Meredith & Jennifer's Musings : Bridges Burned by Chris Cannon Review and Giveaway

Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)

Release Date: 01/19/15

Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Don't just fight the system…burn it.

Since discovering she is a shape-shifting, fire-breathing dragon on her sixteenth birthday (surprise!), Bryn McKenna’s world has been thrown into chaos. Being a “crossbreed”—part Red dragon and part Blue—means Bryn will never fit in. Not with dragon society. Not with the archaic and controlling Directorate. And definitely not when she has striped hair and a not-so-popular affection for rule-breaking…

But sneaking around with her secret boyfriend, Zavien, gets a whole lot harder when he’s betrothed to someone else. Someone who isn't a mixed breed and totally forbidden. And for an added complication, it turns out Bryn’s former archnemesis Jaxon Westgate isn’t quite the evil asshat she thought. Now she’s caught between her desire to fit in and a need to set things on fire. Literally.

Because if Bryn can’t adapt to the status quo…well, then maybe it’s time for her to change it.

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Books One:

Going Down in Flames

by Chris Cannon

Release Date: 06/30/14

Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

If her love life is going down in flames, she might as well spark a revolution.

Finding out on your sixteenth birthday you’re a shape-shifting dragon is tough to swallow. Being hauled off to an elite boarding school is enough to choke on.

Since Bryn is the only crossbreed at the Institute for Excellence, all eyes are on her, but it’s a particular black dragon, Zavien, who catches her attention.

Zavien is tired of the Council’s rules. Segregated clans, being told who to love, and close-minded leaders make freedom of choice almost impossible. The new girl with the striped hair is a breath of fresh air, and with Bryn’s help, they may be able to change the rules.

At the Institute, old grudges, new crushes, and death threats are all part of a normal day for Bryn. She’ll need to learn to control her dragon powers if she wants to make it through her first year at school. But even focusing on staying alive is difficult when you’re falling for someone you can't have.

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Jennifer's Review:

Burning Bridges continues on were Going Down In Flames Review ended. Bryn, a mixed Dragon is returning back to "dragon school". The author, Chris Cannon did a wonderful job of reminding us what happened in book 1 (GDIF). Just as I would read something that referred to a previous incident in book 1 I would think "Oh, I have to go back and re-read that part",in comes a character who asks the very question I was thinking and right there we get a small recap in book 2.

The book cover: Well its amazing and love it BUT I kept waiting for Bryn to change her hair color to blue in this book and she doesn't :-) So I have to say I am a bit confused. Maybe I am just focused on it because its the second Entangled book this year that the cover has caused me some confusion.

In Bridges Burned -- a lot of things happen -- things get weirder & scarier with a ton of plot twists, romance, action, Christmas family time, school dance (with some drama), terrorist attacks, and then just like book 1 ta cliff hanger ending-- and I have to say that in addition to be a cliff hanger I was left feeling that I didn't many answers/resolution. One that will rock your world in this book is that people get seriously hurt and people die --its devastating and I am holding hope that there is more to that in the next book then what we read in this book.

The most surprising thing of book 2 for me is what happens with Bryn, Zavian and Jaxon. I can't believe I am saying this but I really want Bryn with anyone BUT Zavian. I was hoping to love Zavian in this book as his character had lured me in in Book 1 but WOW he does he does a complete 180 and becomes a total JERK in this book. Like so much of a jerk that there is no redemption in my eyes..... EVER. On the other hand -- Jaxon -- I like him ALOT more in this book, he starts to think for himself and realizes that not all is "right" in the dragon world -- not sure I like him as love interest for Bryn (as I like Rhianna and Bryn likes Rhianna and can't see Bryn crossing that friendship line) -- but Bryn and Jaxon have definitely developed a friendship & a respect for one another with a side of awesome banter that is now funny and light. I like it!

The rest of the cast:
Bryn -- still as feisty as ever in this book with laugh out lines lines.

Ivy and Clint -- still the steadfast friends they were in book 1 and they are there for Bryn when things go all crazy with Zavian.

Bryn's Knight Valmont - we get to see more of him in this book and its all good -- could be a potential love interest for Bryn and their bond as Knight and Dragon grows (I am really loving where this Knight/Dragon element goes - its new and fresh).

Merrick -- I was bummed that there was not much at all interaction with Merrick in Bridges Burned.

Other characters-- we get to know Bryn's Grandmother and Jaxon's Mother more in this book and they are wonderful side characters that you will be sure to like.
In the end I have no idea were things are going in terms of romance for Bryn(will Chris introduced someone new? will it be Jaxon, Valmont?)but this book packed some serious action and I can't wait to see what is in store for the dragons, the government, the directorate, the romance, and all the characters path's forward. I can't wait for BOOK 3.

Bottom Line: Bridges Burned is a great second installment in an action packed young adult series that I will continue following.

There are just so many good excerpts to show you that I really couldn't limit myself to one so here are two of my favorites.

Excerpt #1

“Hi. I wanted to ask Jaxon a question about the Directorate. Is he here with you?”

Rhianna pointed to the midnight-blue book bag hanging on the back of the chair next to her. “He went to look for a book.”

“Know which way he went?” Searching for someone in the monstrous library could take all night, and there was no guarantee of success.

“Up to the second floor, I believe.”

Which meant he could be anywhere. “I’ll ask him another time.”

“Thank you,” Rhianna said.

“For what?”

“You came to me rather than searching him out on your own. We just quashed those strange rumors about you two, and I’d hate for them to start again.”

“How can people be so stupid?” Bryn plopped down in Jaxon’s seat. “I’d never sneak around with Jaxon for two reasons: one, because I like you, and two, because he annoys the hell out of me on a regular basis.”

Rhianna covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled. “I envy your ability to say what you’re feeling.”

“You should try it sometime.”

“This is a frightening development.” Jaxon came toward them carrying a thick leather-bound book.

“Afraid I’ll be a bad influence?” Bryn asked.

“Yes. If you could remove yourself from my seat and stay away from my future wife, I’d appreciate it.”

Bryn leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table. “Now I’ll have to become best friends with Rhianna to spite you.”

Excerpt # 2

“Excuse me.” A Blue male she didn’t know stood in front of her. He glanced back at a group of males who were snickering.

Her internal alarm went off. Odds were this wouldn’t end well.

“Yes?” she braced herself.

“I was wondering if you’d like to dance?” The tone of his voice screamed, I am a jerk.

“One question: Are you the joke or am I?”

He blinked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She pointed at his friends. “Are they laughing at you for asking me to dance? Or are they laughing at me, because they think I’ll be stupid enough to believe you actually want to dance with me?”

The polite expression melted from his face, leaving behind a cold sneer. “You’re not stupid, are you?”

“No.”

“You realize this is probably the only chance you’ll have to dance tonight.”

That hurt a little bit because it was probably true. She gave him a go-screw-yourself smile. “Then I’d rather not dance.”

Giveaway: