Dozens of us huddled together in our animal keeper quarters, not permitted to mingle with the city folk.

I know, Enna, but—

No, you listen. You weren’t there. It was hard. Our boys couldn’t buy a drink in a tavern or court a city girl or earn a coin any other way but tending animals. We’ve got rights now. I saw with my own eyes the king bestow Forest boys with javelins and shields, just like the city boys and village boys get when they come of age. We’re citizens. Just look at how we’re clearing our own market centers and acting like proper villages.

But don’t you care? They call us squatters, and I’m not going to just take that.

Of course you will, because—

I’m not! Leifer bolted out of his chair and hurled his clay bowl against the wall, shattering it to bits. Enna stood, dropping the yarn. The ball rolled until it hit his boot.

Leifer, what . . . ?

Leifer kicked the yarn and scowled, and for a moment Enna thought he might break something else. Then his breath heaved and his face softened.

I’m sorry, I— He shook his head, grabbed his pack from beneath his cot, and ran outside.

Enna followed him into the yard and watched him disappear into the night forest. What’s the matter? she shouted after him. You sick or something?

She stood a while in the yard, expecting him to mope back and apologize, but he did not return.

Leifer? she called again. He was gone. Enna shook her head. Wonders.

It was late summer. The air felt thicker at night, the darkness full of unspent action. The house stood in a clearing just big enough for the animals and the kitchen garden, and then the yard was stopped by towering evergreens—thick trunked, spiny armed, their heads blocking the view to the stars. Sometimes, especially at night, those trees felt like a wall.

She walked to the edge of the yard, leaned against a dark fir, and felt her chest stretch against that familiar feeling, that yawning bit of panic. It felt as though something were missing, but she did not know what she was mourning. Maybe Leifer was feeling the same way, that the Forest was not enough anymore, that he had to find something bigger to fill his life. But just going to the city to tend the king’s animals was not the answer now, not for either of them.

You’re not always happy here, he had said. He could see that. Enna wondered what had happened to the girl who was content just walking the deer paths padded with needles, her feet sticky with sap and her pockets full of pine nuts. She pressed herself against the coarse trunk and felt again how much she loved the Forest and remembered a time when she had never wanted to leave.

And then there had been the city, and her best friend, Isi, who had been an animal worker just like herself. Enna sighed homesickness, missing her friend whom she had not been able to visit since her mother took ill. Isi was wonderful. She had stopped a war, honored her friends, married her love, discovered a great power. Enna could not be content now that she had seen all Isi had done. There could be something like that for me, thought Enna again, if I knew where to look.

A hunting owl passed so close that she felt the air from his wings brush her face. Then he was gone, as he had come, in silence.

Leifer did return the next morning, though not quite apologetic enough to satisfy Enna. She found herself glaring at him regularly. The glowers did not work. Leifer’s easy laugh seemed hard to come by. Once he yelled at her over some unswept ashes.

What’s the matter with you? she yelled back. Why’re you acting like an injured boar? Has this got something to do with that vellum?

Leifer gave her such a hateful look that Enna found herself wishing for her mother. Then she grabbed a broom and pushed him out of the house.

You can come back when you can be nice! she shouted after him.

Enna spent the morning glad to have him gone, then bored, then so lonely that she wished he would come back and glare at her some more so she could have a nice interesting fight or at least have another try at dragging information out of him. She was thinking on Leifer and kneading bread dough so vigorously, she did not know anyone had approached until she happened to look out the window. Someone was watching her from the yard—a boy of sixteen with longish black hair, large eyes, and a mouth fixed in a pleased grin.

Good crows, Finn, how long’ve you been standing there?

He shrugged.

Well, come in. Don’t stand out there like a stranger, said Enna. Why didn’t you speak up?

I was just watching you. Finn set his pack on the floor, washed his hands in a water pail, and grabbed a lump of dough. Didn’t want to interrupt.

Don’t be trying to help me, Finn. Sit. You must’ve been walking since daybreak.

She tried to snatch the dough away from him, and he sidestepped her.

What’re going to do, wrestle it from me?

Enna laughed. Well, thanks, then, and good to see you, Finn. How’s your mother?

Finn nodded. Good. I’m—we’re ready early for marketday, and she said I could take a couple of days to come see you.

