The Burning World: A Warm Bodies Novel (2) (The Warm Bodies Series) Hardcover – February 7, 2017

Nearly 6 years after the original novel Warm Bodies (and 4 years after the movie that led to me hunting down the novel) fans finally have a sequel. And like our protagonist R, the Burning World deals with a more mature, complex, and less clearly-defined set of characters and objectives that what readers were confronted with in the novel that preceded it.One of the attractions of Warm Bodies was its delightful approach to the classic Romero and Juliet story, a story that has arguably become one of Shakespeare’s most interpreted (and reinterpreted) works because it is THE very definition of youthful hope, passion, and damn-the-consequences focus on the desire to overcome, well, anything and anyone.But Isaac Marian brought a hint of something else to the Great Bard’s tale in Warm Bodies (for starters, the protagonist and his love are both alive in the end), an undercurrent that there was something more to this story, that an underlying spiritual force existed that was part of the change that needed to come for humanity to move to the next level. This is what kept me reading (and re-reading) Warm Bodies as well as what had the Burning World in my Amazon pre-order box for 15 months: That hint that there was a deeper story to be had here. And with the Burning World, Isaac largely succeeds, but does so with some trade-offs.So what happens when (R)omeo and (Julie)t defy both houses yet live afterwards? They find that happily-ever-after isn’t that easy to achieve.The world that they have inherited is still broken, healing the dead isn’t as simple as a kiss and a kind thought, and no matter how unsatisfactory someone’s current reality is, people will resist change and will continue to remain with the status quo over stepping into the fear of the unknown. This plays on many levels in the Burning World, with R himself resisting the memories of his past life out of fear of being someone that Julie could not accept, Julie’s apparent resistance to acceptance of the present for what it is, and the story’s new antagonist’s desire to re-impose a past that, no matter how broken, was one that they knew how to manipulate and own. While (like Warm Bodies) underneath it all is a driving spiritual force that is looking for a way to take humanity to the next level. All of this takes place in a post-apocalyptic dystopian landscape that, for fans of Science Fiction and Fantasy, is a setting we have seen before and is probably weakest part of the story.But I still very much liked the Burning World and much of the reason for that lies with Isaac’s portrayals of his characters and his well-written prose. R, while becoming less charming as he turns more complex, also becomes more real to the reader, and the surrounding cast of characters bring additional nuances to their repertoire. We are watching these people grow-up in this story and the feeling that they are now working towards a higher set of goals begins to take shape as they move from one end of a destroyed America to another.I could not help but be reminded of another pair of stories that were separated by time and maturity: Ariel and Elegy Beach. Ariel was originally written by a young author by the name of Steven Boyett and remained my favorite story by Boyett for years. Until I read Elegy Beach, which in every way was a deeper, more complex, and more satisfying tale. But in both cases, the 1st story and 2nd story were separated by time and the skills of an author who developed tremendously between the two. In so many ways it feels that Isaac is taking the same journey as an author and storyteller.If the story feels incomplete, it is because it is. Due to the length of the sequel, it has been broken into two parts (with The Living following, hopefully not 6 years from now) and it does leave the reader halted at an awkward point in the storyline. That is a shame because my suspicion is that, had the tale been allowed to be told as a single contiguous story, it altogether would have been a more epic novel.Recommended.

We left R and Julie at the end of Warm Bodies, and things were looking up for our post-zombie world. However, things aren't nearly as easy as you would think. (Okay, I seriously doubt anyone really thought "curing" zombies would be easy.) R has to tell with the memories of his prior life returning - though he would much rather those dark memories didn't return. Meanwhile, the recovery of the other zombies is a mixed bag: some, like M, are doing very well. Other zombies are tentatively taking one step at a time in a slow process of recovery.If that weren't enough, Axiom Corporation, a company that "helps" survivors shows up in full force. They are a disturbing group with creepy brain-washed-like minions more than ready to take control and restore order to the poor folks of the United States. Of course, R, Julie, and friends end up on the wrong side of Axiom. They go on the run (which honestly gets a bit boring at times.) determined to find a safe place to live.While I really enjoyed the novel, I'm not certain that it needed to be written. Warm Bodies felt fairly complete to me. The Burning World did give us a deeper insight into R and showed us that Julie isn't as amazing as R thinks she is. (Character development!) It was also great to see more of M and Nora. I'm happy that the world and characters were expanded and fleshed out. The novel also gave us major insight into how the zombie-virus got started - which was exciting to read. I do look forward to learning more about this world and its characters.

