Enna Burning (Shannon Hale)

Author Biography

Shannon Hale is the Newbery Honor-winning author of Princess Academy, as well as the four Books of Bayern. She lives in South Jordan, Utah.

Published By: Bloomsbury U.S.A.

Year: 2004

ISBN-13: 978-1-58234-889-6

ISBN-10: 1-58234-889-8

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

As war threatens the kingdom of Bayern, Enna discovers a magic that could lead to victory: the power to control fire. But can she use it without being consumed by the fire’s need to burn?

Plot Summary:

After helping her friend Isi, a.k.a. Princess Anidori, reclaim her rightful crown in The Goose Girl, sixteen-year-old Enna has gone back to her old home in the Forest and to her brother Leifer. But their comfortable life turns dark when Leifer finds a mysterious piece of vellum and begins acting strangely. Then, in a moment of anger, he accidentally sets Enna's skirt on fire with only his mind!

Soon afterward, war brews between Bayern and the neighboring kingdom of Tira. In battle the king is killed, but his forces triumph… thanks to Leifer unleashing fire on the enemies. In doing so, he sacrifices his own life. From his body, Enna retrieves the vellum. On it is written the secret of how to turn heat from the air into fire.

Initially reluctant to use her new knowledge, Enna soon realizes that it could win the war. On secret missions she sets enemy supplies and weapons ablaze. But the more she burns, the more she longs to burn, as the fire’s own destructive desire becomes a desperate craving within her. Will she be able to control it, or, like Leifer, will she become a danger to herself and to everyone around her?

Critical Evaluation:

This sequel to The Goose Girl and second of the Books of Bayern is a very different, distinctly darker book than its predecessor. Where the Brothers Grimm-inspired Goose Girl is a traditionally enchanting fairy-tale, this fantasy-drama explores the frightening implications of a world where everything in nature has consciousness. With raw, visceral power it depicts Enna’s deadly addiction to her fire-magic, fueled by the fire’s desire to burn, which leads her to increasingly horrifying actions that leave her racked with guilt. Her struggle will likely resonate with anyone who’s experienced any type of addiction, substance or otherwise. Other heavy themes are present as well: the horrors of war, tragic loss, and even a magic-induced version of Stockholm Syndrome.

Nonetheless, Shannon Hale still finds room for the endearing, inspiring and heartwarming. The tortured yet eternally feisty Enna is an engaging heroine, with true friends who faithfully support her when she lets them and forgive her when she feels the least worthy. The emphasis on female friendship is especially worthwhile. While Enna’s journey includes romance, and a valuable lesson about the type of man she wants, her most important relationship is with Isi. The latter risks everything to help Enna despite her own personal struggles and provides her with the key to saving herself. While some fans of The Goose Girl might not enjoy this darker tale, others will be enthralled by it, and it definitely deserves a place in any YA fantasy collection.

Curriculum Ties:

•Fantasy worlds

•Addiction

Challenge Issues:

•Mild profanity

•Violence

•Disturbing imagery

•Bodily function references

•Drugging

•Stockholm Syndrome

Why This Book?

While decidedly not the traditional fairy-tale that The Goose Girl is, Enna Burning’s raw, fiery power is captivating in its own right, and makes it both a worthy sequel and a strong stand-alone piece.