She said I could. Enna sometimes thought it was good for Finn to get away from his mother for a time. If not for her, undoubtedly he would have gone to live in the city with other Forest folk like herself. Through their friend Isi, he had made many friends among the animal keepers there and often went to visit when in town for marketday. Since Enna had returned to the Forest, he had become a regular guest at her house as well.

Well, Finn, you came just in time to save me from screaming craziness. Leifer’s gone mad, that’s all there is to it.

Finn looked concerned. What, he didn’t hurt you?

Oh, no, just woke up with a case of grumpiness that would scare off any nanny goat. And I swear he’s got a secret, something he found off in the woods. What with his strangeness, I haven’t spoken to a sensible person in days.

Enna peeled the dough off the table and threw it down again. Look at me, Finn. When we met in the city two years ago, did you see me in this kind of life? Kneading this dough, living out here like my ma, tending the house and animals, and talking to myself for company? She was married at my age, but that doesn’t fit me, does it, Finn?

Somehow, I can’t think of anything you could do that would surprise me, he said. Enna pushed him playfully with her shoulder. He took a couple of off-balance steps, but she suspected he did it on purpose to make her feel tough. What do you think you’ll do?

About Leifer? Knock his head and listen for the hollow thunk.

No, about you.

Enna paused. I don’t know, Finn. I need to do something. She flexed her hand and watched the sinews stretch. I feel like I’m homesick for something, maybe for Isi and the old days in the city. When I was an animal keeper, it was hard work, but I loved the winter nights or rain days when all us Forest-born would hole up in the workers’ hall, Isi and Razo and the rest, and play games and hear tales and watch the fire. She smiled. And later, too, when stuff was happening, and we helped Isi from the louts who tried to kill her, and she married the prince. What a wedding, huh? You in fine cloth and holding a javelin and all? And the nights up in the palace when you came to visit, and Isi would have a picnic on the throne room floor and invite all the animal workers.

Finn nodded. Times I thought I could stay there forever, and I thought you’d never leave.

Me too, once. Enna stopped pounding the dough and watched it rise. But later, I don’t know, I felt different, like I was just a guest, you know? With all the courtiers and ladies-in-waiting and guards and everything, after a while, it didn’t seem like Isi needed me anymore.

But you had to leave, for your ma, he said.

Enna nodded. I know, and I stayed because I thought Leifer needed me. But lately . . . it seems like all he really needs is a good kick to the head.

I’d miss you, Enna, if you left the Forest . . . if I couldn’t see you much.

Well, thanks for that.

The ease of the moment made Enna realize just how many times they had stood together in such an exchange, Enna talking about whatever was on her mind, Finn listening. She thought that perhaps he had heard more of her thoughts than any other person. She turned to look him over. He noticed and glanced away.

Huh, what a patient person you are, Finn, she said. I should be more like you.

Finn shook his head. No. If I’m patient, then you don’t have to be, because one of us already is.

Enna did not argue. To Finn, the point seemed to make perfect sense.

They worked together until the house was clean and bread hot to eat, then sat outside to watch the night come on. The tree shadows merged into a general darkness, broken only by pale splatterings of moonlight. The crackle of a pinecone underfoot startled Enna upright in her chair. Leifer emerged from the Forest blackness.

Oh, she said, leaning back. It’s just you.

He came up behind her and rested his forehead on the crown of her head.

I’m sorry, he said.

That’s the first bit of sense I’ve heard from you in days. She hoped Leifer might be all right after all and gave a friendly tug to the back of his hair. Say hello to Finn.

Hello, Finn. I can barely see your face. Dark, isn’t it?

Leifer walked over to the yard fire pit, his back to them. Enna saw an orange spark, then the pit was blazing. He turned to her, his smile lit by the orange glow.

How’d you . . . That was a fast fire, said Enna. What did you put in there besides wood?

Leifer ignored her question. Finn, I’m glad you’re here. I was just thinking I needed to talk to someone like me who’s always been Forest blood to bones, someone who never ran off to live in the city.

I’ve been in the city many times, said Finn.

Leifer waved off his comment. "Yes, to marketday, and to visit your old friend the princess. He hit that word with a touch of mockery that immediately put Enna on her guard. But it’s clear where your allegiance lies."

Finn glanced at Enna for a hint of how to respond, but Leifer did not give him time.