My heart broke reading this book. “Warm Bodies” was such a masterpiece and to this day is one of my top favorite books of all time but this one really was disappointing. I don’t get to hear as much from R as I would have liked, Julie seems like she’s completely changed and has morphed from a bold heroine to a stubborn whiny brat. The book also jumps all over the place and goes from different new characters’ points of view to dreams and then switches back to the story which makes it pretty hard to tell if these are dreams or reality that are happening. Lastly the length of the book seems unnecessary like it was just padded with extra words and storylines “just because”. I’m just so sadddd you guys like I seriously do not know what happened and I wanted to love this book so bad but I just can’t 🥺😢😔😔😔😔 The only positive was “M” lol he was a pleasant surprise so theres that 😬

Isaac Marion has been a favorite of mine since 2011. I devoured "Warm Bodies" back then, breezed through "The New Hunger", and had been not-so-patiently awaiting "The Burning World" ever since. It definitely did not disappoint!This book was filled with adventure, heartache, and humor. There's absolutely no lulls. There is always something happening; always something that makes you need to turn the next page and see what happens next. This series remains one of the most unique takes on the zombie genre I've ever read, and will always be my favorite iteration of an undead apocalypse. The character development, as always, is incredible. Each book brings you deeper into their psyches, into their relationships, into their understanding of the world around them.One of the things that stood out to me as so special and so exciting about this book is the deeper look we got into how the apocalypse in this world began. It's starts to slowly leak answers to questions that have been brewing since the very first book: How did this happen? What got the characters here? Who is R? Where did he come from? What's his place in all this?"The Burning World" may be my favorite book of the series so far, and it's gotten me so excited for "The Living". I truly can't wait to read more from Isaac Marion!

I had one question at the end of this book... well, a few more than one, but the main question was this; when is the next book out? I loved Warm Bodies, the first book in the series and I thought this was a great sequel. They are drastically different in the sense that Warm Bodies was almost a comedy at times, whereas there are humorous moments in The Burning World, but for the most part it's a much darker tale.At the end of the book I was left wondering about a few things, such as who the 'WE' are, what's under Sprout's eyepatch and also a little sad that I'll have to wait to see Addis and Nora reunited - Isaac Marion, if by some long shot you end up reading this, please don't disappoint me and kill either of them!R is a more fleshed out character in this book, (pun intended!), his past having been revealed bit by bit, although it's hard to reconcile the lovable, kinda shy R we know with his past self. His relationship with Julie isn't all roses and to me that made it more believable, what with everything they've been through. However, although I love R and Julie, my favourite (unofficial) pair is Marcus and Nora. The clues in The New Hunger (book 1.5) and in this book, have me fidgeting with anticipation and like I've already said I can't wait to see Nora and Addis back together again.All in all, this is another book to add to my favourites list and I'm eagerly awaiting the next instalment! Also, I'm so, so curious to know what R's name is!

I loved the book but i hated the way they kept having ago at Abram for not having hope for the future. The poor bloke has lost everyone. He had an awful childhood spent years looking for his family. When he finally thought he had found his brother he finds out he's dead as well as his parents and why should he trust R and Julie he doesn't know them. His priority has to be keeping his daughter alive and safe not running around with a group of teenagers. Anyway aside from that it was brilliant I can't wait for the next one.

One of the best works of fiction that I've read in a very, very long time! I was a big fan of Warm Bodies, and a HUGE fan of The New Hunger; so I'm extremely pleased (and relieved) to say that The Burning World is a colossal step in the right direction!Isaac has (almost) seamlessly woven the plots into a thrilling, chilling storm of a tale. Where I found Warm Bodies lacked in scale, The Burning World more than makes up for; I just wish I could spend more time with these characters and the story!Whether you've read the previous books or not; The Burning World is a fantastic tale and one of 2017's must reads!

After reading warm bodies and the new hunger I was left wanting more, I didn't want to leave R's post apocalyptic world.Well, I waiting somewhat impatiently for the burning world and I was not disappointed, it's another excellent well written book by Isaac Marion. He paints such beautiful intricate detail into his world and its inhabitants that one becomes completely invested in them.I devoured his latest installment all too quickly, I found myself waking in the early hours to read more (which isn't great when you have to be up to do the school run in the morning) and ended up finishing it today.Alas... I'm now experiencing post book stress disorder. I hunger again for more. I need to know what happens next! I can't wait til Isaac releases his next installment! And just like that I'm going to go sulk and brood in a corner like the undead until the next book is released.

A bit too rambling for me but gripping all the same. Insightful account of what makes us human. Gritty after a rather 'Hollywood'ed rendition in Warm Bodies movie.