Burning by Jennifer Skogen ⭐⭐⭐

Jennifer Skogen’s Burning, the first book in The Haunting of Grey Hills series, brings a strong sense of nostalgia and ghostly intrigue but struggles with pacing and depth. Aimed at young adult readers, the novel offers an engaging premise and moments of chilling suspense, yet it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential.

🚨 Spoilers Ahead! 🚨

The story begins with Macy, a high school junior, grappling with the loss of her older brother, Nick, and the whispers of tragedy that haunt her small town of Grey Hills. The town’s dark history centers around a school fire from decades ago, an event that left scars—both physical and emotional—on the community. This eerie backdrop sets the tone for a supernatural mystery as Macy and her friends navigate their way through school and life.

One of the novel’s strongest elements is its atmosphere. Grey Hills, with its overgrown ruins of the old school and the whispers of restless spirits, feels alive with foreboding. When Macy starts experiencing strange phenomena, such as visions of a burning man and unsettling encounters with a mysterious construction worker in goggles, the suspense builds effectively. These moments are genuinely eerie, especially the vivid descriptions of fire-related imagery like Macy feeling the heat on her back after seeing the worker disappear.

Macy’s relationships are another central focus, particularly her complicated dynamics with her best friend, Claire, and her estranged childhood friend, Jackson. While the interactions between these characters feel authentic, their development occasionally feels rushed or surface-level. For example, Jackson’s attempts to reconnect with Macy after her brother’s death offer glimpses of emotional depth, but they’re overshadowed by unresolved tension and distractions from the main plot.

The supernatural mystery takes center stage during the Junior/Senior Lock-In, a school tradition that Macy has been looking forward to. However, the event is marred by strange occurrences, including a student’s hair catching fire in the cafeteria and the reappearance of the construction worker. As Macy digs deeper into the town’s history, she discovers connections between the fire, the worker, and her own family’s past.

The classroom scene where Macy’s substitute teacher, Mr. Bishop, spontaneously combusts in front of her and then vanishes is one of the book's most horrifying and memorable moments. The vivid description of flames consuming his body and the lingering smell of burnt hair add a visceral intensity that lingers with the reader.

Standout Quote:
“The past doesn’t stay buried—it smolders, waiting for the right spark to bring it roaring back to life.” This line captures the novel’s central theme of reckoning with buried secrets and unresolved grief.

While Burning excels in atmosphere and suspense, its pacing and character development falters. The plot meanders sometimes, and some threads are left frustratingly unresolved by the end. Macy’s journey feels incomplete, leaving readers with more questions than answers.

Despite its flaws, Burning is an intriguing start to the series and offers enough chills and mystery to entice young adult readers who enjoy supernatural tales. However, this book may fall short for those seeking a more tightly woven and satisfying narrative.

#YAParanormal #BurningBookOne #JenniferSkogen #HauntingOfGreyHills 🔥📖👻