Just listen a moment—don’t interrupt, Enna—because I’ve been thinking. We’ve done all right in the Forest, haven’t we? Now the borders of Bayern have tossed a noose around the Forest and claimed it a boon. I don’t trust them, Finn, touting their cobblestones and saddled horses and all the while enslaving Forest girls and boys.

Enslaving? said Finn. I don’t think—

There are others who see like we do, Finn, others who would join a fight if we decided to rebel.

Enna felt her jaw lower in awe, and she waited for Leifer to laugh and admit he was joking. But there was a hardness in his voice she had never noted before, and he flexed and unflexed his hands as though he meant action.

Leifer, Enna began.

Hush, Enna, he said. You know, Finn, lately I can’t stop thinking about Bayern over there, eyeing our lands and trees and using our people—and it all started with that meddling, foreign princess.

Enna croaked a dry laugh. Oh, you wouldn’t dare start belittling Isi with me sitting right here.

Leifer turned his back to the fire, and she could see only the glint of one eye. His voice was thin. I know she’s your friend, and I’m supposed to be scared of her because of the rumors she can summon birds and wind. I say there’s something bad about her, and when I get the fight going, she’ll be the first to burn.

Leifer! Enna stood. How dare you talk like that?

I’m talking to Finn, Enna. I knew you wouldn’t understand.

You think I’ll stand by while you threaten the princess? said Enna. You know I won’t.

Hush, I said. Leifer crossed to the fire and threw pinecones into its heart. They hissed and popped.

I can’t believe what I’ve put up from you this week. Poor Finn has sat patiently through your crazy talk, but when you start mouthing off on Isi, well, you’d be half a horse not to think either one of us would knock you down flat before we’d allow you to say another word.

I said shut up! Leifer turned. Enna

Reviews for Enna Burning

[edensteffey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really good. Although I liked Goose Girl better, I liked Enna Burning and am excited to read the rest of the series.

[gmomaj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enna's brother, Leifer, has found the secret to an extraordinary power--to make fire without a spark. It's an ability that could be used for good . . . if he can control it. But Enna can't decide if it's a power she wants for herself, or one that should be extinguished forever.When their home country of Bayern goes to war, the choice becomes unbearable. Enna never imagined the warm, life-giving energy of fire could destroy anything she loves, but now she must try to save Bayern and herself before fire consumes her entirely.

[humouress · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Following on from The Goose Girl but this time an original tale, this story focuses on Enna, who befriended and defended Ani/Isi in the first book. Not as gentle as the first book as there are deaths and killing (so it's more suitable for a higher age group). Enna has returned to the Forest after her adventures of the first book. Her brother Leifer discovers how to talk to fire and uses it in defense of the realm when the neighbouring country of Tira attacks Bayern. Enna learns it from him but finds it harder and harder not to give in to the desire to burn. Fortunately, even through the intensity and confusion of war, her friends prove to be as loyal to her as she was to Isi in The Goose Girl.A good sequel but, with the war and Enna's fire, more harsh than the first book.3.5

[tkcs-3 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Meh. One note, totally predictable. Not nearly as interesting as Goose Girl.

[jazminderr-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I found it hard to connect with Enna and her pyro antics, even though I tried to feel, it just didnt click with me.Too much fire stuff!
Interesting story but I didnt really feel Enna's personality shone as it pretty much was her dealing with fire and it taking her over.
to enjoy a book I have to like the characters..and I did up to a point.
I think the most interesting part was when she was captured and Sileph or whatever his name manipulated her.
Also her friendship with Isi was a good part, it was lovely how they worked their magic together.

[momsterbookworm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This second book in the series shifts its focus to a (secondary) character from Book 1 (The Goose Girl). In this book, the character develops the ability to harness the power of fire. She aims to not to use it for harm, but can good intentions prevail, or will the scorching flame consume its host?

[deweyever · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Companion novel to The Goose Girl, with a focus on Enna, Isi's best friend. Two years after the events of the first book, Enna has discovered the power to control fire. At first she uses it to aid Bayern in a war against the neighboring country of Tira, but as she grows in power she feels overpowered by it. She and Isi go together to a kingdom in the south to find a way to control their powers.I liked the characters in the first book and it was nice to see how things had changed with them after two years, but since they had grown apart, it created a number of subplots that felt disconnected most of the time. It felt like the war with Tira was just a big distraction to throw at the characters while things got worse with Enna's powers, and they only got back to finding a solution to that near the very end. Then the last subplot to be tied up is Isi's, so the focus isn't even on the main character in the end. Each part by itself was okay, but together it was a mess.

