TONIGHT, I BURN by Katherine J. Adams is a book I loved while reading. I tore through it, wanting to know everything there was to know about Penny, Malin, and the High Warden. The type of magic practiced in Penny's world is frightening yet fascinating.

Except, the minute I sat down to think about TONIGHT, I BURN after finishing it, I discovered that I have issues with it. Several issues. They didn't prevent me from enjoying the reading experience, but they present concerns for the sequel.

The biggest issue with TONIGHT, I BURN is a lack of character development and backstory. We know almost nothing about the High Warden, how he came to be, why he is the despot he is, how he came to own all magic in the country and more. We know only slightly more about the various covens, but at least we know how they ended up as slaves to the Warden.

This lack of backstory makes it difficult to feel anything for Penny. We simply don't know enough to understand why Penny flouting the rules is dangerous or forbidden. And we have almost no understanding of the need for the Resistance outside of the fact that it is obvious the High Warden has too much power.

My other issue with TONIGHT, I BURN is a personal one. Namely, I'm not a fan of polyamory. Plus, it is such a sudden choice. One minute, Penny worries about giving up one of the two people to whom she's attracted. The next minute, Malin says he can share, and it's a done deal. This is before Penny consumates either relationship or even before either relationship reaches that "its fate" point. It's so...bizarre. I believe Ms. Adams does a good job representing polyamory in general. Unfortunately, the old-fashioned part of me really wishes she picked one lover and became good friends with the other.

Whenever a book makes me feel so divided, the most important question becomes whether I will continue to read the series. In the case of TONIGHT, I BURN, I think I will. TONIGHT, I BURN is not a bad debut. The images of Penny literally burning herself alive to cross over into Death are not going to leave me any time soon. The ending leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Plus, it is Ms. Adams' first novel. Her writing will continue to improve, and I hope she will include more backstories for her characters in the sequel. ( )

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: November 7, 2023

3.5 stars
I loved the world, the magic system, the characters, and the story line but I really struggled with the writing style for most of the book (the end hooked me way more). There was A LOT that happened in the book, perhaps too much? And not enough description, especially emotional description, for me to feel really connected with the characters. Through most of the book something big would happen and I would find my reaction to be "huh...ok"

The ending has me wanting to keep reading the series to find out what happens next though! ( )