Burning Blue

4.3

4.0 (2)

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Author(s)

Paul Griffin

Publisher

Dial

Genre(s)

Contemporary

Age Range

14+

Release Date

October 25, 2012

ISBN

0803738153

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How far would you go for love, beauty, and jealousy?

When Nicole Castro, the most beautiful girl in her wealthy New Jersey high school, is splashed with acid on the left side of her perfect face, the whole world takes notice. But quiet loner Jay Nazarro does more than that--he decides to find out who did it. Jay understands how it feels to be treated like a freak, and he also has a secret: He's a brilliant hacker. But the deeper he digs, the more danger he's in--and the more he falls for Nicole. Too bad everyone is turning into a suspect, including Nicole herself.

Award-winning author Paul Griffin has written a high-stakes, soulful mystery about the meaning--and dangers--of love and beauty.

How far would you go for love, beauty, and jealousy?

Award-winning author Paul Griffin has written a high-stakes, soulful mystery about the meaning--and dangers--of love and beauty.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

A Problem Novel Mystery

November 24, 2012

Overall rating

4.3

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Nicole Castro was the prettiest and most popular girl in school before she was attacked with acid and her face was disfigured. Jay was a loner at the edge of the crowd until his public epileptic seizures brought him to everyone's attention. Both of them are getting counseling at school and form an uneasy alliance. Jay is determined to find out who attacked Nicole, and uses his hacking skills to uncover information. In the meantime, Nicole is trying to get on with her life despite her new challenges. Both have plenty of issues to work through-- absent parents, parents who care too much, and awkward social entanglements that are complicated by their other challenges. If Jay can find out who attacked Nicole, will their relationship change?

Good Points

This was interesting on a lot of levels. The mystery of Nicole's attack was handled well, and I liked how Jay used his computer hacking skills. Jay's epilepsy also seemed realistically portray and was something I haven't read much about. Great cover. The thing that I liked best about it was the characters. I liked how both Nicole and Jay were developed, and how their unlikely friendship made sense because of how events developed.

Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer Top 10 Reviewer 2014 reviews

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User reviews

2 reviews

Overall rating

4.0

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4.0(2)

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4.0(2)

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4.0(2)

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Really good!

June 27, 2014

Overall rating

4.0

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I really enjoyed Burning Blue.

I was surprised it was from a male's perspective when I started, but I liked that.

It's kind of a messed up story. I was really pissed when I found out exactly what happened and why.

Just, what the heck. Really.

I loved Jay and Nicole's time together.

Jay had seizure's and that added an interesting element.

It was just a really good book. I wanna read more of what Paul Griffin has to offer.

Emily Savant, Staff Reviewer Top 50 Reviewer 300 reviews

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A Great Story

October 15, 2012

Overall rating

4.0

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Originally posted on http://wordsareinnermusic.blogspot.com

someone steps out in front of her and sprays her face with acid. In that moment, the beauty queen’s life changes forever. Jay is an outsider at school, plagued by his own problems, but when Nicole is attacked, Jay can’t just sit by and do nothing. Nicole and Jay become friends, and Jay becomes determined to find out what really happened to Nicole. This is the beginning of their story.

This was my first Paul Griffin book and I have to be honest, it did not disappoint. I’m always cautious when reading new to me authors, but I’m also cautious when it comes to these types of mysteries. For me, it’s either hit or miss, there’s no in between when it comes to these stories. Well, Burning Blue is a definite hit!
Jay is a strong complicated character, who has a lot of problems in his life. Despite everything, he stands true to his convictions and fights for those who can’t fight for themselves. I loved Jay because he was so dysfunctional! I know it sounds funny, but whatever problems he had, he didn’t let them define him and that’s what I loved about him. He pushed through his own insecurities, his own mishaps, to help someone he didn’t really know. In my eyes, that makes him a great hero.
Nicole was an interesting character as well. I loved that she wasn’t just some airhead beauty queen who had her beauty taken from her and THEN she discovers who she truly is. No, Nicole has always had a soft heart, and she’s been searching for her own identity long before the attack. Nicole was a steady character throughout the book, growing just like a real person would, fighting through the adversaries of life.
Jay and Nicole’s relationship was sweet and up front. I loved how real their interactions were, how personal their growth seemed. These characters leaped off the pages and spoke to you.
Paul created an emotional, raw and real story folded in the pages of mystery. I had a few things figured out but some took me by surprise. I love when that happens in a book! I flew through this book and I’d recommend it to everyone, even if you’re not big on contemporary!

Valia Top 500 Reviewer