[maureene87 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The sequel to Goose Girl. I didn’t find it as absolutely gripping, but it was well written and I enjoyed getting a glimpse into Enna’s character.

[melanti_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm rather disappointed in this book compared to The Goose Girl.

It's so focused on plot - Enna learning to control fire - that any characters other than Enna tend to fall by the wayside. This is much more about Enna than Goose Girl was about Ani/Isa.

The beginning half is rather slow. It took me several sittings to get through it but the second half makes up for it and flies by. Unfortunately, it flies by too quickly and the conclusion is rather rushed and just too pat - even for a fairy tale ending. It's sort of like the ending of the Wizard of Oz. After all the witches, flying monkeys, munchkins, poppy fields and endless yellow brick roads, Dorothy finds she has the way home with her the whole time and when she gets home, nothing has changed. I don't want to spoil the ending, but it's the same concept. The solution is right there, and solves too many problems in too few pages for me to really feel entirely satisfied with it.

[ritastradling · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

When Shannon Hale set her story of the Goose Girl in the make believe land of Bayern, she thought it was simply for that story. One character, however, spoke to her and she felt this character had her own story to tell, and the result became Enna Burning. Unfortunately, I found the story very slow to evolve and overall, it felt a little forced.What at first was a rather tedious read did become much more interesting toward the middle of the book as the action picked up. Perhaps my expectations were too high for this book but with a main character that I found difficult to like and an overall darker edge to the story, I missed the charm of the first book. Shannon Hale has more stories set in the land of Bayern and, although I wish I had enjoyed this one more, I am not ready to give up on this series yet and will certainly try the next book in the future.

[nbmars · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is book two of the series that begins with The Goose Girl, a retelling of the fairy tale of the same name by the Brothers Grimm. I thought The Goose Girl was charming, and couldn’t wait to be with the characters again.Enna Burning was not what I expected. Most of the focus is on Enna, a 16-year old girl who was best friends with Isi (a.k.a. Ani or "The Goose Girl") in the first book. Now, Enna has left the capital where Isi is queen, and returned to the forest to care for her sick mother. When her mother dies in the spring, Enna becomes the mistress of the house. But she is bored, and yearns to do something of importance.Her brother Leifer discovers an old vellum that teaches him how to harness the power of fire, but he can’t quite get the skill under control. Enna is convinced she can do better. When Isi and Enna’s kingdom of Bayern goes to war with a land-hungry territory to the south, Tira, Enna decides to use the power she learns from Leifer to make a difference. But there are so many risks: what if she loses control? What if she gets captured by the other side and is forced to use her power against Bayern? What if she gets consumed by the flames herself? All of these possibilities are real and ever-present dangers.Discussion: This is a darker book than The Goose Girl, and not as satisfactory to me. Enna recognizes her moral dilemmas, but could exercise no power over a force as strong as fire, so after a while her angst just felt repetitive to no purpose. On the other hand, it is very interesting to me that Hale seems to be evoking the psychological association between starting fires and sexual passion. Enna gets overtaken by the need to start fires, and apparently, whenever she does so, gets so much satisfaction and such a transformed look on her, that orgasms come to mind… [I mean, not to MY mind, needless to say….] This fits with the whole idea of fairy tales reflecting the subconscious.There is also an intriguing side story about a Tiran warrior, whose approach to gender would be great to discuss but for spoiling. In other words, there is actually more going on in this book than just an extension of a fairy tale.However, in the final analysis, and in spite of a couple of provocative aspects of the story, Enna was never as interesting to me as Isi. Unlike Hale’s usual female characters - who are valorous - Enna struck me as too whiny and self-absorbed, only remembering others as an afterthought.Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it, and will definitely pursue the third volume of the Bayern series.Evaluation: I didn’t think this book came up to the level of Book One of the Bayern Series, The Goose Girl, but it’s still worth reading. You do not need to have read the first book to catch on to this one.

