Review: Wicks on 'Burn Mark'

Our second review, this time from dear Wicks :)

Simon Wicks here, bringing you my first book review!

Title: Burn Mark 
Author: Laura Powell
Author's website: http://www.laurapowellauthor.com/
ISBN-10: 1408815222
ISBN-13: 978-1408815229
Original image 

As I haven’t actually finished the book Gerry lent me I can’t review that... However I thought the book club blog looked a little bare so I’m going to review the book Ruby bought me for Christmas: BURN MARK by Laura Powell. ‘Ancient witchcraft. Modern world.’

Like it says on the cover, this book is all about witchcraft. The concept is that certain people develop the power to use magic in their late teens.  It tends to run in families, but not always! Now, we can’t just have magic users running around doing whatever they want. But luckily there is a big scary organisation called ‘The Inquisition’ to keep us muggles safe. The big punishment for those witches who step out of line?... You guessed it... burning at the stake. Now if you’re a witch and you want to stay within the law, you can get a job doing regulated magic or you can get yourself bridled. Bridling is where you register as a witch and you are fitted with iron cuffs that stop you doing magic. Now if you don’t fancy either of these options you can live the dangerous life of an unregistered witch. The ‘covens’ are mafia style gangs run by these underground witches.

The main storyline follows two teens living two very different lives (of course) but who have to learn to work together (didn’t you just know I was going to say that!). Firstly we have Glory, a coven member, trying to live up to the celebrity (and perhaps notoriety) of her grandmother and great aunt, the Starling Twins. I never usually sympathise with chavvy characters like Glory here but she does have charm in an ‘I can look after myself’ kind of way. We also have the much more refined Lucas, son of the High Inquisitor (avoiding spoilers- but no prizes for guessing what happens to him).

The story did feel a little formulaic at times but I found myself getting drawn in, even though I was reading on the train and there were a million distractions. Didn’t take me long to read either despite cringing at some of the burning scenes. It even taught me a few things about witches, which I must say was surprising! Overall an enjoyable read and one I will no doubt read again.

Rating: 13/15 Simon stars. 

One to read if you enjoyed: The Hunger Games, City Of Bones.

Feel free to comment below your thoughts on 'Burn Mark' if you have read it or are planning on reading it :)