[pacey1927 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Enna Burning" was an amazing and fulfilling sequel to the fantastic novel by Shannon Hale, "The Goose Girl". "Enna Burning" takes up two years after the concluding events in Goose Girl. Enna has spent most of the time as Isis's lady-in-waiting in town and has somewhat recently returned to her Forest home. Her brother is acting very oddly. He is changing his mind frequently about different things and is acting impulsive. During a disagreement with Enna , her burns her. Somehow he has learned the gift of fire. When Tirden forces a War with Bayern, Enna's brother is quick to heed the call for soldiers. Enna and Isi are along for the battle because in Bayern, the men bring their women with them to remind themselves what they are fighting for. During the battle Enna witnesses the unpredictability and tragedy of the gift of fire.Almost unable to stop herself, Enna learns to call fire to her. Although she has far from perfected her skill, she decides to use it to help Bayern fight its War. But eventually she finds herself at the mercy of the Tirden army and a handsome young captain named Sileph. Will Enna be drawn to Sileph? What about Finn fighting bravely for Bayern? Can she learn to control that fire that is consuming her on the inside before it ruins or even kills her?I just loved this book. I loved seeing the characters from "The Goose Girl" back again in "Enna Buring". Enna is strong and stubborn heroine. She makes a lot of choices in this book and many of them aren't the smartest choices but she goes by her heart. I also loved Finn and was rooting for him the entire way. He has also matured since the events of Goose Girl. We get to see some progression in the marriage between Gedric and Isi and I loved every minute of that. I also think the author did a great job in making her two heroines so very different from each other. It would be hard to confuse bold, rash Enna with quietly strong Isi. I think that Enna has a much darker story than Isi had (although her story wasn't all sunshine and picnics either). The war is ugly and there are casualties. There is a loss of innocence as well in all our characters. Enna's gift of fire seems more dramatic and dangerous than Isi's gift of wind or her ability to speak with animals. I buy into the theory that there should be a cost to magic and Enna sure has a cost to bear.The Bayern books aren't just for children or young adults. They fully engaged the mind and heart of this adult reader. I strongly recommend this series.

[francescadefreitas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enna has left her friend the princess at court and gone home to the forest. He brother begins to behave strangely, but before they can work out his troubles, war comes to Bayern, and fire becomes Enna's greatest danger, hope, and desire.Another lovely Full Cast Audio presentation.

[swingdancefan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This second of Shannon Hale's Bayern books wasn't quite as entrancing for me as the first one. I very much appreciated the return of Isi from "Goose Girl," especially that she was true to her character. I enjoyed seeing Enna again, but found her somewhat changed from her role in the first book. Her struggle with her newfound power over fire (or its power over her), as well as her gullibility while a prisoner, just didn't sit well with me after her strength and compassion in the first book.Still a good book, but vaguely disappointing. I'm still a big fan of Shannon Hale, though!

[ameliaiif · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At this moment, I'm still debating whether I like this book better than The Goose Girl...I certainly love them both, but 5 minutes after finishing this book, I'm thinking that I might like this one a little bit more. The Goose Girl was mostly a fairytale retelling; this book is a continuation of Bayern, but it does not revolve around a specific fairytale, and I think that enabled Shannon Hale to write with more artistic and creative freedom. Yes, this is still a "fairytale" book: as in, characters are complex and well-rounded, but not vice-like as you may find in "grown up fiction" or a lot of other YA-books out there. So once again, if you wrinkle your nose at love stories or happy endings, go find something else, because you may not like this story. Have we rooted out all the anti-happy people? Okay, good, on with the review! So there's a whole lot of what I would call "natural magic" in this series: powers of wind, fire, water, etc., and the ability to communicate with them. The main character of The Goose Girl, Ani/Isi, switches out with Enna, who becomes the main (and titular) character in this story. Central to the plot is Enna's firespeaking ability, a gift/curse that threatens to destroy her if she cannot learn to master it. I really thought that was such an interesting premise, and one that has an obvious theme we readers can take away and apply to our own lives. There are actually many themes that are so easily spotted in Shannon's writing, and I think that is one of the many things I admire about her. She's not one of these authors who spends the whole book trying to point a finger at some societal issue, and she never goes "after school special" either; instead, her story and characters reinforce themes: messages we as the readers can take away and apply to our own lives. And yes, I agree with other reviews: this book is "darker" than the first one. Enna has an urge to burn. The fire has a life of its own, and it starts to feed off of Enna's life (reminds me very much of The Ring!!!! Remember how the Ring had seemed to be "alive"? Remember how the Ring "wanted to be found"?!?! It's just like that!) The story was intense, in my opinion, but not inappropriate. I'll expand on that later. But one thing I want to ask all the criticizers: have you ever heard of siege warfare? Well, thoughout history (as in, REAL LIFE: not the stuff of fairytales) armies used fire at their enemies: fireballs, flamethrowers, Greek fire, lighted arrows... In other words, people got set on fire in real life...that is not something Shannon Hale just thought up. But I mean, from some of these reviews you'd mistake Enna for Bellatrix Lestrange! She's not particularly happy about setting people on fire... it stinks and everything, but yes, that happens. It's not presented in a graphic way: if anything, it's presented in a blunt, dull way. I kept thinking, "umm, these people are on fire, why is she not *screaming*?" But anyway... Okay and Sileph... wow. I have to admit, I really didnt think he'd be Book #2's "Designated Bad Guy." Yeah, he has one those cocky personalities, and he's a bit on the manipulative side, but I kept waiting for him to redeem himself, somehow... but then...well, I wont say anything. I just didnt expect him to actually be bad. So that was a shocker. Oh, back to why Shannon Hale is Not Inappropriate: she's pretty much the only author I can think of who can take an otherwise provacative situation and make it perfectly tame. Here's a scenario: a girl and a guy sleeping next to each other in a tent. And. Nothing. Happens. At. All. I just want to fax her scenes to some of these other YA authors out there, goodness gracious! Parents, Shannon Hale does not need to be on your Hit List. She's okay. And when two characters who are *actually* in love with each other camp together at night, nothing happens either. Don't you just love that? Nice, sweet romances with no content issues. In fact, the only content issues in this book relate to scenes of war. I didnt find them that disturbing, actually, but IMO this should probably be a Middle School and Older series (YA). But I found book so much harder to put down than the first one...and I really loved the first one, too :D I like the conflict in this book: Enna's a great character: strong and spunky, yet still human enough to need others. And I loved the struggles she endured: she was relatable and human, but never self-pitying. Cant wait to read #3!

[michelleknudsen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I remember loving Shannon Hale’s Goose Girl and had been really looking forward to Enna Burning, but it didn’t quite grab me in the same way. Not sure why, and I did like it a lot, just didn’t LOVE it like I wanted to. The second half seemed a lot stronger than the first, though, and I found myself more drawn in as the story progressed past the middle. Hale creates wonderful characters—that hasn’t changed. I guess maybe Enna just wasn’t as compelling to me as some of the secondary characters, although I did fully enjoy her blossoming relationship with Finn, as well as the complicated attraction she felt for Sileph. That may have been the strongest aspect of the book for me: Enna’s complex feelings for both men and what those feelings made her feel about herself and her place in the world. It’s also hard not to be charmed by the many devoted friendships in the story. Enna’s addiction to the fire was also well done, and her transition from a sensible girl worried about her brother to a tormented and conflicted addict was totally believable to me.

[mygirljennifer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this book near two years ago. Now, thinking about it I can't wait to read it again. It was a nice book when I read it, but I find the greater value of a book is in the remembering of it. I am thinking about Enna in her fanciful little world, and like the book title says, Enna is burning. I have purchased my own copy of this and can't wait for it to arrive. I am coming Enna.

[keristars_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Though Enna Burning is a sequel to The Goose Girl, it doesn't really have the feeling of a sequel to me. It shares a setting and certain plot elements of the first story, yes, but the mood and themes are different enough that it just doesn't read like a continuation. A large part of that is most likely because the main character has shifted from Ani to Enna, a forest-born girl who kept chickens and became Ani's friend when she was the goose girl.Where The Goose Girl is about Ani becoming comfortable in her own skin and claiming her identity, Enna Burning is about Enna learning to rely on her friends, plus a bunch of stuff about wanting to prove oneself and emotions like lust, envy, or anger, which tie into the "fire" theme, which itself is partly represented in a war between Bayern and the neighboring country of Tira.Enna Burning didn't enchant me as much as the first book in the Bayern series, and it felt too rushed and deus ex machina in the final parts, when Enna and Isi (Ani) learn to temper their elemental magic by learning each other's version. I would have much really liked to have fewer chapters about the war and more about the two of them learning wind and fire (respectively) in Yasid. I also wasn't entirely comfortable with the romance subplot between Enna and Finn. I would have been happier, I think, if it had never been introduced, and instead the theme had focused solely on friendship, which seemed to be the most important part of the story.Nonetheless, I did enjoy reading the book, and I am looking forward to finally reading the third in the series, River Secrets. I just don't think that Enna Burning has quite the re-readability as The Goose Girl or other books I've read recently.

[lalalibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I wish I could give this 3 1/2 stars. It was ok, but not my favorite Shannon Hale book. I can't tell if I like it less than _Princess Academy_ and _Goose Girl_ b/c the writing/story/plot isn't as good or b/c this is the first Hale book I've read rather than listened to. Both Goose Girl and Princess Academy are full-cast audio and they're _amazing_!

either way, I'm still a big fan.

[stephxsu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Enna is not fit to live out her life in the uneventful Forest. One day, however, her older brother Leifer brings home a piece of vellum that holds the secrets of the language of fire. The knowledge brings about his end: in Bayern’s war against their southern neighbor, Tira, Leifer destroys himself in using the fire to help out Bayern.Enna pledges to herself to learn the magic that had possessed Leifer. The language of fire fills a space in her chest that she didn’t even know was there. All of a sudden, Enna is spurned to make secret missions into enemy camps to set things on fire and destroy. Tira begins to refer to her as the fire witch.Then, one night on a mission, she is captured. She is the prisoner of Sileph, a wily, smooth-talking commander who charms Enna into falling for him. Sileph wants her to use her fire abilities to make herself feel better, because by then that’s what it has become: an insatiable desire to burn that she must obey. In short, the fire is slowly taking over Enna.Luckily for Enna, she has wonderful friends. These people include Isi, the Kildenrean princess turned goose girl turned Bayern queen; Razo, a short, playful boy; and Finn, formerly sensitive, now toughened into a world-class soldier, but who always carries a soft spot for Enna. It’s not just that Enna needs to be rescued from the enemy camp: the fire is also killing her as well. How far will her friends go in order to save the spirited, brave young woman?Once again the talented author Shannon Hale weaves a tale of magic and realism. The characters in ENNA BURNING are well drawn out, and their predicaments are unique. Fans of Hale’s first book, THE GOOSE GIRL, are sure to love this companion.

[beserene · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In Enna Burning, Hale returns to Bayern, the world of her earlier book, The Goose Girl, and reminds us of the happy ending in the previous story (no spoiler there). In comparison with Princess Academy, Enna Burning and its predecessor deal with darker themes and consequences--war, manipulation, sickness and death share word-time with romance and friendship--but still promote the same message of empowerment, with strong-willed heroines and open-minded male counterparts. Just as enjoyable as Princess Academy, but definitely aimed at a slightly older crowd.

[hoosgracie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A companion book to The Goose Girl. This one features Isi's friend Enna, who learns to talk to fire after her brother dies - to her detriment. I did not enjoy when Enna was a prisoner, but otherwise, it was a good book.

[nikkles_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Shannon Hale's writting because she writes fairy tales and does not try to hide it. Its a straight forward lyrical style that I love. Not only would I suggest reading Enna Burning, but also read the Goose Girl (you may want to read this first as it introduces the main characters) and the Princess Academy. All are lovely books that I really enjoyed through the course of an afternoon.

[ohioyalibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enna learns the power of fire. She can burn just by looking. She promises herself to stay in control of the fire that is now consuming her life and that killed her brother when he lost control. Is she strong enough? Find out in this mesmerizing fantasy.

[wyvernfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this in the wrong order but it shouldn't really matter much for the Goose Girl book. This is a story about a girl whose brother finds a piece of vellum that tells him how to channel fire. When he dies she takes the vellum and as her country is at war she decides to channel the fire to help. However the fire is getting out of control and it may take her life like it took her brothers.This is an interesting story, I've never read this as a fairy tale but it does come across as a fairy tale and is very readable, I can't remember how I stumbled upon this author but I'm glad I did and I'm looking forward to more of hers.

[kidsilkhaze · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a companion book to Goose Girl and is an originial tale, not a retelling. In this book, Ani's friend Enna takes the lead war as Bayern is faced with an invading army. Ani's gift of wind-speak is grown out of control to the point where it overwhelms her. Enna has learned the secret of fire-speak and uses her gift in battle but must live with the consequences of burning people alive. Her gift is also raging out of control with the war far from over, she, and Bayern need help.This is a powerful followup to Goose Girl and I think I like it even better. I highly recommend.